The Future of the Church in America, Part 1
By Stovall's Blog
I believe the church in America is starting to come full circle.
I believe God is moving big time and getting the church back to the core disciplines of our faith: prayer, fasting, consecration, preaching the cross and moving in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Much of the church in America has been very focused on becoming super creative, relevant, cool and “de-religiousizing” and “de-weirdifying” the Christian message.
I believe God has been at the center of this and I am so glad for the church.
As many of you know we are huge believers in environments and relevant ministry. Atmosphere and creativity are huge in ministry and especially in reaching people. The beautiful message of the gospel deserves a beautiful wrapping around it.
Creativity, excellence and relevance all contribute in removing barriers as people come to God.
But I feel as if God is now ready to bring much more focus to what really brings Christ-likeness and power to the church. The things that are really necessary to make solid, committed disciples. I am not talking about people just serving and attending a small group. Those things are important but there is so much more to knowing Christ.
I am talking about disciples that really know the person of Jesus Christ.
I feel like the next wave for the church in America is getting back to the essential disciplines of our faith that enable believers to become “self feeders” and really know the person of Jesus and the power of God.
Over this next decade, I believe that the churches in America that are going to be the breakout churches – the ones with explosive growth and huge impact, these are going to be the churches that while being relevant and focused on reaching people, they are also going to be extremely passionate for the Lord.
They are going be focused on prayer and fasting and really grounding people in the Word of God.
People will be coming to the church by the droves to hear the Word of God and to experience God’s presence and power.
These churches are going to be Spirit filled and Spirit led.
They are going to experience God’s power in a whole new way.
They will reach the masses and make solid disciples.
While continuing to remain creative and relevant, these churches will preach the cross and be focused on the light of eternity. Over the past couple of years we have seen thousands and thousands of decisions for Christ at Celebration Church. We saw around 450 decisions just last month.
We are very thankful to God for this.
But I see the day when thousands and thousands are won to the Lord in one day (Acts 2:41)! I see the day for some churches in America when facilities just can’t contain the people and the attendance is too large to count.
When the church is so on fire with so many people that infrastructure and services have to be completely re-thought.
This will not happen with just being relevant. It will happen when the church on earth (especially in America) aligns itself with God in heaven.
So much of Christian ministry today is what I call “needs based”. It is focused entirely on meeting people’s needs so they may live better and more successful lives on earth.
I agree “needs based” messages play an important part in the life of the believer, and I completely agree that God wants us to have better relationships, good attitudes, successful careers, etc. The Bible says a lot about those things.
I also understand that in order to reach the unbeliever in our post modern society many times people need to be met at a point of need or relevance first and then led to the Truth.
But there is also the principle of God drawing people’s hearts and the conviction power of the Holy Spirit.
If people are seeking God they need to be able to encounter Him. I believe that God is always stirring hearts and people are hungry for the Word and want to experience God “in the raw.” We need to be balanced and minister the “whole counsel of God.”
It is not an “either/or” but a “both/and.”
We must maintain an eternal perspective as our foundation for living.
Our home is not this earth; it is with Christ in eternity.
Our marriages, careers, and everything else need to be driven in light of eternity and by the purposes of God. We live with the understanding that our life on earth is a temporary assignment.
I will be talking more about this over the next couple of weeks.
Tell me what you think.
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17 Responses to “The Future of the Church in America, Part 1”
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You touched on the essence of things. There has to be a main focus and geared up discipleship. Staying raw and relevant and sincere to the Word and letting people know. Letting them know this what God says about this. No sugar coating and cutting corners. Some leaders preach the truth like you. The heavenly realm is our distribution center and source. We just have to stay praying and be doers of the Word . The Host of God is employed by us keeping the angels of principalities and powers in velocity and also keeping the golden bowl of incense full. Revelations 9. It has to be an urgent manifestation. I’m always expecting that. Great article! God bless.
I am responding to your comment about churches praying and fasting. I recently moved here from Texas where I was a member of a church which had a intercessor group which met 3 times a week at 6 am at the church sanctuary. I loved being part of that, loved praying, but I can’t seem to find a group like that in a church here in Florida. Can anyone direct me? What I need is a non-denominational church with a group of intercessors who pray together regulary and perferably with others with a prophetic gift.
There is a grateful sigh in my soul…I have been a follower of Jesus for 40 years. And I have been joined to the seeker-friendly movement for nearly 20 years. (I have been here at CC for nearly 4 years.) But over the past 18 months or so there has been an ache in my soul…a feeling that a refreshing is needed…that in all that is so good in the greater body of Christ, something vital has moved out of the center. I am so grateful that your primary pledge is leading us to Jesus and that you are willing to allow Him to constantly refine and refocus our sight. How thankful I am that He has lead me to serve Him here. You remain in my prayers as you lead us to follow after Him with passion and joy!
Pastor,
Thanks I am familiar with Josh McDowell. I bought Chuck’s book yesterday and will follow up. He likens it to a modern day version of C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”. I believe strongly we must understand what we believe for the “day of testing” as to not “fall away” as Jesus has warned us.
Thanks for a great Awakening Series!
Alex, Megan, Julia, Craig, Jason (congrats on Giants win), Mark, Tracy, Rachael (Africa’s calling), John, Dave, Sammie and the other Rachel- thanks so much for your insightful comments.
Dave,
“Evidence that Demands a Verdict” by Josh McDowell is a good apologetics book. “Why I Believe” by D. James Kennedy is a good one too. But that new one by Chuck Colson sounds fantastic. I think an apologetics book camp combined with groups would go over huge here at Celebration because we have so many new Christians. We need to do it. Let’s talk soon!
Pastor, the 21 days of prayer and fasting was truly an awakening. Your comment on meeting other’s needs in order for “them to be met at a point of need or relevance first and then led to the Truth” was so good. I so badly just wish I could send a mass email to my co-workers, friends, and family about how amazing our Lord Jesus Christ is and how much He loves them and they would reply with excitement to know about Him. But unfortunately, we live in a world that is involuntarily predisposed by the powers of the enemy. It is our responsibility to “Shine” for Jesus and show them how wonderful He really is!!! We are empowered by the King of Kings and He has armed us with the anointing of the Holy Spirit so we can impact our world around us.
I thank you and Kerri for loving us, caring for us, and leading us with strength into a whole new level with God! You are the GREATEST leaders I could have ever imagined and I am honored to be under Your leadership.
Thank-you!!!
Rachel
He is so on the move right now. Your church is such an inspiration.
Stovall,
I enjoyed last night’s message(2/6) prior to the water baptisms. In light of your comments on precepts, principles and doctrine; do you have one specific book that you like on apologetics. I see that Chuck Colson just published a new book called, The Faith – What Christians Believe, Why they believe it, and why it matters. Have you read it? Could Celebration support a Apologetics Boot Camp? Let me know what you think.
Fired Up!
Dave Hobbing
Man, I am fired up that my KIDS are growing up in THIS KIND OF CHURCH!
I’m so stoked that Jesus placed us right here, right now. No place on earth or in history that I’d rather be!
PS:
GO JESUS!!
Jesus: infinity devil: zero
(what up, J-Bird!!)
Pastor,
We are so excited to do something with this passion! Your messages along with serving, prayer and fasting have been sparking the fire all month! It’s so awesome how God has planned all of this before we even saw it coming! We are behind the vision God has given you 100%. You’re so right, the church is not just there for needs, because it’s really the conviction of the Holy Spirit to get people on the next level, and growing closer in their relationship with Jesus. We love our church and are ready to see Jesus open the eyes of the world.
Awesome Pastor! I couldn’t agree more. I believe that God is taking you and Celebration Church to a whole new level. I am excited and can’t wait to see all that He has in store for us!
The post-moderns have REALLY challenged the Church to look at why and how we do everything. This has caused many authentic expressions of church to spring up. It has forced us to get away from being knowledge driven and systematic to being spirit led, creative, and authentic. I’m glad to be a part of a church that is engaging the culture while staying true to the mission of Jesus. Thanks for the post and all that you do.
Pastor,
It is really encouraging to hear talk about the needs based ministry and its place in the church. I agree it has its place, but I also know we need to get deeper.
I know my need, and it goes by the name of Jesus Christ. I was speaking to the guys in my Saturday morning bible study, and we addressed these issues this morning. The environments are awesome, and bring the people in, but we as men and leaders need to bring the fire and passion to the congregation.
It is by our walk, our lives, how and what we carry around what God has given us that can inspire and ignite a passion to chase after Christ at every level, and every day.
We have a new guy named Richard that just moved in from Texas. He moved in on Thursday, came to Celebration on Sunday, and came to the spot. He attended both my Tuesday night group, and again my Saturday group. Today he stated that he had been from mega church to mega church in Dallas, and it is in the men’s fellowship that he can gauge the strength of a congregation. He has been blown away by what he has seen so far. And feels blessed to have found a home in our church.
Jesus is moving about, making things happen, and creating disciples. How awesome to be used by HIM.
Thanks for the last post, it gives me great confidence in you as my teacher and pastor, and also reminds me that you are preaching Christ and the Cross. I am blessed to be a part of your vision.You keep on spitting it out, and we will continue to smash them in the mouth with the gospel.
Love You Guys
Jason
P.S.
Go Big Blue
Giants 34 Patriots 10
Yes, Jesus…make us more like You ! Pour out Your grace and mercy upon us that we can become as one, even as You and the Father are one. Cause us to be consumed with the things that consume You, Oh Holy One of Israel – burn in our hearts, our souls, our minds and strengths Your passions and Your fire that God would be glorified in all we think, do and say. Perfect Your strength in our weakness, expose our failures and our foibles, that our souls would be broken and Your Spirit would shine through, that our hearts would be contrite and pentitent, and Father would be nearer to us and the lost He so desparately wants to affect with the love He’s shedding aboad in our hearts. Bring us together and bind us together, to the praise and glory of God, for You alone are the Christ, our mighty God and Saviour. Bless us with Your willingness to suffer for righteousness sake, Lord, that many would come to know and believe the love God has for them. Amen.
The first week of the Awakening Series I woke up not feeling well. I rolled over and decided there was no way I’d be able to make it to church. Then I remembered the new series and I felt I had to be there. Fortunately, I was and was blessed.
One of my favorite books was “In His Steps” that I read years ago. I remember thinking that was how I wanted to live. The concept of “what would Jesus do” and making Christ real in everything we do every day is what I, personally, want to develop and what I think we all need. It’s too easy to segregate our lives from “work”, “family” and “religion”. It’s easy to put God on the shelf for portions of our lives and I fear when we do that, we short selling ourselves and God.
Celebration stresses prayer and, more importantly faith and belief in those prayers. It’s changed my life, but I still have a lot of changing to do. I continue to be excited to go to church and amazed at how God is using the church to speak to me at a crucial time of my life.
I’m hoping to become a part of the homeless ministry and maybe a “Big Sister” situation as well. Thank you.
Awesome revies, Pastor. It’s so relevant to the book I’m reading right now, David Kinnaman’s UnChristian. UnChristian discusses the images non-Christians have about Christians, as gleaned from an extensive research study. The book states that non-Christians often describe Christians as “hypocritical,” insensitive,” and “judgmental.” While this research study may reflect the views of today’s non-Christians, I believe that churches can be the catalyst for change in this regard by simplying pouring into their people. The local church is absolutely called to seek and save the lost, but it is also entrusted with the task of discipling new believers in God’s spiritual disciplines. We want that newly planted seed to grow deep roots!! In this way, Christians will be equipped to live out their faith and be genuine, living testimonies of a loving God. Like you, my heart is that Christians, especially those representing Celebration Church, will be taught the foundational spiritual truths and empowered to heed Paul’s words in Col 4:5,“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” THIS is how we will turn the tide of Christianty’s negative image and win the hearts of unbelievers. Bring on the furnace!!
Man, this is good stuff.