The Church on Every Corner: A Google Map Illustration
Dec 11, 2009 
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Search Google Maps for the words “church in Atlanta” and you’ll get results similar to those displayed here on this map. Take notice of all the red dots. Each one represents a local worship facility. That’s right. Every one of them is a church. A bit populated wouldn’t you say?
Start with your eyes on Atlanta and travel east on Interstate 20. You’ll see Douglasville, Georgia. That’s my area. — My church is one in the cluster of dots covering the cities name. A recent demographic study revealed that there are 403,000 people within a 15 mile radius of The Church at Chapel Hill who either never attend church or are declining in their faith. That’s a lot of hurting people within only 15 miles. Keep in mind that this area has nowhere near the population density of a city like Atlanta.
It seems as if there is a church on every corner in every city in America. If that’s even remotely true, its makes me wonder, how effective are all these churches? Shouldn’t a nation with this many extensions of Christ look more like it’s Savior? I have a few suggestions to share on the subject.
Imagine with me what would take place if all of the individual churches stood together as THE Church. What if every dot in Douglasville, in Atlanta, from Georgia to California, and even around the world, put their denominational differences aside and served local communities? Can you imagine the cultural influence The Church would have? Can you fathom the resources, talent, and volunteers that would be available to Her? She would stand with One voice and actually be heard. And all of the church buildings in the world could not contain the amount of the lives that would be reached.
The folks in Acts 2 got it right.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Imagine if The Church stood in unity like the believers in Acts. Did you notice how they sold their possessions and gave to anyone in need? You see, God designed the local church, and it seems to be His intent that She take care of her local community. This certainly would minimize the need for such big government, wouldn’t it? God’s heart is for the the the broken hearted, the captive, the poor, the fatherless, and the widow. We could serve them so much better united together.
Back to the map, what if each dot were to partner with a few dots next to it, and collectively concentrate their focus and resources to the local community. I’ll tell you what’d happen. That map would look a lot more like Verizon’s coverage claims, spread in red across our nation.
In John 17 Jesus prayed that we, the people who make up The Church, would stand together as one. Let’s be an answer to his prayer!
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Ok so I totally believe the church should be unified and should submit to the authority of the leadership of the churches. I’m not the best with words but I I will try to articulate my thoughts. Is it safe to say that anything done outside of the name of Jesus is just going to burn up and will hold no weight in eternity? Does not the world including many famous actors and musicians do so many good works in the community? At the time of their judgment will God say “great job with all of your good works, I know you didn’t believe in my Son and you blasphemed my name but you did good works in the community so your works have given you entry into my kingdom”. I see a dangerous resemblance in what the church is doing and what the world is doing. Why does the church not push an agenda for the righteousness of the elect? Why do we not promote prayer and fasting as much as we do our good works and our productions? I look at Jesus’ public ministry and yes he was determined that we must help the poor the widow and the orphan as it is very important as his disciples we must do these things. But reading through the new testament it seems to be my understanding that God was more focused on the condition of our heart and our righteousness in Christ. Basically my point is you can do all the righteous works you want but peoples hearts will not be changed because we are serving the community. You must look at the condition of mens heart. Our hearts since the fall are naturally wicked and we are naturally against God at our core. If the Holy Spirit does not move on mens heart then noone will ever be changed and the world will never change. It doesnt matter how well you speak how well things are put together, how good the music is or how much you serve if the Holy Spirit doesnt move then mens heart will not be changed. There is much more to speak on this subject but the bottom line is I believe that our focus should be shifted from unity and focused more on the converted or even the unconverted that are in the church. We should be focused on the condition of their souls and their hearts.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment
Chris
Chris, thanks for taking the time to express your heart. I appreciate and admire your desire for purity and righteous living. You and I have been close friends for a long time and I appreciate the friendship we share.
You said, "If the Holy Spirit does not move on mens heart then noone will ever be changed…"
I agree. Unity in the church and the power to transform hearts will only come by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Chris, thanks for taking the time to express your heart. I appreciate and admire your desire for purity and righteous living. You and I have been close friends for a long time and I appreciate the friendship we share.
You said, "If the Holy Spirit does not move on mens heart then noone will ever be changed…"
I agree. Unity in the church and the power to transform hearts will only come by the power of the Holy Spirit.
My wife and I have been a part of an organization that is doing a lot in terms of accomplishing this mission in tangible ways. It's one thing to say in theory that the churches should join together in unity, but at some point one needs to start developing frameworks, or tools, to be used by the local churches to join together in service to the community.
Here's a great video that was recently together briefly explaining some of these "tool sets" being put together: http://perpetualanticipation.blogspot.com/2009/10...
My wife and I have been a part of an organization that is doing a lot in terms of accomplishing this mission in tangible ways. It's one thing to say in theory that the churches should join together in unity, but at some point one needs to start developing frameworks, or tools, to be used by the local churches to join together in service to the community.
Daniel: I just watched this yesterday, and it provoked the following response:
http://www.christopherhopper.com/2010/03/3-tips-for-getting-churches-to-work-together/
Blessings on all you do…
ch:
You’ve made some great points and I’d encourage any of the readers here to check out your post as well. Practical ways for carrying out what was communicated in the video above.