Bemidji Church of Christ Blog

bccadmin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:21:54 +0000

Righteousness – true holiness – is seen over time in our persistence. It is relatively easy to “flirt” with righteousness – being occasionally courteous to other drivers (if you happen to be in a good mood), helping someone in need by opening the door for them (if you have time), throwing a few extra bucks into the offering plate (as long as you won’t miss them). But this behavior is in reality superficial righteousness. The righteousness God seeks is a persistent righteousness, a commitment to continue making the right decision even when, perhaps hourly, you feel pulled in the opposite direction. Holiness is far more than an inclination toward occasional acts of kindness and charity. It is a commitment to persistent surrender before God.

~ Gary Thomas

bccadmin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:52:55 +0000

To be neutral in the struggle between right and wrong is to be in the wrong.

~ Anonymous

bccadmin — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 19:52:01 +0000

Frugality unless joined, conditioned, and balanced by liberality becomes stinginess.

~ Anonymous

bccadmin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:50:16 +0000

The depth of of a stream cannot be determined when the water is muddy; be clear in your writing and speaking if you would convey the depth of what is said.

~ Anonymous

bccadmin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:47:01 +0000

If professing Christians cannot be distinguished from the world now, they will not be distinguished from the world in the Day of Judgement.

~ Anonymous

A Challenge

bccadmin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:10:50 +0000

Challenge yourself this week to spend as much time praying for someone in need of God’s salvation as you spend watching television or reading a book.

bccadmin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:45:44 +0000

Were you converted to the Lord Jesus Christ or just talked into being baptized?

~ anonymous

Misconceptions about the Church

bccadmin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:09:54 +0000

I find myself limiting “church” quite a bit, by certain expectations I have of what church should be and do. I bring this up, only because it was brought to my attention by doing a Google search under “church outreach ideas.” I begin to see the same list over and over and over again. Is this what church is all about?? Are my expectations and pre-concieved notions Biblical? I think it’s time to evaluate.

First of all, I don’t think church should be an activity center. We’re not supposed to be simply another organization to keep people’s schedules full. The church should be the BODY of Christ….something living….growing….etc.

Church literally means, “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly” It is also referred to as the “Bride of Christ.”

But what comes to my mind when I think of “church?”

Rallies
Campouts
VBS
Fellowship dinners
Sunday school classes
Door to door calling
Food shelves
Clothing stores
Visitor Greeters
Weekly communion
Song service, communion, prayer, sermon (in that order!)
Kid’s outreach events
Free stuff – car washes, ice cream, balloons etc

Sad, that these “programs” are what come to my mind first. I know that church should be about

worshipping God
Grasping God’s word with a reality that can be lived out
coming together in community and fellowship
encouraging one another to grow
sharing the same passion
being led by the Holy Spirit
being amazed by Who God is and what He has done for us
being inspired to live that out daily

But honestly, that’s not what first jumps to my mind.

When I did the online search for “Church outreach ideas,” basically all sites have the same ideas (with a few excpetions), no matter how old the site is. These appear everywhere:

Car washes
VBS
Homeless ministry
Super bowl parties
Sponsor a child – a school – someone in jail – etc
Family movie night
Halloween alternative
Easter something
Christmas play – or songs- or food handouts
Church yard sale
Raking, mowing, etc
Lock ins
Lock outs
Prayer rooms, programs, nights, lists

And I ask myself….”Is this what church is really all about?” What are we supposed to be DOING anyway?!

What is our purpose? Our goal? Our calling?

Is my goal to “get more people in the church,” or “get more ‘church’ into people?”

I know reaching out to people is important. But it is so saddedning and maddening to me, to see that “church” has become so PREDICTABLE. What are we offereing more than any other “good deed organization?” Shouldn’t the church be striving to fill a need in people’s live more than fill up their schedule?! I know at one point, that these were effective programs, getting “churched” and “unchurched” people together to mingle. But with our lives so busy now, why would people want to add more? Are we really seeking their/our needs, in God’s way?

I know the theme is, use these ideas and ADD God into it so they get that need filled. But I’m wondering, are these programs really effective right now? Should we be asking ourselves if there is another way God can use us right now?

And so I see….I need more compassion for the people, not an effort to have a large congregation. I see that the most effective way of sharing God, is building reltionships, almost outside of church. I see that I need a lot of prayer. And I need a shift in my “program orientation” so that I’m not doing SO MUCH that I forget our highest calling.

“Jesus replied, ” All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples out of every nation; Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” Matthew 28:18-19

Step Into the Fire – Part 5

bccadmin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:28:46 +0000

I read recently, an artice about Embezzling. It asked, “Are you an embezeler?”

To Embezzle: to appropriate fraudulently to one’s own use, as money or property entrusted to one’s care. (Dictionary.com)

Normally, when I think of embezzle, I think of high financial officers or corporate fiascos. But, the hard-hitting point of the article was, do I embezzle from God and/or do I embezzle from my employer?

Embezzle From God

Do I take God’s glory for my own? Do I take His gifts and services for granted? Do I take my talents at my own credit? Do I take encouragements to my profit?

When someone says, “Good job playing the piano this morning,” do I thank God?

When my husband commends me on accomplishing my list of tasks, do I allow that God entrusts me the time to do such lists? Or do I think I have acheived it on my own willpower?

When someone says, “You are always optomistic,” do I confess, not by my strength and not always.

When people say, “It’s inspiring to see what you can do for God,” do I admit, “By God’s grace!” ?

When a friend says, “That’s a great idea,” and I know it’s not my own, but came by prayer and reading, do I share the source?

In any given day, I am allowed so many opportunities to turn praise and thoughts to God, and yet so often I fall back on my own personality and strengths!

The Bible warns us of planning the future, without giving credit that God controls it.

Embezzle from Work

The other thought, is have I embezzled from work? It does not have to be monitarily….

Have you consistently arrived late to work or use work time for other activities? You are embezzling time.

God asks us, as Christians, to set an example in speech, in life, in love, and in purity. It includes making sure you’re not an embezzler, of any sort. God wants us to be honest, trustworthy, and of noble character!

We can Step up to the Fire/Stand for the Truth, when we make a difference by not embezzling.

To catch up on the other posts, click the Tag “Step Into the Fire.”

bccadmin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:21:21 +0000

I would not consider any spirituality worthwhile that wants to walk in sweetness and ease and run from the imitation of Christ.

~ John Climacus