When the Spirit began “the church” on Pentecost, the Scriptures proclaim that those first sold-out disciples were so enthralled with their salvation that their days were “love-feasts” of worship celebrations, fellowship meals, and meeting each other’s needs. Acts 2 reads, “[The 3000] who accepted the message were baptized… They devoted themselves… to the fellowship. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet togetherin the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God!” Likewise, to this day disciples are moved by the same Spirit to “encourage one another daily so that [no one]…turns away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12-13) This “24/7″ love identifies Jesus’ disciples in both the first and the twenty-first centuries! (John 13:34-35)

The Bible teaches when a person is baptized into Christ and their sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38) at that same moment the Spirit baptizes them into the body of Christ, the church universal. (1 Corinthians 12:13) To be devoted, “sold-out” to Christ, one must be devoted to the church, His body. Consider this analogy, if one’s arm or leg is severed, it is extremely painful to one’s entire body. However, if the limb is not quickly reattached, the limb will surely die. As many of us can testify, when a disciple misses church, “the body of Christ” hurts. If the struggling Christian does not get “reattached” with the church, he eventually dies spiritually – he falls away.

God is clear: daily involvement with fellow disciples is explicitly commanded in Hebrews 3:12-13. Therefore, “anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17) Today in “Christendom,” people are not only lacking meaningful daily discipling friendships, but they are “habitually” missing the formal “meetings of the body.” This sin of omission of missing church perpetually is alarming! For some, it is a heart issue of wrong priorities. For others, they are deceived to believe that the call to attend “all” worship services is legalistic. Too often congregational leaders, where only half the membership attends midweek services, have confused “love and patience” for the toleration of sin. (Revelation 2:20-23) From other pulpits, there is a cowardly silence on “church attendance,” because of the fear of losing members and thus contribution, if they challenge people as Jesus did the rich young ruler. (Mark 10:17-29) Jeremiah’s words ring true, “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land; the prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way!” Sadly, in some cases where there is lukewarm church attendance, the minister simply lacks the training and skill to motivate disciples’ hearts through the Word.

Written in the early 60′s AD, the book of Hebrews addresses disciples who had been “in the Kingdom” for 10, 20, even 30 years. The Spirit challenges these brothers to once again “fix their eyes on Jesus,” stop “drifting away,” and stop “ignoring such a great salvation.” (Hebrews 2:1-3) In Hebrews 10:25, one of the symptoms of hearts that have drifted from Jesus is forthrightly addressed, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”

Consider Hebrews 10:25 in context. All of Hebrews 10 is a passionate plea of the Holy Spirit to return to God. The Spirit says, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Christ… We have confidence by the blood of Christ to draw near to God… [Therefore] let us not give up meeting together… [for] if we deliberately keep on sinning after we received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sin is left… only judgment… [If we do not change we] have trampled the Son of God under foot… treating as an unholy thing [His] blood… [thus] insulting the Spirit of grace. Remember your earlier days after you received the light… You were publicly exposed to insult and persecution [and] stood side by side with [your fellow disciples]… You joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you know that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” (Hebrews 10 – emphasis mine)

In Hebrews 10 perpetually missing church is drifting from God and in this we “insult the Spirit of grace!” (Hebrews 10:29) It is through His blood that the church universal exists, the Kingdom exists. No longer should one be deceived that the call to church attendance Sunday, midweek or even for Bible Talk gatherings is legalism; it’s all about our response to God’s grace. Legalism is not the act, but the attitude in our hearts during the act. No longer can one put one’s job or tiredness from one’s job, children or school as an excuse not to come to worship, for in “earlier days” we forfeited our possessions in persecutions for “something better.” Our lives cannot be consumed with a worldly “something better” as in making more money. Jesus says, “The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19)

God’s people throughout the Bible have been called “family.” (Ephesians 2:19) In a physical family, God requires obedience from a wife to her husband and children to their parents. (Ephesians 5:24; 6:1) Interestingly, nowhere in the Bible does it prescribe a set time for a family to eat dinner. I know of no family that just spontaneously shows up for dinner at the exact same time.

Ultimately, the father exerts his leadership and sets the time for dinner, the “meeting together” of the family. (If he is wise he will ask for input from his wife and kids!) So it should be in each congregation. When the leaders call for “church” at 10:00 am on Sundays or 7:30 pm Wednesdays or Bible Talk during the week, the flock is called by God to obey them. “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17) This is not, nor should leaders make it, an oppressive or harsh call to obey, but the caring voice of shepherds protecting, strengthening and persuading the flock’s hearts.

This begs the question, “Are there any reasons to miss worship services or Bible Talk, such as sickness, depression, vacation, family occasions, or even high school sports?” Yes, but as with a family, these absences should involve communication with the leaders, as the leaders are held accountable for your souls. Out of respect and love, absences should not be independently decided. Family works together! However, if you still feel differently from the leadership, by talking with the leadership and hearing their direction, correction or advice, they are no longer accountable to God for your decision. (Ezekiel 3:16-21)

Remember, ultimately you will be held accountable by God for your decision not to attend. It must be said, if your decision not to attend has merit, then either the leaders simply have a “different opinion” which is alright with God (Romans 14:2-3), or they will answer to God for their sins of stubbornness or insensitivity. Remember, when leaders sin (and they will) do not become bitter, which can cause you to miss the grace of God. (Hebrews 12:15) The Scriptures are clear: overall church attendance and the daily encouragement of disciples are not matters of opinion, but commands of God. Jesus preached, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness…” Christ and His Kingdom, the church, are the “first priority” of the disciple of Jesus, not one’s physical family or certainly not one’s job.

Another question now must be asked by the faithful, “What should I do if a fellow disciple misses a meeting of the body for unknown reasons?” Well, as with a family member who misses dinner, do not jump to conclusions, find out the facts! However, be urgent in your follow-up, as you would your family. Many passages tell us we are our “brother’s keeper,” yet Ezekiel 3 goes even further. If after talking with the brother, it turns out that he has sinned in missing worship, then with compassion we must confront the sin. Even when gently confronted, some rebellious individuals will defensively complain, “It’s none of your business why I did not come. You are judging me!” To the shock of many, the Bible clearly teaches we are to judge each other, though not hypocritically. “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) Concerning “judging” Paul writes, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13) Paul had deep convictions that other Christians’ lives were “his business.” Do we?

During a hard week, there are times when a disciple’s “foot will almost slip… and even envy the arrogant, when he sees the prosperity of the wicked.” Yet, the Spirit says though life can be “oppressive,” when one “enters the sanctuary of God [one] understands [the wicked's] final destiny,” then one rejoices that the Lord is “his refuge.” (Psalm 73) Likewise, worshipping restores my soul and refocuses me on pleasing God. I am so refreshed by celebrating Christ’s death and resurrection during communion, singing praises to God, hearing the Word preached, interacting in deep and meaningful conversations, and then relaxing at an awesome Sunday lunch with disciples and friends!

Today, Lord willing, as you read this article, Elena & I are enjoying the Sunday Service of the European Missions Conference in London! What a joy to be reunited in worship and fellowship with our dear “partners in the gospel” Michael & Michele Williamson, Blaise & Patricia Feumba, and Coltin & Mandee Rohn all of London, Argo & Anu Arneson of Stockholm, Oleg & Aliona Sirotkin of Kiev, Carlos & Lucy Mejia of Washington DC, Mike & Brittany Underhill of Chicago, and so many others!

Indeed, “church” has been the highlight of my week since I was baptized at 17 over 39 years ago! Therefore in light of all these Scriptures, if going to church is a burden, repent. If going to church is boring and not life-changing, your leadership needs to repent. If they do not, then at all costs, find a congregation of sold-out disciples. Seek without pause, a church where the pulpit unapologetically calls each member to the standard of Christ and the Biblical doctrines of salvation. Seek without pause, a church where every member has a deep sense of mission to “seek and save the lost” and a dream to change the world. Seek without pause, a church eagerly embracing the “abundant life” and passionately loving one another more than this earthly life. “Seek and you will find.” (Matthew 7:7) And to God be the glory!

Kip McKean

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

In the first century, the gospel was proclaimed to all nations through the planting of churches in the most influential of cities. (Colossians 1:6, 23) If we as God’s modern day movement are to evangelize the nations in our generation, then we too must plant churches in the most influential cities of the world – thus The Crown of Thorns Project. This requires the tireless training of preachers and women ministry leaders, as well as the finances to support their efforts for the Lord. Therefore, on November 20, 2011, the Central Leadership Council is calling every member in every SoldOut Movement congregation to give AT LEAST 4X THEIR WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION PLEDGE for a Thanksgiving Missions Contribution.

In the 1970’s, I was privileged to befriend Reuel Lemmons (1912-1989), one of the most prominent preachers and significant voices in the Mainline Churches of Christ. Reuel was a minister for 53 years speaking in 79 countries. From 1955 to 1983, he served as the Editor of the Firm Foundation, a publication of the Mainline Churches of Christ. According to The Handbook of Texas Online, Reuel’s weekly editorials were “probably the most widely read single column among members of the [Mainline] Churches of Christ.”

Brother Lemmons was a hero to me. Our friendship developed as we spent “down time” during seminars and workshops at which both of us were guest speakers. I found him to be a soft-spoken man, yet with unwavering deep convictions. The following Firm Foundation editorial from February 9, 1982 entitled Church Planting challenged all of us in the Mainline Churches of Christ. I believe it is still a clarion call to the Mainline Churches of Christ and the International Churches of Christ, as well as prophetic warning to the churches in the SoldOut Movement. Our brother Reuel wrote:

It is a strange and almost sacrilegious thing to say, but we do not look for too much growth in the great majority of our presently existing [Mainline Church of Christ] congregations during the next two decades. True, populations will shift and a few will grow, largely at the expense of others, but our church plans are not now orientated toward church growth. We would not be afraid to prophesy that more of our congregations that exist today will die than will grow in the next 20 years. We mean, really grow, not just swell.

This is not to prophesy that the church as a whole will not grow. We believe it will, but it will grow from church planting rather than church building. We are doing practically nothing to build churches, and seem bent on crucifying the few that are… The church grows from church planting, and we have just about quit planting churches. We are educating our young preachers to fill existing pulpits rather than to plant churches. The number of preachers we have or need is related by the number of existing pulpits rather than by the world’s need for the gospel…

The average church is reducing its interest in “for others” and is proclaiming the doctrine of “for us.” We even heard recently an elder say that the church’s first duty was to itself. We fear for a church with this philosophy. Search the annals of history and you will find that God never let a church grow at home that lost its interest in the great commission. The church’s first duty is to preach the gospel and plant churches – not to satisfy its selfish wants.

Whatever church growth there is in the next twenty years will come from the relatively few congregations that are interested in church planting. When the preaching ministry of the church is centered in professional ministering to people pleasing groups, in job security and fringe benefits, then the church will die. Preachers ought to be taught to create pulpits rather than fill them.

If surveys are correct, the over 18,000 [Mainline Church of Christ] congregations have shrunk to less than 10,000 in the last 20 years or so. If there was an ounce of church planting vision among us, we could turn those 10,000 congregations into 20,000 in the next twenty years. So long as it takes 6,000 members of the church to send one missionary, we probably won’t plant 10,000 churches. This is a problem that every [church leadership] should search their souls over…

There is only one reason in the world, so far as we can see – why churches have quit growing. They have lost their church planting zeal and have taken up housekeeping operations. Jesus cursed a fig tree because it bore nothing but leaves; we have so many barren churches and so little fruit! There is grave danger that the Lord might curse us with jealousy and division until we die out. Then He might raise-up in our place a people who would be the Israel of God – He has done it before.

Reuel Lemmons – February 9, 1982

I believe that the SoldOut Movement is “the Israel of God” that Reuel “prophesied” about which God is raising-up out of a jealous, divided and dying-out church. The City of Angels Church planted in May of 2007 with 42 sold-out disciples sent by the Spirit from Portland, now sees 750 on Sunday mornings! Yet, the real impact of the congregation can be seen through the efforts of the 107 disciples that have been sent-out from LA to lead existing churches or to plant churches: Honolulu (2008), New York City (2008), Portland (2009), San Diego (2010), Kiev (2010), London (2010), and Sao Paulo (2011). In just four and-a-half years, the astounding combined total number of disciples in LA and in the churches led by those sent-out from LA is over 1,500 with an amazing combined Sunday attendance nearing 2,500!

In the first century, Jesus said to the faithful Eleven, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Our Crown of Thorns Project adapts Jesus’ vision for the twenty-first century. “Jerusalem” is Los Angeles for God’s modern day movement; “Judea and Samaria” are parallel to the United States; and “the ends of the earth” are “the ends of the earth!” To go to “the ends of the earth,” twelve of the most influential cities outside of the United States have been targeted as Crown of Thorns Cities: Cairo, Chennai, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Hong Kong, Paris, Santiago, Sao Paulo, and Sydney. Excitingly, God’s new movement now has vibrant church plantings in London, Santiago and Sao Paulo!

For 2012, the Central Leadership Council is presently praying over and cementing plans to plant four more churches. Lord willing, following The Samaria Project (church plantings within the United States), the Spirit will send out mission teams from LA to Boston, San Francisco and Orlando at this summer’s 2012 World Missions Jubilee. Also at that time the Holy Spirit will plant the fourth city of The Crown of Thorns Project, as Lord willing, Tim & Lianne Kernan will take a small group of sold-out disciples and plant the Paris International Christian Church! Adding to this excitement, the Central Leadership Council has now begun to consider planting in the summer of 2012 our fifth Crown of Thorns City – Mexico City!

As Reuel Lemmons wrote, “The church grows from church plantings.” He also noted that though there may be some churches that grow individually with a “for us” mentality, the only hope for a lost world is a movement of churches that “preach the gospel and plant churches – not [satisfying their] selfish wants.” Reuel also realized that persecution would come from those who “are doing practically nothing to build churches, and seem bent on crucifying the few that are.” Underlining this principle, Raul & Lynda Moreno and our Sao Paulo Mission Team were recently “sinfully” marked and “wrongly” disfellowshipped by what is left of our former fellowship in Brazil.

Some reject and scorn Jesus’ dream to evangelize the nations in this generation as burdensome and embittering to the families in the church, especially those in leadership. In fact, to attempt to save everyone’s family members requires that we reach the entire world! So encouraging have been the many “Kingdom Kids” that have been baptized this summer, such as Matt & Helen Sullivan’s daughter – Melissa and Chris & Theresa Broom’s son – Austin! Interestingly, both the Sullivans and Brooms serve on the SoldOut Movement’s Central Leadership Council!

Indeed, Reuel was a prophet – “a voice of one calling in the [spiritual] desert.” However, it is necessary and good that we recognize that there are still some faithful disciples in the Mainline and International Churches of Christ, as these two fellowships comprise our spiritual heritage. Yet as Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:43) So by faith, Reuel sensed that out of the Satanic chaos and confusion of modern day Christianity our Gracious Father would raise-up a new “Israel of God,” or as we were named by our persecutors – the SoldOut Movement! And since it is “only God, who makes things grow,” then to God be all the glory!

Kip McKean