2008 Orange Conference Session 4

The 2008 Orange Conference

Session 4

Reggie Joiner and Andy Stanley

• Tensions – There is a lot of similarities in the life of believers and non-believers. Christians are of the mindset that we have a lot of differences in our lives, but on everyday levels we all face the same stuff.
• If you create irresistible environments, people will come.
• When you capture “the tension” you have everyone’s attention.
• Churches have to define what spiritual growth is. – Ask yourself, how did you grow spiritually?
• 5 Elements of Spiritual Growth Identified by North Point:
  1. Practical Teaching
  2. Providential Relationships
  3. Private Disciplines
  4. Pivotal Circumstances
  5. Personal Ministry
• Small Groups are Pivotal to living out these 5 Elements.
• Do what God calls us to do without criticizing other models and other churches. That is not the way to get traction for your ministry.
• Jesus, “Who do people say that I am?” – “Who do you think that I am?” – Peter responded that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” – Jesus said that he was going to build his church on that…
• Compassion, Missions, Social Justice, Etc…are all great, but at the core of all these movements, and what we do to answer those issues have to come back to Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Evangelism cannot be removed! – The hope of the world is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Choosing to Cheat: Your only Unique role is a Father/Mother and Spouse. Your church work was probably being done before you got there and will be done by someone else at some point. Don’t trade what is unique to you for something that is common and average.
• If our marriages are in trouble then we become a part of the problem in our culture and society.