Are the best days of the church ahead or behind us?

People know that they are supposed to say that the best days are ahead for the church. But how can people be honest if what they really think is the opposite?

The real answer to this question comes out in how people think, what they say, and what they do. It comes out in what they believe about God and God’s relationship with creation and humanity. It comes out in people’s giving. It comes out in their engagement with church.

Another question is this — Does an encounter with Jesus change lives? A follow-up question might be — how have you encountered Jesus in your life? And what changed as a result?

Can you answer those questions honestly? How has following Jesus changed you?

Here’s another question — what is the cost of discipleship? What has discipleship cost you?

Can you answer those questions? Or has there been no cost at all? If there is no cost to discipleship, is it discipleship?

Originally published at http://laceduplutheran.com on June 4, 2019.