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Crowing Congregations

This is a spiritual journey, a series of messages that are supported by bible studies available on this site, either for your own study time or for your small group. Also included are five suggested devotional readings from a variety of Scriptural genres for each week. I believe that taking advantage of the devotional readings and weekly bible studies to support the weekly messages will maximize the benefit you receive as you take the journey down this part of your own larger spiritual journey. Use the links on the bottom of this page to access these supporting resources. If you want to give a listen to a sermon, click on any of them that have links to listen to the mp3 file.
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In so many congregations today questions are being asked about the relationship between the pastor and the church. Some are asking "Where do we find someone?", some are asking "What's going on?", and some are looking back and asking "What went wrong?" In his letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul tells them that they are the crown he expects to be wearing when he receives his reward:
For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19,20)

That sounds like there was a pretty functional relationship there. It also implies to me that perhaps the right question to be asking is not "What can our pastor do for us?", but "what can we do for our pastor?" Since the entirety of the process of our personal spiritual formation is learning to die to ourselves and live for God and others, then it just makes sense to me that this would apply in one of the most important partnerships in the kingdom: congregation and pastor.

Does Paul give any instruction to that church in regards to specifically how they can be a crowning congregation for him? I believe he does just that in his final exhortations to that church. Looking at how a congregation can reflect each of these characteristics is what this journey is all about. I think that congregations with fully functional, God-honoring relationships to their pastors will be congregations of people who are:

Week 1- Valuing Leadership.
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among yu, who are over you in teh Lord and who admonish you. (1 Thess. 5:12))
What is the role of leadership structures in the church, and how do we really make them work well?

Week 2- Resolving Conflicts.
Live in peace with each other (v. 13)
One of the things that most compromises to a pastor's productivity and a congregation's kingdom effectiveness is the time he has to spend mediating conflicts in the church. How can congregations avoid that?

Week 3- Equipping Each Other for Ministry.
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (vv14,15)
Yes, we call our pastors "ministers", but they are not the ones God has called to do all of the work of the ministry. Here we have a brief but profound methodology for creating congregations that will get the work done.

Week 4- Having a Positive Attitude
Be Joyful Always (v16)
It is just amazing how many times this exhortation to congregations comes up in Scripture. Clearly, it has been an issue in the church since day one and needs to be addressed if the kingdom is going to move forward in any church.

Week 5- Leaning on God
Pray continually (v. 17)
Nothing is going to work unless a congregations is committed to constantly engaging in the kind of prayer that draws God into the process.

Week 6- Being thankful
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (v 18)

Week 7- Maintaining a Dynamic Spirituality
Do not put out the Spirit's fire (v 19)
Keeping the flame of the Spirit of God alive and well in the church is one of the real keys that Paul is always trying to help churches with.

Week 8:- Listening to God
Do not treat prophecies with contempt (v 20)
Yes, Paul believes that God coninues to speak to the church today. How can we keep an open mind and an open ear for his word to work among the congregation?

Week 9:- Using Discernment
Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. (vv 21,22)
We listen for God's voice, but we always test it for accuracy and authenticity. How does that happen?

Bible Studies:

Week 1: Willing or Wobbling

Week 2: Bringing them Back

Week 3: Ready or Not

Week 4: Gripe Fest

Week 5: Praying God's Will

Week 6: Don't Worry, be Happy

Week 7: Topping it off with God

Week 8: What is the Bible, Anyway?

Week 9: Nothing but the Truth

Devotional Guides:

Week 1: Ephesians 4:7-16, Jeremiah 23: 1-32, Acts 6:1-7, Psalm 2, Hosea 4:1-9

Week 2: Luke 6:27-42, 1 Samuel 24, Colossians 3:12-15, Psalm 27, Matthew 18:21-25

Week 3:

Week 4:

Week 5:

Week 6:

Week 7:

Week 8: