Living on Mission

Michael Criner is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Bellville, TX and is currently pursuing a DMin in Christian Worldview and Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Seminary. Check out his blog here.

See, living on mission takes time. Living on mission is according to the Holy Spirit’s timetable, not your own. You never know when it’s going to occur. One of the errors the local church has experienced in recent generations is to confuse mission with an event you tack onto your already busy life. Instead, mission should be the way we live, not something we add onto life.  [Read More]

Rainer: are we going the way of Europe?

Any traveler to Western Europe will marvel at two aspects of the local churches: how intricately and monstrously beautiful they are as well as how empty they are of parishioners. From Westminster Abbey in London to Notre Dame in Paris, churches built to point glory to God now contain a massive and constant flow of herding tourists. These churches are relevant to their community only in that people, locals and visitors alike, use their premises for a nice place to eat lunch.

Many tourists to these churches are shocked and frustrated to find out that they actually have to wait and remain quiet for the few services that still take place with the remnant of loyal churchgoers. For centuries these European churches stood as the focal point and heartbeat of the local community. They now are the focal point and hub of the local tourist industry.
Believers in the United States should not make the assumption that we are free and clear from this dilemma. In fact, we are just a little further behind on the road of irrelevancy. The European church is a harbinger of continued decline in the American church if our churches continue to be nonessential.

Not only is the problem of church dropouts an age-old dilemma that spans across the Atlantic, the problem has worsened here in the United States over the last twenty-five years. From the period of 1990 to 2004, the United States population expanded by more than 18 percent.6 During this same period the percentage of people attending church declined by about 3 percent.7 Not only is the church not keeping up with population increases; it is losing ground. In fact, Hawaii is the only state in the union that experienced church growth that outpaced the population growth during the first five years of the new millennium. The rest of the forty-nine states saw declines in church growth relative to the population increases.8

The rapid nature of the American church decline in the last three decades rings a loud alarm bell. Are we really paying attention? Or do we think that the problem will solve itself? It will not. Before improvement occurs, individual churches need revivals among their people. The problem exists on a national scale. But the solution remains with each church on a local level. Individual churches must champion the cause on their own.

These churches must make a decision to become essential in the lives of their congregation and community. This book doesn’t contain all the answers. But we hope that it will be an invaluable tool for helping your church shift from nonessential to essential.

Rainer, T., Geiger, E., & Rainer, S. S., III. (2010). Essential church. Nashville: B&H.

Let's make these statements -

(Original post by Ron Edmondson)

Instead of all the negative comments we often hear in church, wouldn't it be nice if these were the norm?

We can do it Pastor – The “can do” attitude. Who can’t work with that?

Jesus will make a way – If we believe this. then all we have to do is follow Him…right?

It’s not about me – Wow! To hear someone say that…makes a pastor’s day.

Let’s walk by faith – Yes, let’s do. Because, without faith, it’s impossible to please God. At least, according to the Bible.

What can I do to help? – Imagine if everyone showed up at church ready to do whatever it took to make the day work. Just imagine. We can dream, can’t we?

We need some change around here – I think we do. Sustained momentum always requires change. Always.

I know we need to talk about money – You do? Really? You recognize that it takes money to operate a church? Wow! Are you contagious?

It’s none of my business – Okay, this is a tough one, but seriously, is it? Do you really need to know everything, or do you just like information? I wonder if we moved forward with less information if we would be closer to walking by faith…which in essence means we go without seeing… Just wondering.

I’m excited about trying something new – By excited, do you also mean you’ll support it? And speak positively about it? Even behind the pastor’s back? Because, if you do, I’m gonna hug you. Seriously.

This church is awesome! – It’s simple, but it builds momentum. Believing in the church, it’s leadership, and it’s potential is a key to welcoming people who will later feel likewise.

Questions for leader-want-to-be's

(originally posted by Ron Edmondson)

" had a young man ask me recently, “Do you think I’m ready to be a leader?”

I said: Great question. Glad you’re asking.. But, honestly, I don’t know that I’m the one to answer.  It might help if I ask you some questions:

Are you ready to stand alone at times?
Are you ready to push through fear?
Are you ready to do the right thing even when it’s the unpopular thing?
Are you ready to be misunderstood sometimes…okay…many times?
Are you ready to sacrifice for your team?
Are you ready to see things others may not yet be able to see?
Are you ready to enter the unknown…first?
Are you ready to keep confidences?
Are you ready to delegate?
Are you ready to see all sides of an issue?
Are you ready to sometimes feel like the weight of a vision is on your shoulders?
Are you ready to face conflict?
Are you ready to have your integrity closely observed by your followers?
Are you ready to receive criticism?
Are you ready to defend your team?"

Are you ready to be a leader?

His Ways and My Ways

(Copied from BibleStudyTools.com)

God's forgiveness toward us - and subsequent reconciliation - surpasses anything we can imagine, so that we are never too far for his love.  Read More