CHARACTER TRUMPS POLITY

'Considering God's immense love for the church, it may come as a surprise to some that Scripture provides few details on how the church should be governed. Scripture does, however, tells us a fair amount about the character of church leaders. This disparity highlights a key axiom for church government: great character overcomes the weakest polity, and poor character undermines the strongest polity. In either case the character of church leaders trumps governing structure.'

Brad House & Gregg Allison, MultiChurch: Exploring the Future of Multisite p.143.

VISION

'When you are casting vision, think bite-sized. Articulate the greater vision and then break it down so that it is accessible to everyone. God has made us all parts of one body for the purpose of giving him glory through the exaltation of Jesus. Helping people to see their parts in such a great mission will inspire ownership in the mission. Ownership will in turn inspire innovation and creativity and make the vision God has given your church acheivable.'

Brad House, Community, p.80.

EVANGELISM

'Our apathy toward the mission of God is not beacuse of a lack of knowing what to do. It is our blindeess to his glory and grace that keeps us satisfied with nominal Christianity. If you want to light a fire under your church for mission, don't simply trot out your goals; lift up Jesus. When we see him in his power and are overcome by his love, we are joyfully compelled to respond to his call to make disciples. We are energized to reach the lost and help the weak. We are inspired to worship and to call the lost to his feet.'

Brad House, Community, p.75.

CHURCH

'Loving your neighbors is much easier if you never have to deal with them. Living in the light of the gospel is much harder in community where people sin against you. Your neighbors know this and that is why talk is cheap. Experiencing a people who confess their sins against one another, repent, and forgive is foreign to the world. Communities that live in this way, transformed by the gospel, will not only have a good reputation among their neighbors, but also will point them to hope in Jesus. This is a community that has joined the mission of God.'

Brad House, Community, p.41.

CHRISTIANITY

'Christianity is not an individual sport.'
Bard House, Community: Taking your small group off life support, p.40.