More About the Clarion Church of God...

When visiting our church, please fill out a Friendship & Communication card that is located in back of each pew; place it in the offering plate or hand it to an Usher.
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Thursday, August 30, 2012

10 Reasons We Have Not Reached the Unchurched By: Thom Rainer


10 Reasons We Have Not Reached the Unchurched

An honest look at why our churches are all-too-often ineffective in sharing the Gospel.
I am often amused when I hear myself identified as an expert in any area. If I am a perceived expert, it is because I have had the wonderful opportunity to listen to thousands of people over the past few decades. They are the experts; I am little more than an interested reporter.
Though much of this information could be regarded as dismal, my ultimate assessment is not that pessimistic. I believe in the God of miracles. If my conclusions focused on human ability and goodness, I would have little hope. But my conclusions presume the God of creation is on His throne.
For now, let us focus on what is wrong. Let us look with stark honesty and candor at the ineffectiveness of most American believers when it comes to sharing their faith. And in coming weeks, let us look at reversing the trend through God's power.
1. Spiritual Lethargy
One of the main reasons many Christians do not share their faith is simply explained by the word disobedience. Spiritual lethargy takes place when we fail to obey Him. The problem for many Christians is that they are not growing spiritually, and lack of spiritual growth inevitably leads to a diminished desire to share Christ with others.

2. Growing Inclusivism
One of the faster-growing belief systems today is pluralism (all religions lead to God). A variation of pluralism called inclusivism is a dangerous doctrine that is gaining momentum in many American seminaries, Christian colleges, and churches. This view affirms that Jesus is the only way of salvation, but he can be found in other "good" religions. There is a subtle but growing belief among many Christians that somehow "good" followers will make it to heaven outside of a true Christian conversion. Our message will fall on deaf ears if this belief persists and grows.

3. Growing Disbelief in Hell
At one time, this was a view held almost entirely by unbelievers. However recent books by those claiming to be evangelicals have brought this discussion front and center. Those who truly have a desire to reach the unchurched have a burden to see people in the eternity of heaven, but they also desire to see them escape the wrath of an eternal hell. Denying the existence of hell undermines the urgency of placing one's faith in Christ.

4. Busyness
Perhaps one of Satan's most effective strategies is to get us so busy that we fail to do that which is such a high biblical priority. We can be deluded into complacency about the lostness of humanity around us. The unchurched are waiting for you to tell them about Jesus. They need to be on your to-do list. What priority do you give to reaching the lost?

5. Fear of Rejection
In research on this subject, I found that only one in four unchurched persons we be resistant to faith discussions. But nearly four out of ten of the unchurched will be receptive to your concern for their eternity, and more than one out three will simply be neutral to your attempts. Simply stated, fear of rejection is unfounded. The few with an antagonistic attitude are not rejecting your personally; their anger is merely a reflection of something in their past. Fear of rejection is an often-used excuse by Christians for their failure to witness. And it is just that: an excuse.
Have you used any of these reasons not to reach the unchurched? How did you overcome them? What have you done to combat them in the future?

6. A Desire to Be Tolerant
The message of the gospel, in some senses, is intolerant. The one true God insists there can be no other gods. He is a jealous God and leaves no room for other gods. In the post-modern culture of 21st century America, Christians should know the criticisms of intolerance will come. The great concern is that many Christians are unwilling to take a narrow view because they do not want to be labeled as intolerant. But Jesus never waivered in His insistence that He is the only way to the one and only true God.

7. Losing the Habit of Witnessing
Some Christians have been very active in sharing their faith with the lost and the unchurched. But, for a myriad of reasons, they get out of the habit, and it no longer becomes a priority. Witnessing, like prayer and Bible study, is a discipline. It is a habit to learn, to retain, and, if lost, to regain.

8. Lack of Accountability
Programmatic evangelism in local churches is sometimes denigrated because it is seen as a "canned" approach to witnessing. But one of the strengths of many of these programs is that some inherent system of accountability is built into the program itself. Accountability is likely to engender more witnessing attempts to the unchurched. Attempting more evangelistic encounters creates a habit of witnessing that then increases our zeal for evangelism.

9. Failure to Invite
When is the last time you invited an unchurched person to church? When is the last time you offered to take a person to church, or, at the very least, meet him or her at church? It's a simple gesture, yet so few Christians do it.

10. We Go to Churches That Do Not Reach the Unchurched
We only reach one person for Christ each year for every 85 church members in the United States. That is a frightening and terrible ratio. One of the key reasons we do not reach the unchurched is that most Christians in America are members of churches that do not reach the unchurched.
I've now covered ten of the most common reasons Christians fail to obey the Great Commission. This list is not exhaustive though. In God's power, however, we can reverse this trend and reach the unchurched in America.
Which area do you struggle with the most? Which area can you identify as one that can be easily improved in your life?
Thom S. Rainer is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources (LifeWay.com). He was founding dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His many books include Surprising Insights from the Unchurched, The Unexpected Journey, and Breakout Churches. 

Pastor Bruce's September 2012 Newsletter Message


ANNOUNCEMENT

Coming Saturday October 13 @ 6:00PM

“LIVE WORSHIP”

If you have any unchurched friends or relatives please invite them to our brand new worship service starting Saturday, October 13 @ 6:00PM. Nursery will be provided and we also hope to have a Sonshine Club.

This is also an alternative for those who work shift work or those who are unable to attend Sunday Morning Worship.

Please be praying for the start of a new adventure here at the Liberty Street Church of God.


Dear Liberty Street Church of God Family,

I am amazed how quickly the summer has passed us by. I know that summer lasts until October, but it seems that once school starts our summer, as we know it, is over. We are gearing up for a busy fall season with lots of activities upcoming.

We are starting into a Capital Funds Campaign (CFC) during the month of September and the theme is, “Building for Him – Today and Tomorrow” Trinity Point Church of God!

We will be sending information to you in the upcoming weeks. We will be preaching and encouraging everyone to be praying and asking God what He would have us each do in giving over and above our tithes for the CFC.  

Also, we are beginning a Saturday Evening worship service, “LIVE WORSHIP” starting October 13 @ 6:00PM.

We, along with some other Church of God congregations in our area are hosting a “Reformation Rally” October 21 and 22. Services are 6:00PM and 7:30PM. The theme is, “Truth Matters Concerning…. Sin and Sins…..Christian Separation and Holiness…..Revival for Survival….. Getting a Soul-winner's Heart. I hope you will reserve time for these most important of meetings. Speakers are; Rev. Gary Swogger, who is a retired COG pastor and Gary’s son, Jimmy is the pastor of the Oakland COG in Distant. Our other speaker is Rev. Anthony Molihan, pastor of the Bowen First COG in Stanton, KY. We are looking for a great time of encouragement and spiritual growth.
A few weeks ago I preached on the subject of “Our Impression of God” from Exodus chapters 19 and 20. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that our impression of God is what would inspire us on our spiritual journey and would also be a basis for how deep our relationship us with Christ. In other words, this would be the foundation for our spiritual experience, our view of the Kingdom of God, whether or not we see the church and our desire to allow God to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ.

In Exodus 19 we find the Israelites had an encounter with God. Not that they hadn’t had other encounters/experiences with God, however, I think they saw God in another way this time. Maybe they experienced God’s power and might in a way that really put “the fear of God” into them.

Here we are, the scene is Mount Sinai, a mountain that is 7500 feet tall, a rather large mountain, and it is covered with smoke and trembling! WOW! I think if I would have been there I probably would have been scared also. Here is where one of the most significant events in the history of the Israelites and Christendom happened and God manifested Himself to His chosen people in a way that stuck fear into them. (Exo 20:18 NIV) “When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance…..”

I think it is safe to say they were seeing the glory of God, I think they didn’t recognize it that way.

In his book, “The Message of Holiness” by Derek Tidball, he writes,

            “We will not understand the God who has revealed himself as holy if we confine him to the narrow meandering of our own subjective impressions. He comes not as a trickle to flow through the channels we have dug for our own convenience but as a flood that commands attention and that inevitably affects all it touches and proves unavoidable.    Before we can discover ourselves, or, more importantly and much better that ‘discovering ourselves’, before we can be recreated in His image, we must encounter Him on His own terms and humble ourselves before His awesome otherness.”

Do you see, in your heart, and hear, in your heart, God speaking to you with a thundering voice? Do you have a fear of His authority when He speaks? Do you sense the love He has for mankind in His voice? Are you in awe of Him when you hear His voice? Do you stop and take notice? When He speaks to you, does it make a difference in your life?

Walter Brueggemann is widely considered one of the most influential Old Testament scholars of the last several decades, he said in his book, “The Book of Exodus”

            “We have trivialized “mountain top” experiences as though they are romantic        opportunities for religious self-indulgence. This account in Exodus 19, against any such            domestication, portrays the mountain of holiness as a dangerous meeting place that will leave nothing unchanged.”
            He goes on to say, “We make God in practice too available, too easy and too immediate.   We drop to our knees or bow   our heads and imagine that God is eagerly awaiting attention. Or we drop in casually for worship, assuming that God is always there. Most of our worship takes place well short of the mountain, where we can seize the initiate imagining God at our beck and call.”

I would encourage you to think about the statements that were quoted, meditate upon them and think about them in relation to these chapters in Exodus. Allow God to speak to you through the Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

(Rom 12:1-2 NIV)  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. {2} Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God bless you as we continue the journey together.

Pastor Bruce

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Truth in HD - August 2012

Truth HD August 2012
Here's The Truth in HD for this month.  To read this newsletter in a larger font, scroll down to the options below the display window. You may choose to view the Newsletter in full screen, download it, zoom in or out, and/or share.  If you view it in Full Screen you'll need to use your back arrow to return to the church blog.

Truth in HD - July 2012

Truth HD July 2012Here's The Truth in HD for this month.  To read this newsletter in a larger font, scroll down to the options below the display window. You may choose to view the Newsletter in full screen, download it, zoom in or out, and/or share.  If you view it in Full Screen you'll need to use your back arrow to return to the church blog.

Truth in HD June 2012

Truth HD June 2012
Here's The Truth in HD for this month.  To read this newsletter in a larger font, scroll down to the options below the display window. You may choose to view the Newsletter in full screen, download it, zoom in or out, and/or share.  If you view it in Full Screen you'll need to use your back arrow to return to the church blog.

Truth in HD May 2012

Truth HD May 2012Here's The Truth in HD for this month.  To read this newsletter in a larger font, scroll down to the options below the display window. You may choose to view the Newsletter in full screen, download it, zoom in or out, and/or share.  If you view it in Full Screen you'll need to use your back arrow to return to the church blog.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Pastor Bruce's .... August 2012 Message


Dear Church Family,
We have had a busy summer up to this point with a lot of ministry going on. Someone told me the other day that summer is actually to the end of October. We sometimes think that summer is over after camp meeting and when school starts.
The Scripture says, (Eph 1:22-23 NIV)  And God placed all things under his [Christ’s]  feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, {23} which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Verse 23 tells us something very important and I think needs to be thought about. We know that the church [saved people] is the body of Christ and this verse tells us that we, saved people, are the “fullness of Christ!” What does that mean? Verse 23 goes on to say that, Christ fills everything in every way. So, the reason we are the fullness of Christ is because of Him filling us, and that would be through the Holy Spirit. (Eph 5:18 NIV)  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
The conclusion on verse 23? We are God’s ministers on this earth, and as the Liberty Street Church of God Family, we are God’s ministers in this community and the surrounding areas. That leads me to this thought with regard to something I read recently.
“You have to decide if you’ll be a minister of Christ or a minister of the church. Anyone can be a minister of the church without Christ, but no one can be a genuine minister of  Christ without authentically having an impact on the church.” (The Shepherd’s Covenant, H.B. London pg. 195)
I would say the interpretation of that statement is: We can minister in our own power with our own thinking and our own philosophy of doing church; however, if we really want to make a difference and impact lives, we have to do the work in and through the power of the Holy  Spirit. In fact, that is who the difference maker is, the Holy Spirit. He is an extension of Jesus Christ.
I believe that our congregation is making a difference in the lives of many in our           community and around the world with the mission giving. We are also going to make a  major difference in our community when we get our new facility completed. I want to      encourage you to keep on persevering, to keep on doing what we are doing more and more. I also want to encourage you to invite your unchurched friends and relatives to the kick-off of the Saturday night services starting October 13. We need to continue to be obedient to God and keep on growing.
I am so thrilled about so many new folks making the Liberty Street Church of God their church family and there are so many of you that are “ON FIRE” for the Lord. What an awesome move of the Spirit.
God bless you and remember that, (Eph 2:10 NIV)  “….we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Pastor Bruce

Pastor Jonathan's... August 2012 Message


Greetings Parents and Youth,
              I would like to start by saying thank you!  All of you have put a lot of effort into fundraising over the past couple of years in order for the youth to be able to participate in special events.  I want you to know how much I appreciate all of the time and effort you put forth to make these things possible.   The youth have benefited spiritually from these things more than I could ever express with words!  Thank you!
As many of you know, the youth is growing at an incredible pace!  We put together a list of      potential youth goers starting this fall and we have over 50 kids, incredible!  We have such an awesome opportunity to minister to each of these youth, and a great responsibility to mold them and shape them to who God has called them to be.  I would ask that you would continue to pray for them.
With all of that being said, fundraising is going to play a huge role in enabling these youth to continue to participate in regular outings, the state youth convention (THIRST), and the International Youth Convention(IYC) which occurs every two years.  I am asking all of you to push your youth to     really take advantage of the fundraising that we do.  We’ve been doing some brainstorming and we have come up with some fundraisers for the rest of this year, here’s what we are thinking……
August:
We are going to sell Pizza Pub pizzas.  We will pass out order forms on August 5th at our youth/parent meeting after church.   We will collect the order forms on August 19th.  The pizzas will be ready for pick up on August 25th at the Pizza Pub.  Youth make $2.00 on every pizza they sell and the only thing required of us is pick-up and delivery.  Sell…Sell…Sell….!!!
September:
With school getting started and all of the clubs and sports teams fundraising this month, we are not going to have a fundraiser in September.
October:
Our October fundraiser will be parking cars for the ALF!  We have done this fundraiser for a long time now and it is always very successful.  The dates we will park cars this year are      October 5th and October 6th. I will be putting together a sign-up sheet so the youth can      decide what shift they would like to work.
November:
The annual church Thanksgiving dinner is scheduled for November 11th.  We will be having a bake sale after the dinner like we have in the past.  If you could provide a dessert for this it would be much appreciated.  I will put out a sign-up sheet for this as well so that we have an idea how many desserts we can expect to sell!
These are the fundraisers we have scheduled for this fall.  Please, please, please….encourage your youth to participate in them!  If you have any questions don’t hesitate to call me at 724-456-6662 or email me atjspencer951@yahoo.com.  Again, thank you all for your time and       efforts in the never ending battle of fundraising!