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"They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request.
"Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." (John 12:21, NIV)
AgapePoint is a ministry that seeks to point people to deeper loving relationships in Jesus Christ.
Agapepoint is a family minstry of Keith and Valerie Brown that serves to lead people, communities and churches to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Our goal is simple. Whoever you are, where ever you are and whatever your circumstance you can draw closer in relationship to Jesus and his kingdom.
Our ministry has been sustained largely by moving to and ministering to churches that have declined in attendance by fifty to seventy five percent prior to our arrival. Spiritual growth and numerical growth has been witnessed and maintained in every congregation to the extent that existing leadership humbled itself before the Lord and his word. The goal for our ministry has never been simply numerical; it has been first and foremost spiritual growth that results in numerical growth. This means that existing leadership is challenged to humble themselves one before the other and before their congregation in that they are the most seasoned and leaders as serving the flock and her needs. It mean that leadership seeks to grow disciples that will, in short order, begin to join ranks with the existing leadership and fill in thier shoes as some move to other communities or go to be with the Lord. It means that leadership equips every single saint for works of service according to God's holy word.
The single greatest threat to spiritual and numerical growth within the churches of Christ today, in my opinion, is a lack of respect and honor for the Lord and his Holy Word. When existing leadership leans upon its own wisdom, which is often borrowed from the world, the church immediately begins to delcine spiritually and eventually numerically. We are reminded of the Lord's words saying, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." (Isaiah 55:8, NIV). However, each time leadership gives itself wholly to the word of God there is immediate spiritual blessing with numerical growth within days or weeks at latest. We are reminded of God's promise to lift up his holy people as James writes saying, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (James 4:10, NIV). More than this we are reminded of the Lord's teaching to Israel is applicable for the church of Christ today; if we will humbly set our hearts, minds and lives to serving our Lord and his people, then our "light will break for like the dawn, and our healing will quickly appear." (Isaiah 58:8).
Might we be that people, who above all people, humble ourselves before our Gracious Lord and perform with a joyful heart the duties, responsibilites and work which he has prepared in advance for us to do. Then we will be a blessed people once again. Then we will witness a deepening of spiritual growth and an increase of numerical growth.
For the churches of Christ for which I have worked, a decline in numerical growth can be traced back to a decline in spiritual growth. And an increase in numerical growth can be traced back directly to a increase in spiritual growth. For such is the teaching of our Lord, and he shall not be mocked, nor made a liar. The challenge for the church of Christ today, is to look into the Word of God and the Spirit of Christ and then to measure ourselves by that One Holy standard. And in doing so we will, as a people, find freedom to become all things glorious in Christ our Lord.
Grace and Peace,
Keith C. Brown
LINKS:
AgapePoint Radio
AgapePoint Word (Sermons)
AgapePoint on Twitter