Innovative Ministry Leader asks: What If ... We became ONE
"What would the impact be if every Church in one city, unified together and swept that city telling people about the love of God? What if every Church and every member went out on the streets in that city and helped the homeless? We’re talking about hundreds upon hundreds of Christians reaching out and giving food and help to those in need. Could it end problems we have?(or some of them?) Would people get saved?
It is time for Pastors to become leaders that join together the body of Christ, and challenge people that Church is more than sitting in the pews on Sunday. That it is okay to come together with Churches and reach out to the world."
What do you think? Do we need to come together? What are some of the obstacles? How can we overcome those obstacles?
Jesse, thanks for posting this. I like the way you take it a step further. There are many obstacles to making a movement like this come true. I think the first is getting past the denominational boundaries that set everyone a part. Coming from the more Innovative Movement, it is easier to think past this, but it is a tough when people have been used to church as a certain way for centuries.
I think it starts by just stepping over the line. Leading by example, so that others will follow.
What is some of your insight?
Comment by Sean Lewis - Aug 07, 2008 @ 06:16 PM
This is precisely what the enemy works at preventing - unfortunately, successfully. Unity is one of the most powerful forces in the universe, just think about Jesus’ unity with His Father. We as a people are not unified and we lack the power to change the world because of it. Thanks for posting about this critically important aspect of following Christ.
Comment by Steve - Aug 07, 2008 @ 09:23 PM
I got so excited by his question, I wrote a post about it over at the Portland CityFest blog.
Portland CityFest sounds exactly like the answer to his question. I hope at the end of August we’ll be able to say, “look what Portland - a city known for being secular - was able to achieve when the churches and city came together in unity in Christ”. I cannot believe the excitement in this city (my hometown as well).
I think Jerry is on to something about there being a movement in the cities:
Love to hear what you Catalysts think. Blessings!
Comment by Allan White - Aug 08, 2008 @ 12:40 AM
Oh, and in the days to come I’ll be posting some videos profiling citywide service & outreach events - watch the Cityfest blog for updates.
Comment by Allan White - Aug 08, 2008 @ 12:59 AM
Hey Jesse, I think one way to really start a rapid movement is to get a roundtable together with many of the leaders you will have at Catalyst. Since you will already have so many in Atlanta at once, and maybe invite some others around the country such as Warren, Driscoll, Noble, Young, Coy, Stevens, and others to fly in for a day to discuss more community mission focused. Look what Lifechurch.tv did with One Prayer. When leaders get together and are organized with the resources they all have behind them, (blogs, community, etc.) I think we could have a rapid movement. It would take One unified vision to make this happen.
What do you think?
Comment by Sean Lewis - Aug 08, 2008 @ 10:42 AM