Church Intensive by Crazy Love Ministries

Christianity spread like wildfire in the first couple centuries and it had nothing to do with impressive services, big buildings, great programs, or anything of the sort. How have we allowed ourselves to fall under the deception that God cannot move in power without these things? Of course these things aren't inherently bad, but could it be that in all of this God is actually trying to break us of our clever strategies so that we would depend on Him more fully to build His church?

Francis Chan sharing with 150+ church leaders on Zoom. We gathered leaders from all over the world for Francis to share with and answer questions. We also recorded it so that you can see it as well! Here's his message to them.

We had a blast last night meeting with Francis and over 150 of our friends who came through the Church Intensive. They are all pursuing a similar vision within the church around the world. We will be releasing video content from this time over the next few weeks. It was such an honor to spend time with them and we look forward to more times like this going forward! If you want to get more involved, the first step is to join for one of our Church Intensive labs! We have sessions starting very soon. You can apply here: https://www.churchintensive.com/church-intensive-labs

Jesus turned over tables in the temple because of how much business and finances were staining the house of God. We must look at ourselves in the church and ask how much of our ministry, approach, and methodology is influenced by money. How can we avoid the mistakes of the religious leaders of Jesus' day who allowed money and reputation to have such a large influence in their ministries? So often today we think that effective ministry costs a lot of money, but is that really what we would think based on Scripture? Couldn't we simplify and depend more on the Holy Spirit to work through normal believers in moving the gospel forward?

In this season, as His church we must decide between two directions: 1) We get used to "distancing" and even enjoy it within the church. It's just about me and Jesus, and the church body becomes less and less relevant in my life. The church becomes less connected. We ask less of people. Church is increasingly for "observation" or "consuming", even more than before. 2) As we've been forced into different social practices, we realize how important community and relationships in the body are. We rethink our structures and methodologies to emphasize intimacy, love, accountability, discipleship, etc. We becomes less enamored with performance Christianity and become more passionate about individuals in front of us, both believers and unbelievers. Apply for Church Intensive here: https://www.churchintensive.com/church-intensive-labs

"'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit', says the Lord Almighty." - Zechariah 4:6 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all." - John 6:63 We believe the Lord is calling us as His church to live in these truths. We must choose to live our lives and lead our churches in a way that truly banks on God doing the work by His Spirit; that it doesn't really on our might, power, or fleshy efforts. He will do it. ... The hard part is that many of us have experienced disappointment as we've relied on God to come through. We depended on God to heal our loved one, and it didn't happen. We depended on God to save our friend, and it hasn't happened yet. This is where doubt can come in. Yet it is what faith is all about. So let me end with one question: Are we going to trust in our experience or we going to trust in His word? God is looking for those who will believe His word even when they aren't seeing results in the short term.

In Philemon, Paul does something beautiful. He takes his position and relational credit and uses it to help a brother in Jesus who was greatly disadvantaged. Paul developed a meaningful relationship with a new believer who happens to be a runaway slave named Onesimus. His love led him to tell Philemon, his Christian slave owner, that if Onesimus "has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account" (v.18). What a beautiful pictures of Jesus' love that call...s to not just have warm feelings towards each other, but to sacrifice of ourselves. Paul not only offered his money, but he was risking relationships by helping Onesimus. Let us likewise use whatever resources (financial, authority, relationships, etc.) we may have to help our brothers and sisters who need it. Let's commit to embody the sacrificial love of Jesus to people of all different backgrounds and status' within the church. See more

If Jesus was in the flesh and leading a church in your community, how would the majority of the Christians there respond? Would they want to be in His church? Or would He demand more of them than they are willing to give (and more than what has been demanded of them thus far in the church)? The miracles would surely create a stir, but they did 2,000 years ago as well. When He laid out the commitment (even right after a miracle), the majority of these "believing" Jewish people bounced. Jesus didn't call people to sit in pews; He called them to be fishers of men, into deep relationship, into surrendering their very lives. How does Jesus' church compare to our church? Apply for Church Intensive here: https://www.churchintensive.com/church-intensive-labs

We love to hide. We have shame, guilt, pain, and lies that linger under the surface of our "got it together" front. As the church of Jesus we cannot settle for relationships remaining on the surface. This is a breeding ground for the enemy to wreak havoc. Pushing people into shame and hiding has been his strategy from the beginning. We must press forward into loving relationship, and part of that is getting under the surface. What are you afraid of? What are you ashamed of? What are you working so hard to hide? These things must come out within Christian community. And we must commit to creating a culture where people know they will be met with grace, love, and help forward when these things are exposed.

Paul chose to not preach the gospel with "words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of it's power" (1 Cor 1:17). Paul believed that if he were to put his human effort and cleverness on top of the gospel, he would actually undermine the power of the gospel moving in people's hearts. We also must commit to relying fully on God's power at work through the preached gospel. We must repent of trusting in our winsomeness, our eloquence, our excellent services, our gifted leaders, our amazing programs, and our cleverness. God at work through the simple gospel is powerful enough to save on (and is the only power to save). Our lack of faith in Him to do it, displayed in our self-reliance, will not only be unhelpful, but will actually serve to undermine the His power.

This was true before COVID but is all the more important during this pandemic... The Bible does not tell us where we are supposed to gather. The Bible does not tell us how big our gatherings are supposed to be (actually Jesus said a little something about wherever two or three are gathered...). The Bible tells us to gather, love one another, use our gifts to encourage each other, etc. That can be accomplished in a living room, a park, or a church building. It can be done with 5 people or 500. Let's hold tightly to Scripture and hold very loosely our traditions so that we can adapt to our current context and thrive! Apply for Church Intensive here: https://www.churchintensive.com/church-intensive-labs