7 Deadly Sins of The Church
Phil Miglioratti, Curator of The Reimagine.Network
1. Edification of our preferences over Lordship
Confess allegiance to the Builder of the Church
"I will build my church." Matthew 16:18
*Pray...for a revelation of Jesus that exposes our focus on our self-centered preferences
2. Entertainment without Spirit-led Worship
Yield to the Spirit when you give praise with song and scripture
"Be filled with the Spirit ... when you meet together to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart." Ephesians 5:18-19
*Pray...for an understanding of worship that encompasses our entire life: body, soul, spirit and frees us to experience, not merely watch, a variety of expressions that bring honor and glory and praise to God
3. Education but no transforming Discipleship
Go beyond information with investigation, interaction, and implementation
"Jesus said to his disciple, 'Have I been among you all this time without your knowing Me?'" John 14:9
* Pray...for a filling of the Spirit that captures our minds, thrills our heart-passions and our redirects our plans toward relational disciple-maturing
4. Experiences that are not spiritual Fellowship
Integrate the apostles doctrine, sharing needs, eating and praying together
"Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer." Acts 2:425
*Pray...your community (congregation, group, study, class) lives out the "one another" exhortations given to the Church of the New Testament: love one another, pray for one another, serve one another, confess to one another, exhort-comfort-forgive-show hospitality...
5. Excellence but not biblical Leadership
Follow those who adopt Jesus' servant leader profile
"The Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price for the salvation of many.” Mark 10:45
*Pray...for an understanding of biblical servant leadership and biblical charisma (grace-gifted) with mutual accountability for all leaders
6. Events that do not produce Jesus Followership
Evangelism is being sent, announcing, proclaiming, liberating, with the anticipatio of welcoming into the community of the faithful
“The Lord has put his Spirit in me, because he appointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to tell the captives they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again. God sent me to free those who have been treated unfairly." Luke 4:18
*Pray...for a Great Commission passion to reach all peoples with the Gospel that is driven by our obedience to the Grwat Commandment to love all peoples and is fueled by the Great Commitment to pray for, care about, share with our world
7. Extravagance void of missional Stewardship
Stewards are responsible for their natural talents and spiritual gifting, their use of time, their generosity with money, equipping and empowering others
"I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God—given to me for you—in order to complete the word of God," Colossians 1:25
*Pray...for a renewed desire to serve as Jesus followers by generously giving of ourselves and our resources so that the harvest will have many workers and becomes plentiful
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