Jul
24
Shepherding and transformation
Filed Under Around the Church, Christian Living, The Church | Leave a Comment
1 Peter 5 says that elders are to shepherd the flock of God. Shepherding the flock involves defending and confirming the Gospel, pursuing lost and wandering sheep, restoring the repentant, equipping and building up the saints, and encouraging practical godliness. These are tasks your elders take seriously. It’s hard work. Our enemy is always on the prowl. Situations can be thorny. Needs are constant. People can be difficult (except for you and me, of course!).
Almost a year ago we began implementing a new shepherding system at FPC Kosciusko with the goal of helping the elders lead and care for the flock in a way that encourages mutual sharing of spiritual gifts and care for one another—in other words, developing a community of elder-led priests. The vision is for each adult Sunday School class to work together, under elder leadership, to identify and address needs. We must transform the “Why doesn’t somebody do something?” mentality into a “Why don’t we do something?” mentality, whether it involves outreach, enfolding prospects and new members, contact with members who are no longer attending and participating, or members with acute or chronic needs.
A year later I see that transformation taking place in some places, and I thank God. I also see areas where we still have our feet nailed to floor and are not moving toward each other and toward our community, and I ask the Lord to be merciful.
This transformation is ground war, not an air war. It involves ongoing effort and attentiveness. It involves elders and everyone else living sacrificially for our brothers and sisters, and not just out for ourselves (1 John 3:16). Take a moment to reflect on some of the people on your class roll: the elder-leader, a close friend, someone who hasn’t come to Sunday school or attended worship in a while, a difficult person you might usually try to avoid, or someone you just don’t know at all (and maybe don’t care to know!). With these people in mind, consider Christ’s grace and service to you. Consider the practical commands of Scripture. Think of ways you can serve these people in the coming weeks.
• Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10). We are united spiritually to each other through God our Father and our elder brother Jesus. Whom do you need to rally around as if they were “kin”?
• Honor one another (Romans 12:10). Are you treating them as people of value and taking them seriously?
• Accept one another (Romans 15:7). Whom do you tend to exclude? What non-essential, secondary convictions do you allow to get between you and another Christian? Who needs your acceptance right now?
• Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Where do you need to help shoulder someone else’s burden? How might that change the way you spend your time, talents and treasure?
• Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2). With whom do you get easily irritated? If Jesus is being patient with you, can you be patient with others?
• Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness is costly, but not forgiving is more costly (Matthew 18:21-35). If you are a beneficiary of God’s costly grace in Christ, can you practice costly grace toward others?
Finally, regularly pray for and express your appreciation and support to the elder(s) who serves you. Slap him on the back or write him a note or ask how you can pray for him. Such humble service is a mark of the Spirit’s work in you. May it be increasingly evident in all of us as we grow in grace.
Jun
9
Blogging with the big boys
Filed Under Around the Church, Blogging, Psalms, Worship | 1 Comment
Joe Holland, FPC’s uber-blogger, has, in the altered words of George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, finally shaken the dust of this crummy little blog off his feet and has joined the line-up of big-league bloggers and writers such as Carl Trueman, Derek Thomas, Philip Ryken, Mark Johnston, et. al., on Reformation21. Ref21 is one of the best blgs out there, and you ought to read Joe’s article on psalm-singing. You can also read Joe’s musings almost daily on his personal blog Mining Grace. A rare medium well-done, Joe.
Jun
3
Andy & Bev Warren in PCA mag
Filed Under Around the Church, Current Events, Missions | Leave a Comment
Our own Andy and Bev Warren are featured in the current issue of byFaith, the web magazine of the PCA. The Warrens have been in Ethiopia with MTW since the mid-90s, and have been involved directly with ministry to AIDS patients in Addis Ababa since 2002.
May
12
And are we yet alive?
Filed Under Around the Church, Bible, Music, Poetry, The Church | Leave a Comment
A couple of folks have asked for the text of the Charles Wesley hymn I quoted in yesterday’s sermon on Genesis 8. Here it is–a hymn that the eight who emerged from the ark into the world previously submerged beneath the flood would have heartily sung:
And are we yet alive,
And see each other?s face?
Glory and thanks to Jesus give
For His almighty grace!
Preserved by power divine
To full salvation here,
Again in Jesus’ praise we join
And in His sight appear.
What troubles have we seen,
What mighty conflicts past,
Fightings without, and fears within,
Since we assembled last!
Yet out of all the Lord
Hath brought us by His love;
And still He doth His help afford,
And hides our life above.
Then let us make our boast
Of His redeeming power,
Which saves us to the uttermost,
Till we can sin no more.
Let us take up the cross
Till we the crown obtain,
And gladly reckon all things loss
So we may Jesus gain.
Mar
25
Grace in dark places: FPC Bible Conference
Filed Under Around the Church, Bible, Nota Bene, Prayer | Leave a Comment
Thursday marks the beginning of FPC Kosciusko’s 2008 Bible Conference (click here for schedule and info). Dr. Derek Thomas will be coming to us from Jackson to preach on the topic Grace in Dark Places: Finding Hope in Depression and Suffering. We are praying that the Holy Spirit will use this conference to renew the ‘inner man’ of many people in midst of pain–pointing us to Christ as our hope in suffering, encouraging us in faith, and empowering us in our battle with sin.
Extra note: Derek Thomas will be the guest on WFCA’s morning call-in program, It’s Your Call, beginning at 7:30 am Wednesday, March 26. He will be talking about the conference and taking questions from callers. WFCA is on 107.9 FM or click here to find the link to listen over the internet from anywhere in the world.
Jan
1
A prayer for year’s end and beginning
Filed Under Around the Church, Poetry, Prayer, Psalms, The Church, Worship | Leave a Comment
Psalm 107 says, ‘Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.’ This past Sunday evening a good number of the Lord’s redeemed testified as to how goodness and mercy followed them during 2007. Laughter was heard, tears were shed, and God was glorified and enjoyed.
Below is a prayer adapted from The Valley of Vision that we pray together at FPC Kosciusko as the calendar turns.
O God, your love is beyond compare. You are good when you give,
when you take away,
when the sun shines upon me,
when the night gathers over me.
You have loved me before the foundation of the world,
and in love you have redeemed my soul.
You love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Your goodness has been with me during another year,
leading me through a twisting wilderness.
Your goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I launch my boat on the unknown waters of this year,
with you, as the pilot of my future, as of my past.
If you appoint storms of tribulation, you will be with me in them.
If you ordain joy and success, you will receive thanks and honor.
If I die, I shall see your face the sooner;
If I live, I shall walk by faith and not by sight.
Only glorify yourself in me whether in comfort or in trial,
as a chosen vessel suitable always for your use.
Give me your grace to sanctify me,
your comforts to cheer,
your wisdom to teach,
your right hand to guide,
your joy to strengthen,
your law to convict,
your presence to stabilize.
May the fear of the Lord keep me in awe of you,
and may the triumphs of your kingdom be my joy. AMEN.
May 2008 find us all faithful in adversity and thankful in prosperity. Grace and peace to you in the new year.