Am going to start a series based on the sermon I preached today "What kind of churches change the world?" The Full notes are available online but I intend to explore some of the ideas more fully here. The first thing to say about the sermon is that I was thrilled that someone made a public declaration of faith at the end of it. Despite this, the subject matter was highly relevant to the more mature Christian and especially to many who do not see the church as particularly relevant to them.

After reading some excepts from Acts 11-15 I began with two quotes-
1. "A church is a large, bureaucratic, and hierarchical religious organization, which typically recruits from the upper and middle classes. It has a priesthood, sacraments, and formal liturgy. Lay participation, especially in worship, is not necessarily encouraged.� (From Oxford Reference Online)
2. "I love the local church, I believe in its potential and power. I see it as the hope of the world . . . There is nothing like the local church when it's working right. It transforms lives heart by heart, soul by soul, life by life. That's why the most important thing I can do is to lay down my heart for the cause of Christ.." Bill Hybels

I wonder which quote in all honesty better reflects YOUR view of the church? Do you honestly see it as the hope of all the world? Is it something worth laying your life down for? I hope that as we blog through this sermon together by the end that you will have been inspired once more to see a vision of a compelling future for the church which will motivate you to dedicate yourself to serving the bride of Christ.