http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50142 Someone emailed me an article recently. It challenges many ideas about the church in American society. It makes me wonder what a successful church looks like. Here is a section from that article by Chuck Colson (Christian activist)... For many years, Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago was the model that many evangelical churches sought to copy. Its growth, facilities and programs seemed to scream “success.” That is, until Willow Creek took a closer look. The “look” was in the form of two-year comprehensive study that sought to determine which of its programs were helping it members to mature spiritually. The shocking answer was “not many.” As pastor Bill Hybels courageously put it, some of their highest profile and best-funded programs didn’t do much, if any, good. On the contrary, the things that people were “crying out for” went under-funded and starved of resources. Hybels called the result of the study a “wake-up call.” In his words, “We made a mistake.” In p Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:44:45 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10917 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10917 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10830 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10830 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10671 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10671 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10670 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10670 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10387 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10387 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10051 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=10051 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=9630 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=9630 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=9490 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=9490 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=9288 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=9288 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=8152 As I shared with you last weekend, I am really being challenged and stretched in this area of my life. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=8152 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=7978 Someone emailed me an article recently. It challenges many ideas about the church in American society. It makes me wonder what a successful church looks like. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=7978 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=7537 jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=7537 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=6566 We think a lot about what would Jesus do. But what about what Jesus would say to you, me, and us? In Revelation 2-3, Jesus speaks the hard truth to seven churches that are all across the map in terms of their effectiveness, awareness and faithfulness. To each church Jesus offers his insight and recommendation. We enjoy reading these other church's mail. It is a safe way for us to carefully learn from others mistakes. Jesus even challenges each church addressed in Revelation to listen and learn what he is saying to all the churches. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=6566 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=6042 The bible teaches that when someone is united with Jesus in baptism, the receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). The bible also gives examples of people being led by the Spirit (Acts 8, 16, 20) in a very direct and discernible way. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=6042 Thu, 14 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5978 I don’t believe this question was intended to be directed to me specifically. But, I will try to answer this question broadly enough that we will learn more about why people choose to follow Jesus. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5978 Fri, 08 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5943 During our last series on being a Disciple we dealt with this question on a regular basis. It seems like there are many followers that want to be faithful to Jesus and still be responsible to their family. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5943 Mon, 04 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5915 The short answer is this: there is so much resistance because there is only one way. But there's more to say... jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5915 Sat, 02 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5893 I love the simplicity and honesty of this question. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5893 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5846 Confrontation carries the risk of offending someone. There is no way to truthfully speak the truth to someone without the possibility of offending them. If the truth needs to be told, we must risk ruffling somebody’s pride. Sometimes people are offended by the truth. Sometimes our approach or attitude creates the offense. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5846 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5825 I could never assume to know the full reason why the specific person you care so much about is still not responsive to God’s grace. I also would fall short of explaining why it appears that God has not answered your prayers. That said, here are some thoughts I have wondered about on this topic. jim@sunnybrookcc.org http://www.sunnybrookcc.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=50143&articleId=5825 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT