The new Website!

It's official! We are up and running. Live on the web - Bellwood's new website. It's awesome.

There are three reasons for a church to have a website (my reasons):

1. It's a great tool and resource for members to use. They can see what's happening with upcoming events, browse the bulletin and calendar, listen to the sermon that they might have missed, or connect with the larger church body.

2. Visitors or people new to the area can "Try before they buy". One of the first things I did before coming to Bellwood was to see if there was a website that would tell me about the congregation. People are shoppers and we "shop around" online for even a church. A website is a great way for people to check out a church because it is very non-threatening. No pressure to join, just kinda kick the tires and hopefully come for a test drive.

3. A website can used very effectively for outreach and evangelism. With the resources we have on our new site, we can encourage folks to get familiar with us but more importantly to get to know Jesus Christ. Sermons are available each week.

So - if you haven't already done so, check out the Bellwood Church website by clicking here:
www.bellwoodchurch.org

Our "Best Practices" -

REVEAL identifies “best practice” churches – Churches that excel in helping their members grow in their love for God and others are doing a few simple things very well.

1. They get their people moving – They are clear about their intent to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. They do this through offering membership classes like CLASS 101 which introduce newcomers to the church’s mission, spiritual practices and beliefs.

2. They embed the Bible in everything – The most influential catalyst for spiritual growth is personal time spent in reflection of Scripture. God’s Word is used as a guide for decisions and inspiration.

3. They create ownership – To own the vision of the church is to embrace it as part of your identity. The vision is shouldered by a dedicated team of lay leaders who help the pastor unite the church body in a common purpose.

4. They pastor the local community – “Christianity is not a spectator sport”. The top churches are in the thick of their communities serving and meeting needs. They are the hands and feet of Jesus.

Off With His Head!

I read this article in Christianity Today today. (No, I didn't stutter). It was so powerful, I had to share it. Written by Carolyn Arends. She tells the story of two missionaries who visited her church one day. Caution: This is not for the faint of heart (or stomach).

The missionaries were a married couple stationed in a particularly steamy jungle. They told about an enormous snake—much longer than a man—that one day slithered its way right through their front door and into the kitchen of their simple home. Terrified, they ran outside and searched frantically for a local who might know what to do. A machete-wielding neighbor came to the rescue, calmly marching into their house and decapitating the snake with one clean chop. The neighbor reemerged triumphant and assured the missionaries that the reptile had been defeated. But there was a catch, he warned: It was going to take a while for the snake to realize it was dead.

A snake’s neurology and blood flow are such that it can take considerable time for it to stop moving even after decapitation. For the next several hours, the missionaries were forced to wait outside while the snake thrashed about, smashing furniture and flailing against walls and windows, wreaking havoc until its body finally understood that it no longer had a head. Sweating in the heat, they had felt frustrated and a little sickened but also grateful that the snake’s rampage wouldn’t last forever. And at some point in their waiting, they told us, they had a mutual epiphany. “Do you see it?” asked the husband. “Satan is a lot like that big old snake. He’s already been defeated. He just doesn’t know it yet. In the meantime, he’s going to do some damage. But never forget that he’s a goner.”

The story is a bit graphic and gory but you have to admit that it captures your imagination. The author has come to believe it is an accurate picture of the universe. We are in the thrashing time, a season characterized by our pervasive capacity to do violence to each other and ourselves. The temptation is to despair. We have to remember, though, that it won’t last forever. Jesus has already crushed the serpent’s head. Satan and God are not equal in power. Satan is a created being (originally Lucifer). God is Alpha and Omega (no beginning, no end).

Though we wrestle with the brokenness that plagues the world, and ourselves, we do so not with grim resignation but with hopeful defiance. We face both our addictions and afflictions not with a faint, white-knuckled hope that someday we will be healed, but rather with an assurance that we are living slowly but surely into the healing already obtained on the Cross. There is still a waiting. In some cases the healing may not come in fullness until we are face-to-face with our Victor—but come it will. Guaranteed.

"Exploring Christianity - What's the big deal over Jesus?"

We are all on a spiritual continuum assuming that we at least acknowledge that God exists. Some people are exploring Christianity which means they believe in God but are not real sure about Jesus. Why would I need Him to be part of my life? Here are my notes from a recent sermon.

God’s Purpose: God has a purpose for your life. That purpose is to live forever in relationship with Him. God loves you – even before you were even born. John 3:16-17 These verses also imply that everyone who does not believe in Him will perish. Romans 6:23. What is sin? In a most basic definition, it is a loss of relationship with God, others, creation and self. God is holy, and has always desired a relationship with us from the very beginning. But when He created Adam and Eve and gave them the free choice to eat from the tree of life, they rejected it and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Their choice is what brought sin (separation from God) and death into the world.

Our Need: Outside from God, our search for life & meaning leads to a dead-end – literally. We may find temporary satisfaction but never long-lasting fulfillment. We say that we are good, never done anything wrong, but the Bible says we’ve all missed the mark. Romans 3:23

God’s Provision: Romans 3:22-25 Apart from Jesus we cannot have a relationship with God. John 14:6 Because God is just, an offering for sin had to be made. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus was the perfect choice because he lived a perfect life. 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 4:25

The Good News: Jesus paid the penalty for sin on our behalf and conquered death by being raised again (resurrected). Death has no power over us anymore. Romans 6:9-11 God wants to have a relationship with you that lasts forever – but He will not force it. He will certainly nudge you in the right direction, but He want force you. John 6:44

Our Response: Is God calling you to come back to Him? The only way to get back to God is through Jesus. The only way Jesus can affect our life is for us to receive Him. Jesus is God’s Son and God wants you to become His child. John 1:12

The penalty for your sin has already been satisfied. Debt paid. God, through Jesus, has already responded. For our part, we are to repent (change of direction). Turn toward God. Acts 3:19 To repent is not just to feel sorry for our sin—it is to prove you have changed by the way you now live, but it requires the Holy Spirit living in you. Put all faith (trust) in Jesus, give your heart (your whole self) to Jesus. Romans 10:9-17

Your Commitment: Today you have heard the message of Good News. Now you must decide. Are you willing to hand over the leading of your life to Jesus and enter into a relationship that will last forever or are you still wanting to do it your own way?

A Great "Experience"

I spent the first part of last week at my Alma mater, Hesston College. I was invited to be Pastor-in-Residence which means you get to hang out with students, staff and faculty and just be available. I had a wonderful time. It was an honor to hear some of the prayer requests students had during our Sunday night Campus Worship. These were holy-ground moments as the students opened their hearts with concerns for themselves and loved ones. It was a thrill to be part of the Intro to Music Theory class as well as hear Bel Canto sing "The Way" in beautiful 4 part harmony. It brought tears to my eyes. I wish I would have recorded it!

I was impressed with the level of maturity and spiritual depth I saw in the Resident Assistants as well as the Ministry Assistants. (Keep hearing God speak to you in your devotional time). These people really do care about their student peers. They want to do the right thing. They want to be Christ-like examples. Wow - I hope when my kids come to Hesston that RA's will be just like you!

I enjoyed being part of Chapel. Thank you all for learning to KNOW, GO and SHOW THE WAY. (especially my thanks to Megan, Roxanne, Dave, June, and Sheralynn. Gary Oyer - you are still the best.) And I would be remiss if I didn't thank the wonderful ladies in the cafeteria for all of their hard work. (Tammy says hello)

There is something unique about Hesston College. There is an intimacy and a peace that you quickly experience from everyone. It's hard to describe. You just "feel" it. Maybe it's a Holy Spirit thing. While I was there I couldn't help but wonder about this and then it hit me; it has to be because of the MANY prayers offered to God on behalf of this place that makes it so unique. I have to believe that those who first attended Hesston prayed alot; not just for themselves but for all of those who would follow in their footsteps generations later. I believe that Hesston must have been bathed in prayer which is why (if you've ever attended HC), you know you've been part of something special: the Hesston Experience.

Thank you to Hesston College for another great experience!