A recent Time magazine article featured an article on a new evangelical surge among Latin Americans. There was a distinction made between these Latinos and their heavily Catholic heritage as well as the largest protestant group--Baptists.
Here's the sentence that jumped off the page at me about this new brand of churches: "Sermons aren't drawn from the headlines; instead, they often sound like news itself."
Can you imagine why it grabbed my attention?
The gospel is good news. It IS news.
It should be, anyway.
Can good news ever lose its' goodness?
Rather than the novelty being found in newspapers, it is that our God making all things new. God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit is making you and me and those around us new.
Now that's good news!
As a worshiper, a worship leader, and a guy who loves to help other people lead worship, let me say that if the news has lost its' goodness, I imagine it's because church attenders have stopped worshiping.
I don't mean that they've stopped going to church.
I don't mean that they've stopped singing or listening to the sermon.
I mean that they've forgotten what it feels like to have their mind's attention fully focused on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.
I mean they may have only faded memories of what it is like to have their heart's affection stirred by the mind boggling love of God for us, in us, through us.
Preachers, please remind us of the news. Christ died for us, all of us. Christ is risen, alive in us. And yes, Christ will come again for us!
Worship leaders, help us love Jesus Christ out loud.
Christ-followers, encourage one another. God is a God of hope. The God of The Hope. The good news is great news for all of us. Let's remind one another often.
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