Had to share one thought from the leadership seminar at the Assemblies of God General Council. Dary Northrop shared an amazing story about a stripper that found Christ at their Church--Timberline church. And he talked about how when you're really reaching the unchurched it is messy! Then he shared a thought from the parable of the prodigal son.
If the younger brother had run into his elder brother first he would have never made it inside the house! Unfortunately, our churches are filled with the elder brother spirit. And sometimes it is the religiousity of elder brothers that can actually keep prodigals from reuniting with their Heavenly Father! That thought was worth the trip to Indy!
Dary also talked about the difference between loving people before they change and after they get cleaned up. That is the challenge and the trick! He said people won't change until they are fully loved. I think he's right!
If the younger brother had run into his elder brother first he would have never made it inside the house! Unfortunately, our churches are filled with the elder brother spirit. And sometimes it is the religiousity of elder brothers that can actually keep prodigals from reuniting with their Heavenly Father! That thought was worth the trip to Indy!
Dary also talked about the difference between loving people before they change and after they get cleaned up. That is the challenge and the trick! He said people won't change until they are fully loved. I think he's right!
6 Comments:
That is an AWESOME word!
Thanks Mark! What an incredible and challenging message! Thanks for sharing.
Mark,
I am pleased to hear the Dary's voice is being heard. Let me just tell you from personal experience that his heart is amazing and his leadership changes lives. My life included. His influence on me has been profound and the 8 years that I spent on his staff were some of the best years that I have had in ministry.
His influence and the DNA of Timberline Church can be seen in Castle Rock.
I remember well the Prodigal Series at Timberline where these thoughts began to emerge. There is no telling how many prodigals there are out there who are gripped with fear. We have to fight the "spirit of the elder brother" because it kills life change. Timberline is a great example of a church that embraces the prodigal.
Thanks for sharing Dary's thoughts!!
Doug Miller
What was the title of the session conducted by Pastor Dary? My pastor is there in Indy and I'd like to see if I could get him to pick up a CD or tape of that session. Thanks Mark for sharing!
Steve,
It was the opening session of the leadership seminars on Tuesday night. Not sure if it was recorded, but he was one of three pastors who spoke!
Hope that helps.
Mark
Heard a message once contrasting the two brothers...the good brother with a bad spirit vs. the bad brother with a good spirit.
At the end of the parable, we see what happened to the bad brother with a good spirit - he was reconciled to his father. The story ends, however, without saying what happened to the elder brother.
The moral in the story? It is sometimes easier for a bad person to experience grace than it is for a good person to experience grace...!
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