Podcast Episode #403
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An inward focus often leads to an unhealthy church. Unhealthy churches drift from their mission. Today, we discuss how to combat mission drift.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- If a church just does the status quo, the natural tendency will be to move inwardly.
- You have to be highly intentional if you want your church to move outwardly.
- Too many church members have an erroneous understanding of biblical church membership.
- Discipleship is more than merely learning information.
The six keys to overcoming mission drift are:
- The church’s focus moves increasingly inwardly
- One of the most troubling trends is the church is about me, myself and I
- Re-examine what it means to be a part of the body of Christ
- Re-examine what it means to function in a healthy manner
- The principle of two a year
- The principle of ruthless evaluation
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Who Moved My Pulpit?
We are not to be just hearers of the Word only but doers also. We do this through our participation in local, national, and global mission work. Establish relationships with local, national, and global missionaries. Make mission one of the core elements of your church. This is what our Lord wants us to do.
I just finished reading “Autopsy of a
deceased Church” and must say, How true it is.
Let me comment with this background.I grew up on a Wyoming farm/ranch raising sheep! From there I ministered at different times either as a missionary (in both Asia and Africa) and in the US as well.
Your book clearly describes how sheep act when they have no shepherd! Notice I did not say, “no sheepherder “. The Bible often speaks of the people of God as sheep and Ezekiel tells of what happens to the when they have no shepherd.
My second point would be your book never mentions how Sheepherders bring about the deaths of churches. Let me suggest the comments to the “sheepherders” of the seven churches in Revelation,all of which died are worth reflection.
I am adding this link because it is when mission drift has gone way too far. I’m not saying all churches will drift this far but it can happen.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/january-web-only/rachael-denhollander-larry-nassar-forgiveness-gospel.html?utm_source=ctweekly-html&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_term=16587878&utm_content=563772479&utm_campaign=email
Have you ever considered posting a transcript of your podcasts? It would be so much easier to quote you in sermons if that was available. I listen to most of your podcasts on LEADERSHIP and REVITALIZATION. So often, like yesterday, I was getting ready for the day and you made some comments in your Mission Drift podcast that I thought, “I need to use that quote in my sermon on Sunday.” However, now I will have to go back and listen again to find the quote and then write it down. Often, I try to listen while driving to make a hospital visit, and it just wouldn’t be appropriate to try and write down your wonderful quotes on I-77 going into Charlotte. 😉
Please consider attaching a transcript for your podcasts. This is something that Albert Mohler does with his podcast, THE BRIEFING, so maybe he has a way to do it that would make it easy.
Just a thought. Blessings to you and thank you for discipling me as a pastor in the area of leadership and in the much needed area I face, Church Revitalization. You both are a blessing in my life!
Pastor Stephen Owenby
Westport Baptist Church
Denver, NC