Awakening The Sleeping Giant

  Beyond the Building: Rediscovering True Community The modern North American Church (NAC) has achieved remarkable feats of organization and reach. But have we lost sight of the essence of community that defined the early church? The New Testament Church (NTC) wasn't built on grand buildings or complex programs. It thrived in homes and communal spaces, a network of believers bound by shared faith and radica l love. This organic growth continued until around 330 AD, when Constantine's influence began to reshape the church. From Community to Control Constantine, driven by power and influence, leveraged Christianity for his own ends. What began as a movement of genuine community in Acts became a tool for control and profit. Sound familiar? But what did that early community look like? I got a glimpse during a trip to Israel in 2019. Our visit to Magdala, Mary Magdalene's hometown, was unexpectedly profound. Walking through the preserved ruins, I could picture daily life: a tig...

  Special Effects: When Church Becomes a Blockbuster We love a good show. Explosions, impossible stunts, the hero always winning against impossible odds – it's the magic of special effects. But what happens when these same tactics creep into our churches? In our quest for growth, many churches adopt an "attraction-based" model. Think big stages, dramatic lighting, fog machines, and bands that rival concert performances. It's a spectacle, designed to draw crowds. But at what cost? The Illusion of Reality Think about your favorite action movie. You know cars don't explode from fender benders. You know jumping from a three-story building is a recipe for disaster. But you suspend disbelief, captivated by the spectacle. We crave that "unique inner experience," that thrill, even if it's manufactured. Ed Sikov defines special effects as "any image or element within the image that has been produced by extraordinary technical means…in excess of the ordin...

  Fruit Check: Is the Modern Church Bearing Biblical Fruit? The institutional church, particularly in North America, is a marvel. We've been conditioned to view "church" as a building, a location, a financial entity. We call it "God's House," pour millions into building funds, and meticulously manage budgets for staff, maintenance, and debt. But is this what Jesus envisioned? 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet, our focus often shifts to the physical structure. We obsess over parking lots, restrooms, and building aesthetics, as suggested by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, prioritizing curb appeal over the genuine needs of our community. While we meticulously fund these physical aspects, a struggling father seeking assistance faces bureaucratic hurdles, and a single mother needing groceries endures the stigma of food pantries. We pour resources into maintaining buildings while neglecting the very people those ...

  No Position Available: Rethinking Church Leadership "Sorry, there is no pastoral position available here. We do welcome your gift of pastoring though." Imagine seeing that on a job board. It sounds absurd, doesn't it? Yet, this seemingly strange statement actually exposes a fundamental disconnect between the biblical model of church leadership and the way many North American churches operate today. The reality is, the concept of a singular "pastoral position" as we often understand it – a paid, staff-driven role with distinct responsibilities – is largely absent from the New Testament. Instead, we find a consistent emphasis on the role of elders, leaders who were deeply integrated into the community life of the church. The Synonymous Roles of Pastor and Elder Scripture reveals no clear distinction between "pastor" and "elder." In fact, they were often used interchangeably. To a degree, the two were synonymous. The leadership structure was a...

  Embrace the Chaos! Finding Order in the Midst. Chaos. It's a word that often carries a heavy, negative weight. We associate it with disorder, disruption, and even destruction. But let's be honest, if you've ever been part of any community – a family, a neighborhood, a church – you know that chaos is inevitable. Life is messy. Issues arise, plans derail, and things get… complicated. Sometimes, that chaos even feels necessary for growth. Think about it: how often have we learned the most from navigating difficult situations? How often has a community been strengthened through overcoming adversity? The truth is, while no one welcomes chaos, it's a natural part of the human experience, and even a catalyst for positive change. It is time we embrace the chaos! However, just because chaos happens doesn't mean we should embrace it as a permanent state. God, in His wisdom, desires order amidst the mess. While He doesn't advocate for rigid control by a single individual...

  Who Is the Greatest? A Question as Old as the Church Itself "Who is the greatest?" This question isn't some modern-day church conundrum. It's a question as old as the New Testament church itself. Human nature being what it is, we've always been preoccupied with hierarchy, with figuring out who's "better," who's "more qualified," and ultimately, who should be in charge. We see this struggle play out vividly in the Gospels. In Luke 9:46, we read a familiar scene: "An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest." It's a very human moment. The disciples, who had walked with Jesus, witnessed his miracles, and heard his teachings, were still caught up in the pursuit of status. They equated greatness with power, and power with leadership. They were vying for position in what they perceived to be an earthly kingdom. Jesus' response, however, was  unexpected, I am sure,  He "took a...

  The Shock of Simplicity: Has the Church Become Too Complicated? While living in Puerto Rico a few years back, I had a conversation with a fellow missionary and friend that has stuck with me ever since. We were discussing the nature of the church and what it truly was from a biblical perspective. I shared my understanding, grounded in scripture, and then... silence. A long, thoughtful silence. Finally, he spoke, and his words revealed a profound truth: "The simplicity of it... that's the problem." He had grown up in a traditional North American church, much like myself, steeped in its established structures and programs. The picture I painted, a picture of a church organically woven into the fabric of daily life, meeting in homes and public spaces and adjusting to the rhythms of the community, was almost foreign to him. It was too simple. And, sadly, his reaction isn't unique. It's a common response I encounter when discussing the early church. We've b...

  Uniqueness Matters: Your Community Is Your Community One of the beautiful and sometimes challenging aspects of the Christian faith is the sheer diversity of its expression. It's crucial to understand that every community is unique, and this uniqueness naturally shapes how faith is lived out. A church nestled in the rolling hills of rural Tennessee will likely have a very different feel and focus than a church thriving amidst the bustling cityscape of urban Chicago. This isn't a flaw; it's a testament to the power of the Gospel to resonate across cultures and contexts. While this diversity is to be expected, embraced, and even celebrated, these outward expressions of faith must never contradict the Bible's core teachings. We must hold fast to the unchanging truths while allowing for the beautiful variations in how those truths are lived out. This delicate balance between unity and diversity is something Will Mancini explores beautifully in his book Church Unique . ...

The Church: Community Minded It's safe to say that everyone longs for community. Whether it's found in shared interests like local high schools, sports teams, video games, fashion, or even something like the current buzz around cryptocurrencies, there's a special feeling that comes from belonging. This sense of connection was a key part of what made the New Testament Church so appealing. The New Testament Church operated with a decentralized structure. It wasn't that they were disorganized, but rather that the church wasn't tied to a specific institution or hierarchical organization. Unlike the more business-like structure often seen in the North American Church today, the New Testament Church functioned more organically as a true community. We see this reflected in passages like these: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performe...

Who's the Boss? A Conversation About Leadership in the Church We all know the challenges facing churches today. Beyond the pressures of building maintenance and attendance numbers, we also need to consider how our leadership structures impact our congregations. It's easy to fall into patterns that mirror the corporate world, with the senior pastor at the top, much like a CEO. This can sometimes unintentionally create a perception of the pastor as "extra holy," which can inadvertently diminish the value of the spiritual gifts that God gives to all believers (Ephesians 4:11). This type of hierarchical structure can sometimes lead to a boss-employee dynamic between pastors and staff. This can feel at odds with the biblical concept of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5). While respect for leadership is important, it's also crucial to remember that we are all part of the body of Christ. Sometimes, a "what the pastor says goes" mentality can ...

  Outside Influences: Are We Building God's Church or Our Own? The way our local churches operate has a huge impact on how effectively they connect with their communities. It's hard to deny that most North American churches follow a centralized, institutional model. But as Francis Chan so pointedly states, "God gave us his 'order' for the church. He told us precisely what He wanted through His commandments in the Bible. In our arrogance, we created something we think works better." Ouch. That stings, but it also makes you think. Are we truly following God's blueprint, or have we allowed outside influences to shape our churches into something He never intended? Think about it: businesses, government, social media, the whole media landscape, even other non-profits, income, status, family, and friends – they all play a role in how we "do church" today. Could it be that the very things we think are essential for church – budgets, programs, locat...

From Head to Heart: A Missing Piece in Our Faith Today in my public speaking class, I asked a simple yet profound question: "Who here has ever shared the Gospel and seen someone come to faith?" The silence was deafening. Not one hand went up. Every student in the class professed to be a Christian, yet none had experienced the joy of leading another person to Christ. This stark reality hit me hard. This moment resonated even deeper as my students shared their testimonies – a weekly assignment designed to help them articulate their faith journeys. One young woman's story, in particular, sparked a powerful realization. She described herself as a Christian in the cognitive sense. She knew the doctrines, the stories, the theological framework. But her faith remained primarily intellectual until she taught younger children at a youth camp. There, something shifted. Her experience mirrored something I'd witnessed in the mission field: she possessed knowledge, but had...

The Secret to a Happy 24-Year Marriage?  It's in the Little Things Over the years, people have often asked me the secret to my marriage. My wife and I have been married for 24 years, a journey that began when we were just kids – I was 19, and she was 17. We also started our family early. While the cornerstone of our marriage has undoubtedly been our faith, with Jesus at the center, we also know that faith requires action. It requires effort. There are countless things I could share about building a strong and happy marriage, but something struck me yesterday that I wanted to focus on. I was dropping my wife off at the airport. As I parked, grabbed her luggage, and walked her to security, I was already feeling the pang of missing her. She was traveling for work, leaving me home with our youngest son. We'd be busy, sure, but I always feel a void when she's away. At security, we said our goodbyes, shared a kiss, and she headed through. Now, most people would turn around ...

  Love: The True Manifestation of Faith The idea that faith is expressed through love isn't just a quaint medieval notion; it's a core biblical principle woven throughout the New Testament (Matthew 7:12; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 6:27). Jesus himself emphasized that all commandments hinge on the command to love (Mark 12:30-31). For medieval Christians, the central focus was making faith visible through acts of love. This contrasts sharply with many contemporary Christians whose primary, though perhaps subconscious, concern revolves around being "good" and performing good deeds. While these are important, Jesus taught that loving God and loving others should be the driving force behind our faith. The Book of James supports this, explaining that good works are a result of genuine faith, not the evidence of it (James 2:14-26). Essentially, a faith rooted in love will naturally produce good works. A significant danger arises when we prioritize a "faith manifested thr...

  Reimagining Church: Lessons from Monastic Communities and the Book of Acts Although seemingly disparate, the principles of monastic communities and the early church described in the Book of Acts share surprising similarities. While monastic communities pursued a life of contemplation and prayer, often withdrawing from society, the early church, though active in its community, also demonstrated a deep commitment to shared living, learning, and worship. This post explores how we might glean wisdom from both to revitalize the church today. St. Anthony, considered the father of monasticism, exemplified this dedication by forsaking wealth and social status to pursue a life of prayer and contemplation, drawing a group of disciples around him. This intense lifestyle, though not directly comparable to the early church, echoes the devotion and communal focus found in the Book of Acts. My experience serving at youth camps has brought this connection into sharp focus. These week-long re...

The Lonely Road of Ministry: Where Have All the Disciples Gone? It's a strange reality that in today's church, it seems you need a title to be heard. You need a position, preferably "Pastor," to be considered a legitimate voice in the Christian community. This strikes me as incredibly odd, especially when I look back at the Bible. Jesus, the ultimate example, held no official position. He was a Rabbi, yes, but in the truest sense of a teacher. His authority came from his words and actions, not a title. The disciples? Their title was "disciple." Followers of Jesus. Simple. Where are those disciples today? Where are the teachers, the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists – not the ones employed by institutions, but the ones gifted by the Spirit, yearning to use their gifts, often overlooked by the established church? It feels like the church has become a reflection of social media. The loudest voices, the most charismatic personalities, the bigges...

  And the Grammy Goes To...Beyonce? How Beyonce's Win is Related to the Church Okay, folks, let's talk about the Grammys. Did anyone else do a double-take when Beyonce won Best Country Album? I mean, come on. Beyonce. Country. Those two words just don't belong together. It's like putting ketchup on ice cream – you can do it, but should you? And is it really a good idea? Now, before all the Beyhive members swarm me, let me be clear: I'm not saying Beyonce isn't talented. She's a powerhouse performer. But country music? That's a whole different genre, with its own history, traditions, and sounds. Just because someone throws on some cowboy boots and sings a song with a twang doesn't magically make them a country artist. This whole situation got me thinking about something else entirely: the church. Stick with me here, I promise it's connected. Think about it. So many businesses these days slap the word "church" on their name. ...

Discipleship: A Common Thread, Different Expressions Discipleship. It's a word we hear often in Christian circles, but what does it truly mean?  While the Gospels and the Epistles both emphasize its importance, they approach it from slightly different angles.  However, a common thread weaves through both, connecting them in a powerful way. As Deffinbaugh points out, discipleship essentially "compresses conversion and Christian living, salvation and sanctification, into one term."  It's not just about accepting Jesus; it's about committing to follow Him wholeheartedly.  Conversion, in both the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, is intrinsically linked to a commitment to a life of following Christ. So, what are these differences between the Gospel and Epistle perspectives on discipleship? One key distinction lies in the scope.  Jesus spoke universally about discipleship, envisioning it for people from every nation (Matthew 28:19).  It's a call for eve...

The Grammys, Community, and the Church:  A Reflection on Family My wife and I found ourselves watching the Grammy Awards red carpet arrivals tonight. It's not usually my cup of tea, but there it was, playing in the background. As I half-watched, half-listened, something struck me. The language being used by the artists, nominees, and winners was overwhelmingly communal. There was a real sense of shared passion and understanding that music is more than just an industry; it's a community. The emphasis on the MusicCares Fire Relief, supporting Los Angeles communities affected by the fires, further reinforced this. One interviewer even called the event a "family reunion," a time for the music community to come together, encourage each other, and celebrate their shared love of music. It was, in a way, a beautiful thing to witness. And it got me thinking. Why don't we see this same level of unity and community within the church? Of all groups, the church should ...