Be a transformational church/Galatians 6:9

First of all, I'd like apologize about not getting to this task faster. In the middle of the week after a very busy monday and tuesday I suddenly discovered or remember I should say, that I had completely neglected, you know forgotten, to enter my thoughts about last sunday. So here they are. I mentioned in my message another passage of scripture that we didn't really touch on. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The key words or phrases here in this verse are doing good and do not give up. These are two things that I believe are easier to do today perhaps even more than ever before. We are an instant microwave type society bent are being satisfied and pacified NOW! Often times in doing good we don't see the results right away. In the short of it, if we give a gift then most people respond with gratefulness and joy. However if we do good for a group of let's say a homeless shelter or people, then the gratitude doesn't flow our way quite as fast and the tendency is to give up because we weren't instantly gratified. Is that it or is it that we are prepared to go the long haul. In words, volunteer again and again and again to see the good that we are trying to accomplish.

Growing the church into a church that is transformational is much like that. We must volunteer again and again and again. I promised you 20 things that a transformational church is and 20 things that represent a non-transformational church. One note before I give these to you, I was not the original author of these and want to give credit to Bishop Matt Thomas of the Free Methodist Church of North America.
So here we go. Also, I won't be able to comment on them as that would take more time than you may be willing to read. So for the sake of time I will list them and expound on them later.

1. A transformation church is unified.
2. They have an engaging and compelling
love for one another.
3. The people of a transformation church
cannot help but be loving, giving,sharing.
4. They practice all of the one anothers.
(There are many of these listed in scripture
which is probably enouch for another day.)
5. The people of a transformation church are
enthusiastic and excited about what their
church is doing. That translates to a con-
tagious buzz.
6. Outside ministry is celebrated and promoted.
7. Typically a transformation church will pray
"with" someone right away.
8. In a transformational church prayer is spon-
taneous.
9. They spend a little time in taking prayer
requests and Much time is actually sprent in
prayer.
10. Leaders are engaged in being the church.
11. There is a team and interdependence atmosphere.
12. There are "pre-christian" groups using the
church. ie.AA, AlAnon,Medical Clinic, Language
study.
13. Bible application is stressed
14. A transformational church has the highest
passion for Jesus and people.
15. Most people can answer the question, "Who are
we reaching?"
16. Faith activity is prevalent. Do we do something
based on whether we have the burden for it or if
we have the money for it.
17. There are many people involved in significant
ministry.
18. The church has a ministry based training experience
or how to live and do the work of Christ.
19. People recognize that Obedience is an end.
20. The preaching and teaching of the church is true,
relevant, interesting, clear and applicable

In short, most of us have a long way to go, me included. I am currently learning to
pray in new and more effective ways for the building up of the church and ultimately for the Kingdom of God. I also desire to provide ways that we as a church can continue to reach out and still maintain the spiritual health and vitality of the local church. Next week I'll share with you the non-transformational issues that local churches experience. At that end will share with you where I believe we are and what we could do to improve in those areas.

Love you all,
Pastor Richard