Paul & The Emerging Church

In many ways, the New Testament church grew in a world similar to our postmodern context. All emerging churches have their unique place and expression. And all can learn from Paul about the establishment and growth of new faith communities.

Paul’s examples show great insights for the emerging church on how to engage in ministry to postmodern culture. The emerging church in a postmodern context should learn from Paul to be mobile missionary, to find words or images that are relevant and meaningful to postmoderns, to contextualize the gospel, to trust the Spirit, to focus on unity, five fold leadership and discipleship. If the emerging church can learn from Paul in these areas, it will certainly become a radically different ecclesiology that reflects the call to mission in a postmodern context.

Renewing Our Mind

Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Larry DiAngi said in his book "The Magic is in the extra mile" that our mind is like the muscles in our physical body. With proper care & exercise, we can strengthen them. I agree with him. We certainly need to care for and exercise our mind. In fact, our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical habits have either made us stronger or weaker in different areas of life. Our true identity, ability, strength, purpose, fulfillment and much more are on the inside of us than on the outside.

I believe that the way we feel is a byproduct of our thoughts. The thoughts that fill our mind and the way we feel at any given moment do not have to be things that are happening to us. There is a difference between being a person who is taking action in life and being a person who spends more time reacting to people and circumstances. I used to react a lot, now in God's strength, I am gradually learning to respond and take action proactively. It is really not easy given my sanguine personality type, but I know that all things are possible and that God's grace is sufficient for me.

Leaving A Legacy

Are you on this planet to do something, or are you here just for something to do? If you’re on this planet to do something, then what is it? What difference will you make? What will be your legacy?

I believe that we need to be thinking about what our legacies will be, throughout all the days of our lives.

"What will be your legacy?" does not have a single answer or a right answer. It's not like a math problem with a formula we can offer. Asking the question about legacy brings forward another central observation. Being a leader brings with it a responsibility to do something of significance that makes families, communities, work organizations, nations, the environment, and the world better places than they are.

Each of us has to answer these questions for ourselves before we can change the world, make a difference, and leave a legacy. I learned that if we are going to be authentic in our leadership, we have to be willing to serve, and mobilize others to serve a purpose.

We'll all be remembered for something. The question is, for what? What will others say about you when you're no longer around? Each of us lives on in the memories we create, and in the lives we touch. We guarantee that what people will say about you will not be about what you achieved for yourself but what you achieved for others.

I have decided to leave a legacy in my life to serve God and others.

Water

Water really is an amazing thing. It makes up 75% of our brain and 70% of our skin. To keep our mind feeling refreshed and alert throughout the day and our skin looking youthful and healthy, we need to replenish our body with water. So make sure you drink lots of it every day.