Our church has an inward focus or an outward focus...
"The church is too inward in its focus and it needs to be more outward." I have read that and also felt that need in churches that I have been apart of. How does that happen? How do we go from being inward to outward if we sense a stagnation in the life of the church? What are the steps? I think the process involves other directions that need to be taken into consideration. Here are a couple other directions that I have gleaned off of Bruce Ashford with my thoughts.
1. The church needs to have an upward focus.
This is a focus of worship of our God. A major emphasis throughout the Bible from the beginning to the end is the aspect of taking time to worship the God who created the heavens and the earth. Our focus needs to be clearly on God.
2. The church needs to have an inward focus.
This is a focus on our personal holiness that is dictated by the instruction of the Scriptures. In our study of 1st Peter we see how much this effects the outward parts of our lives. Anything that is done on the outward comes from a personally changed inside by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
3. The church needs to have a backward focus.
This is a focus on what God has done. It is a focus on how things were created and also the plan of salvation that God has given to the world. The study of the Scriptures gives us a clear picture of how we are to proceed in the present and in the future.
4. The church needs to have a forward focus.
This is a focus on the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. This is a focus of evangelism because the day of visitation is drawing near. It is a focus of the fulfilling of the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. This forward focus dictates "what" we will do as a church.
5. And finally the church needs an outward focus.
This focus is our touch on the world that God has placed us. It happens both in word and deed. It shows the love of God in very tangible ways to others who don't know Him and opens up the door to speak of the One who we look up to; ask to change us from within; who guides us back through His Scripture; and who we are looking forward to seeing face to face.
All those other focuses help to make that outward focus have the right emphasis in its message and direction and devotion to God. Just some Wednesday thoughts.
Adam
1. The church needs to have an upward focus.
This is a focus of worship of our God. A major emphasis throughout the Bible from the beginning to the end is the aspect of taking time to worship the God who created the heavens and the earth. Our focus needs to be clearly on God.
2. The church needs to have an inward focus.
This is a focus on our personal holiness that is dictated by the instruction of the Scriptures. In our study of 1st Peter we see how much this effects the outward parts of our lives. Anything that is done on the outward comes from a personally changed inside by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
3. The church needs to have a backward focus.
This is a focus on what God has done. It is a focus on how things were created and also the plan of salvation that God has given to the world. The study of the Scriptures gives us a clear picture of how we are to proceed in the present and in the future.
4. The church needs to have a forward focus.
This is a focus on the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ. This is a focus of evangelism because the day of visitation is drawing near. It is a focus of the fulfilling of the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations. This forward focus dictates "what" we will do as a church.
5. And finally the church needs an outward focus.
This focus is our touch on the world that God has placed us. It happens both in word and deed. It shows the love of God in very tangible ways to others who don't know Him and opens up the door to speak of the One who we look up to; ask to change us from within; who guides us back through His Scripture; and who we are looking forward to seeing face to face.
All those other focuses help to make that outward focus have the right emphasis in its message and direction and devotion to God. Just some Wednesday thoughts.
Adam
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