I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church – Part ONE

Choosing Life over Death:

19-JUL-08

Study and prayer group attendees:

Marilyn Ibey                 Will Brown                   Hulen Brown                LeLynne Koch

Alie Baldridge               Alyce Downer              Jack Downer                Irene Baldridge

Bill Burns                      Lyle Hawthorne           Florence Burns             Barbara Hawthorne

 

The place in your life where you most profoundly see and experience the sheer joy and wonder of LIFE?

The Ah-Ha moments. – when a child really gets it.

Listening to others in a local coffee shop

Volunteer activities – CAMs (see the joys and the sorrows)

Youth blossom at church camp.

When college students introduce graduating seniors to their campus

Carrying a girl with a broken leg – bonding

PEACE – watching birds and other animals – leaves on a tree – makes one appreciate LIFE

Sitting in the old church listening to Rev. Ray Magert – messages from ministries are very special and meaningful

Looking at the Stars – sometimes seem close enough to touch.  Crimson sky at sun set in the Carolinas – These are very special moments and definitely gifts from God.

Early in the morning before the sun rises – special moments for a very special time with God.

Retirement when one feels free and can do whatever one chooses to do.

Glorious rainbows from the heavens and God

 

The members of the study group made a commitment to pray for the other members of the group.

 

Special prayer request – for Steve who is at Methodist hospital.  He is 40+ has 3 children and his wife has cancer.  He lost his job and now has problems with his esophagus and lung problems.  He has used nearly all of his money and needs lots of prayer and compassion.

 

Peter & John – were asked for alms for the blind.  They responded that they would give them Jesus.  Open your eyes.  We need to practice the presence of Jesus Christ.  The living, loving Christ is right here with us!  Be Strong in Christ!.  Draw out the positives, Practice the presence of Christ in the presence of other people.  Get past the despair – Being ALIVE – Loving and Living in Christ.  It’s more, More, MORE.

 

Remember the explanation of the Apostolic Leader?  Look for the Bright Eyes around us and around our church. 

Apostolic Leaders have had an experience of the Risen Christ.

Has friends and others on the edge of church circles (CAMs is an example)

Has a clear simple sense of mission.

Passionate that we offer Christ for the renewal of lives and communities.

Aware that we are sent to the NOW to serve the Lord!

Is determined to put the church into new places and new people.

Will not accept the humdrum of Church as usual.

 

We need to live out the practicing of Christ – allow Christ to be in our lives

 

Many felt that they experienced a Loving – Living moment during the Wednesday evening discussion of building and re-bulding homes for seniors when Frank De La Cruz came into the church.  He was welcomed as a brother not a stranger.  We need to speak out for God – Love abodes in us.

 

Choosing Life over Death – Death is the opposite of Christ.  Christians may be viewed as a melting pot but the analogy was also described as a salad bowl – we had greens, tomatoes, onions, peppers, all kinds of different bits and pieces that make up the salad.  We also are all parts of the Body of Christ.  We each compliment each other.  Same unity – Same spirit

 

We have started on the Right Path.  Started on the path for a new future for Bethany UCC.  We each bring something – a part of us.  Examine what each of you can bring.  How can you use it for God’s work.

 

Change – We Refuse to Lead a Dying Church.  The boat can not sink – it needs to go in another way – another direction.  The Christ within each of us brings the unity that we need.  The Spirit is here with our congregation.  We have many Bright Eyes in our church.  We all need to encourage the Bright Eyes.  We need to visit others – we are giving LIFE – Christ to others.  We bring life and give life to others.  Analogy – When we give a pint of blood, we give life.  Eight weeks later we can give more blood and give more life.  Giving love and giving life.

 

We feel that a drum roll is happening – something is about to happen.

 

Words for thought.  Prayerless pews make for a powerless pulpit.  Pray for our paster and pray for our study group.

What kind of needs are in the neighborhood of the church?  Mom’s day out? Bible Study?  The challenge was made for more folks to participate in the Bible study that we already have.

 

Interesting thought.  When it is said, “Speak my Word.”  What version are we thinking? King James, the Message.  Each has it’s own way of sharing the word.  Within the church, we give Glory and Excitement – Moving out as a unified church

A pond that sits still gets stagnant.  A rive flows and impacts others in a positive way.  We need to turn the pond into a flowing ROARING river.

 

We should affirm what God means to each of us.  Love, Life, Excitement, God is Great – worthy of being praised.

 

God’s call keeps coming to us.  God is still speaking.  WE need moments of Love.  Be Patient – allow it to happen. 

 

NEXT MEETING        7:00pm             02-AUG-08:

Home of Al & Irene Baldridge

6004 Rue Sophie

San Antonio

Home phone     684-6826

Work phone      523-1206

Cell phone        386-0569