"Paradigm communities grow in any climate because of their style of worship."

-- W. Easum (Dinosaurs, p.81)

 

"'Teacher make your disciples stop shouting!' But Jesus answered, 'If they keep quiet, these stones will start shouting.'"

-- Luke 19:40   

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Reformation is change. Change is hard. Most folks don't like to opt for something hard if they don't have to. In this case we have to! Why? Well, the shortest answer is, we're not reaching people for Christ. To not change is to die!

Sounds radical doesn't it. It is! Jesus often worked in radical ways himself. Our challenge is to look our situation square in the eye and face our own reformation. After all, if a caterpillar never faced the death of a cocoon, there'd never be possible it's resurrection as a butterfly.

Cultural shifts are difficult to see, hard to understand and yet critical to changing lives with the power of Jesus Christ. Looking at cultural shifts, reformations, worship, and buildings we're invited to squarely face our assumptions and traditions....

1- What does "God" (p.82), "celebration" (p.83) and "music" (pp.84-86) have to do with cultural relavance?

2- What elements and patterns do you see in the culture of our time that might help us touch lives, connect with people about gospel things?

3- "Buildings Are Not Important" (p.92) highlights that we have many options in shaping ministry. What might be culturally relavant options for our community?

4- Who is being reached with life-changing Good News in the Cocalico area? Who is not? (Why not? Why? Who are we still missing...?)

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This is an online Study Guide for use in the local church, compiled and produced by David P. Harris of Ephrata, PA.