Which Column? NT or US?

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Churches in American have been spiritually drifting away from God for 100-200 years and they do not realize it. Today we have churches that are twisted and deformed compared to the New Testament model. When will WE stop thinking about ourselves and begin to think about the lost people who are walking our streets without Christ? Will we confess our sin and return to truly following Jesus? The church was not meant to be a fortress for Christians, but a gathering place for the nations as people accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

Which column generally describes your church? What are you going to do to help your church approach God’s design for the church?

Larry Richmond, Gateway Baptist Association


Comparison of NT Church to Today’s Church in America

God’s Design for the Church
or
American Design for Church

Fellowship based on mutual experience with the Lord
or
Fellowship based on meal and friendship

Prayed a lot
or
Pray little

Based decisions on what God was doin
or
Base decisions on majority vote

Bold in sharing faith in Christ
or
Few share faith, and then sharing weakly

Holy Spirit leads the church
or
Committees lead the church

High accountability to living their faith
or
Low accountability

Adjusted lives to commands of scripture
or
People fail to adjust lives to scripture

Outward focused, doing ministry and evangelism
or
Inward focus, ministry and evangelism inside the church

Vision: take the Gospel to the world
or
Vision: self-centered, comfortable church life

Started churches
or
Few interested in church starting

Baptized many
or
Baptize few

Saw God moving in amazing ways
or
Seldom notice God moving

Following God = obedience
or
Following God = attend church

World revolves around Jesus
or
World revolves around me

Submission to God and leaders
or
Control what I can

Grew spiritually
or
Not concerned with spiritual growth

Evangelism: invite people to Christ
or
Evangelism: invite people to church

Agenda: whatever God was doing
or
Agenda: whatever we want to do

Give until the need is met
or
Give some of what is left over after spending on me

Join an accepting community
or
Join a holy huddle

Hospital: healing sin sick people
or
Hotel: taking care of members

Walking by faith
or
Walking by sight

Fully trust God
or
Trust our own abilities




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