Sean Michael Lewis

Permission Based Ministry

seanmichaellewis — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:52:32 +0000

Working for an international charity I get so many interactions week after week from people that want to serve and help make a difference in the world, but are held up by a simple phrase.

“I have to ask my Pastor if this is okay”

After hearing this over and over I starting to get very concerned with the slavery like mindset people feel in some American Churches.

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

If Jesus came to set us free, why does it seem in some American Evangelical Churches, we are consistently in bondage to man-made religious structures?

I am not trying to be disrespectful but it seems people are hurting and even dying in the world and we are waiting to react by simply seeking permission.

What are your thoughts?

SML

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This week

seanmichaellewis — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:45:19 +0000

Had a crazy week last week and was not able to start new topics. This week will be start of some exciting topics.

SML

Jesus Entertainment

seanmichaellewis — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:56:02 +0000

As I travel across the country, I keep seeing the church become more and more entertaining. Leadership teams are focusing on ways to provide creative ways to draw in those that do not know Jesus.

At first, I see this is a great marketing strategy, but people aren’t dumb. The modern church is focusing to much effort and resources on trying to entertain adults and children instead of teaching the truth of God’s Word and believing in the power it has to change lives.

It really hit me when our ten year old went to visit another church with a friend one week. He said that he did not like the experience because they sat in a room and a man talked about something the whole time. The truth is the man was probably sharing the Word of God. The Church has adapted to making Jesus fun and entertaining for children that they never get the full purpose of why the Church exists. They tend to adjust to the standards of the public school system that all kids have ADHD, and we can never expect them to stay still for 5 minutes to learn about Jesus.

The bottom line is no matter how cool you think your church is, you can not compete with Hollywood. Entertaining Churches can bring people in with the concept of something different, but will not sustain to provide the truth people are searching for.

Over the next few weeks I want to venture into some discussion and some areas of things we are missing in the American Church today that are very clear in God’s Word.

SML

I’m Back!

seanmichaellewis — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 15:00:56 +0000

It has been a while since I have been blogging but excited to be back. Big news and amazing things happening so there will be a lot to write about. Stay tuned this week for more updates.

SML

“You Give Me Hope” Video

seanmichaellewis — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:35:03 +0000

Ryan Kirkland the lead singer of Between the Trees just released a new video for a new movie titled “Letters to God.” The song is incredible. Check it out below.

SML

The Road Ahead

seanmichaellewis — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:17:30 +0000

Recently I have taken some time off to reflect on my personal relationship with the Lord. All in all it has been a great time in my personal walk. My marriage is growing stronger, my personal attitude towards others is changing, and I feel like I am really growing.

I look forward to writing over the year, and sharing thoughts, on this thing we call life. I want to engage in conversation that allows people to share thoughts and opinions no matter what your background is.

Welcome to the conversation. Look forward to talking with you all.

SML

New Posts to Start this week

What keeps you up at night?

seanmichaellewis — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:59:12 +0000

Just a simple question. Would love to hear things you are passionate about.

What keeps you up at night? It can be anything.

The Jesus Industry at its best

seanmichaellewis — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:18:44 +0000

For those of you who do not know Matthew Paul Turner, he is the most honest and in my opinion entertaining blogger you can possibly follow. Patrol Magazine a magazine style website covered an excerpt from his latest book “Hear No Evil” about how a former CCM Executive forced him to get Amy Grant to apologize for her divorce.

You can read the article by clicking here

Share your thoughts

SML.

The Jesus Industry

seanmichaellewis — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:09:51 +0000

I would like to open a conversation on what you think about the world creating an industry to market Jesus.

Whether we agree with it or not we have made Jesus a commercial product, selling it at Christian retailers around the world.

I have asked this question before, What is different of the Jesus Industry, than any other industry?

Are all products that are created right in God’s eyes?

Many Churches market sermons, and other resources, and sell them for hefty fees. I guess you could call it commercializing God’s word.

Where do Christians need to draw the line?

We have to recognize that some of the products we see at the local Christian Bookstore are just ridiculous. Try to imagine what it would look life if Jesus actually walked into a Christian Bookstore.

I think it would be funny to see his reaction.

What are your thoughts?

SML

p.s. On the right column you can subscribe by email, this week I will be expanding on the topic, with the next post titled Pre-Fabricated Jesus

Another Look at Consumerism in the Church

seanmichaellewis — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:31:02 +0000

As we take a deeper look at Consumerism in the Church, we have to understand what exactly is meant by consumerism in our ministries.

Lets start with the gospel. The gospel is clearly about a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. And also to share that relationship with others that do not know him.

So somewhere in time we became all about extravagant buildings, only allowing a certain social group to participate, and many programs that entertain fellow believers.

How…..Why….What Happened…..

Francis Chan in a recent magazine issue talked about what it would be like if we were stranded on a desert island and had nothing but the bible to start a church.

What would we do if we did not have the option to build million dollar buildings, start thousands of dollars of programs, etc?

SML