I recently started reading a book "Rise Up" by Dr. Anthony L. Jinwright (I believe that he is the pastor of the greater Salem Baptist Church).
2 or 3 years ago I went into the Christian book store and they had several books on clearance and I bought this book thinking I would someday read it, it sounded interesting, and then I forgot about it.
Last weekend we went to a fellowship with our connect group and somehow got onto the topic of books we had read and enjoyed. I brought a book to Sunday School the following day for friends of ours and I remember thinking, when I pulled that book off the shelf, that I should read this book.
So I've started - and I have been surprised.
This book was copyright in 2002, so I am assuming these figures are fairly accurate
According to this book:
2 or 3 years ago I went into the Christian book store and they had several books on clearance and I bought this book thinking I would someday read it, it sounded interesting, and then I forgot about it.
Last weekend we went to a fellowship with our connect group and somehow got onto the topic of books we had read and enjoyed. I brought a book to Sunday School the following day for friends of ours and I remember thinking, when I pulled that book off the shelf, that I should read this book.
So I've started - and I have been surprised.
This book was copyright in 2002, so I am assuming these figures are fairly accurate
According to this book:
Less than 35% of Americans attend church on any given weekend
Less than 15% of person's 30 and under attend
That is depressing to say the least. These kinds of figures make me want to weep. For those of you who know us, we are both under 30 and when I think of our non-church friends, this is surprisingly accurate. Yes, some of our non- church friends say that they "believe in God" and that is well and good - but do they have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Not likely. Don't think that we haven't invited our friends to church - we have, but they are genuinely uninterested.
When I ask them why they refuse to attend the answers are always the same. They just don't see the point - they think Churches are filled with fakes. This reminds me of something Pastor Noel said several weeks ago. The number one reason people go to Church for the first time? They know a believer. The number one reason they will never go to Church? same thing.
This book is a challenge to believers to "Rise Up" and live the way Christ intended us to.
It presents some challenging questions:
Recall one time God really used your words or your life to make an impact? What did this do for you and for those who heard your words
What does it mean to you to be anointed with the Holy Spirit?
If you were really to "Rise Up" in your life what would this mean for you? for your church(what would change)? for your family?
What reservations do you have about this?
John 10:10
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0883687607/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-6388300-5512053#reader-linkSee you soon
Amanda
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