Happy Monday

If you get a friend request from Jeremiah, however, do accept. He is a bullfrog and a good friend of mine. This is Happy Monday #293.

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Happy Monday

Thanks for that Paul. Neither of us are retired but I can extrapolate.

Welcome to Happy Monday, post #292.

Happy Monday

Coffee, pun based business name, obscure scripture reference all in one place. I don’t know who shared this image but I did look up the company. ABeanToGo has two locations in Michigan, one of which features live music two night each week. Let’s take a moment to appreciate how awesome that is.

This is Happy Monday #291. 

Why Preach the Gospel?

In my own denomination 75 churches each week close for good. The attrition rate among pastors is staggering. According to LifeWay research (link) it may not be 1,500 a month walking away from the ministry but on average 250 each month do. The culture we live in has changed. Just a generation or two ago a local politician, think city council or school board member, was expected to be active in a local church in order to be considered a member of the community. Church attendance is no longer looked to as a metric and being outspoken about one’s faith may be a strike against a candidate. The rights to religious expression are challenged with increasing frequency, not just in the public arena but in homes and other private property.

So why preach the Gospel?

Christians Need the Gospel

Part 3 of Why Preach the Gospel?

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There is a misunderstanding among some Christians of exactly what the Gospel is. I’ve read lengthy rants explaining that the Gospel is a presentation given to non-Christians: Our natural state is lostness, Jesus died to save sinners, hear the Gospel and repent. To them there is no such thing as living out the Gospel in front of others, sharing the Gospel without using words, etc. Because the Gospel is the words “Jesus died to save you from your sins” and nothing else beyond that. I call that a misunderstanding because repenting of sins and asking forgiveness is merely the beginning.

Happy Monday

Humpty Dumpty will have a great fall. Maybe not my favorite cartoon of all time, but it is seasonal. This is Happy Monday #290.

We Are Sent

Part 2 of Why Preach the Gospel? 

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We are sent to share the Gospel. In a statement known as the Great Commision (Matthew 28:16-20) Jesus told his followers to go to all nations. They were sent to proclaim the Gospel message and to make disciples; teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Evangelism is more than having an audience raise their hands, repeat a prayer or sign a card. Making disciples goes beyond baptism. It’s an investment into people’s lives that involves building relationships and working together in ministry. Followers of Jesus are not to just promote him but to lead others into a life of following. To teach others all that Jesus has command we must first learn and understand ourselves. The two processes actually happen simultaneously. We continue on the journey of learning and being conformed to the image of Christ while recruiting others to walk with us. Go to all the world, preach/teach/share the Gospel, make disciples. To this task we are called.