19th March, 2008
Church Growth From Emergence Or Transference
Church growth is the topic of discussion lately! Rightfully so seeing that a healthy church should grow at some rate. Transferring members from one church to another is not “pure” growth. I mean if your take a grape and graft it to another bunch of grapes you did not grow because you started with the same number of grapes. However, when you fertilize, protect, and nurture, new grapes appear on the vine. It is simple for me to type this out because being a simple man that I am, I can readily observe that some churches like the easy way of growth, transference! The difficult way to growth, which embraces sacrifice and commitment is when you emerge from the “bunch” and begin to take this Gospel of Christ seriously and sound it to the “outside” the they are welcome in the “inside” no matter what they are like. The door is open come on in and be loved by the God’s love. Jesus was always where everyone did not want Him to be, everyone meaning the religious and anti- social aristocrats of His day. He was always doing things with sinners. Just hanging out with people and listening to them. Jesus liked the little guy and he was anointed by a prostitute. I begin to laugh as I type this because He would really be a topic of conversation in this 21st century religious aristocrats design for a new growth paradigm.
Here is a cool thought: When the prodigal son came home, his father ran out, kissed him, gave him the utmost respect and through a party just for him. Yet, the brother was jealous and showed his butt about the whole thing. I really clearly see the church in this matter. There is a world of prodigals out there who need to come home! Why does the Church get so jealous over normal growth?”
“Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?” (Malachi 2:10, NASB95)
Here is my question to the world and the Church? Does Church growth come from an emerging Church or an emerging group of prodigals coming home?
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 12:09 am | Comment (0)
11th March, 2008
Looking For An Answer In Church?
Positively, there are some new and upcoming young pastors that are recently retooling the way the “Church” locally should be presented to the community where it serves. Last month when I was in Maryland, a pastor contacted me and wanted to know how to take the church he is pastoring outside the walls. I have certainly taken it to heart to explain that process to him. Actually, throughout the United States there is a move to “change” the approach and methodology of application in presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so enthused to see this come about. For years I personally have been praying for this “moving” outside the walls of the church and bringing Christ’s love in real application and with a life-giving force of care and compassion. Pastors and teachers must approach this modern generation with a “word”, “teaching” and “message” that has action to it and brings relational building blocks to the person listening. I mean one can stare at the television and see nothing and hear nothing. I wonder how many people in church today just stare and see nothing and listen and hear nothing? The utterances must be applicable to the situation of the times and render an answer that will bring comfort to the hurting heart. People are disillusioned by what they have seen and heard in church for the past several years. Pastors and teachers should be bold in their communication skills and presentations using media and education. It is about truth not clouded and translucent verbiage that has pride and fear at its roots. God’s plan is rich with integrity whose foundation is secure for everyone to walk upon in equality of love and service. Lets keep praying for these young warriors, who will take the Church to the level of true religion in today’s 21st century. Lets pray for them to be adopted by spiritual “Fathers” that will guide and teach them truth along the way.
My Heart To Yours
Dennis
Posted at 12:11 am | Comment (0)
20th February, 2008
Weeping For The Lost
Jesus wept (John 11:35) He stopped and asked where they had laid Lazarus. His response was that of compassion and care. He was very much man but also very much God. His heart was touched by the afflictions of men. We as the called of Christ, the saved of the Calvary experience, the warriors of the Gospel, must look at this example of true compassion. The lost soul who cannot “roll” back the stone that holds the sin in place. The heart locked in darkness, laid to rest by the enemy of his soul. Deep in the cavern without hope and the future is black, dismal, and without chance. But Jesus of Nazareth, asked where He could find the one He sought. Then in that moment of humanity he weeps over the soul! How much can one do in that instant? Than to stop and weep for the one who He loved. Jesus asked the Father to be part of this seeking out the dead heart, the heart that is now dark and blocked with the negative and contentious values of society. He gave the glory to Him, the Father, who would bless the world with His only Begotten Son’s death and resurrection. The “Resurrection and the Life” would not just silently reach out His hand toward the tomb but would seek the Father, confirming relationship with Him for mankind to see. He speaks out and the heart is healed the body walks again in the light of His love and has hope once again. Oh, that all who read this would weep for the lost and speak unto the Father! He does listen and desires to work through all that are willing. Where are they laid? All around us, in our neighborhoods, schools, stores, and malls. Blinded by the darkenss and insecure waiting for someone to call out their name, someone with faith in God and hope in eternal salvation. Do not let the enemy convince you that men’s hearts are grown cold! This is the time of great power and anointing! Weep, I say weep, for those whom you love!
Peace
Dennis
All scriptures used in this blog article are The Amplified Bible, containing the Amplified Old Testament and the Amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Posted at 1:23 am | Comment (0)
20th January, 2008
It’s Late Into The Night - Souls In The Balance
I have again been face to face with a computer screen for about twelve hours. I am such a “geek”! New programs to learn, new designs to make and time just flies by.
I want to say that I am praying for victory in all our lives. The life of a Christian is so different today than it was a few years back. The message has not changed! The method has and so has the approach. I see so much here in Santa Cruz that often I wonder if people knew that they could be set free if they would just believe. Believe in the One True, Holy God, that loves them so much that He desires to forgive them of all their sin. I see so much in the “dirt” that I come home and pray that God would just breathe on this community and America as a whole.
There are so many “weak” Christians today that have relaxed their “standing” of beliefs! It is all comfort and pleasure! I like comfort and pleasure is really a nice addition to life, however, souls are on the scale and the weight of sin is outweighing the truth of forgiveness! My heart is heavy with the burdens of the lost. So simple, so easy, to reach out to God and be set free. Comfort and pleasure sneak up and snatch away the truth of a relationship with God. As sin grows in this country, like aides and cancer, there is cure that grows up higher than all! Nothing is higher than the Cross of Calvary and certainly nothing is greater than the Christ who died there for you and I. Tell it loud and tell it clear: Jesus cares and wants you to be delivered, happy,and living a fulfilled life!
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 12:42 am | Comment (0)
14th October, 2007
Potter’s Hand Six Year Anniversary, Sunday, October 14, 2007
Kathy and me are so honored to be called by Him to this city of darkness: Santa Cruz, CA. Some people refer to it as Satan Cruz. Call it what you want, its God’s plan to have the Gospel preached here. My wife Kathy, and myself, have been here now six years. We now are entering into our seventh year. The Year of the Harvest! We came here in September 2001 and had our first service on, yes you guessed it, October 14, 2001. No one came to the service but Kathy and me. We looked at each other and dropped to our knees and prayed and thank God for the new work He had called us too. Six years later we have approx. 200 hundred of the most motley crew folks you have ever seen. What do you expect when you reach into the jaws of hell and begin to ask disenfranchised, disoriented, impoverished, homeless people to come to church? We do not, I repeat, we do not have building! Even after six years we are outside preaching the Gospel. Yes, 200 hundred people show up every Sunday at the Santa Cruz Clock Tower to hear me speak the love of Christ into their hearts. How cool is that? They love me, they trust me! Why? Because they see Jesus in me! Today, with tears in my eyes I am going to tell them just how much Jesus loves them!
It has not been easy. Actually, it has been the hardest part of our ministry in serving Him. But I have to say, I would not change it for anything! Those of you that have had or are doing similar work understand exactly what I am writing here.
A great big thanks to the following people who have never forgotten to love us and pray for us as we love the unloved.
Pastor Steve Wright; Dr. Ron Hooks; Pastor Craig Green; Bishop Lyn Stone; Dr John Nichols; Bishop Mark Williams; Pastor Glen Green; Pastor Eric Gabourel and the many that have prayed for us that we have never met.
We are going to celebrate all day today. I hope the devil stays home because if he doesn’t - Well he is in for fight!
Peace
Dennis
Posted at 1:17 am | Comment (1)