I've been talking and writing about Daysping's "health plan." How can we attain and maintain health as a church? It is as simple as ABC:

Align all activities toward the goal.

Believe that God is alive and active.

Commit to take the next step toward Christ.

In this week's Message About Purpose and Strategy, I'll elaborate on the B of our health plan, that is to Believe that God is alive and active. I believe this. I believe that he's ready and willing and able. God calls us to have faith that he not only can but will do something significant in our midst. Jesus said that it will be according to our faith (Mt 9:29). As overreaction against some crazy teaching about the power of faith (which dethrones God), we have thrown the baby out with the bathwater. The pendulum has swung too far. Sure, we don't want to promote a faith in faith, but we do want to teach and model faith in God! Since he's alive, let's pray and expect answers! Imagine what it would be like for hundreds of people to gather in worship with enthusiastic expectation that God would meet and equip them! Let's not bask in the stupifying warmth of complacency. Let's not let next year be the same as last year. Picture people who really believe they are on a mission from God and that supernatural strength is available! Let's live to actualize this reality in our midst. Believe that God is real and that he can and will draw you into a deeper relationship with him and into meaningful service. God can use you! Believe it!