Dan Cooper's Blog

In a healthy church, the love that flows through God’s children is deeper, richer, faster and more authentic than that which is found anywhere else in the world!  There is a common goal among believers, a common sacrifice, common values, common habits and common traditions.  We connect more than on Sunday mornings, once a week.  We relish day by day fellowship.

Agape love motivates disciples to sacrifice their egos in service to each other.  So, if I don’t always get to sing the songs I like, I’ll not gripe and complain.  If everyone else doesn’t dress up (or dress down) like I do on Sunday mornings, I’ll not judge them.  If someone hurts me, I will forgive them and “get over it.”  Even though the world does not grasp this kind love, growing churches are filled with Christians who work to have “all things in common” (Acts 2:42-47).  In fact, we are part of a fellowship that connects us, even with total strangers, as we celebrate our oneness in Christ.

Building Christ’s Church in 2010 Requires:
# 6 A Spirit of Harmony
# 7 Every Member Being A Minister
# 8 Practicing AGAPE Fellowship
-Dan the Preacherman

Do you feel special? I am hand-picked by God…and so are you!  We were chosen by God.  We are priests, citizens in His holy nation, and we belong to Him (1 Pet. 2:5, 9).  Since we are His specially chosen ones, He has specific things for us to do.  Together, we are to complete works of service (Eph. 4:11-12).  There is no distinction between clergy and laity. He saved us so that we can save and serve others.  Isn’t that cool?  We not only get to partner with God, we also get to partner with each other.

Few things are more exciting than watching dozens (or hundreds) of God’s hand-picked people working together to complete a task!  Conversely, few things are more frustrating than being burdened by the major part of a work load of a church family.  You know the feeling?

Nothing helps you grow as a Christian like service.  Teach a class, serve the homeless, prepare a Wednesday night meal, sing at a nursing home, go on a mission trip, visit a hospital, open your home to someone new, work at camp, or lead a LIFE Group.  You and I are hand-picked by God to minister together! 
-Dan the Preacherman

God hates those who sow discord among believers (Prov. 6:19)!  Jesus’ longest prayer emphatically demonstrates His concern for our unity (John 17).  Jesus went so far as to declare that our love and harmony is the distinguishing mark of His church.  When God’s spirit fell upon the fledgling church in Century One they were all together in one place, at one time, with one accord!

What threatens harmony?
  -False teaching threatens harmony
  -A legalistic spirit threatens harmony
  -A cutting, caustic, critical spirit threatens harmony
  -An uncontrolled ego threatens harmony

The evil one is determined to steal, kill and destroy.  Jesus prayed for His church to be united, loving and harmonious. 

Guiding principle number six in Building God’s Church in 2010 requires A Spirit of Harmony. I don’t always get my own way, and neither do you.  We get to defer to one another!         
-Dan the Preacherman

Many churches today are not growing because their efforts are characterized a shallow, stained-glass, padded pew, “business as usual” faithlessness. 

Growing churches are characterized by bold, daring, even risk-taking faith.  Growing churches say to this mountain, “move from here to there,” and it moves.  They say to their members, we need $1,000, 000 to complete this project, and $1,000,000 appears.  They say, we need another staff person to accomplish all that God is calling us to do; and somehow, some way—after fervent prayer—the right person appears at the right time, along with the just the right amount of funds to support.

Simply stated…<u>Building God’s Church in 2010 Requires</u>:
1) A Bold Proclamation of truth, the Bible!
2) Vibrant Worship, in spirit and in truth!
3) Unselfish, servant-hearted leaders!
4) Excellence—-God deserves our very best!
5) Radical Faith—-Daring, risk-taking trust in Him!

Growing Churches Demonstrate Radical Faithfulness,
Dan the Preacherman

Many churches today are not growing because their efforts are characterized by mediocrity!  God deserves our very best.  He wants our first, not our leftovers! Unfortunately we tend to take the first and give him what’s left.  “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him” (Col. 3:17).

Hallmark urges us to send their cards when “Only the very best will do!”  That’s the way it is with God, He deserves our very best!  Churches that are growing pursue excellence.  They may not hit it every time, but there is a conscious pursuit of excellence.  The lost deserve the best we have to offer.  God deserves our best.

Simply stated…<u>Building God’s Church in 2010 Requires</u>:
1) A Bold Proclamation of truth, the Bible!
2) Vibrant Worship, in spirit and in truth!
3) Unselfish, servant-hearted leaders!
4) Excellence—-God deserves our very best!

I cannot offer that which costs me nothing,
Dan the Preacherman