Be the Church

Since I’m not fond of Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels has lately been my favorite “office.” Three days ago I felt led to make a morning bike ride there. Shortly after getting my bagel and coffee, I struck up a conversation with a man sitting at the table next to me. I was surprised to find out Bill is in his 40s. He looked so much younger.

Eventually, I asked Bill questions concerning his eternal destiny. He first responded by saying different churches had given him conflicting definitions of how one is saved. I soon determined Bill is a Christian for he professed knowing Jesus as Lord. However, Bill hasn’t gone to church for a while because of the bickering he’s seen amongst congregations. That reminded me of what Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Bill then said he often spends his Sundays feeding the homeless. Certainly, that is commendable. More Christians need to “be the church” and serve others instead of just going to church and warming the pews every week. God never intended church to be like a spectator sport. Still, that doesn’t negate the Bible’s commandment of “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Bill also told me he’s visited many local churches but hasn’t found one he liked. I occasionally hear this from Christians while doing street ministry. Too many of them choose a church for the wrong reasons (“It’s close to my house”, “My family has gone there for years”, etc.). The best church to go to is the one God has assigned them to. As 1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.”

Near the end of our conversation, I mentioned a couple of local churches Bill hadn’t heard of. He thanked me after I gave him the address to one of them. A few minutes later, the pastor’s wife from that church showed up at the bagel shop! I believe this was a sign for Bill to at least visit that church. The next step is up to him.
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” - Matthew 7:24

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Hallowee...
Read more