JESUS

I am currently reading "Confessions of A Reformission Rev." by Mark Driscoll. And I am loving every bit of it. I am not saying that I agree with Mark Driscoll on every issue, including drinking and I am still trying to study extensively on Calvinism, but regardless, anyone can come away with something from this book.

The book is about how Driscoll planted Mars Hill and records all of the ups and downs of the church.  It gives great insight on how you can handle trials that will be experienced as a pastor.  So far, a lot of the stories are quite identical to the planting of Heart Cry Church AND Heart Cry Gathering.

But what I am loving most is how he has handled the church as a shepherd.  Especially in the area of dealing with the wolves.

p131 “Over the years, I’ve just accepted that if I do not quickly open the back door when God is trying to run people out of our church, I am working against God by keeping sick people in my church so that they can infect others”

His whole philosphy is to keep the ones in church that are focused on the lost.  As I look at so many churches in our area, it breaks my heart.  People love their church because their gym is awesome, or they have a pool party every week, etc. What happened to the church existing for reaching the lost? What happened to the sole focus of the gospel?

It is so refreshing to read about a pastor who only cares about the lost.  He focuses the members of his church to focus on the lost.  Its all about the great commission.  

God is waiting for more churches to stop entertaining one another like some breakfast club, and start weeping over the ones who have not met Jesus.

Its all about Jesus.

Jesus is the center. Not relationships.  If you focus on Jesus, relationships will automatically become a bi-product.