Dear Friend of Blessing Point,
It’s time for me to write to you asking you to consider a year-end gift to help propel Blessing Point Ministries into the coming year. When I think of the condition of our culture and the vast number of churches that limp along handicapped by unhealed sin and wounds, it is easy for me to ask you to do so.
We’re passionate about restoring the radiance of Christ’s bride at a time when the Church is in danger of becoming “cliché” in our culture. Moreover, the beginnings of a revival seem to be happening among college students, and we feel burdened by the need to have healthy churches to receive these new disciples.
The dictionary definition of “cliché” is “a person or character whose behavior is predictable or superficial.” The term could apply to a church that has lost its meaning and power in society. I’m not talking about those churches that have departed from the faith, but those that have become spiritually impotent because of unhealed internal crises or tolerance of known sin.
There is still hope for such churches if they hear from the Lord about their true condition and respond to Him. In the meantime, such churches resemble the congregation at Laodicea (Rev. 3:17). They do not recognize their true condition. They simply go through the motions of doing church week in and week out without a sense of the supernatural enablement they were intended to have. But it doesn’t have to be that way. They can respond to Christ’s message in their pain and overcome their past dysfunction, resulting in a spiritually impactful ministry.
Consider these examples from churches in which we served earlier this year:
- One church repented of an attitude of elitism that divided their congregation from the leadership and from each other. That they repented of their divisiveness is praiseworthy! Pray that they now overcome the lingering unhealthy behaviors that they have grown accustomed to.
- Another church we served was so conflicted that lawsuits became their weapon of choice! The church sued part of the congregation, and then later the pastor sued the church! That church too repented of their ungodly behavior and is moving in a healthier direction.
- What does a church do when its history is rampant with sexual immorality by leadership figures? What should we expect when their lay leaders are too passive to address known improprieties in the congregation? This church repented of their passivity and now must change the congregational culture to deal with perpetrators in a way God can bless.
These three churches all have amazing ministry opportunities before them. Our hope and prayer is that they, and all the churches God calls us to come alongside, will progress into the radiant expressions of Christ’s Bride they were intended to be!
If you would like to help us continue the tough work of making the Church healthier, I invite you to send a year-end gift on or before December 31st.
Thank you for your interest in our ministry, your prayers, and should the Spirit lead you – your financial support too. Click here to donate securely online.
For the Restored Radiance of Christ’s Bride,
Mark Barnard, Pres. Blessing Point Ministries Inc.
Checks must be postmarked no later than December 31 to receive a tax deduction. They can be made out to Blessing Point Ministries and mailed to Blessing Point Ministries, PO Box 3472, Peachtree City, GA 30269