Excited about the Fall? I sure am. I love snow in the winter, spring fever and summer vacation, but there is something special about the first night air chill that make a fleece pull-over a necessity, MLB Baseball playoffs (next year, O's!), the start of NFL season (go Ravens!), not to mention my birthday is in the Fall!
There is also excitement about the Fall around CPC especially as it relates to ministry to our youth and their families. Ministries are coming off their summer break and the Potter's House is buzzing again with activity (they have to buzz around the Potter's House because the Ministry Center is a full blown construction site!).
Pioneer Girls and Christian Service Brigade My family just came home from the opening night of Pioneer Girls and Christian Service Brigade (CSB). They were pretty excited. On Wednesdays from now until the Spring guys and girls from elementary age through high school will be gathering hoping to be unhindered in their mission by the currently limited space on our church campus. My 4 girls and 2 boys have had many opportunities over the years to see mature men and women live out their faith while being instructed in activities like orienteering, cooking, firebuilding, rocket craft, sewing, archery, and tomahawk throwing (I'll let you figure out who does what!). I am grateful to those who serve Pioneer Girls and CSB for making Wednesdays special.
Revolution This week also marks the beginning of our high school and middle school group meetings. My two high schoolers are looking forward to Revolution on Thursday nights (each in their own particular way). I am excited for the start of Revolution as well, in part because I supervise Dan Halley and get to see the 'behind the scenes' planning . There are almost twice as many adult workers this year over last who have committed themselves to regularly gather with the high school group - several of them former youth at CPC! I am personally excited about the practical, interactive lessons that Dan is working on based on 1 Corinthians. The God who chose the foolish, weak and not noble things of this world has a lot in store for our young people, I'm sure.
SHINE My middle schooler is excited about SHINE starting on Friday night. Me too. I get to supervise Jeff Corbett in his role as pastoral intern as part of his studies at Reformed Theological Seminay. I know Jeff is excited to be able to serve alonside the SHINE crew that has faithfully served for the past several years as well as with a great set of middle school parents who served in the high school ministry when I first came to CPC. Our middle schoolers are in for a treat as they encounter all of Mrs. D's games and look at selected passages in the gospel of John to discover the wonder of a God who would take on flesh for the likes of us!
Sunday School Sunday wasn't about to be left out of the minstry to our young people. This past Sunday, Rob Craig highlighted the alternative to the Sunday School that starts up on 9/19 at 8:30am on the CPC campus. It is certainly praiseworthy that God has provided the teachers we needed to staff the various classes.
College-aged gathering We have tried off and on to offer something for our "college-aged" people at CPC (don't have to be enrolled to enjoy!). This Fall we're opening the Flora home on Sunday evenings (when we aren't having Lord's Supper services) for a discussion of various DVD series. First up - R.C. Sproul's 'The Holiness of God', probably followed by a worldview series similar to The Truth Project called "TrueU" - we'll have to see how things go.
UPWARD - nuff said...:-)
There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the Fall. And many more reasons to be grateful to God that we can share this Fall together as a congregation.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Awakening - a video clip
Greetings,
Perhaps this past Sunday's message on Nehemiah 1 and the need for us to urgently come before God for revival of His church in America, in Howard County, and in CPC took you a bit off guard on a warm, August morning. I urge you again to come join us for one hour of prayer this Sunday, August 22nd, in the basement of the Potter's House from 5:00 to 6:00p.m.
There is a link on YouTube that I think you will find very worth the 26 minutes it takes to watch it. It is a message given by J. Edwin Orr in 1976 at the Campus Crusade conference on prayer. In it he tells several true stories of what God did through American history in response to His people crying out to Him together in united and concerted prayer - how such gatherings literally changed the course of history. I have shown this video a dozen times to classes at seminaries and the effect is always powerful.
If at all possible, I urge you to watch or listen to it before Sunday 5:00 p.m. in order to motivate you and build your faith in what it is we are seeking to do.
Watch the video clip "The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Awakening" by clicking here
Thank you,
Pastor Allen
Perhaps this past Sunday's message on Nehemiah 1 and the need for us to urgently come before God for revival of His church in America, in Howard County, and in CPC took you a bit off guard on a warm, August morning. I urge you again to come join us for one hour of prayer this Sunday, August 22nd, in the basement of the Potter's House from 5:00 to 6:00p.m.
There is a link on YouTube that I think you will find very worth the 26 minutes it takes to watch it. It is a message given by J. Edwin Orr in 1976 at the Campus Crusade conference on prayer. In it he tells several true stories of what God did through American history in response to His people crying out to Him together in united and concerted prayer - how such gatherings literally changed the course of history. I have shown this video a dozen times to classes at seminaries and the effect is always powerful.
If at all possible, I urge you to watch or listen to it before Sunday 5:00 p.m. in order to motivate you and build your faith in what it is we are seeking to do.
Watch the video clip "The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Awakening" by clicking here
Thank you,
Pastor Allen
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Unadjusted Gospel: Harris Report on T4G
The title of the conference that six of us staff went to on Apr 13-15 in Louisville, Ky, was The (Unadjusted) Gospel, referring to the many pressures to alter and adjust the Biblical gospel to fit our times and culture. The eight main speakers spoke of different facets of this.
Mark Dever: The Church Is the Gospel Made Visible
A healthy church displays the gospel in its life, as well as proclaiming it.
It displays the holiness, love, and authority of God. It displays people as redeemed sinners made in His image, who repent and believe the gospel. He spoke of a woman who looked at the Church as a pit of vipers. He said he agreed, but also saw the Church as the people who uniquely see themselves as a pit of vipers, and are being changed by God’s grace. It displays the unity and diversity of God’s people. I was particularly struck by his example of a Muslim nurse who was intrigued by young people visiting an 85 year old woman in her hospital—they evidently truly cared for her in a culture where generations mix less and less.
A healthy church takes risks because it believes the gospel to be true and compelling. He spoke of Jay, who ministers to Muslims in London. Both he and his wife expect him to be killed for his bold witness to them. But they are constrained to make Christ known because they believe the gospel that Jesus is the only way to Life.
I was moved by his point that our culture needs to see the gospel displayed in their world. And the Church living as God’s people makes the gospel visible to them, by its gracious forgiveness to one another, and its living inconvenient love.
I asked myself, How does CPC display the gospel to Howard Co in a way that gives credibility to the gospel we proclaim? Are unbelievers confused about what would cause such a diverse group as we are to live together in community, held together only by the glue of the gospel, and not our similarities of tastes, cultures, or ethnicity?
R.C. Sproul: Lessons in 50 Years of the Defense & Propagation of the Gospel
This was a powerful presentation of Francis Schaeffer’s thesis of a generation ago: the Church in America has lost its sense of antithesis. That refers to the fact that since the 19th century, philosophy and theology take an idea (thesis) and react with a contrasting idea (antithesis). Then someone will seek to accommodate the opposites to see truth in both and create a peacemaking synthesis. Which becomes the next generation’s thesis to react to, and so on.
So in our view of the Bible as God’s Word v simply man’s words. Or in sovereignty and free will, “resolved” in a limited God Who grows and accommodates to circumstances (“open theism”). Or in “Evangelicals and Catholics Together”, which finds a middle ground on many practical disagreements such as marriage, abortion, birth control, sacraments, morality. And imputation v infusion of Christ’s righteousness for salvation. The Roman Church has always taught that we are saved by an inherent righteousness worked in us to save us by grace. The Reformation was all about the fact that we are not saved by any righteousness in ourselves, but only the righteousness of Christ outside of us, which is credited to us, i.e. imputed to us as a legal declaration (which will always produce a hunger for righteousness that will be seen in a changed life).
The Church must not compromise by trying to seek peace with the Roman Church by finding a synthesis between inherent and imputed righteousness!
I will actually be preaching on this in May to help us to be clearer on this point which is often seen as a matter only for theologians to argue about, but of no great practical difference to the lay Christian. I will seek to demonstrate that it actually has very practical implications.
Al Mohler: How Does It Happen? Trajectories toward the Adjusted Gospel
He described 8, but gave the first couple in much more detail and unfortunately had to race through the last few far too quickly. They are
1. Modern trajectory: the gospel must be updated for our scientific, technological age.
2. Postmodern trajectory: preach gospel as if true, tho it is not in any transcendent way, simply because it is meaningful.
3. Moral trajectory: atonement is immoral divine child abuse, so tone it down
4. Aesthetic trajectory: do not preach certain texts because they are crude (eg: the cross)
5. Therapeutic trajectory: preacher as therapist to make you feel good, and recovering
6. Pragmatic trajectory: depend on managerial techniques for church growth
7. Emotional trajectory: preach to felt needs and what makes people feel good
8. Materialist trajectory: health & wealth gospel for immediate gratification
He finished with Romans 1:16: Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. Preaching against the tide is wearisome. It can only be done by deep conviction of the power of the unadjusted gospel.
There were five more messages, plus a testimony, but I don’t think you want them all summarized like I did the first three. Here is a list of the speakers and titles:
Thabiti Anyabwile: “Fine Sounding Arguments: How Wrongly Engaging the Culture Adjusts the Gospel
John McArthur: The Theology of Sleep from Mark 4
John Piper: Did Jesus Preach Paul’s Gospel?
Ligon Duncan: Did the [Patristic] Fathers Know the Gospel?
C.J. Mahanney: To Ordinary Pastors: a Charge from II Tim 4:1-5
(also a testimony to the sufficient grace of God by a pastor, Matt Chandler, who has brain cancer, and though a young man, with small children, could be dead in a year or two)
Let me conclude with simply some personal Harris Highlights:
• I shared how I was challenged to ask how CPC makes the gospel visible to Howard Co.? Do we display God’s character and the grace of the gospel in a way that makes visitors stop and take notice? Or people who have contact with us in other situations? I think some do, which raises another question. Dever said he struggles with what to do for people who visit for years but do not become members of the body, accountable to the elders. What responsibility do we have for such folks? They are seen as part of CPC.
• It was good to be reminded by John McArthur, from the parable of the farmer in Mark 4:26-29, that the power is in the seed, not the farmer. He simply faithfully sows the seed, then sleeps, and “the soil on its own/automatically (v28) bears fruit” in gradual growth of a full harvest. I need to rest more in the inherent power of the gospel, and the work of the Spirit, not my efforts. Diligence without anxiety.
• I found myself envious of some of the gifts of the men who preached so powerfully and with such insight. I was convicted that I wanted to be seen as them, rather than to be as useful to my Lord as He has equipped me to be. The old problem of focusing on status rather than faithfulness. My heart is proud, and I saw that again. It was very humbling.
• C.J. Mahanney, who is an amazing man, spoke directly to this at the last session of the conference: the temptation to compare ourselves with superstars, and be discontent. He spoke on Paul’s charge to Timothy from II Timothy 4:1-5. Points that especially challenged or convicted me: preach the revealed gospel with clarity and total unoriginality—with complete patience (v2). I am not a patient person. And as he said, it is tested every day. How I need to daily remember God’s patience with me! How I try His patience! He is patient with the years it takes me to really see my heart and change. Yet I expect others to change immediately. It caused me to love my God Who is so patient with my dull heart and stubborn will.
There are many other things that could be said, but I do not want to try your patience. Thank you for sending us. We will try to be more faithful to the charge that has been given us to proclaim and live out the unadjusted gospel, which IS the power of God to salvation. Here at CPC and everywhere the Name of Christ is proclaimed. Hallelujah!
Pastor Allen
Mark Dever: The Church Is the Gospel Made Visible
A healthy church displays the gospel in its life, as well as proclaiming it.
It displays the holiness, love, and authority of God. It displays people as redeemed sinners made in His image, who repent and believe the gospel. He spoke of a woman who looked at the Church as a pit of vipers. He said he agreed, but also saw the Church as the people who uniquely see themselves as a pit of vipers, and are being changed by God’s grace. It displays the unity and diversity of God’s people. I was particularly struck by his example of a Muslim nurse who was intrigued by young people visiting an 85 year old woman in her hospital—they evidently truly cared for her in a culture where generations mix less and less.
A healthy church takes risks because it believes the gospel to be true and compelling. He spoke of Jay, who ministers to Muslims in London. Both he and his wife expect him to be killed for his bold witness to them. But they are constrained to make Christ known because they believe the gospel that Jesus is the only way to Life.
I was moved by his point that our culture needs to see the gospel displayed in their world. And the Church living as God’s people makes the gospel visible to them, by its gracious forgiveness to one another, and its living inconvenient love.
I asked myself, How does CPC display the gospel to Howard Co in a way that gives credibility to the gospel we proclaim? Are unbelievers confused about what would cause such a diverse group as we are to live together in community, held together only by the glue of the gospel, and not our similarities of tastes, cultures, or ethnicity?
R.C. Sproul: Lessons in 50 Years of the Defense & Propagation of the Gospel
This was a powerful presentation of Francis Schaeffer’s thesis of a generation ago: the Church in America has lost its sense of antithesis. That refers to the fact that since the 19th century, philosophy and theology take an idea (thesis) and react with a contrasting idea (antithesis). Then someone will seek to accommodate the opposites to see truth in both and create a peacemaking synthesis. Which becomes the next generation’s thesis to react to, and so on.
So in our view of the Bible as God’s Word v simply man’s words. Or in sovereignty and free will, “resolved” in a limited God Who grows and accommodates to circumstances (“open theism”). Or in “Evangelicals and Catholics Together”, which finds a middle ground on many practical disagreements such as marriage, abortion, birth control, sacraments, morality. And imputation v infusion of Christ’s righteousness for salvation. The Roman Church has always taught that we are saved by an inherent righteousness worked in us to save us by grace. The Reformation was all about the fact that we are not saved by any righteousness in ourselves, but only the righteousness of Christ outside of us, which is credited to us, i.e. imputed to us as a legal declaration (which will always produce a hunger for righteousness that will be seen in a changed life).
The Church must not compromise by trying to seek peace with the Roman Church by finding a synthesis between inherent and imputed righteousness!
I will actually be preaching on this in May to help us to be clearer on this point which is often seen as a matter only for theologians to argue about, but of no great practical difference to the lay Christian. I will seek to demonstrate that it actually has very practical implications.
Al Mohler: How Does It Happen? Trajectories toward the Adjusted Gospel
He described 8, but gave the first couple in much more detail and unfortunately had to race through the last few far too quickly. They are
1. Modern trajectory: the gospel must be updated for our scientific, technological age.
2. Postmodern trajectory: preach gospel as if true, tho it is not in any transcendent way, simply because it is meaningful.
3. Moral trajectory: atonement is immoral divine child abuse, so tone it down
4. Aesthetic trajectory: do not preach certain texts because they are crude (eg: the cross)
5. Therapeutic trajectory: preacher as therapist to make you feel good, and recovering
6. Pragmatic trajectory: depend on managerial techniques for church growth
7. Emotional trajectory: preach to felt needs and what makes people feel good
8. Materialist trajectory: health & wealth gospel for immediate gratification
He finished with Romans 1:16: Paul was not ashamed of the gospel. Preaching against the tide is wearisome. It can only be done by deep conviction of the power of the unadjusted gospel.
There were five more messages, plus a testimony, but I don’t think you want them all summarized like I did the first three. Here is a list of the speakers and titles:
Thabiti Anyabwile: “Fine Sounding Arguments: How Wrongly Engaging the Culture Adjusts the Gospel
John McArthur: The Theology of Sleep from Mark 4
John Piper: Did Jesus Preach Paul’s Gospel?
Ligon Duncan: Did the [Patristic] Fathers Know the Gospel?
C.J. Mahanney: To Ordinary Pastors: a Charge from II Tim 4:1-5
(also a testimony to the sufficient grace of God by a pastor, Matt Chandler, who has brain cancer, and though a young man, with small children, could be dead in a year or two)
Let me conclude with simply some personal Harris Highlights:
• I shared how I was challenged to ask how CPC makes the gospel visible to Howard Co.? Do we display God’s character and the grace of the gospel in a way that makes visitors stop and take notice? Or people who have contact with us in other situations? I think some do, which raises another question. Dever said he struggles with what to do for people who visit for years but do not become members of the body, accountable to the elders. What responsibility do we have for such folks? They are seen as part of CPC.
• It was good to be reminded by John McArthur, from the parable of the farmer in Mark 4:26-29, that the power is in the seed, not the farmer. He simply faithfully sows the seed, then sleeps, and “the soil on its own/automatically (v28) bears fruit” in gradual growth of a full harvest. I need to rest more in the inherent power of the gospel, and the work of the Spirit, not my efforts. Diligence without anxiety.
• I found myself envious of some of the gifts of the men who preached so powerfully and with such insight. I was convicted that I wanted to be seen as them, rather than to be as useful to my Lord as He has equipped me to be. The old problem of focusing on status rather than faithfulness. My heart is proud, and I saw that again. It was very humbling.
• C.J. Mahanney, who is an amazing man, spoke directly to this at the last session of the conference: the temptation to compare ourselves with superstars, and be discontent. He spoke on Paul’s charge to Timothy from II Timothy 4:1-5. Points that especially challenged or convicted me: preach the revealed gospel with clarity and total unoriginality—with complete patience (v2). I am not a patient person. And as he said, it is tested every day. How I need to daily remember God’s patience with me! How I try His patience! He is patient with the years it takes me to really see my heart and change. Yet I expect others to change immediately. It caused me to love my God Who is so patient with my dull heart and stubborn will.
There are many other things that could be said, but I do not want to try your patience. Thank you for sending us. We will try to be more faithful to the charge that has been given us to proclaim and live out the unadjusted gospel, which IS the power of God to salvation. Here at CPC and everywhere the Name of Christ is proclaimed. Hallelujah!
Pastor Allen
Friday, May 7, 2010
Intergenerational Prayer - Try It Some Time!
Just last night we hosted a low-key National Day of Prayer event at CPC. With all that is going on in the nation at this time, I needed refreshment in the Truth that God is in control of His world. As I look back on the time we spent together the more encouraged I am about the outlook for our community, both locally and nationally.
Of the twenty-three people that gathered to pray, there were 16 people over 18 yrs and 7 people under 18 yrs. old. Two of the older people had recently turned 18 so they kind of count with the 'younger group'. :-)
Dan Halley led the event that we ended up calling 'PRAY and play'.
Our prayer time was segmented into six categories. We began with our focus directed to the God who hears the cries of His children - His sovereignty, omnipotence, goodness, faithfulness, etc. In the safety of His presence and with the promises of Christ in view we moved to the second segment titled simply 'personal' where participants (young and older alike) confessed sin and pleaded the mercy of God. Then we interceded for various needs: those of our local church (transition - both staff and facility were in view, but also the need for all our ministries to be saturated with the good news of Christ crucified, buried and raised for sinners), our local community (schools, work, outreach opportunities), our nation (the executive, legislative and judicial branches our of government), and finally we prayed with a global emphasis (praying for the persecuted church and various missionary efforts).
After the time of prayer about 3/4 of us moved upstairs to the gym where some enjoyed informal conversations while others played a very serious volleyball tournament. One team actually one 2 out of the 3 games and they were very happy about that, but wouldn't dream of taking the opportunity like a pastor's blog to gloat over the wins. :-)
I wanted to write and convey some of my encouragement by being a part of this event. My heart was gladdened by participating in the time of prayer with my generation as well as the next generation. Being in the same room with those who will likely see more of the fruit of our prayers in the years to come than I will, I was challenged to pray more fervently for the nation and to plead with God to bring about renewal and revival.
I trust we will do something similar to this again. If we do, I will look for you there. Hopefully, we won't wait until the next annual Day of Prayer!
Pastor Tim
Of the twenty-three people that gathered to pray, there were 16 people over 18 yrs and 7 people under 18 yrs. old. Two of the older people had recently turned 18 so they kind of count with the 'younger group'. :-)
Dan Halley led the event that we ended up calling 'PRAY and play'.
Our prayer time was segmented into six categories. We began with our focus directed to the God who hears the cries of His children - His sovereignty, omnipotence, goodness, faithfulness, etc. In the safety of His presence and with the promises of Christ in view we moved to the second segment titled simply 'personal' where participants (young and older alike) confessed sin and pleaded the mercy of God. Then we interceded for various needs: those of our local church (transition - both staff and facility were in view, but also the need for all our ministries to be saturated with the good news of Christ crucified, buried and raised for sinners), our local community (schools, work, outreach opportunities), our nation (the executive, legislative and judicial branches our of government), and finally we prayed with a global emphasis (praying for the persecuted church and various missionary efforts).
After the time of prayer about 3/4 of us moved upstairs to the gym where some enjoyed informal conversations while others played a very serious volleyball tournament. One team actually one 2 out of the 3 games and they were very happy about that, but wouldn't dream of taking the opportunity like a pastor's blog to gloat over the wins. :-)
I wanted to write and convey some of my encouragement by being a part of this event. My heart was gladdened by participating in the time of prayer with my generation as well as the next generation. Being in the same room with those who will likely see more of the fruit of our prayers in the years to come than I will, I was challenged to pray more fervently for the nation and to plead with God to bring about renewal and revival.
I trust we will do something similar to this again. If we do, I will look for you there. Hopefully, we won't wait until the next annual Day of Prayer!
Pastor Tim
Thursday, May 6, 2010
When in Doubt, Ask a Question!
Two people have come to me about last Sunday's sermon to ask the same question: I seem to get stuck knowing what to say to friends when they express a personal need or heavy spiritual comment. How do I get the conversation to the cross?
I realized I should have been clearer on my second tip in talking about the cross. I said, Do not rush too quickly to talk about the cross. Get the person in touch with their need for a Savior before you tell about His radical offering.
The key: ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS!
Eg: a person has cancer. You want to share Christ. But they have not indicated any interest in the Gospel. Ask a question like, "So how has this cancer affected your spiritual life? Do you ever go to church? How has it affected your relationship with God? Has it raised Qs for you about Him or His involvement in your life?
How has it changed your view of life?"
On and on. Each response elicits another question. Probe their heart so they know you are truly listening and caring. At some point it will seem natural to talk about a God Who suffered death for us because He cared about us that much.
So in any conversation where a person goes to a deeper level that seems to invite a bold and caring initiation into sharing Jesus and the cross, if in doubt about what to say, ask a question! The more you ask questions, the easier it will become. And the more questions you ask, the easier sharing Christ and His cross will become.
So thanks for making me clarify that.
Pastor Allen
I realized I should have been clearer on my second tip in talking about the cross. I said, Do not rush too quickly to talk about the cross. Get the person in touch with their need for a Savior before you tell about His radical offering.
The key: ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS!
Eg: a person has cancer. You want to share Christ. But they have not indicated any interest in the Gospel. Ask a question like, "So how has this cancer affected your spiritual life? Do you ever go to church? How has it affected your relationship with God? Has it raised Qs for you about Him or His involvement in your life?
How has it changed your view of life?"
On and on. Each response elicits another question. Probe their heart so they know you are truly listening and caring. At some point it will seem natural to talk about a God Who suffered death for us because He cared about us that much.
So in any conversation where a person goes to a deeper level that seems to invite a bold and caring initiation into sharing Jesus and the cross, if in doubt about what to say, ask a question! The more you ask questions, the easier it will become. And the more questions you ask, the easier sharing Christ and His cross will become.
So thanks for making me clarify that.
Pastor Allen
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Together 4 The Gospel
As Allen and Tim have already mentioned I too want to thank you for sending the staff to the Together 4 the Gospel conference.
For those of you unfamiliar with the conference this is a conference that meets every other year in Louisville, Kentucky. There are a group of four men (thus the play on 4 in the name) who have put together a program to encourage and bless pastors of local churches. The four men are Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and CJ Mahaney. They each invite another speaker to present a message, so that we have eight messages from top church leaders. This year the additional speakers were; John MacArthur, John Piper, RC Sproul, and Thabiti Anyabwile. The four who put this conference on do so to: bless local pastors through the messages they give; gathering thousands of pastors and church leaders (this year there were about 7,000 in attendance) for fellowship with each other; and by providing several hundred dollars worth of free, good books to everyone who registers for the conference. On top of those things, just getting away as a staff team for time to build our relationships was very helpful. We were able to talk and plan ministry without the immediate daily pressures of shepherding the congregation. (Huge thanks to the administrative team who stayed behind and the elders who were here to shepherd the flock in our absence.)
This year the theme of the conference was the "Unadjusted Gospel." We were encouraged with the power of the pure gospel (Romans 1:16) and reminded of the calling we have as both believers and as leaders to live in the power of that pure gospel. The speakers addressed issues such as: the church's role in living out and displaying the gospel to the world (Ephesians 3:10); types of pressure to adjust the gospel (modern and postmodern worldviews, aesthetic pressures, therapeutic pressures, pragmatic pressures, etc.); what they had learned in 50 years of ministry; and several other topics.
Being with thousands of local pastors was a tremendous encouragement to me personally. There were thousands of young men who are serving local churches, and committed to keep the gospel clear and to present the truths of Scripture to their congregations week in and week out. I loved the messages and being encouraged to both remember and hold to the gospel by the speakers. Along with that reminder, the interaction with our staff team and with other pastors who were thinking through how to apply what we heard to our situations particularly was powerful. I believe the investment you made as a church will bear great rewards for CPC and for Howard County. Thank you.
Steve
For those of you unfamiliar with the conference this is a conference that meets every other year in Louisville, Kentucky. There are a group of four men (thus the play on 4 in the name) who have put together a program to encourage and bless pastors of local churches. The four men are Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and CJ Mahaney. They each invite another speaker to present a message, so that we have eight messages from top church leaders. This year the additional speakers were; John MacArthur, John Piper, RC Sproul, and Thabiti Anyabwile. The four who put this conference on do so to: bless local pastors through the messages they give; gathering thousands of pastors and church leaders (this year there were about 7,000 in attendance) for fellowship with each other; and by providing several hundred dollars worth of free, good books to everyone who registers for the conference. On top of those things, just getting away as a staff team for time to build our relationships was very helpful. We were able to talk and plan ministry without the immediate daily pressures of shepherding the congregation. (Huge thanks to the administrative team who stayed behind and the elders who were here to shepherd the flock in our absence.)
This year the theme of the conference was the "Unadjusted Gospel." We were encouraged with the power of the pure gospel (Romans 1:16) and reminded of the calling we have as both believers and as leaders to live in the power of that pure gospel. The speakers addressed issues such as: the church's role in living out and displaying the gospel to the world (Ephesians 3:10); types of pressure to adjust the gospel (modern and postmodern worldviews, aesthetic pressures, therapeutic pressures, pragmatic pressures, etc.); what they had learned in 50 years of ministry; and several other topics.
Being with thousands of local pastors was a tremendous encouragement to me personally. There were thousands of young men who are serving local churches, and committed to keep the gospel clear and to present the truths of Scripture to their congregations week in and week out. I loved the messages and being encouraged to both remember and hold to the gospel by the speakers. Along with that reminder, the interaction with our staff team and with other pastors who were thinking through how to apply what we heard to our situations particularly was powerful. I believe the investment you made as a church will bear great rewards for CPC and for Howard County. Thank you.
Steve
Thursday, March 25, 2010
News from Session
March 25, 2010
Brothers and Sisters,
Session has been discussing for some time now how best to provide the Lord’s Supper for our congregation. We have had a subcommittee that has been looking in to questions regarding scheduling the Lord’s Supper and also how to encourage the most people to participate in this means of grace. We want to make the means of grace (the Word, prayer, the sacraments, and fellowship)as available as we can to all the people who call CPC their church home.
As a result of this desire we have looked at when we can celebrate communion. After much discussion and deliberation Session approved the subcommittee’s recommendation that we celebrate communion in the morning service four times a year, and at a monthly evening service the other eight months of the year. We considered the pros and cons for the various time slots we have for celebrating the Lord’s Supper , and we concluded that the best decision overall is to have the communion service in the mornings when we do not have Middle Hour classes and Sunday School and keeping the service in the evening on those months when we do have classes between the services.
That means that we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper in the morning services on the first Sundays in January, July, August, and September. We will hold evening services February, March, April, May, June, October, November, and December.
One other thing to note is that this schedule is what we have planned for while we are in our own facility. We are aware that there are restrictions on food in the school buildings. That means we will have to be flexible with our scheduling the Lord’s Supper while we are off site and renting space for worship. We know you will be adaptable to the circumstances in which we find ourselves as we move off site.
Steve, on behalf of the elders
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