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5 Functions of the church
Long before Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, we wrote “the purpose driven church.” For the past 15 years, Warren has been coaching pastors on leading churches with purpose. I can still remember reading that book when it came out and how deeply the words resonated with me. I had been looking for those thoughts for a long time. In the book he outlines 5 basic functions of every church. Warren gives good structure to what is a timeliess biblical explanation of the church.

When I had lunch with Kevin Joyce a couple of weeks ago (fractals.tv), he referenced the 5 functions and it set off a chain events in my mind. What is the church supposed to do?

The 5 functions are:
Evangelism: Telling the story of your changed life
Worship: A lifestlye of reverence toward God
Discipleship: Commitment to growing and raising others
Mission: Doing what God has called you to do
Fellowship: The unity of Christians as they follow Jesus

We can quickly run through the list, add our own justifications, and use it as a check list about whether our church is doing what it should, but the church is not a thing. We are the church. The 5 functions of the church are not a list of what each congregation should be doing. They are in fact a list of what should be inside of each congregant (that’s you and me).

We have to stop thinking of the church as a place we go. We have to stop judging different congregations on what they have or do not have. We need to see these 5 functions as a mirror to review our own calling. If indeed you are the church, how are you doing on each of these 5 functions?

I came across this today as I was researching for a message. I am still amazed by how God uses John Piper to blow my mind.

Our very lives hang on not working for God. “To the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness” (Rom. 4:4–5). Workmen get no gifts. They get their due. If we would have the gift of justification, we dare not work. God is the workman in this affair. And what He gets is the glory of being the benefactor of grace, not the beneficiary of service. – John Piper, Brother’s we are not professionals

I wonder if this is why so many of my friends who love God are so worn out all the time?  We are trying to sustain ourselves on “our due” and missing out on the gifts of God.

One thing I have seen over the course of my time in ministry is that spiritual development is tied to learning. In one study of great leaders, two consistent attributes were found—avid reading and journal writing. So, if you aren’t already reading something or if you need a new book take a look below at three choices I highly recommend:

We are continuing our series on Mark this week. Bring your Bible, ready chapter one, and invite your neighbor. See you Sunday at 10am or 5pm.

Books I highly recommend:
Okay, I lied, I’m actually going to suggest four books. If you have not already read Blue Like Jazz by Miller then start there.

A great book for spiritual growth
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life, by Donald Miller

Donald Miller has a way of writing out exactly what I am trying to say. His insights and observations are awesome. In the simplest form he challenges us to live a better story.

A great book to grow in leadership
Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands, by Nancy Ortberg

Nancy Ortberg is one of my leadership heroes. In addition to serving as an ER nurse, mother, and wife she also created Axis, the 20-somethings ministry of Willowcreek church. She is now working as a leadership consultant in church and corporate environments. Her book will help you develop strategies for managing tension, nurturing healthy conflict, and motivating others.

A great book to grow in understanding of culture
Unchristian, by Dave Kinnaman and  Gabe Lyons

This book will cause you to pray, think, and rethink the way you approach the world with the gospel. Kinnaman and Lyons wrote the book after doing extensive research through the Barna group on young people’s perceptions of Christianity. When asked to describe what Christians were all about, they found six overriding themes as Non-Christians described the church… Hypocritical, too focused on getting converts, anti-homosexual, sheltered, too political and judgmental. You really need to read this book, even if you disagree.

Please pray for the children and staff in the Abandon Baby Unit.  The Abandon Baby Unit is located inside University Hospital, which has collapsed. Our contact, Shannon Sedgwick Davis, has given us the following information…

These children are most likely still in the back in a 15×30 room. They have no water, food, and now, I fear, none of our staff has been able to get to them.  Some of the children my have tried to run but many are crippled.  All  of them are very ill.  Many have terminal conditions.  One of the little girls, Emanuella (we call her Nanan) has been in this room since 2002.   I am truly afraid for them.

At this time many of our staff members are unaccounted for.  We have spoken to our In country- Director Rapheal Chenet.   The roads are impassable all of our vehicles were rendered useless.   There is no phone service.

The Abandoned Baby Unit is inside the HUEH (the University Hospital near the collapsed Palace) on Rue Mgr Guilloux.  There are in the very back of the Pediatric section very close to the morgue.

Here are the children’s names…