Spirit Inspired Preaching

26Mar09

- By Terry Virgo

In teaching the nations God’s requirement, it is vital that we do not simply impose new rules and regulations but bring God’s people to a new stance of grace and faith. This requires Spirit-inspired and empowered preaching and teaching that calls for and ignites a response in the hearers. Holy Spirit-inspired preaching brings about an encounter with God that demands a verdict and produces a changed life based on revelation, faith and love, not cold obedience to external rules.

God’s flock will intuitively hear His voice and respond as truth is fed to them by called and anointed pastor/teachers. Gradually a culture of God-centredness will emerge characterised by worship, faith, grace, mercy, respect, service and the awareness of being an alien people whose fundamental citizenship lies elsewhere (Phil. 3:20).

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Seven Indicators of Church Health

26Mar09

By Dan Reiland

Lists can be good and bad. I don’t use a list when I go to the grocery store and I should. I come home with stuff that apparently isn’t useful unless someone calls out “Who’s got the party snacks!?” Then I’m your man! When I get home my wife gives me that loving, but “Oh well, he can’t help it, he just doesn’t know any better” look. However, I also buy her flowers nearly every time I’m there. I would never put flowers on a list. When I see them, I think of her, and so I get them. This seems to make up for a lot!

The church can have the same kind of good news bad news when it comes to lists. There is a kind of science involved in the church and we need lists. We need lists of people, budgets, calendar items, prioritized values, and lists of things to do. That’s just for starters.

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