NextGenKent

Without challenge there will be no growth. Without expectation there will be no challenge. Why is it that we think if we expect "too much" out of people they will turn away? Didn't Jesus issue commands and ultimatums? Why should His Church not remind His people of these things? I was challenged by a statement from someone in Sunday School that people "like" the way things are going. This "liking-ness" caused me to ponder the "state of the union" and internalize a "declaration of dependence" for the name of Christ. I repeat, Without challenge there will be no growth. Without expectation there will be no challenge. I do not want to bow down to "likingness" as the test for spiritual growth. What I see in fruitfulness is sporadic unquestionable commitment .An abandonment to the statements of Christ across the board. This is reflected in the hard work of hospitality we lack in our home-model of being the body of Christ. W...

“Growth For The New Year” Matthew 12.33  Are you bearing fruit? 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you,  on the day of judgment  people will give account for every careless word they speak , 37 for by your words you will be justified , and by your words you will be condemned .” I n a word, what is one thing you do to make something work better? One of my first jobs was roguing where you take a sharp tool with you as walk through a cornfield and cut out weeds or corn that has grown up 'rogue' and bunched together. Early in my college year...

A fter studying the dropout problem for the past three years (up to 70% of post-high school graduates defect from church/the faith), I decided to put into positive words what the local church should be about in its focus and ministries. These ten points are not exhaustive but are counter-cultural (sometimes even to the local church). I find them very challenging myself and hope and pray that I might give what it takes to accomplish these things--and see my Savior smile. I hope you agree. 1. Stop concerning yourself with looking religious and become totally committed to Jesus Christ in your lifestyle—this means: a. Developing habits of spiritual disciplines that authentically deepen your love for Jesus Christ; b. Learning the language of faith and speaking it with a group of faith-growing believers. c. seeking biblical transformation that connects you with God, through Jesus by the Spirit; c. Being totally converted in heart, mind, body and soul; d. Doing what it takes to desi...

Reaction to Marva Dawn's , Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down:  A Theology of Worship for This Urgent Time . 1995 (316pp) . “Since we have been doing this for 2,000 years, why can we not do it as well as a high school drama club cast can do after six weeks of rehearsing a play?” This statement was at the beginning of the book and I still continue to reflect upon it. Is the ‘dumbing down’ by our society forcing the Church to get better at asking good questions? Try this one for example, “Does our ministry’s effectiveness depend on the character that is formed in us?” Could it be that all of the problems that come within the church begin within us as church leaders? Maybe we need more instruction and guidance on deepening our character? Couldn't hurt. “It is urgent that Christians understand more clearly their position in this present culture as a minority, an alternative society.” When I read, “an alternative society” my eyes widened--That’s it! We are in the world ...

I was recently reminded while reading Marva Dawn's book, Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down , about a phrase I heard in a church back in 1991. It was the first time I heard it and saw it demonstrated that summer in a church in Greenwood. The children's pastor's message for the 'children's chat' was how they (we) are the actors in worship and God is the audience. He posited the question, "When you leave today, be sure to ask your parents on the way home, 'How did we do today?'" as a way to remind them (us) that God is the audience alone and we all are the performers (not just those on stage). Neat illustration? Yes. Corrective? Sure. But there was always something it that didn't seem to sit well with me. And Marva's words (p153) helped me to reflect on why. Marva: "...the congregation being the actors who worship God and God being the Actor who reveals himself in that worship to his people..." Yes, God is involved in t...