a church like Jesus did

Jesus' class picked up at Jacob's well.  It was there that Jesus showed love to a woman who found living water.  He took his class on a field trip and showed them how to love the world, one person at a time.

I had a pastor like that.  Bill Tweeddale took me with him almost every week.  We would go to the hospital and talk to people and pray for them.  We went to peoples houses to visit and pray.  He always offered to share how you could know for sure that you would go to heaven.  I watched him lead people to put their trust in Christ as their savior and Lord.

It just does not work inside of a building.  What would it be like if Jesus spent most of his time with his team inside a building.  He could teach information.  Rather he trained in a new way of life.

I wonder if we were supposed to do church more like Jesus did.

questions a disciple maker would ask

Jesus ask the man, "what do you want me to do for you?"-  Mark 10:51


What do you want?  Or what do I really want?  


I saw Travis last week.  He reminded me of how I would ask him and Alex tough questions each week.  Somewhere I learned that Jesus made disciples by asking questions.  We did that for a few years while we were in Tampa.


My questions were usually along the lines of What is God teaching you?  Or what are you reading in the Bible?


I know what it is that I am trying to teach.  When you tell me what you heard, you tell me what you have learned.  A teacher does not teach until the student learns.  A teacher learns what he has taught when he asks the student what he has learned.


Lecture is the most ineffective form of communication.  Yes, it is fast.  But lecture is one way and has the lowest retention.


Jesus taught the big crowds with his disciples close by.  Then he ask questions to those he was discipling.  So, as a pastor I must meet with people to hear what they are learning.  I plan to do this this week.  


Impress at a distance, but impact is up close.

Just a little about me.

Married for 26 years to my best friend.  Thanks Tim Dolan and Tom Knight for taking me to the Jersey Shore.  I thought I was there to make money to pay for college.  Meeting Linda in Cape May is worth far more.  We have raised 4 beautiful daughters.  My greatest joy is seeing them follow Christ.  


I have learned so much with 25 years of youth ministry.  St Pete, Okeechobee, Wooster, Charlotte, Tampa and Hagerstown.  


As a pastor I am bent on making disciples.  I like to see myself as a trainer of disciple makers. 


I have a growing frustration with the church that does a great show or programs, but is not training people to make disciples.  Some pastors think the church program makes disciples.  I think Jesus taught those who were close to pour into the life of a handful.  People make disciples.  Those who follow Christ will make disciples.  Can you name yours?


I am thankful for the communication and Bible classes at Grace.  I am indebted to Dave Bogue for the discipleship training at Winona Lake, GBC.  I was also discipled as a pastor by Bill Tweeddale.  


I often work at coffee shops.  I want to be out in the community.  The church needs to be in the community offering to help people.  If you are near Hagerstown let's get together.  I might ask you how your walk is with Christ, or what God is teaching you.  I would like to pray for and with you.  All for Jesus, Mike

The Greatest Miracle of Proof?

What's the shortest verse in the Bible?  Many know it is John 11:35- Jesus Wept.  So, what is the story?  At the youth Bible study, Sam said the story of Lazarus.  Good job Sam!


Jesus takes his time after hearing that Lazarus is sick and near death.  God's plan is not to heal this time.  They finally make it to find that Lazarus is dead for 4 days and now buried.

Many believe after Jesus raises him from the dead.


But the religious leaders have a different take on this.  They do not disagree that Lazarus was dead and is now raised back from the dead.  They know that this is true.  Jesus does what they could not explain. What a great proof of evidence that Jesus is the one he claims to be.


But they are concerned that so many will put their trust in Jesus the Christ.  Caiphas states that it would be better for one to die, than for the whole religious institution be threatened by the problems Jesus is causing.  He accidentally prophecies that Jesus would die for the sake of many.


Caiphas was so mistaken that he felt his religion and religious institution would do better if he had God killed.


Conclusion is obvious.  All of our religion, beliefs and programs must be evaluated in light of what God is doing.  We must stop programs that do not fit with God's purpose for the church.  If we keep our traditions and loose the mission that God has for the church, it really does not matter that the doors to the church are still open.


So, what is God's purpose for the church?


sounds like a good conversation over coffee.  call me.