Over the intervening 38 years, as I have shared what we learned at Circle Church, I have never insisted that everyone “do it our way.” In fact one of the strange things about “the Church,” in its many and varied manifestations, is its similarity. Why are local congregations in South America so similar to the ones in North America?
Certainly while we serve the same Christ and are part of the same body, the church is bound to have variations as differing as the cultures and climates in which it is found. More in-depth examinations than this one have accused the missionary of transporting a cultural Christianity rather than a New Testament one. But, is the missionary really to blame?
The North American church has very little variation in pattern either. It is time we allowed God’s explosive, limitless, creative forms to invade His church.
Circle Church was different. We were plainly aware of that, and we hoped then, and continue to hope today, that our experience will inspire and initiate similar situations—similar only in the fact that they are allowing God’s Spirit to do His unique work in them.
More than this desire, we remain anxious and longing for the day when those very works of the Holy Spirit begin to inspire and initiate creative new forms within churches here and around the world. Then we can, together, experience the excitement of Psalm 122:1:
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord” (KJV).
———————————————
Pastor, when “sermon prep day” rolls around each week, do you face the task of preparing another sermon with a frown on your face? If so, you’re not alone. Many pastors literally dread preparing their Sunday sermon. There just doesn’t seem to be an easy solution. The good news: 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 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.
