My inbox is normally a benign environment, hosting “Faith Fodder.” Stuff that I delight in: “Revival Fire” network emails of powerful testimonies, Fresh Fire Ministries Teaching of the week, you get the picture.

Inbox nirvana is no longer. I have someone asking hard questions at the moment regarding our church:

• I feel that the worship is too long and is starting to become as an obligation to certain people, rather than worshiping out of love for our father.
• I also believe that what is done on Sunday is starting to become a bit of a tradition and rather predictable.
• We need new wine skins
• Your message is great. And is getting very interesting. Is it catered for non-believers? What would they think if they came to church? Would they understand what you're saying without even knowing the basics?
• There are people who need to hear the good news.
  

Ouch! But it is a good ouch! This raises quite a few issues:

1. We have a L O N G time of worship. It is not uncommon to have more than an hour of worship before getting into testimonies by others, open pulpit time (We do this weekly) and a message/word by myself.

Many times there is such a freedom in worship and the Spirit is doing so much that I would hate to just curtail the times of worship in order to cater to visitors or new Christians who may not appreciate such a long time of praise and worship. And yes, like in any place sometimes the worship is off the hook (!) and other times it is not as anointed – but I guess that happens at every church (right?). I have also observed that no matter how anointed and glorious the worship may be, some people just don’t seem to get in on what God is doing and are just looking at their watches (Not refering to the guy that is asking the questions here).

2. Sundays can be predictable in a sense. I mean, normally there will be worship, a message, an offering will be taken etc. I guess the crucial question here would be whether the King is among us (?). The presence of Jesus may be the determining factor here.

3. I do accept that my message is catered to believers in that I do preach to build them up, feed them, connect them to their purpose and destiny in Christ and then release them to be who they are called to be OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. Also, in a small church setting like ours I will flow with what the Lord leads in the moment and be extra careful to clarify and explain things in more detail should I see that we have visitors or un-churched people with us for that service.

4. Our greatest weakness at the moment is outreach (Rather, the lack of it) and I am seeking God desperately in order to have Him give me instructions and keys for this city and region that urgently needs HIM.

Lord, thank you for those that ask the hard, gut-wrenching questions and are used to help keep my feet on the ground, even if my heart is in the clouds.

And you, what are your thoughts on these points?

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