The Greatest Challenge

What is the greatest challenge the church faces today? I am certain there are a multitude of responses to this question. Allow me to weigh in.
This week I read a guest post http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/ by Howell Scott on the blog of Peter Lumpkins. While this post deals with some of the controversy swirling in Southern Baptist life today (there is always controversy). It caused me to consider what I believe to be the greatest challenge the local church faces. This challenge reaches across the broad methodological, philosophical and polity diveresities of Southern Baptist life. The chasm between the nominally committed church member and the actively committed church member seems to be growing.

Those nominally committed church member attends when it is convenient, gives when there is excess, picks and chooses what he/she will support or participate in, complains when things are not done with their total agreement and too often expect nothing to ever change.

While the actively committed church member attends faithfully, gives sacrificially, participates as needed, has a positive spirit and recognizes that things are changing all the time.

The work of the church is not done by a professional clergy performing for its congregants but by a committed laity set on fire for Christ. The greatest need of the church is for the nominally committed member to become an actively committed member. When this happens the church becomes a missional force for our Savior.

By the way, I think Howell Scott has hit very close to home.

Attempting to connect the dots…

Wayne
Romans 1:16

Quotable:
“There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”
~ Unknown