THE "APOSTLE"

Sitting here watching one of the best actors of all time, Robert Duvall, in a strange yet sincere role as "The Apostle."  I remember first seeing this movie on DVD back when it came out, mostly because he was in it and partly because Farah Fawcett was in it ;) 

I must say it never occurred to me that beating a man to death with a baseball bat, skipping town and starting a brand new church in the middle of nowhere, would be an effective ministry strategy but it works for him!  Lol.

As Yoda would say it, "Thought provoking, this movie is."  As the pastor of a new church in a new town ("The One Way Road To Heaven Church") ol' Robert Duvall becomes very popular.  He attracts a large radio following which leads to more folks getting on the bus he drives to pick up people for church.  Others are gracious enough for the food boxes he and church members deliver that they, too, begin to attend.  Everything is going well...until his past catches up with him...but I'll not spoil it for you, in case you haven't seen it.

There are so many strategies for ministry/evangelism/discipleship/fellowship/worship nowadays.  I wouldn't even make an attempt at listing them or debating the merits of the more popular ones this late at night.  However, while watching this I'm reminded of the importance of having one.  To me, that means we know the purpose behind everything we do as a local body of believers.  There's a reason (or several reasons) for this trip, that new class, the upcoming community work day, next month's picnic, the order/style of worship, etc. 

Surely, we won't allow ourselves or our churches to become people or places of God that have "just done" things a certain way for so long that we don't even know why.  Surely, if some thing/class/project/style/etc. has become ineffective in bringing people to Jesus, we will notice it immediately and cease to do it for that reason alone.  Surely, I'm right...right?

P.S. - Yes, I did just include Robert Duvall, Farah Fawcett, and Yoda in one blog.  Billy Bob Thornton is in it, too.  I'm G-Smooth and that's how I roll, people ;)