I finished reading Max Lucado’s next book (arriving August 2010) called “Outlive Your Life” last night. I said it in an earlier post but it is a call to action to all that read it. As I finished the last 2 sentences of the book, I couldn’t help but think of the many people effected by the floods in Nashville, Tennessee. I am so proud as I see the efforts of Churches like Cross Point to BE THE CHURCH in a time when it is needed the most. It’s not for attendance. It’s not so they can be in the spotlight. It’s because that is what Jesus called each of us to do (Matthew 25:40). Please continue to support Churches like Cross Point.
I would also say that we should all ask the question….If a tragedy struck my city, would my Church be one of the first to respond? If the needs of my city were great would my Church and it’s people be ready to fill those needs? If my Church was in Nashville what would it’s leadership and it’s people be doing today, tomorrow and the rest of this week? Our Church, THE Church, should already be serving one another and the needs of others. When tragedy strikes, it’s a good idea to already know what it’s like to be the “hands and feet”. Cross Point, for example, is a church based on being the Church…not just doing Church.
None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus.
-Max Lucado (OutLive Your Life pp. 151)
“THE Church, should already be serving one another and the needs of others…”
That’s a telling measuring stick for churches… “THE Church” is about all of us as the global body of Christ. But the reality is that churches are “silo’d” and their effectiveness in ministering to a lost world is often limited to the ability of that individual church. Imagine what it would be like if churches, on a normal basis, worked together to minister to people…
My thought as I was typing the post was if you answer “no” to any of those questions regarding your Church…it might be time to find a new place to worship. I thought that was a bit strong so I left it out. Like putting in these comments is any better. Oh well, it was on my chest and now it’s off.
Great points Chris.
I know what you mean by thinking “if you answer no to any of these questions…I feel the same way at times about some things at my Church. But I think what keeps me where I am is the fact that it is my family. You don’t leave your family lightly, but you work to make your family more like Christ. I think that time could come, don’t get me wrong. What a great post again Aaron. Thanks for sharing it. By the way, how did you get Max’s book before it has been released? That is awesome.
Happy running brother,
Rob
Rob – Thanks man! Church and Churches can always be a topic of some heated discussion. As sad is it is, a situation like this can bring out what a Church really has at their core by trial through fire. I think we can learn a lot about our Church when we’re called to put faith to action. I’m so thankful that our Church is jumping at the opportunity to assist Cross Point, whatever that looks like. It gives me peace that God has led my family and I to a place where we can be a part of something special.
Congrats on finishing the race Sunday. I heard it was a tough one and rained. Two down…two to go