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Churches Unencumbered by Government Intrusion
The Founding Fathers never regulated or taxed churches, as they considered them "Free Churches," so they wrote into the US Constitution “congress shall make no law respecting (favoring) or prohibiting (limiting or influencing) the free exercise of religion.” 

America’s Founding Fathers developed this nation as an expression of how Christ taught us to pray (and advocate for) "Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10).  American society became an example (though not perfect) of how people can live in a society guided by Biblical principles.  Compare how we live in the United State of America relative to the “chaotic-states of the world” where governments control religion.  

Is 501c3 a Bowl of Porridge?  

In 1954, politicians conspired to keep churches from influencing government by letting them maintain the tax exemption they already enjoyed in exchange for giving up their first amendment right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." 

Churches acquiesced the role of being the conscience of government which needs the guidance of Biblical values.

Religion and Politics

This led to government’s proneness toward corruption.  Satan works hard to influence government because with the swish of a pen officials can make laws that put millions of people onto paths that violate God’s plan for our lives.   

Jesus paid taxes (Matthew 17:20), and John The Baptist expected government leaders to obey Biblical principles, and he personally challenged Herod (Matthew 14:3, Mark 6:18 and Luke 3:19).  Though John’s death resulted from the pressure he exerted on Herod, Jesus said, "Among those born of women, there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist (Matt 11:11).  John’s motive was for Herod to repent and save his soul.  How then should we pastor America?  
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Calling for Change

People throughout the world are longing for change.  Bill Hybels says there is no other organization on earth that can accomplish within the human heart the amazing life-changing transformations that Christ works through His Church.  

Changing You Changes Culture

In the church: 
  • people can learn to give their testimonies, which are public speaking skills all sales and customer service people need. 
  • former drug abusers learn to overcome addictions, and 
  • repentant  drug dealers turn their organizational and business acumen to lawful pursuits.  
  • people can learn to run meetings, steer committees, handle budgets, and other activities that enhance their private lives and can create value in the market place.   
Through the church people fall in love with Jesus, and they find something to sing about.  They pick up instruments laid aside long ago, or they learn new ones to express an amazing inward joy and peace that cannot be contained.  

Leading the Church’s Corporate Change Continuum 

Our role as leaders within God’s church is seeing not only where people are, but what God is moving them to become. Our vision for people should transcend them merely coming to admire what we provide on Sunday mornings.  We need to have God’s heart for what they will do with their transformed lives.  

The Three-Dimensional Leader (http://bit.ly/3DLeaderBk) instructs us how to value and assess not only what people can become, but also the process steps that help them get there. 

Reaching Collective Potential 

The Body of Christ achieves robust synergy when our ever developing gifts are deployed into effective church ministries.  Since few do things well the first time we try them, trial and error must be factored into the change continuum process.

Are you seeing your congregation in 3-D?


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First Post! 07/21/2011
 
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