As we consider Bronx Bethany's strategy for mission engagement (loving God, growing together, serving the world), let's take a few minutes to reflect on how our church recently approached the strategy of serving the world.
Over this summer, our pastoral staff launched Summer Serve, a series of workshops and community events designed to serve persons and create awareness of issues outside of Bronx Bethany. For the first time, our annual Street Fair included a health and wellness component (including a mammogram van, children's dental care van, stations for checking blood pressure and blood sugar, and mini-workshops on health and nutrition). Several Wednesday evenings were devoted to classes on immigration law, caring for children with special needs, health insurance, boundaries and relationships, and social justice. There were also off-site service projects (painting community fire hydrants and cleaning up trash near the I-95 entrance ramp in our district), and a month-long missions trip to Colombia, South America. This evening, Summer Serve wraps up with a "Back-to-School" youth rally at a local public school, where our teens and young adults will give away school supplies and share the love of Christ with our community.
It's been a busy summer, one in which we have fully given ourselves to this strategy of serving the world. And, interestingly, this process of serving the world has re-ignited in some the excitement of serving Christ. We have heard testimonies from men, women, and teens who spoke of the impact of Summer Serve on their prayer life, their level of compassion for the disenfranchised, their reading of the word, and their diligence in preparing themselves for works of service "in the Bronx and in the world".
The summer will soon be over, but the call to serve the world remains. May the fire that was ignited in Summer Serve continue to burn brightly, to the glory of God.
Showing posts with label Mission Engagement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mission Engagement. Show all posts
Friday, September 6, 2013
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Why Didn't Anyone Visit Me? (Because No One Knew You Were Sick.)
As we continue our reflection on Bronx Bethany's process of mission engagement (loving God, growing together, and serving the world), let's consider the aspect of growing together.
Our discipleship model stresses the importance of ministry moments with small groups. If you have attended Bronx Bethany for any length of time, you will have heard our pastors urging us to be connected in what we call "care groups". These groups generally meet once a week in the fall and early winter for fellowship, prayer, and study of a topic that has been selected by our pastors.
The value of being in a care group really emerges in moments of crisis. In a church with hundreds of members scattered over four services, it is not surprising that persons outside of care groups can be out of church for weeks without being missed by anyone. However, our experience has been that persons connected with care groups have a network of between five and ten people whom they can contact (or who will contact them). Persons in care groups are known, loved, and cared for.
Is a choir a sort of large-scale care group? It is not. Choir rehearsals are scheduled for the purpose of rehearsing music, not for the purpose of spiritual development. Choir rehearsals, at best, only block out a few minutes for devotions and prayer. Fellowship is limited and accountability is virtually nonexistent. If you are reading this and you are in a choir, please do not be offended when leadership encourages you to join a care group. It is in the messy, risky, loving care group setting that we journey from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.
The intimacy of the care group setting also gives us a wonderful opportunity to use our spiritual gifts for each others' benefit. If God has given you the gift of encouragement, but you never speak to any of your fellow congregants, then you are depriving them, and yourself, from being built up and strengthened in the faith (First Peter 4:10). How do we grow? We grow together. Remember: we are in a spiritual war. To live the Christian life as a loner is to invite the devil to devour you, just as a lamb separated from the flock becomes an easy kill for a wolf.
I encourage all of us to pray and seek God as we approach this next season of care group ministry. You need a care group. A care group needs you. Let's make it happen this year.
Our discipleship model stresses the importance of ministry moments with small groups. If you have attended Bronx Bethany for any length of time, you will have heard our pastors urging us to be connected in what we call "care groups". These groups generally meet once a week in the fall and early winter for fellowship, prayer, and study of a topic that has been selected by our pastors.
The value of being in a care group really emerges in moments of crisis. In a church with hundreds of members scattered over four services, it is not surprising that persons outside of care groups can be out of church for weeks without being missed by anyone. However, our experience has been that persons connected with care groups have a network of between five and ten people whom they can contact (or who will contact them). Persons in care groups are known, loved, and cared for.
Is a choir a sort of large-scale care group? It is not. Choir rehearsals are scheduled for the purpose of rehearsing music, not for the purpose of spiritual development. Choir rehearsals, at best, only block out a few minutes for devotions and prayer. Fellowship is limited and accountability is virtually nonexistent. If you are reading this and you are in a choir, please do not be offended when leadership encourages you to join a care group. It is in the messy, risky, loving care group setting that we journey from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.
The intimacy of the care group setting also gives us a wonderful opportunity to use our spiritual gifts for each others' benefit. If God has given you the gift of encouragement, but you never speak to any of your fellow congregants, then you are depriving them, and yourself, from being built up and strengthened in the faith (First Peter 4:10). How do we grow? We grow together. Remember: we are in a spiritual war. To live the Christian life as a loner is to invite the devil to devour you, just as a lamb separated from the flock becomes an easy kill for a wolf.
I encourage all of us to pray and seek God as we approach this next season of care group ministry. You need a care group. A care group needs you. Let's make it happen this year.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Going Back To The Hurt Of Worship?
From time to time, Pastor Sam shares a little story with us. The gist of the story is this:
A man tells his wife that he is leaving town for a short period of time, for work-related purposes. As he goes through the airport, he decides to order some flowers to have them shipped to her. The intent of the floral shipment is to give the indication that he misses her and is thinking about her. The reality, however, is that he is not working. He has made arrangements to spend his days with another woman with whom he is having an affair. He is actually not considering his wife at all. The floral arrangement, an international symbol of affection and care, is being used as a cover for treachery.
Our pastor's story is an allegory for our worship experience. Is our worship of God a floral arrangement of love, or a flowery veneer covering treachery?
"I know that the musicians are not Christians. But you know what? They show up on time; they are always fully prepared; their musicianship is excellent; and they don't give me attitude. They don't have to love God."
"I notice that she never comes to church unless it's her choir's turn to sing; and when she's finished singing, she just walks out without staying for the sermon. She works in my office and is always bragging about how indispensable she is to her choir, but her work performance is poor and she has a nasty attitude. You should see her emails."
"It's so unfortunate. God has been so good to the man, and he is so ungrateful. The other week when my pastor was preaching on giving, he turned to his friend and said loud enough for our whole row to hear, 'I ain't givin' nothin'.'"
At Bronx Bethany, we endeavor to have a simple, three-part ministry process. We love God, we grow together, and we serve the world. The first part of our process, loving God, is worked out in our experience of Him in corporate worship.
It is important to note that "worship" is not a synonym for "singing". Although singing can occur as part of the worship process, the definition of worship is "to ascribe worth". Our church joins together in community on Saturdays and Sundays, and together we ascribe worth to our great God who does all things well. How do we ascribe worth to God? We do it through obedience to His word, through individual and corporate prayer, through the joyful giving of our tithes and offerings, through our expression of love to Him (sung or spoken or played), and by our reflection of His love to others.
The church around the world sings, and gives, and prays. It looks good on the surface... but I wonder what God sees as He looks at each of His children.
Please consider your own worship experience. Why are you "giving God flowers"? To authenticate your love, or to attempt to cover your treachery? Does the worship from your lips accurately reflect the position of your heart?
"I have seen You in the sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory;
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You...
Because You are my help,
I will sing in the shadow of Your wings;
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me."
(Psalm 63, verses 2,3,7, and 8)
A man tells his wife that he is leaving town for a short period of time, for work-related purposes. As he goes through the airport, he decides to order some flowers to have them shipped to her. The intent of the floral shipment is to give the indication that he misses her and is thinking about her. The reality, however, is that he is not working. He has made arrangements to spend his days with another woman with whom he is having an affair. He is actually not considering his wife at all. The floral arrangement, an international symbol of affection and care, is being used as a cover for treachery.
Our pastor's story is an allegory for our worship experience. Is our worship of God a floral arrangement of love, or a flowery veneer covering treachery?
"I know that the musicians are not Christians. But you know what? They show up on time; they are always fully prepared; their musicianship is excellent; and they don't give me attitude. They don't have to love God."
"I notice that she never comes to church unless it's her choir's turn to sing; and when she's finished singing, she just walks out without staying for the sermon. She works in my office and is always bragging about how indispensable she is to her choir, but her work performance is poor and she has a nasty attitude. You should see her emails."
"It's so unfortunate. God has been so good to the man, and he is so ungrateful. The other week when my pastor was preaching on giving, he turned to his friend and said loud enough for our whole row to hear, 'I ain't givin' nothin'.'"
At Bronx Bethany, we endeavor to have a simple, three-part ministry process. We love God, we grow together, and we serve the world. The first part of our process, loving God, is worked out in our experience of Him in corporate worship.
It is important to note that "worship" is not a synonym for "singing". Although singing can occur as part of the worship process, the definition of worship is "to ascribe worth". Our church joins together in community on Saturdays and Sundays, and together we ascribe worth to our great God who does all things well. How do we ascribe worth to God? We do it through obedience to His word, through individual and corporate prayer, through the joyful giving of our tithes and offerings, through our expression of love to Him (sung or spoken or played), and by our reflection of His love to others.
The church around the world sings, and gives, and prays. It looks good on the surface... but I wonder what God sees as He looks at each of His children.
Please consider your own worship experience. Why are you "giving God flowers"? To authenticate your love, or to attempt to cover your treachery? Does the worship from your lips accurately reflect the position of your heart?
"I have seen You in the sanctuary
and beheld Your power and Your glory;
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You...
Because You are my help,
I will sing in the shadow of Your wings;
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me."
(Psalm 63, verses 2,3,7, and 8)
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Gift Return?
During this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam shared a point I would like us to reflect on today (paraphrased here): We can appropriate entire sanctification that allows us to be forgiven from sin, and that empowers us to resist the temptation to sin.
It is curious, and even sad, that Christians do not seek to avail themselves of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What has Jesus said of the Holy Spirit? "He will take of what is Mine and will disclose it to you." (see John 16:13-15) The gift of the Holy Spirit is the means by which we receive the revelation of God. He teaches; He warns; He loves. To refuse this gift is to refuse the Giver of Life, the Counselor, the Comforter, and the Intercessor.
Our pastor reminded us of a proverb: "God can keep the fresh fish in the salt sea." If we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, then He will empower each of us to live a life of holiness and integrity even as we live in a world where sin and duplicity are rampant. There is a Helper who longs to stand at our side. There is no need for us to continue falling into patterns of besetting sin.
Where do you stand today? Is the person and work of the Holy Spirit a reality in your life?
Lord Jesus, You sent Your Spirit to live in us and remind us of all You said and did, for the sake of our soul's salvation and deliverance. Give us grace to joyfully receive Your Holy Spirit into our lives, so that we will be empowered to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions. Amen.
It is curious, and even sad, that Christians do not seek to avail themselves of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What has Jesus said of the Holy Spirit? "He will take of what is Mine and will disclose it to you." (see John 16:13-15) The gift of the Holy Spirit is the means by which we receive the revelation of God. He teaches; He warns; He loves. To refuse this gift is to refuse the Giver of Life, the Counselor, the Comforter, and the Intercessor.
Our pastor reminded us of a proverb: "God can keep the fresh fish in the salt sea." If we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, then He will empower each of us to live a life of holiness and integrity even as we live in a world where sin and duplicity are rampant. There is a Helper who longs to stand at our side. There is no need for us to continue falling into patterns of besetting sin.
Where do you stand today? Is the person and work of the Holy Spirit a reality in your life?
Lord Jesus, You sent Your Spirit to live in us and remind us of all You said and did, for the sake of our soul's salvation and deliverance. Give us grace to joyfully receive Your Holy Spirit into our lives, so that we will be empowered to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions. Amen.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Work Performance...
"Jesus, go before us and do Your work Yourself; and You will get the glory." (Pastor Sam)
During Pastor Sam's pre-sermon prayer, he made this appeal to our Lord and Christ. It is an appeal very appropriate for today, a holiday on which persons in the countries of Canada and the United States of America take time to honor working people.
Christians are commissioned to carry out certain works of worship and service. Those of us at Bronx Bethany have been called to live out three particular mandates: we love God, we grow together, and we serve the world. If the Spirit of Christ is free to work in us, then His Light will shine through us as we engage these aspects of ministry.
Certainly, there are persons in the world who perform their work without the presence of God's Spirit. I have in my possession an incredibly well-thought-out, well-produced CD of an avowed non-Christian singing Christmas carols. In the liner notes the person stated that, though it was a Christmas CD, Christ was not the priority; performance was the priority.
And to be frank, there are avowed Christians who do not make Christ their priority; they too are "performing". As another of our pastors prayed over the weekend, our concern is that the Lord will find a percentage of our Bronx Bethany community who praise God with their lips, "but their hearts are far" from Him (Isaiah 29:13-14; Matthew 15:8-9). Let no man think that the Lord will reward such duplicity.
And so I echo the prayer of Pastor Sam. I hope you will do the same.
Jesus, go before Me.
Jesus, work Your works in me and through Me.
Jesus, may You alone receive all glory.
Amen.
During Pastor Sam's pre-sermon prayer, he made this appeal to our Lord and Christ. It is an appeal very appropriate for today, a holiday on which persons in the countries of Canada and the United States of America take time to honor working people.
Christians are commissioned to carry out certain works of worship and service. Those of us at Bronx Bethany have been called to live out three particular mandates: we love God, we grow together, and we serve the world. If the Spirit of Christ is free to work in us, then His Light will shine through us as we engage these aspects of ministry.
Certainly, there are persons in the world who perform their work without the presence of God's Spirit. I have in my possession an incredibly well-thought-out, well-produced CD of an avowed non-Christian singing Christmas carols. In the liner notes the person stated that, though it was a Christmas CD, Christ was not the priority; performance was the priority.
And to be frank, there are avowed Christians who do not make Christ their priority; they too are "performing". As another of our pastors prayed over the weekend, our concern is that the Lord will find a percentage of our Bronx Bethany community who praise God with their lips, "but their hearts are far" from Him (Isaiah 29:13-14; Matthew 15:8-9). Let no man think that the Lord will reward such duplicity.
And so I echo the prayer of Pastor Sam. I hope you will do the same.
Jesus, go before Me.
Jesus, work Your works in me and through Me.
Jesus, may You alone receive all glory.
Amen.