THE CHURCH IN THE POST-MODERN AGE:

What’s All This Talk About Purpose?

Leaders’ Summit – United Church of Jesus Christ

Dr. John Stanko – March 16, 2006

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  1. Introduction - Acts 6:1-7

A. Face reality.

B. Embrace change.

C. Take advantage of open doors; try not to spend too much time solving problems – 1 Corinthians 16:9

  1. The implications of purpose

A. Raise up an army of purpose-led men and women who have faith to do the impossible, freed from tying to be who they are not and released to be the fullest, best expression of who God created them to be.

B. Equip people to perform missions (both domestic and foreign), to launch business ventures and to carry out any other activity their purpose dictates and faith allows.

C. Help leaders be productive in their role as they oversee Holy Spirit chaos created by people pursuing and fulfilling their purpose.

D. Help leaders and governing bodies move from attitudes of ownership to attitudes of servant-leadership and stewardship.

E. Develop services, Sunday Schools, kids church, youth meetings and even committee meetings that people want to attend because there is a spirit of excellence and the unexpected.

F. Move from fads, copycat programs, and trite and phony rituals, traditions and doctrines to innovative initiatives in the Spirit of (but exceeding the results of) the early church.

G. Address and meet the needs of children, ethnic minorities, and women around the world.

  1. A Purpose-Led Army
A. Raise up an army of purpose-led men and women who have faith to do the impossible, freed from tying to be who they are not and released to be the fullest, best expression of who God created them to be.
B. There is only one way to get anointed results. Discover what people are anointed to do and help and release them do it – Ephesians 4:11-13.
C. Anointed – Hebrews 1:9

IV.Purpose Problems

  1. Leaders usually don’t have a system to help identify, equip and release the anointed.
  1. Members and employees don’t always know what they are “anointed” to do, so other people and leaders define their roles for them.
  1. We limit the anointing to church work. We must expand our concept of anointing.

V. Purpose Practical Examples

A. “I love to decorate.”

B. Kenyan Secretary

C. Nancy

VI. Purpose Challenges

A. Self is selfish.

B. The misapplication of Philippians 4:13.

C. It isn’t spiritual unless it’s done in church.

VII.Purpose Suggestions

A. Think purpose, not ministry or occupation.

B. Appoint a purpose pastor to oversee the process of appointing the anointed.

C. Take a holistic approach to life and ministry.

VIII.Conclusion: Why is knowing purpose so important today?

  1. Purpose is the only way to experience true joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

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Dr. John W. Stanko