NACC Sessions Will Call Churches to Go BEYOND
Ben Cachiaras previews several sessions planned for this summerโs North American Christian Convention in Indianapolis, July 6-9. The sessions will challenge leaders and churches to move beyond omission, racial separation, words without action, ministry fatigue, church walls, and self-reliance.
- The NACC sessions focus on discipleship, racial reconciliation, global mission, ministry health, community outreach, and surrender to Christ.
- Special guests include Efrem Smith, Francis Chan, and Rick Warren.
- The convention will encourage churches to live and serve beyond familiar limits.
By Ben Cachiaras
Here are some of the sessions planned for this summerโs North American Christian Convention in Indianapolis, July 6-9:
โBEYOND the Great Omissionโ
is about making more and better disciplesโwith Jesus-like passion for both. Instead of omitting one-half of the Great Commission, God wants to stir a passion in us for reaching those far from himโand an equal passion for growing mature disciples.
โBEYOND Racial Zonesโ
is about moving past our sectors of separation until our churches reflect the complexion we find in Christโs church in Acts and Revelation. It is not about affirmative action or being politically correct. Itโs about biblical action and being theologically correct.
Moving beyond racism to gracism comes when we realize how close this issue is to Godโs heart. Most of us are eager to see a change here, but we donโt know where or how to start. The NACC is serious about helping us all grow and move forward in this aspect of Godโs vision for us. Special guest Efrem Smith will help us.
โBEYOND Wordsโ
is about being Jesus in word and deed through holistic global impact. When the Word becomes flesh, faith takes action and moves our mission beyond just talk. Wednesday night at the NACC will be a mini-missionary convention, with lots of on-ramps for churches to engage in global ways.
โBEYOND the Desert of Ministry Fatigueโ
is about admitting there are times when ministry is hard, and we say to the Lord, โMy soul thirsts for you . . . in a dry and weary land where there is no waterโ (Psalm 63:1). The occupational hazards for servants of Christ seem to include burnout and unhealthy living, marital struggles and discouragement.
We need to learn the rest and rhythms of Jesus so while weโre ministering to souls we donโt lose our own. Going BEYOND means taking the yoke of Jesus, who says his burden is light. At the NACC we will drink deeply of the Living Water who is Jesusโfor the next leg of the journey he has mapped out for us.
โBEYOND the Wallsโ
is about reaching beyond our buildings into our community with uncommon love and service. There is a sense in which we need our people to stop going to church. Itโs time to be the church.
The measure of a churchโs greatness is never its seating capacity, but its sending capacity. Special guest Francis Chan will urge us to live out the gospel beyond the walls.
โBEYOND Meโ
is about realizing that following Jesus is ultimately not about me. The challenges are beyond me. The solutions are beyond my own strength. When I lay down my life to follow Jesus, he can begin to lead past the biggest obstacle in going BEYOND, which is . . . me.
Gene Appel and special guest Rick Warren will encourage, embolden, and commission us to go BEYOND as we return to our posts.
Ben Cachiaras, senior pastor with Mountain Christian Church, Joppa, Maryland, is a contributing editor for CHRISTIAN STANDARD and a member of Standard Publishingโs Publishing Committee. He is serving as president of the 2010 NACC.
Author: Ben Cachiaras
Ben Cachiaras serves as lead pastor at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland.
