Caring for new church members

 

“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”

                                                    Thomas J. Peters

 

Savannah Cottrell writes: “My parents and I were flying home from a quick getaway up North when we noticed something peculiar about the flight we were boarding home. There were tinsel decorations strung on the ceiling of the plane, and country songs were playing over the loudspeaker. I heard from one of the crew that the reason for all the decorations was because this was the pilot’s final flight before his retirement from the airline.

  Later on, I noticed pictures of this pilot from over the course of his career decorating the overhead compartment doors, and commemorative napkins that the pilot’s wife had printed specially for this flight. Once we landed, the flight attendants said kind words about the pilot, two fire trucks sprayed water on the plane in his honor as a celebratory gesture, and we as passengers celebrated the pilot with noisemakers.

  After that flight, I realized that there was a similar – greater – rejoicing in Heaven every time a new Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God…as it’s documented in Luke 15:10. Can you imagine…a celebration greater than anything on this earth in your honor?”

  On the back of your bulletin, you’ll find our purpose statement: Grace Church exists to glorify our Heavenly Father by continually making more followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s why we’re here. While at Grace, we’re excited when Christ followers who have moved into our community or for some reason, come to us from another church, yet that’s not our purpose. Transfer growth only helps our church grow. We are committed and our purpose is to see heaven grow, seeing the Body of Christ grow as individuals commit their lives to Christ and trust Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

  The new birth is only the first step. As a family, of brothers and sisters in Christ, we have biblical responsibilities to each one of them. We want to see them and every believer at Grace grow into a mature Christian.

  The evidence of spiritual maturity is reproducing new disciples. In other words, Jesus’ purpose for each one of us is to become a spiritual parent. As Christians, we are called to make disciples – to do our part to reproduce Christ’s life in others who don’t yet know our Savior. In Jesus’ last words before He left this earth He commanded us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

  Christ’s mission of spiritual reproduction must be a priority for every believer. Just as the human race continues because we physically reproduce, so Christianity continues on this planet because Christians spiritually reproduce new believers. The reason the Church in America is shrinking is not so much that people are leaving the church as it is that the average Christian has abandoned or worse, never participated, in the mission the Lord Jesus gave us. So, how can we help new believers grow?

  Pray for them by name. Do you pray for your family? Then, please pray for your spiritual family, particularly those who are young in the Lord and starting a new walk with Christ. Pray that they will grow in spiritual maturity. Pray for them to have a consistent quiet time to read the Bible and pray regularly. Pray for understanding when he/she reads the Bible and that they will grow in their life.

  Pray for their spiritual protection. When we commit our lives to Christ, we switched teams, and now have a vicious enemy. Pray for them to depend on the Holy Spirit to overcome sins they may have struggled with.

  Pray for the person to be able to witness with spontaneity about their new life in Christ. Others around them will wonder what’s happened and brought this change. They’ll have great opportunities to share their faith.

   Include them in fellowship times within and outside our church. Fellowship is crucial to helping a new Christian feel included. It can be as small as sitting with them in a small group or at a church event and making sure that they know that they’re included in the various events our church may have. Invite them to your own home for a meal or to an area restaurant, or just out for coffee. Community life is crucial among believers. It’s vital that they feel welcome with their spiritual brothers and sisters because we’re family and part of His forever family.

  Offer a listening ear and serve them in their times of need. The Christian life is not easy. When times get rough, the newest family member should be able to come to any of their fellow Christians with their struggles without fear of judgment. It’s important to be available and take time to listen, so they can share their heart about any struggles, temptations or fears. As time passes, they’ll have more questions about God’s Word and the Christian life. They need to feel it’s safe to ask questions about the Bible or other aspects of their faith. We need to be available to them. 

  Just love them. We need to share our lives with new believers, being open and honest about the good and bad as well as what God is teaching us. They’re going to struggle. They need to know that we all struggle because while we are saved from the penalty of sin, the presence of sin and its power are continually present for each of us. When you become someone’s friend, you pull back the mask and reveal who you are.

  Becoming a new Christian brings both its joys and challenges. As a newborn needs a family, God has designed us to be a family of older brothers and sisters. They need us to be there to pray with, fellowship with, and listen to and above all, love our newest brothers and sisters in Christ, so we can build the relationship that lasts into eternity, helping them along the way to know Jesus better until we all get Home. 

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

Pray for Cuba??? Really???

“How many of us have conflicts with someone else and how many of us pray for that person? We have individuals with whom we are competitive, or whom we dislike or have a quarrel with; but very few of us have true enemies. And yet if Lincoln could pray fervently and contemporary reports indicate he did, for the people who were opposing him, how much more can we do for someone

we just find a little irritating?”  John Wooden  

Have you been praying for friends and family in Florida? Most of us have. The devastation and loss have been terrible. 

  Yet, before Hurricane Ian struck Florida, it hit the island of Cuba, our country’s enemy. Three people were killed. The entire island lost power. And Cuba was already suffering from an economic crisis with shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. There have been blackouts across the island all summer, which has led to rare protests against the government. The life-threatening conditions Hurricane Ian inflicted on Cuba prompted officials to evacuate more than 38,000 residents from their homes in one province.

  Yet, in spite of the suffering Ian brought to Cuba, I don’t recall a post or even hearing anyone say: “Pray for Cuba!” But if we’re going to be obedient to God’s Word, shouldn’t we? As I read my Bible a constant theme that’s repeated over and over again is that Christians are to love and pray for their enemies. Cuba under Communist oppression is an “enemy” of the U.S. Christians and churches there suffer persecution. It truly fits the “enemy” category.

  This is what makes Christ-followers distinctly different. We love, pray for and show kindness to our enemies, even if they hurt us in return. Please understand, we can’t do this in our own strength. It must be Jesus living and loving through us. Our Savior who said from the Cross, “Father, forgive them” wants us to have that same love for our enemies. It’s through His power flowing through us that we have the strength to live as Jesus.

  All of us have enemies. If you live for Jesus, not everyone is going to like you. In our humanness, we irritate and anger others. Yet, our response must be like our Lord, even if it means praying for places like Cuba or people who despise us.

  How does the Bible tell us to respond to our enemies? Dr. Ray Pritchard, longtime pastor at Calvary Church in Oak Park, IL has several suggestions.  

  Greet your enemies. This may be the most difficult one because it’s very personal and risks ridicule or being snubbed. Yet, one part of loving our enemies is to greet them graciously when we see them. Sometimes, in order to not antagonize them, this may be unwise, yet as much as we can when we have an opportunity, we need to seek to be Jesus to them. That often begins with greeting them. If we only greet our friends, so what? Even pagans greet each other. One part of loving your enemies is to greet them instead of avoiding them or worse snubbing them.

  Do Good to Them. Both times in Luke 6 when Jesus tells us to “love our enemies,” He follows it immediately by saying, “do good to them,” so that we won’t miss His point. Doing good to your enemies means seeing beyond your pain and their meanness to their humanity. It means seeing them as individuals made in the image of God and understanding that there is something broken inside that causes them to do what they do.

  Think of someone who hates you. Now imagine doing something nice for them. It’s unnatural, yet must be done. It might mean shoveling their walks or taking over a dozen cookies. It’s not enough to refrain from getting even. Jesus says that we must proactively do good to the wrongdoer!
  It was said of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, that the quickest way you could become his friend was to do him wrong. The minute you did him wrong, he’d work so hard to love you back that eventually he’d win you as a friend. What a great testimony to the Christ-like spirit of that godly man.

  N.T. Wright puts it this way: “Think of the best thing you can do for the worst person, and then go ahead and do it…Think of the people to whom you are tempted to be nasty, and lavish generosity on them instead.”

  Refuse to speak evil of them. That’s what Jesus meant when he said, “Bless those who curse you.” It means you refuse to think evil thoughts and refuse to speak or post evil words against those who’ve wronged you. Every time we open our mouths, life or death comes out. Forgiveness in many cases isn’t possible because we won’t stop talking. As long as we talk over and over again about how others hurt us, we’ll be unable to forgive. At some point, we must stop talking and start forgiving.

  Thank God for them. If you believe in the sovereignty of God, that God is in control, you must believe that your enemy is part of God’s plan with His design and with His approval. Your enemy can’t hurt you apart from God’s permission, so behind your enemy stands the hand of God. Your Heavenly Father would never permit it if He didn’t intend to bring something good out of it. If we want to grow in faith, we must continually thank God for the blessing of our enemies.

  Pray for them. When Martin Niemoller, a German pastor, was arrested by the Nazis in World War II, he prayed daily from his prison cell for his captors. Other prisoners asked why he prayed for those who were his enemies. To which Niemoller replied, “Do you know anyone who needs your prayers more than your enemies?”

  It’s impossible to truly pray for someone and hate them. As we pray, we begin to recognize that our enemies need the same thing we all desperately need: God’s grace and forgiveness for sins. It means that we pray sincerely for their well-being, which may include their conversion to Christ.

  Bless those who curse you. Picture someone in your face. They’re out of control. This means when someone is just mean to you, or cusses you out, gives you an obscene gesture, calls you names, or verbally attacks you, you respond with kind words. You respond graciously. I love Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” In a culture where anger is the first weapon of choice, responding in a Christlike manner shocks people so much they’re often willing to rationally discuss what’s going on.

  Though it can be hard to see, your enemy is a gift from God to you. That’s not excusing evil or condoning mistreatment. It’s then that we echo what Joseph meant when he told his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Our enemies humble us, keep us on our knees, reveal our weaknesses, and expose our total need for God.

  It’s time to pray for Cuba and any and all who hate us and hurt us. That’s what it means to live for Jesus!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.  

 

Your Bible is not a Museum Piece

“How many never in their lives read through all the Scriptures?
These have a sword but only to hang on the wall.” William Gouge 

When I was growing up, I never understood why we had a formal dining room. It included a large china cabinet with a set of fine china. There was a matching chest of drawers with silverware that had to be periodically polished. It even included a coffee and tea set. Yet, we never ate in the dining room. None of that beautiful china or silver or furniture was ever used. It was like a museum display or perhaps wishful thinking of some future formal meal that never happened.

For far too many Christians, their Bible is like that. They have one. Most own several. They probably have a Bible app on their phone. But the Bible was never intended to be a museum piece, set off for display. The Bible is to be a work truck. It’s not how it looks on the outside. It’s the “tools,” the content of what’s between the leather cover that makes the Bible valuable. As Christian author, David McKenna, wisely points out: “Unless we read the Word of God, we cannot be instructed by the Spirit, and unless we are instructed by the Spirit, we cannot become godly and effective servants. To put it another way, loving the Word, learning from the Word, and living out the Word are interlocked in God’s plan for our spiritual growth.”

Are you reading the Bible? Is it important to read it daily? Yes. Let me suggest a few reasons why you want to make Bible reading a daily habit.

Daily Bible reading can bring peace into our lives. Each day we roll out of bed and, as C. S. Lewis put it in Mere Christianity, “all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals.” One reason to read the Bible is so that we don’t live out our day in a state of frenzy with little or no purpose. It helps us focus and remember the brevity of life, the eternality of heaven, and the abundance of gospel hope from which no sin or failure is excluded. The promises of Scripture are like an inhaler for an asthmatic. God’s Word helps us to slow down and take a deep breath.

Daily Bible reading is like beginning the day with a good breakfast. The president of the Bible college that I attended shared that his life phrase was, “No Bible, No Breakfast.” For some, it might be, “No Bible, No Coffee.” Reading Scripture is like eating a nutritious meal. We have to do it regularly, it tastes good to taste buds that are alive and nourishes us for the day. Bible reading is stored energy, stockpiled emotional and psychological capital. We stay energized and afloat throughout the day by making moment-by-moment withdrawals from that vast reservoir.

Daily Bible reading gives us wisdom for the day. How many dumb things do you do each day? How many dumb things do you say each day? None of us do wise, godly things naturally. Doing the right things comes from being plugged into God’s Word and empowered by His Spirit. We won’t act heavenly without being plugged into Heaven’s message to us. The Bible is the world’s great self-corrective. If we read God’s Word faithfully, it tweaks our lives and prompts fresh mid-course corrections.

Daily Bible reading deepens our minds about what truly matters. Have you ever thought about how much trivial data we store in our minds? I left home in 1975 but I still remember my home phone number. Play a few musical bars from a popular commercial from a few decades ago and most of us can immediately hum the rest. Remembering who played in Super Bowl XXIV may impress sports fanatics, but it’s not going to help you live. Though Tom Hanks is one of our most popular actors, knowing about his last movie won’t help you be kinder or more patient. One reason we read the Bible is to deepen our perspective of what ultimately matters. It helps us know God and live a life that pleases Him. It helps us think more accurately about life, eternity, and all that matters most.

Daily Bible reading helps us wisely invest our time. Are there times when you have so much to do, so much that you could do that you’re not sure where to start? The Bible is your best daily planner. It gives us direction to take action in concrete ways. Sometimes the passage commands action very directly. Other times it doesn’t, but at the least, indirectly, a text will mess with us, change us a little bit, alter our outlook, and impel us forward in some new step of practical obedience externally because we have been changed a tiny bit internally.

Daily Bible reading guides us in how to pray. Reading the Bible gives us an instruction manual on the right way to pray. In Jesus’ most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord shares with His followers what’s known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” His example illustrates a prayer filled with praise, submission to the will of God, reliance upon Him for our daily needs, and requests for forgiveness. Jesus’ prayer focuses more on honoring God than listing needs to be met. Too often we pray “Happy Meal” prayers while our Heavenly Father wants to give us steak and lobster. It’s only as we’re in the Bible that we even know what’s on the “menu” to ask for. Biblically informed prayer reminds us that we don’t have all of the answers. As we go through our day full of responsibilities, pressures and struggles, we recognize our need for God moment by moment and turn to Him in prayer. Being faithfully in the Word guides us in what to pray about.

We’re nearing the beginning of a New Year. A great way to start in 2021 is to plan and prepare now for being in God’s Word each day. A great tool to help you is the One Year Bible. Even if you split into two years, you’re headed in the right direction.

They’re only $12.99. The deadline for ordering them is Sunday, December 6^th.  Most of the items on our Christmas list will be old and out of style before summer. God’s Word is eternal and can direct you into a life of true significance. If regularly reading God’s Word hasn’t been part of your daily life, please make it part of your life in the coming year.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

Don't Vote!

“Don’t Vote…”

  One of the first stories I remember from childhood was the story of a boy who cried, “Wolf!” Remember it? Originally, it was one of Aesop’s Fables.

  Essentially, there was a shepherd boy who was either bored or scared as he watched the village sheep. To keep from being alone, he cried out, “Wolf! Wolf! The Wolf is chasing the sheep!” People came running to drive the wolf away, but there was no wolf. The boy did this several times. Finally, when there was a real wolf and he sounded the alarm, no one came. He’d falsely sounded the alarm too many times.  

  It seems like nearly every election cycle, someone proclaims, “This is the most important election in our lifetime.” The problem is that they said that last time and the time before that and the time before that. A thinking person will conclude, “something smells.” The alarm has been sounded so many times, it’s ultimately tuned out.

  Then, well-meaning Christian leaders will say something to the effect of,  “It’s a Christian’s duty to vote.” Some will go so far as to say that to not vote is a sin.

  The Bible never even says that. A free society such as we know was unknown in the days of the Bible. Personally, I believe that it’s a responsibility as a citizen of a free society to vote, yet it is not a moral right or wrong. It’s definitely not a sin to not vote. But it is…

  It is a sin to fail to pray for our government leaders, whether we agree with them or not. Paul urges us with: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).  

  Please note that it’s a prayer for our greatest need, “God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved.” It’s a gospel prayer, not a politically expedient one. While God is concerned with moral, social and fiscal issues, the greatest need is a gospel one. That’s why the gospel and the Church can’t and must not be identified with partisan political posturing.

  Yes, I believe that you should vote BUT long before you enter the voting booth, the believer must habitually enter the prayer closet. Read the pages of Scripture and you’ll find that God intervened over and over again when His people prayed.

  We’ve substituted programs and political rhetoric for true power, the power of prayer. We complain when we should petition our Heavenly Father. The reason our country is in such a mess is not because of the government or media. It’s because God’s people have neglected to pray.

  An evidence of that is the anger and even hatred among Christians for governmental leaders. It’s difficult to hate someone if you’ve been praying for them to the Savior who said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” It’s hard to hate when you follow the example of Stephen, who as they dashed him to death with rocks, prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). I don’t know how a Christian can be full of anger and venom and still be obedient to Romans 12:14-21.  

  Thank them! After you pray for them, thank them. Government leaders are “God’s servants for good” (Romans 13:4). Your first contact with an elected official shouldn’t be a complaint or something you’re upset about. It should be a “Thank You” note, whether you agree with them politically or not. Thank them for serving. Thank them for being willing to be criticized and maligned because they desired to make a difference.

  If you want to make a difference, start small. It isn’t likely that your vote will change the outcome of the next national election, but it could make a difference in the next School Board election. The most important people for you to know, encourage and pray for are part of your City Council, Village Board, Township or County Board. Your State Senator or State Assembly Representative are fairly accessible. If you call them, they’ll usually personally call you back.

  Personally, I try to visit Madison at least once a year to drop by my representative’s offices and let them know that I appreciate them and I’m praying for them. I don’t have an agenda. I’m truly grateful for them and for their staff (who often are unsung heroes and do a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes). You could make it a field trip for your family.

  When you actually know them, when you can ask questions and know what they believe and their worldview, then you can vote more wisely.

  Please, though, don’t get caught up with a few political red herrings. Personally, I believe that we’re foolish if we believe that we can count on our elected officials to stand with us on moral and social issues. Politics is the world of expediency. If it’s the difference between potentially being elected or not being elected, all the supportive rhetoric will usually be jettisoned for victory in the next election cycle.
  Since we’re citizens of heaven, our first concerns must be the real world. Before we vote, a believer must ask, “Who is going to be best for the advancement of God’s Kingdom?” You won’t know that if you don’t take the time to pray and do some research. If you’re basing your vote on the political party, the latest commercial or even some slick postcard you received in the mail – you’re vote may be little more than the boy who cried wolf. It has little to do with reality and nothing to do with God’s Kingdom. For us, it’s not America First, it must always be King Jesus First!  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.