School Daze!
Well school has finally returned and our students are getting back in the swing of school work and activities. At the Youth Evangelism Conference last month our students were challenged to take Jesus to their campus. Now is the time the challenge becomes reality. Pray for our students as they face the challenge of being salt and light to their friends in a dark world.
Stay tuned for details about Leadership Rocks next month October 14-15. This is a two day conference put on by Student Leadership University that will be, “a world-class, high-energy Experience that challenges your students to reach beyond today and grab hold of their God-centered futures.”
God has blessed Surrey Hills Baptist Church with a group of wonderful students that are leading the church in many ways!
Ministering with you,
Doug Brown 405-317-8076 rev.dougbrown@gmail.com P.S. follow me on Twitter, pastordougbrown, or Facebook it’s fun!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Do churches have it backwards?
I wasn't planning on writing today, but I ran across a verse from one of Paul’s letters that just hit me in the face.
“…while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.” 1 Corinthians 8:1
Paul is writing to a church that some believe had slogans for the way they should live their lives. He said they had the head knowledge of what to do, but they didn’t have the love associated with being a child of God. He goes on to say in verse 3, “But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”
My limited observation of the local church today would lead me to believe that we have gotten love and knowledge mixed up. Churches today are filled with wonderful teachers and classes that know the difference between a Sadducee and a Pharisee, but when was the last time that class left the building and showed God’s love in their neighborhood? Ouch, that hurts me too.
Why are we closing the doors on more churches than we are opening on new churches? Why is the Southern Baptist Convention not growing, but reached a plateau for the last two years? Why are churches weak today? I believe one of the reasons is we have abandoned hair on fire love for people for knowledge of the Bible.
Now don’t get me wrong, I believe the answer for our world today is the truth and proclamation of God’s word. I of all people love to understand and teach God’s word, but have we escaped into the church with an excuse to learn more and abandoned the people God has called us to love?
One of the great things from our student led echo groups formed during Falls Creek is that they have actually gotten out meeting people’s needs. They have shown love. A couple of groups have spent time at a senior adult care center.
Let’s reverse this trend of knowledge over love. Let’s be a people that the world would say, “They really know how to love people and take care of those in their neighborhood.” Let’s let love strengthen the church!
“…while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.” 1 Corinthians 8:1
Paul is writing to a church that some believe had slogans for the way they should live their lives. He said they had the head knowledge of what to do, but they didn’t have the love associated with being a child of God. He goes on to say in verse 3, “But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.”
My limited observation of the local church today would lead me to believe that we have gotten love and knowledge mixed up. Churches today are filled with wonderful teachers and classes that know the difference between a Sadducee and a Pharisee, but when was the last time that class left the building and showed God’s love in their neighborhood? Ouch, that hurts me too.
Why are we closing the doors on more churches than we are opening on new churches? Why is the Southern Baptist Convention not growing, but reached a plateau for the last two years? Why are churches weak today? I believe one of the reasons is we have abandoned hair on fire love for people for knowledge of the Bible.
Now don’t get me wrong, I believe the answer for our world today is the truth and proclamation of God’s word. I of all people love to understand and teach God’s word, but have we escaped into the church with an excuse to learn more and abandoned the people God has called us to love?
One of the great things from our student led echo groups formed during Falls Creek is that they have actually gotten out meeting people’s needs. They have shown love. A couple of groups have spent time at a senior adult care center.
Let’s reverse this trend of knowledge over love. Let’s be a people that the world would say, “They really know how to love people and take care of those in their neighborhood.” Let’s let love strengthen the church!
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