2011 June Archive at Beverley Community Church

Today, walking down Toll Gavel in Beverley, I saw a couple of well-meaning Christians singing ‘Shall We Gather At The River’. Later when I passed they were reading scripture and preaching to an audience of nil. I am sure they think they are doing their best to fulfil the great commission.

At other times during the week, a man stands in a similar spot accosting passers by with his words, telling the people that they are all sinners, and that Jesus is the Way.

These people are all trying to preach the gospel in their own way but nobody is listening. Why? because they have failed to bridge the gap and make the connection with people’s lives. They are answering questions that nobody is asking. All they do is make themselves appear the nutty Christians that nobody listens to anymore. Worse than that, they queer the pitch for those of us who want the gospel to be a lifechanging experience in the lives of the people of this town. I am starting to get cross with this approach.

When are we going to realise that the Christian gospel is not just words, a philosophy or a set of imosed values. It is the lifechanging power of God which flows out of his love for the world he created. The gospel is not at its best when it is preached in a vacuum but when it is incarnated in the lives of the people of God. Jesus did not just preach the gospel, he lived it, getting inside the head of his listeners and reaching them at the point of their need.

Modern preaching should not start with sin as the western world has not concept of sin. It should start with love – love in action. Only when people encounter the love of God can they have a real understanding of the damage their sin has done to their relationship with him.

Oh God. Please will you awaken your church to the folly of words without love and action and help us realise that without them, the gospel is an empty philosophy.

Visit of Elevate Dance Company

Published

editor

on June 9, 2011

in Events

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July 1, 2011 7:30 pm to July 2, 2011 4:30 pm

Elevate is the daughter company of Springs Dance Company, formed of apprentices that have been training with SDC for the past year. This show comprises about seven individual sketches expressed in dance and music. It is suitable for all the family and lasts about 90 minutes with a 20 minute interval during which refreshments will be served.