Being an Acts 29 Church

Comfort Zones...they're very comfortable places to be.

All right, I admit, that's not very profound. But it's true.

Lately, our pastor has been challenging our church to become "Unstoppable."

He spoke from the book of Acts today and shared some thoughts I continue to mull in my mind. A very uncomfortable fact was shared: the days of people coming to church are over; the church must go out to them.

The apostles were continually "doing good." Now, these were not deeds to earn them salvation; rather, they were deeds done out of love for their Lord. In the process of doing good, they were also sharing Christ. Our pastor shared that "good deeds lead to good will, good will provides a platform for the good news." We were also challenged that "we do not grow into Christ-likeness unless we serve outside the walls of the church."

Then he asked how many of us have a heart for the prostitutes in our city. The silence in the church was quite uncomfortable. Then he asked, "why not?" It's very easy to sit in our pews week after week saying all the right things...but what will it take to get us out of our comfort zone and go where things can be scary?

So, we were challenged to become the Acts 29 church. He asked us to all turn to Acts 29 in our Bibles. The thing is, the book of Acts ends with chapter 28.

So, how are we going to surrender ourselves to God and let Him use us in uncomfortable ways to continue the story of Acts and see His unstoppable power in the church?

*ouch*