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Machine Yearning: Discipling Young People in the Age of AI 7 Apr 2:30 PM (15 hours ago)

With the dawn of 2025, the world welcomed the first members of a new generation labeled Generation Beta. They are the first generation that will be raised with artificial intelligence (AI) fully integrated into everyday life. As AI advances at breakneck speed, it introduces opportunities and challenges that strike at the heart of human identity and purpose. Ignoring or vilifying new technologies may feel safe, but it leaves us ill-equipped to guide the next generation. Instead, we must approach AI with discernment, understanding and a biblical lens.

Like the men of Issachar, who understood the signs of the times and knew the best course to take (1 Chron. 12:32), we must do the hard work of cultural exegesis. AI is shaping how young people think, learn and interact. As leaders, we are called to help them navigate these shifts with wisdom and compassion, equipping them to discern what is good, true and beautiful in a world of infinite options.

In an age dominated by AI, the church must reclaim the biblical truth of the imago Dei—that humans are uniquely created in God’s image for relationship, creativity and rest. John Lennox, a bioethicist, Christian apologist and professor of mathematics at Oxford University, captures the stakes: “The danger of AI is that in trying to make machines in our image, we risk destroying ourselves in the process.”

The Pressure of Performance

AI often amplifies the cultural lie that human worth is tied to productivity. This echoes the ambition of Babel, where humanity sought to build a tower to the heavens for its own glory (Gen. 11:4).

Young adults today face a similar temptation to measure their value by their output or technological achievements. AI, which promises efficiency and optimization, tempts them to find identity in what they do rather than who they are.

As ministry leaders, we must teach young people that their worth is rooted in being God’s image bearers (Gen. 1:27). This foundational truth frees young people from the relentless pressure of performance and calls them to embrace their God-given identity.

3 Core Areas for Discipleship

To effectively disciple the rising generations to live out their identity as bearers of God’s image in a world increasingly shaped by evolving technologies, leaders must address three critical areas where AI intersects with identity: the call to rest, the pursuit of legacy and the allure of immortality.

1. Rest

AI’s promise of limitless efficiency tempts young adults to overvalue productivity and undervalue rest. This mindset mirrors Pharaoh’s oppression of the Israelites, where their worth was reduced to their capacity to produce bricks.

God’s design for humanity includes limits and rhythms of rest, modeled in creation itself when God rested on the seventh day. Sabbath is more than just taking a break; it is a declaration of dependence on God and an act of worship (Mark 2:27). Lennox notes, “The command to rest is not a burden but a declaration of freedom.”

Application: Teach young adults the importance of Sabbath as a spiritual discipline. Encourage them to disconnect from technology one day a week to focus on relationships, worship and renewal. Leaders can model this practice by establishing rhythms of rest within their own ministries and inviting young adults to participate.

2. Legacy

The story of the Tower of Babel reveals humanity’s timeless desire to make a name for itself. AI offers a modern avenue for this ambition, enabling people to create tools, systems and achievements that outlast them. While legacy itself is not inherently wrong, the motive behind it often reflects a desire for self-glorification rather than God’s glory (Matt. 6:19–20).

C.S. Lewis captures the problem: “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.” Legacy rooted in self-worship fades, but a legacy anchored in faithfulness to God endures.

Application: Challenge young adults to consider their motivations for creating and achieving. Facilitate discussions on what it means to build a life that glorifies God rather than seeking personal fame. Provide opportunities for service and mission work that emphasize eternal impact over worldly recognition.

3. Immortality

AI feeds into humanity’s ancient desire to escape our limitations. Transhumanism—the belief that technology can transcend human mortality—seeks to replace reliance on God with technological solutions.

Lennox warns, “When we seek to overcome death through technology, we bypass the gospel and forget the One who overcame death for us” (2 Tim. 1:9–10). Discipleship must anchor young adults in the hope of the resurrection, countering the false promises of AI-driven immortality.

Application: Host small group discussions about mortality, using Scripture to frame eternal life as a gift from God. Encourage young adults to reflect on their dependence on Christ and his promise of eternal life.

Uniquely Human

Today’s youth are the most technologically savvy generations in history, but they are also among the most spiritually hungry. Surrounded by infinite distractions, they are searching for meaning, purpose and truth.

AI is not the enemy; it is a tool. But it is a tool that demands careful stewardship. Left unexamined and unchecked, AI could represent humanity’s attempt to mirror the Creator by crafting machines in our own image. While innovation itself is not wrong, it becomes idolatrous when it displaces God (Ps. 115:4–8).

The AI age tempts humanity to blur the line between machine and man, but the imago Dei calls us to embrace the unique dignity of being human. As C.S. Lewis poignantly wrote, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.” 

As leaders, we must champion the biblical truth of the imago Dei: humanity’s inherent dignity as bearers of God’s image. Our value is not defined by what we can do, but by who we are in Christ. The temptation to create in our own image is ancient, yet AI makes it feel alarmingly attainable. AI may be a remarkable tool, but it will never rival the divine image stamped upon us.

Paul’s words to the Athenians serve as a reminder: “For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone” (Acts 17:28–29)

In a culture fascinated by AI, let us proclaim the Creator’s beauty above the created. The image of God in us is infinitely more valuable than any innovation humanity can design.

Do You See How Good the Good News Is? 4 Apr 2:45 PM (3 days ago)

Campus Connections: A Focus on College Students Drives Iowa Church Planting 4 Apr 2:30 PM (3 days ago)

When Cornerstone Church of Ames started in 1994, everyone thought it was a church for college students because so many young adults attended. Although the vision was always to grow a multigenerational church that loves the next generation, church leaders had a particular heart for college students. 

Over time, Founding Pastor Troy Nesbitt saw Cornerstone Church grow to megachurch size with several thousand worshipers on a typical Sunday morning. Mark Vance, who was stepping toward the role of lead pastor, led  the college ministry, which was called The Salt Company. When Cornerstone began planting churches, they always had a Salt Company component. As students got involved in the discipleship process and came to faith, Salt Company functioned as an on-ramp into the life of the church where they could be discipled for a lifetime.

After successfully planting two churches in the area, the leadership team of Cornerstone first considered planting a church in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“I’m an Iowa kid, and I knew there are more hogs than humans in those places,” says Vance, who is now lead pastor. “Meanwhile, I’m over at Iowa State seeing people come to Christ, one on top of the other. It hit me that God didn’t want us to do farm towns in Iowa—he wanted us to do university centers.”

Colleges have a defined calendar of events and rhythm of life, which allowed Vance and his team to create a schedule to match it. The first seven weeks they spend reaching out to the lost and lonely on campus. The next 16 weeks they build people to be formed in faith. The final six or so weeks they help students to be sent.

“We’ve run that basic playbook at whatever university we go to,” he explains, noting that there are approximately 403 major university campuses in North America where this could be done. Vance’s goal is that by the time his grandkids are ready to go to college, every university will have a Salt Company for them to get involved in. 

“As a church growth strategy, the megachurch movement has been brilliant. As a reaching lostness and missionary strategy, it’s been a horrific failure,” he says, adding that the megachurch needs to think missionally by starting and planting new churches rather than merely marginally growing their existing church.

“If we’re willing to change our scorecard for success, the megachurch can be the tool of God to fuel a mission in a movement across North America,” says Vance.

Cornerstone’s shift came in 2016 when they stopped regularly tracking attendance. Their network of churches at that point was nonexistent. This past year, however, their network of churches had 26,000 people on an average Sunday.

“I never could have increased Cornerstone Church of Ames in that way,” notes Vance. “Multiplying growth always beats addition growth.” 

At Cornerstone, they send out on average 10–20 of their best leaders per year to do church planting or missions.

“Cornerstone is a multiplying research factory,” says Vance, “that then fuels a national movement that impacts all major university campuses through Salt Network.”

Although people tend to think that university students are hard to reach, Vance disagrees. “The college campus is actually freakishly wildly open to the gospel.”

He notes that last year their network of churches baptized 2,100 people, most between 19 and 21 years old.

Vance advises church pastors never to water down the gospel message to be effective in this culture. “Hold fast to the Scripture. What the next generation resonates with is not hip and trendy but honesty and truth. That’s the secret weapon.”

He finds that students want a bigger purpose in their life. So, when they are offered truth, it’s like offering food to a starving person. 

“Cheap faith gets destroyed when you go into university,” he observes. “However, deep faith not only survives but thrives—in every stage of life.”

Multiplying Made Simple: Filipino Movement Reaches Out Through Microchurches 3 Apr 2:30 PM (4 days ago)

If you were to hear the following, would you imagine it would be at (a) a church leadership meeting or (b) with the congregation itself?

• Let’s review what we learned at our last gathering. 
• Let’s celebrate obedience by asking where you were able to share a gospel this past week.
• Let’s learn a new story or passage from the Bible.
• Let’s apply it by discussing what it says about God, people and how we’re to live.
• Now let’s practice by closing our Bibles and summarizing the story as a fill-in-the-blank.

You might be surprised to discover this discussion is not for leadership only—at least where God is at work in certain rural areas of the Philippines. In literally hundreds of villages, this weekly hour of engagement is what everyone experiences in their microchurch (also known as a house church), along with worship, prayer, Communion, giving and other practices.

“Our goal is to get everyone involved, soaking in the Word of God along the way,” notes Rolly Del Monte, who serves as co-regional director, along with Max Beloso, for NewThing church multiplication network in East and Southeast Asia. “This approach engages people to learn the Word, connect with it and apply it to their lives. It’s also a simple process to learn and reproduce, involving eight specific steps. People quickly decide, It’s easy, and I can lead a group through it.” 

And they do. When I interviewed Del Monte, who has been serving in rural mountainous areas for many years, he shared about a man who in recent months had become a Christian through the microchurch that meets in Del Monte’s home. This young adult had not only started his own microchurch already, but he was also mentoring someone else in the process.

In fact, since 2020, more than 10,000 new disciples have been made on the three major islands of the Philippines. Between 2020 and December 1, 2024, this Filipino-led region of the NewThing network (which was birthed through Community Christian Church in Naperville, Illinois) has trained 2,892 leaders and planted 2,923 microchurches. Almost all of these microchurch leaders are volunteers—farmers or blue-collar workers who open their homes to host a church and who, in turn, train others to start similar microchurches.

Roughly half the population of the Philippines lives in rural areas, many in mountainous regions with few transportation options. Traveling to a larger town for a large regional Sunday celebration service is difficult, and while encouraged, few can make it weekly. For most, the hub of their growth and development as a believer occurs in the microchurch. 

The Church Has Left the Building

Del Monte’s mother was the first known believer in his family. After she got saved, she brought him to her church’s Sunday school where he too became a believer. The other children in the family, strongly resistant at first, eventually all became Christians. For them, the church building served as the central hub for spiritual growth.

While that model worked for them in their city, Del Monte sees the house-based model as both scripturally grounded and more effective for the communities they’re trying to reach. Del Monte’s mother, who is 86, now leads a weekly microchurch of 20–30 people in her home, and Del Monte and his wife have led numerous microchurches in their homes over the years.

“House-based ministry is all over the Book of Acts,” he says. “We believe Jesus started the church the way that he wanted it, and now he wants it the way that he started it. Microchurches are a good platform for people to understand what the church is all about—and especially that it’s not dependent on a building.” 

In Del Monte’s work to catalyze reproducing disciples, leaders, churches, networks and movements—all birthed out of a passion for evangelism and rooted in a commitment to the Great Commission—he has seen far more church growth outside of church buildings than inside them. 

“With God’s grace, we have left the church building,” he says. “We are bringing ‘church’ to every house that the Lord will open, as well as to railroad yards, under trees, in slum areas and more.

“We coach people in our organization—Frontline Worship Center—and our networks, that when somebody asks, ‘Where’s your church?’ your response will be your microchurch that meets between Monday and Saturday. That’s your first identity and the first place to invite them, rather than starting with the regional Sunday celebration at Frontline.” 

Building Trust

In Filipino culture, according to Del Monte, trust isn’t given automatically—it must be earned. People need to see that you genuinely care about and love them before they are open to deeper conversations about faith. Being intentional in building relationships creates the foundation for trust and transformation.

A core focus of house churches is doing life together. They are not just gatherings but communities where people share their joys, struggles and everyday lives. This authentic relational environment fosters spiritual growth and creates a strong sense of belonging.

Microchurches are typically 10–15 people, and at most 30 people. While each has a designated leader and usually an apprentice leader, the genius of the structure is that everybody is involved in leadership training. 

The eight-step process everyone experiences is summarized with these words: 1) Personal Update, 2) Worship, 3) Review, 4) Celebrate, 5) Bible Discussion, 6) Practice, 7) Plan and 8) Pray. Using this process, microchurches are not launched from the regional Sunday celebrations (though they could be), nor even from a class such as a Bible study (though they could be). Instead, one microchurch can quickly birth one or more other microchurches, each volunteer-led and all under the overall oversight of Frontline Worship Center.

Multiplication Simplified

The eight-step process was adapted from training and mentoring materials created by a ministry called No Place Left. “They designed it for Asian-context microchurches, which are tribal in having so many family connections,” Del Monte explains. “It’s also a simple and reproducible process. 

“Even new believers actually do this,” he adds, describing the way he took a new believer with him on a series of recent outings. “The first time, he just watched, but the second time he did some of the steps with me. Soon he was doing many of the steps alone with me at his side. The last time he did all the steps, and then we debriefed, as we always do.”

In short, he says, it can work anywhere because all people need relationships. “Simple is the most reproducible,” he says. “God can use ordinary people for extraordinary work. House-based microchurches empower believers from all walks of life to take ownership of the mission, stepping into leadership roles they might never have imagined.” And, as evidenced by the tremendous volunteer-driven growth, they do.

Read more from Warren Bird »

Warning Signs of Abuse in the Church 2 Apr 2:30 PM (5 days ago)

There is a difference between a predator and a wolf. A predator may come from anywhere. But the Bible gives a special warning about wolves—namely, church leaders who look the part but are dangerous. Matthew records this warning from Jesus: “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act” (Matt. 7:15–16).

Wolves are inclined to do as much damage to the church as possible. The carnage may come in the form of false teaching or bad doctrine. But it can also take the form of abuse. Wolves are “disguised as harmless” and often go undetected. How can you recognize them? Look for the fruit—watch the way they act. Do they exhibit entitlement, superiority, duplicity, justification and manipulation?

Recognizing Where Abuse Begins

Abuse originates in how victimizers view others. At some level they believe other people exist to fulfill their desires. People who take advantage of others place themselves at the center and try to control the orbits of vulnerable people around them. Victimizers are not necessarily brash or overpowering. They may be sensitive, subdued and even charming. Many abusers have likable personalities. So what are some warning signs to watch for?

Entitlement: “I deserve your attention.”

When abusers fail to get someone’s attention, they will penalize the other person through aggressive tactics such as yelling, name-calling, throwing objects or worse. They believe their time is more valuable than someone else’s. This mindset creates agitation when they don’t receive the time and attention they desire or think they deserve.

Superiority: “I am always right.”

Abusers believe their feelings and opinions are more important than someone else’s. And may manipulate, coerce or demand others to see things the same way. You rarely hear abusers admit to being wrong, and they offer insincere apologies, if any at all. It’s always “I’m sorry, but … I’m sorry if … I’m sorry, however …” Such statements aren’t apologies; they are posturing to assert superiority over someone else.

Duplicity: “I do not need to follow the rules.”

When abusers have formal authority, they create rules for their subordinates but not themselves. They enforce standards on everyone else to make themselves feel superior. For example, a senior pastor might require a camera in everyone’s office but his own. Or he may mandate computer tracking software for other staff members but not himself.

Justification: “My anger is warranted.”

There are times when it’s appropriate to be angry. In the face of injustice, unfairness, or duplicity. But abusers don’t get angry when someone else experiences injustice. Instead, their rage comes to a boil when their own desires, demands, or expectations are unmet. It’s a selfish form of anger. Often, abusers have “lonely anger,” meaning no one else shares their feelings. As such, victimizers feel the need to justify their anger. They force people to agree with them to validate their own feelings.

Manipulation: “Your questions attack me.”

Gaslighting is a classic method of manipulation that attempts to make other people doubt their own perceptions or experiences in favor of the abuser’s perspective. The goal of gaslighting is to gain power and control over someone else. When questioned, victimizers often use gaslighting to get others to doubt themselves.

Most people, myself included, have used one or more of these tactics at one time or another. We’re sinners, after all. So don’t play gotcha games with people. We all have bad moments, days or weeks, and at times we may resort to some of these negative behaviors. But a regular pattern of behavior that includes several of these warning signs in someone should raise concerns. Does a discernable pattern mean someone is an abuser? No, but we should be cautious, especially if the person is around vulnerable people in the church.

Suspected Abusers and Safe Church Training

What should we do about suspected abusers? One of the most difficult aspects of church safety involves people we suspect have the potential to harm someone but who have not acted out yet. Obviously, we shouldn’t be overly suspicious or wrongly accuse someone. Spreading mistrust without supporting facts is not helpful and can cause much damage. However, neglecting certain signs that raise suspicions is equally as dangerous. More than 90% of victims under the age of 18 know their abuser. Is it possible that a disheveled stranger will dash into your church and snatch a child? It’s a possibility, but not likely. Almost every case of abuse in churches occurs after bonds of trust have been formed over time. Predators use trust as a tactic as much as brute force. As with any sin issue, pastors and church leaders should talk to an individual if suspicions arise. It is better to have an awkward conversation and maintain a safe environment than dismiss suspicions and experience a tragedy.

Safe Church Training is an on-demand, video-based training guide that can be used in individual ministries or with the entire church. A first-of-its-kind, comprehensive resource to equip your ministries to be a safe environment for children, students, and anyone who attends your church. With this simple-to-use resource, your church can create a safe environment where disciples of all ages are equipped to fulfill God’s calling in their lives.

This article was adapted from Make My Church Safe, published by Tyndale House.

Read more from Sam Rainer »

This article originally appeared on ChurchAnswers.com and is reposted here by permission. 

The Craft of Church Planting 1 Apr 2:30 PM (6 days ago)

EDITORIAL

Leading Mission | Andrew MacDonald

There is something deeply satisfying about watching anyone from a carpenter to a chef to a designer masterfully perform their craft. Witnessing their talent in action is inspiring as countless years of exhaustive effort honing their skills are encapsulated in a single moment.

While there are many ideas and strategies on effective church planting we can learn, we often lose sight of the ways it resembles a craft. A practical wisdom exists in church planting, earned through dedication and refinement, that often goes undervalued in how we talk about and approach church planting. If we think about church planting as a craft, here are three takeaways that can help deepen and sustain our calling. 

1. Failure as Formative

As with any craft, failure is not intrinsically good or bad; its value is determined by how we respond and engage with it. If we approach failure with stubbornness, ignorance or pride, we only deepen destructive habits. Left unchecked, these bad habits can become entrenched, making it significantly harder to implement new ideas. Over time, they can calcify, hindering growth and learning.

However, failure can be a powerful tool for church planters who are humble and teachable enough to benefit from it. In fact, far more can be learned from failure than success. By reflecting on setbacks early in the process, we can adjust our strategies, clarify our mission and build resilience for future challenges. The journey of church planting is often challenging, but developing clarity and perseverance transforms setbacks into stepping stones toward success.

2. Community as Instructive

While church planting can often seem isolating, like other crafts we can draw both support and guidance from a guild. A community of other church planters both refines and shapes our practice, providing a network for learning, emulation and collaboration. Instead of starting from scratch, modern planters benefit from decades of thoughtful contributions made by those who have gone before them. The church planting community is not an abstract concept; it is a vibrant, welcoming resource—an invaluable refuge for those seeking to learn and grow in their craft.

3. Innovation as Essential

Church planters are like missionaries working in diverse cultures; they are resourceful, adaptable and creative. Faced with limited funding, inconsistent attendance and little spare time, church planters must be able to make the mechanisms of church life work under challenging circumstances. On the frontier of missional work, church planters enjoy unprecedented freedom to experiment with the practices and rhythms of church life.

Unlike other crafts, mastery in church planting centers on how well planters embrace innovation while staying anchored to the enduring truths of the Christian faith. This balance is challenging, requiring both expertise and faithfulness. Too often, the freedom to innovate can lead some planters to tinker with core doctrines, which can undermine their efforts. However, for leaders who innovate wisely—maintaining a mission-focused, theologically faithful approach—church planting becomes a powerful and prophetic force for the wider church.

When planters demonstrate faithful innovation, they reveal the potential of their craft to contribute to the broader church. From worship to discipleship to evangelism, church plants are the innovative engines that drive mission forward in unexpected ways. In this respect, church planters are an invaluable gift to the broader church, helping to foster new practices that remind us of our collective mission and call to the world.

Blindsided by Pain in Ministry 28 Mar 2:45 PM (10 days ago)

I’ve been there.

Ministry sometimes feels like a slap in the face, often when you least expect it to happen.

• A good friend turns against you.
• Somebody with more authority makes a decision that affects you negatively.
• Another leader misinterprets your actions and accuses you of wrong.
• One harsh word from another overshadows any good words you’ve heard the same day.
• Someone you led to the Lord tells you he’s walking away from his faith.

Sometimes doing God’s will still hurts.

What do you do when that happens?

1. Take your pain to the Lord. The psalmist is helpful to me here when he expresses his grief to God, as in Psalm 31: “Be gracious to me, Lord, because I am in distress; my eyes are worn out from frustration—my whole being as well. Indeed, my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away” (Psalm 31:9–10). It’s okay to cry out to God from a wounded soul.

2. Remember your calling. I’m so grateful my call to preach was distinct and undeniable for me—so much so that I’ve never been able to shake it. I’ve needed that clarity more than once when I wanted to run in the other direction.

3. Push past the bad to see the good—look for the glimpses of God’s work in your life. Don’t let the present-tense pain cause you to miss the past-tense and present-tense evidence of God’s grace toward you. Seeing just one good act of God can soften the pain of the bad; a glimpse of God’s glory can go a long way toward healing.

4. Recognize that you’re working with sinners. In fact, you’re one, too. It’s usually the case that both of us still have room for growth, and neither of us is perfect. Many folks we shepherd have never really been discipled, and they are still childlike/selfish. Sinful people still act like sinners—but clinging to that truth can help you let go of the pain they cause.

5. Realize that today’s pain often becomes tomorrow’s memory. That is, you may have experienced pain in the past that you thought would never go away—but it did. You felt like you’d always be hurting, always be frustrated—but that didn’t happen. Somehow, God brought you through it in the past—and he will do the same today.

6. Consider confronting someone if needed, but do it prayerfully and lovingly. Don’t let someone else’s actions lead to your own sin. Take your pain to God first (see No. 1 above), rest in his presence first, and then confront another under the leadership of the Spirit. Model Christlikeness in all your thoughts and actions. Even if others don’t always do the same, you need to show them something different.

7. Trust the sovereign hand of God. As I look back over 44 years of ministry, I remember a number of times when the pain of leading God’s people was real—including some times when “throwing in the towel” seemed to be a viable option. At the same time, though, I simply cannot recall any of those times when God did not use it to grow me in Christ. His purpose was always, always, always greater than my pain. I just needed to remember that truth in the moment. Perhaps you do, too.

Read more from Chuck Lawless »

This article originally appeared on ChurchAnswers.com and is reposted here by permission.

Would Jesus Be a Good Fit on Your Church Staff? 28 Mar 2:30 PM (10 days ago)

That’s right. I’m convinced that Jesus would be fired after a few months if he were hired on staff at a typical church today.

Years ago I wrote a book titled Firing Jesus. Its premise was this:

What if Jesus were hired as a youth leader by a run-of-the-mill church?

Set in an emergency elders meeting, Firing Jesus grapples with how to manage a 30-year-old youth leader named J.C. Davidson (Son of David), who was rocking the boat with his radical ministry approach.

Whether Jesus was hired as a youth leader or discipleship pastor—or for any other leadership position—here are four reasons he would be fired fast:

1. Spending too much time praying

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16).

Jesus often couldn’t be found because he was off somewhere praying. Many times, he would intercede for hours on behalf of his disciples and the people he was seeking to reach. He would wrestle in prayer to discern direction from the Father (see John 5:19). Sometimes the disciples were frustrated because they couldn’t find Jesus (see Mark 1:35–37)—perhaps thinking he was missing potential ministry opportunities.

I can imagine a church elder saying, “He spends way too much time praying on the church’s dime. Let him pray on his own time!”

2. Bringing in the wrong element

Jesus was called “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19).

Can you imagine how many alcoholics, thugs, and prostitutes that Jesus would reach out to and bring into the church?

Even though he would speak boldly to them about their sin—as well as about the hope of the gospel to save them from it—uptight religious leaders would find a reason to “stop the madness and realize church is for good Christians, not vile sinners.”

It would be only a matter of time before some church leaders would present Jesus with a pink slip. 

3. Confronting the pastor about his sermon

“So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them” (Matt. 23:3–4).

Can you imagine what Jesus would say to the typical “turn or burn” pastor who made getting saved more about our commitment, surrender, and service than simple faith in Christ’s death and resurrection?

Jesus would directly confront those who dared to insult his gospel of grace.

And, yes, this act would get him fired quickly.

4. Playing favorites

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:13–14).

Jesus would be accused of playing favorites. Although He would minister to everyone, he would invest his life in only a few. These he would choose to “be with him” and to be sent out from him to share the gospel and make disciples who make disciples.

I can hear the complaints now:

“Jesus doesn’t invest his time equally among everyone.”

“He delegates way too much to his leaders.”

“Jesus plays favorites and leaves good people out of his inner circle.”

What do you think?

These are four reasons I believe Jesus would be quickly fired from many typical, modern-day churches. But I pray that instead our churches would welcome Jesus’s radical, gospel-advancing leadership style—and see radical transformation as a result.

Also, if you’d like to read my book Firing Jesus, you can download a free digital copy here.

Read more from Greg Stier »

This article originally appeared on gregstier.org and is reposted here by permission.

Love in Motion 27 Mar 2:30 PM (11 days ago)

Architecture offers the modern church endless possibilities for transformative storytelling.

Churches of all sizes can revitalize their facilities through inspiring narratives that draw people closer to one another and closer to God. Every aspect of your facility, from its landscape architecture to the indoor graphics and theming, has the potential to tell Christ’s story.

Nestled in the heart of Trinity, Florida, just outside Tampa, Generations Christian Church is on a mission to profoundly impact its community. Beyond its current campus, Trinity Commons, Generations envisions a thriving downtown development focused on amateur sports.

Through Trinity Commons, the church has already experienced Sunday morning attendance growth. Its campus is active throughout the week and includes a CrossFit gym, ball fields, sports facilities, a coffee house and spaces where community members can spend time together. Generations Christian School is also located on campus.

“We have families and visitors every week that are part of our church and small groups and children’s programs that have come to worship at Generations because they initially came to CrossFit, or enrolled their child in one of our schools, came to a game on one of the sports fields, or brought their toddler to the splash pad, or came to a community event,” says Johnny Scott, senior pastor at Generations.

“When we step into the community and connect with people deeply through something that they already love, they can’t help but draw closer to God in real and kingdom-spreading ways.”

As Generations’ campus has thrived, its leadership team began to dream bigger. How could the church inspire a more extensive community beyond its already built spaces?

Through strategy, master planning and visionary leadership, Generations set out to breathe life into a vision bigger than Trinity Commons. This new downtown center will be built not only for the local community, but also designed to attract people from all over the country and all walks of life.  

A New Gathering Space

Generations is creating the downtown Trinity of the future—but the mission goes far beyond downtown, and the vision is truly God-sized.

For centuries, the Christian church served as a leader in art and culture around the world. While the church is less of a cultural driver today, opportunities still exist to reengage the community by telling stories through architectural spaces that bring people together. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and with church attendance still down in many places, churches can attract members through the stories they tell with their facilities.

“If the church is going to get people back to in-person attendance, it needs to be back at the center of the village again,” says Jeff Damron, senior vice president of master planning and design at PlainJoe, A Storyland Studio. “The church needs magnetic spaces, and we create magnetic spaces by starting with story.”

The pandemic’s isolation and separation impacted the mental, physical and spiritual health and well-being of countless individuals. In shaping the story of Trinity’s new downtown, Generations is creating an environment that nurtures individual wellness on a holistic scale. My team at PlainJoe stepped in to help imagine, design and create this space.

​​“Seeing God work through how we can touch our community has led to a vision to go even bigger,” Scott explains. “One of the biggest ways people connect in our community is through sports. In fact, our county has been recognized as Florida’s Sports Coast, and yet there are [still not enough] places for exceptional tournaments, organized sports and even recreational play to happen.”

Generations’ ambitious vision for the development includes multiple sports complexes and facilities, residential areas, mixed-use developments, and hospitality and retail, dining and entertainment venues.

The development is set to establish Trinity as the epicenter of Florida’s amateur sports culture. Although sports will be a major focus, the downtown development will promote community building, physical well-being and spirituality.

“We originally brought in PlainJoe because we wanted our church campus to be a place that blesses the community with the love of Jesus seven days a week,” says Scott. “Expecting people to come to a service one day a week to connect them with Jesus is simply not enough. It’s not what Jesus did. He came to us. It is that same incarnational example that moves us to go to our community.”

Generations’ presence near these new facilities gives the church greater visibility and influence over the events and activities that will take place there.

“Hosting sporting events on the church grounds, and now in an entire sports town that’s a gift to the community from the church, allows Generations to not only have a voice in the scheduling of many of those sporting events, but it allows us to provide them with a new measure of excellence in something that they already love,” Scott says.

He continues, “It also creates a proximity and familiarity with the church campus that’s helping to connect people to Christ and driving attendance from people who are using the coffee shop, CrossFit gym and play areas and bringing their kids to sporting events there so that they might be comfortable to take that next step in faith toward [Jesus].”

Ultimately, Generations’ vision is to envelop the community in the love of Christ, connecting them to him through the sports town’s variety of touch points.

“Every sporting event, every interaction at the coffee shop, every gym workout, is an opportunity for Generations to love on people and connect them to Jesus, which causes them to get curious about ‘what’s different about these people’—a living-gospel model that impacts lives and includes them in the discovery conversation of faith,” Scott says. “The newly expanded footprint will create a multiplier effect on the impact the church has seen already from its Trinity Commons expansion.”  

Telling Your Story

As Generations moved forward with its development plans for Trinity, it’s clear that this destination will be an elite experience all its own. With the church at its helm, this development has the potential to transform lives and souls. It’s a testament to the endless possibilities available to today’s church.

Any church can create a physical space that points others to Christ. You don’t have to be a megachurch, and don’t need millions of dollars in funding or a sprawling campus to make a difference. Churches of all sizes can significantly impact their communities through the stories their facilities tell.

Even small churches with limited budgets can use Spatial Storytelling (PlainJoe’s particular approach) to speak to the heart. Depending on your budget, you can start by refreshing existing facilities, adding graphics and theming to tell a story within your walls, or even building onto your campus in stages. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for an outdated space. Alternatively, a seemingly small update, such as redesigning your kids’ ministry area or refreshing your lobby, can make a big difference.

Your church facility isn’t just a building. It has the potential to bring your story to life and inspire others along the way.

Learn more at GenerationsCC.com.

Read more from Mel McGowan »

What Does Evangelism Look Like in the Church? 26 Mar 2:30 PM (12 days ago)

Invite a friend to church.

What could be so hard about that right?

But we all know it’s more challenging than it appears. Culture has shifted, and while it is true that there is a resurgence of interest in God and spiritual life, it is also true that popular culture does not see a need for regular church attendance.

The invitation, however, is extraordinary.

• It’s about meaningful relationship and community.
• It’s an opportunity for a changed life and a better way to live.
• It brings answers to unanswered questions.
• It helps make sense of a world that doesn’t make sense.
• It offers joy instead of sadness.
• It’s an invitation to purpose and meaning rather than random hopelessness.  
• It offers freedom from what holds you captive.
• It presents truth rather than confusion.

Attending church is a sacred practice of high value, but we are more likely to engage a heart in moments of everyday life first, then community within the church begins to make sense.

Without proactive effort and energy toward evangelism, all churches naturally drift toward discipleship, but both are needed. God designed them to function fully in partnership with each other.

Why are some churches more evangelistic than others?

Intentionality.

The following are seven strategic questions that help you become more intentional about evangelism.

7 Helpful Questions

1. Does your church consistently lift up the name of Jesus?

Jesus is the focal point of the church. He is the head of the church and the reason that it works. Jesus is the image of the invisible God and holds all things together. It is through him that we are reconciled to God (Col. 1).

Church programs, classes, events, mission trips, next-gen ministry, global missions, etc., are all good and needed. But apart from Jesus they mean very little.

It’s easy for us as church leaders (with good intention and a heart to serve) to get so wrapped up in the design and execution of helpful programs that we lose sight of the big picture.

It’s not like we forget why we do what we do. We know, but under the pace and pressure of leadership it’s easy to fall into “make it happen” mode rather than a “point to Jesus” mindset.  

2. How do you remain relevant with current culture?

Remaining connected to current culture without being controlled by it is a significant challenge.

The important idea is that if we don’t understand the culture around us, what people think and how they feel, it’s extremely difficult to communicate the gospel in a way that makes sense to them.

Discernment is important.

• When are we silent for the sake of unity?
• When do we speak up for the sake of truth?
• When do we take action for the sake of change?

Reaching people for Jesus is not just about what we say and what we do, but how we say it and why we do it.

3. Is your hospitality wildly attractive and felt at a heart level?

I was recently on a delayed flight from Dallas to Atlanta. I arrived home at 1:30 a.m. The longer we waited at the airport, the shorter patience became. I was holding steady but getting weary.

Then when finally boarding the plane everything changed in a moment. A flight attendant with an infectiously positive attitude was holding the baby of a frazzled young mom trying to carry all the baby bags and navigate a stroller about the size of a Volkswagen. Mom and baby were exhausted, and I fear would have had a meltdown without this extraordinary flight attendant. She carried the day with genuinely cheerful hospitality that made us all feel good about being on the flight.

When we carry that disposition in the local church, we can change the day for everyone around us. In fact, at 12Stone Church, we call our volunteers “Daymakers” for that very reason.

Wildly attractive and genuinely meaningful hospitality will help make your church, and more importantly, Jesus, irresistible.

4. Do you intentionally unclutter the church calendar?

In a previous post I wrote about a “lean ministry” model. This idea becomes even more important when we consider the primacy of evangelism and the mission of the church.

If we are too busy as leaders, and the programming calendar is too busy, it’s likely that the church will be too busy to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus.

What can you eliminate from your programming that will allow your congregation to breathe enough to make a new friend and invite them to church? 

Greater simplicity in the operation of your church makes it easier for those outside the church to feel welcome inside.

5. Do the leaders set an obvious example?

The pastor, staff, board and key leaders need to set the example if you want the congregation to follow.

Our senior pastor Jason Berry leads the way personally and with the question “Who’s your one?” It’s a heartfelt question that reminds us all about our purpose. Reaching people for Christ.  

The particular method doesn’t matter near as much as the fact that you are modeling personal evangelism in some way.

It’s not necessary to over-complicate evangelism. We either lean in, or we don’t. It’s not about performance; it’s about passion. 

Encourage the congregation by telling stories from the platform, in groups and one to one.  

If the leaders of the church make evangelism a regular part of their lives, it is much more likely to catch on in the congregation.

6. Are your expectations of the congregation realistic?

The consistent practice of evangelism comes toward the mature end of discipleship. It requires courage, burden and intentionality.

It’s not realistic to think that everyone in the church will be inviting a friend every week or sharing their faith on a consistent basis. It’s a process.

I’m not remotely suggesting to lower the bar of leadership, faith or encouraging the church to be salt and light in their world. But see it as a process of spiritual growth and acknowledge all aspects of being salt and light as successful parts of evangelism.

For example, merely smiling at a neighbor you’ve never spoken to, a random act of kindness, praying for someone, a visit to the hospital, etc.. these are steps toward inviting someone to church, speaking Jesus name and ultimately sharing the gospel.

Cheer on those you love and lead to keep making progress.

7. Are you tapping into your greatest advantage?

Prayer unleashes the greatest force in the world that empowers your evangelistic efforts.

Prayer taps into the power of God through the moving of the Holy Spirit in peoples lives. Many people have come to faith because someone prayed! Your prayers matter as much as your words and actions.

When it’s all said and done, if one person comes to faith, everything you do is worth it.

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’” (Matt. 9:37–38).

Read more from Dan Reiland »

This article originally appeared on DanReiland.com and is reposted here by permission.