The Future of the Church in America, Part 2
By Stovall Weems
I see what I call a wave of convergence coming to the church.
There have been several different streams of prevailing, life giving Christian churches across the United States over the past couple of decades. There are several names given to these church tribes or “camps”.
We have purpose driven, creative, relevant, spirit-filled, spirit-contemporary, seeker, emergent, multi-site and so on.
There are also several combinations of these camps and streams of churches. They have all added to one another and for the most part are respected by one another. However, they have not worked really close together to make a bigger impact for the Kingdom. I believe that is changing right before our eyes and will continue to do so even more in the near future.
These up and coming generations of pastors are not nearly as tied to a certain camp or denomination as they are to making an impact and working with churches that are focused on doing the same.
It is now very easy to respect small doctrinal differences and church preferences while keeping Jesus Christ the main thing.
These prevailing churches will have a multiplied impact working together and the church will experience a new strength because of this unity.
The questions that now unite pastors and churches are: Are you reaching people? Are you committed to making an impact in your community? Are you willing to change to make an even greater impact?
Yes, worlds are colliding.
These streams are converging in America to form a mighty rushing river that will be more powerful than ever.
I am amazed at how organizations like the Association of Related Churches (ARC) have become a catalyst for this.
These days it is so encouraging to see all the different streams of leaders and speakers at conferences advancing the Kingdom together for multiplied impact.
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7 Responses to “The Future of the Church in America, Part 2”
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Pastor,
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Encouraging words………..
I agree and we are seeing this every day and on every level. The Saturday morning bible study that I host in my home includes 4 different churches from around the city, and anywhere from 15-18 men.
We have Calvinists, Armenians, we even have had a visit from a oneness Pentecostal. The key part of your post that I love to see is “small doctrinal differences while keeping Jesus Christ the main thing.”
The differences in doctrine encourage and incite us to dig deeper into God’s word and prayerfully consider what the Bible is telling us. The main thing is JESUS, and it will always be JESUS. If we keep this in mind, small differences in doctrine will not deter us from seeking what the Lord has for our life.
I just returned from a trip to Fort Payne, Alabama and attended Wills Valley Community Church on Sunday with a great friend of mine and our families. I was truly encouraged and excited to smell, feel, see, and taste the Lord in this small 200 member church in the Alabama hills. The worship was awesome and the message on discipleship was even better.
Mark 12:28-31 discusses the most important commandments.
Jesus says we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.
It is incredible that even as I sat in that small Alabama church, God’s message formulates and educates, and shows true unity in the Kingdom………….
Jesus is so beautiful.
Love you all,
Jason
Pastor,
You da man! I just want to say thank you, to you and Kerri, for being obedient to the call. It is a privilege to take part in the amazing things God is doing through Celebration! I couldn’t agree with you more, God is definitely knocking down the wall of separation brought through “denominations”. Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” We are all agreed upon bringing Christ to a dying world. It’s time to put the passy and ba ba away with denominational differences. Is how you worship or how you fast or even whether or not you believe in speaking in tongues, really more important than bringing someone to know Christ? Come on now…Sounds ridiculous when you really think about it. Thank you Pastor for always majoring on the major and not majoring on the minor. We are in agreement with you, and excited to see all that God is bringing to pass in 2008, love ya man!!!
I am very excited to be a part of this great church. The goal of the church should always be to have the approval of God and not man. This church does that everyday. I love it.
I feel you on this one. There must be one accord, unity of the spirit, and knit together disciples. It is very vital to be a leader in your community, church, city, work place, and every location. Once a leader, always a leader. There are appointed times that take place in that person’s life. A great leader sets the example and influences people. Good indication you stated. God bless!
Pastor Stoval,
Keep preaching the way you are preaching. My wife and I continue to grow in our walk with Jesus and our marriage is more blessed than ever!!!
Ken
Father, make us one, like you and Jesus are one. In Jesus’s name.
Right on the money, Pastor! Celebration is right at the confluence! How stoked are we?
Thanks for having vision to see past the things that work to ‘divide the Bride.’
jw