Someone once said that "the church needs to die as an institution and be born again as a mission." Anyone who takes the time to read the New Testament soon discovers the simplicity of the early Christian movement. In fact, the book of Acts describes the first group of Christians gathering to be taught and to pray, to fellowship with one another and to remember the sacrifice of their living Savior. Such was the Christian movement, thoroughly intent about following the example of Jesus and proclaiming the good news of the forgiveness he offers to every man, woman and child.
The movement expanded exponentially as faithful Christians witnessed this good news everywhere they went. Dozens of small groups of new converts began springing up throughout local towns and distant lands. Each group assembled to encourage one another, to worship God and to learn more about the Christian life.
Is it really that simple?
Certainly, there's nothing wrong with organization and a programmed Christian ministry. Unfortunately, it is possible to become so program-oriented that the most essential parts of the Christian life are minimized, or even eliminated. We believe the essential parts of the Christian life can be summed up by the simple phrase, "to know Christ and to make him known."
The movement expanded exponentially as faithful Christians witnessed this good news everywhere they went. Dozens of small groups of new converts began springing up throughout local towns and distant lands. Each group assembled to encourage one another, to worship God and to learn more about the Christian life.
Is it really that simple?
Certainly, there's nothing wrong with organization and a programmed Christian ministry. Unfortunately, it is possible to become so program-oriented that the most essential parts of the Christian life are minimized, or even eliminated. We believe the essential parts of the Christian life can be summed up by the simple phrase, "to know Christ and to make him known."
