In last week’s Freshly
Bru’d, I mentioned two things that we (members of Jesus’ Church) must do to
thrive for the next decade. If you missed last week’s note, I would encourage
you to read it here. I mentioned first – a clear understanding of
the Gospel and second, a stronger focus on discipleship.
The third thing we need
to do is have a greater passion for mission. We need to stand
up against the perception (and in some cases, the practice) to look at those
who are professional ministers and say ‘they are the ones who are called to
mission’ while the people in the seats are merely consumers of religious goods
and services.
We need to see all of God’s people engaged in God’s mission- introducing others
to Jesus and developing them into fully devoted followers. This begins in our
respective neighborhoods, work places, and schools, all the way to the nations
of the world. You are just as important and necessary to the mission as I am.
We all must engage. The fourth thing is strongly linked to the third thing.
The fourth thing we must
do is focus our energy to finding new ways to reach out to our neighbors. Culture
now is so different than past decades; today, there is little, if any,
religious knowledge, background, or memory. If people aren’t attracted to
church, the church must go out and attract them to act. That is why we began
our #4Lincoln campaign. Such things have to be an
ongoing and every day kind of evangelism, Being-Doing-Telling the Good News
where we live and work.
Fifth and finally we
develop new thinking in our practices. God often uses tools for
His means- think of the bus ministry of the 70’s or radio ministry of the 50’s.
That is still true today. As believers, we can and must be good stewards of our
ministry and utilize tools wisely- like multisite churches, viral church
planting, and finding new ways to serve those who are hurting and in need.
What are some behaviors you think First Free needs to change in order to reach
our city with the message of the Gospel? Remember- Jesus wins. I want us all to
be a part of what Jesus is doing until He returns.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark "TheBru" Brunott
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