I'm sure you've heard it or seen it online: Christians should be choosing faith over fear! Maybe you're dealing with people in your small group that are afraid of gathering together, while others are urging them to be strong and faithful in a time like this.
It seems like a catchy slogan or an attempt to hype people up to me, and I think people need more than hype right now. They need something substantive to hold on to, something true and steady in the storm.
Check out the 5 minute video below, where Pastor Andy argues that Faith and Fear are actually 2 sides of the same coin as he breaks down Mark 4.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-nDQWDhSVh/?igshid=1dqncrglsebdd
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
5 Questions to Ask Your Small Group
As a staff, our team is answering these questions this week. It's a way to make sure that we're focusing on the right things, asking the right questions, and growing during this season.
This may be a great list to send to your group members and schedule a Zoom call to share your answers. Never waste a conflict!
This may be a great list to send to your group members and schedule a Zoom call to share your answers. Never waste a conflict!
1- What has this season taught you thus far?
2- How has this season made you better as a leader?
3- How will you be different when this season passes?
4- How do you see God moving and working?
5- How are you going to make Easter significant this year in your family and your life personally?
Thursday, April 2, 2020
8 Simple, Practical, & Spiritual Things to Do
Leaders-
One of the weekly email communications that I receive is from a pastor outside of Charlotte named James Emory White. Check out the list he shared today. Good stuff!
The internet is abuzz with what to do while the world is locked down due to the Coronavirus, such as learning online, homeschooling kids, exercising in the living room, knocking out home projects and getting that Zoom account. But I haven’t seen a list of things that you could do that would nurture your spirit and support the cause of Christ.
Here are eight to think about:
1. Read a soul-encouraging book.
My suggestion would be The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Not only is it arguably the most inspiring Christian biography in recent history, but it will lift your spirits and put our current trials in much-needed perspective.
2. Stay engaged with your community of faith.
We all know that a church isn’t merely bricks and mortar—just served by bricks and mortar. And strategically so. But you can and should stay engaged with your community of faith through online services, online learning opportunities, the church’s social media presence and reaching out to others in your community of faith. And by all means, stay faithful to your church in terms of supporting it financially and praying for its ministries and leaders.
3. Serve those in need.
At Mecklenburg Community Church (Meck), we have organized “serve days” with various local mission partners that have been vetted and cleared for participation in light of our city’s “stay at home” orders. Your church probably has as well. Beyond this, think about someone you know who is over the age of, say, 65, who might appreciate you grocery shopping for them or picking up a prescription at the pharmacy. The same would serve women who are pregnant or anyone with pre-existing conditions.
4. Get outside and engage a neighbor.
This is a unique time when many cities allow outside recreation, even walking around the block, while sheltering at home. In my neighborhood, I’ve never seen so many people out walking or riding bikes—people I have never seen before and had no idea lived near me. I also see many of those same people talking with others while outside—yes, six feet away, but engaging. What a wonderful time to purposefully try to meet new people, begin a relationship and, as the Holy Spirit opens the door, be able to suggest your church’s online services or children’s ministry resources. All to say, this is high season for relational evangelism.
5. Watch a seasonal movie.
Yes, suggesting you watch a movie during a lockdown goes without saying, but have you thought of a seasonal movie? Holy Week begins this Sunday with Palm Sunday. So for now, maybe bypass current top streams “Contagion” and “Tiger King.” And while I personally have had “The Mandalorian,” “The Good Place,” “The Crown,” “Unbelievable,” “Schitt’s Creek,” “My Brilliant Friend,” “Succession,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and others on my list in recent months, think about adding a movie like 1977’s Jesus of Nazareth (still one of my favorites and one of the most engaging and moving depictions of the life of Jesus) or 2004’s The Passion of the Christ.
6. Cook and eat a meal as a family.
It really is a two-part process. First the slow, interactive pleasure of cooking together. I did this for years during our “Family Day” breakfasts with my kids and now with my grandchildren. But now, it has taken on new meaning with my wife. On the second day of our “stay at home” stint, Susan and I decided to make a breakfast like we hadn’t made in years. Biscuits, bacon, eggs…. But then comes the eating! And, hopefully, the conversation that goes with it. It’s easy for any family to get away from eating meals together; get back in the habit.
7. Use social media for the mission.
We’re all on social media, and obviously now as never before. But if you’re a Christ follower, be strategic. Avoid filling your head and heart with the superficial, much less the trashy. Use liking, reposting and retweeting to promote positive messages from your church, and particularly those related to promoting online services. When I send out a tweet and a Mecker likes it, it boosts that message in various feeds; when they retweet it, it spreads the message to a wider audience. I need Meckers to do that for the sake of our mission, and your church needs you to do the same. This is arguably the easiest time in modern history to be an evangelist. Don’t miss the moment.
8. Reestablish a daily quiet time.
Whether you call it a devotional, your time with God, or as I have tended over the years, my daily “quiet time,” take time every day to read the Bible, reflect on what you read and pray. It’s so easy to get out of the habit of doing this. Now is the no-excuse time to get it back into yours. If you now have time like you never had before—steward it. Give your first and best to God.
Here are eight to think about:
1. Read a soul-encouraging book.
My suggestion would be The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Not only is it arguably the most inspiring Christian biography in recent history, but it will lift your spirits and put our current trials in much-needed perspective.
2. Stay engaged with your community of faith.
We all know that a church isn’t merely bricks and mortar—just served by bricks and mortar. And strategically so. But you can and should stay engaged with your community of faith through online services, online learning opportunities, the church’s social media presence and reaching out to others in your community of faith. And by all means, stay faithful to your church in terms of supporting it financially and praying for its ministries and leaders.
3. Serve those in need.
At Mecklenburg Community Church (Meck), we have organized “serve days” with various local mission partners that have been vetted and cleared for participation in light of our city’s “stay at home” orders. Your church probably has as well. Beyond this, think about someone you know who is over the age of, say, 65, who might appreciate you grocery shopping for them or picking up a prescription at the pharmacy. The same would serve women who are pregnant or anyone with pre-existing conditions.
4. Get outside and engage a neighbor.
This is a unique time when many cities allow outside recreation, even walking around the block, while sheltering at home. In my neighborhood, I’ve never seen so many people out walking or riding bikes—people I have never seen before and had no idea lived near me. I also see many of those same people talking with others while outside—yes, six feet away, but engaging. What a wonderful time to purposefully try to meet new people, begin a relationship and, as the Holy Spirit opens the door, be able to suggest your church’s online services or children’s ministry resources. All to say, this is high season for relational evangelism.
5. Watch a seasonal movie.
Yes, suggesting you watch a movie during a lockdown goes without saying, but have you thought of a seasonal movie? Holy Week begins this Sunday with Palm Sunday. So for now, maybe bypass current top streams “Contagion” and “Tiger King.” And while I personally have had “The Mandalorian,” “The Good Place,” “The Crown,” “Unbelievable,” “Schitt’s Creek,” “My Brilliant Friend,” “Succession,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and others on my list in recent months, think about adding a movie like 1977’s Jesus of Nazareth (still one of my favorites and one of the most engaging and moving depictions of the life of Jesus) or 2004’s The Passion of the Christ.
6. Cook and eat a meal as a family.
It really is a two-part process. First the slow, interactive pleasure of cooking together. I did this for years during our “Family Day” breakfasts with my kids and now with my grandchildren. But now, it has taken on new meaning with my wife. On the second day of our “stay at home” stint, Susan and I decided to make a breakfast like we hadn’t made in years. Biscuits, bacon, eggs…. But then comes the eating! And, hopefully, the conversation that goes with it. It’s easy for any family to get away from eating meals together; get back in the habit.
7. Use social media for the mission.
We’re all on social media, and obviously now as never before. But if you’re a Christ follower, be strategic. Avoid filling your head and heart with the superficial, much less the trashy. Use liking, reposting and retweeting to promote positive messages from your church, and particularly those related to promoting online services. When I send out a tweet and a Mecker likes it, it boosts that message in various feeds; when they retweet it, it spreads the message to a wider audience. I need Meckers to do that for the sake of our mission, and your church needs you to do the same. This is arguably the easiest time in modern history to be an evangelist. Don’t miss the moment.
8. Reestablish a daily quiet time.
Whether you call it a devotional, your time with God, or as I have tended over the years, my daily “quiet time,” take time every day to read the Bible, reflect on what you read and pray. It’s so easy to get out of the habit of doing this. Now is the no-excuse time to get it back into yours. If you now have time like you never had before—steward it. Give your first and best to God.
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