VBS - What does it accomplish?

Tonight I was at our church's vacation bible school ministry. This year we are focusing on the Old Testament story of Joseph. I have been involved in VBS for since I was a child at Englewood Christian Church in Jax. Florida. I have attended two week VBS programs, 5 Day programs and weekend programs. It is my observation a lot of work goes into VBS. The question I would like to pose tonight is what does VBS accomplish? Some would say VBS is a great outreach opportunity. While that may have been true many years ago, I cannot think of one family we have won to Christ because of VBS. Others say VBS gives children wholesome, God centered activities in the summer. Again that might have been true many years ago, but with so many churches having youth ministers and their summer programs as well as the growth of our Christian camps, VBS really does not meet that purpose either.

For this season of ministry, I see the purpose of VBS is to give the church opportunities for people to serve in short term areas of ministry. Tonight we had over 60 volunteers involved in our VBS. They are "trying out" a variety of ministries this week. It is my hope that these servants will discover their gifts and be willing to take their service to the next level. To me that is the great thing about VBS right now. So I am watching and praying for our VBS volunteers, hoping they will catch a vision for the joy of serving.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Another baptism today - God is good!
• If you are like me, you thought the reversal video was pretty amazing.
• The goal of every church should be to see people the way Jesus saw them and then be moved into action.
• I am really looking forward to preaching this series on lost and found, I hope it stirs all of us to action.
• Seeing the Lost and Found tables this morning reminded me that at one time everything had value.
• Remember God regrets our rebellion and longs for our return.
• Today is the 66th anniversary of "D-Day" I am amazed at what 1 generation did to secure freedom for future generations. I had an uncle who was part of the third wave at Normandy and lived, many others were not so fortunate.
• VBS kicks off tomorrow - I am so thankful for the many volunteers.
• I am looking forward to Mummy Monday.
• I thought it was very powerful to close out our worship with a focused prayer time for VBS.
• Our preschool is getting a makeover - It really looks great!
• Had dinner with some old friends today who spent time in Haiti recently - I am amazed at what our missionaries go through to spread the gospel.
• As much as I enjoy the summer break, I am really looking forward to our Fall programming; small groups, great day of service and a few other items are positioning us for a great 2011.
• I cannot get the idea that "God wants us to change the culture" out of my head.
• If you want to see someone who changed the culture, consider the late John Wooden - here are a few of his quotes; he was a great coach and an incredible leader.

The Jesus Way of Growing a Church Part 4

One of the most amazing things about the way Jesus built his church was his focus on the mission. Luke 19:10 reminds us, For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.

While on this earth, our Lord ministered to the poor, taught of the coming kingdom and healed the sick. However, once he returned to the father, there were still poor in Israel, there was still teaching that needed to be accomplished as well as healing of the sick. Jesus did not come to for the purpose of providing for the poor, healing the sick of teach great doctrines; Jesus came to reach the lost. The healing, teaching and caring were just means to an end - the saving of lost souls.

This is a good reminder for us - while it is good to care for the poor, teach, and provide pastoral care for the sick , the goal of every Christ follower is to reach the lost. This is our mission and heartbeat.

For me personally I have to be reminded constantly to stay focused on the way Jesus built the church. So many things call for my attention, it become be very easy to forget to keep the main thing the main thing. Over the next few weeks I am preaching a series of messages to remind us to keep our focus on the main thing. Hopefully these message will call us back to the Jesus way.

The Jesus Way of Growing a Church Part 3

A study of the gospels demonstrates the way Jesus built his church via relationships. Consider the relationships Jesus had with people.

• To Nicodemus he was a rabbi.
• To Mary, Martha & Lazarus he was a friend.
• To the woman at the well he was a compassionate man.
• To the woman caught in adultery he was the non-accuser.
• To the disciples he was a mentor.
• To the the thief on the cross he was the savior.

Throughout the gospels Jesus was constantly building relationships with others, regardless of their station in life, he truly was the friend to sinners. If we are to build churches the Jesus way, we must focus on building relationships with people. The question for all of us is how to we build relationships today? Let me suggest we P.I.C. our relationships;

1. Patiently, we live in a world of the moment, we want things to happen as soon as possible. However, building relationships does not happen overnight - it takes time to develop relationships.
2. Intentionally, building relationships does not just happen; we do not drift into relationships, we must intentionally seek out relationships with others.
3. Constantly, Too often in the church we get a group of friends we feel extremely close to and it is difficult for new people to enter "The Circle of Trust". Yet from looking at the life of Jesus, we learn we was constantly adding relationships to his life. In fact, moments before his death on the cross he added one more relationship that changed a man's eternal destination - The thief on the cross.

Are you "P.I.C.ing " new relationships? Take some time to think about the Jesus way and begin building the church through your relationships.

The Jesus Way of Growing a Church Part 2

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom Matthew 4:23

Not only did Jesus call his followers to a captivating vision, he told them of a new reality; a new Kingdom was near. For his audience, the idea of a new Kingdom made their hearts race. They had grown up hearing stories of the Kingdom of David and Solomon; they knew under their reign the kingdom of Israel was at it's apex of power and influence and they longed for those days again. So as Jesus taught about the new reality of a new kingdom they looked forward to a better future. However, Jesus' kingdom was going to be different than any other kingdom they would ever experience. While David and Solomon focused on land acquisition, Jesus focused on heart acquisition. In short he was trying to mold people into a new reality. That is why he taught them to pray "Father, Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You understand that in heaven God's perfect will is being accomplished, there is no rebellion, no other agenda, just the will of God being lived out in the creatures of heaven. Jesus prayer of your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, was his way of saying make down here like it is up there.

When we challenge people to live the Jesus way, we are basically saying there is a new reality, our church will be a church where we are trying to make down here like it is up there. It is that new reality that will attract new people to our churches and give people a rallying point of purpose.

What new reality are you pointing to this week?

The Jesus Way of Growing a Church Part 1

¹⁸As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ²⁰At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20

The first thing Jesus did to grow a church was call people to a captivating vision.

Jesus did not say follow me and I promise you will never go hungry or follow me and you will be on the road to riches and success. No, Jesus called his early followers to something greater than personal success, he called them to a challenge - you have been catching fish, I am going to teach you to catch men. In other words, you have been catching things that are temporary, I am going to show you how to catch something that will last for eternity.

A captivating vision gives us something to shoot for. A captivating vision reminds us we are not simply a part of a club or a social group we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Looking back over the "stuff" I have been involved over my life, I can honestly say the items that had no captivating vision have left me flat. A captivating vision is essential for building a church!

Note the result of Jesus's captivating vision to be a fisher of men - At once they left their nets and followed him.

Peter and the others bought into the vision, they did not have to think about the call verse 20 says "at once" they signed up.

What is your vision for growing a church - is it captivating? You will know if the response to the vision is like that of Peter and the others!

It is not all up to me!

I have been thinking a lot about growing a church lately. What are the factors for growth? What are the indicators a church is poised for growth? What are the resources needed for growth? I am sure you have asked the same questions as well - we want our churches to grow! Recently I have been reading through Matthew's gospel when I came across this section of scripture...

¹³When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" ¹⁴They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." ¹⁵"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." ¹⁷Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:13-19

This is the account of Peter finally "getting it". He now understands Jesus is not just a rabbi, he is not just a great teacher he is the Son of God. As a result of Peter's confession; Jesus makes an incredible promise, on this rock (the fact that I am the Son of God) I will build my church, (italics added) and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

While it is good to plan for growth, check resources and look for some indicators for the church to grow; the overall message of Matthew 16 is the fact that Jesus is going to build the church.

I think I am understanding this fact more and more everyday! However understanding the fact that Christ will build the church and living out that fact is difficult to say the least. As a project of mine, I am going to look at how Christ built the church and over the next few days I will post the "Jesus way" to build a church. Should be interesting.