The Numbers Game

It has been a while since I've blogged on this blogspot, but I will try to get back and blog about (perhaps) less profound topics. It's just how my mind works. And as a writer, creativity comes to me in spurts. I have had a dry spell for a while, probably because I have had issues in my personal life I've had to deal with. But by God's mercy and grace, I hope and pray my creativity well gets filled up again. Like this drought in California, there were some little storms to fill the reservoirs with water, but just in little spurts.

Anyway, the thought I had to get my blog going again was the Church. Not necessarily my church I attend (I will explain in a moment), but the modern day American Church.

It has been a blessing to see NBC broadcast A.D. The Bible Continues. It is the story of how the Christian church was formed, as found in the book of Acts (to the Apostles) in your Bible. And if you read the book of Acts, God added to their numbers daily.

See, as you read Acts, they also give numbers. Acts 1:15 says, "In these days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)." Acts 2:41 says, "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their numbers that day."

Those were specific times where Luke gives numbers. Even after that, the Apostles heal crowds of people (in Jesus' name, of course... Acts 5:12-16.) And after Saul's conversion, (then) the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and were strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers(!)" (Acts 9:31)

What is the point I'm trying to make? God is in the numbers! Not the way corporate America is into the number of dollars, but the number of souls He chooses to touch and change for Christ's sake! There's even a book in the Bible called... (you guessed it) Numbers!

Often in American churches today, they're content to have their cozy clique-ish church. We see churches today segregated by culture, by race, by denomination, even by language. And that makes me sad.

I've heard Sunday mornings are the most segregated time in the week. It shouldn't have to be that way! Now I don't mean to boast (it has nothing to do with my personal efforts), but I believe God is blessing the church I serve at and attend because we don't put "limitations" on God. What do I mean by limitations? Well, there are churches (I've heard... and have personally experienced) that want a small church atmosphere. 

"We're family." Yes, but don't you want your family to grow? 

"But we are happy the way things are. We don't like changes!" I say "Yikes" to that mentality.

Growth means health. If you're not growing, you're dying!

Unfortunately, the American Church wants their comfort. Their safety. Their security in Christ. However real life is messy. It is totally uncomfortable. It is living on purpose for the Risen Lord and Savior!

My prayer for the American Church today is to get the passion for loving people back! As The Church of Christ, we need to love! Demonstrate that kind of love, act with love. Love on people, give lovingly to those who are hurting, burdened with life's normal problems. 

The Church should NOT be a place of judgement, nor condemnation. That's NOT our purpose! The Church of Jesus Christ needs to be a place of sanctuary, not the building is a sanctuary or museum! The Church is its people, characterized by the lovingkindness, passion for Christ and reaching people to discover Jesus in their personal journeys of faith!

That's why I love my church, Bayside. We have ministries for youth. We reach out into the community around us. We do missions work in Mexico and abroad. And we are passionate in worshipping God!

If you need to find a Bible believing church like Bayside, with passionate people like ours, make your comments here or on Facebook and I would be happy to send you resources in finding a church home for you. If you've never accepted Jesus into your life and would like to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior, just say a simple prayer like this: "Dear God, please forgive me of all my sins. I have lived my life selfishly without You, Your love. Please come into my heart, as I need You in my life. I want to be more loving, like You. In Jesus' name, Amen!"

If you just prayed that prayer, welcome to the Kingdom of God! Comment here or on Facebook, and I will find a church for you as well!