Excellence or Extravagance

This first part is a Guest Post by Tim Briggs.

Tim:

'Being in ministry for 5 years, I’ve heard the term “excellence in ministry” thrown around frequently, especially in regards to technology. I’ve been disappointed to learn though that the term for many is translated to mean “extravagance in ministry.” In other words, people really mean they want the best, most expensive, and most luxurious. Is that what excellence really means though?

Certainly, this term is polarizing and has different meanings for different people but what does the Bible say about the topic?

At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks about the “most excellent way.” He says, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”

What is the most excellent way? Love.

“If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” The next few verses echo this same sentiment.

In Colossians 3:23, Paul says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me…” I’m not a Biblical scholar by any means but meditating on these verses leads me to believe that doing something with excellence refers to how we do things. It does not mean perfection. It does not mean the best. Rather, it refers to our effort.

Me:
Are we striving for excellence (as in "the most excellent way: Love) or are we striving for extravagance (as in "bigger, faster, louder, easier, finer: Flash)?

Actually both of these paths come with a high price tag. As a church, if we only have enough resources to purchase one... either excellence=Love or extravagance=Flash which would we buy? or a better question might be, which one have we already bought?

I'm bankrupt without LOVE.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end. Love never dies.

I hope to see you Sunday @ Radiant Life. Mike's going to help us explore this theme of Love Always Wins.

Personal Pronouns and the Church

When I'm talking with people, after church, on Sundays...they often tell me more with their words than they realize.

They almost always say one of two things:

• “I go to your church” or "It was great to visit your church"
  
• “I love our church” or "My church is doing some great things"
  

When they say, “I go to your church,” I know this person is not likely very engaged in the life of the church. In most cases, they aren’t serving, participating, or giving. They are casual observers...outsiders (only because they see themselves as outsiders). The "I go to your church" or "I am just checking out your church" people use that sort of phrase to communicate that there is still a distance between where they are in relation to the church. They are not ready or wiling to call it "my' church yet. They are simply attending a church that is not yet “theirs.”

When they say, “I love our church” or "We have a great church" they are usually very involved. The church doesn’t belong to someone else. It is “their” church. They know that there is a place for them...HERE at their church. They are ALL in. Invested. It's personal.

This Sunday WE are going to be challenged to consider our place in this church. Hopefully everyone will move from a "your church" stance to a "my church" posture.

I’m asking God to empower me to move people from “going to church” to “being the church.” When they stop going and start being, the church goes from "yours" to "mine".

(some of these concepts are from Lifechurch.tv)