Anchor & the Acts

Where did the Church come from? More importantly, what is the Church supposed to be all about?

With all the bad experiences so many people have had with church, it's easy to understand why many Christians quit going to church, and why most Americans don't attend church on a regular basis. If churches were going to make some big changes, what should they do different? I suggest for Anchor that we look long and hard at where we came from. I mean that we ought to look back, past 1998, all the way to AD28.

The Bible includes a book called The Acts of the Apostles. It's a collection of events and stories pieced together to convey how Peter and Paul extended the teachings and commands of Jesus. The church was born out of Jesus-followers who met together to live out His teachings in their world. But not only that, to announce to their family and friends the good news about Jesus, what he has accomplished, and what he intends to do in the coming days and decades and centuries.

If we want to know what churches ought to be remembered for, we ought to look back to what the first churches were famous for. Two thousand years is a big time gap, and yet people are still pretty much the same, the sins are still similar, the need for a savior is still evident, and the capacity for good is still remarkable! In becoming more familiar with the Acts of the Apostles, we'll become more clear on what ought to define our churches these days.

Join the readings - one chapter out of Acts a week. We'll also tie in to that chapter Scripture from the Gospel of Luke, other New Testament letters, as well as material from the Old Testament. It all links together to tell a powerful and engaging story. By doing these readings, you'll become more informed on what story God is telling, and more inspired to join Him in his ongoing work. Our knowing and understanding is crucial to our being sent to serve.

Some friends and I will be posting on this blog each week, sharing insights from the chapters, as well as background information to the story. Check in several times a week, feel free to post your comments or questions. Don't agree with something? Let us know! Have your doubts, share them. Have some ideas to share, then post them!