Thank you Rachel for giving me the book Why we love the church:In praise of institutions and organized religion. I enjoyed reading a book that spoke positively of God's design for Christian community.
It seems that so many today are speaking and writing critical things about the Bride of Christ. Some are suggesting leaving church all together. I'll admit, the church is not perfect. Yours may seem worse than others. But it is designed by God to bring Him glory. So I love it. I work hard to help others build a positive representation of the church in a local context.
Many run to conferences, camps, special groups, etc. to find what they should look for in the church. Others start organizations, clubs, special groups to do what they should be doing as a church. But God has only promised success to His "church". (Matthew 16:18)
Let's continue to be the church and build His church!
Do you feel that the church is an effective means of bringing God glory?
6 comments:
Hey Kevin,
Glad the book was good.
I'm sure I've said this to you before but in answer to your question- As a student at Moody committed to ministry I didn't really like the church. I thought the church had to be (or at least was resigned to be) what it was in the church I grew up in...Small town politics in pantyhose. And coming to Chicago and Lighthouse really changed me. I have never been a part of a body like ours. We go through stuff (good or bad) together. The Lord has awakened a love for the church through being part of the family at Lighthouse.
Glory to God. I am glad that you are a part of making Lighthouse what we are.
In my grad class tonight we discussed why we do what we do in ministry. Philosophy of ministry.
To often we just do things without considering why. It has been said that "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Rachel, I am glad that God has rekindled your love for His church. Grace and peace.
Ultimately all that matters is the glory of God (Psalm 57:5). And God has ordained that He "will" receive most glory through His bride, the church (Ephesians 3:21). Restoring sound doctrine concerning the nature of conversion is foundational to being a church that brings God the glory that He deserves.
Amen.
God will be glorified through His church.
I completely agree about the need for the church to get back to a pure understanding of what it means to be "saved". We (the visibile church) have done so much to violate the gospel.
I often ask, what have we added to and taken away from the gospel.
Hey Kevin, where are you working on your Master's at??
Wheaton Grad School
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