In Singapore, there is more liberty in the scores of Christian resources available. This trip, by chance, I went with my friend Andrew Koh to SKS Book Store, the largest Christian bookstore in Singapore (I think). I’ve only been there once, in the past. And back then, I remember buying a few books that I could not find in Malaysia. This time was no different and I took the opportunity to grab a few titles that definitely would be rare in Malaysia… (or well, at least, I don’t see them often in Malaysia)
Now, I will draw your attention to this one book that I bought… The thing that enticed me to buy the book and splurge was the explanation on the back cover. (I’m now on a strict NO books/CDs/DVD purchase diet, by the way. At least till November, God-willing, to coincide with my birthday *grin*)
‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ Ezekiel 37:3
‘ There is a valley of dry bones God wants to use… The dry bones are made up of the poor, the rebellious, the marginalised of society, the young and the uneducated. They carry wounds, have been abused, suffer from AIDS, are widows and single parents; they are often so poor they have lost hope of finding purpose in life. They are waiting for someone to believe in them.’
Floyd McClung loves the church. And he is frustrated with it. In this passionate call to a radical obedience to Christ’s Great Commission, he explores five core realities which have turned his life upside down – and which have the power to change the way any Christian lives:
- simple church
- courageous leadership
- focused obedience
- apostolic passion
- making disciples
Started reading this today. The introduction in itself is already a taster to what the book writes about… Something that is close to my heart.
So, here is just an EXERPT taken from the book: Chapter 1, 4th Paragraph onwards.
I have a conviction: the way we do conventional church is no longer relevant to the vast majority of unchurched people in the West. Perhaps one of the reasons we have lost our relevance is because we spend so much time and energy thinking of ways to make the sacred hour on Sunday more attractive to saved people, rather than equipping saved people to take the church to the world.
Did Jesus die so we can build bigger buildings and print nicer bulletins? Or did he die to have a people that are so wildly in love with Him that they share His passion to go into the world to win, gather and multiply more followers of Jesus?
No one will die for a cause that is no bigger than Sunday-oriented, building-fixated christianity. But people will lay down their lives for a cause that is bigger than themselves, and bigger than the local church building. God created us to need a challenge so big it changes everything we believe and hold dear. He put us on the planet to have dominion over the whole earth. Only a dream that is daring in its scope and demanding in its call on people’s lives will capture their imaginations and motivate them to live passionately to win the world to Jesus.
You See Bones, I See an Army, Floyd McClung
In our culture of mega-churches and making the church service an experiential one – big stage, good music, powerful sounds system, great lighting coordination, video announcements, concise sermons… we sometimes miss the point and make the Great Commission the Great Omission instead. We are more fixated at creating an experience and gratifying our pleasures, even within the church, than take measures to care and love those around us. Even if we do, that love has its limits.
Lets take off our masks and address the real issues around us.
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the heart again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
I’m looking forward to finishing this book and be challenged to do church that is relevant and honoring God above all else!
