New Reality Number Four

Ok. I'm still reading The Present Future by Reggie McNeal. It is very challenging! Today I read chapter four. Here's what I learned:

"The kingdom is people... Helping people develop emotionally, physically, and relationally is all spiritual... Spiritual formation includes personal spiritual disciplines, but it also includes the stewardship of our relationships, our work, and our life mission." (pg. 73)

What if we handled Christians like fitness club members. Let me explain:

"Instead of dumping a packet of church club member stuff on them, why not interview them about what they would like to see happen in their lives in terms of their spiriutal development and personal growth?... Once a life coach or spiritual development coach completed this interview, they could then fashion a customized personal growth stragegy for the person or family... This could be done for each family member." (pg. 76)

How cool would that be. The book also encouraged the life/spiritual development coach to get together with the family every month and check on their progress. "Instead of signaling to them that they are there to find their way into church stuff and make the church successful, the focus is completely turned around. The church treats them as a market of one, convincing them that the church is there to help them develop an abundant life promised to them by Jesus." (pg. 77)

"Evangelism that will introduce Jesus to this culture will flow from people who are deeply in love with Jesus." (pg. 82)

May our topic be: life. And may we create an environment that helps people develop.

Jesus is the answer
for the world today.
Above Him there's no other.
Jesus is the way.