Sermons

« June Sermon Series: Building a Gifts-Based Church | Go Back to the Main Index of Sermons | Continuing June Sermon Series: Building A Gifts-Based Church »

June 08, 2008

Continuing June Sermon Series: Building A Gifts-Based Church

DIALOGUE SERMON: "The Next Best Thing to Jesus Christ."

(Written by Barbara Miller & Dan Dick and found in their book, "Building a Gifts-Based Church. Copyright 2001 Discipleship Resources, Nashville, TN.)

Because of Copyright laws, we cannot put the entire dialogue sermon on our website. Here is an short snapshot of the sermon. Pam Kleinert played the role of the lay leader and Pastor Vickie played the role of the new pastor coming to the church. The role play involved two different types of churches. One unhealthy, pastor-driven church where the pastor was involved and leading everything. If the pastor didn't do it, it didn't get done.

The second church was one where the lay members where empowered and encouraged to lead and serve God using their spiritual gifts and talents.

During the interview for the unhealthy church, the lay leader exclaimed that their pastor was "the next best thing to Jesus Christ."

During the intervew for the healthy church, the lay leader share the congregation's views of how they functioned and served,

"...our church benefits from the pastor but isn't dependent on the pastor for success or failure. Not too long ago, every time we changed pastors it was like starting over again. Then we realized that being the church means never depending on one human being for purpose and direction...we finally understood what it means to be--truly be--the body of Christ. We understood that the whole reason for being here was to become the next best thing to Jesus Christ.

We don't want to know what you (the pastor) think we should be doing, we want to know what God thinks we should be doing!"

It was an eye-opening experience for one and all, myself included.

Blessings,
Pastor Vickie

Posted by vickie at June 8, 2008 10:00 AM