The Future of the Church in America, Part 3
By Stovall Weems
I see the church in America moving towards a more organic “God in the raw” church experience with church services having a real, raw, heartfelt vibe.
Church services where the goal is for people to really connect personally with God. (Wow, what a concept – connect with God at church.) This means that the goal or “win” for the service components (message, altar, worship, communion, offering, prayer, etc.) is to design them so that people can personally connect with God at various points in the service.
This in turn also becomes the goal or the “win” of the entire service.
While much of this is already happening in several prevailing churches, there is still a mindset in much of the church that the goal of a service is to create a “learning experience” instead of a “connecting experience.”
God doesn’t want people to just learn something or do something. He wants people to connect to the purpose behind it. He wants them to connect to Himself.
Then the church becomes the reflection of Christ, and in turn people who are looking for God can easily find Him.
Christ is not hidden behind all the religiosity or traditions of men.
GO GOD!
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8 Responses to “The Future of the Church in America, Part 3”
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This is definitely one of the prevailing messages for the season. We are empowered by intimacy with Christ, and from that intimacy every other thing (including ministry) flows.
Great Word Pastor,
As you have taught on many occasions, experiential knowledge of God is crucial to transforming our lives.
In the world we experienced sin through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
How much more should we experience God’s presence through our five senses?
Sight – the most common miracle in the Bible was restoring sight to the blind. We once were blind but now we see.
Sound- He who has an ear let him hear Rev 3:22. Not only the Word but music is paramount to experiencing God.
Smell -(Phil 4:18) our gifts are ‘a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.’
Taste -Ps 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Touch Matt 14:36 ‘and all who touched Him were healed.’
I challenge all believers to truly experience God- not just during the assembling of ourselves , but daily- if not hourly or every moment.
Get lost in His presence… I guarantee you will never be the same !
Yes! I get what you are saying Pastor Stovall. I really do believe with all my heart that if I did a little more “connecting” rather than JUST my “learning” about God I don’t think I would have made some of the really bad mistakes I had made in my youth. I would have been more committed to make some solid standards in my life and lived by them in order not to backslide here and there. My connection to God gives me more of a human checkpoint where His touch or verbal presence is more powerful to persuade my decisions rather than religious law abiding.
Great post, Pastor. I’ve really enjoyed your thoughts on this particulare topic.
I’ve met a lot of people that want to argue over everything in the Bible. I used to engage them but I’ve found that it is much easier to try and touch a person’s heart than overcome their mind. Jesus did a lot of teaching and serving, but not much arguing.
Mark
Thanks for this refreshing post Pastor.
Yesterday I was talking to an elder of a different church who kept saying that man is not capable of any measure of faith or belief unless God pre-ordains.
I said the opposite that I had to make a choice to follow God.
The discussion made me feel somewhat discouraged. To me, his opinion came from a lot of “learning” and scripture quoting about God but very little about “connecting” with God or knowing God.
From your last weekend it was encouraging to know that I have to do the “possible” and God does the “impossible”.
Pastor Stovall,
With you teachings my wife and I have grown so much closer to Christ and every day we are walking the walk better than the day before. We love Celebration church and all the hard work you put into each service!!!
Ken & Lisa
AMEN!!
Hello Pastor Stovall,
I thank God for being a member of a church that embraces and lives this concept every single day. You are an awesome pastor, genuinely have God’s anointing and a heart for his people and this is very important; — You are NOT afraid to teach, preach, and enlighten us to God’s vision and plans as set forth by the Holy Bible. I have to say that I enjoy getting my toes crunched here and again. : )
We love you!!!
Tresa