Letters to Nicolay 5

writing_a_letter168h.jpgDear Nicolay,

Greetings, dear brother!   Let me continue my thoughts on change.  Here is something from David Olson, which caught my attention about how we need to change our behavior.  David is author of “The American Church in Crisis”. 

“If the world you live in is largely Christian, then you can focus on buildings and maintaining Christian institutions.  The needs of the insiders are very important, so focus on church membership, doctrine, and institutional maintenance.

Encourage the pastors to attend to the members and keep the church sailing smoothly even if it is headed in the wrong direction.  Raise up the priorities of preaching the Word, administering the ordinances, and providing pastoral care.”

If the world you live in is largely non-Christian, then follow Christ (be like Him) into your culture as an incarnational missionary ministering to the needs of people (physical, spiritual, emotional).  Raise up apostolic leaders who will push the boundaries of the church outward.  Train up pastors to equip all of the people (the priesthood of all) to be missionaries to the world around them – a sent people practicing love, service, and hospitality by building bridges and living out the message of Christ.  Allow Christ to be the head of His church and recognize that until we make disciples who reproduce, we will not impact our nation.

That’s a powerful quote and I’ll use it to form the basis of my reply to you about practical issues and practical issues.

  • Preaching the Word
  • The Lord’s Supper and Baptism
  • Pastoral Care
  • Incarnational, Missionary People
  • Priesthood of all Believers
  • Headship of Christ
  • Authentic Discipleship

I’ll start with my next letter.  Looking forward to seeing you soon, my friend.

Christ is all,
Rich


Note:
This is a series of letters between Rich Correll and Nicolay that bring to light many simple church principles.

Rich Correll has been involved in Ukrainian church planting for 18 years.  He pioneered church planting and church planting training in cooperation with many Ukrainian churches.  He is currently encouraging simple, organic, reproducing churches.  Contact him at: richcpti@gmail.com

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