Monument or Movement?

Churchianity or Christianity . . . Church services or Christian servants . . . Monument or Movement . . . a Place or a People . . . Attendance or Advancement . . . Existing or Expanding . . . Protecting or Proclaiming . . . Functioning or Fishing . . . Resting or Risking . . . Satisfied or Striving . . . Sulking or Strategizing . . . Retreating or Refocusing?

Sometimes it is important to ponder on what the Church is and what it isn’t.

The Church, aka the body of Christ on the planet, is a life-proclaiming movement of God.  It is the bearer of God’s message of reconciliation.  It is the example of redemptive life and love. 

It is a group of people who have been:

•  called out of the world (no longer slaves to the stuff and sin of those without Christ)
• given new life (eye-opening, life-changing, spirit-filled/controlled/coached)
•  connected with gifts and functions just like our physical bodies
• given a global responsibility to be God’sambassadors

The Church is not a building or meeting place.  It is not an organization (although bodies do have order).  It is not a private club of righteous people.  (Read about the Pharisees and other religious sorts.)  It is not the way to get to heaven. 

Movements drift into Fraternities . . . Fraternities become Monuments . . . Monuments become obsolete.  The “drift” is where the battle must be won.  The lifespan of any movement is six to ten years unless there is an intentional refocusing of the original vision and purpose.

Most of the time it takes outside eyes to see the inside issues.  Paul coached churches to help them stay on track and sent other men to do the same.  In the Book of Revelation we read of seven coaches (messengers) who were sent to seven churches to help them refocus. 

How about your church?  I’d love to help you address the drift and refocus on God’s plans, purpose and power.  Don't be so independent that you become inbred.  Check us out at www.refocusedministry.com and give me a call.