The Body of Christ: Body Preservation

Thank you James T. and Ben G. for allowing me to completely rip off your class ideas and post them here!!! Sunday morning's class and Ben's Wednesday night's class seem to coincide with each other very well. Here are my thoughts based on two fantastic presentations. (Give credit where credit is due!)

In this post-modern culture, the question has to be asked by our congregations, "Why don't they like church? Why are the numbers dropping? How do we maintain the church? How do we reach them? Are we relevant, if not, how do we become that again?" How? Why? James T. put it this way, "How do you protect, maintain, and uphold the body of Christ?"

Now, I am going to stop you right here. Let there be NO suspense. I'm pretty sure I don't know how to answer any of the questions above. There, have I lowered your expectations a little? Good, let's continue.

I consider myself a modernist living in a post-modern world. Like it or not, post-modern is where we are at. Truth is easy to come by, because you stretch it. Faith is easy to come by, because you feel it. Goodness is easy to come by, because you dictate it. Happiness is easy to come by, because you steal it. Love is easy to come by, because you see it. God is easy to come by, because you sat in it's shade (or hugged it.) Sound familiar? Do you know some folks that fit this description? I bet you do.

I think we have been asking ourselves these questions for awhile. These questions are in the back of my mind quit often, how do we do it then? That is the question I want to leave on the table. I have some thoughts, but for now I would like to know yours? What do you got?

my first blog, I'm a little nervous

The Body of Christ: Learning to Love a People

Interesting isn't it? That God could bring together such a pool of people to him. It has been evident since the beginning of time that God enjoys a diverse church. And this diverse church makes up the Body of Christ. Now, if you were to sit in my seat and look around you would see a group of folks from all types of backgrounds. Some grew up in church, some not. Some good, strong families, some not. Some come from other denominations and brotherhoods, some grew up in C.o.C. We haven't even touched on monetary backgrounds, or ethnic, or race. One thing is for sure, not many of them look like me and that makes them different and that makes us diverse (good thing too, although it would be one of the better looking churches!).



Most of us have to realize at this point that loving a diverse church is not the easiest thing to do. I'm thinking of Paul's words in Ephesian 4:2-6



"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."



So Paul says, "Make every effort." Sometimes that's what it takes, a lot of effort to be loving, encouraging, humble, and peaceful. It takes a lot of effort to build relationships and keep the unity. It's a lot easier to go your separate ways, and not invest too much of your time or energy. That is the road usually traveled.



Travis Hughes stated in his Sunday morning class that there comes a time when we have to grow up, we have to start investing into relationships. After all, the Body of Christ is all about relationships; to Him, to each other, to ourselves. So my encouragement is to put forth the effort. There is a member of the "Body" that could use me right now, somewhere I can help. I think I'll go find that person, are you coming with me?

Testing. . . Testing. . . 1.2.







Grace and Peace.



Welcome to the AdultEd blog. I was trying to think of something profound to say to start the blog off, but I have come to realize my potential for profound thought is shrinking and the effort makes my head hurt. So, let's start it like this.



I wanted to take the opportunity to bring more discussion about the topics of our Sunday morning classes. Give folks the opportunity to comment, post notes, share ideas, encourage, and provide feedback for what we see, feel, and hear in our classes. If we've been reading a great book, post it; if we liked the discussion, post it; if we didn't have an opportunity to discuss, post it; if I found the recipe to the best chocolate pie in the universe, definitely post it; if there is something cool going on in small group, post it; if we can do it better, post it (somewhere else!).



God has been working in the Adult Education at Oakcrest, it is evident in all that has been done. I have to admit I am excited to see what else God will do.