The Best Church Model, Part 1

In this teaching, Shawn McCraney discusses the importance of using a biblical model for conducting church, emphasizing that true acts of goodness are only recognized by God when motivated by faith and love for Him, rather than just earthly standards. He critiques a statement by Pope Francis regarding atheists being redeemed by good deeds, asserting that while all individuals can perform good acts, they do not merit spiritual redemption without faith in Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis asserts that Jesus redeemed all humanity, including atheists, through His sacrifice, yet he controversially suggests that doing good deeds connects believers and non-believers; however, this view of salvation is more liberal as true salvation comes only to those who accept Jesus' gift through faith. In contemporary discussions, Evangelical Christianity carries various connotations, often shaped by modern perceptions and the political activism of some groups, deviating from the foundational Christian attributes of humility, generosity, forgiveness, kindness, and love.

Shawn emphasizes the importance of truly following the New Testament model as disciples of Jesus Christ, rather than pushing personal agendas under the guise of Christianity. He argues that effective ministry, particularly towards groups like the LDS, requires individuals to focus on areas where they are personally equipped and experienced, rather than assuming roles without relevant preparation and understanding.

Understanding and reaching out to religious communities like the LDS is most effectively done by those who have been part of the faith themselves, as they possess unique insights and experiences that enable genuine communication and understanding. Additionally, the American church has evolved significantly since the 1950s, transitioning from homogenous religious practices to diverse, sometimes extreme expressions of faith, reflecting cultural shifts and leading to a variety of approaches in spiritual engagement.

Shawn's teaching highlights how the Jesus Freak movement of the 1960s and 70s revolutionized American Christianity by promoting a genuine, liberated relationship with Jesus focused on personal experience and being born again, while challenging rigid organizational norms of the time. However, this shift also introduced practices like the "stop and go" church model devoid of true discipleship, contrasting with New Testament principles and contributing to the modern trend of seeker-friendly churches where growth and financial support are prioritized over spiritual depth.

Shawn emphasizes that modern churches often shift from their core purpose of spiritual growth and discipleship towards entertainment in order to maintain mass appeal, which compromises the biblical model of Christianity. He advocates for a church environment focused on the vertical relationship with Christ through salvation and the horizontal role of discipleship, citing the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 as critical for nurturing believers within a dedicated community.

Baptism serves as a vital identifier among believers, symbolizing a person's commitment to the faith and integrating them into a community where fellow members can support, pray for, and guide each other. Effective discipleship and church functioning require small, intimate communities where leaders, like shepherds, know their congregants personally and can properly care for and disciple them, echoing the New Testament model of hearing the Word, eating together, praying, and serving each other.

Shawn teaches that smaller congregations allow for more effective leadership and personal connection between pastors and members, leading to a more authentic New Testament model of a church. He suggests that once a congregation grows too large, it should split to maintain a personal dynamic, and references the Mormon church as an example of this model.