Quick Links
The Skinny on south Temple
What a great bit of information. The tabs on this website help us to see the zipcodes around our church and particularly our part of south Temple… which is the beginning place for our ministries. What stands out with meaning for you?
Sunday Evenings in the Spring
We are talking with various people about some options for Sunday evenings at Canyon Creek. Here are some guiding factors:
1. Options for all age groups some of which will include, mission preparation, discipleship class study, and need-based support.
2. Desire to connect to our neighborhood and make such a night welcoming to newcomers.
3. Belief that meaningful relationships can be fostered Sunday Evenings building deliberate bridges to those outside our church.
It is my belief that this can be the growing edge of our church if we can throw open doors to the traditional time for Sunday Evening discipleship.
We will still have a Pastor’s class for those who do not opt for one of the other tracks. The schedule will look like:
5:45 Begin worship time together
6:10 Start time with the group you choose
7:15 Dismiss group (Begin Business Meeting if 3rd Sunday of Month)
Video I have been eyeing…
I am giving a message Sunday about sharing the gospel. It feels confrontational and judgmental so many people avoid it. It is central, not just to the Christian belief, but core to the Christian’s existence. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. I am showing a video that I have enjoyed for years from Sermonspice It is Evangelism Linebacker.Watch Evangelism Linebacker video Sermonspice is a great source for creative video arts. This is where we got the video clip for Facing the Giants.
My Prayers Through Haggai
You know I have been praying through the book of Haggai. (And no, those pages were not stuck together in my Bible.) I have to say that the book takes on special significance for me and I wanted to offer it to you for your thoughts and responses. Here is the text I gave to the staff last week. Below the text is some of my observations
I have been reading and praying through Haggai. I feel that I have been given permission to pray and claim promises from the book. I think it is profound that in the New Living Translation the dates have been ‘translated’ into the calendar we are more familiar with. That puts these events within the time frame of our prayers and UWB campaign. For me this was another confirmation. I am, as a general practice, careful the promises that were not intended for me, but in pray-reading scripture I feel I have been given permission to claim these promises. Would you pray with me through the chapters of this book. It doesn’t have to be your Bible study, but for your church, and for UWB and its leadership please commit to pray for the church and leaders as you read. I am working to create a list of promises I read in this book. I will let you know what I find.
I am praying for you as I read these things, that God will give you particular insight and a spirituality to see and bring the Kingdom and reign of God in your area of influence; praying also for you to be protected from the evil one.
TreyHaggai 1
A Call to Rebuild the Temple
1 On August 29[a] of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord gave a message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua[b] son of Jehozadak, the high priest.2 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.’”
3 Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? 5 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 6 You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!
7 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 8 Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. 9 You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. 10 It’s because of you that the heavens withhold the dew and the earth produces no crops. 11 I have called for a drought on your fields and hills—a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olive trees and all your other crops, a drought to starve you and your livestock and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get.”
Obedience to God’s Call
12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God’s people began to obey the message from the Lord their God. When they heard the words of the prophet Haggai, whom the Lord their God had sent, the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave the people this message from the Lord: “I am with you, says the Lord!”14 So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, 15 on September 21[c] of the second year of King Darius’s reign.
Haggai 2
The New Temple’s Diminished Splendor
1 Then on October 17 of that same year,[a] the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. 2 “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua[b] son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land: 3 ‘Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendor? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! 4 But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’6 “For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
Blessings Promised for Obedience
10 On December 18[c] of the second year of King Darius’s reign, the Lord sent this message to the prophet Haggai: 11 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says. Ask the priests this question about the law: 12 ‘If one of you is carrying some meat from a holy sacrifice in his robes and his robe happens to brush against some bread or stew, wine or olive oil, or any other kind of food, will it also become holy?’”The priests replied, “No.”
13 Then Haggai asked, “If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be defiled?”
And the priests answered, “Yes.”
14 Then Haggai responded, “That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the Lord. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin. 15 Look at what was happening to you before you began to lay the foundation of the Lord’s Temple. 16 When you hoped for a twenty-bushel crop, you harvested only ten. When you expected to draw fifty gallons from the winepress, you found only twenty. 17 I sent blight and mildew and hail to destroy everything you worked so hard to produce. Even so, you refused to return to me, says the Lord.
18 “Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day[d] when the foundation of the Lord’s Temple was laid. Think carefully. 19 I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn.[e] You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you.”
Promises for Zerubbabel
20 On that same day, December 18,[f] the Lord sent this second message to Haggai: 21 “Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other.23 “But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
Promises from Haggai
1. God will speak specific messages to his people. (Haggai 1:1)
2. God will tell us when specific circumstances are caused by spiritual failures and invites us to correct them with obedient change in behavior. (Haggai 1:6-8, 10)
3. God responds to obedience to these instructions: “I am with you.) (Haggai 1:13)
4. God will give enthusiasm. (Haggai 1:14)
5. God will allow us to begin. (Haggai 1:14)
6. God will bring encouragement when needed. (Haggai 2:4-5)
7. God will ‘shake the nations’, but even world circumstances will not negatively affect these promises. (Haggai 2:6-7)
8. God will fill this church with glory. (Haggai 2:7)
9. God will provide us the resources we need. (Haggai 2:7-8)
10. Our future will greatly surpass our past. (Haggai 2:9)
11. We will have the ‘shalom’ of God. (Haggai 2:9)
12. God will call us back from sinful old habits and expect us to respond in this new way of obedience. (Haggai 2:14-15, 17b)
13. Seems that staff/leadership will have a choice before we carry through with commitment, in the face of what seems to be a critical time, but God gives promises that he will see them through. (Haggai 2:20-23)
If I had one message…
If I had one message about our election … it might read something like this. This is a message from the ivotevalues.com website, a Southern Baptist website also giving biblical values and a party platform comparison chart
How You Can Have Maximum Patriotic Impact - Brief
Introduction
On July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, our Founding Fathers signed a document declaring our independence from the tyranny of those who would enslave the minds, the souls, the lives of men. But what many Americans don’t realize is that with the same document, we not only declared our independence from Great Britain, we just as strongly declared our dependence upon Almighty God. For the Declaration of Independence begins by proclaiming that we are subject only to the “laws of nature and nature’s God1.” Do you remember how it ends? It ends with these words: “With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” Do you know what the word reliance means? It means dependence. The signers of the Declaration were staking everything on God watching over them and seeing them through in their struggle for freedom: “With a firm reliance upon the protection of Divine Providence2.”Hear this statement well: Our Founding Fathers did not believe in the separation of God from government. They believed that this nation was founded by God, protected by God, preserved by God, and blessed by God. It all depends on God! And based on that belief, they were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. They put it all on the line. Of those fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, and in each case subjected to torture. Several lost wives, children or entire families. One lost his thirteen children. Two wives were brutalized by the British. All were at one time or another victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Indeed these men not only pledged but gave their lives, and their fortunes, and not one went back on his sacred honor3. The nation they sacrificed so much to help found is still intact for us to enjoy on her 228th birthday. May God bless America!
That brings us to you and me, here and now. If these patriots willingly laid it all on the line for this nation, don’t you think we should do more than simply sing patriotic songs, wave the flag, barbeque burgers, and watch fireworks? I think so. Not only that, but Jesus said so. Look at our text (Matt. 22:15-21): The religious leaders were trying to trap Jesus on the issue of paying taxes, but Jesus turned the tables on them. He asked them for a coin, and then asked whose portrait and inscription was stamped on it. They replied: “Caesar’s.” Jesus responded: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v. 21). His point: All citizens—including His followers—are obligated to support their government.
Unlike the Roman Empire, Americans are blessed to have, as Abraham Lincoln put it, a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people4.” Our form of government requires our active involvement. How can we “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” in America today? Well I want to mention 5 things that every Christian ought to give his government, 5 things that every Christian can do to have maximum patriotic impact as we think about what that meant then, what it means now, and what it means to you and me personally. First…
1. Seek God For Your Government
Scripture: (1Tim. 2:1-4). Notice Paul says: “First of all.”
Focus on praying for your elected officials at two points:
Pray for their wisdom to lead our nation according to the Judeo-Christian principles this nation was founded upon.Pray that they would come to know Christ and be saved (v 4). The only way our nation will be changed is through the Gospel. It is only through a relationship with Jesus as Lord that our elected officials will lead in such a way that we will be able to live “peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (v 2).
Point out that the biggest burden for the health of our nation does not rest on the White House, or on the State House, but on the Church House, it rests on you and on me.Scripture: (2 Chron. 7:14). If we do not pray for our nation and our leaders, not only will we continue to have little impact on the direction of America, but we are sinning against God. First of all, pray. Seek God for Your Government.
2. Support Your Government
There are a couple of ways we can support our government:
First, pay taxes to your government. Scripture: (Jesus teaching – Matt. 22:21 and example – Matt. 17:24-27; Paul’s teaching Rom. 13:6).
Point out that even though there is a lot of waste and questionable spending, we do benefit from the goods and services provided by the government, such as military defense, law enforcement, roads, schools, libraries, parks, etc.Take pride in your government. Scripture: Teaching – Rom. 13:7 and Example: Ps. 137:5.
Point out that it’s good to be patriotic. You can take pride in your country as well as pay taxes to your country and in that way support your government.
3. Submit To Your Government
Scripture: (1 Pet. 2:13-14, 17; cf. Rom. 13:2-5).
Point out that the Greek word for “submit” means to fall in rank under an authority. Government exists to keep order, and we must submit to the rule of law. Christians of all citizens ought to be model citizens. If we rebel against the rule of law, we are in fact rebelling against the God who ordained it (Rom. 13:1-2).
Point out that we are to show these authorities respect, even when they are less than perfect. Example: Nero. We may not have much respect for the man of the office, but we must respect the office of the man. Submit to your government. That said, sometimes you must –
4. Stand Up To Your Government
Point out that George Washington reportedly said that “Government… is a troublesome servant and a fearful Master5.” Sometimes, we must stand up to our government. There’s a time and place for civil disobedience, but it should come only as a last resort. However, if the government commands what God condemns, then you are obligated to disobey.
Examples: Midwives > Pharaoh (Exod. 2:15-21). Daniel > King Darius (Dan. 6:1-23). Christians > Imperial edict to swear: “Caesar is Lord” instead declared: Christ is Lord!” (Rev. 2:8-10; 2:13). Peter > Religious Rulers (Acts 5:29). They were all blessed by God for their civil disobedience.
Point out: As Citizen Christians, we need to use our freedom to defend our freedom or we may lose our freedom. Scriptures: Matt. 5:13-16; Ps. 107:2 Isa. 58:1. Examples: Examples: Moses > Pharaoh; Nathan > David; Elijah > Ahab; Daniel > Nebuchadnezzar; John the Baptist > Herod.
Point out: We must stand up and let our voices be heard in the same way. We must persuade our government of the truths of God’s word as they apply to the policies and laws of our nation. Sometimes we must stand up to our government and say: Enough is enough. Finally –5. Select Your Government
Point out: There are many ways we can participate in our government, such as helping with a voter registration drive, commenting on legislation and public policy, speaking out on moral and social issues, holding public office, campaigning for a candidate, volunteering for the election commission, etc. Perhaps the most basic form of participation is voting—selecting our government. Voting is a simple act with a significant impact. When we vote, we help determine who will lead our nation, make our laws, and protect our freedoms.
Quote: Founding Father Samuel Adams said: “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote… that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country6.”
On iVoteValues.com you will find four action steps on voting.
Register To Vote: Statistics: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as many as 25-35% of the voting age population are not registered. That translates to between 45 and 65 million Americans! What’s worse is that less than half of those registered actually vote in a given election! Registering to vote is easy to do. Fill out the Voter Registration Form and return it to the county election office. We have people who are here to help.
Step 2: Vote Your Values: Statistics: In 2000, a little over half of eligible Americans voted (53%). In 2002’s mid‑term elections, the numbers were even worse when only 39.3% of eligible Americans voted!
Saying: Old proverb that is still true: “Bad politicians are elected by good people who don’t vote.”
Point out: simply voting is not enough, you must vote your values. Every candidate has his or her own set of values and positions on important issues.Questions to ponder: Don’t you think that where a candidate stands on the issues is far more important than the party he or she belongs to? Shouldn’t we vote for candidates who share our values?
Point out: Many believers don’t even consider their values when voting, often choosing candidates whose positions are at odds with their own beliefs, convictions, and values. Statistic: A recent study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans say their faith has little to do with their voting decisions.
Action Points: Jesus expects us to let our faith influence every part of our decision making—including the democratic process (Matt. 5:13-16).
• Be informed on the issues.
• Study the party platform statements.
• Know what the candidates stand for.
• Check out the candidate’s website.
• Find out their friends and their enemies.
• Weigh the candidates’ values against biblical values.
Quote: Our nation’s first Supreme Court Justice, John Jay, said: “It is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers7.”
Caution: Aligning ourselves too closely with a political party or a politician is unwise, because we need to be free to call all political parties and politicians to repentance when they step outside of biblical morality and principle.
Quote: Founding Father Benjamin Rush is quoted as saying: “I have been alternately called an Aristocrat and a Democrat. I am neither. I am a Christocrat8.”
Point Out: Our loyalty needs to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Strongly consider voting for candidates who believe like you do. Don’t just vote—vote your values!
Question: Examine your core values as we approach Election Day 2008. Would your list include the Economy? National Security? Health-Care? Education? As important as those issues are, think about what your core values should be as a follower of Jesus and how they apply to your patriotic impact on the leadership and laws of our nation. Mention three: Life, Family, and Freedom.
Life: Life is precious. Miraculous. Delicate. Created by a loving God who makes every human being unique (Ps. 139:15-16). Life made in the image of God is a fundamental, God-given right. According to the Declaration of Independence, “All men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness9.” Therefore, human life should be protected. Defended. Rescued10.
Scripture: Prov. 24:11. Statistics: 1.3 million Abortions per year; 25% of all pregnancies end in Abortion11.Action Points: Find out where the candidates stand on the value of life. Ask what their position is on abortion, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and euthanasia. We value life. Second, we value –
Family: Family is essential. Basic. Necessary. The family is the basic building block of society, and the first institution created by God (Example: Gen. 1-2). As goes the family, so goes the nation. Unfortunately, the family as God intended it is an endangered species in America.Statistics: U.S. Census figures from 2000 show that the traditional family is in a statistical free-fall12.
Families consisting of a husband and wife in their first marriage with children dropped below 25% percent of all homes13.
Households with unmarried partners grew by 72%14. In fact, cohabitation has increased by close to 1,000% from 1960 to 199815.
A third of all babies were born to unmarried women, (33%) compared to only 3.8% in 194016.
The number of same-sex homes skyrocketed over 400% since 199017.Point Out: Last year, the U. S. Supreme Court declared state laws against sodomy illegal and essentially established homosexuality as a constitutionally protected lifestyle18. The Massachusetts Supreme Court followed by ruling that same sex “marriage” should be legalized, and that state has been issuing marriage licenses by the thousands.
Problem: If gay “marriage” is legalized in one state, the “full faith and credit” clause of the U.S. Constitution would dictate that the rest of the states must recognize gay marriages as legal. Result: The time-honored definition of the family in general and of marriage in particular is in mortal danger.Action Points: Find out where the candidates stand on the issue of family. Find out how they voted on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Ask for their position on the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) defining marriage as only between one man and one woman. Christians ought to stand against any and all efforts to undermine and redefine marriage, which is the foundation for a healthy society. We value family. Third, we value –
Freedom: Freedom is priceless. Cherished. Fragile. Scripture: Gal. 5:1. Freedom must be nurtured, defended, and protected, which is the original intent of the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof19.”
Point Out: The Supreme Court has ignored the original intent of the Founding Fathers, trashed three centuries of America’s Judeo-Christian heritage, and turned a statement in one of Jefferson’s private letters on its head in declaring a two-way “Wall of Separation” between church and state.
Result: All religious influences must be removed from public institutions. The Court outlawed public prayer in the schools in 196220, out went public Bible reading in 196321, and in 1980, down came the Ten Commandments from school house walls22! This agenda of radical secularization has not only been zealously prosecuted by the activist courts, but by extension, the various public entities, school boards, educators, and teachers.
Action Points: Find out where the candidates stand on religious liberty issues. Find out if they are aligned with groups who seek to remove our freedoms. Find out which candidates are in favor of protecting and even restoring our Judeo-Christian heritage. Reminder: If we don’t use our freedom to defend our freedom we will lose our freedom. Find out where the candidates stand on our First Amendment right to public religious expression. We value Life, Family, and Freedom!
Step 3: Tell Your Friend
Take your friend a Voter Registration Form and help them fill it out and send it in.
Send your friends an e-Card from iVoteValues.com where they can fill out their form online, print it, and mail it in.
Help organize a voter registration drive in your service club, school, place of business, etc. Reminder: Be sure to get permission.Step 4: Pray for the Election and Our Nation
Scripture: Prov. 29:2.Conclusion
After our Founding Fathers unanimously approved the Declaration of Independence, on July 8 they said, “Let’s celebrate! Let the cannons fire! Let fireworks fill the sky! Let the bells ring! And the very first bell they rang was in the belfry of the very hall where they approved the Declaration of Independence to summon the people to hear the first public reading of our founding document. They rang that bell—we know it as the “Liberty Bell.” Where did it get its name? From July the fourth? From the Declaration of Independence? No. The name comes from the Scripture imprinted on that bell (Lev. 25:10), which says: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof!” Proclaim liberty throughout the land. Let Freedom Ring!Freedom will ring louder, freedom will ring clearer, if Christians all across America will do these 5 things and “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Just imagine the impact Christians could have on the direction of our government, the character of its leadership, and the moral health of our nation if we all simply applied biblical principles to every aspect of our lives—including our patriotic duty as Citizen Christians. Make a commitment today to register to vote, register a friend, vote your values, live your values, share your Savior, and pray for God to bless America!
1 As found in One Nation Under God: Our Founding Documents (Nashville: For Faith & Family Publishing), 10.
2 Ibid., 18.
3 Summarized from Paul Harvey, Our Lives, Our Fortunes, Our Sacred Honor (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1976). See also, D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, What If America Were a Christian Nation Again? (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 37-40.
4 Abraham Lincoln, “Address at Gettysburg,” delivered on November 19, 1863 as found in The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by Roy P. Basler (Rutgers University Press, 1953), 7:22.
5 Attributed to George Washington by Frank J. Wilstach, A Dictionary of Similes, 2d ed., (New York: Bonanza, 1924), 526.
6 Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1907), 4:256, originally in the Boston Gazette on April 16, 1781.
7 John Jay, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890), 4:365.
8 David Ramsay, An Eulogium upon Benjamin Rush, M.D. (Philadelphia: Bradford and Inskeep, 1813), 103.
9 Founding Documents, 10.
10 Obviously those who are justly sentenced to death by Capital Punishment are another story (See Genesis 9:5-6).
11 2003 Statistics from the Alan Guttmacher Institute. See http://www.agi-usa.org/pubs/abslides/abort_slides.pdf .
12 See http://www.census.gov .
13 Eric Schmitt, “For First Time, Nuclear Families Drop Below 25 Percent of Households,” The New York Times, May 15, 2001, A1.
14 Barbara Kantrowitz and Pat Wingert, “Unmarried, with Children,” Newsweek, May 28, 2001, 46.
15 David Popenoe and Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, “The State of Our Unions 2000,” The National Marriage Project, Rutgers University. See http://www.marriage.rutgers.edu .
16 “Unmarried, with Children,” 46.
17 Genaro C. Armas ”Census…most comprehensive count yet of gays and lesbians,” Associated Press, August 21, 2001.
18 Lawrence et al. v. Texas, No. 02-102 (U.S. Supreme Court, 2003).
19 Founding Documents, 46.
20 Engel v. Vitale 370 U.S. 421, (1962).
21 Abingdon School District v. Schempp 374 U.S. 203, 220-221 (1963).
22 Stone v. Graham 449 U.S. 39 (1980).
The initial Faith Promise commitments show excitement
Let me be the first to say how much fun last night’s banquet was. Highlights of the day for me were Kim Reid’s commitment to the Preschool / Childrens building as a single mom and Blanche Bearor’s answers to Jon Mark’s questions about what she saw God do in those early days at Canyon Creek along with what she expected God to do in the future. Blanche showed confidence saying that she expected God to do great things because he had already done so much.
Jon Mark had the great privilege of announcing what the deacons, staff, and United We Build leadership had promised to give. I hope the congregation is encouraged that before any of the rest of the church receive their faith promise cards, these leaders have promised $138,000. To God be the glory.
From the ‘Country of the Blind’
Lee Eclov takes a piece from H. G. Wells short story called “The Country of the Blind.” The story is about an inaccessible, luxurious valley in Ecuador where everyone is blinded by a particular disease. Fifteen generations of blindness has erased the memory of sight or color. Finally a sighted man from the outside fell from a high cliff, survived, only to stumble into their forgotten country.
When he realized that everyone else was blind, he remembered the old adage: “In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” Wells writes:
He tried at first on several occasions to tell them of sight. “Look you here, you people,” he said. “There are things you do not understand in me.” Once or twice one or two of them attended to him; they sat with faces downcast and ears turned intelligently towards him, and he did his best to tell them what it was to see.
But they never believed him. They thought he was crazy. The man fell in love with a girl there and the girl’s father, Yacob, went to talk to a doctor about him. A conversation ensued:
[The doctor said]: “I think I may say with reasonable certainty that, in order to cure him complete, all that we need to do is a simple and easy surgical operation—namely, to remove these irritant bodies [his eyes!].”
“And then he will be sane?” [they asked].
“Then he will be perfectly sane, and a quite admirable citizen.”
“Thank Heaven for science!” said old Yacob.
Wells goes on to point out that the man would not be allowed to marry Yacob’s daughter unless he submitted to an operation that would blind him. So what would the man do? Wells writes:
He had fully meant to go to a lonely place where the meadows were beautiful with white narcissus, and there remain until the hour of his sacrifice should come, but as he walked he lifted up his eyes and saw the morning, the morning like an angel in golden armour, marching down the steeps…
It seemed to him that before this splendour, he and this blind world in the valley, and his love and all, were no more than a pit of sin. And the man who could see escaped the country of the blind with his life.
Christians will live differently from other people. Jesus makes a new creation out of the old. The old and new still have some things in common, but they are not the same. Not all will welcome the invitation to see. Not all who want to see will go through the trouble, but will be content to live among the seeing without the foggiest idea that they do not see.
I want to ask you to pray, some Christians do not see that there is spiritual warfare regarding the progress churches want to make. May God’s kingdom come and may the enemy be thwarted. Lord, hear that prayer.
Pastor talks about giving to the new Children’s building
Psalm 33:11 says, “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” This is our church’s prayer. We trust that God has laid a great plan on our hearts. The Turner family has prayed just as you have about what we are to give. We still have not decided on an amount, but are listening to the Lord.
There were two scriptures which spoke to me during the Spiritual Preparation Weekend. The first one I identified with because the people were being brought out of slavery from Egypt. They were slaves with slave habits. They would have had nothing except the Lord provided for them everything they needed, even providing for an extensive worship center in the wilderness. Right now, I feel that our family does not have much extra to commit. Like most families, we have committed money to school, insurance, up keep on houses and vehicles. Still I know that the Lord will provide. The second scripture is 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he be came poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (NIV)
Lea Ann and I have prayed about the amount we are to commit for these three years. We anticipate that whatever it is, God will provide because this is the project he has laid on the heart of his people at Canyon Creek.
Ministries that go to work
Sunday we saw a video about how the Mary Hill Davis offering goes to help churches begin the Christian Men’s and Women’s Job Corps ministries. I wanted you to be able to see some more and visit links to the program. I know we have some people for whom this kind of service is their passion. Tell me what you think.
Tom Henderson’s Note about Ministry Opportunities in Bell County
Dear Pastors, Staff, and Church Leaders;
First I want to thank the Lord for His protection for our area during Hurricane Ike. As you know, the southeastern part of our state sustained a lot of damage. We also have a lot of evacuees in shelters in Bell County from Brazoria County. As you may know, after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Texas Emergency Preparedness Team linked up coastal counties with inland counties in the event that evacuations were implemented. This was the first time that this plan was used. I have received a Situation Report from Brazoria County and the following section gives information regarding the evacuees in Bell County shelters:
The Bell County Evacuation Shelters reported that their guests appeared to be in good spirits. There are 988 registered evacuees in Bell County. They report 925 were transported by bus and 63 went by private vehicle. Of those, 20-30 of the private individuals have left the shelter. There are no plans yet to return the evacuees due to the fragile infrastructure
We appreciate all that FBC Belton and Miller Heights BC are doing to provide shelter. I also want to thank Randy Carder and the FBC Salado family along with Lowell Coates and the Immanuel BC for assisting with meals and ministry over the weekend. There were others involved as well and many have been praying for the safety and encouragement of the evacuees and volunteers.
The devastation was widespread and the evacuees will not be able to go home anytime soon. We have had one estimate that they may not be able to return until September 28th. This gives us opportunities to minister to visitors to our county for two weeks. We have several opportunities for you and your church family to help;
1. We need people who would be willing to help the Salvation Army prepare food for the evacuees in Temple. They are serving 1,200 meals three times a day. We need people who are willing to help prepare meals and clean up in three shifts. We need people from 10am to 1 pm; from 1 pm to 4 pm; and from 4 pm to 7 pm. This can be youth and adults from your church. It can be Sunday School classes, small groups, youth groups , committees, teams, etc. Even if you can only staff one shift once a week, this will be a big help. You can also make monetary donations to the Salvation Army for the food. They are asking for people to send money and not food since they are buying the food in bulk. The address to send you checks is: P. O. Box 1884 Temple, Texas 76503. The Salvation Army is the only national organization providing food in our county. I have worked with Captain Martha Burtchett and the Salvation Army in our area and know that this group does a great job and is deserving of our support.
2. FBC Belton has asked for small groups to come and work with the children. They have approximately 10 children and need help providing activities. They have approximately 80 evacuees in their shelter. They also need either two married couples or two men and two women to stay and assist the evacuees during the evening shift from 10 pm until 6 am.
3. Miller Heights BC has approximately 40 in their shelter and needs two couples or two men and two women from 6 pm to 10 pm. They also have needs for others to assist at various times.
4. We have also been asked to help at First Methodist Church in Belton. They have 80 evacuees and need help at night.
I appreciate Nan Shannon calling to help coordinate this list of needs. Our Good Neighbor Team will be coordinating our response. Please call Wayne Spinn from FBC Holland at (cell) 718-5329 or (home) 657-2462. He is our Good Neighbor Team representative.
The Lord have provided an opportunity for us to share His love in very tangible ways over the next two weeks. I want to challenge each of our churches to get involved with this ministry. I keep thinking how I would feel if the tables were reversed and I was in a strange place wondering when I would be able to go back to my home. I know I would appreciate someone ministering to me and showing me God’s love in tangible ways. Let us know how you can help.
I look forward to hearing from you. If you would like to help coordinate the effort, we are meeting with Wayne Spinn and the Shannons on Tueday morning at 8 am here at the BBA Mission Center.
In Christ’s Love;
Tom Henderson, DoM
Bell Baptist Association
1-254-493-0545
I Thess. 1:2-3
New Way to Tell Old Old Story
What can I say to James Choung except, thanks. I am much more happy with the opportunities that the Four Circles presentation gives me for sharing the gospel with people. My opportunities to share Jesus sometimes involve a revulsion of the church establishment. People are polite with their, “Thanks but no thanks” responses. I have to admit that I am often not creative enough to make the leap from people’s disinterest (at least) with the established church to a presentation of, “Don’t you want to be a part of it?” The Four Circles help me to address what is wrong in the world while inviting people to be a part of the solution. If you are interested in learning how, here is a link to how to present the Four Circles.
Wednesday Evenings at the Creek
Wednesday nights in adult Bible Study we will start a new focus called The Jesus Prayer. It will be a close look at his prayer in John 17. We will also be back in the Fellowship Hall to share space between cleaning and the special friends class. The transition to the choir room was not as good an idea as hoped… you understand…
Below is a sample of the types of questions we will ask and the discussion of Jesus Prayer in John 17.
In John 17:4, Jesus says the work the Father gave him is completed. What work was completed when he had yet to go to the Cross? Could it be that he was speaking of God’s will in his own life as though it has already happened? Do we determine that we will obey God to that great degree. When we get a glimpse of what God is doing we are obedient so that it is a an accomplished fact. Lord, let my obedience be swift and total.
Really? Jesus not the only way?
Isn’t it a definition of Evangelical that people who call themselves Christian believe the words Jesus spoke? “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6; NIV) Still, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reports that 57% of evangelical church goers said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life. 70% of Americans with any religious affiliation hold that view. What do you believe? Why do you hold that view? 68% said there are different ways to interpret the teachings of their religion. (adapted from On Mission Magazine)Only way
What does 100 new families look like?
100 new families… what does that look like? We have an extremely large challenge before the congregation– that is, by the end of 2010, give 100 families a new church home. Simply stated, but not simply done, this means every family will help welcome another family into our fellowship. One of our most immediate problems will be the need for parking. It is the ceiling the church has bumped for 12 years or more. We have parking for 230 people on this property at one time. That capacity is reached every time we have a big event… I have always wondered if anyone has circled through our parking lot, not finding a place and then driving home. If every age group will have growth then every Sunday school class will have to make plans for new people. What will that mean for the choir? For worship services? For Wednesdays?
What do you think will be the best part of reaching a goal like this?
What do you think will be the hardest part of reaching this goal?
Up a Creek?
How do you know what you have been created for. One person describes where someone fits in the kingdom of God in this way:
* Your walk motivates you for ministry.
* Your spiritual gifts enable you for ministry.
* Your passions give focus to ministry.
* Your personality expresses itself in ministry.
* Your experiences help develop you for ministry.
How should a church family care for one another?
The sermon series we are in is called Family Days. We talked Sunday about a threat to being family. The ancient church listed one of the seven deadly sins as acedia. The English translation of that word is sloth. It might better be understood as “I don’t care.” Apathy keeps a church from being the family it should be. So how should love be demonstrated in a congregation? What does it look like when a church or church members do not care? (Oh, this probably isn’t a place to go and name names. Let’s talk in the realm of hypothetical.)
Turning 30 means…
It is a privilege to be at Canyon Creek and celebrate the 30th anniversary. Maybe we can ask those who were part of the charter group what their hopes were in 1980 as the church constituted… no longer a mission of Immanuel Baptist. Doubtless members would include elements of our mission statement to make disciples. Doubtless they would talk about reaching Temple for Christ. They would be proud of the steps we are taking toward the next 30 years.
If only I could answer tough questions
Have you ever wondered where you could get good information about tough questions. Some people might be scared to ask questions, afraid they will get reasons not to believe. Here is a trustworthy site that, in the years I have used it, has always given me answers to tough questions. www.probe.org is a ministry connected to Kirby Anderson. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
Next Step Toward Building
Let me give you a letter by Jon Mark Allen about the fall schedule which will take us closer toward building:
Last month we voted to move ahead with building a new children’s building. How very appropriate as we approach our 30 year anniversary as a church! To that end, we have enlisted the help of the United We Build a ministry of the BGCT. Ivan Potter and Jeremy Austin are consultants who will assist us through this process.
We have already created a Campaign Leadership Team, which is composed of Tom Buckner, Ken and Brenda Camp, Marcine Chambers, Robert Knepp, Mary Beth Morris, Julia Walker, Michelle Wolf, myself, with the pastor and staff. We have already met together and are excited about the events coming up in the next few months.
Please mark your calendars now for the Spiritual Preparation weekend on September 6-7. This time together will be for laying a spiritual foundation for the big plans ahead of us. Ivan Potter will talk about God’s plan for financing his work and practical advice for the Christian looking at money as an area of spiritual discipleship. Soon you will be hearing about a Prayer Vigil and for later in the fall, a church-wide Banquet to celebrate God’s great blessing of Canyon Creek.
I truly believe at the conclusion of this process we will have a better idea of God’s view on finances and we will have grown together in a significant way, both spiritually and in our commitment to Canyon Creek’s mission to make disciples. Please begin praying now about how God would have you participate in the next 30 years of ministry, especially in the raising of this new preschool and children’s facility.
Jon Mark Allen, United We Build Campaign Team Leader
How to love someone just a little different…
There is a great free resource if you always wanted to see the love language materials but just haven’t. Some sessions are online and some online handouts are there. Beyond that, the church library has Love Language books and video study materials available. I would expect that learning to love others better makes you more love-ly.
Biblical Budgeting?
According to Crown Financial… most people spend 10% more than they make. That puts us in a real bind. Click here to enter access a free spreadsheet to begin a family budgeting process.
The righteous scare me
I had one of those encounters any of us could have had. Mine just happened to be at the gym. A man who works out at the same time I do has become one of those acquaintances you just speak to periodically. I crossed the gym to go to my next machine and passed him, he quoted some verse of poetry appropriate to his exertion level… knowing no poetry apart from that which I read at funerals I came back with a verse of scripture. “The righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Pro. 28:1; NIV) To me that meant… keep it up, you are not as old as you feel. But this man reacted to all of his pent-up anger at the church. He said, “The righteous scare me.”
Well, if I try to defend the institutional religious I am going to put on a bit of a false front myself. Though I am a part of institutional Christianity, I remember that Jesus used some of his sharpest challenges to the religious. I am equally sickened when religious leaders use and enjoy political footsies. My friend in the gym was calling them righteous. The Old Testament and New Testament both speak of internal quality and standing with God as righteous. I hope for the opportunity to both agree with the man in the gym and nudge him toward a biblical look at the righteous.
Four-Eyed Christians
For lack of a better metaphor right now… let me explain to you my vision (no pun intended, but still kinda funny…). It is crucial for Christians to acknowledge our time-pressured society. I do not want to make people feel guilty for not participating with everything the church does. Anyone can see that some people already feel guilty and back off from any further participation, dropping out. It becomes that much more important for Creeksters to be deliberate about their own participation level. 1. They must have a worship service they participate in. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25; NIV) People do not have to come to all of our worship services in order to be good church members, especially noting three other responsibilities of a Christian disciple. 2. They must participate in a small group for support and accountability. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42; NIV) 3. They must find a ministry service. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.” (Romans 12:6; NIV) 4. Develop and bring another person into faith and into maturity where they are doing these four things as well. “…So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people…” (Acts 11:26; NIV) Discipleship will be having an eye on each of these four areas.
In a Christianity Today article John R. W. Stott is quoted concerning the problem of the church having numerical growth but not corresponding growth in discipleship. Stott says, “God is not pleased.” May God find Canyon Creek faithful making disciples!
… this is your captain speaking…
These are words we are going to hear way too soon after our alarm goes off Friday morning. No doubt we will all be excited and adrenalin will pulsate through our bodies until we get to Morelia… or at least get to Houston. Church family, thank you for your prayers. We are praying for Pastor Danny and Pastor Abraham, they and their churches are making preparation so that we can have about 150 children at a local neighborhood site in the areas their churches have a vision of planting a new church. Can a church of about 30 people have the vision of planting a new church? Yes, and may God bless that vision with workers.
Sunday Morning, the last Sunday in June, those who gave, served, packed, brought or bought materials stood up with those who were going on the trip. It was encouraging to pray for the work of all those hands. So we pray that new churches are planted and that the team can see a number of nationals come to know Jesus Christ personally during the time we are in country July 4-11. Lord, bless this great city, Morelia! Amen!
Trey Bledsoe’s Anniversary
We are approaching a very significant anniversary at Canyon Creek. In May, Trey Bledsoe will have been serving this church for 10 years. Look at this from another perspective. A lot of years ago now, God whispered an invitation for Trey to be a minister. The world was in front of him, but in 1998, Trey would bring all of his love for the Lord, his passion for service, as well as a 92 hour Masters degree in Divinity, and give himself for ministry here. Coming straight from Baylor and then graduation from Southwestern Seminary, Canyon Creek has exclusively received his ministerial attention. In today’s hyperactive world, there is a lot to say for that kind of longevity. We are blessed.
You know that it has not always been easy. Along the way God has whispered to him words of affirmation. Many of you know that Trey helped see Canyon Creek through some tough transitions. Personally, he cut out a bunch of time from other work he could have done to help me get oriented to Temple and to life at Canyon Creek. At the time I did not realize how unutterably invaluable that was. Trey, a reminder to myself that I owe you!
This year, we get to say audibly:
* for your skill as a minister,
* for your friendship– and the M&Ms you keep in your office,
* for the service you give to us,
* for your guiding pastoral direction,
* for the strength of your character,
* for your quiet devotion when no one is looking,
* for your humor,
* for the demands of a student ministry’s crazy schedule and what it demands from your family,
* for the impact on our children, youth, and burgeoning adults, we might not not readily perceive,
… we thank you. And we are proud of you!
April 27th we will have a Luncheon at 12:00 p.m. We are doing this in April so that college students can also come and participate.
Mission Trip Details
Having come back from a trip in which we explored our ministry possibilities in Morelia, Michoacn. With the belief that every person deserves access to a New Testament church, we will be partnering with a local church to plant new congregations in one of the many colonias (read neighborhoods). When Jerry Raines, Danny Crosby, and I met with pastors we met some who were familiar with the Church Starts International materials even if they were not conversant about the CSI strategy for church planting. On Wednesday morning several pastors gathered to view an introduction and heard the strategy presented. That is when we received our commitments from the pastors we will be working with in partnership. Our team will be sent to two locations to conduct children’s events for two days and then two more locations to do the same. While working with the children, we will have opportunity to begin Bible Studies with their parent(s). This is the heart of what we will be doing. Sandy Wanner will be working with Sue Ballard detailing the arts, crafts, and stories to be done with the children. April 11th and 12th, Jerry will come down to train us in the CSI church planting strategy and how to use the Bible study books. Because we have been gifted with so many Spanish speakers, I want to encourage them especially to use their skills by going to Morelia with us. Since we have made a three year commitment to these churches in Morelia, these eternal friendships will be strongest with those who do not have to bridge a language gap.
The cost for the trip will be $1200 with the church being asked in the next business meeting paying $200. That will make an even $1000 for each person. We are trying to find better than the $700 round-trip ticket rate that is factored in now. To help with the cost, we will be working a fundraiser at some time between now and July. We will encourage each person to seek support by writing partnership letters with friends and relatives both in and outside of the congregation. All of this will be discussed in meetings beginning with the April 11th training in the Fellowship Hall.
This may be enough information now, knowing that you will have much more information coming month by month. If you have not signed up on our original ‘interest’ list… interested in more information about going to Morelia… call the church office. Meanwhile, go to www.creekfamily.org and look in the photo album at the pictures of the church and town. Pray for a burgeoning desire to people outside of Christ to meet Jesus.
His best,
Trey Turner
Mexico Mission Trip with Church Starts International
When we had our information meeting about a mission trip to Mexico, I was overwhelmed at the church family’s interest. Your response made me realize just how much God is at work in this project… and how willing the people of Canyon Creek are to go out of their way for training and service if it glorifies God.
July 4 - 11th Canyon Creek will partner with Hampton Road in DeSoto to help a church in the Guanajuato area to plant churches. Some of those details will be worked out with our would-be host, a retired missionary couple Sandy Wanner and I (Trey Turner) will meet at the Church Starts International board meeting in early February. I am anxious to tell you more information. I anticipate a total cost of $1000 to $1500 a person. Still, that is a ballpark figure for you to begin planning. This may not all come out of your pockets, but writing letters asking for partnership support will be a part of our activities. This lets friends and church family be a part of your experience as well. The Mission Team will help guide our practice in this matter. Training will be April 11th and 12th for those who will be going. Exact times will be made available at a later date.
I hope this meager information is enough for planning so that you can arrange vacation schedules and passport information. Please call if you have any other questions.
His best,
Trey Turner
January Bible Study Class
Sunday Nights in January we will have a special January Bible Study. Bruce Wilkinson wrote about the importance of personal faith in The Three Chairs. The metaphor of chairs graphically shows the difference between knowing the Lord and knowing of the Lord… especially the implications on our families. The books will be $12. That intensive time together on Sunday nights through January will be a great boost for your personal faith into the coming year. January 6th - February 3, 2008. Sign up in the church foyer and we will have a book ready. We will be working on a children’s program during this time for families who need that. For more information see The Three Chairs by Bruce Wilkinson.
To Romania and Now Beyond…
What drives people to go around the world when there are so many needs right here in Temple? Why be so generous to give time and money when we have ongoing projects and needs at the church? The questions are both answered with an historical view and a view toward a future hope. The historical view is that the church was born in mission. Scripture describes the disciples looking with jaws dropped open at the resurrected Jesus that stood in front of them saying, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8; NIV) The birth of the church was into the ongoing work of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. The future the church is ready to experience is described in Revelation. “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” (Revelation 7:9-10; NIV)
Canyon Creek will be hosting Bill Davis from Church Starts International (CSI) on December 2nd. He was the man who had a vision for reaching Romania back in the 90’s. Now, some places in Romania, CSI has lost track of how many churches were started directly and indirectly through this work. Canyon Creek was the first church that worked with CSI to start churches in Romania. Davis says, “Canyon Creek has always been on leading edge of Church Starts International work, like they were in Romania.” Now, there is an opportunity opened up in a new mission field. Church Starts wants see churches planted between Mexico City and Guadalajara. They have asked if Canyon Creek and Hampton Road Baptist, Desoto will work with some local contacts to begin that process. Some from each church will go in January or February on a discovery trip to be better prepared for our summer trip. Please consider being a part of the information meeting December 2nd at 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Bill Davis will show some of the CSI church planting materials and process. We are expecting God-sized connections with this three year commitment to CSI. Lord, hear that prayer.
Block Party
On October 20th, Canyon Creek will host a Block Party in our own backyard. We want to tell our neighbors and friends that we are a church that cares for people. This is the first block party we have done since I have been here, but there have been a number of outreach events or projects which have introduced people to Canyon Creek folks. We did that at lakeside services, softball game and fellowship at the park, outreach events at Pace park, flyer distribution through the neighborhoods, Vacation Bible School outreach. These have emphasized the fellowship of the body while asking, “Hey, bring your friends and co-workers.” The block party will be even more geared to our community and neighbors looking to get introduced then extend to them friendship through the Sunday School, worship experiences on Sunday Morning… Sunday Nights… Wednesday nights, and to make age-group connections. Everyone deserves a good church. Folks, we sure have a good church to share with them! I am proud of Canyon Creek and all we have to offer.
These are some ways we are going to ask you to participate:
* Your class is being asked to do a booth (or multiple booths) for face painting, balloon animals, free throw basketball, golf putting green hole-in-one challenge, cakewalk, bean bag toss, ring toss, and other games like that.
* We will need people to operate inflatables for children.
* We will need people who will work either snow cone machine or hot chocolate (weather sensitive)
* We need people to commit to securing items or donating money for some door prize give-a-ways.
Will need people who will register people and help with those drawings.
There are many other ways to participate. The block party will be project that will take the whole church’s participation. There are a few things going on behind the scenes right now. More opportunities will be made known shortly. Again, all of this is so that people who do not have one can find a good church. In that process we know that they will find a Lord who loves them and that all our efforts will be to the Glory of God in Christ Jesus.
Communication
In an effort to make sure people know the scheduled events please be aware of the following locations for passing information. Information will be duplicated in these places:
1. Sunday morning bulletin, both announcement section and upcoming schedule
2. Sunday morning verbal announcements
3. Sunday morning powerpoint announcement loop on the screen before the worship services
4. Up-to-date calendar on the churchs website
5. Schedule of events on a website called Mychurch
6. Wednesday prayer guide
7. Newsletter articles written by area leaders and staff
We work with teams and coordinators and sometimes plan for an imminent event so as only to make an announcement a couple of times. We will continue to communicate in these various ways depending on church members to take advantage of these means and verbally communicate events within their classes and groups.
Surely He Didn’t Mean That
Just over a week ago Josh Hunt said, that if a group is not working to start new groups it is caught up in its own self-centeredness. His exact words (as fast as I could write) were, “get out of the self-centered model to the doubling model… which is a service model.” Could one of our groups really be identified as ’self-centered’? But, we do love Jesus, we do love each other… and if people come we will welcome them.
Friendly and open may be different from building into your group’s DNA the expectation that we will have a goal of starting a new group and then having this many people again by August next year.
There are probably a people new to your group this year. You have come to really like them and cannot imagine your group without them. Imagine this, there is another couple, or another person who is just like that. You haven’t met them yet, and they need your group.
Can you see to it that your makes doubling a part of its DNA.
Look at the article http://www.joshhunt.com/friday.html and talk about it with a friend at church.
Doing Life and Growth Together
Over the last months, we have had over 50 people involved in a formal discipleship relationship. Some call it mentoring, some call it discipleship– what it is amounts to growing in the basics so you can be ready to help someone else in those relationships. It is time for others to begin in one of these regular relationships. It should not be any secret, the Destined booklets are very good. The first book, Destined for Security, is to help a person become grounded in their relationship with God. The second book, Destined for Intimacy, helps a person deepen that relationship. Destined for Ministry helps a person connect to God’s mission of redeeming people around you. Finally, Destined for Eternity may best be described as making sure a person has the tools they need as they are commissioned into that ministry life.
We have identified as our central mission to ‘Make Disciples’. Is this out of most people’s comfort zone? Absolutely. First, it can be intimidating. Second, it takes time to do the book. Third, it really takes time and energy to commit to a process with another person. Jesus told his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21; NIV) He shows us that disciples also share their lives in making other disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Consider a discipleship relationship with someone. Pray for God to set up a divine appointment. Watch to see who God brings into view.Then, lets grin together knowing that we are a part of something big. (read an article about how it looks in the life of Ron Proctor, the man who developed the materials. Some of you remember Ron when he taught the material here.)
Interractive community
We have had a church website for years. It has been maintained by the church staff. Guests have said it was helpful when they were looking for a church to visit, but for participation it has been non-existent. www.creekfamily.org has been a repository for calendars, podcast messages, a few blogs, and big event details. Last week, however, a few people began to connect together at http://www.mychurch.org/thecreek. There are now 27 Canyon Creek people who have updated information, pictures, and profiles. They share events, comments, and more interestingly– share their lives together online. Great tool. I wonder how it will develop.
Baptist Identity Links
General information about Baptists (wikipedia style)
Baptist Distinctives
Our relationships with other Baptists:
- Baptist World Alliance
- Southern Baptist Convention
- Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
- Baptist General Convention of Texas
- Bell Baptist Association
(other great links to Texas Baptist and other resources) History and general articles
Related to the messages on Baptist Identity (pdf).
"Deacons, Dunkin’ and Dancing with Disney":
- Biblical Authority (Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Autonomy of the Local Church (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3)
» Cooperation
» Difficulties - Priesthood of All Believers (1 Peter 2:5-9; 1 Timothy 5)
- Two Ordinances (Believer’s Baptism and the Lord’s Supper) (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32)
- Individual Soul Liberty article (Romans 14:5-12)
- Separation of Church and State (Matthew 22:15-22)
» Champions of Religious Freedom - Two Offices of the Church (pastor and deacon) (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1-2)
Why Are We Baptist?
I agree with others who have pointed out that it is much more important to be a Christian than a Baptist. Baptist has been my heritage partially because my friend Bryan, who asked me to his church when I was a teenager, went to Southside Baptist Church. It was because Martha poured her life into us teens. I remain a Baptist by choice within conviction.
Several things have made me begin reading about my identity as a Baptist. Baptists are unified around a few critical practices and beliefs which are not dictated to us from some authority– they are voluntarily recognized. Therefore if some Baptist says that for you to relate to him you have to attend worship with yellow bow ties… then there is no one who can keep them from that (and it will indeed be a small fellowship).
There will be a gathering of men and women in Atlanta, Georgia January 2008. It is being called a New Baptist Covenant. Theologically liberal leaning Baptists will participate, Theologically conservative Baptists will participate, politically moderate, liberal, conservative, and etc. Even Southern Baptists will participate (Though not from the Southern Baptist Convention officially because