more Jesus at church // Wednesday E-Devotion

The blog world often gives me lots to chew on and think about. Take a look at what Elevation Church did in Charlotte this past weekend. Pastor Steven Furtick and the church is making a big impact for Jesus.

Lifechurch.tv is on the cutting edge and making a great impact as well. Pastor Craig Groeschel encourages and challenges me almost every day. Yesterday's post was especially good. Here is part of what he wrote:

Future of the Church 2 (of 5)

More Bible, Less Fluff

When I was a kid, many churches didn't engage my generation. Most of my friends "went to church" but we didn't follow Christ. The American church (for the most part) lost touch with how to engage the younger generations.

The church needed to change. And it did. We needed to become more relevant in the way we engaged non-believers, challenged believers, and presented God's Word. One result was the "seeker-sensitive" church. This movement brought some very positive changes, including:

We don't assume everyone is a believer when they come to church.
We don't assume everyone knows our language, has a Bible, or even cares about Christ.
We are more outward-focused.

Craig talks about the church in the days to come and what the changes might be. You know, it is not easy to change. Yet in my seat, I have to be careful to not just be creative to be be cool. I must make sure that what The Community is doing and where I am leading is all about impacting our world for Jesus. It is about our calling. It is about balance. And it is all about Jesus.

Churches have to change to make a difference in the world. Lets make sure we do all we do so others will know Him, church people will be challenged to live different and that the world will know that Jesus is everything!

1 Peter 1:21 (nlt) --- Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 (nlt) --- Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Last thing...Steve Fee is a worship dude I heard at the conference I went to a couple weeks ago. Check him out...make sure your speakers are on!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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