Viral Faith

"Is this all there is?  Is this what church is"   Chery Dulaney, member of New Hope's ministry team (www.newhopefree.org) This morning, I began to re-read the book of Acts.  For those unfamiliar with the Book of Acts, it is the chronicles of the development of the early church immediately after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Its an amazing read as we see a movement that literally began with about 120 adherents explode to thousands in several years. The movement of Jesus followers had an explosiveness or dynamism that endured persecution, crossed cultural barriers, and overcame civic opposition.  All of this without programs, nice church edifices, or a dominating clergy class. Among pastors, there is this aching and haunting reality in many of our churches: Our churches do not look or feel anything like the dynamic movement of Jesus followers in the book of Acts.  Yes, there are programs, and new buildings, and increased staff, but no revi...

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2, ESV) There is to be unity among Christians.  In fact, according to Jesus, one of the cardinal signs of the authentic church is to be unity (John 17:21-22).  However, Christians have allowed political affiliations and ideologies to trump theological considerations.  Christian's, unfortunately have allowed to their alliances to political parties and conservative/liberal agendas to shape their commitments to Jesus Christ, as opposed to the commitment to Christ defining their political reality. As I see candidates from different sides of the political spectrum seek out support for the Christian vote, I want to make the following observations: 1. There is a tendency to oversimplify political strategies and realities . ...

In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 The essence of the Christian faith is radicalness.  The very language that Jesus uses to describe that nature of our relationship with God, through faith is countercultural and in opposition to the cultural norms of the day.  He challenged his listeners to understand their priorities and loyalties by describing  the relationship in terms like Kingdoms and followership.  There is a tendency to domesticate faith.  There is a tendency to fit it into our current values and priorities.  We want a reasonable faith.  We want a decent faith, but are intimidated by a dynamic one.  We are tempted to select a faith that affirms our goals, instead of one that defines and directs our dreams.  Jesus calls his adherents to an "all or none" type of commitment.  He states that unless his followers are willing to give up everything, they should rethi...