12 Topics the Church Is NOT Talking About

This past weekend I was blessed to be at a men's conference called Barnabas Renewal in Atlanta, GA where 25 ministers under the age of 40 came together for prayer, renewal, accountability, and building relationships. Men from all over the country came and even one youth pastor from Vancouver, Canada. God was encouraging each of us to hear His voice and be led by the voice of the Holy Spirit. 

Paul Muzichuk

One topic we discussed was: What is the Church (Body of Christ) either locally or around the world NOT talking about. Here are 12 things we must start addressing in 2014....

1. Sexual Immorality + Sexual Purity. This was the number one rated topic across all 25 men from various churches and ministries that agreed it MUST be taught, discipled, and discussed in the church. 

2. Personal & Family Finances. The growing problem of rising debt in families, in ministries, and lack of accountability with ministry leaders. A call to open transparency and financial committees. 

3. Discipleship. People yearn to be discipled not just preached at. People want real life relationships with mentors, spiritual fathers/mothers and accountability. People want to grow spiritually. Preaching alone will not make that happen.

4. How to Serve/Minister. Yes- as basic as it sounds. There is a need to train volunteers, staff, pastoral staff on HOW to minister. Don't just tell your youth or leader "Go serve". Teach them. Walk alongside and show them. Train up a new generation of HOW to serve. 

5. Practicing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Much talk is said in churches about desiring the spiritual gifts but not much practice is done. Men are hungry to be trained to hear the voice of God, to be open to prophecy, and equipped with all the gifts available. The problem is the church does not practice them. If you want to impact a new generation lets start walking out our talk. 

6. Transparency. Men (and women) are tired of always hearing the perfect side of leaders, preachers, and missionaries. The deep desire is to be open, honest, transparent not only in the pulpit but more in person and in relationships. We need less glamor preachers and more men who are Barnabas'.

7. Parental Blessings. There has been a lack of understanding of how significant and vital parental blessings are in children's lives. Talk about the joy of receiving parental blessings.

8. Women in Leadership. The church for years has suppressed the leadership giftings of women. We need more women leaders trained and ready to serve. 

9. Being Flexible With Technology. At times there has been a struggle introducing technology in the church. Some feel it is "unholy" others feel it expands the kingdom of God. We cannot be blind to the fact that BILLIONS of people can be reached using new methods of technology. 

10. Science + Faith. Much of the church has pushed away from inviting science to play a role in the development of faith within a church. Science has been viewed as an unbelievers religion when in fact if we were to let science be voiced it would prove more of God's Word then without it.

11. Couples Ministry/Counseling. We must invest in not only counseling when things go bad in a marriage but when things are great and to keep it going. Couples ministry is a great need in many churches.

12. Miscellaneous. Topics like not defining a persons spirituality by the amount of ministries he or she is involved in, growing in knowledge and training is a good thing, respecting authority without constantly being skeptical, not being a church or people who are isolationists but investing in the Body of Christ. 

Let us prayerfully consider addressing some of these topics in 2014! 

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