Sep 24, 2009
WELCOME to the new FellowshipDallas.org
I really hope you like it. One of the things we're striving for with this "new and improved model" for our website is to make it easier to engage with others around the movement of the Holy Spirit going on at Fellowship and in the greater Body of Christ. This blog is a way for you to actually help give expression to that movement through an online dialogue with others who, like you, have something to say about it. To me--and I'm only one voice in the blog-o-sphere--the movement we're experiencing at Fellowship is part of a larger move of the Spirit to bring the church at large in America to (or even back to) a more Christ-centered expression. This is what Reggie McNeal, who spoke in our services on Sunday, September 13, was saying when he talked about being kingdom-centric as opposed to church-centric, about thinking of church as a "who" instead of a "what," as a verb instead of a noun, and about "being" church better (i.e., the people of God on a mission of blessing) rather than "doing" church better. Those are just a few of the provocative things he said that really have my wheels (what's left of them) spinning. In case you missed it, you can find it on our sermons page.
On a personal note, I realize that my view of church, ministry, and how I engage the world around me is shifting. It's one of those paradigm shifts or sea changes that doesn't happen very often. It's thrilling and invigorating, but at times frustrating, confusing, wearisome, even scary. I feel the Pharisee in me saying, "Nothing needs to change really. This 'new wine' tastes funny. I like my 'old wine'. There's nothing new I need to see, learn, or do in my expression of life as a believer. I just need to work harder at the tried and true." But, thankfully, the One who has my heart (and speaks to it if I will only listen) and who continually cleans and magnifies the lenses I see through is wooing me out of any entrenchment or constriction that limits the freedom and abundant life that He paid so dear a price to give me.
But, what do you think? And, if you did hear Reggie, and accepted his challenge to be a person of blessing, I would love to here about your experiences. In any event, I hope you come back for future weeks of the new series we're in called "Renaissance". There is more being renewed and re-birthed at Fellowship than just our website.
For the Kingdom,
Tommy Shelton
