The United Methodist Church's legislative meeting will have an unofficial caucus of LGBT-identified clergy advocating for changes in the denomination's stance on homosexuality.

Have you ever asked yourself why you go to church? There are plenty of scriptures about meeting together, so, maybe it's out of obedience. Or maybe it's tradition, or maybe it's the fear of being accused of not being a good Christian. Maybe you go to church because it's something to do or it feels like a good thing to have some sort of faith-based support. Maybe you've formed good friendships, or you enjoy the programs churches have to offer. Maybe you like being part of a community of like-minded people. Maybe you've just always gone and so you continue to go out of habit or routine.? Everyone has their opinions about church, but does God have an opinion?Today, when churches almost everywhere are broadcasting online, does it really matter if you actually get dressed and head out on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday night? What about a Bible study, does that count? You can read the Bible alone and grow in your faith and you can pray alone and grow in your faith, and you can worship alone and grow in your faith. Yet each one of these faith actions has two sides: personal and inter-personal.? Most people are comfortable with reading the Bible and praying together, but worship is different. Why is that? People are sometimes less comfortable expressing themselves in worship when others are around than they are worshipping alone. But is one “better” or more spiritually beneficial than the other? Photo Credit:©GettyImages/CreativaImages

But experts say it can offer opportunities for leaders and congregations to grow. Conflict had become the norm at Trinity Church in Redlands, California.The lead pastor left in 2022 amid a wave of disgruntled attendees. Following his departure, some church members remained upset at the congregation’s elders. In all, there had been at least a dozen situations that came up over a 14-year period.When Doug Baker arrived as interim pastor, he knew the conflict had to be addressed. Trinity called in Peacemaker Ministries, a group that mediates conflicts from a biblical perspective. Over a weekend in March 2023, Peacemaker held 15 meetings with people embroiled in the church conflict, put together a plan, and peace began to emerge.Healing started. Many conflicts were resolved. Some people forgave. Some left the church. Trinity, which now averages 500 attendees in Sunday worship, began to change.The conflict resolution process revealed that the congregation didn’t feel as if the elders valued their opinions. The elders began to listen humbly, and they have kept listening. Two elders stand at the welcome booth each Sunday to hear people’s opinions about church matters. According to Baker, “conversations have opened back up.”The situation at Trinity has “been better—much, much better,” he said. “There is a peace. There is a graciousness, a unity, a love for each other and for the lost. People are reengaging with ministry. We are seeing specific ministries thriving a whole lot better because people are not worried about the struggle. They are more concerned about the kingdom.”According to church conflict researchers, Trinity illustrates some broader trends. Conflict often provokes pastors to leave their churches or at least consider leaving, researchers ...Continue reading...

But experts say it can offer opportunities for leaders and congregations to grow. Conflict had become the norm at Trinity Church in Redlands, California.The lead pastor left in 2022 amid a wave of disgruntled attendees. Following his departure, some church members remained upset at the congregation’s elders. In all, there had been at least a dozen situations that came up over a 14-year period.When Doug Baker arrived as interim pastor, he knew the conflict had to be addressed. Trinity called in Peacemaker Ministries, a group that mediates conflicts from a biblical perspective. Over a weekend in March 2023, Peacemaker held 15 meetings with people embroiled in the church conflict, put together a plan, and peace began to emerge.Healing started. Many conflicts were resolved. Some people forgave. Some left the church. Trinity, which now averages 500 attendees in Sunday worship, began to change.The conflict resolution process revealed that the congregation didn’t feel as if the elders valued their opinions. The elders began to listen humbly, and they have kept listening. Two elders stand at the welcome booth each Sunday to hear people’s opinions about church matters. According to Baker, “conversations have opened back up.”The situation at Trinity has “been better—much, much better,” he said. “There is a peace. There is a graciousness, a unity, a love for each other and for the lost. People are reengaging with ministry. We are seeing specific ministries thriving a whole lot better because people are not worried about the struggle. They are more concerned about the kingdom.”According to church conflict researchers, Trinity illustrates some broader trends. Conflict often provokes pastors to leave their churches or at least consider leaving, researchers ...Continue reading...

But experts say it can offer opportunities for leaders and congregations to grow. Conflict had become the norm at Trinity Church in Redlands, California.The lead pastor left in 2022 amid a wave of disgruntled attendees. Following his departure, some church members remained upset at the congregation’s elders. In all, there had been at least a dozen situations that came up over a 14-year period.When Doug Baker arrived as interim pastor, he knew the conflict had to be addressed. Trinity called in Peacemaker Ministries, a group that mediates conflicts from a biblical perspective. Over a weekend in March 2023, Peacemaker held 15 meetings with people embroiled in the church conflict, put together a plan, and peace began to emerge.Healing started. Many conflicts were resolved. Some people forgave. Some left the church. Trinity, which now averages 500 attendees in Sunday worship, began to change.The conflict resolution process revealed that the congregation didn’t feel as if the elders valued their opinions. The elders began to listen humbly, and they have kept listening. Two elders stand at the welcome booth each Sunday to hear people’s opinions about church matters. According to Baker, “conversations have opened back up.”The situation at Trinity has “been better—much, much better,” he said. “There is a peace. There is a graciousness, a unity, a love for each other and for the lost. People are reengaging with ministry. We are seeing specific ministries thriving a whole lot better because people are not worried about the struggle. They are more concerned about the kingdom.”According to church conflict researchers, Trinity illustrates some broader trends. Conflict often provokes pastors to leave their churches or at least consider leaving, researchers ...Continue reading...

Most of my time and effort go into our Revival Meetings these days. Our “Calendar” appears here on the Website. The Tab is at the top of the Home Page. The rest of the time is invested in our video Bible Studies. We are currently concentrating on the Epistle of 2nd Peter. Watch one and […]

They might not even know you're there. When paranoia eclipses our witness, here's what to remember.This piece was adapted from Russell Moore’s newsletter. Subscribe here.Some colleagues and I happened to be meeting in New England this week, so we drove a little bit north to a small village in Vermont called St. Johnsbury, right in the line of the totality of the solar eclipse.Even before the sky darkened, I was mesmerized by the people gathering in the town square, each with a sense of anticipation and excitement over the shared experience. We ended up standing on the front lawn of someone’s house, eating sandwiches while we waited for the sun to hide. The homeowners sat on their stoop and were not only unperturbed by our camping out on their property but seemingly enjoying the chance to welcome people to their place.Several articles this week noted how the eclipse seemed to have the effect of bringing out kindness and connection, almost the way a natural disaster would, except in collective wonder instead of in common suffering or fear. Not only that, some studies are showing that this sort of neighborliness and openness is far more common than we think, eclipsed behind the maelstrom of division we see on social media and on cable news.Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen describe our sense that the country is hopelessly and irreparably divided as “America’s reality distortion machine.” Most people aren’t fringe-right Christian nationalists or fringe-left campus activists. Those fringes, though, are amplified not only by the nature of our media but also by the incentives of politicians to cater to the extremes.A couple weeks ago on my podcast, I asked social psychologist Jonathan Haidt some of the questions I’d received from listeners since the last time we’d talked, one of the ...Continue reading...

An excerpt from The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to Deeper Faith.I sat by myself at one end of the boardroom, fidgeting with a few notes on the table in front of me. At the other end were about ten older men in suits and ties peering over their tables, arms crossed. It wouldn’t have been difficult for someone just walking in to determine which end of the room held the power.After my brief opening statement, the rest of our time was set aside for “discussion.” The two-hour meeting felt more like an inquisition. The first questioner hardly let the silence settle after I spoke: “Jim, I went to school with your father. We even went on a mission trip to Mexico together. I’ve known you since you were a kid. What happened to you?”I’ve replayed this scene in my head a hundred times, varying what I say in an attempt to get my accusers to stand up, shake my hand, and say, “Oh, now we see. That makes sense. Sorry for the trouble.” But every time it ends the same way: I have to give up my position as a tenured professor of philosophy and leave the college I’ve served for 17 years.My crime? Believing what 99 percent of those who have a PhD in biology or medicine believe: that human beings evolved over time and share common ancestors with every other life form on the planet. But this was a small Christian college, one of the places where evolutionary theory is deemed incompatible with Christian beliefs. And not just incompatible—evolution is considered dangerous. These men believed that hearing anything positive about evolution would make students doubt the Bible. If you can’t believe the creation account in the very first chapter of the Bible, their thinking goes, then why believe any of it?I do not believe ...Continue reading...

As players face new pressures from bettors upset with their performance, chaplains in the NCAA are trying to help students remember their imago Dei.The odds are bringing little favor to college athletes, who are facing more pressure over their performance from bettors.South Carolina’s defeat of Iowa for the women’s NCAA championship on Sunday drew record-breaking betting numbers. BetMGM announced that the game had drawn the most bets of any women’s sporting event ever.Last year, bettors placed more than $15 billion in bets on the men’s college basketball tournament, according to the American Gaming Association. A major weight on players are prop bets, which are usually bets on details of an individual’s performance—like the number of rebounds from Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.The NCAA estimates that a third of student athletes have been harassed by bettors. It has raised alarms and now is examining how betting and social media more broadly affect student athletes’ wellbeing.“Indirectly, I think players notice that. They may hear it from a fan walking off the court,” said Roger Lipe, who ministers to college coaches and players through Nations of Coaches and is chaplain for the Southern Illinois University men’s basketball team. Lipe was at the Final Four women’s games over the weekend and the concurrent coach’s conference in Cleveland, Ohio.In his 30 years of ministry, a conversation on gambling was often a part of preseason meetings. Betting on sports has been happening for a long time, legal or not, Lipe pointed out.But the legalization of mobile sports betting in states across the country means that it’s much easier for fans to bet, and less taboo. Chaplains have to adapt, Lipe said.In his work, Lipe does book studies with coaching staff, goes to practices, and prays with anyone before ...Continue reading...

As players face new pressures from bettors upset with their performance, chaplains in the NCAA are trying to help students remember their imago Dei.The odds are bringing little favor to college athletes, who are facing more pressure over their performance from bettors.South Carolina’s defeat of Iowa for the women’s NCAA championship on Sunday drew record-breaking betting numbers. BetMGM announced that the game had drawn the most bets of any women’s sporting event ever.Last year, bettors placed more than $15 billion in bets on the men’s college basketball tournament, according to the American Gaming Association. A major weight on players are prop bets, which are usually bets on details of an individual’s performance—like the number of rebounds from Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.The NCAA estimates that a third of student athletes have been harassed by bettors. It has raised alarms and now is examining how betting and social media more broadly affect student athletes’ wellbeing.“Indirectly, I think players notice that. They may hear it from a fan walking off the court,” said Roger Lipe, who ministers to college coaches and players through Nations of Coaches and is chaplain for the Southern Illinois University men’s basketball team. Lipe was at the Final Four women’s games over the weekend and the concurrent coach’s conference in Cleveland, Ohio.In his 30 years of ministry, a conversation on gambling was often a part of preseason meetings. Betting on sports has been happening for a long time, legal or not, Lipe pointed out.But the legalization of mobile sports betting in states across the country means that it’s much easier for fans to bet, and less taboo. Chaplains have to adapt, Lipe said.In his work, Lipe does book studies with coaching staff, goes to practices, and prays with anyone before ...Continue reading...

As players face new pressures from bettors upset with their performance, chaplains in the NCAA are trying to help students remember their imago Dei.The odds are bringing little favor to college athletes, who are facing more pressure over their performance from bettors.South Carolina’s defeat of Iowa for the women’s NCAA championship on Sunday drew record-breaking betting numbers. BetMGM announced that the game had drawn the most bets of any women’s sporting event ever.Last year, bettors placed more than $15 billion in bets on the men’s college basketball tournament, according to the American Gaming Association. A major weight on players are prop bets, which are usually bets on details of an individual’s performance—like the number of rebounds from Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark.The NCAA estimates that a third of student athletes have been harassed by bettors. It has raised alarms and now is examining how betting and social media more broadly affect student athletes’ wellbeing.“Indirectly, I think players notice that. They may hear it from a fan walking off the court,” said Roger Lipe, who ministers to college coaches and players through Nations of Coaches and is chaplain for the Southern Illinois University men’s basketball team. Lipe was at the Final Four women’s games over the weekend and the concurrent coach’s conference in Cleveland, Ohio.In his 30 years of ministry, a conversation on gambling was often a part of preseason meetings. Betting on sports has been happening for a long time, legal or not, Lipe pointed out.But the legalization of mobile sports betting in states across the country means that it’s much easier for fans to bet, and less taboo. Chaplains have to adapt, Lipe said.In his work, Lipe does book studies with coaching staff, goes to practices, and prays with anyone before ...Continue reading...

Will your church be open this Sunday? This question has become more and more common over the last couple of months. Each time I answer with “Most certainly and I hope you will be able to join us!” I have felt like my answer has been missing something. Meeting as a church is vitally important. […]The post More than the Doors are Open appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

After the service this morning I attended the Vision Bible Institute Informative Luncheon. I had the opportunity to start the meeting with prayer and ended up with a front row seat to hear the teachers speak about their upcoming classes. A free lunch is always something that I get excited about but God brought a […]The post 3 Short Stories: Concerning having friends that study the Bible appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

Back in January I met Pastor T.J. Waters (Pine Haven Baptist Church in Jamestown Tennessee) at the Camp meeting in Alvarado Texas. He was interested in getting a website going. Pastor Cobb said he would have some people from the church contact me. I received a phone call from a couple of the church members […]The post Pine Haven Baptist Church – Jamestown Tennessee appeared first on Missionaries to Cyberspace.

How to Serve the Volunteer Teams You LeadJacob FlemingThu, 03/28/2024 - 00:05 Nothing compares to the privilege of serving in the house of the Lord! My heart echoes David's: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).Along with that privilege comes responsibility; and when that responsibility includes leading others, it is imperative that we have a plan. My pastor, mentor, and friend, Dr. Paul Chappell, says, “Churches struggle when they establish goals without a strategy and ministry without structure.” Unfortunately, many times our volunteer teams never reach their full potential because of a lack of structure.? Following are five simple principles that can help you serve the volunteer team you lead and establish a culture that promotes the forward momentum of God's work.? Strategically Recruit? To lead a volunteer team, we must first have willing and able volunteers. Some volunteers will do just that—volunteer. Others, we need to recruit. And then, we must have the wisdom to place each volunteer where they will have the most impact on a weekly basis.? As leaders, we should have a personal goal to set each volunteer up for success. One of the most helpful ways to know where specific volunteers will be successful is to learn what their spiritual and natural gifts are and then involve them in areas where their gifts will be put to the best use. In addition to gifting, different areas of ministry require different levels of oversight and discernment. For instance, stocking guest tables or preparing refreshments for an event wouldn't involve the extensive background checks verifying childcare workers would require.? The fact is, God has created every person precious and unique, fitted to serve Him. As ministry leaders, we want to help our volunteer teams reach their potential by serving in their naturally gifted areas. Generally speaking, it is much easier to take a little time and effort to discern the right position for a volunteer than it is to make an adjustment when someone is already actively serving in the position that you have (mistakenly) placed them in.Think, for example, of a church member volunteering for “whatever you need me to do.” At the moment, you happen to need door greeters for the first impressions team. This volunteer, however, has an introverted personality. Should you place this volunteer in the door greeter position? Most likely, that wouldn't be the best fit. But this volunteer could shine in many other areas. Perhaps they could still be on the first impressions team, but doing the work of stocking supplies, treats, etc. On the other hand, there may be more extroverted people who would be happier to greet, knowing that the more tedious work of stocking supplies is cared for.? Equip with Resources? As ministry leaders, we are to equip “the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). One of the greatest ways you can encourage your volunteer team to reach their potential is to equip them with the training and resources they need to excel in that specific ministry. Here are four areas in which you can equip your volunteers:? Job descriptions: Write out a purpose statement for each ministry with key responsibilities for each volunteer position. (The book Order in the Church by Paul Chappell has some helpful sample descriptions.) If you have not provided clear communication to a volunteer, don't get frustrated when they don't serve exactly how you desire.? Clear expectations: Volunteers want to be told what is expected. A great way to frustrate your volunteer team is to leave your expectations open-ended or fuzzy.? Contact information: If a volunteer has questions or an emergency on the day that they are serving, who do they call? Give them your phone number and the phone numbers of any other people they should turn to for help.Periodic training: Strategically schedule ministry meetings throughout the year during which you can provide further training. For instance, you may train your first impressions team three weeks before Easter so everyone has a fresh reminder of the ways to serve first-time guests.? Reward Regularly? It is impossible to encourage the wrong person. Volunteers sacrifice time and often finances to actively participate in serving our Lord. It's a good thing to recognize their sacrifice and encourage them to keep up the great work. Regular recognition can put wind in the sails of your team members. Here are some suggestions:Yearly: Recognize a ministry team in a Sunday night service.Quarterly: Write a thank you note with a candy bar.Monthly: Have a bite-size treat, waiting at their serving station.? Weekly: Verbalize your gratitude with a heart-felt “thank you.”Value the Team's Response? Your volunteer has strategically been placed, equipped with resources and training, and is feeling encouraged by serving. By now, there's a great chance that they have gleaned knowledge in their ministry and have ideas that can make their specific ministry even better. To be effective leaders, we must take the time to listen to their input.It's easy to receive compliments. But leaders are willing to receive complaints too. Make sure the compliments don't go to your head, and make sure to handle the complaints prayerfully and responsively.? Empower Responsibly? The purpose of delegation is not for you to do less, but for you to get more done effectively. The leader should always be watching for a volunteer team member that potentially could step up and help co-lead a part of the ministry. Be willing to share the ministry and allow well-trained volunteers to be empowered to help make decisions.? The person who builds by himself won't accomplish nearly as much as if he had a team of leaders helping him build. Can you imagine Nehemiah building the walls by himself? He would have ended up in the place many of us have found, or nearly found, ourselves: blown up, burned out, or quitting in discouragement. Build your volunteer team, and build with your volunteer team.It is my prayer that these five principles will encourage you as you serve your volunteer teams.? Strategically Recruit? Equip with Resources? Reward Regularly? Value the Team's Response? Empower Responsibly? Category Pastoral Leadership Ministry Resources Order in the Church Order in the Church Dr. Paul Chappell Guided by Grace Guided by Grace Dr. Paul Chappell Tags Local Church Church Service Leadership

We had the pleasure of meeting Steve Ryder and along with his wife Anna and two grandchildren, Noah, and Serenity at the Alvarado Camp Meeting in January. Brother Steve had accepted God's call to the mission field of Ecuador.? He will be serving in the city of Cuenca on the Andes Mountain range with Pastor […]The post Ryders to Ecuador appeared first on Missionaries to Cyberspace.

Five Ways to Be Salt and Light in Today's AmericaBrandon CampbellThu, 02/29/2024 - 03:00 Here in the United States, we are blessed with an incredible level of religious liberty. But if we do not vigilantly guard this liberty, it will erode and eventually be destroyed. We must use the freedom that we have to be the salt of the earth and shine the light of truth.? Below there are five ways Christians can make a difference for Christ and stay engaged in ways that can preserve our religious liberty.1. Pray regularly for your elected officials.? As John Bunyan once said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” We should pray for our leaders and let them know we are doing so. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).2. Stay informed, and vote with a biblical worldview.? In every election—local, state, and federal—research the candidates and the positions they hold, and vote for candidates with a biblical worldview. We should also pray for more of these candidates to run for office.3. Attend local school board meetings.? Don't be afraid to speak up regarding biblical issues. Additionally, many Christians should consider running for the school board so they can have a direct vote on important issues.? 4. Attend local city council meetings or county supervisor meetings.? Introduce yourself to your mayor, city council members, and county supervisor. Thank them for their service, and let them know you're praying for them. As issues arise, don't be afraid to speak up on concern for religious liberty or public safety.? 5. Know and reach out to your state representative and senator.? Look up the names of those who represent your district in your state legislature. Make an appointment to meet them in their local district office.? Let them know you are praying for them. And call their offices to voice your approval or disapproval of significant legislation.? ? Category Christian Living Tags Patriotic America

Five Ways to Be Salt and Light in Today's AmericaBrandon CampbellThu, 02/29/2024 - 03:00 Here in the United States, we are blessed with an incredible level of religious liberty. But if we do not vigilantly guard this liberty, it will erode and eventually be destroyed. We must use the freedom that we have to be the salt of the earth and shine the light of truth.? Below there are five ways Christians can make a difference for Christ and stay engaged in ways that can preserve our religious liberty.1. Pray regularly for your elected officials.? As John Bunyan once said, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” We should pray for our leaders and let them know we are doing so. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).2. Stay informed, and vote with a biblical worldview.? In every election—local, state, and federal—research the candidates and the positions they hold, and vote for candidates with a biblical worldview. We should also pray for more of these candidates to run for office.3. Attend local school board meetings.? Don't be afraid to speak up regarding biblical issues. Additionally, many Christians should consider running for the school board so they can have a direct vote on important issues.? 4. Attend local city council meetings or county supervisor meetings.? Introduce yourself to your mayor, city council members, and county supervisor. Thank them for their service, and let them know you're praying for them. As issues arise, don't be afraid to speak up on concern for religious liberty or public safety.? 5. Know and reach out to your state representative and senator.? Look up the names of those who represent your district in your state legislature. Make an appointment to meet them in their local district office.? Let them know you are praying for them. And call their offices to voice your approval or disapproval of significant legislation.? ? Category Christian Living Tags Patriotic America

Bob had the pleasure of attending the South Central Texas Baptist Fellowship in January. At the fellowship, Bob had the honor of meeting Pastor Bill Keisling from Fort Victory Baptist Church in Crowley Texas. Brother Bill and I talked about websites, and it came to light that the domain for Fort Victory Baptist Church had […]The post Fort Victory Baptist Church, Crowley Texas appeared first on Missionaries to Cyberspace.

“When you go on the internet, please pray for the Hoffman Family – your missionaries to Cyberspace.” Volume 37? Issue 1? (January/February/2024) Greetings? in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The Latest News: Maureen and I attended 5 nights of a camp meeting in Alvarado Texas. We had our display set up, and we met […]The post Volume 37? Issue 1? (January/February/2024) appeared first on Missionaries to Cyberspace.

While attending the Great Commission? Camp Meeting at New Beginning Baptist Church in Edgewood, Texas, we had the pleasure of meeting Michael Ellzey, a missionary to Bolivia. Brother Michael and I discussed some of the advantages for a missionary to have a website, and he decided he would like to go ahead and get one up. […]The post Michael Ellzey, Missionary to Bolivia appeared first on Missionaries to Cyberspace.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday Family Research Council President Tony Perkins delivered remarks at U.S. Rep. Chris Smith's press conference on "Growing concerns over the WHO 'pandemic treaty.'" The press conference called out the World Health Organization's (WHO) unprecedented rush to ratify the so-called "pandemic treaty" at their May meeting. As more attention has focused on the accord, which in effect is a legally binding treaty, a multitude of concerns have arisen over such issues as individual free speech rights, the opaque nature of negotiations over this treaty, the treaty's disregard for each nation's sovereignty, and the treaty's promoting of abortion. ...

? Temple Baptist Church - 2-4-2024Hebrews 10:24-31? Introduction:? ? A.? Sanctuary – A sacred place.? ? The word sanctuary has religious roots as it referred to a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept.? It often refers to a temple or church, the holiest of holy places.? ? ? ? ? 1.? As early as Genesis 4,? we find that Cain and Abel “brought” their sacrifices.? They did not offer just anywhere but there was? a special place? where they offered.? ? 2.? Abraham built an altar at Bethel? (The House of God) and later came back to that same altar, naming it El-Bethel (God-The House of God) and? found God there.? ? 3.? When God brought Israel? out of Egypt (a beautiful type of salvation), He gave instructions to Moses for the building of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness; when Israel came into the land of Canaan—they? brought the Tabernacle? with them.? 3.? Later build Solomon's Temple.? This beautiful temple was the center of Jerusalem.? When the Jews returned from their captivity in Babylon, the first order of business was the rebuild the walls and Temple.? ? 4.? When the New Testament Jews and Gentiles got saved, they had a local church to attend.? The Bible says much about the local church and works only through it.? ? It is around the local church that our lives are to be centered.? 5.? The Local Church is a special place of:? a)? Refuge from the storms of life.? b)? Rest from the toils of life.? c)? Refreshment from the disappointments of life.? d)? Restoration from the failures of life.? e)? Revival from the lifelessness of life.? 6.? The? Bible calls the? Local Church the pillar and ground of the truth:? ? 1 Timothy 3:15? But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.? B.? Sometimes,? when we go back to Hebrews 10:25, I wonder if I am not? “beating a dead horse.”? 1.? But the Holy Ghost emphasizes the importance of the local church? when using the words “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”? ? That day is HERE? and the house of God forsaken.? 2.? ? Preachers preach the important truth found in these verses,? we quote these verses often, and yet—continually—we see a decrease in the faithfulness of God's people to the church.? ? C.? These verses? are the most profound concerning faithfulness to church that you will find.? In them we find:? 1.? The responsibility to each other – vs. 24? 2.? The importance and purpose – vs. 25? 3.? The callousness of the sin – vs. 26? 4.? The promise of the judgment of God – vs. 27-29? 5.? The seriousness of unfaithfulness – vs. 29? 6.? The fearfulness of the Lord – vs. 30-31? D.? If God said? and meant all of these things, you would think that His children would see the seriousness, repent of their sin, and get faithful? but just the opposite is true.? ? “As the manner of some is” has become the norm for most professing believers.? ? E.? In the last few years,? we have seen a great “falling away” from the local church.? ? 1.? With the rising number of “home churches,” “TV churches,” “Radio Churches,” “golf, fishing, motorcycle, cowboy, etc.,” there has been a great forsaking of the house of the Lord.? ? 2.? I find no substitute in the bible for the local church.? ? F.? The local church? is a landmark of the Lord's making and it needs not to be removed.? Churches all over the Bible Belt have gone from two services on Sunday and Wednesday night Prayer Meeting to just Sunday morning services.? 1.? A Place Of Assembly – Hebrews 10:25? ? Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.? ? (The word “church” means a called-out assembly.? We are called out of this world to assemble together.? If the Lord did not think that we needed a place of gathering, He would have just let us stay at home.? “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” describes the modern day “Christian.”)? 2.? A Place Of Exhortation - 2 Timothy 4:2? Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.? ? (We need each other's strength to continue on in this “present evil world.”? Bearing one another's burdens can only come about when we are together to know what those burdens are.)? 3.? A Place Of Fellowship - Acts 2:42? And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.? ? (We cannot love each other with a whole heart fervently if we are never together.? I love my family and spend much time with them.? I love my church family and spend much time with them!? We laugh, cry, eat, and share together.)? 4.? A Place Of Bible Teaching - 1 Timothy 3:15? But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.? ? (Most believers do not know how to behave in the house of God because they are not there often enough to be taught!? ? Teaching is a very important of our spiritual welfare!? The largest denomination in America is the “Church of the Ignorant Brethern!”)? 1 Timothy 4:16? Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.? 5.? A Place Of Powerful Preaching - 2 Timothy 4:2? Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.? ? (The pastor is commanded to preach the Word, but many are never there to receive it.? So often I know that a particular message will be of help to someone, and they do not show up.? We need bible preaching and need it from the pastor!)? 6.? A Place Of Prayer - Matthew 21:13? And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.? ? (We come, take prayer requests and pray!? We begin each service in prayer, we pray in the prayer rooms, we pray during the services, and we end each service in prayer.? We pray for each other, we pray for our families, we pray for our needs, we pray for the needs of others, we pray for our nation, we pray for Israel, we pray for those in authority over us, we pray for souls, and we pray for the coming of the Lord.? You have not because you ask not is an indictment against those who do not pray!)? 7.? A Place Of Faithful Giving - Malachi 3:10? Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that? there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.? 1 Corinthians 16:2? Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.? ? (Some tithe and give regularly while some tithe and give irregularly.? The local church pays its bills regularly and missions support should be paid the same.? How would we like it if we got paid on an irregular basis?? We would probably be a little upset.? Missionaries do not get full support because of irregular giving!)? 8.? A Place Of Divine Approval - Ephesians 5:25-26? Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;? ? ? That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.? ? (It is a sanctifying place where we are cleansed through the water of the Word.)

In an interview with The Christian Post, Pastor David Platt opens up about the "surreal" moment he and his family were united with J.D., their adopted son from China, following a years-long delay due to COVID-19 travel-related restrictions, and the challenges other adoptive families continue to face.

Just how restrictive will the Southern Baptist Convention become if messengers to next summer's SBC annual meeting approve a second reading of a proposed constitutional amendment against women in ministry? It depends on who's doing the explaining. One of the...The post As SBC moves toward second vote on Law Amendment, debate continues on just what it means appeared first on Baptist News Global.