Part 1: The Collapse of the Church Culture. Written by Maurice Goulet
Part 1: The Collapse of Church Culture. By Maurice GouletHaving traveled four corners of this country, I have witnessed firsthand, imminent demise and collapse of unique culture in North America that has come to be called church. This church culture has become confused with biblical Christianity, both inside church and out. A growing number of people are leaving institutional church for a new reason. They are not leaving because they have lost faith. They are leaving church to preserve their faith. Not only do we not need God to explain universe, we don't need Jesus Christ to operate church. It’s written in word that in last days of this age Christ is outside of Church knocking and looking for anyone who is willing to let him in. Many operate like giant machines, with church leaders serving as mechanics. The Lord doesn't have to show up to get done what's being done. People no longer want powerless God of modern church. Some are asking, how Do We Do Church Better? All effort to fix church misses point. You can build perfect church and they still won't come. People are not looking for a great church. Most of growth of mega churches represents people transferring from small fishing boats to cruise ships. The real question should be, how Do We Deconvert from Churchianity to Christianity? I have observed that there is a spiritual awakening occurring in America. However, it is not informed by Christian theology, and it's not happening in church. God is pulling end runs around institutional North American church to get to people in streets. God is still inviting us to join him on this quest, but it is invitation to be part of a movement, not a religious club. The Church Growth Movement that began in 1970’s had both some things that were right and some things that were wrong. Here's one of wrong things: Unfortunately, it fell victim to an idol as old as Tower of Babel, belief that we are architects of work of Christ. As a result, we have best churches men can build, but are still waiting for church that only Jesus Christ can get credit for. I say this because I hear wrong question asked frequently. How Do We Grow This Church? How Do We Get Them to Come to Us? In their quest to be attractive to potential congregants, churches added staff, added programs, added buildings (including full health clubs), all to improve their market position. And it worked! A study released in 2002 found that one-half of churchgoers attended churches in top 10 percent of church size. Keep in mind all of this has been done with what results? Diminishing returns! In other words, overall church attendance continues to decline. We can keep on this track just to watch even more dismal results, or, we can change our focus to: How Do We Transform Our Community? How Do We Hit Streets with Gospel? The Pharisees' evangelism strategy sounds eerily familiar. Their approach to sharing God was, "Come and get it”. Jesus' evangelism strategy directly challenged Pharisees' approach. Instead of "Come and get it" it was "Go get'em". Jesus' strategy was to go where people were already hanging out. This is why he went to weddings, parties, and religious feast day celebrations. Taking gospel to streets means we need church where people are already hanging out. We need a church in every mall, every Wal-Mart super center, every Barnes and Noble. Bottom line: we've got to take gospel to streets. This is only appropriate mission response to collapse of church culture. I am not talking about short forays into ports off of cruise ship. I am speaking of an intentional 24/7 church presence in community.
| | Michael Jordan: The Sleeping GiantWritten by Gloria Minatti
There has been so much controversy surrounding private life of image public has set up as one of greatest conglomerates in world. I am sure that even this story will add to scrutiny that is already vibrating in his life, but I have always believed in truth, and at times truth sets you free. My actions and words concerning Michael have been misunderstood and misconstrued. Not only from my own peers, but from his associates as well. I have been told in so many words that that my presence in his life is not welcomed. I was even pulled aside on my former job because of an untruth that I was following Mr. Jordan around as he worked out in a gym in Washington DC. I was threatened by gym’s management and human resource staff that if I didn’t stay away from him that I would be fired on spot. I had to literally sign a paper stating that I would remain aloof from Mr. Jordan while he was present in gym. I questioned an associate of his about matter, and in turn was told that he nor Mr. Jordan had anything to do with it. I was very offended when he told me that Mr. Jordan didn’t even know my last name, and that I was insignificant to him. That was very disconcerting to say least, when in all my interactions with Michael I have always been respectful and courteous. I am bringing this forth, not because of any vendetta or to receive an apology, but hopefully this will open heart of Michael Jordan, man I met and spoke with in 1998. The man that humbled himself in presence of Lord, and acknowledged His Word to him that day. I was told by Mr. Jordan that he respected and trusted me, and in no uncertain terms would he ever do anything to hurt me intentionally. I cannot honestly say that this has been case. I do not expect him to answer to my every whim, but I do expect him to be a man of honor, of integrity. A man is only as good as his word, and Mr. Jordan has shown that his word means nothing. I know power of God, and I have witnessed in my ministering Word of God for 18 years tremendous impact on people that anointing has. I know He is able to change heart of any man or woman, so I do not question Word that was spoken to Michael in 1998, and since then. The actions of a man or woman do not dictate to God what He will or will not do, can or cannot perform in one’s life. I have debated in my heart many times about telling whole story behind our meeting and interactions since then. Of course many will take my motive wrong for doing so, but I cannot please people when I am striving to please God. There is nothing negative that can be said from subject at hand except for I trusted when I shouldn’t have. As was said of Madame Guyon, a great woman of God of 16th century, “Her only crime was that of loving God.” It is my only fault, if it can be labeled as such, that I love God so much that I left aside persecution that I would receive, and misconstrued ideas of a man that need what I have to offer to bring him Word of God, to bring him life. As with anything great, it takes great pain to bring forth. This wasn’t an easy task, nor will it get easier with time. I have set my face as a flint for what I know is right and true, and I know that one day God will take out Michael’s stony heart and make it pliable for His use. In time, he will understand all that I have done has been out of pure love, unconditional love that God has for every man, woman, boy and girl. So story begins…. I met Michael in a little restaurant in Chicago in April 1998. It was a divine meeting for it was not planned by either of us, but it would truly be a day we would never forget. At first glance there was a tremendous surge of energy between us. Most would say that this was attraction, but I beg to differ because this was an energy unknown by either of us. We would like to blame it on flesh, bodily function, but Lord brought us together totally by His Spirit to perform a miraculous feat. His plan was to bring a divine, holy union of representation of Solomon and mysterious Shulamite. This was not natural, therefore it was beyond reasoning, but Mr. Jordan was a reasoning, rational man. Surely there was a rational explanation for meeting, for God would not dangle anything before him that would be a hindrance to man. As we talked for at least 45 minutes, we stared in each other's eyes as if we had known each other all our lives. We were comfortable and at rest with each other, and Mr. Jordan listened intently as I shared with him things God had revealed to me concerning Him in past year. He agreed with things I said, and even wanted to hear more. I didn't pay attention at time to reason for his interest, only that he was willing to allow me to speak, and he was willing to listen. He had people waiting for him, some recognizable faces from media. I told him that I didn't want to keep him from his meeting with reporters, and he assured me that it was okay. I continued to speak when he put out his hand. I then realized that he wanted me to place my hand in his, and so I did. With this gesture God began to do something, and we both felt it all through us. We began to vibrate as if volts of electricity were pulsating through us. It was an experience I would never forget because it wasn't idea of sitting next to him, or fact that we were holding hands that made this occur. It was a pure act of God, for He promised me that He would confirm everything He showed me and told me up until that point. Michael and I hadn't seen or spoken to one another for three years following that first meeting. Then God spoke to me in prayer, and told me that now was time for Michael to come to Washington, DC. I told Michael in 1998 that he would come to DC, and that God would then reveal to him part two of Word that was spoken to him. He would only know this by going through me, therefore he was to seek for me with all his heart, so that he may find me. When he finds me, then he finds God. He that finds his soul, finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Lord. This is symbolic of Jesus saying, "When you see me, you see Father." This is why God uses people, so that He may show Himself. God is a Spirit, He is invisible, so He must make it so He is able to be experienced by mankind. But why me? God knew Michael wouldn't receive Word from no one else. It was preordained from foundation of world that at that specific time in space we would meet.
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