Apparently God is up to something all the time.
God's up to something
That's what Leonard Sweet stated at a talk given on Thursday, October 8, 2008, to a group of Free Methodist pastors. Then he asked, "Do you know God well enough to know what God is up to?" Hmmm, interesting question to ask pastors. Do we?
If God is up to something all the time and we want to be part of what He's doing in the world, then it behooves us to know Him well enough so we can join Him. Unless of course we don't care about going where God is at work...
God is rebooting the church
It seems that one place that God is at work is in the church. In fact, according to Sweet, God is rebooting the church. Instead of worrying about attendance, buildings and money, the church of the 21st Century needs to focus on God and on people. He claimed that the church needs redefine itself to be a missional community.
What does that mean? Sweet discussed three things: missional, relational and incarnational. Missional implies action which means that we need to be intent on going out to be with people. Relational entails being with people in a way that mirrors God who exists in and for relationship. And, incarnational in essence refers to living out Jesus' love to others in tangible ways unique to the situation and environment.
Following God's design
When we live out God's design for us, know Him well enough, and follow His lead then we can make a difference in the world. Connecting with opportunities, connecting with people and living according to God's design for us are three practical ways to join God to love people.
