Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 134
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. Why a blog? So that many can receive the weekly thoughts
I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner.
Since
some churches seem to offer as many programs as WalMart offers products, this
day’s writing takes on a special emphasis: “this simplicity takes faith;
unbelief will always make things complex.”
DAY 208
New
Radical Church’s Advertising Program Offers Fuller Parking Lots Than WalMart
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men
to Myself. --John 12:32
In the Christian religion (running
rampant in churches and different
from the Christian faith) so many things are incorporated just because they are contagious,
rather than received because
they inspire belief. If one church is having great success at bringing
in believers from the other churches, pastors and committees flock there to
discover and imitate the program, which can be quite complex, with everything
needing to be timed to the minute. Songs must be ordered in such a way as to
“lead people to worship.” The facility must be user friendly, and the latest
pet social ill must be addressed with the utmost sensitivity. Well, amen! An older friend whose pastor was
onto a new church growth plan stopped him by saying, “This plan costs too much
and is too complex!” The pastor answered, “Do you not see that both parking
lots are full?” The old man responded, “The parking lot at WalMart is full
every Sunday, too. Now
here is my plan for growth. It is simple and does not cost money. ‘If I be lifted up, I will draw all
men unto Me!’” The pastor shook his head and walked off, but what the
old man said was true! We do so much work, when a focus on the crucified/resurrected Savior would ensure
that He did the drawing. If God gets all the glory, then He does all the work.
To hear many evangelists speak, you would think that they are doing the
drawing. They have yet to learn
the difference between a crowd and an audience. A fellow once said to
me, “Wells, you know all the repetition of your message is not keeping people
away; it is why we come. I like hearing that Jesus is everything.” I know,
then, that it is Jesus Who will draw the people. However, this simplicity takes faith;
unbelief will always make things complex. The way to life is narrow and will take a narrow mind.
Man will not enter in through the broad way with a broad mind. The narrow mind
believes the simplest of things.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
It is incredibly interesting how churches can get so caught up in programs
and forget the Person. Michael gives us
the simple, yet basic emphasis that any
and all activity in a church must
focus on: “the crucified/resurrected Savior.”
This especially includes the preaching and SS teaching.
Two words summarize this whole day’s writing for me: “inspire belief.” That is what Christianity could use more of
today!
Here are the things that I see Michael pointing us to that should make a
difference in any ministry we are involved in:
…inspire belief
…a focus on the crucified/resurrected Savior would ensure that He did
the drawing
…if God gets all the glory, then He does all the work
…learn the difference between a crowd and an audience
…this simplicity takes faith; unbelief will always make things complex
…the way to life is narrow and will take a narrow mind
…the narrow mind believes the simplest of things
So, how much more simple can it be?
And why can we NOT keep these things our “outline” for ministry? Well, amen.
I think I will start a new outreach emphasis: “Do you have a narrow
mind?”
To access ALL past weekly
blogs, go to Living
Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
NOTICE: another blog on
Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. You can access by logging onto
www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P. O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, Tx 75963 936-559-5696
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