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What should we believe?: Difference between revisions
→What church should we go to?
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According to Tim Keller, a well-known pastor from New York City, when the Holy Spirit is actively leading a church, there are five things the church is characterized by, and it comes directly from Jesus being real: | According to Tim Keller, a well-known pastor from New York City, when the Holy Spirit is actively leading a church, there are five things the church is characterized by, and it comes directly from Jesus being real: | ||
:1. The first is | :1. The first is a focus on '''worship'''. Church should be a place where you sense the presence of God... that people are there to meet God. The purpose of worship is not primarily teaching or evangelism or fellowship; it’s to commune with God. | ||
:2. Secondly, people are interested in and focused on a '''study of the Word of God.''' The truth shines in their lives because of this. | :2. Secondly, people are interested in and focused on a '''study of the Word of God.''' The truth shines in their lives because of this. | ||
:3. Thirdly, | :3. Thirdly, '''community'''. It's hard to get to know people in a large church so there should be a focus on meeting in small groups (this might not be necessary if the church is quite small). People’s barriers come down to sharing openly with other people because Jesus is real to them, and you no longer have to hide from people, so intimate fellowship and dynamic community and deep friendships develop. | ||
:4. Fourthly, there is '''aggressive outreach and evangelism''', and many people are converted. People who have no interest in religion at all find themselves attracted to the church and are converted. | :4. Fourthly, there is '''aggressive outreach and evangelism''', and many people are converted. People who have no interest in religion at all find themselves attracted to the church and are converted. | ||