How might you prepare for Resurrection Sunday? We have not greatly emphasized Lent season as others have, but there is something beneficial in looking with anticipation to high points on our church calendar, and taking advantage of opportunities to practice greater reflection. And I am excited for our plans for Easter this year.
Keep ReadingThere's a vast gulf between useless and essential. For example, a church building is not essential. We could still function as a church without a building, and meet in a park, a rented space, and/or from home to home. We could still be a viable and biblical church. Yet while a church building is not essential, it is certainly not useless. We find daily benefit from having a church building to host events, meet for prayer, and most of all gather for worship on Sundays.
Keep ReadingHave you noticed any changes around the church building? We've been working to make some upgrades and updates to our facilities, starting during last Saturday's workday, and in preparation for Easter Sunday. Thanks to all those who came out and helped (more than I could name here)! We'll have another workday on April 5th, and we'd love for you to help.
Keep ReadingWho are you discipling? That's the question that will be at the heart of our vision over the next few years. If you were at the family gathering on Sunday, you heard that our vision is that by 2030, every member/attender of CBC will be equipped and trained to disciple someone else, and that by that date every single person (kids aside) in our church, when asked, will be able to answer the question, "Who are you discipling?" with a real and concrete answer.
Keep ReadingSunday evening we will gather for our semiannual Family Gathering, and I hope you will join us! In advance of and preparation for Sunday evening, please look at the document that you received in the CBC Weekly. In it are this year's ministry reports, as well as a graphic representing our proposed vision statement and new church covenant.
Keep ReadingI studied biology/pre-med in college, and, as with any major, some courses were more challenging than others. Then there were other classes that were what you might call "filtering" classes. I remember talking to one of my hockey teammates about taking organic chemistry, and he remarked; "That's the class they use to weed you all out, huh?" He was spot on.
Keep ReadingSep 26
2024
In Acts 14, the people of Lystra believe that Barnabas and Paul are the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes, who have come to visit the people. They exclaim; “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” As Christians, this sounds familiar. It sounds like incarnation language, in the same way Jesus has come to us. Philippians 2:7 states that Jesus was born in the likeness of men. This may raise a question.
Sep 19
2024
According to Paul’s sermon in Acts 13, God chose Israel as His favored people, and He appointed some to believe Paul’s gospel message. Paul also talks about God’s “selection” of Jesus as the Savior, in quoting Psalm 2:7; “You are my Son, today I have begotten you,” (or the NIV rendering; “You are my Son, today I have become your Father.” I didn’t get into it, but this is a tricky verse and quote!
Sep 12
2024
This week we continue in the book of Acts, and I am in the middle of preparing Sunday’s sermon. Over the summer, I took more breaks from the pulpit than I have in almost a decade at CBC (outside of a sabbatical). A number have noticed, and asked why that is. It’s a good question! I might write a longer piece at some point, but I wanted to briefly give a few reasons off the top of my head.
Sep 5
2024
I’ve been reading a book called, “The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?” It’s an interesting book, seeking to analyze what the authors call the biggest religious shift in American history – which is the historic number of people leaving churches of all denominations. I’m still assessing their findings and analysis, but one thing I have appreciated is the surprisingly optimistic tone of the book.