Another election day has come reminding all Americans how blessed we are to live in a republic where our voices can be heard. While the system has many flaws it can still function the way our Founding Fathers envisioned. I will go to the polls today and cast my vote. Some of my decisions are clear and many of the votes I cast will be for people for whom I know nothing about. (My failure to learn more). I guess my thoughts and prayers are for the vital positions in our state and federal governments.
It is not only my duty but my privilege to vote today. I am very proud to be an American and I thank God for allowing me to be born in this country. Having said that I also want to say how convicted I am for not being a better "manager" of God's resources that He has entrusted to me. After being in the poor villages of Romania again I have a fresh perspective on how much we have in comparison to so many in the world. I just wish every Christian living in America's luxuries could go and experience the love and generosity of people who have nothing (when compared to what we have).
In the past year or two much has been said about President Obama's statement that America is not a Christian nation. So many Christ-Followers are offended by this statement but, I am sad to say, he is right. We are not a Christian nation! A nation could only be classified as "Christian" if it was Christ-like. Or, at best, we could only claim Christian status if our government unashamedly made significant decisions based on Christian principles, after spending time in prayer to request God's help in making these decisions. We all know that this is NOT happening! (And never will)
The greater burden for me is not that my country is NOT CHRISTIAN; but, my burden is how UnChristian the Church can be. What would happen if all churches who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior were operating in this world strictly by 'Christian Standards?' In response to this question one author stated -- "The world would be standing at the doors of our church buildings begging to access the Love of Christ they have witnessed in us." Something to think about!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Connecting Point Church
With all of the energy it takes to plan for and participate in an overseas mission trip I have not had much time to share what is going on with our new church start. Connecting Point Church was birthed in my heart by God's Spirit at least 12 or more years ago. I am a product of the New Testament Church and am very thankful for the heritage my parents instilled in me from the time I was born until I left home to become a self-supporting adult. After trying to serve as a Pastor for over 19 years of what is best defined as "Traditional Church," I am now pursuing God's call for a totally different concept regarding "CHURCH."
The primary difference in what we are striving to do involves our efforts to move the concept of what it means to 'go to church' into very practical methods of 'BEING THE CHURCH.' Jesus commissioned us to GO and make disciples. There is nothing in the New Testament to support our continual emphasis on "Gathering" in a building in contrast to GOING into our everyday lives with the LIGHT of CHRIST shining brightly in and through us. The end result is our emphasis on what we call "COMMUNITY HOUSE CHURCHES." At this time we have 8 House Churches meeting in different communities each week. While we have not had a designated place to GATHER as a church family on Sundays, our House Churches have been meeting and are doing some amazing things.
One of our House Churches placed a prayer notebook at the end of their driveway and passed the word through their community for people who needed and wanted prayer to simply write their request in the book and their House Church would pray for them. FANTASTIC! Several of our House Churches are hosting "Trunk or Treat" activities right there in the communities where they meet each week. This will allow them to not only provide a safe alternative to Halloween but also to share the vision of the House Church movement. This is something that I believe has just begun!! The visionary thinking of those who are in our House Churches is just beginning. My prayer is that more people will "Catch the Vision" and open their Houses for the Church to meet in so that their neighbors who would never attend an organized church meeting can have the opportunity to experience the love of Christ in very practical ways.
Pray for us to be faithful to God as we look to Him for leadership in this brand new adventure. We are meeting for the first time in a facility that may become our place for Sunday worship, music rehearsals, meetings, Youth worship services, etc. The lease payment is manageable for our church but there needs to be a lot of construction done inside to make it functional for our needs. I will share more with as time goes on. Thanks for reading and for praying.
The primary difference in what we are striving to do involves our efforts to move the concept of what it means to 'go to church' into very practical methods of 'BEING THE CHURCH.' Jesus commissioned us to GO and make disciples. There is nothing in the New Testament to support our continual emphasis on "Gathering" in a building in contrast to GOING into our everyday lives with the LIGHT of CHRIST shining brightly in and through us. The end result is our emphasis on what we call "COMMUNITY HOUSE CHURCHES." At this time we have 8 House Churches meeting in different communities each week. While we have not had a designated place to GATHER as a church family on Sundays, our House Churches have been meeting and are doing some amazing things.
One of our House Churches placed a prayer notebook at the end of their driveway and passed the word through their community for people who needed and wanted prayer to simply write their request in the book and their House Church would pray for them. FANTASTIC! Several of our House Churches are hosting "Trunk or Treat" activities right there in the communities where they meet each week. This will allow them to not only provide a safe alternative to Halloween but also to share the vision of the House Church movement. This is something that I believe has just begun!! The visionary thinking of those who are in our House Churches is just beginning. My prayer is that more people will "Catch the Vision" and open their Houses for the Church to meet in so that their neighbors who would never attend an organized church meeting can have the opportunity to experience the love of Christ in very practical ways.
Pray for us to be faithful to God as we look to Him for leadership in this brand new adventure. We are meeting for the first time in a facility that may become our place for Sunday worship, music rehearsals, meetings, Youth worship services, etc. The lease payment is manageable for our church but there needs to be a lot of construction done inside to make it functional for our needs. I will share more with as time goes on. Thanks for reading and for praying.
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