Is Christ LORD, Lord, or lord over your church?

Out of learning why churches fail, we also learned why they succeeded. The churches that were healthy, growing spiritually, and socially vibrant have significant aspects that set them apart from the failing churches.

Why Churches Succeed

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=35972&columnid=3958

These factors are displayed in order of relevance and importance. Each one of these factors creates a harmony, contentment, and atmosphere for a churchgoer to come to church services and fellowship, and then to invite others. When they feel this church is “home,” they will learn and grow, then desire to become a member, become active, experience and give love and Fruit, and be able to serve our Lord there. Each of these themes is significant as they motivate, inspire, and spur people on to feel part of something greater than themselves.

The main, significant factor over all else of why churches succeed is this one point: they were centered upon Christ as LORD! They were not centered on a personality, a vision, a denomination, an emerging paradigm, or a set of trends. They were “souled out” to Christ as central and sovereign. Each of these points relate to the Lordship of Christ.

What do you think?

How can your church become a conduit for the work of the Gospel, the moving of the Spirit, and the glorification of our Lord?

What is in the way?

What needs to take place to know Christ, to be effective, and to grow spiritually—“true spirituality” as Schaeffer challenged us with?