Largely if you look at the state of communications ministry in the evangelical North American church today, you will see a reflection of the outside world in the tools, methods and media. In fact, we use words like creativity, excellence, broadcast, mass-media, mission and vision more in a corporate sense than anything else.

I'm not saying these things in and of themselves are bad, but when we do things to first align with the world's methodology, then we will end up first with results that look largely like the world. And that’s in effect what we have--a consumer-oriented, high-quality but low-impact kind of church that serves its own and has a high "experience" factor, but is a zit on the face of mankind when it comes to impacting the world for Christ.

Strong words, I know. But I ask you to do this. First, stay with me and journey down this road as we begin to re-discover God's heart and vision for us to "make disciples of all nations." It's a phrase I've counted myself so many times as one to pull out on "missions Sunday", but as God has been stirring up His Word through me over these last few years, He has been shaping me into His instrument for this very purpose. Moreover as I dig into His Word I find this simple concept--"making disciples of all nations" to be the core mission of the chuch in any century, first to twenty-first.

I'm not talking about redoing a church mission statement. I'm talking about aligning your congregation to God's mission for His church. Within that alignment is the need to have church communications reflect this heart and mission as outlined in God's Word.

What this alignment has birthed in me is the most zealous and committed attitude I've ever had in ministry. As I realize that one life can indeed impact the planet, and that God has placed us in this time for just such a purpose, with all the tools and technologies at our disposal, I cannot help but know this is not a coincidence. His expectation is that you and I use these communications tools to do what we are commanded to do in His Word.

But we must align to His Word. That's why you'll see the first menu item on this website entitled "align". I believe it so central to where Communications in the church must be from this day forward that I’ve created this section as a place where we can begin to learn together exactly what aligning to God’s mission means.

Alignment is sacrificing our goals, desires, ambitions and motives to God’s. It is submitting ourselves to the authority of scripture and understanding God’s plan for us to make disciples of all nations. God has always promised to bless His plan. Though we may have wonderful ideas and creative ways to communicate, these must at all times be subject to His plan. We may have good motives apart from God’s plan, but God never promises to bless our efforts solely based on our motives.

  More on Aligning Ministry Promotion to the Word

  20 Ways for Communications to Support Bible Teaching

  Apply Scripture Properly to the Promotion of the Church

  

The New Inductive Study Bible (International Inductive Study Series)

The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World

Knowing God

> Click for more books and periodicals on aligning (intention).

  It's Time To Celebrate!
God is doing amazing things all the time, and we get to be a part of it. Somebody put some candles on the cake and start the music! Join the party.

  Even More Graphics
Need a graphic for your ministry or ministry project? We've got tons of used--er, "pre-owned"--graphics in the download area to share. They're useful and free!