The Politically Correct Church
We have a good idea as to what being politically correct is. In our culture it has a stranglehold on our ability to come together and share a purpose. The practical result of a PC culture leads to extreme deficiencies in effectiveness, communication and thought.
We passively learn to live with PC norms. A little here and a little there. Then, just like the proverbial frog in the warming pot, we are neutralized. As Christians we are not immune to this effect. In fact, not only are we bombarded by the PC culture that surrounds us in public, we find that within the church we have another PC culture that we tolerate. It has the same impact on effectiveness, communication and thought.
We witness this as we look across the body of Christ and see many, wonderfully saved by grace Christians who know scripture but are ineffective in their ministry. They have been in Christ for years yet do not have direction, vision or understand the ministry that the Lord has given them.
These things lead to understanding God's plan, understanding who we are in Christ, and has the effect of casting vision on our walk with the Lord. We're here to build fortitude in the believer and the result is effectiveness. The scriptures use the phrase, "bear fruit."
If you are in a body of Christ and a vast majority of the congregation can not give a good definition to the word "faith," that is ineffective. Does everyone have their own definition of faith? What about a good definition for "repentance?"
If most of the congregation does not know or understand their calling, that is ineffective. Do they know the gospel? Do they know how be joyful or patient?
If we know scriptures, and we are teaching classes and holding events, yet we are grossly underperforming, we can be sure that we are in a politically correct church. If only 10% of the body know and understand their calling we are not winning. 10% success is unacceptable!
Sure, when we are evangelizing we don't get everybody. However, everyone who is in Christ can and should be bearing fruit. Let's not settle for 10% of our crops producing fruit. Let's ask, how do we produce fruit on every inch of the field the Lord has given us?
If you are waiting on approval from your church staff for you to do these things, I can assure you they already expect that you would be doing them! So, the question becomes, are you prepared to deliver the Gospel and disciple? If yes, then go. If no, then take the steps to get up to speed.
Please, contact us here at In The Cool Zone and and we'll go through it together. Send an email, drop a comment in the comment section, hit us on Facebook or LinkedIn. We are friendly and you are going to get real answers and find your direction to grow in your walk with the Lord. Guaranteed!
We see in the scripture that the Word was not given for any personal interpretation. What we have in our bible is a standard for vocabulary and behavior that leads to large crops of healthy fruit, given by our God!
We are fortunate that we have a vocabulary standard that we can come together on... the Word of God!
The antidote for a PC culture is the Word of God and in the command to be of one mind. We can't get on the same page with others until we spend time together. If we can come together with patience while serving and preferring others better than ourselves we can be of one mind and the church will grow because of the single minded purpose we all share.
For fun and insight: The War on Words and Facts
Learn how to grow in the Lord. Building fortitude is directly related to growing in your relationship with the Lord. As you grow in faith, knowledge and experience with the Lord, your fortitude and resolve grow in proportion, and then you'll be ready to pass it along to others.
The disciples could have never withstood the persecution they experienced if they had not had such a deep and intimate relationship with their Lord and Savior. Let's be effective like they were effective.
Spend time with your Christian brothers and sisters. The only way to be of one mind is to spend time together. If you can approach them like you would Jesus, thinking of them as better than yourself, you will create priceless relationships.
Here are a few resources to help develop your strategy:
We passively learn to live with PC norms. A little here and a little there. Then, just like the proverbial frog in the warming pot, we are neutralized. As Christians we are not immune to this effect. In fact, not only are we bombarded by the PC culture that surrounds us in public, we find that within the church we have another PC culture that we tolerate. It has the same impact on effectiveness, communication and thought.
We witness this as we look across the body of Christ and see many, wonderfully saved by grace Christians who know scripture but are ineffective in their ministry. They have been in Christ for years yet do not have direction, vision or understand the ministry that the Lord has given them.
Building Fortitude
This is why In The Cool Zone exists. We are here to lay a biblical foundation where clarifying foundational concepts and processes helps us put the scriptures, that are rich in our hearts, into context where we can communicate, make decisions and understand the processes that the Lord has given us.These things lead to understanding God's plan, understanding who we are in Christ, and has the effect of casting vision on our walk with the Lord. We're here to build fortitude in the believer and the result is effectiveness. The scriptures use the phrase, "bear fruit."
Train yourself to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
... Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. - 1 Timothy 4:7-8, 15-16 NLT
A Fruitful Foundation
So, how do we identify political correctness in the church today? The answer is to look at effectiveness.Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. - Philippians 2:12-13 NLT
If you are in a body of Christ and a vast majority of the congregation can not give a good definition to the word "faith," that is ineffective. Does everyone have their own definition of faith? What about a good definition for "repentance?"
If most of the congregation does not know or understand their calling, that is ineffective. Do they know the gospel? Do they know how be joyful or patient?
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ... So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. - Ephesians 5:10, 15-17 NLT
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. - Colossians 1:9-10 NLT
If we know scriptures, and we are teaching classes and holding events, yet we are grossly underperforming, we can be sure that we are in a politically correct church. If only 10% of the body know and understand their calling we are not winning. 10% success is unacceptable!
Sure, when we are evangelizing we don't get everybody. However, everyone who is in Christ can and should be bearing fruit. Let's not settle for 10% of our crops producing fruit. Let's ask, how do we produce fruit on every inch of the field the Lord has given us?
I Want to Be Part of The Solution
Now it's not time to run away! Be part of the solution. Learn how to build your foundation in the Lord and begin to disciple right there in your church home. That is your field. If you are waiting on someone to give you the green light on sharing the Gospel and raising up disciples, you already have it.If you are waiting on approval from your church staff for you to do these things, I can assure you they already expect that you would be doing them! So, the question becomes, are you prepared to deliver the Gospel and disciple? If yes, then go. If no, then take the steps to get up to speed.
Please, contact us here at In The Cool Zone and and we'll go through it together. Send an email, drop a comment in the comment section, hit us on Facebook or LinkedIn. We are friendly and you are going to get real answers and find your direction to grow in your walk with the Lord. Guaranteed!
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20 NLT
Be of One Mind
Political correctness is anchored in vocabulary. Definitions are constantly changed and updated to neutralize thinking in an effort to gain and maintain control over a population. We use the same words but the meaning varies from person to person.We see in the scripture that the Word was not given for any personal interpretation. What we have in our bible is a standard for vocabulary and behavior that leads to large crops of healthy fruit, given by our God!
We are fortunate that we have a vocabulary standard that we can come together on... the Word of God!
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. - 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
The antidote for a PC culture is the Word of God and in the command to be of one mind. We can't get on the same page with others until we spend time together. If we can come together with patience while serving and preferring others better than ourselves we can be of one mind and the church will grow because of the single minded purpose we all share.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. - John 13:35 NLT
For fun and insight: The War on Words and Facts
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Take Action!
How do I do my part in being of one mind?
Learn how to grow in the Lord. Building fortitude is directly related to growing in your relationship with the Lord. As you grow in faith, knowledge and experience with the Lord, your fortitude and resolve grow in proportion, and then you'll be ready to pass it along to others.
The disciples could have never withstood the persecution they experienced if they had not had such a deep and intimate relationship with their Lord and Savior. Let's be effective like they were effective.
Spend time with your Christian brothers and sisters. The only way to be of one mind is to spend time together. If you can approach them like you would Jesus, thinking of them as better than yourself, you will create priceless relationships.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. - Philippians 2:1-2 NLT
Here are a few resources to help develop your strategy:
- Count the Cost
- Made for This Moment
- Prerequisite: Building Fortitude
- Are you a Christian Entrepreneur?
Please, add your thoughts in the comment section.
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Concept: “Be effective.”
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