tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163570495372690128.post9139185641232456376..comments2008-06-26T14:56:28.051-05:00Comments on REAL COACHING: Seven Critical Activities For GrowthUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2163570495372690128.post-54998384110572054742008-06-26T14:56:00.000-05:002008-06-26T14:56:00.000-05:00I would also add this. I know this may sound crazy...I would also add this. I know this may sound crazy and radical, but...<BR/><BR/>There is a lesson that can be learned by Jim Jones, David Karesh, and other "cults”: grow by meeting the needs of the marginalized. While they pimped and took advantage of the marginalized, they also provided unmet needs, i.e. love, hope, community, security, leadership. They went were few churches and denominations were afraid to go, and still afraid to go. <BR/><BR/>This is Jesus model as outlined in Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:16-21. Preach good tidings/news to the poor, bind the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the prisoners, recovery of sight to the blind, to set the burdened and battered free, to announce, "This is God's year to act!" Christianity grew with the marginalized because of Christ message. <BR/><BR/>I believe that many churches have focused on growth in the suburbs and have turned away from the least of these or marginalized of society. Thus leaving an unmet need to those who thirst for love, truth, and community.<BR/><BR/>So who may be the marginalized of today: gays, poor people, young people, homeless people, hungry people, those infected and affected by HIV, entertainers, those who don't look like church. They are hurting, and they need love, truth, and community. So therein lies the need, will the church fill it or will sexual addiction, drug addiction, prison community, gangs, street culture, myspace and facebook, or tv meet these needs.<BR/><BR/>That is the challenge on the table.<BR/><BR/>What has to happen? The church must meet the needs of the marginalized and engage them in community around faith.<BR/><BR/>What can’t happen again? The church cannot pimp or try to control the marginalized. That has already happened, and that is why so many people have an angst towards institutionalized religion.<BR/><BR/>Maco L. Faniel<BR/>Copyright © 2008 Maco L. Faniel. All rights reserved<BR/><BR/>Myspace.com/macofaniel<BR/>Myspace.com/infiniteconceptionsmacohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13040177654597797026noreply@blogger.com