Comments on: The Church is God’s Strategy http://blog.compassion.com/the-church/ Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:27:59 +0000 hourly 1 By: Chad Summers http://blog.compassion.com/the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3133 Chad Summers Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:51:53 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=630#comment-3133 The church is still an institution just like any other man-made organization. This phrase I would use with "working through the church." The church with the revelation of God and the planning through its people - I would use with "working with the church." The church is still an institution just like any other man-made organization. This phrase I would use with “working through the church.”

The church with the revelation of God and the planning through its people – I would use with “working with the church.”

]]> By: Compassion dave http://blog.compassion.com/the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3130 Compassion dave Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:41:46 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=630#comment-3130 Right on Chris (and Juli) Right on Chris (and Juli)

]]> By: Vicki Small http://blog.compassion.com/the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3129 Vicki Small Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:30:08 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=630#comment-3129 A couple of weeks ago, I was in a pit of discouragement, about my own advocacy and my seeming failure to energize my team of advocates. I began pouring out my heart to the Lord: "God, I can't make pastors or other church leaders give me an opening to present the many opportunities in partnering with Compassion! I can't motivate the people you've placed on our team...." That's how long it took for me to catch onto the problem. As God shined the light on my *real* failure--thinking for even one moment that I any of this stuff is up to me--my prayer changed drastically. A few days later, He engineered a "chance meeting" in a grocery store with one of the pastors I'd been trying to meet with since January. We met for 30 minutes the next day. We really are a sinking ship, without the Church--local and global. A couple of weeks ago, I was in a pit of discouragement, about my own advocacy and my seeming failure to energize my team of advocates. I began pouring out my heart to the Lord: “God, I can’t make pastors or other church leaders give me an opening to present the many opportunities in partnering with Compassion! I can’t motivate the people you’ve placed on our team….” That’s how long it took for me to catch onto the problem. As God shined the light on my *real* failure–thinking for even one moment that I any of this stuff is up to me–my prayer changed drastically. A few days later, He engineered a “chance meeting” in a grocery store with one of the pastors I’d been trying to meet with since January. We met for 30 minutes the next day.

We really are a sinking ship, without the Church–local and global.

]]> By: Juli Jarvis http://blog.compassion.com/the-church/comment-page-1/#comment-3124 Juli Jarvis Mon, 08 Sep 2008 23:49:29 +0000 http://blog.compassion.com/?p=630#comment-3124 The only One that can bring change is the Lord Himself -- and you're right, He begins with individuals. Are we joining Him in the work He is doing, or are we trying to bring about change in our own strength? Are we focused on self, or focused on Him? To me, joining Him involves things like listening, waiting, seeking, thanking; obedience, following His lead, prayer and submission. He clearly shines light on our pathway, one step at a time, and often leads through the church universal. Sometimes we have to step out over an empty chasm-- as Wess Stafford (a la Indiana Jones) shared with us -- but it's safe if He says to step out. The real danger is in following your own plans and schemes (or that of a church or organization) rather than His. The only One that can bring change is the Lord Himself — and you’re right, He begins with individuals. Are we joining Him in the work He is doing, or are we trying to bring about change in our own strength? Are we focused on self, or focused on Him? To me, joining Him involves things like listening, waiting, seeking, thanking; obedience, following His lead, prayer and submission. He clearly shines light on our pathway, one step at a time, and often leads through the church universal. Sometimes we have to step out over an empty chasm– as Wess Stafford (a la Indiana Jones) shared with us — but it’s safe if He says to step out. The real danger is in following your own plans and schemes (or that of a church or organization) rather than His.

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