http://www.racoc.net/blog/ http://www.racoc.net/blog/reversing-the-trend/ <p>Are churches loosing members? David Roozen, director of the Harford Institute for Religion Reasearch, compared a survey of 14,000 Protestant churches in 2000 and compared another study of 11,000 churches in 2010. He released his findings and shared that the median number in Sunday worship dropped a little more than 20%. He points out that 1 in 4 religious institutions have less than 50 in attendance. "The decline hit across religious and denominational lines, sparing no one", Roozen wrote.</p> <p>He also found that on the average, one third of the congregants are over 65 years of age. He concludes that it has become harder to interest and to hold younger generations. What about Robinson Avenue Church of Christ?  This weekend's seminar on "The Importance of Communication and Understanding Generational Conflict" by Dr. Bruce McLarty should be a good beginning of discussions on how we can work to turn that trend around. The future of this church will depend on the ability for our generations to interact in meaningful discussions and sharing in efforts that builds personal spirituality, church growth, meaningful worship and fellowship.</p> Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:21:44 -0500 http://www.racoc.net/blog/reversing-the-trend/ http://www.racoc.net/blog/to-be-or-not-to-be-relevant-reflections-from-the-book-in-the-name-of-jesus/ <p style="text-align: center;">"The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread,' Jesus answered, 'It is written: "'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"  </p> <p style="text-align: right;">Matt. 4:3-4</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">What a powerful moment to find ones self in! To be faced with the calling to tell the world of his purpose to save the people from their sins and to have the power to prove it! In the midst of this temptation, we see a commonality with Jesus; the need to be relevant. Jesus was being ask to prove his deity by performance! In short,</p> <p style="text-align: center;">"Jesus, are you relevant?"</p> <p style="text-align: center;">"Are you someone to be heard and followed?"</p> <p style="text-align: center;">"Prove to us that you are worthy of our time."</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Any of this sound common to your every day experience? For me, it is a continual temptation. Am I not called to do something that makes people realize that whom I serve can make a difference in their lives? Am I not called to care for the sick, feed the hungry, and alleviate the suffering of the poor? Now, what about you? What are the questions that are common to your every day life that tempt you to show your relevance? These moments are filled with the desire to lean into your talents and gifts. To demonstrate your strengths while hiding your weakness. To show your little corner of the world your relevance.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"What is amazing on the part of Jesus here is that when he was asked to prove his power as the Son of God by the relevant behavior of changing stones into bread, Jesus clung to his mission to proclaim the word and said, 'Man (mankind) does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Nowen, pg. 18.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Now, there will be other moments in the ministry of Jesus were miracles are used to demonstrate his deity but not here. Why? What is the lesson that we can take from this experience?</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This experience should bring us all back to the core of who we are as leaders in the world for God and most importantly children of God. We are a redeemed creation in love and have been called to proclaim that love as the true source of all life. It is in our brokenness, woundedness, and complete unpretentiousness were we are forced to let go of the need to be relevant; reclaiming a vulnerability that is open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishment.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This is how Jesus was able to receive the under-dogs of his day. He did not equate worthness with accomplishment. Can we for a moment give ourselves the grace of this truth. God accepts us not because of what we can do but rather because of who we are; his redeemed creation of love.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Take today and give yourself the freedom to be... "Irrelevant." Not to stand in this world based on your accomplishments, talents, or gifts. But rather in God and His proclaimed love for you.</p> <p style="text-align: right;">Blessings, Trent</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:54:37 -0500 http://www.racoc.net/blog/to-be-or-not-to-be-relevant-reflections-from-the-book-in-the-name-of-jesus/