That None Would Perish

Pastor Chris & Heidi Hayden

 

That None Would Perish

  1. Hayden 8-25-17

 

It is heartbreaking to see people who are going through disaster events whether nature originated or man-made. It does not seem all that long ago when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city of New Orleans and turned many lives upside down for years following. The last couple of days have been devastating for many residents in Houston as well as many other gulf coast cities in Texas and Louisiana as we have seen the destructive effects and horrific images of Hurricane Harvey.   The reports of people stranded, trapped, and perishing from the rising flood waters, tugs at the hearts of Americans and causes us to want to do our part to help relieve the suffering of our neighbors in their hour of need. It is in these times where suffering is so visible to our senses that we want to reach out with resources to come to the aid of those unfortunate enough to live in the effected areas along the Gulf Coast. If you want to help, look on the website of these organizations that will certainly be mobilized to provide relief: The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, and the Red Cross to name just a few.

 

While these people are in immediate need, we need to also remember that there are many who are perishing in our world each day from the human condition ravaged by the effects of sin. The Bible tells us in Matthew 7:13-14 this, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” God’s heart breaks for the lost in this world walking down the road of destruction every day. We know they are there, but because it is not obvious to what we see in our daily walk, unlike the images surrounding Hurricane Harvey, and it is uncomfortable for us to get involved in their rescue from sin, we just ignore it and often act like it is not happening. This pains the heart of our Lord. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” He wants all to be saved. But we must be involved if rescue is to take place.

 

Just like the rescue efforts that we see ongoing to help the residents of Texas, we need to be about rescuing others for Christ. Share your faith with others, invite them and encourage them to come to church and hear the message of God’s love for them and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Be blessed even more!!

 

Pastor Chris


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A Church, the Unchurched Want to Be At!

A Church, the Unchurched Want to Be At!

  1. Hayden 8-8-17

 

On October 9th of this year, the city of Indianapolis is going to become host to the “Deep and Wide Tour” featuring pastor, teacher, and author, Andy Stanley and a gathering of other like-minded ministers. The theme of this conference is to help individual ministries to expand their reach into their communities and cities, drawing more unchurched people into our congregations. The theme is summed up in one sentence, “Create a Church, Unchurched People Love to Attend.” What a concept! Now I know that everyone in the world has different ideas of what church should be like, but I think I know what the leaders of this conference are trying to convey. We want church to be a place that people are drawn to, not a place they have to go to because of some sense of guilt or requirement. We want church to be a place they come to because it is irresistible!

 

So how do we make church irresistible? That is a good question and after I go to the conference, I plan on telling you exactly what I have learned. I am sure I will have a list of ideas to share. Part of the answer will certainly be to match the ministry style to the culture that the church resides in. That would include music styles, décor styles, and transforming the ministry atmosphere to something more relatable and relevant to multiple generations. In short, becoming real to the unchurched is key. Of course, those that are churched have to buy in to this concept for it to be effective!!

 

In 1 Corinthians 9:22 to read, “To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” Paul made his ministry relatable and relevant to unbelievers for the sole purpose of reaching them. And in Matthew 7:28-29, Scripture says this, “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Here, Jesus is not concerned with doing things the way they have always been done by the Pharisees. He didn’t try to replicate the ministries of times past. He spoke to the lost in a way that they could relate to and was relevant to them and translated to Him being REAL with them. He spoke in such a way that they knew that He knew what He was talking about and why they should care. It might behoove us to follow these examples so that we also might reach the unchurched. We need to continue to be relatable, relevant and real more and more each day. Individually as well as a church body community, city and worldwide so that we might reach some!

 

 

Be blessed even more!!

 

Pastor Chris


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