A Newsletter of Biblically Balanced Ministries, Inc.
An Obstacle and
Omission to Balance (April 1998)
Have you ever been deep in woods? What did you see? Most of the time all you can see is tree after tree. When you are actively involved in a church, either as member or even as a pastor, it is easy become so caught up that all you see is "trees." The "trees" may be problems, responsibilities, ministry activities or even simply the enjoyment of the worship. A danger is that you can wander among the trees and loose sight of where you are suppose to be going.
Serving as a consultant to churches in "Mission" and "Vision" forces you to look at the whole instead of being consumed by the "trees." Observing the churches from the vantage point of a lookout there appears to be at least two common things affecting churches. The first is an obstacle that is in the way of churches moving forward. Secondly there is something missing.
Broken and strained relationships is a common obstacle in the church today. Last months
"Equipper" had a lead article on "Relationships - An Active Ingredient in Being
Balanced." When relationships should are not right toward God and others in the church there is no unity. Love is not demonstrated. The result is the church continues to stumble. We need to remember the simple and profound statement of Jesus,
"A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one
another" (John 13:34.35). This kind of love demonstrates right relationships. The obstacle of broken relationships has direct affect upon the church accomplishing its mission and vision.
We base our view of a balanced church on Acts 2:42-47. The balance has four directions: Discipleship, Fellowship, Worship and Evangelism.
A most common omission in being balanced is the outward direction of
evangelism. The other three areas of balance are, in my observation, much less likely to be an omission.
One objection to my statement is "Churches are doing more outreach today then ever before!" This often true. Churches have become much more involved in many of social concern through such outreaches as pregnancy crisis centers, visiting mission fields of the world, housing for the less fortunate and scores of other good outreaches. James clearly identifies such outreaches as part of a "pure and undefiled religion." We praise God for such outreach involvements. However, outreach and evangelism are not synonymous.
We have confused "outreach" with "evangelism." There is much outreach but little evangelism taking place. Many of the pictures we see of Church growth success are growing more by Christian mobility then by "Salvation of the lost." Don't take me wrong we need to be very sensitive and open to discovering new ways to reach people. The "omission" is in the direct presentation of the gospel message so that people hear and are moved by the Holy Spirit to respond in faith believing.
A biblically balanced church has a mission that includes direct evangelism with a clear vision and strategy that is being used by God. Jesus said "look on the fields they are white unto harvest." People are seeking and open to spiritual truth. "Seeker Services" are proving that people will come to a church service that relates to them. A biblically balanced church will be "Seeker Sensitive." The church will follow Paul's example "that I might by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22). A balanced church will not only draw people but be certain that communicates the gospel so as to "save some."
May God's grace and the power the Holy Spirit enable us to overcome the "obstacle" of broken relationships and the "omission" of direct evangelism. Let us be "kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love" in that the world may know we are "His disciples." And, let us be "seeker sensitive" and communicate the gospel clearly so that by "all means some [will be] saved."
by Gary R. Becker, President
(A message on this subject by Gary R. Becker is available on tape by contacting BBM. Contributions to BBM, inc. are appreciated when ordering tapes or other materials. BBM is a faith ministry and is dependent on gifts to the ministry.)
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