In this book you will find heaven’s answers to a dilemma that supersedes our knowledge of today’s looming crises. This well-timed, well-researched and well-written book is a must for every church and every believer. It explains God’s purpose for His church – to bear witness... and reflect God’s glory. 
Ben Gray has written an excellent book that helps renovate our ideas of what church is and how we were designed to engage in society … Here is an apostolic vision that points the way to a more fruitful future by grounding us in a more faithful past. 
Ben Gray is asking important questions about the relevancy of the church as it is currently structured and mobilized in the 21st century. What is the church? How should it look NOW? I loved his fresh and exciting approach to these important questions. 
Throughout history the Lord has raised up radical voices of reformation to challenge the church and to shift us out of our complacency. Ben Gray is one of those voices, and I pray that many outside of his native Australia will listen to his clearly prophetic message.
| His kingdom has come - where? |
| All articles |
|
In an Asian City, at a gathering of mission leaders who work in mobilising people to serve among unreached people groups, was a man named Malcolm who had spent almost 40 years of his life working among the nomadic tribes of Africa. He and I had a number of long chats over meals during our week together - we kind of clicked. He told many great stories of his exploits but one, in particular, is worth the retelling here. Whilst seeking to present the gospel to an African Muslim nomad and his family, Malcolm and this man had an interesting conversation. This nomad told him that Christianity did not work for him or his people. Here is his reason why: ‘Muslims pray everywhere', he said. ‘The only time I see Christians pray is once a week when they go into a building, and one person from the front prays, the rest bow their heads and some go to sleep. We Muslims all pray together. To be a Muslim, I can take my faith anywhere in the land, wherever my camel takes me. There is no limit, we can pray and worship Allah everywhere. ‘To be a Christian is to go to a church, I must settle down in one place and go to a building each week and all that goes with it. For a nomad like me, that's an admission of failure. Real nomads don't live in settlements only those who have failed or have grown too weak to be a real nomad. Therefore Malcolm, until you can tell me how I can put your church on the back of my camel, your God does not interest me.' That's a tragedy of misunderstanding that's still being played out across the globe today. To this nomad camel herder of Africa, he had not been shown a true picture of what or who the church of Jesus Christ is. He had a concept of a church placed in the context of a building with meetings and religious activity and not one existing in relationship to spheres of authority and influence in creation (Eph. 3:9-11). Being part of a gathering of believers was just one aspect of a much larger picture that had never been painted for him - as it isn't for countless millions around the world. You see, he had not grasped that Christianity could exist on the back of his camel. What a wonderful sense of freedom - completeness, would be his, if he was able to realize that he, in Christ - the church unlimited, could go any where his camel took him. The same is true for all of us. My Vocations 4 Life training is all about releasing people, including a nomad of Africa, to realize such freedoms, this rich inheritance that is ours in Christ. Friend, God knows your limitations and He knows where your energy is most effectively spent and that maybe you are like many of us, you need balance in your life. Daily you are being observed by the world therefore it helps to know what the world is seeing. It's always good to remember LIFE gets in the way and messes up the perfect picture of you daily embracing being a kingdom person. God can work in the worst and messiest of circumstances if you have a willing heart to engage and connect with God and His kingdom in the midst of the mess. Next time I will share with you about a young friend of mine Rebecca, and her God intervention. |