Comments on: Missing the Point

By: eddy

eddy — Wed, 12 May 2010 13:18:29 +0000

here’s the problem: studies are now showing that the large, seeker mega-church isn’t producing deep, long-lasting spiritual/moral life change. how can this be? isn’t the parking lot full of cars, isn’t the auditorium packed out with people each week, isn’t there a flurry of activity going on all the time — what gives? answer: human needs are being met, but not the kind of deep, profound spiritual needs the gospel was meant to meet. as long as we measure church success by attendance numbers, budget size, facility size, etc. we’ll miss the point of real change. the biblical test for true christian spiritual conversion is moral transformation. let’s stop measuring things superficially in the church today. let’s measure our church success against the true marks of discipleship. the main criticism of the seeker church movement is lack of spiritual/moral fruit produced for all the money and resources expended. have the courage to call people to moral repentance (change) and risk losing half the church attendance on sunday and holding members accountable to basic christian morality and risk losing members as well. it’s more important to make real disciples than it is to build mega-churches.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:54:19 +0000

Are there more verses in the bible that support change in the church? I’m not sure if this is the place to bring up personal problems, but I need help.
My boyfriend goes to a very old fashioned church (Church of Christ)t hat he gets spiritual fullfilment from, but I don’t. They have a congregation of about 70 and sing old hyms without any accompanyment. They sing without instruments, because they think it’s the right way, but I know in Psalms it mentions praising with harp and horn. I’ve gone with him a few times and could appreciate that the talk was bible-based.
I tried showing him one of your talks on growing in faith and he reacted so negatively to it. He felt like you were attacking smaller churches and down-playing reading the bible and attending church. I told him you said it was a means to growth, but not growth. Which I happen to agree with. It worries me, because he was so threatened by the truth.
He is a christian, but seems to have a more narrow view on how to worship. I respect the way he chooses to worship, but I want the same in return. I was also hoping he and I would be able to share our faith together. I could really use some advice on how to approach this issue.
Thanks for your time, Kate

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:43:13 +0000

@cherilans
of course. just think if Jesus wasn’t willing to rock the boat in the context he found himself. he wouldn’t have been on mission, which would have rendered him useless. we must create a habit of change…our circumstances change and people change, so our leadership must adapt. i will even say that we must allow our view of God to be ever-expanding…how foolish are we to think that we would ever get to a point where we could fully understand God…even our view of Him at times is required to change. Change is good. Change means we’re living. Change means we’re participating in our context. I’m all about change

By: cherilans

cherilans — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:31:21 +0000

Hey, Adam! Thanks for responding and sharing your thoughts. I admire your honesty. Most people could probably claim the same, i.e. laziness. Do you believe what Brad says above: ” When we’re not changing, we’re missing the point… we miss out on the power of God’s promises and power in our lives…and we are unable to help others experience it.” ? I ask this in light of you serving NRC with Brad.

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:43:38 +0000

love it dude.

bottom line for me: laziness.

I don’t change, and I don’t give myself over to the transformational work of Jesus because I’d rather sit on the couch and eat cheez-its while watching The Office. Haha. Nothing wrong with that, but all too often it takes the place of the daily disciplines required for change.

absolutely love serving with you.

By: Korey

Korey — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:49:51 +0000

I feel that change is good, sometimes it will be uncomfortable, other times it will be seamless change.

While growing-up as a young person in a church, I always felt that I never understood what the rituals were about and what was being spoken about. I felt like all I wanted to do is fall asleep in the church services. After high school, I fell away from church because of this experience. So, everytime you get on your “religion” experience as a younger guy, I can totally relate.

When NRC came to Plymouth, I had a family member tell me I had to check NRC out. I admit, it took a little while of this person to work on me before I CHANGED and came to NRC. It has been life changing and I can completely stay awake in your talks even without utilizing the coffee shop! (I don’t drink coffee anyway)

I have family members that are reluctant to change, it’s disappointing because they could totally experience life to a whole different level.

Keep up the good work Brad!

By: Sherrie English

Sherrie English — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:07:26 +0000

Brad,
You actually took the thoughts from my brain/heart and put them into words. Thank you for that, I’m passing this message along to the friends I’ve already been discussing this with. Inspiring, thanks. God Bless.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:16:45 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by bradpowell: CHANGE…it’s the point but sadly most are missing it. For more read my new blog. Share your thoughts. http://bit.ly/cngbA4…

By: Michelle Peters

Michelle Peters — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:42:50 +0000

Transformation requires a choice. It’s a reality in my life and the lives of other Christians I encounter.

We can look at the smorgasborg of abundance Christ offers, hear others speak of it, see the evidence in the lives of others. It’s breathtaking on every level. Inside we know something is missing even if we are believers. We might even know the missing piece is surrender, but we choose to hold onto what’s become comfortable, familiar, beloved believing that’s where we’ll find our satisfaction. Even the crash and burn of temporal satisfaction isn’t enough to make us change. For surely we’ll find something else to assuage our sense of lack.

What hastens change and transformation? Getting to know our Father, every nook and cranny of His heart. and surrendering ALL to Him. When we get there, we can claim Rom 8:28 with gusto and aplomb. Lack of change is symptomatic of a heart where everything else takes a higher priority than our relationship with Him.

I know this story all too well. Praise God for His mercy and patience.

Thanks for a thought provoking post! Your leadership and conviction is appreciated.

By: J.

J. — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:57:10 +0000

The Holy Spirit is alive within us…thanks for sharing its message.