"Five Issues That Can’t Be Ignored"
by Tom Goodman
January 19, 2006

What are the biggest struggles that first-half adults face?  “First-half adults” is my title for those in the first half of adulthood (those in the Singles 1 and the Adult 1, 2, and 3 Bible study departments).  Identifying their struggles is the first step in getting them into a growing relationship with Jesus.

Pastor John Burke points out the five big issues this age group faces in his book No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a ‘Come as You Are’ Culture in the Church.  About forty men at Hillcrest have studied this book.  I started with a group of men last Fall at my house.  In turn, those men formed three study groups in November, and I formed another circle.  All four of these groups will meet together tonight to wrap up the study.  It’s been a fantastic time where eyes and hearts have been opened to our community.  Several women have told me their husbands would come home late from the study each week and would actually wake them up to spend an hour talking about what they were learning.

Now’s your chance to be part of this study.  Diane and I will lead a discussion through the book at the Hillcrest Institute (5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Sundays).  This time it’s for men and women.  The book costs $15, and couples may share a copy.  For more information and to sign up, go online to www.HillcrestAustin.org/discipleship.

I’m sending out this invitation through LeaderLines because I think it’s especially important for all of you in leadership to think about the issues covered in this book.  If you’re unable to take the course, you can still purchase the book.  Drop by the classroom before our study begins, or come to the office during office hours.  Across the next few weeks in LeaderLines, I’ll introduce you to the five issues that can’t be ignored if we’re going to reach first-half adults.

Finally, I don’t think it’s redundant to say, “Pray for praying!”  Ask God to bend the knees of his people before him and to teach us a whole new level of dependence upon him!  Diane and I have officially begun the “Pastor’s Prayer Meetings” at our house, but let’s just make that the beginning of a prayer movement throughout our church!  No matter how thoroughly you and I address the questions and concerns of our people at Hillcrest, we need the activity of the Spirit!

—Tom