Circle Church started in one of the hardest of places—the unyielding granite of an urban center. Yet, I was constantly amazed by my brother ministers who tell me, “You had it easy! You began fresh without having to overcome tradition.”
Maybe it was a wise thing to do. But, it was not easy. The difficulty was evidenced by the small number of new church works which were being formed within the city proper.
I am convinced that a conventional approach with even the strongest of leaders would not have made it in our setting. That we came as far as we did is almost a miracle. God’s design as to how the church should function is masterful. We feel the principles we followed were the key to what has taken place.
Scripture does not concern itself with methods, where most of our reaction centers. Methods will change as needs arise, as society evolves, or as history turns. It does concern itself with principle, nor with purpose.
I have a close friend who argues that the church should meet in homes because that was the pattern of the New Testament. I think this is dangerously close to dealing in superficialities. It is not important where the church meets. What is important is that it knows why it is meeting and how those answers are rooted in biblical mandates.
If we, as Christ’s body, can reestablish our direction, if we can submit to an open study of God’s truths and then adapt our approach, we will grow! There will be renewal! We will rise from our own ashes, endowed with power like a twentieth-century phoenix.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
