Winning the World

48 Wi nn i ng the Wor l d: Fac i l i tat i ng Urban Chur ch P l ant i ng Movement s

and soul is what honors him. Being a part of a local church may facilitate that. Or it might not,” p. 37.

b. The modern day concept of the local church is an abiblical phenomena: The local church that many have come to cherish – the services, offices, programs, buildings, ceremonies – is neither biblical nor unbiblical. It is ABIBLICAL – that is, such an organization is not addressed in the Bible, p. 37. c. Spirituality defined in terms of individual disciplines not activities which grow out of assembled local church membership: “The Bible does not rigidly define the corporate practices, rituals, or structures that must be embraced in order to have a proper church. It does, however, offer direction regarding the importance and integration of fundamental spiritual disciplines into one’s life , p. 37.

d. The practice of church is today is simply an “ interpretation of how to develop and live a faith centered life, ” WE MADE IT UP. It may be healthy or helpful, but it is not sacrosanct , p. 38.

4. What is the nature of the Revolution Barna sees?: The Revolution is not about eliminating, dismissing, or dispar aging the local church. It is about building relationships, commitments, processes, and tools that enable us to be the God-lovers we were intended to be from the beginning of creation , p. 38. a. The core issue isn’t whether or not one is involved in a local church, but whether or not one is connected to the body of believers who are obsessed with practicing the same seven passions that defined the early Church in order to be agents of transformation in this world , p. 38.