This week on Wednesday, May 25th at noon EDT, Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love and Forgotten God, is releasing BASIC. FELLOWSHIP, the 4th film in his BASIC curriculum series. Simply visit premiere.BASICseries.com.

Beginning on Sunday, May 22, each of the existing three BASIC curriculum films will be streamed for 24 hours at the same place - premiere.BASICseries.com.

Like most of Francis Chan’s messages, each BASIC film investigates the Bible in a very simple and straightforward way that tries to through out the cultural biases that so often cause us to distort what the Bible really says.

1. Film #1 - BASIC. FEAR GOD
   What does the Bible mean when it tells us to fear God? Is it a kind of respect or reverence as many in the church seem to see it today, or is it really more of a paralyzing fear that can drive you to your knees in trembling? A clear understanding of what the Bible teaches can lead to a true fear of God, which can ultimately lead to the life we were intended to live.
2. Film #2 - BASIC. FOLLOW JESUS
   What does Jesus mean when He tells us to follow Him? Are we supposed to just agree with what He says, or does He really mean we’re supposed to do the things He did and live the life He lived? Once we understand how to follow Jesus, we see the hard life that might be in store for us, and then the real question becomes not how, but why we would want to follow Him in the first place.
3. Film #3 - BASIC. HOLY SPIRIT
   God gives each of us the gift of the Holy Spirit, our source of supernatural power. But today the church acts neither “super” nor “natural.” How do we join the move of what the Spirit is doing? Maybe once we understand who the Holy Spirit is, the church can stop being so ordinary, and can start being the agents of change in the world that God designed us to be.
4. Film #4 - BASIC. FELLOWSHIP
   God gives each of us the gift of the Holy Spirit, our source of supernatural power. But today the church acts neither “super” nor “natural.” How do we join the move of what the Spirit is doing? Maybe once we understand who the Holy Spirit is, the church can stop being so ordinary, and can start being the agents of change in the world that God designed us to be.

David C. Cook Publishers makes each film available for purchase individually, or you can get the first three films with study guides in a special BASIC series curriculum small group package.

Don’t forget to catch the premiere of BASIC. FELLOWSHIP this Wednesday, May 25th at noon EDT.

Special thanks to David C. Cook Publishers for supporting Church Relevance by sponsoring this post and for a complimentary review copy of the BASIC series small group curriculum. This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

During Catalyst Conference, Francis Chan discussed following Biblical simplicity.

This is what the Lord  says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord , have spoken!
- Jeremiah 9:23-24

You should brag about the fact that you know God.

God answers prayer. But he doesn’t always answer prayer. The Bible says if you treat your wife with disrespect, He doesn’t hear your prayer. If you doubt, it is like you are being tossed by the waves of the sea.

A lot of times we just assume things are good. But there are plenty of times that God says, “Just stop it because I am looking at your life.”

Sometimes we need simplicity.

I know God, and He listens to me.

Think about that.

Is it weird to go about ministry and life and say God will take care of it? The world thinks it is.

The church looks back and is embarrassed about the Crusades and about encouraging slavery, but what will future generations look back on and think is weird about the way we do church?

What are we doing that is weird? If you read the Bible, would it be weird if it said the early church goers switched churches because of a better speaker or a better worship service or service times or whatever?

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sisters in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
- 1 John 3:16-18

It looks to me like we should lay down our lives for other people just like Jesus did. It seems like it is normal to sacrifice.

Then they will reply, `Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ “And he will answer, `I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
- Matthew 25:44-46

“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
- Luke 12:33

And you don’t need to break that down in the Greek.

Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
- Luke 14:13-14

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
- Romans 12:13

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread. The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.
- Psalm 37:25-26

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord — and he will repay you!
- Proverbs 19:17

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
- Proverbs 28:27

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
- Proverbs 21:13

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
-  James 1:27

All I know is that the more I pursue that, the better it is.

Cornerstone Community Church (Simi Valley, CA) has been maxing out their facility for the past seven years. Obviously, the solution is more property and a bigger building. But the leadership at Cornerstone Community Church did not feel peace about spending $50 million to $60 million (California is expensive) going the traditional route. They asked themselves:

Would God rather we spend the money in other ways?

What about helping the world’s poor and suffering? What about serving our local community? How can we create a Biblical community that ministers through their actions?

The answer to their questions was the Conerstone Tierra Rejada Building Project. It is a church building campaign that saves money and creates a place that prioritizes serving the people outside of their church rather than self-serving their own needs. The project includes:

• Cornerstone Community Church & Eternity Bible College Facilities
  >> Outdoor Sanctuary (3,000 person capacity)
  >> Gym/Multi-Purpose Building (1,000 person capacity)
  >> Chapel/Multi-Purpose Building (300 person capacity)
  >> Administration Building with Library
  >> Classroom Buildings
  >> Maintenance and Restroom Buildings
• Children’s Hunger Fund Facilities
  >> Administration Buildings and Learning Center
  >> Warehouse/Packing Buildings
• Athletic Fields
  >> 3.8 acres of shared-use athletic fields (will encourage local community use)
• Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility
  >> Creates tertiary-treated recycled water for irrigation
• Onsite Parking Facilities
  >> 2,000 parking spaces
  >> Eco-friendly “grass-crete” pavement
• Open Space
  >> Approximately 58.8 acres of preserved open space
  >> Only 3% of total site developed

To better understand “Why?”

Watch this sermon (click here) by Senior Pastor Francis Chan. And watch the following videos:

Church Leadership Discusses a Need

What Can $20 Million Dollars Do?

I admire their stewardship. Obviously, their church model does not work for every church because God gives each of us a unique calling. However, I think it is an excellent example of how we all should evaluate our ministries within their own unique contexts and search for ways to maximize our stewardship.