Religion
Doing A New Thing
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
– Apple Inc
Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland
Forward Thinkers, I like most Americans watched in awe as Barack Obama, a virtual unknown, stood on the platform of “Change We Can Believe In” and became the 44th President of the United States of America. Forward Thinkers, President Barack Obama had the audacity of faith to go against traditional norms using an “out of the box” method to spread his message of change into the homes and hearts of millions of Americans.
Forward Thinkers, today many Pastors and church leaders are so afraid of breaking traditions they remain stuck on a corner in the ‘hood’ with a great message of salvation, deliverance, and prosperity, but sadly only a handful of people get the opportunity to be blessed by these virtual unknown deliverers of the Gospel.
Forward Thinkers the church has spiritualized its lack of growth by saying, “as long as there are two or three gathered, the Lord is in the midst”. Forward Thinkers, I believe if God is really in the midst there would not be just two or three because the glory of God’s greatness is too attractive to stay small. Forward Thinkers, everything I read in the gospels of Jesus hammers this thought home because when the word spreads, Jesus was on the way crowds would show up to experience Jesus. Forward Thinkers Jesus also declared if I be lifted up I would draw all men. Forward Thinkers, the glory of the Lord produces mighty results.
Forward Thinkers, the harvest is still plenteous but the church has limited itself by keeping the vision in the pages of history instead of launching out into the deep end through 21st century technology and knowledge. Forward Thinkers, we must realize God is too big to be boxed in our small traditional mind sets.
Forward Thinkers, we must realize the way we lift Jesus up can change without the church compromising the Jesus we are lifting up. Forward Thinkers, I can preach the Bible, teach biblical principles, and give God an awesome praise while leading a growing ministry without ‘selling out’ to the ways of this world. Forward Thinkers, if we are honest with ourselves most ministries and churches don’t desire to be considered small. In the beginning (Genesis) God said we should increase and multiply and I believe every church desires to increase and multiply. Forward Thinkers, however; some get caught up in the history of traditions, and forfeit the ability to lead in the present. Without ability to lead our present generation, growth and prosperity is hindered.
Forward Thinkers, Jesus told His critics in Luke 12:56, “Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky”. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?
Forward Thinkers, Jesus commissioned us with the assignment to spread the Gospel “the good news” across the world. Today we must embrace change and impact this generation with the Word of God. Forward Thinkers, the church must befriend the media (notice I did not say sell out and become a major distraction as some have chosen to do) and form new relationships which will allow greater access into the mission fields (the unsaved-the unchurched-the unloved). Just as President Obama uses social networking sites to spread his message of change, the church must follow his example to proclaim our message of Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior of the world. Forward Thinkers, a newer concept “branding” is also another tool the church should embrace to evangelize and empower the world.
Forward Thinkers, Facebook and other social media outlets have given the church a new frontier to spread the good news and we should continue to use and increase our efforts in utilizing these instruments to bring glory to the Kingdom of God. Forward Thinkers, we must dominant and take over every arena Satan has a stronghold over. Forward Thinkers, we must remember these two things: we are the light of the world and light has the assignment to overcome the darkness, and we must remember all things work together for the good so we must enter into the lion’s den and not be defeated but bring glory to the power of God.
Forward Thinkers, in the bible from Genesis to Revelation we see change taken place yet today many church leaders roles has change agents are underdeveloped, creating a larger generational gap in the pews. Change is not evil but being enslaved to an old mindset is. Forward Thinkers, Jesus used different methods and approaches to heal blindness. The 21st century church must in these last days grab hold to change and give sight to the blind even at the risk of seeing ourselves operating under a new paradigm.
Forward Thinkers, all things work together for the good and its time the church put technology into practice without the fear of becoming to worldly.
Forward thinkers, the church has the right answer which is “Jesus Christ” but we must be more intentional in our efforts to get Jesus into the homes and hearts of a new generation of Americans. In our journey to become the light of the World, we must facilitate effective communication. Forward Thinkers, effective communication should consist of all types of communication including written, verbal, visual, auditory, and demonstrative.
Forward Thinkers, today’s church must model “message” must model the Word. We must shine in our families, marriages, finances, and careers showing a lost world the difference Jesus can make if we apply His Word and release His power into our daily lives. Jesus tells us to let our lights shine so men may see OUR good works. We must teach our children they have the birth right to dominate in whatever arena they are placed. Forward Thinkers, success is not optional, therefore; our success stories should be shared to attract and draw a defeated world to Jesus allowing the gospel message to save and impact their lives forever.
Forward Thinkers in conclusion, the mission stays the same, win souls to the Kingdom of God but the methods must change if the church desires to stay reverent in these last days.
Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church located, 16711 Ella Blvd. Houston, Texas, 77090. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com or http://www.ghic.net.
