Start Early.

Much like finances, the sooner you know and understand what is going, the sooner you can begin working on solutions, goals and investments.

I know this seems like quite the revelation, but while getting ready for church this morning, my favorite classic Christian rock internet station was playing the song Shadows, by Resurrection Band, dealing with the subject of suicide. Then it was followed up two years later, when DeGarmo & Key recorded Teenage Suicide.

How many issues of our day is the church at the forefront of dealing with?

In 1979, Resurrection Band released their album, Rainbow's End which included the track, Afrikaans; which was the first anti-apartheid song to be released by an American rock band. For reference, secular artist Peter Gabriel released "Biko" a year later.

Thus many people and organizations are effective and efficient in their efforts to impact the world at large as well as their local community, but those at the forefront of solving or working towards solutions are to be commended. Whether working to fix problems such as over-crowded foster care system or combating human trafficking, the church should not take second place in dealing with societies ills. Especially since they all stem from the evil within the heart of man.

On this #effectiveSunday, pray that churches would indeed be on the cutting edge of impacting society in positive ways making real differences with kingdom goals. May we not shy away from the troubles and challenges we face, but work to engage others in changing hearts and minds. Pray that the church would have favor as they move in these areas; that obstacles would be few and overcome well when they arise. Pray that we would do life together and that our reputation of love would go before us... not in allowing anything and everything to occur, but revealing and reflecting the truth of God and the character of Christ.

To be His hands and feet
To the desperate among us.
For the glory of God
And the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC