Virtual Church Consulting

We are in a series called “Sword Sharpening” and looking at how to make the most of your time with the Bible. This week, we continue discussing how to deal with difficult Bible verses. When you read the Bible, you will find some things that are not always easy to deal with.

Sometimes, as people read the Bible, they are turned away from, not toward God. This often results from not understanding how His Story ties together and how to look for context. When you read a difficult passage, you must consider the context. I suggest always holding in tension what we learned when we looked at the Kingdom Revealed section of this series.

In the garden, everything was perfect. There was relational harmony. There were no problems of any kind. This is the heart of God. An ideal place on the planet where heaven and earth meet and where God dwells with his divine and human families. Everything that comes after the Fall is not what God wanted. After the fall, God is dealing with the consequences of human depravity. All of the evil and brokenness result from us choosing to go our own way. You must hold the idea of free will in tension as you read the problematic parts of the Old Testament.

God gave us free will. The ability to make choices. Why? He wants to be in relationship with people who want to be in a relationship with Him. Not because they have to but because they choose to.

As a result of our choices, the planet is in the shape it is in. Rather than take in the reality that the brokenness is our fault, we find it easier to blame God. People often ask, “How could a loving God do or allow that”? It was the height of love to give us the ability to choose. We choose wrongly, and the brokenness, the evil, and the depravity are all on us. None of it is what God wanted.

Part of the underlying story is that we are hard-hearted and keep going our way instead of His. We need heart transplants. And that is what is accomplished when Jesus comes the first time and defeats the power of sin and death. When He sends the Holy Spirit, we can now change.

Ezekiel 36:26–278 (NIV)
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Don’t give up on the Bible because you find it hard to read or understand why God does things or allows things that don’t seem to fit how you think God should be. Instead of turning away from the Bible, dig deeper into it. Look for the context of the hard verse and think about how it fits into the whole story. This verse from the Psalms captures the heart of God and the idea is repeated many times in other verses in the Bible:

Psalm 86:15 (NIV)
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Another thing to remember is that Jesus loved the Bible. The Bible is central to His life and ministry. We see Jesus pointing to and drawing from the Bible throughout the gospels. Jesus is highlighting the truthfulness and authority of the Bible as He uses it to change people’s lives.

We will add much more to this at Keys Vineyard Church this weekend, so join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

We are in a series called “Sword Sharpening” and looking at how to make the most out of your time with the Bible. This week, we continue discussing how to deal with difficult Bible verses by understanding how His Story fits into history.

John 3:16–18 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Last week, we reviewed a flow chart showing how His Story fits into history. We talked about how, in our world today, many different religions developed in other times and places. I also said that religions often share some common ideas but vary significantly in how they view God, Jesus, and the afterlife.

As Christians, we believe in one God. Christians also hold to the idea that God has promised, back in the crimson thread of redemption (Genesis 3:15), that someone is coming and has already come, who will make a way for people to be reconciled back into a relationship with God. At the core of Christianity is the understanding that the world is broken and that we caused the brokenness. We can’t fix the brokenness. Only God can fix the mess. It’s a work that only God can do, and there are no other options. All of His Story is consistent on this point. This is not about Christians being arrogant; it’s simply understanding this ancient story that starts in the creation, a story of One God who sent One Savior, Jesus, to be the One way to relate to Him and be restored in relationship with him.

At least in some of the services, I also said that this idea often pokes people the wrong way. They reject the idea that there is only one way and suggest that it is arrogant to believe that. I commented that we should be happy that there is a way back after constantly telling God we will go our way.

We looked at several verses last week, but I want to emphasize the importance of context, so let’s go a little deeper into the context of 1Timothy 2:5:

1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)
5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

This passage emphasizes that there is one God and one Savior—Jesus. As you look at the passage in context, I think it demonstrates the love of God for the world:

1 Timothy 2:3–6a (NIV)
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

The idea that Jesus was considered a ransom is so essential. A ransom is a payment made to rescue someone. We see in His Story that all people need rescue. The enemy has, in effect, kidnapped us. This verse speaks about God’s heart to rescue people from harm and death. Understanding this verse in the context of His Story shows that this is far from an arrogant verse; it is a loving and beautiful one.

But what about? There are always a lot of what about questions. What about this situation? What about…Three things that we will dig into to try and address the what-abouts:

a) God loves people

b) God is the ultimate loving judge

c) God created us for mission

Because God wants people to know Him, He created us for mission.

Acts 13:47 (NIV)
47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

We will look deeper into these ideas at Keys Vineyard Church this week, so plan to join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Church revitalization is a term familiar to many in the church sphere but perhaps a mystery to others. At its core, it describes bringing new life, energy, and growth to churches that have plateaued or declined. It’s a recognition that even the most time-honored institutions can face challenges that necessitate renewal. The need or desire for church revitalization is often why a church consultant is called in.

Churches may face stagnation for a multitude of reasons. Societal changes, shifts in community demographics, aging congregations, or leadership transitions can all lead to diminished vitality. Often, churches experiencing these shifts find that what worked a decade ago no longer resonates today. Church revitalization is not merely about increasing the number of attendees but restoring the church’s health, spiritual vitality, and community impact.

Methods of Church Revitalization:

Self-Assessment: This is the starting point. A congregation must honestly assess its current state. How has attendance shifted over the years? Are community members engaged? Is the church’s vision still clear and relevant? Answering these questions requires internal surveys, studying attendance patterns, and perhaps seeking external consultation.

Vision Renewal: A church’s vision is its guiding light. Over time, however, this vision can become blurred. Revitalization often involves revisiting the church’s core mission and ensuring it aligns with the needs of the current community. Leadership teams might ask: What is God’s vision for our church in this particular time and place?

Leadership Development: The success of any organization largely depends on its leadership. Investing in current leaders and identifying potential new ones is crucial in church revitalization. This may mean providing training opportunities, leadership retreats, or even bringing outside expertise.

Engaging with the Community: Churches exist not just for their members but also for their broader communities. A revitalized church often redoubles its efforts to serve and connect with the district, perhaps through outreach programs, community events, or partnerships with local organizations.

Updating Worship Styles: This doesn’t mean abandoning tradition, but it does mean being open to new styles of worship that may resonate with a broader audience. Whether incorporating contemporary music, integrating technology, or offering diverse service times, changes in worship style can be instrumental in attracting a wider demographic.

Introducing Small Groups: Fostering deeper relationships among members can lead to greater community involvement and spiritual growth. Small or cell groups allow members to connect more personally, study religious texts together, and support one another.

Infrastructure Overhaul: Sometimes, a church’s physical space or technology can act as a barrier to new or younger attendees. Investing in facilities, creating child-friendly spaces, or upgrading to modern tech solutions (like live-streaming services) can make a church more inviting.

Evangelism and Outreach: Renewed efforts in evangelism can help grow a congregation. This might involve training sessions for members, community events, or even digital evangelism in the age of social media.

Feedback Mechanisms: As changes are implemented, it’s essential to have mechanisms in place for gathering feedback. This ensures that the congregation feels involved in the revitalization process and can provide insights into what’s working and what’s not.

Church revitalization is a journey of reflection, adaptation, and recommitment to a church’s core mission. It acknowledges that while change is a constant, the timeless messages of faith, hope, and love remain relevant. Through revitalization, churches can ensure they continue to be beacons of light, hope, and community in a rapidly evolving world.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.