This past weekend I started reading ‘What Is the Mission of the Church‘ by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert and while it’s too early in the book for me to give many thoughts on it, I came across something that really stuck out to me. So often, books in the Bible state explicitly why they were written. For example, in the very first chapter of Mark, in verse 38, Jesus explicitly states the purpose of his ministry. “And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” Jesus didn’t come to heal the lame and sick (although that was a byproduct of his preaching) but to preach! We can’t preach the Gospel unless we use words, for then we are no different then the world who is here just to help those who are less fortunate than they.

Another example of this is in John 20:31 which says, “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” The whole point and purpose of the Gospel of John is to lead people into repentance. It’s so easy to get caught up in reading through the text of the book and pass over some of these very key passages that give us a framework to understand the whole book. As you continue in your Bible reading this week, I encourage you to slow down and take in the verse and the contexts. Pray for God to illuminate in light of the context and apply it to your life.

In my Bible reading last week I was reading in 1 Timothy and came across 5:17 which says, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” (ESV) As I’ve had the privilege to teach and preach on a few occasions (my first time preaching here in Cheyenne wil be September 2, Lord willing, prayers are greatly appreciated!), I’ve learned just how exhausting it is. Sunday is the culmination of everything Pastors work toward during the week, and you never know how well it will go or who it will impact. It seems the weeks that you are least prepared are the weeks most people are affected (not advocating for lack of preparation). Tim Challies has a very helpful blog today on how to encourage your pastor this week, I encourage you to read it. 

An ever increasing number of people have been trying to grow in their Christian faith apart from a local body of the church. I’ve heard many people complain that church is boring, doesn’t meet their needs and ultimately isn’t necessary for growth in the Christian faith. While the church on this side of heaven is imperfect, it is still the representation of Christ to the world.

The key verse for this discussion, “is answered definitively in Hebrews 10:25. “Let us not… [forsake] the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but [exhort] one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” This verse requires more than regularly attending worship services, but it doesn’t require less. Believers go to church. The writer says that church attendance is more important today than it was yesterday!”

I have always encourages those people I’ve talked to to get plugged in to a local church body. When I miss a week I am so very desperate for the fellowship of the body, and if I wasn’t involved in a local body I wouldn’t have a complete picture of the church. God made us to be in community with each other, to hold each other accountable and to encourage growth and support within the body.

I have many more thoughts on this, which I’m sure will come up at some point, but what started this thinking today was a blog found here. Don’t neglect Jesus’ bride.

After moving to Cheyenne, I have become more aware of the Mormon religion. Being so close to Utah brings about an influx of Mormons as opposed to Minneapolis where I was living before. I came across a very helpful blog today on how to effectively witness to Mormons. This article encourages using a theological argument instead of an apologetic argument. The first will probe deeper into why Mormons believe what they believe while the latter tends to simply turn them off of religion completely. They say, “the approach we believe is the best way to witness to Mormons is the theological approach: to elucidate the Biblical message of sin, righteousness and faith by using and challenging Mormonism on its own theological ground. People do not need correct Christian doctrine to realize that they are sinners… they need it to solve that problem!”

They encourage the use of asking questions because Mormons are out to witness (as should we be), but then we should be asking questions about the answer they give because, “Mormons are trained to speak the same things as if from a script, but we should come in the opposite spirit, as Jesus taught His disciples (Luke 21:14-15). We don’t have to be experts on Mormonism, but we should be experts on the gospel. If we grasp the basic concepts of the gospel and rely on the Spirit for words, we’ll be able to witness to any person from any religion at any time. We don’t need to worry about every question or word to be planned. This allows for each conversation to be unique.”

You can read the blog in full here.

I just found a great new blog called ‘Doxology and Theology’ and came across a blog that voices a big issues I’ve seen in many different churches. I’ve often seen a big disconnect between “worshipping” during the week and worshipping on Sundays at church. It’s easy to stand up and cheer during the week when you’re watching the Olympics and Michael Phelps becomes the most decorated Olympian ever, but why don’t you do it on Sunday when you sing about the ramifications of Jesus taking our place on the cross? I like what the following article says that the outward posture reflects what’s going on in your heart. Granted, there are times to stay still in the presence of God, but not always. You can read the full article at: http://www.doxologyandtheology.com/2012/06/29/with-arms-high-and-heart-abandoned-why-posture-matters-by-stephen-miller/