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To the Church Which Seeks Seekers
An open letter to a movement that has brought so much to American Christianity
John Ortberg

Topics:	Authenticity, Character, Community impact, Culture, Empowerment, Missional, Relevance, Servanthood
Filters:	Church board, Discipleship, Missions, Outreach, Pastor
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Revelation 2:7
Date Added:	February 19, 2008

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Posted: February 23, 2008
Derek Iannelli-Smith (Guest)

Just curious... with all the recent events at Willow Creek regarding growing disciples... how the old model (church growth) was not producing mature followers, etc... I have been asking for years this question, "Where in the Bible does it say there are 'seekers'? I did find this in my years of study and wondered if this applied, Psa 53:2-3 NASB (2) God has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there is anyone who understands, Who seeks after God. (3) Every one of them has turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.

Posted: March 08, 2008
fuller grad (Guest)


This is hardly a apocalyptic rebuke. But then again its Ortberg, he is an inspirational writer.

Posted: February 21, 2008
Kent K. Kessler (Guest)


I loved this! I needed to hear these words today. Thank you...

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Each week this month, BuildingChurchLeaders.com is considering how different expressions of Christianity can more faithfully embody the calling God has placed on them. These letters are patterned off the words of Jesus in Revelation 2–3. While they lack the authority of Scripture, they contain many convicting insights brought in the spirit of humility and love for the church. This letter, written by John Ortberg, is addressed to the churches that he knows best: those in the seeker movement.

These are the words of the Seeker after lost sheep and lost coins and prodigal sons and daughters:

I love your heart for lost people.

I love the way you think and risk and give and stop at nothing to let all persons know they matter to me.

I love the way you have reclaimed the task of evangelism for the church.

That's just the heart of a shepherd searching for lost sheep; a father longing for his lost son.

I love your heart.

I love your devotion to community.

I love to see you gathered in homes to pray and learn and grow.

I love how you want everyone to discover the gifts I've given them.

I love your activistic spirit; I love to see your service to the church, to the city, to the whole world.

I love your passion, your creativity, your desire to see the church flourish and prevail.

But I give you two warnings:

First, never stop dreaming big dreams.

The day you get content and sit on your laurels or begin to look backward is the day the dream begins to die.

I have such plans for you, if you will only trust me, and not stop dreaming.

Second, stay humble.

Remember that I have said: not by might, not by power, but by my spirit.

Remember as you enjoy this season of extraordinary fruitfulness, I also work in hidden and obscure places as well.

Remember that my work is not ultimately about method or technique.

Remember to cherish deep thought and careful study as well as bold action.

Remember that what you do you do through my strength and in my name.

Stay humble.

To the one who overcomes, I will give a place in that community where finally all seeking will be done; where all lost sheep and lost coins and lost people will finally, fully be found.

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