From Hearers to Doers: A Challenge for 2009

We spent much of 2008 talking about what the church is supposed to be. We called this "edifimunity": edifying the community of believers. In 2009 we will not be specifically focusing on teaching edifimunity or teaching about the church, but we still need to remember it.

A lot of times it is easier to talk about something than actually doing it. This can happen when it comes to BEING the church, not just talking about it. In 2009 your challenge is to Do Hard Things.

This year we are going to take the challenge to be DOERS of the word and not just hearers only. (See James 1:22-25).

In 2009 I will challenge you to make some tough decisions about your priorities and choose the hard things instead of always the easy way. Some of you will be put in positions of mentorship that you may not find easy or rewarding, but they will be areas that will help you grow. You will be challenged in the way you relate to your friends. That has already started tonight with a challenge to think about how you can minister to each one of them.

We will spend time reading books that you may have never wanted to read, but you need to read. We will spend time in 2009 looking at Christians in other parts of the world that are doing hard things because they do not have a choice. Our laziness and apathy will be challenged. We will spend time digging into tough theology...learning more about the nature and character of God. We will do some challenging ministry.

It’s up to you how you respond to these challenges this year. 2009 could be really exciting or really disappointing. I hope it is exciting and rewarding and I hope we see growth in H2O and Water’s Edge, but more importantly in the Kingdom of God because of our efforts this year.

You are needed in 2009. Your church needs you. Your youth group needs you. Your family needs you. Your friends need you. I need you to shake off the rust and get the sore joints of ministry and evangelism oiled up and ready to go. The more you use them the easier they will be to use.

We have spent enough time sitting around talking about how the church is supposed to work. We have spent enough time sitting around and talking about evangelism and ministry. We have spent enough time focusing on us...it’s time to start doing!