Authentic, Real and Local
 

So goes the first paragraph of a magazine article about a local restaurant I read today. I couldn't help but think about this same approach when it comes to church. People are not looking for the "brand" like they used to. They are looking for authenticity. Just as people are tired of the chain-restaurants, people are weary of the franchise churches. People want something that is organic, real, genuine.

The days of worrying about what the other churches are going to say is over. The days of competing for church people, trying to sheep steal, proselytize, or encouraging people to leave one assembly for another are numbered. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of churches that will continue to operate this way, but its a recipe for a status quo existence at best.

The old saying goes "all politics are local". I think that is what the Kingdom of God is too. Fellowships are helpful, organizations has their place, but in reality, the Kingdom of God grows as a result of local efforts. The weekly worship services, hospital visits, nursing home ministry, prison minisitry, youth/student ministries, benevolence, witnessing, community service, influencing and impacting a community, it all comes from the local assembly.

Most people are drawn to the local church, not what "brand" it is, but to its people, ministries, its leadership. Did they feel welcome? Did they sense true and authentic worship? Did they receive a message of hope and faith through the preaching? Do the people seem to be real, down to earth, non-religious, hospitable?

I truly believe, now more than ever, that the authentic, real and local church is the hope of the world.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Deacon, you've expressed what God has been speaking to me over the past few months.

I'm posting from my phone, but will respond further tomorrow.

Thanks for this.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Good thoughts.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Church based on the corporate model ... has seen its heyday ... THANKFULLY.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

It'll be back. Just look at fat ties, I was so thankful when that fad passed but now everybody's wearing their tie so fat they look like ascots! Lame-o!

Oh! And thanks Deke.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Great thoughts! :thumbsup

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Awesome stuff deacon...

This is a reflection of what has been preached, taught and called for in out assembly the last few months...

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Hey Ed Anglin, you said you had some other thoughts on this you were gonna post. How's about it?

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Deke, you have really been posting some substance of late. This thread-starter is one of the best I've seen in quite some time, on any forum. I'm going to comment on each paragraph, if that's okay.

We are in agreement. More churches are focusing inward, and trying to effect change locally, instead of working through larger organizational vehicles. The poor economy and cynicism toward the old denominational model of empire/colonization is driving this movement.

For far too long officials of Oneness organizations acted as though their headquarters buildings and programs were the seat of empires with local churches being the colonies from which those empires were funded. From governmental palaces edicts were issued, and local churches were expected to comply.

For several decades, churches did just that. They sent millions of dollars into programs that became top-heavy, bloated and inefficient. The more they gave, the more the empire demanded. In the end, most programs that began as evangelistic programs became nothing more than vehicles for the socially elite ministers of the org to get rich.

Local churches pulled back organizational giving, choosing to funnel money directly into individual missions efforts they felt were frugal and productive.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

There are still churches that operate this way. We experienced a raid lon our membership recently by a neighboring church that is more interested in winning the saved instead of the lost. Thankfully, the damage was minimal.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

This is a scriptural truth, Deke.

There are no fellowships and/or organizations without local churches. I encourage every pastor reading this to consider the needs of their local assembly above any other ministry. Once those needs are met, branch out into other avenues of giving.

No one from an outside ministry is going to care about the Staunton church like its members. No one cares about this city like the members of this church. If revival and growth comes, it will be because someone here paid the price.

Growth IS local. God revealed this to us in Revelation, chapters one through three. He spoke to each of those churches, specifically. He didn't send one uniform message to them. He addressed each of their strengths and weaknesses. The Kingdom of God is local.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

This is really sad. Churches trying to lure folks from other churches instead of winning the lost. I wonder what percentage of what we call "church growth" is just people going from one church to another.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

Absolutely.

Most folks can't even tell you what "Pentecostal" or "Apostolic" means. They do care about connections. They want to be plugged into something powerful and personal. They want to be nurtured and nurturing.

Re: Authentic, Real and Local
 

I appreciate the input EA and Co. I really enjoy the discussion.