I Will Build My Church
A new study, put out by George Barna, shows a trend that doesn’t have a good outcome for the American family. In their findings, America is on the brink of having more people un-churched than we have attending church on a consistent basis. This list consists of 34% of people who formerly attended church and no longer want to go. They are considered de-churched and they are the fastest growing segment. Twelve percent of people today are considered un-churched (and this number is growing quickly due to the emergence of millennials who have had and want no church experience). These two segments together make up 46% of adults in our US population. This is a 60% increase in the last decade. The number this represents is staggering. Through the end of 2015, the estimated number of un-churched adults stood at 112 million. If you add in the number of children and teenagers, the total swells to 151 million un-churched individuals.
The number-one reason they give for not attending church is their perception of the experience. Most of the adults felt that people at church were spiritually shallow and that the experience didn’t add value to their life. Three out of four distrust organized churches and one out of four believes the Bible is a good source to address difficult or challenging questions about matters of faith and life.
The enemy is busy at discrediting the effectiveness of the church by causing dissention and distrust toward the people of God and His body. I admit, ministering today is more challenging than it has ever been, but it is not impossible. While the number of un-churched people is increasing in our world, our church is still seeing an increase in attendance. Not what we could see but we are growing. We have more people at our church on any given Sunday than we ever have in the history of this church. We have more people involved in ministry than we have ever seen. We are not where we want to be, and we are not setting records on a national scale, but we are encouraged to see many new faces every week. I believe the increase is due to speaking the Truth in love and a loving congregation who cares for the whole family.
In Matthew 16, Jesus is talking with the disciples and asking them, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They give Jesus the response of many people around that varied from John the Baptist to Elijah, and many said a prophet. But Jesus leaned in and asked who they thought He was. Simon spoke up in Peter fashion and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It is there that Jesus said the famous statement, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:17-18). Beforehand, Jesus warned them not to listen to the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They were to guard against this teaching.
When I review the statistics on what is happening in our world of faith today, I can’t help but think back to what Jesus warned the early disciples about. The yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees is still an issue today.
In spite of the challenges and setbacks at times, take heart church, God is not finished yet. This past week with Vacation Bible Adventure reminds me that people are still seeking to know God. We don’t know the underpinnings of everyone there on Sunday. There could have been some families that wanted to give the church and God one more chance before they gave up completely on Church. I believe that this happens more than we know. With the number of VBA workers and the atmosphere that is present in our services, the church may have redirected some families not to give up hope.
There are some exciting things going on in the church. Life transformation is the key in seeing a church go beyond its walls. The enemy cannot hold down a testimony of the forgiveness of God and life transformation. I am excited what God is doing and will do in the days ahead. My prayer is that God will use this church to make a global impact on the kingdom of God starting in our local community. Let’s work at decreasing the number of de-churched and un-churched in our community by passionately following Jesus with our whole heart. This Sunday come with the spirit and attitude of Jesus as He calls you to participate in the faith journey of a devoted church that wants to reach the lost. At our church, we want guests to see a people who are spiritually on fire for God and are responding to a fresh, life-giving Word of faith. Thank you for being the Church!
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
Always Prepared
In 1 Peter 3:15, it says to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Has anyone ever asked you to do that? Would you be ready to share with them about your experience of coming to know Jesus Christ as your personal savior? Would you be able to tell them of your growing faith in Him? There are some who not only want to hear about how you came to know Jesus, they want to know the truth you stand on. It is the perfect opportunity to show them from God’s Word, the solid foundation you stand on. Let me encourage you to read the Word of God daily, attend a Bible Study, and get involved in a Boost Class on Wednesday nights this fall. We need to be students of God’s Word and work to apply the truths we find each and every day. There is no such thing as a growing, stagnant Christian. The maturing Christian will be passionate about their relationship with Jesus. They will be able to share with gentleness and respect as this verse goes on to say.
One way to learn God’s Word is to study it like you are going to teach it. Many of our teachers find themselves growing more and more because they are studying to teach others. Maybe this fall you may have an opportunity to help teach a class or assist someone in teaching a class. I know we always have space for more children’s workers in an ever-growing ministry.
This week has been our Vacation Bible Adventure. It has been an exciting week. We have seen over 150 children attend each night. I am observing a lot of people come together, utilizing their gifts, and seeing many children learning what it is to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We are so blessed with so many loving volunteers who have approached this week with so much spirit-filled energy. It has taken over 50 people to pull this week off. I am so grateful that Pastor Tracy gives ministry away and doesn’t try to do it on her own. She would be the first to admit that she can’t. None of us can do it alone. Together we are truly better than we are by ourselves. The task force that was put together to lead this VBA is seeing the fruit of their labor. On Sunday we will be thanking this group and many others who made this week possible.
I have been picking up a few kids on the bus this week. These kids love coming to this church. They know and experience the power of Jesus through the love and care that so many people give away at this church. Last night they didn’t want to get off the bus. One of them even said that they wanted to go home with us. I thank the Lord daily for spirit-filled people who love the Lord with all of their heart and love these children the same. Thank you for being Jesus to people who are hungry for more than what this world offers.
Following the second service on Sunday, we will transition the gym and start our indoor picnic. Take the time to get to know some new people who have been attending as well as getting to know others you may only see on Sundays. There will be plenty of activities out on the lawn for anyone to participate in. It’s going to be a great day. I’m looking forward to seeing the Lord move in a new way.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
Growing Up!
We looked at a passage on Sunday where Paul was talking to the church of Corinth about being a father to them. He had a great love for this church like he would his own children. I want to expound on this book a little more as you ponder the Words of God.
Now you would expect a five year old to act like a five year old. But when grown adults act like a five year old, that is a different story. Spiritually speaking, it is the same. Babes in Christ will act differently than those who have been in the faith longer. The book of Corinthians challenges Christians to act their own age. With that being said, let’s look a little closer to see what advice the Apostle Paul gives.
Paul is careful to say he’s not trying to shame the Corinthians (4:14), but he does want them to stop thinking like children (14:20). The only time he gives them permission to act like infants is concerning evil. Being innocent to the world is still a good quality to have. Paul says in I Corinthians 13:11, “When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”
Unfortunately the Corinthians had not matured as they should have. Their church was marked by divisions, immorality, lawsuits, even drunkenness at the Lord’s Supper (11:20-21). In 1 Corinthians 3 he says, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you were still not ready.”
It’s easy to see when others are immature in their faith. But in what ways are you stronger spiritually than you were a year or two ago? How are you and the circle of friends you spend time with moving forward in your relationship with God? Revival occurs when stunted growth is corrected and people move once again in their Christian lives.
I want to challenge you to take a look at areas that may have be neglected or taken for granted. Let God speak to your heart right now and show you the most excellent way to go.
God wants to grow you up in Him this summer as you seek Him with all your heart.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
In the Midst of Tragedy
In the aftermath of the Orlando shooting, many have chosen to use this tragedy as an opportunity to get up on their soap box and deal with an issue they feel others need to hear. This is not a time for us to teach about lifestyle choices, gun control, or any other hot topic. It is a time to call upon The Lord to comfort the hurting, to heal the wounded, to set the captives free. Below is a statement put out by the General Superintendents in the Church of the Nazarene:
Our hearts are grieved and saddened by another act of hatred and violence. We extend our sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the Orlando, Florida, USA, shooting and to those injured in this incident. We urge our people to reach out in tangible ways to share the love of our Lord with all who are suffering loss in these days. May the words of Jesus spur us to exemplify His desire for all His children, “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). In this crisis and others like it, may all we do and say reflect God’s love and compassion. Serving in Christ’s love, The Board of General SuperintendentsChurch of the Nazarene
Pray for all who are touched by this act of senseless violence. I am so glad to be able to call upon the Lord and know that the Peace Giver hears our prayers.
This Sunday is Father’s Day. Come prepared to honor our fathers and pray for God to continue to raise up godly fathers to lead as Christ leads the Church.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
“Perfecting Holiness”
Whenever people see the word perfect or holiness, people begin to shut down, thinking that it isn’t possible, so why put such a lofty goal before you. It is treated like one of those conditions you will never be able to achieve in this lifetime, so why bother reading. Now you are seeing me use both of those words in the title of this devotional thought. Some have not even read to this point because they don’t want to disappoint themselves. So if you have made it this far, congratulations. Let’s read on. But before you do, make sure you are not reading this with anyone else in mind but yourself. Don’t apply it to anyone else but you.
“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” — 2 Corinthians 7:1
Ron Hutchcraft, a well-known author and speaker, suggests using five questions to ask yourself and keep you from contaminating your mind and keep you from “perfecting holiness.”
- Will it devalue my body? God lives in your body and anything you do with that body you drag Him into it.
- Will it let darkness into my mind? Don’t be softened up by letting some dark thoughts in through what you watch or listen to.
- Will it hurt my reputation? Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches.”
- Will it hurt the people I influence? Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block in your brother’s way.
- Will it hurt Jesus? Ephesians 5:10 says, “Find out what pleases the Lord.”
The Apostle Paul echoed this in 2 Corinthians 7:1 where he speaks of our obligation to purify ourselves out of reverence for God. It is always good to run the things you are involved in through a filter to live a life worthy of the calling God places on all of our lives – to live a life pleasing to God. If you wear the label “Christian” or “Follower of Jesus Christ,” then it is worth it all to do whatever you can to live out the name of Jesus. You may not be able to please everyone with everything you do, but you don’t have to give people any ammunition to accuse you of thoughtless choices.
This Sunday evening will begin our Northwestern Ohio District Camp Meeting. We were going to have a picnic on the campgrounds but didn’t have anyone turn in their name saying they were able to attend, so we will not be having a picnic on Sunday afternoon before service. The service begins at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday and will be a great time for the whole family. A schedule of services for the week is in our bulletin so try to attend. There will be childcare and services for the children as well. If you are planning on goingSunday night, let me know and I will save a seat for you.
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
www.findlayfirstnaz.org
Reminiscing
This week I have had the opportunity to attend PALCON. It stands for Pastor and Leaders Conference. The theme is refocus, refresh, retool, and revision. It’s always good to get away from the routine and seek the Lord to renew your heart, soul and mind. You have to make a priority to get away for a time of saturation from time to time. The most effective time to “get away” is when you are not totally depleted of everything. So many times we wait until our head is treading just above water. We get away to replenish, then we return only to feel pushed down from the daily stress of life and quickly return back to status quo. I want to live above that level.
The location this week is key for me. It is held on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. It was just a few years ago, ok maybe a little longer, that I attended college here. Many things happened on this campus. It was where I spread my wings of independence and had to get myself up in the morning and make sure I was where I was supposed to be. I settled the Lordship of Jesus Christ in my life on these very grounds. I was called into full-time ministry; I learned how to love God, love others, and serve from the depths of my heart. It was here that I met Vickie and she changed my life forever (in a good way). I truly put God in the center of all things and laid foundational blocks the Lord continues to build on.
One of the things I noticed as I drove on the campus was that everything changed from the time I attended. There were now large trees, roads in new places, new parking lots, new buildings, and things just weren’t the same. They were all good changes. It’s amazing to look at all the expansion. Just like MVNU, as time continues to move forward, life continues to move forward and changes happen.
As I looked around at the changes that have taken place, I began to reflect on my life. Have I changed for the better? Have I matured in the faith, allowed God to stretch me, loved my wife as a husband should, nurtured my children and taught them what it is to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ? As I sit at this desk typing this blog, I remember wanting to please the Lord with my whole heart — wanting to some day following through on all of the covenants and commitments I made in my life. That was many years ago before I chose the path I was to follow. It reminds me of the verse found in Philippians,“Not that I have obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:12-14.
I appreciate all of the depth that MVNU offered me in my formative years. I am also thankful that I did not have to stay there to continue to grow in my relationship with God and others. Yes, there have been many changes on the campus that were necessary to develop into the university that it is today. But thank the Lord that I have also been refined by the fire and ever changing in my walk with the Lord. Don’t ever settle for mediocrity; don’t ever look back wishing to repeat something good in your past. Sometimes, settling for the good and familiar will be the thing that stands in the way of the best. Strain toward what is ahead and win the prize for which God has called you.
I will have to say that there is one thing that I wish I could repeat – it has to do with the body. Now if my body would just get back to the way it used to be I think life would be much better. That’s another story not worth going into. Be blessed today!
Joy in Jesus!
Pastor Mike
