Learn more about our partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches and how you can participate in the planting and strengthening of local churches around the world.
Download the 2014 Mission Fund and Financial Report Brochure.
Join us in the Woman's Club Garden at 10 AM for Sunday School. This week we continue our study of church history loosely based on a study guide called Christian History Made Easy. You don't need to buy anything and there is no homework. Just come and learn with us.
Our second sermon from We Believe In Organized Religion focused on the role of deacons in the life of Christians. Why and when does a church need deacons? What do deacons do? What difference do deacons make in the everyday world of local church ministry?
Deacons are a part of God's plan to advance his word through us. They ensure our testimony as a church equals the testimony of the Scriptures...that our walk and talk match up. As Pastor Eric said, "We need to repent of our preoccupation with growth management practices and go back to the Bible. When the church grows and her ministries get stretched, God's says elect deacons, not adopt better business practices." Go here to listen to the sermon.
Read more about our Deaconate Ministry.
A few of the things we know about deacons from Acts 6:1-7.
That's what the word deacon means (i.e. servant) and every christian is called to be one. Their ministry is modeled after Jesus, who came not to be "deaconed" but to "deacon" us. However, God calls some christians to represent the church, people given responsibility and authority to ensure our life together bears good fruit.
Language, culture, economics, spiritual maturity...these all pose challenges to our church life. And left unchecked, we trend towards uniformity at the exclusion of the marginalized. Deacons ensure everyone who wants to join in our fellowship is received well and served with equity.
They are trusted officials of the local church. Members look to them to smooth out the kinks and bumps of a growing community. They function like shock absorbers.
The necessity of deacons reminds us of the importance of pastors in the life church AND that pastors are just as limited as the rest of us. They aren't our heroes. They are servants in need of being served. The church needs the ministry of the word and prayer and deacons exist to make sure it happens.
They aren't stewards of the status quo. Deacons are about the advance of the gospel and the mission of the church. Stephen (one of the first deacons) was the first martyr, who died after preaching Christ publicly. And Philip (also among the first 7) preached and performed miracles, later to be known as Philip the Evangelist (who baptized the Ethiopian eunuch).
Tea.ology this Friday night in Old Towne Orange. Guests welcome. All the info for this month on Facebook.
April's Youth Event will be held this up-coming Thursday, 4/10/14.
Join us in the Woman's Club Garden at 10 AM for Sunday School. This week we begin a study of church history loosely based on a study guide called Christian History Made Easy. You don't need to buy anything and there is no homework. Just come and learn with us.
Our first sermon from We Believe In Organized Religion focused on the role of pastors in the life of Christians. Do you have a pastor? Do you want a pastor? Could it be that you are struggling in your faith and life because you are part of the pastorless-church? You can listen to the sermon here.
Pastors aren't the solution to every problem. Sometimes they are the problem! However, we can't ignore what the Scriptures say. Pastors are men given by God to us, the church. And when a church government functions properly, pastors are a manifestation of God's kindness and care towards us. They are one of the primary way in which God cares for the church.
Here are a few of the things we know about pastors from 1 Peter 5:1-4.
They feed, tend, lead, and protect. They aren't priests or kings. They don't own their own flock. Jesus is the Great Shepherd, pastors are under-shepherds, and shepherding is the predominate motif describing pastoral ministry in the Bible.
They are Christians who love Christians, and this love (not their gifting) is what distinguishes them. Not every gifted man is called to pastor and neither is every man who loves the church. But there is no such thing as a pastor who loves his books and loves to preach but isn't interested in the welfare of a particular congregation.
We don't draft our pastors. They are willing volunteers, who desire to do the work of a pastor. They labor gladly for our good, as friends and fellow brothers.
They lay down their preferences and priorities for the church. This doesn't mean we shouldn't compensate them, but their compensation doesn't motivate them. They don't work for money. Pastors aren't professionals. They serve at personal cost.
You need to know your pastor and his life. This is how he leads you. He is an example for you to follow. If you don't know him or all you know about him is his preaching, you're missing out. Pastors establish patterns every Christian can follow.
Wow! We had a bigger response than expected. So . . . we ran out of mentors.
This means that a few students had to go on a waiting list till the next session. The applications will continue to be open, but if any one signs up now they will be put on a waiting list to start up at the next session.
We will have a Summer session starting in July and a Fall session starting in October.
Thanks to all who signed up and for all those who are praying for this new ministry in our church. We are excited to see how God uses to make and grow disciples in Christ.
