I have been doing some thinking over the last year on the actual words that Jesus said.

I think, because I have been in church most of my life and listened to a lot of teaching ABOUT the words of Jesus, I have a library of phrases in my mind that are connected with those words. So when I start to read a familiar passage, mentally I go straight to the interpretation that I have been taught instead of taking in what Jesus actually said.

So, I am trying to slow down - slow down and force myself to meditate on what His actual words were. And then I am asking myself if I have been living like I believe them.

Of course, Jesus did not intend for every single word He uttered to be taken literally. But often, I think we have been too quick to generate a what-He-was-really-trying-to-say version of His words, instead of letting Jesus speak for Himself. And often, we do that because His words are calling us to a radical way of life, and that makes us fearful.

In the end, however, we have to come to the place of knowing that anything Jesus said was said in love and for our benefit. We can and must trust Him. And if we really believe Him, really take Him at His word, then we will do the things He said.

Many churches over the last 7-10 years have rightly come to the conclusion that they need to tailor their communication styles on Sunday morning to the needs of the people filling the chairs (or pews). They have done this because, while not wanting to compromise the Gospel in any way, they want to be as effective as they can be in their communication. And of course, projection and media made for church services has been a huge part of that change in communication style.

However, as Sally Morgenthaler pointed out several years ago, there is a danger that comes with this change: we tend to start depending on the style to replace some of the big things the church is called to do, namely evangelize and disciple.

Videos can do a lot for you. They can bring practical application to a message. They can make a message point more memorable and stir the heart. They can enhance your worship time. They can help you communicate information in a way that grabs and keeps the attention of your audience. They are an important ministry tool.

But videos cannot go out and form a friendship with the guy who goes to Little League games on Sunday mornings. They cannot talk one-on-one with the woman who grew up being abused by a church member, and help her see that God really does love her. Videos cannot serve in the soup kitchen, or bring groceries to shut-ins.

Let’s face it: to have creative communication in your church service (videos, dramas, sets, object lessons) takes time and effort. So do evangelism and discipleship. A healthy church is a church that has found an effective way to do all of it.

And there is no short cut – the only way to do it all is for every member of the body of Christ to step up and do what they are called to do.

These are serious, sober times. We desperately need each other, whether we realize it or not, to be fully engaged in the cause of Christ. So this week, encourage your brother or sister who has been sitting on the sidelines to get back it the game. It’s game time, and we need them on the field!