part of a larger trend . Churches are reconnecting with their communities . Congregations are discovering they cannot exist as a meaningful extension of Christ ’ s ministry if they are focused exclusively on themselves .
The revival of neighborhood churches in particular and the renewed focus of congregations on their communities in general
are exciting developments . Indeed , we see the likelihood that these trends will not only continue but also accelerate in the months to come .
The result will be healthier churches . The result will also be healthier communities . God is truly using a challenging and tragic time to bring things together for his glory .
Taken from The Post-Quarantine Church by Thom Rainer . Copyright © 2020 . Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers , a Division of Tyndale House Ministries . All rights reserved .
Thom S . Rainer is the founder and CEO of Church Answers . With nearly forty years of ministry experience , Thom has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of the local church and its leaders . He also served for 12 years at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary , where he was the founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism . He has been a pastor of four churches and interim pastor of ten churches . He is a 1977 graduate of the University of Alabama and earned his MDiv and PhD degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary . Rainer has written numerous books , including three that ranked as number one bestsellers : I Am a Church Member , Autopsy of a Deceased Church , and Simple Church .
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