Posted on 05/16/2008 12:06:26 AM PDT by Gamecock
After modeling a seeker-sensitive approach to church growth for three decades, Willow Creek Community Church now plans to gear its weekend services toward mature believers seeking to grow in their faith.
cut
Since 1975, Willow Creek has avoided conventional church approaches, using its Sunday services to reach the unchurched through polished music, multimedia, and sermons referencing popular culture and other familiar themes.
cut
.....surveyed congregants at Willow Creek and six other churches, suggested that evangelistic impact was greater from those who self-reported as "close to Christ" or "Christ-centered" than from new church attendees. In addition, a quarter of the "close to Christ" and "Christcentered" crowd described themselves as spiritually "stalled" or "dissatisfied" with the role of the church in their spiritual growth. Even more alarming to Willow Creek: About a quarter of the "stalled" segment and 63 percent of the "dissatisfied" segment contemplated leaving the church.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
Please, I am only a humble servant, a frequently wayward sheep of His flock. As a son of Japheth I am trying, of late, to understand the Gospel better through Jewish eyes. There is great TREASURE to be found - for the Christian! - in the first five books of the OT. I am hoping to be able to understand the NT with new eyes.
Well said.
A second AMEN!
That he accepts us in our wretchedness and misery - that, my FRiend, is truly a marvel.
Absolutely!!!!!
Now you're preaching! Preach it!
I think youre painting a false dichotomy
I meant to be arguing against it, in a response to scripture only, no experience allowed.
Old fashioned preaching usually IS Christ centered, compared to what some churches do today. Yes, we do need Holy Spirit regeneration, which I do see in some of our churches that are spirit-filled churches, and not in a lot of mainstream churches. I believe that’s it’s coming though, as God moves across our nation in revival.
May I ask for your prayer? God knows the need. I need His strength and wisdom right now.
Thank you for your kind and edifying words.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.