Re: Kanye West

The world is in turmoil over Kanye's newest album, but most of all his insistence that he now works for God. 

Where do you stand? Or do you even have to have an opinion? Before you finalize your opinion about Kanye West and his conversion: Pause.

My problem concerns our need to have an opinion at this moment. If he has truly been born-again we [Christians] are doing a severe injustice to him by prematurely criticizing, on one hand, or vying to get him in our pulpit and instantly become a "poster child" for the church, on the other hand. We need not rush him into sainthood or expose him as a fraud. Time will give Kanye the opportunity to share the fruit of a life in Christ. Until then, no need to jump to any conclusions. 

Even if you're good at jumping to conclusions, you'll only ever maybe be as accurate as a meteorologist. Let's give time and space for K. West to work out his salvation. 

It would have to be difficult figuring things out as a new Christian while the media is micro-examining everything you do. Time will tell. Just a thought.

Signs of a Good Church

Ever wonder if your church is one of the good ones? Here are some signs!

1. There are people regularly being born-again. It is evident that people are repenting and thus turning from sin to make Jesus their Savior. Lives are really changing! Transformation is taking place on regular basis as people come to Jesus.

2. There are people being sanctified wholly. After becoming Christians, the Holy Spirit draws people to a place of full surrender. People are going "all in" when it comes to issues of faith. A second definite work of God is evident as people have hearts that are purified and lives empowered for service. It's the difference between Jesus disciples before Pentecost and after Pentecost.

3. People in the church want to come more often. There is a sense of anticipation about what God is doing when His people gather together to worship Him. They become more than "once a week Christians". Worshiping God is not something given "lip service" but is actually done with eagerness an vitality.

4. People bring other people to church with them. Bill boards, radio ads, and internet advertising is not the driving force for the growth of the church... people are. Empowered by the Holy Spirit people that worship on Sunday are ministering at work, school, home, and in their neighborhood. Their lives are attractive because of what God is doing and people are coming to see the source of their spiritual vitality!

5. Baptisms occur often. People are being baptized who have committed their lives to Christ. They are ready for next steps and for God to do more things in their lives. There is a contagious and celebratory feel to these baptism services. 

6. There is a spirit of excitement and enthusiasm in the times of worship. Worship is not boring because it is heart felt and passionate. This is not about a certain style or a certain kind of instrument. This is about a people who have been forgiven and recognize the great price Jesus paid for their sins on the cross. They are thankful and even overwhelmed at the love of God.

7. People in the church have powerful testimonies of what God is doing in their life currently. God's work in their lives is not only past tense. Their testimonies are "up to date." It is evident that God is not done in the lives of the people because He is still doing new things in their lives!

8. Individuals in the church are developing their own personal lifestyle convictions as the Spirit leads them. It is a serious thing to seek God's will and how it impacts daily life. Vibrant churches are full of people who are willing to draw the line about sinful activity, but also flee from the moral "gray area". 

9. People are willing to do and be uncomfortable for the sake of God's work. Moving forward in faith is rarely done in comfort or even earthly security. Risks are taken to obey the Lord's leading and fulfill His will for the church. Victory's price is often action taken in faith that God is about to do something big.

10. Church becomes less about activities and form, and more about presence and power. While a thriving church is very active, the focus is not on activities, programs, or entertainment, but on the glory of God ministering to the real needs of people present. There is a marked difference between a church with God's glory and one without.

So, what do you think are some signs of a good church?


Also check out the following articles:

Why I Still Have a Sunday Night Service

Get a Back Bone

20 Signs You Are in a Dying Church

Navigating Social Media

20 Signs You Are in a Dying Church

Just a few warning signs that the church in which you worship is heading to closure...

1. There is more concern about how many people are in attendance than how many people have been baptized. (As a side note have you ever noticed that church leaders don't seem to be concerned about a lack of believer baptisms, but do get concerned when attendance goes down?)

2. It has been a long time since you experienced conviction (the Holy Spirit speaking to you about sin or direction in your life) during a service.

3. There is constant worry that the church will run out of money. Thus, decisions are made based on whether "we can afford" it or not instead of whether it is God's Will. (God is faithful to "fund" what He wants done.)

4. There is constant worry that people will leave the church. This is probably as a result of the slow (or sometimes rapid) decline of attendance.

5. There is more concern about the property than lost people. Dying churches are in despair that their property is running down instead of the fact they are ineffective in spreading the Gospel.

6. Most people are not aware of the central focus of the church (or why the church exists). A vast majority of the congregation has never lead another person to faith in Jesus.

7. Everyone is scared that someone might be offended about something. The preacher refuses to deal with anything controversial from the pulpit (which accounts for about 90% of Biblical teaching) and the church refuses to take a stand on anything controversial probably due to #4 of this list.

8. The Pastor dreads getting into the pulpit to preach and generally views the worship service (probably only one) as more 'work' for the week. The pastor has maybe grown weary in well doing or burnt out or just doesn't care anymore. There is a no passion in the pulpit.

9. People come out of duty or routine rather than expectation or anticipation. They come so they will make it to Heaven instead of a love of Christ. (I've been to some churches that were pretty painful to sit through.)

10. Visitors are viewed as "fresh meat" that can keep the "ministry" going.

11. The old people are blamed for causing the church to die or the young people are blamed for causing the church to die. (Generational conflict.)

12. People fight over small petty things. People gossip about each other instead of love each other.

13. No one shows up early for service or prepares to sing, teach, or preach. It's obvious to a visitor that everything was "thrown together."

14. There are power struggles between the people who want to change everything and the people who don't want to change anything.

15. Standards of leadership are in decline (less accountability, less personal integrity, and less convictions among leadership). The line between holy living and sinful living is blurred.

16. No excitement among the people. No passion and no real desire to participate in worship. 

17. Prayer request time is long and mainly about physical needs. Answers to prayer are rarely mentioned.

18. Testimonies and conversation before and after services are generally negative in nature.

19. No one greets visitors unless they know them personally. Everyone thinks they are friendly, but (if they are) it's only with people they already know.

20. "Conversions" and "baptisms" may take place but there is no significant life changes among "new believers."


Also check out the following articles...

Stop Saying this at Funerals

Women Preach!

16 People Every Church Needs

The Funeral God Attended