An Unstoppable Force

To "mega-church" or not to "mega-church," that is the question. Or is it? Alex McManus takes a stab at this question in his recent article. While I don't agree completely with Alex on the current status of church in America, I do agree with the basis of his conclusion: we need to return to the roots of church in the 1st Century.

A friend of mine coined a unique phrase that I think is a great representation of where Meadow Heights Church is today. Here's what he said:

"Meadow Heights is taking first century values (the teachings of Jesus) and applying them to a 21st Century world."

I love how he's phrased that. We've been talking in great length lately about Acts 2:42-47 and how that passage of scripture is not simply a historical story, but it is coming to fruition in our day and age. In fact, it's the vision we feel God has laid out before us and is challenging us to take hold of without apology. We're staking everything we have around building this dream.

Whether our church is "mega" or just a few, the question is not about the size, but are we following the teachings of Jesus? Does mega describe the number of people in our church, or the size of the hearts of our people? Let's not forget to take a look in the mirror occasionally for a "heart check." The passion of reaching people who don't have a relationship with Jesus is only the first step - we have to have a plan of action to carry out the vision.

I know I've posted this before, but there is something incredible about this passage. If today's church catches hold of the power of this passage - not the power of the past, but it's power in the here and now - we will be an unstoppable force for Jesus. May these words be in your prayers this week.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)