Dear God, thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to come to live on earth amongst us. We understand your son was sinless and blameless, yet He suffered because of our sins. This act of mercy and grace is more than we can comprehend. Help us to share the news of your son’s death and resurrection with others. And, when we are treated unfairly because of our faith in you, may we continue to press on because we know that you also suffered. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Heavenly Father, I will live for You now when I am young. I won’t wait until I am older. I want to serve You now and later. I want my every day to be spent serving You and being in Your will. I want to experience Your presence. I want to pray on my knees before and after I need a cushion to do so. You are great and I praise You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Is This True? Are We All Inside of His Hands?

By Anthony Joseph Hopkins

          I have a very important question to ask everyone.  Are we all inside of God’s Hands?  The answer is yes! I am saying this because it is God who is doing for us more than we are doing for ourselves.  I know that according to Proverbs 20:24 says a person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?  It is God that is doing the work for all of us in our personal lives.  I will admit that I used to question God all of the time when I was a whole lot younger.  Currently, at the age of 52, I am keeping my mouth shut because God has a way of disciplining mankind for disobedience.  I want to inform everyone that I used to use God Name in vain all of the time.  This is simply because I was a very angry person growing up.

 

 

 

 

         

Further, I used to question my own authority figures each and every single time that I was intended to do something for them.  I always asked why, who, how, when and what all of the time.  To be perfectly honest in Proverbs 20:20 says if a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.  This is not a laughing matter because God can discipline you for the rest of your entire life, simply because a child has totally disrespected their parents.  To be perfectly honest with all of you, we are all inside of God’s Hands. 

In Addition, It is God’s unfailing love that he has for all of us that He provides us mercy.  The definition of the word mercy is undeserved favor for someone or something.  To be released from punishment.  I feel that God is giving all of us a second chance as long as we repent of our sins.  I feel at this time that God has cancelled all of my debt and sins because I am constantly repenting all of the time.  Do you know that each day of our lives, we commit sin?  It is not very easy to let go of our sinful nature.  It has to be done in order for each and every last one of us to receive divine forgiveness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moreover, I want to tell everyone that I am writing this blog to let everyone know that God will continue to bless you as long as you are living according to His Word.  I have to make direct amends with my family members for the things that I have done wrong towards them and others.  My A.A Sponsor told me a very long time ago that I must make amends in order to set things right with God.  I have an opportunity to make direct amends with everyone in my life.  I will admit that I have not been a perfect child growing up.  I have been very mischievous and sinful.  I am very sorry for injuring others and myself all because I wanted to gain something from each person.  I will admit that I was selfish, egotistical, and a self-righteous person.  If I was not right in anything that I have done, then I would get angry and upset as well.

Finally, I want to tell all of you that I have a very long way in my Christian Walk because I have been robbing God in tithes and offerings to the church.  I read the Bible every single day, and I am still a sinner.  God has healed me from all of my sins, iniquities, and transgressions.  I am still a Work in Progress just like everyone else.  I am taking things day by day.  I am clean and sober because I have been court ordered to A.A and other support groups.  I am very sorry for disappointing God, Jesus Christ, others, and myself.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers.  Thank You for reading my blog.

I am on my hands and knees Lord, rejoicing in Your love for me. My faith journey begins, I shall do all that I can to build my relationship with You. Assist me in my plight, for I am a mortal and know nothing compared to You. I submit totally to Your wisdom. O God, and know nothing but Your love. Amen.

How Many Promises are inside of the Holy Bible?

This is a very important question that I would like to ask. How many promises are inside of the Holy Bible? I am asking this question because I would like for someone in Theology School or Seminary School to enlighten me with their knowledge and expertise about the Promises that are inside of the Holy Bible. This is an essay that consists of one question. I know that there are 66 Books inside of the Bible itself.
However, according to Rick Warren, an Evangelist out of the State of California, stated recently that there are at least 5,500 Promises that are inside of the Bible. I would like for someone to please tell me whether this is true or not? I am just curious to know how many promises are inside of the Bible.
Next, I have been reading the Holy Bible since I was 4 years old. When I was a baby, my mother used to read the Bible in order for me to calm down. I have been reading the Bible as of this year for 50 years now. I really feel good about asking a very important question like this one. What are some of the famous promises inside of the Bible?

I really love the promises that are inside of the Bible because it enable me to understand where God is coming from. It also gives me an idea about what I am reading. I really feel happy right now. I know that every promise that is inside of the Bible pertains to all of us. I want to inform everyone that tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. There is a promise inside of the Bible that states that our citizenship is in heaven. I really believe it!!

Someday, I will see my mother, sister, grandmothers, grandfathers, and everyone that I know that have died and are in heaven right now. I only asked this question because I want to know how many promises are inside of the Bible. These promises are guarantees that God has given all of us. God and His Son Jesus Christ are solely responsible for sharing all of this in advance. I love all of you very much.

Lord, You deserve more praise than I can give You. I cannot even recount all of the great things You have done. You are great. You created all knowledge. You created the rules of the universe, logic, order, and science. You created math and language. You made our senses so that we can hear, taste, feel, see, and smell Your creation. Thank You, God, for Your creativity and Your greatness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Christianity.com Find answers about Christianity   Christianity/ Wiki / Church / Is the Church Still the Church? Is the Church Still the Church? In many ways, the church has left the building, but incredibly positive things happened for the church during COVID-19, and the church is still the church, even more so when we eventually come to fellowship together again. Mel Walker The COVID-19 crisis may prove to be a great blessing for the church. Not being able to gather in church buildings for services or programs may turn out to be a long-term benefit for God’s work. Pastors and other church leaders have had to utilize creativity and initiative to effectively teach God’s Word and to make meaningful connections with their people. Plus, ministers have responded to the current stay-at-home order by going back to low-tech methods such as phone calls, personal letters or notes, and simple care packages to stay in touch with needy members. The church has risen to the occasion — and can emphatically say, “Yes, the church is still the church!” Priorities of Church Programming In recent years, it seems as if many churches have been focused on spectators who show up for weekend services, and not necessarily the participation of people in avenues of ministry. Members and seekers have gathered for weekend celebration services that feature programming from the stage as the main priority of the church. Next in importance has probably been the development and implementation of small groups for people to gather in smaller communities as a part of the larger church. Again, the current quarantine has driven small groups to also use technology, such as Zoom, to meet in online forums. Of course, peer ministries, such as youth groups and children’s ministries, have also had to scramble to make connections on the web with kids and their families. Now that all of those ministries (worship services, small groups, and age-group programming) have moved online, church leaders have had to learn to use internet-based technology, like Facebook Live, Google, and Zoom, to fulfill those aspects of their ministries. Positive Results of COVID-19 The current stay-at-home instructions from governmental leaders have had a huge impact on the church. In many ways, the church has left the building — and that has had many positive outcomes. 1. The church can communicate effectively online. Several churches have recently posted a new slogan or emphasis on a variety of social media sites, “Don’t just go to church — be the church.” Perhaps that is one of the positive results of this coronavirus. People attending services in person have morphed into a new practice of watching church services, instead, on the internet. Church members and potential visitors, especially younger generations, are already online and churches have now realized that weekend programming will need to stay online. Pastors have also accepted the new reality that social distancing may have a significant impact on the near future regarding how churches gather. Coffee stations, greeting teams or greeters, ministries (like Sunday school and ushering for instance), even church seating practices will need to be adjusted and changed. 2. Churches can connect with their people online. Small groups and peer ministries alike have also moved their programming to technological platforms. Ministry organizations and new industries have emerged to assist youth and children’s workers in how to use internet-based programs (like Zoom and Go-To-Meeting) to creatively connect with emerging generations. New Zoom games have been created, web-based curriculum has been written, and church members of all ages have learned to use newer technological means to stay in touch with each other. Utilizing social media for these purposes has also opened a new world of contacts for churches. The very nature of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram allows people to share their church’s feeds for worship and messages with their own personal networks of friends and neighbors. Not only does this practice give churches the opportunity to share the gospel online,  but it may also open a new door of evangelistic contacts for the church once the COVID-19 stay-at-home directive has been lifted. 3. Churches can meet needs in their communities through low-tech, but high-impact methods. Another significant outreach opportunity for the church has emerged from the pattern of social distancing. The church has reverted to ministries that can be accomplished through low-tech, but high impact ways to meet the needs of people in their communities. Churches have distributed groceries and meals to needy households, have helped elderly people with errands, have mailed out care packages to people in their neighborhoods, have asked church people to call other church members, and have offered counseling and other forms of aid for hurting people online. The current emphasis on using technology to communicate also helped fuel the occasion for churches to use other, more personal means to connect with people. Characteristics of The Church Being the Church There are some essential characteristics of the church that are quite difficult to accomplish effectively online, especially long term. Despite whatever circumstances are going on in culture, the church must still demonstrate these vital features in order to truly be the church. The Bible is clear that the following functions can only truly be accomplished by the church gathering together in community. 1. Teaching. The teaching ministry of the church has probably been the easiest function to accomplish online. Pastors moved to vacant auditoriums or empty offices to record or to live stream their weekend messages for a waiting audience of church members and others who watch on social media platforms or web sites. Certainly, the teaching ministry of the church is of the utmost importance. Ephesians 4:11-16 is clear that God’s goal for His people is growth toward spiritual maturity. In fact, helping believers grow in Christ is at the very core of what the scriptures are all about (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Perhaps other teaching ministries of the church (like children’s classes and adult Bible fellowships) have suffered somewhat during the days of social distancing. Pastors and other church leaders will need to strategize about how to ramp up these programs again once the coronavirus days of isolation are over. 2. Worship. One of the things many believers have missed immensely during the pandemic has been the practice of joining with others in musical worship. Many churches have purchased the licensing necessary to legally allow their worship teams to play some music on the internet. However, that is not the same as joining voices with others in vibrant and meaningful worship. Verses like Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 teach that a musical ministry between believers (“speaking to one another”) with Christ as the focus of worship (“making melody in your heart to the Lord”) was and is truly imperative for the church. 3. Fellowship. Meeting together with other believers has always been one of the major characteristics of the church (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34). God designed His followers to need fellowship with other believers in the community of a local church. This has been a major dilemma in a shelter-in-pace world when churches have not met physically in one location for several weeks. God’s people need to connect with each other. Both peer ministry and intergenerational relationships are crucial for the church. These human connections are nearly impossible to execute on the internet. 4. Service. COVID-19 has practically shut down a wide variety of local church ministries. Some programming has continued online to be sure, but other service opportunities have literally ceased. Churches can provide virtual Bible studies, but it’s much harder to mobilize people to serve the Lord and minister to others unless there is a physical connection. Passages such as Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12 emphasize the importance of God’s people using their God-given spiritual gifts in specific areas of ministry, most of which are very difficult to accomplish without getting together with others. 5. Evangelism. Several churches have figured out how to use social media to reach out to their communities during the days of isolation from others. These sites have given many believers ways to share the gospel electronically during times when they cannot have personal conversations with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Numerous churches have also organized innovative ways to meet some physical needs in their communities which has opened the door for other evangelistic contacts. These churches should be applauded for their initiative and creativity during a difficult cultural adversity, but effective evangelism requires personal contact with other people. Today’s church can follow the example of the Apostle Peter following Pentecost in Acts 2:14-47, Phillip’s evangelistic efforts with the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26-40, and Paul and Silas’ method of sharing Christ with the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:16-34. All these opportunities demanded personal contacts with the recipients of the gospel message.  6. Stewardship. The importance of giving to the Lord through the local church seemed to be a significant characteristic of the early church. This was true in 2 Corinthians 8 and Philippians 4:10-20 where giving through the local church is taught as a major emphasis in the New Testament church. Patterns of giving have fluctuated much already during the short duration of this pandemic. Initial reports indicated that giving to the local church was higher during the first few weeks of social distancing. However, recent statistics reveal that giving trends have turned down significantly over recent weeks. As things return to a sense of normalcy following the pandemic, the church is likely to face a new normal of giving and stewardship that will need to be evaluated then. 7. Leadership. God designed a leadership structure for His church, with clear roles for pastors or elders. Pastors can “feed the flock” (1 Peter 5:2) over the internet; but without personal connections and relationships, an online message is, in a sense, just a lecture. Pastors must also be about “equipping the saints for works of ministry” (Ephesians 4:14), and that too is difficult to achieve via social media. What Does This Mean? Incredibly positive things happened for the church during this coronavirus emergency, and the church is still the church. But, in many ways, it is time for the church to reconvene in person and as a community so that these grand and biblical functions can truly happen. An online church seems to be an artificial version of the real thing. Churches are to be commended for their effort and innovation during a very difficult time. However, God’s church is designed for His people to gather as He allows (Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 4:16) to accomplish His purpose. ©SparrowStock Mel Walker is the president of Vision For Youth, Inc., an international network of youth ministry, and he is also is the youth pastor at Wyoming Valley Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Mel has been actively involved in various aspects of youth ministry for over 40 years. He is also an author, speaker, and a consultant with churches. More information about his speaking and writing ministry can be found at www.GoingOnForGod.com. Mel has written 12 books on various aspects of youth ministry, plus he speaks to hundreds of teenagers and parents each year. Mel & Peggy Walker are the parents of 3 adult children—all of whom are in vocational ministry. You can follow him on Twitter: @vfyouth. Originally published May 07, 2020. Promoted Stories Ads by Revcontent Drink This, See Your Belly Fat Melt Insanely Throughout The Day Usa Healthy News Diabetic Nerve Pain? Do This Immediately (Watch) Patriot Health Zone Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club Macular Degeneration Signs May Surprise Macular | Sponsored Links Is It Scalp Psoriasis? Search Symptons, Causes and Treatments Here Scalp Psoriasis | Search Ads Adult ADHD Signs May Not Be Common Knowledge ADHD | Sponsored Links You May Wish You Had Caught Colon Cancer Symptoms Earlier Colon Cancer | Search Ads 4 Signs Your Heart Is Quietly Failing You PhysioTru Around The Web Ads by Revcontent Painful Neuropathy? Try This to End It (It’s Genius) Health Benefits Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club What is Multiple Myeloma? See Signs & Symptoms Multiple Myeloma | Sponsored How to Battle Depression in Isolation Aculief: Wearable Clip For Headaches & Migraines Get Aculief Load More Related Church Should Women Be Pastors? Will People Come Back to Church after COVID-19? Is There Such a Thing as Digital Discipleship? When Did the Church Begin? Share this You may also like 31 Spiritual Warfare Scriptures: Help for Facing Life’s Battles 10 Parenting Rules You Need to Break Wife Shows Unwavering Faith After Pastor Jarrid Wilson Ends Life: ‘Jesus Gets The Last Word’ About Christianity.com About UsAdvertise with UsFeedbackTerms of UseSite MapPrivacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Info (CA Only) Copyright © 2020, Christianity.com. All rights reserved.

      The Holy Spirit vs Mankind               The purpose of this blog is to try to help those who understand God, and who has the Holy Spirit inside of us.  Mankind believes in the things of man.  I know that it is not very easy for any of us to understand God.  I want to inform all of you that this is a battle between good vs evil.  I would like to tell everyone that Mankind only lives in the moment.  Romans 8:9 says you, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not.  This means that God dwells inside of us.  There are those who do not believe that they have God inside of them.  Do you know that every time I type a blog, I usually start crying because it is God who is inside of me convicts me of all of my sins and forms of unrighteousness?                     Romans 12:2 says do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. God is responsible for changing me for the better.  I still have a long way to go when it comes to my character.  I know that I have a problem with people who are sarcastic and rebellious.  The Lord has forgiven me.  It is Jesus who is doing for me, more than I am doing for myself.  The dove represents peace.  It also represents the Holy Spirit.  Mankind thinks of doves as just birds.                The Holy Spirit is our Helper.  It guides us to the point where it gives us direction in advance.  Mankind perceives the Helper as something that does not exist.  I want to inform all of you that I am the type of person who loves God; a whole lot.  If anyone gets sarcastic with me, I am prone to retaliate.  The Lord is one who gives us grace and love in our personal lives.    The Helper is located in the 14th Chapter in the 26th verse but the The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to.  Glory means that you want your life to be like God. According to Mankind, man places more emphasis on holidays and other things rather than God.  Mankind always makes decisions that goes against God.  Mankind always does the things of the world for their own gratification.  Man goes against God Isaiah 59:2.    Man tends to make decisions to always stray away from God.  The Holy Spirit grieves while inside of man.  Romans 8:26 says we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. New Living Translation and the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  The Holy Spirit dwells inside of us for the rest of our lives.  However, God will let you live all by yourself in a reprobate mind when it comes to Romans 1:28-32.

Intersection of Life and Faith   Toggle navigation << Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz – May 26 2020 May 26 May 26 Energized and Strengthened We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God. 1 Corinthians 2:12, nkjv The Holy Spirit Who now lives in you is the same Holy Spirit in Genesis 1 Who hovered over the formless, empty, dark blob of earth that dangled in space. As He powerfully energized and pulsated the atmosphere, He prepared the planet to receive God’s Word and be transformed into a place of purpose and beauty that ultimately, in the end, reflected the image of God. That same Holy Spirit is now powerfully at work in your life, hovering over your heart, preparing you to love God and be fully aware of His love for you. He hovers over your mind, preparing you to understand spiritual things and the truth of His Word. He hovers over your will, preparing you to make decisions that are pleasing to Him. All the power of God—the same power that hung the stars in place and put the planets in their courses and transformed Earth—now resides in you to energize and strengthen you to become the person God created you to be. Just Give me Jesus, (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2000). ©2012 Anne Graham Lotz. All rights reserved. THE KEY TO A LIFE OF IMPACT What are the secrets to a life of impact? Daniel achieved greatness in the eyes of his contemporaries, in the eyes of history, and most importantly, in the eyes of God. His faith did not waver as he faced his critics, as he served new kings in power, or even as he confronted hungry lions. How can we achieve that kind of faith today? Twenty intentional, key choices made all the difference. Daniel’s choices can be ours, such as: •  The choice to listen •  The choice to forgive •  The choice to pray Cultivate a life-changing faith when you learn to implement The Daniel Key into your everyday life. Request your copy! For more from Anne Graham Lotz please visit AnneGrahamLotz.org. Share Promoted Stories Ads by Revcontent Adult ADHD Signs and Symptoms Adult ADHD | Sponsored Links Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club What is Melanoma? See Signs & Symtpoms Melanoma | Sponsored Links 2020 Sleep Apnea Treatments May Surprise You Sleep Apnea | Sponsored Links You’ll Never Think About Solar Panels Again After Watching This Easy Power Plan Could You Have Scalp Psoriasis? Learn the Signs and Treatments Scalp Psoriasis | Search Ads Symptoms of Metastatic Breast Cancer Many Women Might Ignore Breast Cancer | Search Ads Chiropractors Baffled: “30 Second” Stretch Relieves Years Of Back Pain (Watch) WeeklyPenny Get Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz in your inbox Enter Your Email Address Sign Up In addition to your newsletter(s), you will receive email updates, timely articles, and special offers from Crosswalk.com. Privacy Policy / Terms of Use Read More Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz – May 25 May 25, 2020 Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz – May 24 May 24, 2020 Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz – May 23 May 23, 2020 Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz – May 22 May 22, 2020 More Joy of My Heart with Anne Graham Lotz Articles You may also like 20 Scriptures to Strengthen Your Marriage Birthday Prayers – Beautiful and Inspiring Blessings   Follow Crosswalk.com       LIKE THIS DEVO? SIGN UP NOW! SIGN UP About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App Do Not Sell My Info (CA Only)

Christianity.com Find answers about Christianity   Christianity/ Wiki / Church / Is the Church Still the Church? Is the Church Still the Church? In many ways, the church has left the building, but incredibly positive things happened for the church during COVID-19, and the church is still the church, even more so when we eventually come to fellowship together again. Mel Walker The COVID-19 crisis may prove to be a great blessing for the church. Not being able to gather in church buildings for services or programs may turn out to be a long-term benefit for God’s work. Pastors and other church leaders have had to utilize creativity and initiative to effectively teach God’s Word and to make meaningful connections with their people. Plus, ministers have responded to the current stay-at-home order by going back to low-tech methods such as phone calls, personal letters or notes, and simple care packages to stay in touch with needy members. The church has risen to the occasion — and can emphatically say, “Yes, the church is still the church!” Priorities of Church Programming In recent years, it seems as if many churches have been focused on spectators who show up for weekend services, and not necessarily the participation of people in avenues of ministry. Members and seekers have gathered for weekend celebration services that feature programming from the stage as the main priority of the church. Next in importance has probably been the development and implementation of small groups for people to gather in smaller communities as a part of the larger church. Again, the current quarantine has driven small groups to also use technology, such as Zoom, to meet in online forums. Of course, peer ministries, such as youth groups and children’s ministries, have also had to scramble to make connections on the web with kids and their families. Now that all of those ministries (worship services, small groups, and age-group programming) have moved online, church leaders have had to learn to use internet-based technology, like Facebook Live, Google, and Zoom, to fulfill those aspects of their ministries. Positive Results of COVID-19 The current stay-at-home instructions from governmental leaders have had a huge impact on the church. In many ways, the church has left the building — and that has had many positive outcomes. 1. The church can communicate effectively online. Several churches have recently posted a new slogan or emphasis on a variety of social media sites, “Don’t just go to church — be the church.” Perhaps that is one of the positive results of this coronavirus. People attending services in person have morphed into a new practice of watching church services, instead, on the internet. Church members and potential visitors, especially younger generations, are already online and churches have now realized that weekend programming will need to stay online. Pastors have also accepted the new reality that social distancing may have a significant impact on the near future regarding how churches gather. Coffee stations, greeting teams or greeters, ministries (like Sunday school and ushering for instance), even church seating practices will need to be adjusted and changed. 2. Churches can connect with their people online. Small groups and peer ministries alike have also moved their programming to technological platforms. Ministry organizations and new industries have emerged to assist youth and children’s workers in how to use internet-based programs (like Zoom and Go-To-Meeting) to creatively connect with emerging generations. New Zoom games have been created, web-based curriculum has been written, and church members of all ages have learned to use newer technological means to stay in touch with each other. Utilizing social media for these purposes has also opened a new world of contacts for churches. The very nature of platforms such as Facebook and Instagram allows people to share their church’s feeds for worship and messages with their own personal networks of friends and neighbors. Not only does this practice give churches the opportunity to share the gospel online,  but it may also open a new door of evangelistic contacts for the church once the COVID-19 stay-at-home directive has been lifted. 3. Churches can meet needs in their communities through low-tech, but high-impact methods. Another significant outreach opportunity for the church has emerged from the pattern of social distancing. The church has reverted to ministries that can be accomplished through low-tech, but high impact ways to meet the needs of people in their communities. Churches have distributed groceries and meals to needy households, have helped elderly people with errands, have mailed out care packages to people in their neighborhoods, have asked church people to call other church members, and have offered counseling and other forms of aid for hurting people online. The current emphasis on using technology to communicate also helped fuel the occasion for churches to use other, more personal means to connect with people. Characteristics of The Church Being the Church There are some essential characteristics of the church that are quite difficult to accomplish effectively online, especially long term. Despite whatever circumstances are going on in culture, the church must still demonstrate these vital features in order to truly be the church. The Bible is clear that the following functions can only truly be accomplished by the church gathering together in community. 1. Teaching. The teaching ministry of the church has probably been the easiest function to accomplish online. Pastors moved to vacant auditoriums or empty offices to record or to live stream their weekend messages for a waiting audience of church members and others who watch on social media platforms or web sites. Certainly, the teaching ministry of the church is of the utmost importance. Ephesians 4:11-16 is clear that God’s goal for His people is growth toward spiritual maturity. In fact, helping believers grow in Christ is at the very core of what the scriptures are all about (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Perhaps other teaching ministries of the church (like children’s classes and adult Bible fellowships) have suffered somewhat during the days of social distancing. Pastors and other church leaders will need to strategize about how to ramp up these programs again once the coronavirus days of isolation are over. 2. Worship. One of the things many believers have missed immensely during the pandemic has been the practice of joining with others in musical worship. Many churches have purchased the licensing necessary to legally allow their worship teams to play some music on the internet. However, that is not the same as joining voices with others in vibrant and meaningful worship. Verses like Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 teach that a musical ministry between believers (“speaking to one another”) with Christ as the focus of worship (“making melody in your heart to the Lord”) was and is truly imperative for the church. 3. Fellowship. Meeting together with other believers has always been one of the major characteristics of the church (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34). God designed His followers to need fellowship with other believers in the community of a local church. This has been a major dilemma in a shelter-in-pace world when churches have not met physically in one location for several weeks. God’s people need to connect with each other. Both peer ministry and intergenerational relationships are crucial for the church. These human connections are nearly impossible to execute on the internet. 4. Service. COVID-19 has practically shut down a wide variety of local church ministries. Some programming has continued online to be sure, but other service opportunities have literally ceased. Churches can provide virtual Bible studies, but it’s much harder to mobilize people to serve the Lord and minister to others unless there is a physical connection. Passages such as Romans 12:3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12 emphasize the importance of God’s people using their God-given spiritual gifts in specific areas of ministry, most of which are very difficult to accomplish without getting together with others. 5. Evangelism. Several churches have figured out how to use social media to reach out to their communities during the days of isolation from others. These sites have given many believers ways to share the gospel electronically during times when they cannot have personal conversations with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Numerous churches have also organized innovative ways to meet some physical needs in their communities which has opened the door for other evangelistic contacts. These churches should be applauded for their initiative and creativity during a difficult cultural adversity, but effective evangelism requires personal contact with other people. Today’s church can follow the example of the Apostle Peter following Pentecost in Acts 2:14-47, Phillip’s evangelistic efforts with the Ethiopian in Acts 8:26-40, and Paul and Silas’ method of sharing Christ with the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:16-34. All these opportunities demanded personal contacts with the recipients of the gospel message.  6. Stewardship. The importance of giving to the Lord through the local church seemed to be a significant characteristic of the early church. This was true in 2 Corinthians 8 and Philippians 4:10-20 where giving through the local church is taught as a major emphasis in the New Testament church. Patterns of giving have fluctuated much already during the short duration of this pandemic. Initial reports indicated that giving to the local church was higher during the first few weeks of social distancing. However, recent statistics reveal that giving trends have turned down significantly over recent weeks. As things return to a sense of normalcy following the pandemic, the church is likely to face a new normal of giving and stewardship that will need to be evaluated then. 7. Leadership. God designed a leadership structure for His church, with clear roles for pastors or elders. Pastors can “feed the flock” (1 Peter 5:2) over the internet; but without personal connections and relationships, an online message is, in a sense, just a lecture. Pastors must also be about “equipping the saints for works of ministry” (Ephesians 4:14), and that too is difficult to achieve via social media. What Does This Mean? Incredibly positive things happened for the church during this coronavirus emergency, and the church is still the church. But, in many ways, it is time for the church to reconvene in person and as a community so that these grand and biblical functions can truly happen. An online church seems to be an artificial version of the real thing. Churches are to be commended for their effort and innovation during a very difficult time. However, God’s church is designed for His people to gather as He allows (Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 4:16) to accomplish His purpose. ©SparrowStock Mel Walker is the president of Vision For Youth, Inc., an international network of youth ministry, and he is also is the youth pastor at Wyoming Valley Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Mel has been actively involved in various aspects of youth ministry for over 40 years. He is also an author, speaker, and a consultant with churches. More information about his speaking and writing ministry can be found at www.GoingOnForGod.com. Mel has written 12 books on various aspects of youth ministry, plus he speaks to hundreds of teenagers and parents each year. Mel & Peggy Walker are the parents of 3 adult children—all of whom are in vocational ministry. You can follow him on Twitter: @vfyouth. Originally published May 07, 2020. 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