The Hope QuotientSample

The church is the greatest institution ever created on earth, and it is the only thing Jesus ever promised to build. When the church is focused on Christ and fueled by hope, it is the most powerful force in the world.

In the early church, people who needed hope looked to Jesus. As a result . . .

The church exploded! Vibrant Christians brought God’s love to the entire known world. 

Barriers were shattered! Empowered Christians broke racial, cultural, and ethnic barriers that had divided and held people captive.

Compassion was unleashed! Early Christians brought help and hope to the poor.

Lives, communities, cities, and countries were transformed by the love of Christ!

When the world can run to a Christian church fueled by faith, hope, and love, marriages, people’s lives, the poor, children, teens, singles are helped and healed, barriers are blown away, and Christians discover the thrill of being used by God.

The main characteristic of those hope-filled early Christians is that they believed God had better days ahead. I love consulting with pastors and churches. Almost always, the starting point for the future health and growth of any church is to believe that God has better days ahead for them.

A nearby church called us, “Can you guys get over here?” The answer was “yes!” I stood in their pulpit the next Sunday and said, “I’m sorry for what happened. And I believe that God has better days ahead for you and your church.”

It would be hard to describe the emotions that welled up in the congregation. Some people cried others applauded as a wave of hope rose in the room. Months later, the church was on their feet, and, they said, “better than ever!”

When a church and its people begin believing that God actually does have better days ahead, everything changes.

Think Up:

When hope rises in the heart of a church, Christ-followers are set free to believe that God has better days ahead. 

Check your energy level for your church. Hope raises the energy level of a congregation. (Read on).