July 2013

The Externally Focused Church

THE NUTSHELL
Every statistic tells us that the church in America today is becoming more and more marginalized and less and less influential. Churches talk about service, and everyone agrees that it ought to be important to us, but do we really know how to effectively meet the needs of our communities and reach lost people? It has been said, People dont care how much you know until they know how much you care. One of the most effective ways to reach people with the message of Jesus Christ today is through real and relevant acts of service. To tell the truth, we must show the truth. Its the model Jesus used. He served. He met needs. People listened. This book is written with two types of churches in mind. First is the externally committed church churches already externally focused in what they do but want to excel even more. Second is the externally curious church. These churches have heard about this growing movement and want more information on how to become externally focused.

About the Authors Rick Rusaw is the Senior Minister at LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont, CO. He serves on the board of directors for Christian Network International and Hope International University. Eric Swanson directs the Leadership Communities for externally focused churches in partnership with Leadership Network. Eric served 25 years with Campus Crusade for Christ.

Published by Leaders Book Summaries. 872 New Britton Rd, Carol Stream, IL 60188 No part of this document may be reproduced without prior written consent. 2013 The Growing Leader. All rights reserved

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Leaders Book Summaries: The Externally Focused Church

In both cases, by the end of the book we hope to have answered three questions: Why should we be an externally focused church? What are we trying to accomplish? How can we get started or improve on what we are doing? By becoming externally focused, churches have the chance to build relational bridges, giving Christians opportunities to share Gods grace in the midst of real need. In this way, the church can transform lives as people both see and hear Gods grace at work in their world a church that is showing and telling. Externally Focused Churches: 1. Weave ministry and service into every aspect of church life. The way to inwardly build a church is through outward service. The Church should be a training facility designed to equip the saints for works of service. 2. See themselves as vital to the health and wellbeing of their communities. The church that develops long-term, trusting relationships with the community is the one that has an opportunity to influence its culture. The most effective way to do that seems to be in the context of serving. 3. Believe ministering and serving are the normal expressions of Christian living. People need exercise for physical health and service for spiritual health. We learn from the Scriptures but we grow by serving others. Getting people involved in service is much easier than getting them involved in activities specifically designed to deepen their faith. 4. Are evangelistically effective reaching people that have no idea how to go to church Externally focused churches are trying to position themselves so that everyone in their communities knows someone who follows Jesus.

Our responsibility to be fruit producers in the kingdom and to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment should be the driving force for us to see our community differently. Serving provides a bridge that can build relationships. Through relationships we have the opportunity to share the good news of grace. Could you imagine what would happen if people in our churches really saw people around them as Christ sees them?

The churchs greatest impact may not stem from asking for great things from a few people, but for many small things from a lot of people. Many good-hearted people in your church would love to serve and minister, but they lack a mechanism to turn desire into action. They need to know how many are needed, when they are needed, and how long they will be needed. Service only happens when inclination meets opportunity.

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Leaders Book Summaries: The Externally Focused Church

To create a different future is going to take leaders with the vision to see, the passion to feel, and the courage to do. Your provisions for the journey may be sparse, but real leaders have the ability to create something that doesnt exist with resources they dont have. We encourage you to go forward, knowing that God meets us when we step out in faith. He reveals solutions as we go; we mustnt wait to act until we have all the answers.

Were glad youve joined the journey.

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