October 31 this year will mark the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation. On this date in 1517, a young German, Augustinian monk named Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Castle church door in Wittenberg. This document challenged the Catholic Church’s corrupt practice of selling “indulgences” to absolve sin.

So why does this still matter today? The point is that the Reformation that Luther started then is far from over. We still have a lot of work to do. For example, a LifeWay Research study showed that 71% of evangelicals did not understand that Jesus is eternally God and not created. And at least 36% believed you could earn your way to heaven partly through good deeds.

We must remind our people of the foundational theological beliefs of the Christian faith.

Click here to read the LifeWay Research study.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.