Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

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“Ten Reasons to Love My Church" Part 1

Recent local news has not been good. One pastor convicted of funds misappropriation, another leaves our group to start a new church. But despite a few bad stories local churches continue to make a difference in our community and world. As an example, here are ten reasons why I love my own church and next week I will list ten areas where we are striving to do better. My prayer is for both lists to give you a more exciting picture of what a local church should be in action.

1. Vision - Our mission statement pictures a lighthouse. Enclosed within its protective glow are the words: "A Light to Guide You Safely Home." Someone suggested, "If we're going to be a light to guide others safely home we must learn to actually live the light." Live the light became our vision. "Live the L.I.G.H.T." "L"ove our Lord as we, "I"nvite, "G"row and "H"elp others, "T"o live like Christ. Jesus said: "You are the light of the world, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." (Matthew 5:14-15)

2. God's Spirit - It's more than enthusiasm although you will find it in abundance. It's not just being friendly although you will certainly notice friendly faces. It's even more than our "can-do" attitude. I prefer to use the word "Spirit" because I believe God's Holy Spirit is alive and active in so much of our ministry: From our emphasis on prayer and spiritual growth to our many ministries and missions. Our church strives to be continuously guided by God's Holy Spirit.

Look for Larry's Latest book coming March 25, 2007.

"Live the Light!

Five Weeks to a Life that Shines!"

Click Here

3. Missions - From helping to rebuild a local church destroyed by a tornado to Mission Teams to Jamaica, to providing Christmas for hundreds of area children, to teaming with Gleaning for the World to provide fishing boats for Sri Lanka to working in the local food shelter to sending work teams to Hurricane Katrina ravaged Mississippi we are a mission oriented church.

4. Children and Youth Ministry - From nursery to senior high youth, we offer an abundance of energy and opportunities. An early learning center provides for the daily needs of our youngest. There is Sunday school, youth oriented mission trips, Sunday night gatherings followed by a unique worship service complete with a Christian rock band.

5. Adult Ministry - From Chair Aerobics to Divorce and Grief Recovery to O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier, Seniors) to Parish Nursing to Sunday school to Home-based small groups to Bible study opportunities to women's groups. We offer a variety of challenging ministry opportunities.

6. Worship & Spiritual Growth - In addition to high energy and excitement we plan our worship services to provide a variety of spiritual growth options always including Bible study. From a series about becoming more intimate with God to exploring how we can relate and witness to other religions and cultures we provide high quality messages coupled with small group opportunities and individual study notes to help you strengthen your walk with God.

7. Volunteers - Our volunteers represent us proudly, whether outside maintaining the grounds, helping out in the office, leading a small group, teaching Sunday school, repairing a house, tracking our finances, picking up paper in the sanctuary or watering indoor plants. Spirited and enthusiastic volunteers make any church richly blessed.

8. Staff - Our leadership staff is highly motivated, over qualified and often under paid. From a retired school guidance counselor working in the kitchen to a former nurse leading our family ministry our staff is dedicated to making disciples for Christ. Every Wednesday morning we spend time together in Bible study, prayer and training to be the best we can possibly be for God.

9. Church Structure - Most committees are now gone, replaced by four active ministry teams: 1. Ministry & Missions, 2. Pastoral Care, 3. Nurture & 4. Administration. This keeps our church structure flexible and responsive to the needs of our congregation, community and world.

10. Music Ministry - Whatever the musical tastes, we try to provide it, from choir to rock group and everything in between including contemporary, old gospel, bell choir and even a brass band. Music is a wonderful tool which can enhance your worship experience with creativity and variety.

Jesus Christ gave the local church a mission in the world. In Hebrews we are promised: “Let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of good deeds.” (10:23-24) That’s it! Our task as the church is to hold tightly to God’s hope and encourage each other to outbursts of good deeds.

I pray we will continue to seek that purpose and carry it out with all the energy and enthusiasm of a church on fire for God. After all we want to continue being: "A Light to Guide You Safely Home!"

Next: I started to write about ten things ways our church could improve but several emails from someone struggling with the church changed everything. Read it for yourself by clicking here. "Church: There Is No Place for Me Here!"

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Last modified May 22, 2006.

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