Dan Cooper's Blog

Gimmicks, programs, big buildings and creative ideas do not build great churches. Humble, Christ-centered leaders do!
Christ-centered leaders make tough, sometimes unpopular, decisions. They inconvenience themselves.  They do what is best for the flock,; not what is best for their own interest!  They pause a building program when the economy tanks!  They cancel church when a huge snow storm hits!  They “anoint with oil,” when the sick saint calls.  They spend countless hours in meetings and prayer as they oversee the flock. 

Why are so many churches floundering today?  Simply stated: Floundering churches do not have leaders who unselfishly devoted themselves to pastoring the flock.  That is a strong accusation, but it is true!

Simply stated…Building God’s Church in 2010 Requires:
1) A Bold Proclamation of truth, the Bible!
2) Vibrant Worship, in spirit and in truth!
3) Unselfish, servant-hearted leaders!

By God’s Grace…
A Builder,
Dan the Preacherman

Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45).  What flows out of your mouth?  God’s church, when it is functioning as it ought, leads disciples to vibrant worship and praise.  Jesus also said, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Just as central as truth being taught to build up God’s church (that was # 1, last week); is the fact that our Holy God is to be worshipped.  He is to be adored with all of our heart, soul mind and strength.  Our lips are to honor Him.  I love singing the old traditional songs and the new praise songs.  I love our congregational prayers, too!  What a thrill to unite in one mind and one heart as a brother publicly leads us to the Creator of the universe!  And gathering around the Lord’s table is yet one more time to link hearts together.  We join as ONE when we commune with each other and with Him around the Lord’s Table.  We share the bread and drink the cup as ONE!  Our giving is one more unmistakable form of worship. My cheerful giving says, I trust the Almighty God not the almighty dollar. 
A Vibrant Worshipper,
Dan

It takes more than money to build God’s church!  Words cannot describe my ecstasy over passing the million dollar mark in our giving last Sunday.  Money is great and what a huge testimony to our faithfulness!  However, money by itself , will not build God’s church.  Believe it or not, collecting the money to build God’s church may be one of the easy parts.  What else do we need?

It is mandatory that God’s church emphasize truth!  His church powerfully, creatively, and lovingly presents His truth and applies it to people’s lives.  For that reason I am challenging all our members to read through your entire Bible in 2010.  I have aggressively encouraged the church to join me every five years in this journey.  I led that cover to cover reading at this church in 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and now I am challenging us to make the exciting journey through the Bible in 2010.  You can do it!  It will be good for you, and it will help build a rock solid foundation for your faith.  Use a Bible that you can underline and make notes in.  Use your existing Bible or you may want to try a new translation.  Get a Bible and read, Genesis-Revelation. 
Truth Matters,
Dan

It all started on August 30th, the day of our ground-breaking ceremony.  I committed to having someone on the property to pray every single day.  So far we’ve made it at least 90 to 95% of the time. 

Yes, we could pray from anywhere and the all-seeing God would hear!  But for me there is just something special about being on the property as the prayers are lifted up.  What do we pray about, you may ask?  Everything!  The safety of the workers, the weather, the permits, Rich Rinne’s leadership of the project, the timing, the finances, the people (especially the children) living around our new building. I also pray about you!  I pray for our sick, (especially Tanya and Caryl) about our church unity, about our elders, and our office staff.  I pray for lost souls, for wisdom, for patience, for the sale of our current building, and for God’s timing.  This is about so much more than building a building.  This is about building a people of deeper faith, of greater dependence upon God. God is in this process, every step of the way!  Without Him we are doomed to fail.  With Him, success in a sure thing!  Will you join with me in prayer?
-Dan