-only 37% of the U.S. population is in church on any given Sunday?
-only 28% of U.S. population believe churches in their area are relevant?
-not a single county in the U.S. has a higher percentage of church attendance now than a decade ago?
-we are reaching out in schools, colleges, neighborhoods and workplaces to help people receive the love of God and follow Christ?

You’re going to have to figure the title thing out for yourself!

I do know the point of this four-week series is this:  As I grow my identity in Christ (by receiving the love of God and following Christ), I move into being the church rather than simply going to church.

The scriptural focus for all four weeks comes from 1 Peter 1: 9-12

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were not a people but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

Our teachers are fired up and believe that this is an urgent message for our congregation! So please, listen closely, take some notes and Stop Going To Church!

Dave Bartlett