Andy Stanley on THE CHURCH

Passage: Acts 15 —

4 unhealthy gravitational pulls in every local church (as seen in ACTS 15):

1) Churches always gravitate towards INSIDERS rather than OUTSIDERS.

We must fight the myth that we can just maintain what we have. Maintenance is a myth

2) Churches always gravitate towards law & away from GRACE.

We must fight the desire to categorize people — Because if we can categorize folks then they stop being people who need relationships. Suggestion: Acceptance of people allows for influence. No Acceptance = No Influence.

3) Churches gravitate towards complexity & away from simplicity.

Suggestion: to avoid diluting vision - Partner rather than Pioneer any initiative.

4) Churches gravitate towards preserving & away from advancing.

4 Standards Andy Stanley & His Team @ North Point Utilize to Anchor Their Church

#1. Lets stay more concerned about who we are reaching, not who we are keeping.

#2 Lets always err on the side of Grace.

#3 Lets remain focused on our unique calling.
#4 Lets remain open-handed.

*you have been handed the baton of the “local church”