Our Blog

Pastor's Points - June

Dear Church Family,

In the middle of the pandemic that we are in, I hear over and over again statements like, “things will never be the same”, or “we are going to have to adjust to a new normal”.  I personally do not think any of us know for sure what things are going to be like moving forward.  Things may or may not go back to how things used to be.  We may or may not need to adjust to a new normal.  But no matter what, I know that there are some things that are never going to change.  And it is in these things that do not change that I hope in as it relates to our future.

We will still worship a never changing God.

We will still follow a never changing God.

We will still pray to a never changing God.

We will still preach from God’s never changing Word.

We will still study from God’s never changing Word.

We will still proclaim from God’s never changing Word.

We will still have the same mission, which is to preach that Gospel, and make disciples. No matter how much some things change, these things will remain the same.  Covid-19 will not change any of these things.  God does not change, His Word does not change, and His mission for us does not change! But there are some things that will change.  And we will be better for these changes.

Our appreciation for gathering as a church has grown.
People are excited to be able to come back for corporate worship together.  Yes, we have found a way to continue in this different time, but corporate worship is still preferred by most.

Our love for our brothers and sisters has grown.
Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  I know this is true for me and I pray it is for you as well. I love you all and cannot wait to see each one of you soon.

Our ministry footprint has grown.
God has blessed us with our new property in the middle of a pandemic.  It seems odd to me to have conversations with some pastors who are wondering how they can begin to have services again, while at the same time thanking God for providing for us and our future with this property.  The God who led us to this land will be the one to lead us through how we will pay for and develop this land for His glory.

Our ministry reach and capability have grown.
We now have more physical space to use for ministry.  Our childcare summer camp is meeting at North Campus starting June 1st which means some 60 kids or so will be ministered to each day at our new North Campus.  Plus, other ministry opportunities are being planned as well already.

But also, the ministry reach of our church is being extended through our new video streaming capabilities of our Sunday morning services.  What we need to do is just walk humbly with our God during this time and thank Him that He is the God of the pandemic, and He is the God on the other side of the pandemic as well.

In a very real sense, the more things change the more they stay the same. We were a gospel centered church before the pandemic, and we will be one after it is over.  Some things may change but some things never will, and I am just fine with that!

I love you and I love being your pastor!!
Pastor Alan

Pastor's Points - May

Dear Church Family,
If there is one thing I am convinced of it is that we are living in days that call for us to live in great humility.  The news, and social media are full of people with very strong opinions about what will or will not happen in the weeks and months ahead.  There are people that have so many opinions about what will or will not take place.  I have seen people have one opinion, and then a week or two later have an exact different opinion the other way. Often our opinions have opinions. We all have them, and we are convinced that our opinion is right. Well we all cannot be right. But we all can strive to live in humility.  When you are right, make sure to walk in humility, and when you are wrong make sure to walk in humility.

Listen to this quote that I found in an article. “To be humble or practice humility means to value other people and their opinions without indulging in self- pride. Humility is the opposite of boastfulness, arrogance and vanity.  Oftentimes we are so concerned with winning the argument, making a point, being right and correcting other people that we forget to listen to others, and to allow the unimportant things to dissipate. Yes, there will always be that antagonizing individual in your life who always must prove their point, but it is your choice to engage in their argumentative or opinionated behavior.”

Instead of arguing or forming negative opinions of others that you disagree with, maybe we consider what God’s Word says.  If we would just live these two verses, we would find people living with lives marked by humility.

Philippians 2:3  
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Peter 5:5 
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Let us make it our aim to walk in humility in these most confusing days.  We are going to have differing opinions about so many things.  Sometimes we just need to agree to disagree and not let less important matters harm our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

I love you and I love being your pastor,
Pastor Alan

P.S.  I wanted to let you know that our church was approved for the financial help through the Cares Act.  We received $183,481.72.  This money has been placed in a separate account and will be used to ensure that we can pay payroll. 
This is going to especially help our daycare to remain open and viable during a time of lower census in our daycare.