Becoming a Practicing Church

The following is an excerpt from the Crosswalk.com article by contributing writer Whitney Hopler and is a report on the practical applications of Tim Morey's recent book, Embodying Our Faith: Becoming a Living, Sharing, Practicing Church, (IVP Books, 2009). I have listed the major point headings of the article without her discussion. To read the entire piece click here.

ME: I have not read this book and cannot speak to its usefullness firsthand, but Hopler's points and discussion are valid and I agree with her. In fact, these are the things I saw that made me commit to following Christ.

We Are the Body: How to Become a Practicing Church by Whitney Hopler

"God wants your congregation to do much more than just come to church...

"In our postmodern world, what lost people need is to see faith embodied in the lives of those who believe. That's how they'll best discover that the Gospel is true.

"Here's how your church can learn to better embody faith:

• Be a contributor instead of a consumer.
  
• Become a missionary to your culture.
  
• Let people see a faith that's experiential.
  
• Let people see a faith that's communal.
  
• Let people see a faith that's enacted.
  

Adapted from Embodying Our Faith: Becoming a Living, Sharing, Practicing Church, copyright 2009 by Tim Morey. Published by IVP Books, a division of InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill., www.ivpress.com.

Tim Morey (D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary) is founding and lead pastor at Life Covenant Church in Torrance, California. He also serves on the Evangelical Covenant Church's national church planting team and as adjunct professor teaching practical theology at Talbot School of Theology.

Original publication date: February 10, 2010

The PAPA Prayer

I'm reading this AMAZING book called The PAPA Prayer by Dr. Larry Crabb. It's THE best book I have ever read on prayer and one of the top ten books I have ever read. The book is so well written and is so profound.

If we got this, we'd all be the Christians we should be. This is about communion and community with our Maker which would transform the communion and community we have with one another.

Click the following link for more information, but don't even hesitate to pick the book up today!

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/prayerandcounseling/intercession/crabb_papaprayer.aspx

Love Jesus, Hate Church

I finished the book. It had a LOT a agreed with and could relate to, but also a few things that disturbed me. The problem is that the book provides no solid answers except to suggest that the alieviation of church problems begins with self. In other words: "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."

This is not to say it's not worth the read. It certainly is! If not for anything else to know that we're not alone in the boat.

Refer to my last blog entry for ordering information. You probably can't get the book at your book store since it is "self published."