When Churches Put On Christ - 9/15/2009

Today's Mental Image:

Getting Dressed

They Resemble Christ

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Here is a good working definition of a Christian:  A Christian is someone who thinks, acts, and feels like Jesus.  Paul said that they have "put on Christ."  They resemble Christ.  In 2005, Gene Carlson, now the pastor emeritus of Westlink Christian Church, gave a messsage on what a Church might look like.  He stated:  "We are not a club that gathers to serve the needs of the members.  We are a mission agency preoccupied with reaching those who don't want anything to do with the church, are skeptical of Christians, and have been hurt by the church." 

About 30 years ago, Westlink intentionally set out to move from ministry to the saints to reaching the seekers for Christ.  Following that decision they progressed from gaining from 25 to 40 people a year to more than 200 a year.  Could that happen to your church and congregation if you made the decision to "put on Christ?"

Pastor Carlson identified five characteristics of a person who "puts on Christ."  See if these fit you:

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I am convinced that God blesses churches and people who get outside themselves, who give outside themselves, who reach out in evangelism, and who lift up the majesty of God.  Mary Nordstrom wrote,  "It is our privilege to have world evangelism as a passion . . . not our responsibility to have as a burden."

The churches of Evangelical Friends Church Mid America will see significant growth and make a huge difference in their world when we act intentionally to "put on Christ."

by David J. Robinson

INSIGHTS

September 2009

WHEN THEY DON'T RESEMBLE CHRIST?

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It is so good to hear someone else saying

the same thing for which I have been crucified again and again.

One of the most hurtful things I have been told is:

"That's what you are best suited for,"

when I reach out to those

who don't want anything to do with the church,

are skeptical of Christians,

and have been hurt by the church.

Of course they mean, and sometimes say,

I am better suited for these things

than for leading their church

to be involved with

those

outside.  And

they say this when I

am being sent away for not

"understanding" their church because

I have been preaching that they need to become

exactly the kind of Christians and church

that David, Gene, and Mary

are writing about. 

My sin?

Calling them to Christ -

Calling them to be like Christ !!

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