Category Archives: Grace

Judgment by Works, Part 1

In his Christianity Today article that we considered in the “Should We Be Emerging?” series, Scot McKnight said something very intriguing — Jesus declared that we will be judged according to how we treat the least of these (Matt. 25:31-46) … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Transitional Issues, Part 5

We next consider how to transition to what makes a church plant work, as explained back in Rescuing the Churches of Christ, Part 2. 1. Very intentional, detailed, intense plans for getting the word out through community events, advertising, marketing, … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Transitional Issues, Part 4

9. Cooperation As described back in this post, successful church plants network with other plants to share ideas, and their leaders are coached by experienced missionaries. I can’t think of any existing structure that would serve the same purpose among … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline? Transitional Issues, Part 3.5

Here’s a great post from the Jesus Creed blog. It’s a quote from a very successful pastor, responding to the question: If I Started Over What Would I Focus On? The pastor describes an approach to evangelism that seems very … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Transitional Issues, Part 3

8. Members with no time. Now, this is a very tough one, because of the nature of society today. Compared to 40 or so years ago, when most wives didn’t work, now the great majority have full-time jobs. Moreover, where … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Transitional Issues, Part 2.5

Steve Puckett forwarded this article from Christianity Today to me called “4 myths about reaching the unchurched—and 4 ways to draw them in.” Pastors want to know what’s working in evangelism, not theories or ideas from out on the fringe, … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Transitional Issues, Part 2

5. Generation gap. I change my mind on this one about every half hour. There are basically two philosophies that make sense to me. And they contradict each other. We presently have a “blended worship.” We sing traditional hymns blended … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Transitional Issues, Part 1

Let’s do what Einstein called a “thought experiment.” Let’s just imagine that our home church decided to transition to a planted church model. Obviously enough, the elders can’t just pass a resolution and expect it to be true the next … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Rescuing the Churches of Christ, Part 3

XI. Why can’t an established church have the same success as a church plant? A. Established churches have many advantages 1. A building. Church plants have to rent space, with all the obvious inconveniences. 2. Elders and deacons 3. Lots … Continue reading

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Amazing Grace/Churches of Christ in Decline?: Rescuing the Churches of Christ, Part 2

IX. Church plants have been shown to work. A. By “church plant” I mean a team of 15 to 20 or so who go to a city and start a church. “Domestic missionary team” may be a more helpful term. … Continue reading

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