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10 Foundation Stones of the Church N o . 1: Baptism A

N A M E R IC A N C U LT U R A L PH E NOME NON hit late in 2019. Kanye West released a gospel album and simultaneously declared he was dedicating himself to spreading the gospel message. The album, Jesus Is King, debuted at No. 1 and in its first week was streamed more than 200 million times and sold 109,000 copies! People were immediately skeptical, both of the music and the artist. There was no shortage of judgment upon West from the Christian community. The album includes some incredible worship songs, but one stood out, particularly because it addresses a disturbing trend within the church that leaders are trying to understand. “Closed on Sunday” describes a commitment to weekly church attendance. Through his lyrics, West, of all people, indicates that being with a church family regu-

larly is critical not only to his own life but to his marriage and family. “Closed on Sunday” is a declaration he will stand against the culture by making his faith his first priority because he knows what is at stake. How is it Kanye West understands what many others seem to struggle with? Those who measure attendance are finding that churches are growing larger and smaller at the same time. How can this be? The answer lies in frequency of attendance. The average church attendee is at church between 1.2 and 1.6 times a month. That means a church with average weekly attendance of 500 may actually be ministering to more than 1,500 monthly. Is that OK? Do we need our church family less than we used to? How does that affect our life, and most importantly, what does God think about it? To answer those questions with

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Acts 2:41-47 provides a template of what God expects from Christ followers. Ten foundation stones are described there that define us both individually and as a people. I’ll be highlighting each one of these foundation stones in my Letter from the Publisher during the next 10 months. I’ll start with baptism, the first of the 10 items listed in these verses . . . and I believe its placement at the top is no accident. Baptism is our initiation into salvation, our first confession, our sinner’s prayer, our cleansing, our clothing, our guarantee, and our initial connection to the act that saved us— the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. In Acts 2:41, Peter provides the first step into this new life. Baptism is the way God has chosen to signify us “stepping over the line.” We see this example over and over again in the New Testament. It happened at the temple on Pentecost when thousands were baptized, and it happened on an isolated roadside when Philip baptized the Ethiopian. It happened to the vilest of sinners when Ananias baptized Saul, and it happened in the middle of the night in Philippi when Paul and Silas baptized the jailer and his family. It is the line in the sand separating the past from the future and the transition from an old way of life to a new one. Baptism is the way God wants us to ask him to save us. Peter used baptism as a description of the process of salvation (1 Peter 3:20, 21). It’s understood as a sort of unspoken prayer recognizing we are all guilty of sin and that baptism is an expression of a desire for a clear conscience before God. Baptism is the way God wants us to ask him for salvation. Here is the illustration: Just as Noah and his family were saved through the water of the great flood, baptism saves us from God’s wrath.

Baptism makes me clean and presentable to God. Baptism was described to Saul as a washing away of sin as well as a plea to God (Acts 22:16). From God’s perspective, baptism makes me clean. It’s not the water . . . it’s what happens in the water. Galatians 3:27 takes it one step further . . . from cleansing to clothing. How awful to have to stand before God naked, exposed, and laid bare. He sees everything. It takes us back to the shame of the Garden of Eden. How different to be clothed in Christ, like the man from whom Jesus expelled demons who was “dressed and in his right mind” (Mark 5:15) after that confrontation. Baptism connects me to the only thing that could ever save me. Romans 6:3-5 describes a process that connects me to the death of Jesus (and thereby to his blood). That is why immersion is the correct form of baptism. It’s not just understood in the word, it’s revealed in the illustration. It’s a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It’s in uniting with Jesus’ death that I come in contact with his blood and receive its eternal benefits. That’s why every description of conversion in the New Testament ends with baptism. There is a promise that goes with the act of baptism . . . resurrection! In a life that depends so much on the mercy of God, what a blessing to stand on this promise because of simple obedience! Baptism, then, is the doorway to a new life defined by new priorities that are not to be marginalized by a busy schedule or other desires. It marks a life that is devoted to the things of God as made clear in Acts 2.

Jerry Harris is publisher of Christian Standard Media and senior pastor of The Crossing, a multisite church located in three states across the Midwest. @_jerryharris /jerrydharris

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authority, we must look to God’s Word, and specifically, I believe we must look to the birth of the church.

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In Every Issue 2-3 | from the publisher

e 2:EFFECTIVE ELDERS Enough w it h t he Four-Hour Elders' Meet ings! David Roadcup

8-10 |

6-7 | from the Editor

12-13 | POLISHED L e s s o n s f r o m t he B o n s a i T r e e Megan Rawlings

2019 Stats + Stories Kent Fillinger

42 the Opportunities right in front of us Chris Philbeck

What's in the Water? Michael D. McCann

Why We Invite All Our New Members to Our Home For Dinner (and how we do it) Drew Sherman

A Warning from Ephesus . . . Tyler McKenzie

14-15 | MINISTRYLIFE C h i ld r e nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s M i n i s t r y Re e x a m i n e d Rick Willis

16-17 | HORIZONS G o d Us e s a M a t ch M a d e i n P ol a n d Laura McKillip Wood

18-20 | METRICS

95 | INTERACT

T he D i f fe r e n c e a D e c a d e M a ke s Kent E. Fillinger

72-93 | THE LOOKOUT

96 | THE FINAL WORD

f r o m th e edi to r

Who Makes the First Move? T HE

C H U RC H E S in our movement are “devoted to the restoration of New Testament Christianity, its doctrine, its ordinances, and its fruits.” That is stated in the indicia of every issue of Christian Standard—but what about its processes? What can churches today learn from the start of the church on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 about how to plant and grow the church?

“They all joined together constantly in prayer.” Prayer always precedes planning and performing. But as Tom Petty put it, “The waiting is the hardest part.” We are inclined to move, to act, to get to work, to carry out the mission. But Jesus told the first disciples, including impetuous Peter and sons of thunder John and James, to wait, to pray, and to trust God to provide what was needed.

An Acts 2 church begins in community: “They were all together in one place” (v. 1). Biblical community is the context or environment in which God does his work. This simple act of gathering together in community was in obedience to Jesus’ command; they were to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift and power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). They were not to start the ministry of the first church until God made the first move.

The fact that the disciples did wait is evidence they had finally learned the way of Jesus. It likely happened in the garden the night before Jesus went to the cross. Jesus prepared for what was to come through prayer, as he always did. He wanted his disciples to do the same, so that when the time of testing came, they’d be ready. How unfortunate they failed to pray and failed the test. And then they responded to the situation in a normal, human, fleshly way, fight and flight, when they should have responded with faith. So should we. The only way we can respond with faith and be

What were these disciples doing as they waited together? Acts 1:14 provides one vital answer:

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On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples’ waiting, praying, and trusting soon—and suddenly— paid off. The Holy Spirit arrived and began to move (Acts 2:2). Nothing that happened after the Spirit showed up would have happened without it. And yet, the disciples’ waiting was not passive. They had waited in anticipation for God to move so that when it happened, whatever it was, they would be prepared to go. What began in inward community and upward prayer and worship now overflowed into outward proclamation of God’s Word (vv. 1440). The first sermon of the new church resulted in repentance, baptism, forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and a call upon their lives from God (v. 38, 39). The results were amazing. We see the first of many statistics provided by Luke: About 3,000 were baptized and added to their number that day. (That number grew to about 5,000 men by the time of Acts 4:4, and the church continued to increase in number, sometimes rapidly: Acts 5:14; 6:1, 7; 9:31; 16:5.) These results certainly came about through great preaching, people using their God-given gifts, and their committed work in carrying out his mission, but it all started with a simple act of obedience in waiting, praying, and trusting. Then God’s Spirit took over. This is still how God brings results in his church. This issue focuses on Pentecost—the beginning of the church that we steadfastly continue today. You’ll read articles on baptism, how one church is growing through the unique opportunities God is providing, new member gatherings, how the church can maintain its first love, and six church spotlights. I believe you’ll gain new insights and ideas for your ministry in these articles. And as Luke did throughout the book of Acts, we provide numerical updates on how the

church is doing. The tables of statistics for all churches that completed our 2019 survey (which we provide on our website this year) certainly do provide figures for how individual churches are doing, but more importantly, our survey results show how we are doing as a movement. We’ll write more about that in our June issue, but many signs point to the fact that we are doing well overall as a movement. A record number of churches completed our survey this year, and I want to thank every single one that participated. By doing so you are partnering with us as we seek to help churches carry out Jesus’ mission. I believe churches can use the information to work together in unity with other churches and to gather ministry ideas. Also, the more churches of all sizes that participate, the more reliable are the findings we get from the survey. We also thank Kent Fillinger, who is diligent in developing the survey each year and then gathering and interpreting the results. If you did not participate in the 2019 survey, I encourage you to do so for 2020! And if you did not receive a notice about this survey earlier this year, please send us an email at cs@christianstandardmedia.com, and we’ll add you to our list for next year! What began in that first church in Acts 2 continues today in our churches. We still actively wait in anticipation, but in a different way. Now we wait for Jesus to return, and it may be any day. Until that day, let’s keep praying and trusting. And surely, just like back then, the Lord will continue to add to our number daily those who are being saved.

@michaelcmack @michaelcmack @michaelcmack /authormichaelcmack

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prepared for God’s next move is by spending time with God in prayer.

e 2 : ef f ecti v e elder s

ENOUGH WITH THE FOUR-HOUR ELDERS' MEETINGS! The Key Elements to Making Your Time Together More Effective BY DAVID ROADCUP

E FFECTIVE

E L DE R S ’ M E E T I NG S are an important part of a healthy leadership culture. Our meetings should be organized times of fellowship, powerful prayer, communication, and decision-making. The focus of elders’ meetings should be on the shepherding of staff and the business matters of the congregation. Elde rs’ me e tings can be e xtremely fruitful and enjoyable, or they can be hours of torment and wandering in the wilderness. It all depends on planning and on the leader of the meeting (the elder chairman) and lead minister working together for the best outcomes.

Christian minister and author Tim Woodroof makes several excellent points about elders’ meetings (at TimWoodroof.com):

David Roadcup is cofounder and outreach director for e2: effective elders. He also serves as professor of discipleship and global outreach representative with TCM International Institute. He is also on the board of directors of Christian Arabic Services.

/e2elders @e2elders

I love elders. I love their charactered ways and pastoral hearts and concern for the Kingdom. . . . It’s elders’ meetings I find difficult. . . . I’ve endured meetings that would never end[,] meetings squandered on matters that didn’t matter[,] meetings that meandered from one

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topic to another without any apparent method to the madness[,] meetings that were short on prayer and long on hand-wringing[,] meetings that suffered from the worst excesses of “group think” and poor assumptions and bad information[,] meetings that ended in the whimper of inconclusiveness[,] meetings that left everyone in the room frustrated, agitated, and irritated. . . . “Why?” is the question that haunts me. You might expect that elders meetings would function like nuclear fission— pack enough high-spirit, high-energy disciples into the same room and something explosive should happen. Instead, sad experience teaches us that, when elders come together, they are more likely to sputter than reach critical mass. We all have sat through meetings like Woodroof describes. How can we manage meetings in such a way that they become enjoyable and productive? Here are time-proven suggestions that will take meetings to a new level.

PREPARATION Good preparation for each meeting is critical. The lead minister and elder chairman should meet several days before the elders’ meeting to discuss the content and make a plan. After that meeting, the chairman should send out the agenda (by email, text, or tweet) plus any necessary materials to be viewed and studied prior to the meeting. Meeting participants must come prepared. Send materials necessary to help equip them for the best meeting possible.

FELLOWSHIP, SCRIPTURE, AND POWERFUL PRAYER Gary Johnson said when he ministered at The Creek in Indianapolis, elders would enjoy a fellowship meal together before meetings. He called this “table fellowship.” During the meal, the men caught up on each other’s lives and journeys. After the meal, they entered into a time of Scripture sharing and heartfelt prayer for each other, the staff, lost people, and the congregation. Most elder teams have “an opening prayer.” A possible better approach would be to have a saturating season of prayer. As elders, we must know that when we pray, God answers our prayers in powerful ways. Remember, “When we work, we work. When we pray, God works!” We must never lose our confidence in the power of prayer. As the leadership team, we can take the first 30 to 45 minutes to worship the Lord together, share Scripture, and seek the Lord’s face. We want to ask his guidance and blessing on our church as we pray for each other and our staff and families and as we seek his wisdom and discernment. We want all of our decisions to be at the center of his will. This was a priority for leaders of the early church. In the book of Acts, leaders repeatedly joined together in powerful times of prayer. (As examples, see Acts 1:14, 24; 2:42; 3:1; 4:2431; 6:4, 6; 8:15.) In his excellent book Extreme Prayer, Greg Pruett said when we believe God can move in our congregations in a truly amazing way, we begin to understand that prayer is the work of leadership. Prayer is our work! Through prayer, we change our church and we touch

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the world. Pruett wrote, “I began to learn not to pray about my strategies but to make prayer the strategy.” While discussion and decision-making are important parts of our meeting, the most important part of our meeting is prayer. Prayer is our highest priority as leaders in the body of Christ.

WORKING THROUGH THE AGENDA The agenda is simply a list of topics and discussion points that need the attention and decisions of the leaders. Included in this list should be items about staff and their work and needs, the ministries of the church, future planning issues, opportunities, challenges, and any business items that need attention besides the general life and operation of the church. Meeting minutes should always be taken and then kept on file for future reference. These minutes need not be lengthy. Good minutes should contain several bullet points with a brief paragraph of explanation after each one. The minutes should note (1) specific decisions made, (2) the person responsible for executing each decision, (3) the deadline for completion, and (4) the person who should be contacted about the decision and its outcome. It must be noted, elder teams make a big mistake when they handle the business that deacons are supposed to handle. Acts 6:1-6 indicates elders are to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Scripture says deacons are important servants who are to be organized and effectively trained. At the elders’ direction and under their guidance, the deacons execute the daily work of the church through their servant ministry teams. In the meeting, elders should not handle anything they can delegate to the deacon teams or

to other volunteers in the church. We get into serious trouble—that is, meetings become disorganized and extremely long—when elders attempt to do the work of deacons. If it is organized correctly, no elders’ meeting should ever last more than two hours (unless extenuating circumstances are involved). Four hour-plus meetings are led by brothers who need to be made aware of how good meetings should be organized and led.

TWO CONCLUDING KEY CONCEPTS Two important things to consider for productive meetings: 1. There must be a strong leader as chairman to assure elders’ meetings are effective. If the chairman does not know how to conduct a meeting, is haphazard, or allows discussions to go down “rabbit trails,” the meetings will be long and ineffective. 2. The elder team must make decisions. Too often, a topic is discussed extensively and thoroughly but no decision is made. This is a leadership problem. The chair must lead the team to a decision. Occasionally there will be need for more discussion, and that is fine, but it should be the exception, not the rule. Hours of discussion that lead to an issue being tabled—sometimes for months!—is a sign of weak leadership. It is better to make the wrong decision than to make no decision. There are very few wrong decisions from which we cannot recover. Strive to make decisions in a timely, prayerful, and discerning manner. Effective elders’ meetings are an important part of good leadership, shepherding, and church management. They must be conducted with effectiveness. 

Po li sh ed

Lessons from the Bonsai Tree BY MEGAN RAWLINGS

H AV E A LWAY S wanted a bonsai tree. The whole concept absolutely fascinates me. Unfortunately, I was born with a black thumb. When I enter a greenhouse, the plants lean away from me, scared for their lives. It’s so bad, a friend once asked me to come to their house to touch their grass so it would stop growing. OK, so I am not a farmer, but it did not stop me from researching bonsai trees.

When You’re Planted in a Small Container Bonsai is an umbrella term for small trees—not dwarf trees— that are clipped and tied in such

a way that they reflect the image and likeness of a great tree. Part of the art of bonsai is placing the little tree in a container that is best suited for what the artist wants to create.

Megan Rawlings is the founder and CEO of The Bold Movement. She is an extrovert, pastor’s wife, and lover of the Scriptures. /tbmministry @tbm_ministry @tbm_ministry @theboldmovement theboldmovement.com

When I learned this, I immediately thought about my relationship with God. The inspired author of Hebrews reminded us to fix our eyes on Christ and to remember his suffering on our behalf in order to serve God well and avoid sin (12:1-3). The author then wrote, In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely

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he continued preaching there and eventually led 55 to Christ.

And consider the life of George Mueller, who wanted to be a missionary. While Mueller had some ministry success in the 1800s—he preached for D. L. Moody and Charles Spurgeon—he spent a great deal of his life running an orphanage in England with his wife, Mary. The children’s home barely made ends meet. One evening, his wife informed him they were out of milk, which meant no oatmeal or anyHave you felt as if you were planted in a “small thing to drink for the children in the morncontainer”? Maybe your ing. Mueller asked his wife gifts are not being used to pray with him. Within in a way that best serves seconds, someone knocked the kingdom of God. PerHave you prayed about on the door and gave them haps God has placed you money to buy provisions in your situation because this in a truly honest for those in their care. he has a specific outcome Yet, the Muellers’ life was in mind and some painful fashion? Have you asked still fraught with difficulty clipping and binding is in and immediate answers to store. God, “Did you place me prayers did not always arrive. Have you prayed about this here to shape me into in a truly honest fashion? “I believe God has heard Have you asked God, “Did my prayers,” Mueller said. a more disciplined, you place me here to shape “He will make it manifest me into a more disciplined, in his own good time. I tolerant, and tolerant, and productive have recorded my petiservant?” Have you spent tions that when God has productive servant?” time reflecting on what answered them, his name the Lord may be trying to will be glorified.” teach you in your present circumstances? Mueller kept his eyes fixed on Christ, and he accepted the place God had How to Grow Where You Are Planted planted him. Eventually—beginning at age Trusting that God is in control and working on 70—he was able to serve as a missionary, but us gives us strength to move forward and find only after years of painful, difficult service at joy in the midst of pain and frustration. the orphanage. “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:4-6).

Evangelist John T. Johnson, a congressman turned Restoration minister, preached for two weeks in 1846 in Richmond, Virginia, without a single convert, according to Leroy Garrett in his book, The Stone-Campbell Movement. I’m sure Johnson was disappointed, but

You might feel like the bonsai tree planted in a small container. It’s painful to be pruned and shaped, but there is one thing you should keep in mind. The bonsai tree, no matter how small, can still grow full-size fruit. Sometimes all that is required is some shaping from the Master. 

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forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

Mi n i stry Li f e

Children’s Ministry Reexamined BY RICK WILLIS

C A N ’ T D O T H AT. . . . I’m oriented to leading adults.”

The children’s ministry coordinator at Southern Heights Christian Church in Lebanon, Missouri, was recruiting volunteers for a new rotational program on Sunday mornings, and he had challenged me—a man in his 60s— to get involved with the 2- to 5-year-olds. The concept was new to us: one hour of continuous activity broken down into 15-minute segments (or stations), with kids rotating from a lesson, to crafts, to snacks, and to music.

Two people would lead the children from room to room, with volunteers at each station managing the activity.

Rick Willis is an elder who loves seeing maturity occur in people of all ages. @rwillis5270 rickwilliswrites.wordpress.com

I’d wandered through the children’s wing before on my way to “adult” activities. I’d seen crafts being assembled. I’d briefly watched children tracing their hands, drawing stick figures, and gluing craft sticks. I’d smelled the cookies. I’d heard children singing “Jesus loves me, this I know” at the top of their lungs. There was evidence of learning. But, to tell the truth, I’d never been particularly patient with

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unruly small people who are categorized as “preschool.” A 3-year-old who can’t bear for mom to leave and then cries for a half hour, disrupting the classroom, wasn’t my idea of how to spend Sunday morning. I suppose I was guilty of thinking this work was better left to moms and teenagers.

It occurred to me that striking at the root of this problem, by working with our young kids, might be a step toward a solution. If we can create a mind-set of learning, and then act on this learning, this trait might follow them into adulthood. So maybe, just maybe, this was a ministry I should help with.

I’m 67 years old, an elder in the church, and enjoy the interaction of teaching Far too many adults adults. But now, on Sunday mornings between 9:00 have accepted the and 10:15, you’ll find me on the floor with a lesson “I’m saved and it’s a book telling preschoolers the story of the Israelites done deal” mentality eating manna, of David passing the torch to his and float through son Solomon so he could build the temple in Jerulife with little salem, and of Jesus giving sight to a blind man. evidence of being a After a 10-minute lesson, I might ask children for disciple of Christ. suggestions for what to draw hanging from a tree in the Garden of Eden. “How about a potato?” one child suggests. “Doesn’t a monkey hang from a tree?” asks another. Then, finally, “I think Yet part of my own growth was a slow realizathere was a snake hanging down.” tion that many adults in the church remain “preschoolers” in terms of their spiritual maYes, figuring out how to get that snake out of turity. At a discipleship workshop recently, I the tree is a lifelong process. So, on Sunday learned that Juan Carlos Ortiz referred to it mornings, I try to be animated as we retell as “the perpetual childhood of believers” (not a Bible story, and when the lesson causes intended as a compliment). Those who have a light bulb to go on for a young student, it been around the church for a while know it’s does my heart good. I love it when they see true. Far too many adults have accepted the me later in the hall, grab me around the leg, “I’m saved and it’s a done deal” mentality and and smile at me. You know what? I’m smiling float through life with little evidence of being too.  a disciple of Christ. But on those trips through the children’s area I witnessed the impact of the program on the kids, and it slowly made an impact on me. My wife was already involved by working in the nursery or helping as a rotation leader. Years earlier, when she taught a more traditional class for 5-year-olds, I had helped. She taught the lesson and I was the “bouncer,” keeping order as best I could. It was an interesting experiment, but it was years ago. (Those 5-year-olds are grown now.) I’d moved on to more mature students. Theoretically.

horizons

God Uses a Match Made in Poland BY LAURA MCKILLIP WOOD

N DR Z E J KORY T KOW SK I SU RV I V E D a complicated and traumatic family life that resulted in his parents’ messy divorce when he was 13. His mother became preoccupied with recovering from the breakup of her marriage and re-establishing herself, so she did not focus much energy on Andrzej and his brother. The boys spent most of their days with friends, at school, and finding things to fill their free time. They became independent, but they did not have much of a family life or support from parents. Andrzej especially missed having a father figure in his life. At this vulnerable time, a friend invited Andrzej to the gym where his dad worked. There Andrzej met a group of teenage boys and men who became like family to him. He spent the next six years training in that gym, building an identity as a weightlifter and athlete.

Spiritual Growth and a Christian Camp At age 18, he also began attending a church with his friends from the neighborhood in Warsaw, Poland, where he lived. The church, Christian Fellowship,

existed in the country where Communism and Catholicism had reigned for many years. Church offered Andrzej an escape from a difficult family life, while providing a solid experience with God and other people his age. Andrzej loved the simple worship and the encouraging messages he heard at Christian Fellowship. His faith became real to him through the example of believers he met there, and his faith took root.

Laura McKillip Wood, former missionary to Ukraine, now serves as the registrar at Nebraska Christian College in Papillion, Nebraska, and works as an oncall chaplain at a nearby hospital. She and her husband, Andrew, have three teenagers. /laura.wood2 @woodlaura30 @woodlaura30 lauramckillipwood.com lauramckillipwood@gmail.com

At age 19 an injury ended his weightlifting, and Andrzej began to focus more on the life he had built for himself in the church. He went to Ostroda Christian Camp with a group of people his age, some Christians and some non-Christians. At the camp, he decided to commit his life to Christ. “It was the greatest camp I had ever attended,” he said. “One reason was my encounter with Jesus Christ. That meeting put my life on a new trajectory.” At this same time, April, a teenage girl on the other side of the world, was also listening to God speak to her. Almost 10 years later, while working as an associate

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Moving Away and Returning Home After living in the United States for several years, Andrzej and April decided to move back to Poland and work with the camp that had been so instrumental in their spiritual lives and in their marriage. The couple packed up their three children and moved to Poland in 2012. Ostroda Christian Camp has a long history in Poland. Since 1971, thousands of people from Poland and other countries have heard the gospel and decided to follow Jesus while at the camp. In fact, many of the pastors currently working in Polish churches came to know Jesus through their experiences at Ostroda. The camp has hosted people from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, the United States, Israel, and, of course, Poland. Ostroda’s influence has been wide. In 2018, Andrzej and April and their family moved back to the United States but continued their work with Ostroda Christian Camp by strengthening the support base for the ministry. Their work now involves meeting with churches and individuals interested in the ministry and looking for people who have hearts open to and interested in joining God’s work in Poland. “We pray that God will lead us to people that look beyond their own lives and are ready to make a step to invest in lives in faraway Poland,” Andrzej said. They work with Polish Christian Mission to maintain alliances between Christians in Poland and America.

Changing Roles with the Same Goals The Korytowskis travel to Poland about twice a year. They encourage leaders and help them with outreach efforts. They also lead shortterm trips that offer Americans a chance to do various construction projects at the camp and work with campers. Some participants minister alongside Polish believers in the villages, while other supporters help with scholarships that send Polish children to camp. This gives those children an opportunity to meet believers and learn about Jesus. Andrzej knows it is important work because he came to Christ in this way. By bringing Americans to Poland and by furthering the ministry of the camp, he said, they are “arranging encounters of individuals with God.” People who serve on the short-term teams in the ministry of the camp have an opportunity to give their best to God and his kingdom. Andrzej and April enjoy seeing them grow closer to God in the process. “Some of them just don’t stop with one or even several missions, but with time they fully engage and pursue full-time ministry.” Andrzej and April, or members of their team, often visit churches to encourage them in their partnership in this vital work. The Korytkowski family hopes to maintain and build relationships between American and Polish believers that strengthen both groups. They also have begun working in a ministry to couples in their new home in Connecticut, and they hope to see that ministry work powerfully in the lives of those families. Andrzej and April work to honor God and promote better relationships between his people in Poland, the United States, and around the globe. 

C H R I S T I A N S TA N D A R D - 17 -

pastor at Christian Fellowship, Andrzej spent part of his summer at Ostroda Camp with kids from his church. April traveled from her home in Connecticut to Ostroda that same summer to build bunk beds and participate in a shortterm mission trip with her church. April and Andrzej met, and a little more than a year later they married. They lived in Poland for six years before moving to the United States in 2005.

metr i cs

The Difference a Decade Makes BY KENT E. FILLINGER

T WENTY-TWO YEARS AGO marked the first

time Christian Standard published a list of churches that averaged more than 1,000 in worship attendance. Sixteen years ago, I started analyzing the data and soon added an annual survey to learn more about our largest churches. Megachurches (average weekly worship attendance of 2,000 or more) and emerging megachurches (averaging 1,000 to 1,999) are the only two size categories for which we have over two decades of attendance and growth data. The survey expanded to include large churches (500 to 999) in 2008 and then added medium churches (250 to 499) in 2009. Finally, in 2017, small (100 to 249) and very small churches (99 or fewer) were added to include churches of all sizes in our annual survey. The following summaries primarily focus only on the four largest church size categories (except where noted) since the data is more complete for them. The number of churches (megachurches to medium churches) in our survey rose 21 percent during the past decade, increasing from 234 churches in 2010 to 284 in 2019. A single-year record of 439 churches in all size categories completed our survey of 2019 data. When more churches participate, it produces better data for identifying and understanding trends. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re grateful to all churches that

participated in our survey this year. Here are some interesting things we learned.

Total Worship Attendance In 2000, the 20 largest churches on our list had a combined total average worship attendance of 80,691. By 2009, this number grew to 143,440 (a 78 percent increase). By 2019, the total average worship attendance for the 20 largest churches was 200,203, a 39 percent increase over the previous decade. The total number of people attending the 439 churches surveyed last year on an average week was 483,296. This means the 20 largest churches last year represented 4 percent of the churches surveyed but 41 percent of the total attendance recorded.

Kent E. Fillinger serves as president of 3:STRANDS Consulting, Indianapolis, Indiana, and regional vice president (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan) with Christian Financial Resources.

/3strandsconsulting 3strandsconsulting.com

Online Church Online church has developed substantially over the past decade after being barely a blip in 2010. Just over 1 in 4 churches (27 percent) surveyed in 2019 had an online church or Internet campus. An additional 8 percent of those 439 churches indicated they had plans to launch an Internet campus. Almost half (47 percent) of the churches with an Internet campus do not include any online attendees in their total worship

M AY 2 0 2 0

For the other half (53 percent) that did include online worshippers in their total count, the online attendees constituted 15 percent of their total attendance. These churches averaged 2,360 for worship last year, which means they averaged 2,006 onsite worshippers and 354 Internet worshippers each week. One church reported that 55 percent of its worship attendance in 2019 occurred online rather than onsite.

Christmas Eve and Easter Christmas Eve and Easter typically are the bestattended services for churches. From 2010 to 2019, Easter attendance for our megachurches to medium churches increased 29 percent; in 2019, 872,950 people in these churches attended Easter services. During the same time frame, Christmas Eve attendance in these same churches increased 53 percent to 782,080.

Growth Rates A total of 128 churches participated in both the 2010 and 2019 surveys. Based on average worship attendance, 62 percent of these churches grew during the decade while 38 percent declined. The overall average growth for these 128 churches was 29.8 percent, or just under 3 percent per year for the decade. The churches that grew during the most recent decade increased an average of 62 percent, or just over 6 percent a year. The churches that saw a decline in attendance decreased by an average of 21 percent, or just over 2 percent per year. The fastest-growing churches over the last decade were: • 2|42 Community Church, Brighton, Michigan: 516.2 percent growth • Traders Point Christian Church, Whitestown, Indiana: 223 percent

• Third City Christian Church, Grand Island, Nebraska: 194.5 percent • The Crossing, Quincy, Illinois: 165.9 percent • Eastside Christian Church, Anaheim, California: 159 percent From 2000 to 2004, megachurches and emerging megachurches averaged 8 percent growth annually. Since then, the annual growth rate has been 4 percent. The overall average annual growth rate for medium churches through megachurches the last 10 years was only 3 percent. The best year for growth, 4.3 percent, was 2011; the slowest year for growth, 2.6 percent, was last year.

2019 Growth Rates Among the six size categories during 2019, emerging megachurches had the best overall average growth rate at 4.2 percent, while churches in the very small category saw a decline, shrinking by 0.4 percent in average attendance. The larger the size category, the more likely churches within it experienced growth in 2019. For example, 75 percent of megachurches grew last year but only 44 percent of very small churches grew. Overall, just more than half of the churches (55 percent) surveyed last year experienced growth. The growing churches averaged a 10 percent increase, while the declining churches averaged a 7 percent decrease.

Baptisms We can rejoice that 339,950 people were baptized in the various churches surveyed during the last decade. During the past 10 years, the average number of people baptized yearly has ranged from a high of 37,194 in 2014 to a low of 28,683 in 2010. Last year, 32,139 baptisms were reported, though 30 of the 439 churches (7 percent) reported no baptisms. Our “baptisms per buck” statistic looks at the total baptisms at a church in relation to that congregation’s general fund giving; the resulting dollar

C H R I S T I A N S TA N D A R D - 19 -

attendance. These churches had an average worship attendance of 2,528 last year.

M AY 2 0 2 0 C H R I S T I A N S TA N D A R D - 2 0 -

figure represents how much a church invests in each baptism. The cost per baptism decreased slightly (1 percent) over the past decade, from $28,292 in 2010 (cost adjusted for inflation over the time period) to $28,039 in 2019.

Multisite Ministry More churches incorporated a multisite ministry model over the past decade, and the average number of campuses each church operates also increased. In 2010, there were 46 megachurches to medium churches using a multisite model; the total campuses at these churches was 125. This means the average multisite church had 2.7 campuses at the start of the decade. At the end of the decade, 65 megachurches to medium churches had multiple sites, representing a 41 percent increase. These churches operated a total of 242 campuses in 2019, an increase of 117 sites (94 percent) during the decade. An average multisite church today has 3.7 campuses. Twelve churches surveyed indicated they have plans to launch a multisite ministry model within the next year. This means only 3 percent of single-site churches we surveyed plan to switch to a multisite model. Emerging megachurches represented over half of these twelve churches with multisite plans followed by large churches that made up a third of the total. Some are predicting the 20-year multisite trend is ending. The increased use of online church in recent years likely has impacted multisite strategy plans to some degree. I predict current multisite churches will continue with that model. Some may spin off campuses to be stand-alone churches in the future; this would reflect a recent trend of some large multisite churches outside our movement. My hunch is that current multisite churches will continue to add and absorb more campuses through mergers and acquisitions in the coming years as smaller churches struggle to find ministry staff and remain financially viable. 2|42 Community Church in Michigan is a great

example of this; 2|42 added three existing churches averaging about 1,500 people during 2019.

Finances General fund giving and per-person giving both increased in the last decade. The adjusted average total general fund giving (based on the U.S. inflation calculator) for megachurches to medium churches in 2010 was $2,855,609. This figure increased 19 percent to $3,406,764 in 2019. Likewise, the per-person average weekly giving based on the general fund increased 5 percent during the decade. The average per-person weekly giving, adjusted for inflation, was $31.21 in 2010 and climbed to $32.68 last year. The debt load for the churches surveyed declined slightly throughout the last decade, when factoring in inflation. Again, looking at megachurches to medium churches, the inflation-adjusted debt load for the average church in 2010 was $4,740,164; this decreased 4 percent to an average debt load of $4,548,745 per church in 2019. Forty percent of the churches surveyed reported being debt free. Among very small churches, 93 percent reported having no debt; on the opposite extreme, only 11 percent of megachurches were debt free. The survey found that 70 percent of the 439 churches saw giving that either met or exceeded their budget. The combined average growth rate for these churches in 2019 was 3.5 percent. The 30 percent of churches that didn’t meet their budget declined in attendance 1.8 percent last year, on average. In the coming months, I will share more information and insights from our annual church survey on other topics not included in this piece. I hope these stories will help your church better evaluate your ministry. I’m excited to see what this new decade will bring for our churches as we continue to fulfill God’s mission in our communities and around the world. 

2019 Stats + Stories THIS YEAR WE ARE PRESENTING IN A SINGLE ISSUE T H E S TAT I S T I C S A N D S TO R I E S O F A L L S I X C H U R C H C AT E G O R I E S ( F R O M M E G AC H U R C H E S TO V E R Y S M A L L C H U R C H E S ) F R O M O U R A N N U A L S U R V E Y.

In these pages —and also online — we share not only average a t t e n d a n c e n u m b e r s b u t a l s o o t h e r v i t a l s t a t s s u c h a s t h e f a s t e s tg r o w i n g c h u r c h e s a n d t o p b a p t i s m r a t i o s i n e a c h c a t e g o r y.

We d o n ’ t h a v e r o o m t o d i s p l a y t h e s t a t i s t i c s f o r a l l s i x c h u r c h s i z e c a t e g o r i e s i n t h i s i s s u e, s o w e a r e p r o v i d i n g a f r e e P D F a t ChristianStandard.com t hat includes t he statistic s from all t he c h u r c h e s t h a t r e s p o n d e d t o o u r 2 019 s u r v ey.

M AY 2 0 2 0 C H R I S T I A N S TA N D A R D - 2 3 The figures that demonstrate grow th in our churches are as s i g n i f i c a n t t o d a y a s t h ey w e r e i n t h e e a r l y c h u r c h :

“ T h o s e w h o a c c e p t e d h i s m e s s a ge w e re b ap t i z e d , a n d ab o u t th re e th o u s a n d w e re a d d e d t o t h e i r n u m b e r t h a t d ay ” ( Ac t s 2 : 41). “A n d t h e L o rd a d d e d t o t h e i r n u m b e r d a i l y th o s e wh o w e re b e i ng s av e d” (2 : 4 7 ). “ Mo re a n d m o re m e n a n d w o m e n b e l i e v e d i n th e L o rd a n d w e re a d d e d to th e i r n u m b e r ” (5 :14). “ T h e n u m b e r o f d i s c i pl e s w a s i n c re a s i ng ” (6 :1). “ S o t h e w o rd o f G o d s p re a d . T h e n u m b e r o f d i s c i pl e s i n Je r u s al e m i n c re a s e d rap i dl y ” (6 :7 ). “ T h e ch u rch t h ro u g h o u t Ju d e a , G al i l e e a n d S a m a r i a . . . i n c re a s e d i n n u m b e r s” (9 : 31). “ S o t h e ch u rch e s w e re s t re ng t h e n e d i n th e fa i th a n d g re w d a i l y i n n u m b e r s” (16 : 5).

The churches in our sur vey saw many amazing kingdom a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s i n 2 019. F o r i n s t a n c e, o n e c h u r c h h a d 4 , 3 71 b a p t i s m s , a r e c o r d o v e r t h e h i s to r y o f o u r s u r v e y s . A l s o, t w o churches, a new church and an emerging megachurch, grew by more t h a n 10 0 p e r c e n t i n 2 019 ! A t o t a l o f 4 3 9 c h u r c h e s f i l l e d o u t o u r s u r v e y t h i s y e a r (a n o t h e r r e c o r d n u m b e r ! ). We t h a n k e v e r y c h u r c h f o r p a r t i c i p a t i n g; b e t t e r p a r t i c i p a t i o n m a ke s f o r m o r e a c c u r a t e d a t a . We c e l e b r a t e w i t h e v e r y c h u r c h t h a t i s c o m m i t t e d to c a r r y i n g o u t C h r i s t ’s m i s s i o n a n d s e e i n g G o d a d d to t h e i r n u m b e r s t h o s e b e i n g s a v e d . We p r a y t h a t o u r c h u r c h e s m a y c o n t i n u e to l e a r n f r o m o n e a n o t h e r a n d w o r k t o g e t h e r i n u n i t y to f u l f i l l t h e c o m m i s s i o n i n a w a y t h a t g l o r i f i e s G o d .

// M E G A

// E M E R G I N G M E G A

// L A R G E

IN ID

Lakeside CA Minooka

Prescott AZ

RISE CITY CHURCH

THE VILL AGE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

PRESCOTT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CORINTH CHRISTIAN CHURCH

MOMENTUM CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Roanoke VA

NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Loganville GA

McDonough GA

Pomona MO

Greeneville TN

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

POMONA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Springfield VA

Conway SC

Joplin MO

Danville

Colorado Springs CO

Ormond Beach

Joliet

Elkridge MD

Kansas City MO

Everett WA

THE JOURNEY CHURCH

EKKLESIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

HOPE CITY CHURCH

SECOND CHURCH OF CHRIST

ACADEMY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

S A LT Y C H U R C H

CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

MOSAIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH

RESTORE COMMUNITY CHURCH

NORTHSHORE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Goodyear AZ

THE REFINERY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Cor ydon

Louisville KY

NORTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

F I R S T C A P I TA L C H R I S T I A N

Anaheim CA

EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Post Falls

Phoenix AZ

South Por tland ME

Eagle

Chandler AZ

Whitestown

Wichita KS Mount Vernon

REAL LIFE MINISTRIES

C H R I S T ' S C H U R C H O F T H E VA L L E Y

EASTPOINT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

EAGLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CO M PA S S C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

TRADERS POINT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH

PAT H WAY C H U R C H

FA S TES T- GROWING CHURCHES

12.9%

13.3%

13.4%

15.7%

18.2%

19.7%

22.2%

22.7%

22.8%

73.2%

9.8%

9.9%

12.0%

12.6%

14.3%

16.0%

22.3%

36.4%

83.0%

110.7%

7.0%

7.3%

7.4%

8.3%

8.5%

9.8%

10.3%

11.8%

13.5%

Chandler AZ

Anaheim CA

EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Diamond Bar CA Nottingham MD

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Nor folk NE DIAMOND C ANYON CHRISTIAN CHURCH

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Bright

BRIGHT CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Jefferson GA

Hemet CA

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH GALILEE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Spring Hill TN

Greeley CO

Milledgeville GA

Conway SC

Waukesha WI

Jacksonville

Shiloh

Por t Charlotte

Trenton MI

Jeffersonville

Grand Island NE

WELLSPRING CHRISTIAN CHURCH

JOURNEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

NORTHRIDGE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

EKKLESIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

RIVERGLEN CHRISTIAN CHURCH

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

N E W DAY C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

Cor ydon

Colorado Springs CO

SOUTHPOINT COMMUNIT Y CHRISTIAN CHURCH

EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

THIRD CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

PIKES PEAK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

F I R S T C A P I TA L C H R I S T I A N

Ormond Beach

Savannah GA

CO M PA S S I O N C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

S A LT Y C H U R C H

San Dimas CA

ONEANDALL .CHURCH

Corona CA

Beloit WI

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Tucson AZ

Las Vegas NV

Phoenix AZ

Por ter Ranch CA

PA N TA N O C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

THE CROSSING, A CHRISTIAN CHURCH

C H R I S T â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S C H U R C H O F T H E VA L L E Y

SHEPHERD CHURCH

CO M PA S S C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

H I G H E S T B A P T I S M R AT I O S

7.8

7.9

8.4

9.1

9.8

10.5

10.6

11.1

12.2

16.5

10.4

10.8

11.2

11.5

12.2

12.3

12.8

8.8

9.5

9.7

10.5

10.8

12.7

13.2

// M E D I U M

// S M A L L

// V E R Y S M A L L

Mansfield OH

MCELROY ROAD CHURCH OF CHRIST

Harleyville SC

Sylvania OH

B O U L E VA R D C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

HARLEYVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Holyoke CO

Caledonia OH

Toledo OH

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CALEDONIA CHURCH OF CHRIST

CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Big Rapids MI

Stella NE

STELLA COMMUNITY CHURCH

RIVERSIDE: A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Licking MO

LICKING CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Richmond

W H I T E WAT E R C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

Lafayette

Ontario OH

BR ADY L ANE CHURCH

O N TA R I O C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

Inverness

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Cedar Park TX

R E N OVAT E C H U R C H Wyoming MI

Mt. Gilead OH

THE PINES CHRISTIAN CHURCH

WOODVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Gainesville GA

Ansonia CT

LANIER CHRISTIAN CHURCH

RECLAIM CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Loganspor t

Exton PA

C H U R C H O F C H R I S T AT L O G A N S P O R T

EXPERIENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Grand Junction CO

Griffith

Woodland Park CO

Lansing MI

Washington Court House OH

NORTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

GRIFFITH FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

I M PAC T C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

SOUTH LANSING CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CROSSROADS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Bristol TN

The Villages

NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

DISCOVERY CHURCH

Greentown

Newnan GA

F O U N DAT I O N C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

JEROME CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Woodstock GA

WOODSTOCK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

8.3%

8.8%

9.0%

12.3%

13.3%

15.0%

22.2%

33.3%

33.8%

35.7%

12.3%

12.7%

12.8%

13.0%

13.4%

13.6%

19.8%

26.3%

31.0%

127.0%

12.2%

13.0%

15.6%

16.8%

17.2%

18.6%

20.5%

24.4%

34.2%

44.7%

C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H AT R O M E

LESTER ROAD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

L AU R E L AV E N U E C H U RC H O F C H R I S T

LOUISVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

PILGRIM CHRISTIAN CHURCH

BEECHWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

LICKING CHRISTIAN CHURCH

DISCOVER POINT CHURCH

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST

PEELED OAK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

S H A S TA WAY C H R I S T I A N

RIDGEVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH

NASHVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST

CO M PA S S I O N C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

R E N OVAT E C H U R C H

AMITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

C H R I S T ’ S C H U R C H – F O R T WAY N E

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

O R A N G E PA R K C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

NEW HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

GRIFFITH FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

I S L A N D FA M I LY C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

CHILHOWIE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

F O U N DAT I O N C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

VERVE

LIFE SPRINGS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

SOUTH SIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST

JESSAMINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Nicholasville KY

Rome GA

Union City GA

Chesapeake VA

Louisville TN

Omaha NE

Alliance OH

Licking MO

Kettering OH

Fairborn OH

Owingsville KY

Klamath Falls OR

Rolla MO

Big Prairie OH

Delaware OH

Kansas City MO

Cedar Park TX

Amity OR

For t Wayne

Lincoln NE

Orange Park

Crawfordsville

Griffith

Honolulu

Chihowie VA

Newnan GA

Las Vegas NV

Monticello KY

Washington Court House OH

8.5

9.4

11.1

12.5

13.5

14.3

8.3

8.5

8.8

9.1

11.3

12.8

13.6

9.4

9.5

9.8

11.8

12.5

13.6

14.2

15.4

15.5

27.2

// G R O W T H

// V E R Y S M A L L

AV E R AG E AT T E N DA N C E

G R O W T H R AT E S

P E R C E N TAG E O F GROWING CHURCHES

// B A P T I S M

BAPTISMS

MOST BAPTISMS

B A P T I S M R AT I O S

// S M A L L

16 4

- 0.4%

2 .1%

FROM 1.7% 2018

FROM 0.3% IN 2018

44%

45%

189 PE O PL E

678 PEO PL E

AV E R AG E 3 P E R C H U R C H

AV E R AG E 8 P E R C H U R C H

PEELED OAK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

CHRIST’S CHURCH– F O R T WAY N E

4 .1

4 .9

OWINGSVILLE, KY

F O R T WAY N E , I N

// G I V I N G

BAPTISMS PER 100 PEOPLE I N AV E R AG E AT T E N DA N C E

GIVING AV E R A G E W E E K LY P E R - P E R S O N G I V I N G ( G E N E R A L F U N D O N LY )

OUTREACH

$ 31. 32

$34.88

$ 3.98 FROM 2018

$1. 2 3 F R O M 2 018

14 .7 %

14 . 3 %

53.5%

46.2%

PE R C E N TAG E O F T O TA L B U D G E T S PE N T ON MINISTRY “OUTSIDE THE WALL S”

S TA F F B U D G E T

// D E M O G R A P H I C S

PE R C E N TAG E O F T O TA L B U D G E T I N V E S T E D O N M I N I S T R Y S TA F F

S TAT E S W I T H M O S T

CHURCHES (ALL SIZES)

MEGACHURCHES

INDIANA — 65

I N D I A N A — 11

OHIO — 57

CALIFORNIA — 5

ILLINOIS — 31

ILLINOIS — 5

4 2 % O F C H U R C H E S T H AT R E P O R T E D A R E I N 4 S TAT E S , I N D I A N A , O H I O , I L L I N O I S , A N D K E N T U C K Y.

// M E D I U M

// L A R G E

354

737

1. 3%

2.6%

FROM 3.7% IN 2018

FROM 1.9 % IN 2018

50%

54%

1, 89 0 P E O P L E

3,062 PEOPLE

// E M E R G I N G M E G A

// M E G A

1, 3 4 8

5,76 5

4.2%

2.4%

F R O M 4 .1 % I N 2 0 1 8

FROM 6.6% IN 2018

60%

75%

5,423 PEOPLE

20,897 PEOPLE

AV E R AG E 21 P E R C H U R C H

AV E R AG E 3 8 P E R C H U R C H

AV E R AG E 8 5 P E R C H U R C H

AV E R AG E 418 P E R C H U R C H

JESSAMINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

EKKLESIA CHRISTIAN CHURCH

S A LT Y C H U R C H

CHRISTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHURCH O F T H E VA L L E Y

114

14 3

222

5.8

5 .1

6 .1

NICHOLASVILLE, KY

$32.59

$0.53 FROM 2018

C O N WAY, S C

$33.29

$0.65 FROM 2018

ORMOND BEACH, FL

PHOENIX, AZ

4,371

A RECORD NUMBER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR SURVEY

6.6

$ 31. 4 5

$33.34

$0.48 FROM 2018

$0.49 FROM 2018

15 . 5%

14 .7 %

14 . 3 %

12 .9 %

4 7. 4 %

49%

5 0 .1%

49. 5 %

OLDEST

NEWEST

F O U N D E D 18 0 0

F O U N D E D 2 0 19

COOL SPRING CHRISTIAN CHURCH

EXPERIENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH,

F O U N D E D 1814

F O U N D E D 2 018

K E Y S V I L L E , VA

COUNTRYSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST SEAMAN, OH

E X TO N , PA

F O U N DAT I O N C H R I S T I A N CHURCH

RIVERSIDE: A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

U B LY C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H

ONE CHURCH PITTSBURGH

NEWNAN, GA

F O U N D E D 1824 M O U N TA I N C H R I S T I A N C H U R C H J O PPA , M D

U B LY, M I

BIG RAPIDS, MI

PI T T S B U R G H , PA

2019 Spo tl ight C hurche s NUMBERS DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T TELL THE WHOLE STORY. READ THE STORIES BEHIND THE STATISTICS.

THIS ISSUE OF CHRISTIAN STANDARD SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON SIX CHURCHES THAT DID SOMETHING INTERESTING, SIGNIFICANT, OR IMPACTFUL IN 2019.

EAGLE, ID CHURCH SPOTLIGHT E agle C h r i s tian C hurch

AFTER 25 YEARS, CHURCH MINISTRY IS SOARING BY RICK CHROMEY

Nestled in the heart of southwestern Idaho is a church that’s spent a quarter century serving Treasure Valley communities, from Meridian to Emmett and Boise to Caldwell. The aptly named Eagle Christian Church has spread its wings in recent years, expanding in 2019 to three campuses in Surprise Valley (east Boise), central valley (Eagle), and west valley (Nampa/Caldwell). The church also built a new administration building last year to better accommodate staff offices and leadership meetings. Founded in 1995 in Dr. Steve Crane’s living room, Eagle Christian Church started small but now averages more than 3,500 people at seven services every weekend. The church’s livestream attracts many additional followers to dynamic worship by Christian recording artist Scott Riggan and engaging expository messages by Crane. More than 250 people were immersed in 2019, including

2019 CHURCH STATS 73 at a late-summer river baptism celebration— an annual tradition. Crane also leads dozens from the church on an annual pilgrimage to the Holy Land, an experience that serves as an extended teaching opportunity. It’s a church on the go . . . and the grow. Bill Krause, minister of administration, enthusiastically shared how “people come to church for the preaching and worship but are funneled into small groups and ministry teams.” Krause’s passion for recovery work and expertise in leadership and Christian education has helped ECC to deepen discipleship and equipping. The church now has 120 life groups that meet in various locations, from private homes to restaurants to the church building. “Every group is a life group at Eagle Christian Church,” explained Krause, who also developed the small-group practices at Jim Putman’s Real Life ministries in Post Falls, Idaho. The ministries of Eagle Christian target all ages. Its mission is to reach with the gospel, teach for maturity, equip for ministry, and send into mission. With a professional staff of nearly 30 people and hundreds of volunteers, Eagle Christian Church features specialized ministries for the deaf, grieving, and addicted. More than 200 women attend a weekly ladies’ Bible study. Dozens of trained lay ministers serve in the Stephen Ministry. And the Starting Point ministry—featuring 101, 201, 301, and 401 classes that assimilate firsttime guests into family—continues to grow. Crane summarizes his church’s journey: “It has been a remarkable blessing to see what God has done over the last 25 years, and I’m even more excited to see what God has in store for our future.” Eagle Christian Church is flying high . . . and making a difference. 

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

3,577

CAMPUSES

BAPTISMS

251

BAPTISM RATIO

7. 0

FOUNDED

1995

SENIOR MINISTER

S te ve Crane

WEBSITE

eaglech ristianchurch .com

FACEBOOK

/e c c c e n t r a l v a l l e y

Dr. Rick Chromey is the founder and president of MANNA! Educational Services International. He has empowered leaders to lead, teachers to teach, and parents to parent for over three decades. He lives in Star, Idaho, with his wife, Linda. mannasolutions.org

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BATAVIA, OH CHURCH SPOTLIGHT Mount Carmel Christian Church

SPIRITUAL GROWTH EMPHASIS SPURS NUMERICAL GROWTH BY RICK LOWRY

Mount Carmel Christian Church in Batavia, Ohio (about 20 miles east of Cincinnati), has experienced significant growth in recent years. Didi Bacon became senior minister 21 years ago when the church averaged about 400 in worship. In 2015, Mount Carmel moved into a beautiful new facility and now consistently averages more than 1,000. Bacon and the rest of the staff are convinced a major reason for the numerical growth has been their emphasis on spiritual growth. Teaching minister Tim Peace, who works with groups, said a significant dialogue started when the church elders and Bacon, along with other staff ministers, traveled together to the National Discipleship Forum in Nashville and became convinced they needed to get more serious about discipling. They concluded the leaders of the church should pioneer the way.

2019 CHURCH STATS From the beginning, the goal was to launch a discipleship movement that would multiply throughout the church. Peace and a team composed of staff and others were tasked with developing easy-to-use materials for disciplers to help everyone move in the same direction. The team created tools based on the books of Genesis and Mark to help a leader work though a yearlong process culminating in all of the group’s members creating yearlong groups of their own using the same approach.

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

1,046

CAMPUSES

BAPTISMS

BAPTISM RATIO

5.0

FOUNDED

1968

SENIOR MINISTER

Didi Bacon

WEBSITE

mtcar melchurch .org

FACEBOOK

/m t c a r m e l c h u r c h

TWITTER

@ mtcar melchurch

INSTAGRAM

@l i fe a t m o u n t c a r m e l

The result is a simple, grassroots method that Peace called a “one with three” approach to discipling. It works like this: Year one: One leader hosts three people for a year. Year two: The leader serves as coach of the three members of his or her original group as each of them leads three more people using the same materials. Year three: The original leader plays a “grandparent” role, while their original three group members become coaches for the nine people from their groups who are now discipling others. This structure allows for an unlimited discipleship movement to take hold in the church—and, hopefully, Peace said, beyond their church. Mount Carmel’s leaders acknowledge this method is a marathon, not a sprint, and that it may take years to see their discipling vision fulfilled. The elders and staff piloted the idea the first year, and members of their original groups currently are discipling others. Church leaders say they still are on the front end of this idea, but a definite change in attitude and purpose among leadership has taken root, and it’s beginning to rub off on others. 

Rick Lowry has served as spiritual growth pastor at First Church, Burlington, Kentucky, since 2011. His favorite part of church is seeing people grow in small groups.

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RICHARDSON, TX CHURCH SPOTLIGHT

TEXAS CHURCH TAKES ON ‘GUEST-READY’ INITIATIVE— AND GROWS IN THE MEANTIME BY CHRIS MOON

Ce n tral C h r i s tian C hurch

Central Christian Church in Richardson, Texas, knew it had its work cut out for it. The 55-year-old congregation had gone through hard times. In 2017, declining attendance had left just 80 people in the pews, down from more than 200. Financially, the church was struggling. It needed a pastor. And its building had some deferred maintenance needs. “They were very demoralized,” said Philip Claycomb, the church’s senior pastor. Claycomb, who also leads Nexus Church Planting & Leader Care, began working with the church quarter-time in June 2018. The congregation had a new set of elders who were intent on turning things around, he said. The first task, though, was to get ready to grow. And so Central Christian Church, located in a suburb northeast of Dallas, launched its “guest-ready” initiative. The aim was to make the church inviting for newcomers. Chuck Supan, a church elder, said there have been two emphases to the project: people and place. Leaders chose to focus first on updating the aging building, which still had carpet dating to 1989, the year it was built.

2019 CHURCH STATS “It was pretty bad,” Supan said. An interior decorator helped create a to-do list, which elders entrusted to a committee to work on. The church used fifth-Sunday offerings from 2019—$36,000 in all—to help pay for the building improvements.

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

110

CAMPUSES

BAPTISMS

BAPTISM RATIO

3.6

And third, they will be the best neighbors they can be. They will live “questionable lives” by conducting themselves in a Christlike manner and serving their neighbors, inducing conversations that lead naturally to evangelistic opportunities.

FOUNDED

1965

So far so good, Supan said. “We’re seeing people all getting on the same page.”

SENIOR MINISTER

Philip Claycomb

As the work continues, Claycomb credits the church’s elders for their willingness to try new ideas, and turning loose of some control to those who wanted to serve. He also credited the congregation for their willingness to help out where needed.

WEBSITE

ce n tral r ichard s o n . co m

FACEBOOK

/Central-Christian-Church-117134404972826

“We’re happy that the congregation trusts us, because the giving didn’t really decline, which is nice,” Supan said. Today, the church’s foyer has been enlarged, and all the flooring in the building has been replaced with new carpet and vinyl. The church is working on interior signage and décor, trying to warm up the building’s atmosphere. Eventually there will be improvements to landscaping and a new street sign, Claycomb said. As the building has become more “guest ready,” the church has grown. Average attendance climbed to 110 in 2019. This year, greater attention has turned to the people of the church, with elders laying out a three-step strategy for church members to make themselves “guest ready.” First, members will expect God to do more. Second, they will remember that lost people matter to God and that a healthy church will grow.

“It’s a good story,” Claycomb said. “It’s a story, hopefully, of redemption.”  Chris Moon is a pastor and writer living in Redstone, Colorado.

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ROLLA, MO CHURCH SPOTLIGHT Ridge v ie w C h r i s tian C hurch

GROWTH IN NEW DIRECTIONS BY TR ROBERTSON

When Adam Bloch began his ministry at Ridgeview Christian Church in 2013, the congregation had just gone through a tough year. Ridgeview’s longtime minister had retired, 13 church members had passed away, and morale was low. A hiring committee member told Bloch, “We can be a good place for someone to get a few years of ministry experience before they go somewhere else.” “Being in my first full-time ministry,” Bloch said, “I’m not sure if I provided any stability for a while, but after a few years Ridgeview started to grow.” Most of the growth, Bloch said, has been in young families and college students. “We set out to purposefully attract young families, with the idea that families with children attract families with children.”

2019 CHURCH STATS Bloch’s wife is an experienced children’s minister. They expanded the junior worship program to a full-service program and changed its location from the dark church basement to the church gym. Bloch credits a new youth minister with leading the subsequent charge to completely redo the children’s areas.

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

181

“The junior worship was moved back to the basement, but only after walls were demolished, space was opened up, new drywall went in, and all of the children’s classrooms received fresh coats of paint with bright colors and murals,” he said. “The nursery has been updated, then moved, and then moved again.”

CAMPUSES

BAPTISMS

BAPTISM RATIO

8.3

FOUNDED

1950

SENIOR MINISTER

Ad am Bloch

WEBSITE

ridgecc.com

FACEBOOK

/Ridge v ie w CC

Ridgeview also benefitted from a major highway project. The city bought and demolished about 40 neighborhood properties adjacent to the church property and turned them into a new highway extension that connected Ridgeview Road to Interstate 44. As part of that project, the city bought the church’s parking lot property, and a new lot was built on a different side of the church building. As a result, the new highway extension delivers travelers directly to a new major retailer across from the church . . . and to the entrance to the new church parking lot. The congregation has undergone a capital campaign to reconfigure the building. The front of the building—including a new foyer and fellowship space—will now face the parking lot and the incoming traffic. In anticipation of future growth, they’ve also converted the old gym into a larger multipurpose worship space. “God has blessed Ridgeview Christian Church with a good location, with growth, and with energy,” according to the RCC website. “We are excited for what God has in store and don’t want any of our facilities to stand in the way of more people calling on the name of the Lord.”  TR Robertson is a freelance writer living in Columbia, Missouri. @ byTRRobertson 1roadtraveled.blogspot.com

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JEFFERSON, GA CHURCH SPOTLIGHT

WE WANTED TO MAKE MORE DISCIPLES, SO WE PLANNED ON IT BY NICK VIPPERMAN

Gal i lee C h r i s tian C hurch

In late 2018, Galilee Christian Church in Jefferson, Georgia, decided we would focus on making disciples in 2019. Those of us who have served in ministry for any amount of time know this can be a challenge; it’s easy to have our focus pulled in a hundred directions. So we took some very specific steps to see our goal come to fruition. We communicated and prayed. As we were heading into 2019, we spent many hours talking about what we wanted to do in 2019. We made a concerted effort to cast vision and move beyond the status quo. We asked for everyone to pray that our church would make more disciples than ever before in 2019, what we began calling “The Year of the Disciple.” We took a similar approach to the “Who’s Your One?” which is popular in many churches. (It’s something I first heard about from Bo Chancey.) We put our own “Galilee spin” on it and simply called it, “Reach One” (#reachone). Every member of our church would make a concerted effort to bring one person to Christ in 2019. We set scary goals. We decided to truly challenge our congregation to personally make disciples, and not just invite people to church. Our discipleship minister, Joey Durmire, offered training on how to make disciples, and then, to begin the year, I built on that training by preaching a sermon series to help instill this vision throughout the congregation. We then set the scary goals. We explained that each week we would track three things: the number of “shares,” “discipling effort,” and those individuals who gave their life to Jesus in baptism.

2019 CHURCH STATS A share was simply sharing the gospel with someone during the week. We emphasized that not everyone decides to follow Jesus the first time you speak with them about the Lord. So, in most situations, a discipling effort was going to be an ongoing conversation. Then of course, every time someone did come to Jesus, we tracked it. This was scary to me as a church leader. Would I be embarrassed every week when no one shared or engaged in a discipling effort . . . and the baptistry waters went unstirred? I decided if I couldn’t have big faith and overcome my own fear of embarrassment, how could I expect anyone else to? We made it tangible. It is challenging for a church to maintain focus on a central theme or idea for an entire year. All churches and their human leaders are busy and can become easily distracted. The most effective thing we did was also the most “outside the box.” We put a giant “Reach One” board on our stage for most of the year. It was unavoidable and inescapable. Each week we tracked the shares, discipling effort, and baptisms via our “Connect Card.” Then during the week, we would light the individual lights that corresponded to those three areas of focus. A white light means a share, a yellow light means walking with someone in a discipling effort, and a green light means a baptism. So, every week this yearlong focus was front and center. Now came the nerve-racking part: Would these lights be lit? Or would our congregation be staring at a dark board week after week? I was extremely anxious as we cast vision, prayed, and waited after that first week of the new year. How did it go? We were blown away! Our church got busy making disciples. Every week there were 20 or 30 shares and 10 to 15 people discipling someone. And the greatest news: We averaged more than one baptism per week, 60 baptisms in all, during 2019! This was more than double our average number of baptisms over the last few years. And beyond these numbers, more families have joined our church and more people have rededicated their lives to Christ than ever before!  Nick Vipperman has served as senior minister at Galilee Christian Church in Jefferson, Georgia, for eight years.

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

615

CAMPUSES

BAPTISMS

BAPTISM RATIO

9.8

FOUNDED

1870

SENIOR MINISTER

Nick Vipperman

WEBSITE

gal i lee .org

FACEBOOK

/G a l i l e e C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h

/nickvnc @nickvga @NickVipperman galilee.org /user839488

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BLOOMINGTON, IN CHURCH SPOTLIGHT South Un ion C h r i s tian C hurch

PRAYER AS A WAY OF LIFE . . . AND MINISTRY BY MELISSA WUSKE

From the outside, it seems South Union Christian Church caught a lucky break—but minister Jim Cain and his church know different. The church was outgrowing its building, unsure what to do next, when it received a donation of 83 acres right off the highway in December 2018. Location has always been a challenge for the church, which is still waiting to move to its new site. “We are currently four miles off the highway, out in the country next to a stone quarry,” said Cain, who has been ministering with the church for 32 years. “You really have to want to come to South Union to get here.” Despite the location, the church has steadily grown, from 14 on Cain’s first Sunday to averaging about 450 each Sunday, and 776 on Easter 2019. But the biggest change in the church, he said, is “we’ve become a house of prayer.” More than a decade ago, Cain and some area preachers traveled to Brooklyn

2019 CHURCH STATS and visited with Jim Cymbala, who encouraged them to allow time for the Holy Spirit after preaching a sermon. “Jesus didn’t say my house should be a house of preaching but a house of prayer,” Cain remembers Cymbala saying. Cain spends “large amounts of time in prayer.” “I start every day with an hour of prayer. And then I come to work and it’s another hour and a half. My alarm on my watch goes off every hour all day long every day to remind me who I am and what I’m about.” It’s a way of life that extends to the staff of the church. Each person takes a day of solitude each quarter, and staff solitude retreats build unity. Most staff members have been with South Union for many years. “When people come, they normally stay,” said Cain. “It’s not normal, but it works really well here.” The renewed focus on prayer caused the church to face a decision about their building. The church prayed and fasted for two weeks, and not just from food. “Some of our teenagers fasted from their phones and their laptops,” Cain said. “And that’s when we were, just out of nowhere, given 83 acres of prime real estate.” From that exciting start, progress has been slow. Cain and his congregation have faced months of red tape, and they’re still waiting to be able to get a permit even for the driveway. But they watched, through prayer, as God provided the land, so they are persevering in prayer, knowing God will provide again.

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

450

CAMPUSES

BAPTISMS

BAPTISM RATIO

2.2

FOUNDED

late 1800s

SENIOR MINISTER

Jim Cain

WEBSITE

southunioncc.com

FACEBOOK

/S o u t hU n i o n C h r i s t i a n C h u rc h

Abiding in Christ is the key, Cain said. “It’s gonna sound cheesy, it just is. My life Scripture is John 15. If you abide, it just happens. If you abide, you bear fruit. If you don’t, you burn up pretty quick. If you connect with him, he does exactly what he promised.”  Melissa Wuske is a freelance editor and writer. She and her husband, Shawn, and their son, Caleb, live and minister in Cincinnati.

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the opportunities right in front of us H O W W E â&#x20AC;&#x2122; V E M A D E A N I M P A C T I N O U R C I T Y I N W AY S W E N E V E R E N V I S I O N E D

BY CHRIS PHILBECK

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S E V E R A L Y E A R S A G O AT A M E G A C H U R C H PA S TO R S CO N FER EN C E , I H E A R D B E N M E R O L D S AY S O M E T H I N G I ’ L L N E V E R F O R G E T: “ S O M E T I M E S O U R O PP O R T UNITIE S B ECO ME OUR V I S I O N .” VISION IS A POWERFUL THING, BUT VISION IN THE LOC AL CHURCH CAN SOMETIMES BE MORE ABOUT A DVA N C I N G T H E P L A N S O F M A N T H A N FOLLOWING THE LE ADING OF GOD . . . AND SOME TIMES IT IS NOTHING MORE T H A N T R Y I N G T O R E P L I C AT E E X I S T I N G MODEL S OF SUCCESS . THERE SHOULD BE A LE VEL OF UNIQUENESS ABOUT OUR VISION FOR THE CHURCH GOD HAS C A L L E D U S T O S T E W A R D , A N D T H AT UNIQUENES S OF TEN IS CONNEC TED TO OUR OPPORTUNITIES .

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I had been senior pastor at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana, for several years when a woman approached me about starting a clothing ministry. I wasn’t interested in such a ministry, but because of her persistence, I finally said yes with the stipulation that she would organize it and run it. Our church owned an empty house across the street, so we made that available. To make a long story short, the clothing ministry “blew up,” and in a short period of time, hundreds of people were coming each month for clothes, toiletries, and household goods. We started a food pantry in another house, and the outcome was the same—“business” was booming. I’d love to say this all was the result of my vision, but that would be a lie because neither ministry was even on my radar. But then I remembered Ben’s words, “Sometimes our opportunities become our vision.” So, I went to work raising money for a campus expansion that included a new 15,000-square-foot building we would call the IMPACT Center to house these ministries. (I love the word impact.) Now, every week, in four services on what we call IMPACT Thursday and IMPACT Saturday, we serve between 350 and 400 families. When we moved into the IMPACT Center, I remember thinking, There’s no set model of what church looks like today. With that in mind, along with the description of the first church—“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42)—we began to have church in all of our IMPACT Thursday and Saturday services, and the result has been powerful. We hired an IMPACT Center pastor and, with the help of some great volunteers along with our staff serving on a rotating basis, the ministry continues to grow. Each service begins with a time of fellowship that includes food (the breaking of bread). Next, we move into a time of worship, and then teaching, prayer, and a time of giving. We don’t take Communion every week, but it is a part of special services. And people are being baptized. Our IMPACT Center pastor does everything a regular pastor does—from visitation to counseling to performing weddings—and we have a genuine church service that ends with all in attendance having the opportunity to shop for food and clothes. There are times when the IMPACT service I attend, be it Thursday or Saturday, feels more like church than our regular weekend services, because the IMPACT people are so real.

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IT BEGAN WITH A CLOTHING MINISTRY

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what would the future of the church look like i f, instead of trying to copy the model of successful churche s i n other places, we a sked questions?

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R E P R O D U C I N G T H E I M PAC T One Thursday, as I stood in the IMPACT Center, I asked myself, How can we take this ministry to underserved and underresourced neighborhoods in the Greater Indianapolis area? That question ultimately led us to identify a neighborhood called Old Southside located just south of downtown Indy. Old Southside is a racially diverse, low-income neighborhood with a lot of need. In praying about how we might impact this neighborhood, I came up with a threefold strategy. We would live in the neighborhood, learn about the neighborhood, and love the neighborhood. We hired an IMPACT Old Southside pastor, and we bought and remodeled a house that he and his wife ultimately bought from us. They moved in with their three children and began to learn about the needs of the people. As a result, we started loving the neighborhood in a variety of ways that included such things as community meals, support and recovery groups, and various children’s ministries. We bought a building and remodeled it into an IMPACT Center that loves the neighborhood and provides it with a café, an inexpensive laundromat, showers, a food co-op, and after-school programming for kids. But the best thing we’ve done is plant a church that meets on Sunday nights around a meal. (Remember there’s no set model of what a church looks like today.) After five months, IMPACT Old Southside Christian Church has grown from 0 to 75, and we’ve already had several baptisms.

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E X PA N D I N G T H E I M PAC T In the middle of launching IMPACT Old Southside, a man reached out to us on behalf of Fairfax Christian Church on the near west side of Indianapolis. The Fairfax neighborhood is very much like Old Southside, but with the added component of high crime. The church had declined to about 30 people and soon would need to close the doors. The neighborhood had changed over time, but the ministry of the church had remained the same. As a result, the church endured a steady decline. After meeting with their leadership, I went to Fairfax one Sunday morning to preach and answer questions about what the future would look like if Mount Pleasant “acquired” their church. It may sound heavyhanded, but it was important to let them know this wouldn’t be a merger, but an acquisition. A week later, the members voted unanimously to give us their church. We agreed on a timeline for the conclusion of Fairfax Christian Church and the beginning of IMPACT Fairfax Christian Church. We would follow the same strategy and live in the neighborhood, learn about the neighborhood, and love the neighborhood. We hired an IMPACT Fairfax pastor and bought a house near the church that he and his family will purchase when the remodel is complete. Today we are loving the community through various neighborhood events, an after-school program, and an outreach night. In addition, our Mount Pleasant IMPACT Center provides a “pop up” food pantry and clothing ministry at Fairfax once each month. Even though the members of Fairfax Christian Church voted unanimously to turn their ministry over to us, not everyone stayed. Still, we have been able to replant this church with the help of Mount Pleasant members who have made IMPACT Fairfax their new church home. (You don’t have to go overseas to be a missionary.) For the first time in many years, this church is beginning to grow, and we’ve already had multiple baptisms. Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10). We’re seeing the reality of those words as our IMPACT Ministries continue to grow. Mount Pleasant’s most recent acquisition was Bethany Christian Church, another Indianapolis-area church that had declined and could no longer keep their doors open without help. Following the same live, learn, love IMPACT strategy, as well as the commitment of Mount Pleasant members to be a part of this new campus, we’ve been able to replant the church as IMPACT Bethany Christian Church and, like IMPACT Fairfax, the church is starting to grow and people are being baptized.

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“Sometimes our opportunities become our vision.” That simple statement has played out at Mount Pleasant Christian Church. Today, our IMPACT Ministries are reaching urban neighborhoods in Indianapolis by building IMPACT centers designed to love their neighborhoods and then plant a church, or by acquiring declining churches and replanting them to love their neighborhoods. I believe this reflects Jesus’ incarnational ministry as described by his disciple, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14, The Message). Today about 3,800 people worship each weekend at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood and about 700 people worship at our three IMPACT campuses, and the number is growing. This is just the beginning for us because we are regularly praying for the Lord to lead us to our next IMPACT campus in the Greater Indianapolis area. We even have a vision for IMPACT campuses that could be planted in different parts of the world through our global partners. And it all began with a clothing ministry. What would the future of the church look like if, instead of trying to copy the model of successful churches in other places, we asked questions? Questions like, “What has God uniquely gifted and equipped us to do?” or “How can we begin to identify and meet the needs of our neighborhood or neighborhoods around us?” or “What opportunity or opportunities are right in front of us?” Because, sometimes our opportunities become our vision. 

Chris Philbeck has been in full-time ministry since 1980 and the senior pastor at Mount Pleasant Christian Church since 2001. He loves to preach and has a passion for discovering new ways to impact the world with the good news that Jesus came to bring a new and better life. /PastorCPhilbeck @cphilbeck @pastorphilbeck

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P R AY I N G F O R G R E AT E R I M P A C T

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what's in the ater?

When consumed, it hydrates. When boiled, it disinfects. When we bathe in it, our body is cleansed. This simple combination of hydrogen and oxygen, water truly is a precious, versatile commodity. Similarly, the waters of baptism provide the participant with unimaginable benefits. Baptism floods the spirit with divine blessings. And yet baptism is distinct from our daily uses of water that require no special qualification. Atheist and Christian, male and female, king and servantâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;we all receive the same benefit when water is consumed. But in baptism, the water produces powerful effects promised only to those who meet specific conditions.

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Faith, Repentance, Baptism . . . Transformation When a repentant believer confesses Jesus as Lord and is immersed into Christ, the new Christian is flooded with life-altering, eternal blessings. Various New Testament passages emphasize that when baptism is combined with faith and repentance, the participant’s soul undergoes a staggering transformation. (Consider John 3:1-8; Mark 16:15, 16; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:36-39; 22:16; Romans 6:1-7; Galatians 3:26, 27; Colossians 2:11-13; Titus 3:1-7; 1 Peter 3:21.) Scripture indicates baptism is the pivotal event in which salvation gifts are received, including forgiveness of sins, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the new birth. These blessings are so connected to baptism and so welded with repentant faith that legitimately we can affirm that the transaction occurs “in the water” of baptism. In all related passages—and this is greatly significant—the act of baptism itself must be accompanied with a heart-response of faith and repentance. Clearly the water has no inherent power. The salvation gifts imparted in the water are activated, so to speak, by a response of repentant faith. (For a more in-depth exploration, consider these excellent works: Baptism: A Biblical Study, by Jack Cottrell, and Baptism in the New Testament, by G.R. Beasley Murray. In addition, chapter 13, “Baptism and Grace,” in Cottrell’s Set Free addresses objections to the biblical position.) And yet, for centuries the issue of baptism has been mired in controversy. The water designed to unite us with Christ and with other believers has for centuries been a thorny issue dividing many who profess Christ. The controversy has generally involved three issues: • The form of baptism: How is one to be baptized? • The candidate for baptism: Who is qualified to be baptized? • The results of baptism: What actually occurs in the life of the baptized believer in the water? Historically, Restoration Movement churches have maintained that the Scriptures are quite clear. As such, baptism in Christ was offered to repentant believers who were immersed in water and emerged forgiven, saved, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

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Ancient Teachings on Baptism In my ministry, when I sit down with unbelievers and guide them through passages related to saving grace and baptism, with few exceptions I have observed they have little difficulty connecting faith, repentance, baptism, and salvation. In contrast, when interacting with evangelical folks, I usually encounter resistance. Many evangelicals suspect this interpretation of baptism to be a new teaching, and consequently approach it skeptically. Very few realize this teaching is not a recent innovationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it is ancient. It originated in the first century in New Testament writings and continued for succeeding centuries. For the first two centuries of the church, the default position was that baptism by immersion of repentant believers resulted in forgiveness of sins. An abundance of quotations from early church leaders confirm this. (Helpful resources include A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, edited by David W. Bercot, and The Emergence of the Church by Arthur G. Patzia.) The early church fathers confirmed this in the Nicene Creed (A.D. 381): â&#x20AC;&#x153;We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.â&#x20AC;? The Restoration Movement position on baptism makes us an oddity in the eyes of many evangelicals. It also presents challenges as we relate with those of evangelical faith. Is it possible in the coming years we might witness increased openness to the scriptural position?

Challenges for Restoration Churches A welcome trend has emerged: Many evangelical New Testament scholars acknowledge that baptism is indeed connected with receiving salvation. A perusal of recent commentaries and writings of many current scholars indicate a movement toward this ancient position. D. A. Carson, Everett F. Harrison, Edwin Blum, Robert Stein, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Arthur G. Patzia represent a small sampling of New Testament scholars who present a connection between faith and baptism in the salvation event. Yet this trend has been slow to gain traction in the majority of evangelical churches. It seems to have slipped under the radar. Perhaps, given time, we will see increased openness.

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This presents challenges for Restoration churches. How are we to relate to those who hold to key gospel elements, but don’t share our understanding of baptism? How do we approach those who demonstrate strong faith in Christ, yet have not been immersed? These issues are not new. But as more evangelical believers intersect with Christian churches, these concerns have become more prominent. Most Christian churches have had to wrestle with issues such as these: • How much of an issue should we make concerning New Testament baptism? • Will our emphasis on baptism deter people from joining us? • Should we sacrifice potential growth for the sake of maintaining a biblical position? • Do we simply agree to disagree on this issue? • Is it possible to overemphasize baptism? • How important is it to take an uncompromising stand on the biblical practice of baptism? The Bible is clear on what happens in the waters. The question some Restoration leaders must negotiate is: How much does it matter? How important is it to emphasize and clarify the baptism passages? To do so is time-consuming. And doing so risks alienating prospective members. Is biblical teaching on baptism important enough to possibly offend some and cause them to walk away? Are we willing to pay that price? Despite baptism’s controversial nature, we must reject the temptation to choose pragmatism over truth. Loving people and avoiding truth do not mix. At the same time, we must give baptism its proper emphasis, neither underemphasizing it nor elevating it beyond its intended role.

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Ironically, we live in an era when many evangelical believers are drawn to Restoration churches. They like our commitment to core biblical teachings. Yet many hesitate because of our position on baptism. Some attend our services and even become members, even though they aren’t comfortable with our position on baptism.

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If in the academic world many have arrived at the New Testament position, is it possible that their influence will act as leaven, and, in time, stimulate increasing numbers of evangelical preachers to rethink their position? Do we have reason to hope that at some point we will find common ground with a significant number of evangelicals on the issue of baptism? I suggest we raise our hopes for a new day when we witness a return to the biblical teaching and practice of baptism that extends beyond Restoration churches. God could use us for such an awakening. Perhaps we can personally engage in meaningful dialogue with evangelical leaders whom we know. I know some already do so. Such dialogue need not be caustic. Friends getting together to explore the Word together, relying on the Holy Spirit, can bear much fruit. Here are seven ideas that might help in such dialogue: 1. Find common ground for agreement. This should include the authority of Scripture over tradition and the centrality of the gospel. 2. Be a good listener. Seek to understand not just their positions but also their rationale. At the same time, don’t be bashful or apologetic in presenting a solid case for biblical baptism. 3. In addition to citing Scriptures, refer to the multiple references of early church leaders that confirm this position. This demonstrates this teaching isn’t a recent fad but has roots from the beginning of the church. 4. Be humble, gracious, and patient. Don’t expect doctrinal beliefs to change instantly. Anticipate ongoing discussions rather than a one-and-done debate. Ask God to allow the seed of his Word to germinate and ultimately bear fruit. 5. Anticipate learning from Bible-embracing evangelical leaders. We should come together as co-learners. 6. Acknowledge that God and his Word are our only authority. Ultimately, we must put our confidence in the power of Scripture, not in clever arguments. 7. Pray for a mighty work of God. Each generation of believers encounters challenges and opportunities. In our era, perhaps we will witness a new movement among those calling on the name of Jesus. Let’s pray for such an awakening. 

Michael D. McCann serves as senior minister of First Christian Church in Leesburg, Florida.

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Opportunities for Unity

Why We Invite All Our New Members to Our Home for Dinner

and how we do it By Drew Sherman

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Over the last 13 years we have hosted more than 3,000 of our church family in our home. (That’s not a misprint!) During that time, our church attendance has grown from 1,500 to more than 6,000. God called my wife and me to Highland Meadows Christian Church near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in the summer of 2002. Four years later we changed our name to Compass Christian Church because we thought it better fit our plan for multisite ministry. We were excited about our rapid growth but concerned we were growing too busy to get to know the new people choosing to call Compass home. So, in 2006, we started what we call the New Member Gathering in our home. We felt a strong desire to connect with the amazing Christ followers who were coming through the doors at Compass and it was time to try something new. The premise was (and is) simple: We invite anyone who has been baptized or joined Compass to our home for dinner. We’ve been doing it for more than a dozen years, and it’s been a truly amazing experience. Friends constantly tell me, “You guys are too large to continue New Member Gathering.” But I disagree. Having these people in our home has proven to be a great way for us to connect personally with God’s people. As a side benefit, we consistently hear people say they can’t believe they are invited to the pastor’s home in a church our size. Many have told us it’s a big part of how we are developing our “invite culture.” Our people say it allows them to have a cool conversation with friends who are considering a visit to Compass. When strangers say our church is “too big,” our people often respond with something like, “You know, I’ve been to the pastor’s house for dinner, so it’s clearly a very personal place.”

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How We Make It Work Many friends have asked me how we are able to manage this process. It’s actually not complex. We have the event 10 times a year, averaging about every five weeks or so. Even after all these years, the agenda has remained simple. We invite new members by mail and by text. Michelle and I host it in our home on Tuesday evenings. People arrive at 6:15 p.m. and are welcomed by three to five staff members/greeters who hand out name tags and get acquainted with people as they come in. A parking attendant helps guests park and a security team member makes sure everyone is safe. The meal is catered, and our average crowd is between 35 and 45 people. We’ve had as many as 75 and as few as 4 (because of a January ice storm). We pray and eat and have lots of conversation around the tables. Staff pastors are strategically seated at each table to help keep conversations moving. Michelle and I float around the room talking and serving coffee and dessert. At about 7:00 we gather everyone in our large living room, and we ask each person to introduce themselves and share one thing they love about Compass. (We have a covert member of our story team there taking notes to get ideas for future videos!) These testimonies give us a great feel for what best connects with our people and it has become invaluable to our leadership. As the evening winds down, Michelle and I share about our family and tell the story of how we came to Compass. I usually offer a sneak peek at what’s next at Compass and what I’m most excited about. We close in prayer and ask people to take a group picture with us. Everyone is dismissed at about 7:30. We all say farewell at the door as our new church family members leave. Staff members help Michelle and I clean up and we are all finished by 8 p.m.

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Why It's WOrth it For Us Most pastors long for a feeling of authenticity for their church. New Member Gathering has become a tool to make sure we connect with people on a personal level as we grow larger; it also helps us keep our ear to the ground with what people are dealing with. Best of all, we hear story after story of how God uses our weak, human efforts to change the lives of people in our church! The encouragement alone has been worth every late night, every dirty dish, and every parking problem. It’s a monthly experience that feeds our fire for the Lord, for his people, and for our ministry. I’m grateful we’ve kept it going—it’s a chance for a simple, authentic Acts 2 experience in our church in spite of the complex nature of our programming and facilities. Feel free to contact Compass if you are interested in something like this. We would love to help you get it started! 

Drew Sherman serves as lead pastor of Compass Christian Church. Compass is one church with four locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Drew and Michelle have served Compass for 18 years. @pastor_drew @drew_sherman

A WARNING

FROM EPHESUS . . . AND JESUS’ SOLUTION FOR WHEN A CHURCH LOSES ITS FIRST LOVE

The Ephesian church was a firstcentury megachurch that had everything, and then, by all historical accounts, lost everything.

Ephesus was the sort of city Paul liked to target: a hub of culture and a place of notoriety. He knew if he could plant the gospel in Ephesian “soil,” it would spread. Ephesus was a major commercial center—three trade highways ran through it—it was a port town, and it was a tourist hub. One of the seven wonders of the world, the temple to the goddess Artemis, was located there. Some estimate the city’s population at a quarter-million people—massive for the time. Acts 19 gives a glimpse of the efforts Paul made at establishing a church there. In fact, during his time in Ephesus, Paul seems supercharged unlike any time in his ministry. The apostle preached boldly for months, built a large following, and held daily discussions in the lecture hall of the pagan philosopher Tyrannus. He performed “extraordinary miracles.” After more than two years of ministering in Ephesus, many confessed their sins, total revival broke out, the gospel spread indiscriminately, and the church exploded.

TYLER MCKENZIE

Eventually, though, the local economy began to suffer, and Paul became the scapegoat. Local tradespeople and craftspeople—makers of Artemis souvenirs and knickknacks—saw Paul as a threat to their greatest attraction. They started a riot and shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Hundreds of people rushed to the local theater and continued chanting. Confusion and anger reigned as people shouted conflicting things. (Who doesn’t love a good riot?)

In this moment, we encounter the Paul I love most. (I’ll embellish on what is detailed briefly in Acts 19:30, 31). Paul put up a fight to appear onstage. (“I want to go in there! LET! ME! IN!”) His friends restrained him. (“But thousands of people are gathered here!” Paul implored. “Give me that mic! Let’s give them Jesus!”)

YET JESUS HAD HAD ENOUGH. HE WAS READY TO EXTINGUISH THEIR FLAME. WHAT HAPPENED?"

But Paul’s buddies didn’t budge. And after three years of dynamic ministry, Paul moved on. Still, Ephesus always held a special place in his heart. These were Paul’s “glory days.”

THE UNDOING OF EPHESUS Paul delivered an emotional speech to the Ephesian elders as he was leaving. Later, he wrote three more letters to Christians in the city: Ephesians and 1-2 Timothy. Then, a generation later, a fourth document was written to the church in the city by One far greater than Paul: I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary (Revelation 2:2, 3; New Revised Standard Version). The letter starts well for Ephesus. Jesus lauded them for four things: effort (“you are hard workers”), endurance (“you endure cultural opposition”), doctrine (“you are protectors of truth”), and energy (“you are tireless in commitment”). “And yet,” Jesus said, “you’re missing something essential. Something so essential if you don’t repent— lampstand gone—I can no longer call you a church”: But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent (Revelation 2:4, 5; NRSV). The church at Ephesus lost their first love. But how? It wasn’t a lack of Scripture. The Ephesians had more Scripture directed at them than any other church. It wasn’t a lack of top leadership. The Ephesians had Paul around longer than any other church. After Paul they had leaders like Apollos, Priscilla, Aquila, and Timothy. Church tradition tells us John and Mary, the mother of Jesus, basically retired there. There were superstars in their pulpits and pews every week. Ephesus was a world-famous, Bible-believing megachurch with perhaps the greatest lineage of preachers and leaders ever. They were known for their effort, endurance, doctrine, and energy. Yet Jesus had had enough. He was ready to extinguish their flame.

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"EPHESUS WAS A WORLD-FAMOUS, BIBLE-BELIEVING MEGACHURCH WITH PERHAPS THE GREATEST LINEAGE OF PREACHERS AND LEADERS EVER.

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THE LOSS OF OUR FIRST LOVE What happened? Why had the Christians at Ephesus abandoned their first love? Think back to when you experienced first love as a Christian. For me, it was like a volcanic eruption. It was uncontrollable and indiscriminate love for God, his church, and all people—Christians and nonChristians. I was in college when it all got very real. I repented and decided to give my life to Jesus and to ministry. I spent hours every morning reading, memorizing, praying, and singing. I couldn’t help but tell all my friends about Jesus. I found a nearby church—small, traditional, older—filled with people who loved me . . . and I loved them back. What a season that was! It was a season of “first love.” Did the Ephesian church lose that sort of love? More pointedly, have you lost your “first love” for God? I would suggest two strategies for rekindling and sustaining that first love. 1. Keep it simple. Jesus made it simple. (See Matthew 22:37-40.) Let’s keep it simple, but not shallow. As Christians grow, they develop a desire to wade deeper into the theological depths of God. This should be encouraged. But here is the problem: In the complexity of understanding God, it’s easy to lose sight of the simplicity of following Jesus. 2. Bridge the generational gap. Within one generation of Christians in Ephesus, their children and children’s children had lost their first love. Nurturing a love for God in rising generations should be a preeminent priority for every congregation. Achieving this involves a mutual responsibility between young and old, so I have a distinct challenge for each group. First, to the more mature . . . lead! We need you to be the spiritual mothers and fathers for the young and new. I’ve observed an interesting trend in our youth-worshipping culture. The old are forgotten in the name of “reaching the next generation.” This should never be so. As a church leader, my main focus is not on the mature Christians of my church. I don’t expect those folks to create problems, only solutions. Maybe that’s too high an expectation. Leaders of growing churches don’t expect to need to spend much time feeding mature Christians, as they have reached a spiritual stage in which they are capable of feeding themselves. Mature Christians are (or should be) birthing spiritual children and are capable of feeding them, as well.

"IN THE COMPLEXITY OF UNDERSTANDING GOD, IT’S EASY TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE SIMPLICITY OF FOLLOWING JESUS."

There’s been a movement to reach millennials in the American church. The millennial generation (those born in the 1980s into the late 1990s) is abandoning faith like none that has come before, and their generation Z successors (born in the late 1990s into the 2010s) will be even more lost. The church must attack this problem. Most of the more mature Christians I know respond in one of two ways. Some get on board, and some get angry. The angry ones inevitably take their ball and go start their own “What about me?” churches that meet their needs, address their issues, and—let’s be honest—play their music at their volume levels.

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It makes me sad. As a millennial leader, I want to reach millennials and their kids, but I don’t want to grow a millennial church. I want a healthy church. And healthy churches have a powerful circulatory system of intergenerational connections. Second, to the younger . . . listen! Listen and submit to the wisdom, experience, truth, and love our spiritual elders have to offer. If you are too “enlightened,” prideful, or fragile to submit to the influence and leadership of those older and wiser, you need to repent. Nothing frustrates me as when young folks say, “I want mentors. I want older folks to pour into me!” Then, when it happens, those same young folks mutter, “Sheesh! They are so judgmental, intolerant, and senile! Can you believe she said that to me?” Look, if that’s who you are and where you want to stay, there’s a millennial church out there that will stroke your ego, never hold you accountable, disintegrate orthodox biblical faith, and tell you to follow your hearts. Before you stir up disunity in the body, you should probably go. But if you stay, be prepared to listen . . . and allow God to do something for you that, deep down, you actually want.

THE UNDOING OF THE AMERICAN CHURCH You do not lose your first love in an instant. No, it occurs in a slow drift, one day at a time. If you determine you have lost it, Jesus has a solution. Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Jesus declares there is an inseparable connection between sustaining the love you had at first and doing the works you did at first. Begin to take those first steps again, even if they are small. Small steps add up. Jesus tells us the stakes are high and the punishments are dire. What do you do when a leader stops leading? You remove her. What about when a player stops playing? You remove him. When a worker stops working, you remove him. What does Jesus do when a church stops loving? He removes it! Jesus won’t endorse churches that don’t maintain their first love. Without love, nothing else matters. And maybe that’s part of the problem in the American church. Have we lost the profound simplicity of following Jesus in cross-shaped love? Have we abandoned the spiritual family to target demographics and affinities? Whether we have or haven’t, repentance is always the best response. Let’s go back to our first love and the works we did at first.  Tyler McKenzie serves as lead pastor at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. @wtmckenzie @wtmckenzie

We Count People Because People Count by doug crozier

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SPONSORED CONTENT

. . . Providing Resources and Setting the Standard Megachurches can continue to provide leadership for our movement. They can provide the resources and set the standards to keep Restoration Movement Christian churches as leaders in the evangelical world! Whether your church is large or small, if your congregation is taking territory in the name of Jesus, The Solomon Foundation wants to help you achieve your growth goals. The leaders of megachurches feel the same way. They are cheering for you and urging you on to church growth. Through The Solomon Foundation, I serve all sizes of Christian churches and churches of Christ. I believe people count, and that where two or more gather in Jesus’ name, God is there working. And where God is working in our churches, I want to be there working too! Doug Crozier serves as chief executive officer of The Solomon Foundation.

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Welcome to The Lookout Bible study. The psalmist said, “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” (Psalm 119:16). We are excited to continue the long and steady tradition of The Lookout Bible study, now in the pages of Christian Standard. We have designed this section to help you delight in God’s Word.

Note to Leaders: You and your group will notice some changes in our approach to the Bible study questions on the Discovery pages. We are introducing a model of Bible study that encourages groups and classes to grow spiritually, bear fruit, and multiply. The study takes your group through a God-honoring and God-exalting process in which people engage with God’s Word; it is a discipleship tool that consistently works with seekers, young Christians, and more mature believers alike. For a rationale for this type of study, more information on the process and how to lead it, and what you should communicate to your group to make this study most effective, please go to ChristianStandard.com/Discovery.

how to use the lookout

Each week has a lesson aim, lesson text, and supplemental text.

Each week features three sections: Study, Application, and Discovery.

Tabs indicate the week of each lesson.

Use the Discovery questions to study, discuss, and apply the Scripture passages in a group or class.

c u s ti i v le

d e u t er on om

whOLlY HIs H

hol y,

walk

l ho

l e s s o n t e x t:

d e U t e r o N o m y 2 8 : 9, 1 0 ; l e v i T i c u s 2 2 : 3 1 - 3 3 ; 1 9 : 1 , 2 , 9 -1 8

s u p p l e m e n ta l t e x t:

ePhesians 1:3-6; 1 p e t e R 1 : 1 3 -1 6 ; 2 : 4 , 5

s t u dy

His Holy Nation by mark scott

Has this exchange happened in your family? Dad says, “Son, take out the trash.” The son says, “Why do I have to take out the trash?” Dad says, “Because if you don’t, the house will stinketh, and your mom won’t be happy.” The son continues to complain and keeps asking, “Why?” Finally dad says, “Because I’m your father.” What does dad’s identity have to do with the son’s obedience? Everything in the world. It was the same for Israel. The behavior of God’s “holy nation” was inextricably linked to the Lord’s unique identity and his redemptive activity on their behalf. All of these various commands find their common denominator in the phrase, “I am the Lord” (a phrase that occurs eight times in our selected texts). We continue in our study of the legal (covenantal or constitutional) literature of the Old Testament (Deuteronomy and Leviticus) to learn what it means to be “wholly his.” His Holy Nation Presents an Accurate View of God Deuteronomy 28:9, 10; Leviticus 22:31-33 The possibility of presenting an inaccurate view of God should scare any godly leader. Moses did that in bringing water from the rock, and his act kept him from entering the holy land (Numbers 20:10-13; Deuteronomy 3:23-26). Paul was concerned he might preach to others but end up being disqualified himself (1 Corinthians 9:27). But all Christians—not just leaders—should be concerned about God’s name being blasphemed among unbelievers by committing ungodly behavior (Romans 2:24).

But these promises went hand-in-hand with Israel’s cooperation. Leviticus 22 marked out the consecration of the priests and Israel’s offerings. These last verses of the chapter make it clear what Israel was to do. They would be called upon to keep the commands (Leviticus 28:31; Deuteronomy 28:9) of God by following him. They would be expected to walk in obedience (or walk in his ways). They would not be allowed to profane (pollute or defile) the Lord’s name. And they would need to acknowledge (make holy) God himself.

C H R I S T I A N S TA N D A R D

Leviticus 18-19 is known as Israel’s code of holiness. Like Deuteronomy 6, it is a high-water mark of the Old Testament. At the heart of it (as in right in the middle) is the command that Peter quoted in the New Testament, “Be holy because I am holy” (Leviticus 19:1, 2; 1 Peter 1:16). God called Israel to be proactive in seeking the goodwill of others. Holiness is not limited to moral goodness; holiness also seeks justice for others. These laws can be thought of in terms of helping, “truthing” (Ephesians 4:15), fulfilling, defending, and advocating. God’s holy nation helps others. When harvest comes, the reapers do not reap the edges of the field, and they do not make a second pass through the vineyard. They leave them for the poor and the foreigner. The Hebrew word for foreigner is “ger” (pronounced similar to “care”). God’s people are to “care” for the “ger.” God’s holy nation makes truth telling a high priority. They do not lie or swear falsely (same word as lie). Profaning God’s name has nothing to do with mispronouncing his divine name. But it does have to do with integrity of speech. This means not to deceive anyone or spread slander among God’s people. God’s holy nation fulfills goodwill toward others. Moses came at this in negative and positive ways. Negatively, God’s people do not steal (violate others by taking) or rob, nor do they defraud (hold back things due to others). Positively, they pay their day workers on the day of their work. There are no prolonged IOUs. God’s holy nation defends others. Cursing a deaf person? How could they hear the curse? Place a stumbling block in front of a blind person? How would they not trip? God’s people do not pervert justice or play favorites; God’s people judge fairly. God’s holy nation advocates for one another. They do not endanger (or fail to stand up for) their neighbor. They certainly do not hate their neighbor. If a rebuke is necessary, they reason or plead tenderly with their neighbor so that sin is not incurred. And finally, they do not seek revenge or bear a grudge. Being holy is quite far-reaching and comprehensive. - 75 -

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WEEK OF May 03

Deuteronomy 28 marked out for Israel the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. The covenantmaking God promised Israel four blessings. He would establish (stand or cause to rise) Israel as he promised. He would make the peoples on earth fear Israel. He would make the people holy. And finally, he would redeem them from Egyptian slavery.

His Holy Nation Promotes a Generous View toward Others Leviticus 19:1, 2, 9-18

A p p l i c at i o n

Dare to Be Different by David Faust

Don’t libel me with labels. Don’t put me into a cultural box. I have rooted for the Cincinnati Reds most of my life, but my main identity isn’t “sports fan.” I’m a baby boomer, but generational labels don’t tell you everything about me or my builder, gen X, and millennial friends. I have experienced what Scripture calls the new birth, but I prefer not to be called “a born-again Christian” as if that’s something strange. In the first century there wasn’t any other kind. I am part of the catholic (small “c”) church consisting of believers all over the world who love the Lord, but please don’t label me a Catholic. I join my voice with all who protest the errors they find in the Roman Catholic church, but I don’t consider myself a Protestant either. The church’s beginning on the Day of Pentecost excites me, but please don’t call me Pentecostal. I believe the Holy Spirit indwells me and bestows charismata—gifts for building up the body of Christ—on all God’s people, but don’t label me charismatic. I believe everything the Bible says about baptism, but I’m not a Baptist. I like the slogan that says, “We are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.” No social cause, political party, or religious denomination owns my highest allegiance. By God’s grace I am a believer, a child of the King, an imperfect follower of the perfect Lord—a disciple apprenticed to Jesus for life. Even though I often stumble, I’m trying to walk with God. I am Christ’s servant—first, foremost, forever. I am committed to the fundamentals of “the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3), but please don’t call me a fundamentalist. I believe in evangelism, but today the word evangelical has a lot of baggage associated with it.

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God’s inspired book deserves far more attention than blogs, podcasts, and buzzwords. “Foolish and stupid arguments . . . produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23), but the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection changes lives. I appreciate the heritage of faith passed along by previous generations of believers. I have benefited from the wisdom of Luther, Wesley, Campbell, Stone, and many others, but like me, these leaders didn’t have flawless judgment. I refuse to align myself exclusively with any group that substitutes human dogma for God’s Word, promotes ideas that needlessly divide the church, and further confuses unbelievers. Being nondenominational doesn’t give me the right to push my own unwritten creeds and ironclad opinions that would make me just as sectarian and destructive as the unscriptural divisions I reject. I refuse to jump on the bandwagon for the latest faith-fad, parrot the coolest celebrity author/ preacher, or throw all my energy into debating cultural controversies that are hot today but will be forgotten tomorrow. I believe God wants me to pursue holiness more than trendiness, and I’m still learning what it means “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). So I challenge you: Resist the libel of the label. Dare to be different. In a world that’s falling apart, let God’s presence set you apart. Be free in Christ. Be faithful to him. Be a Christian only, and “praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16). Personal Challenge: In your journal or on a sheet of paper, write specifically how you will choose to live out the challenges to resist the libel of the label, dare to be different, let God’s presence set you apart, and the others listed above.

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D i s c ove ry

by Leigh Mackenzie Note to Leaders: Before proceeding, please see our explanation of the changes in this section on page 72.

1. Over the past week, what person or group of people did you love, serve, and/or tell about Jesus? 2. What was challenging for you this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 28:9, 10 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention? Then ask the same two readers to each read Leviticus 22:31-33, and once again ask for observations. Repeat the process with Leviticus 19:1, 2, 9-18. Ask the third person to summarize (not interpret) what all three passages are saying as a whole. (Don’t try to capture everything!) 3. After hearing all three of these passages together, what most stands out to you? 4. What behaviors do you see in these passages that provide examples of being like God and exhibiting holiness? • How would you summarize the list of laws in Leviticus 19:9-18? • What are the outcomes when God’s people are holy and walk in his ways? 5. What do you learn about God’s character from these passages? 6. What do these passages reveal to you about God’s design of and expectations for his people? 7. In what ways do you sense God is calling you to obey him and live a holy life this week? • How might you influence or impact the people around you who are still far from God by living a holy life as described in these passages?

9. What challenge will you face this week as you seek to live a godly life? For Next Week: Sometime this week, read and reflect on Deuteronomy 4:29-40; 26:17-19; and Leviticus 20:26; 26:12, 13 as we continue to look at how we can be “Wholly His.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your own personal study. (We won’t read or discuss extra study materials in our group session next week, but they will help you grow in your own faith.)

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M AY 2 0 2 0

WEEK OF May 03

8. Based on these passages and our discussion, complete this sentence: This week, I will . . .

c u s ti i v le

d e u t er on om

whOLlY HIs fi

se au bec

Hi m.

seek

hiM

and

l e s s o n t e x t:

d e u t E r o n O m y 4 : 2 9 - 4 0 ; 2 6 : 1 7-1 9 ; leViticus 20: 26; 26:12, 13

s u p p l e m e n ta l t e x t:

g a l At i a n S 3 : 2 6 - 2 9 ; r O m a n s 1 : 6, 7 ; e p H e s i a N s 1 : 1 3 -1 6

s t u dy

His Treasured Possession by mark scott

God is good at only one part of hide-and-seek. He does not hide well. In fact, he wants to be found (Psalm 19:1-6; Acts 17:27; Romans 1:20; Matthew 7:8). But God is very good at the other part of the game: finding. He is always willing to search for what is lost (Genesis 3:9; Luke 15:4-7). He does this because his people are his treasured (peculiar, special, valued) possession. Treasured Because of His Compassion Deuteronomy 4:29-31 Deuteronomy 4 shows the contrast between Israel worshipping the Lord and the nations worshipping vain idols. God wanted Israel to seek (mentioned twice; it means “to desire” or “inquire of”) him with heart and soul (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4, 5). Even if Israel found themselves in distress (trouble or tribulation), they were given the privilege of returning to and obeying the Lord. The reason Israel could do these things was because of God’s mercy. The word merciful means compassion like the kind a mother gives to a child. This mercy caused God not to abandon (withdraw), destroy (ruin), or forget his covenant to his people. The reason God would not do these things is because he confirmed it by oath (a phrase that appears 16 times in Deuteronomy). He can swear by himself because he is God (Hebrews 6:13). Treasured Because of His Exclusion Deuteronomy 4:32-40

What other nation on earth heard God’s actual voice and experienced his discipline (correction or reproof)? What other people were so chosen? What other God could cast out greater and stronger nations and give Israel the land of promise? The answer is, no one. God is God, and there is no other (mentioned twice in this text). His exclusivity is what made Israel God’s treasured possession.

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Treasured Because of His Separation Deuteronomy 26:17-19; Leviticus 20:26 Since God is holy (separate or distinct or other) he separated (divided) his people from other peoples so it would be clear that Israel belonged to the Lord. The context of Leviticus 20 is about God punishing the nations for their idolatry. In contrast to the nations that worship idols, God was going to take Israel at their word. They would not worship other gods. Instead they declared (said) they would walk in obedience, keep his decrees, commands, and laws. This would be possible for them since they would give God their undivided attention (i.e., listen to him) and bring to God their tithes and offerings (the larger context of Deuteronomy 26). Since Israel declared for God, then God would “declare” for them. In fact, he would do more than declare for them. He would set them in praise, fame, and honor above other nations. “Set in praise” actually just means “praise.” God would praise his people. God would make them famous (i.e., give them a good reputation among the nations). God is distinct among the so-called gods, and Israel is distinct because God is their God. Treasured Because of His Redemption Leviticus 26:12, 13 This idea of redemption has been mentioned in our earlier sections, but it is the heart of this section. Four expressions are used to describe this redemption. God brought them out of Egypt. He made them no longer slaves (bondservants). He broke the bars of Egypt’s yoke. And he enabled Israel to walk with heads held high (literally, “made you walk erect”). Since God’s people are God’s treasured possession and his inheritance (Ephesians 1:18), believers might want to ask, “How much of a gift are we to God?” For Israel, part of being a treasured possession meant inheriting the Promised Land. For the church, part of being a treasured possession means to inherit God himself. - 79 -

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WEEK OF May 10

Israel needed only to ask their forefathers about God’s uniqueness. I mean, who is like God? No one can compare with him. He is Creator. God challenged them to ask the far ends of the universe, “Is anyone quite like their God?” Who else had heard the voice of God? What other people on earth had seen God via fire and lived to tell it (Exodus 14:24)? What other people on earth had been brought out (or delivered) from their enemies via miracles (Exodus 7–14)?

This is why Israel was to acknowledge God and take to heart that God is God. This is why Israel was to keep his decrees (customs) and commands. God longed for it to go well for Israel. God’s desire for Israel was simple— live long in the land of promise.

A p p l i c at i o n

It's Never Quite Enough by David Faust

At age 86, Jackie Long died from injuries sustained in a car accident—an abrupt end to a fruitful life. Jackie worked tirelessly on our church staff for four decades, and then after retiring in her sixties, she continued to serve cheerfully as a volunteer for another 20 years. She welcomed guests, cared for those in need, coordinated countless weddings and funerals, took meals to shut-ins, ministered with senior adults, and volunteered with benevolence agencies in our city. Hundreds gathered at the funeral to honor Jackie’s life and faith. I reminded the crowd about Lazarus’s sister Martha, who expressed annoyance because she had to take care of all the cooking and household preparations, while her sister, Mary, sat listening quietly to the Lord. Jesus insisted, “Mary has chosen what is better” (Luke 10:42), but whenever I read that story, part of me sympathizes with Martha. Clearly Mary made the better choice, but somebody had to feed all those hungry disciples! What if a person could emulate the best of both Mary and Martha? What if, like Martha, she took care of all the practical details, and at the same time, like Mary, she recognized the importance of sitting reverently at Jesus’ feet and learning from him? “That was Jackie Long,” I told the crowd at the funeral. “She was like Mary, and she was like Martha.” Jackie’s funeral service lasted about an hour—a short time to summarize such a long, eventful life. While driving back from the cemetery, I pondered how a one-hour service simply wasn’t long enough to do justice to Jackie’s lifetime of faithful service. But then, isn’t that the way it is with all funeral services? When you think about the significance of a person’s lifetime, even the most elaborate funeral is never fully adequate. Nothing in this life lasts quite long enough.

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• A bride and groom spend months preparing for their wedding day, only to discover the ceremony takes only a few minutes, the honeymoon is quickly over, and the realities of married life soon settle in. • Recent college graduates, weary of the demands of school, soon realize all of the classes they completed and all of the books they read weren’t enough to fully prepare them for all the real-life challenges they will face in the workplace. • A happily married couple discovers that even 50 years together isn’t long enough. It causes deep grief when a beloved spouse dies. • A worker builds a successful career and amasses enough money to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Yet, as the ancient philosopher observed, “a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune” (Ecclesiastes 2:21). Let’s face it: Life on this earth always leaves us a bit unsatisfied. C. S. Lewis wisely observed, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Here on earth we never have quite enough time. That’s why we need to store up our treasures in Heaven. There alone we will find lasting fulfillment. As God’s treasured possession, we will serve the Lord without limitation and enjoy him forever in a world without end. Personal Challenge: In your journal or on a sheet of paper, write down what being “made for another world” means to you on an everyday basis. How will remembering that change the way you live and love today and tomorrow?

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D i s c ove ry

by Leigh Mackenzie

1. What challenges did you face this past week? 2. Over the last seven days, what impact on people around you did you make simply by living a holy life? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 4:29-40 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention? Repeat this process with Deuteronomy 26:17-19, and once again with Leviticus 20:26; 26:12, 13. Ask the third person to take about one minute to summarize all three passages as a whole. (Don’t try to capture everything!) 3. After hearing all three of these passages together, what stands out to you most? 4. Let’s look at these passages in more detail: • What reminders of what God has done for his people do you see? • What promises from God do you see? • What responses does God ask his people to make in return? • What are God’s purposes for his promises and how we respond to him? (Hint, look for the phrase, “so that” [in the New International Version].) 5. What do you learn about God in these passages? 6. What do you learn about people, especially how God views us? • What specific difference does it make in your life to be assured you are God’s treasured possession? 7. As you live as God’s treasured possession this week, what is one specific way you will seek to “walk in obedience”?

9. Based on this passage and our discussion, complete this sentence: This week, I will . . . 10. What will be a challenge for you this week even as you live as a treasured possession of God?

For Next Week: Sometime this week, read and reflect on Deuteronomy 30:4-6, 11-14 and Leviticus 26:40-42 as we continue to look at being “Wholly His.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your own personal study.

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M AY 2 0 2 0

WEEK OF May 10

8. Think of your friends, family, and co-workers who are distressed or discouraged and need to know this great love of God. With whom of those will you share this lesson this week?

c u s ti i v le

d e u t er on om

whOLlY His ar

bec

se E

love

hiM

l e s s o n t e x t:

d e u t e R o n o m y 3 0 : 4 - 6, 1 1 -1 4 ; lEviticuS 26:40-42

s u p p l e m e n ta l t e x t:

M at T h e w 2 2 : 3 6 - 4 0 ; j o H n 1 5 : 9 -1 2 ; r O m a n s 1 0 : 5 - 9 ; dEuteronoMy 11:13-21

s t u dy

His Beloved Ones by mark scott

It is hard to improve the lyrics in the hymn “The Love of God” when verse 3 says, Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. It is equally hard to improve the selected texts for today in their emphasis on the reality that God’s people are truly his “beloved ones.” God’s love brought Israel back from her banishment in distant lands. God’s love brought Israel near by making his revelation so available to her. God’s love brought Israel through their rebellion and sin to make good on his covenant. God’s Love Brought Israel Back Deuteronomy 30:4-6 Moses was concluding his sermons to Israel on the plains of Moab before God’s people crossed over to the Promised Land. He reminded them yet again that if they just returned to God upon the occasions of their unfaithfulness, God would bring them home. Even if God had banished (cast out) them to the most distant land (what the Leviticus text called the land of their enemies), he would gather (assemble) them and bring them back. No place under the heavens is beyond the reach of the love of God.

But this stubborn love of God that brings people back to him has a purpose. God does not intend that his people just go on sinning that grace may abound (Romans 6:1). God’s love has a cleansing purpose and moral goal. God would circumcise the hearts of his people; he always intended that circumcision would go beyond the physical dimension (Romans 2:28, 29). The result of this “deep cut” is that his people would love him back with heart and soul (Deuteronomy 6:4, 5).

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Any good preacher will anticipate the contraries (objections or pushbacks) of the audience. Moses probably thought, as he was getting ready to make his invitational appeal to Israel by urging them to “choose life,” that some might say, “This is all too hard. I don’t understand what God expects of us.” Moses met that objection head-on. God’s message to Israel was not too difficult (hard or even wonderful). It was not beyond their reach. Two portions of creation were chosen by Moses with which to illustrate: the heavens and the sea. Was God’s message so high that it demanded someone’s ascent into heaven to get it? Was God’s message so far away that someone would have to cross the sea to get it? Not at all. God’s message (in the context, a message of life and love) was actually near (closer than a cousin). It was so close it was in their mouths and hearts. God desired to stamp his own image deep on their hearts. The law was intended to go all the way to their bones. The secret things belonged to the Lord, but the revealed things were intended to be embraced, understood, and implemented (Deuteronomy 29:29). Interestingly enough, Paul quoted this passage in Romans 10:6-8 concerning how we are saved. Salvation is really rather simple—even though it is profound. One confesses with one’s mouth Jesus’ lordship and believes in one’s heart in Jesus’ resurrection. That message is so simple a child can understand it. The message is near. God’s Love Brought Israel Through Leviticus 26:40-42 What did God’s love bring Israel through? Through sin! Bringing Israel back to the Promised Land was great. (By the way, many people who love Jesus interpret these verses from these texts as referring to the literal land of Israel during the literal 1,000-year reign of Jesus as supposedly taught in Revelation 20:1-3.) Maybe bringing Israel near God’s message was grand. But bringing Israel through their sin and redeeming them was joy unspeakable. If the people will confess their sins, humble themselves, and pay for their sins (make amends or please the Lord), then God will remember his covenant. God will bring Israel through their sins and remember those sins no more (Psalms 103:12). - 83 -

M AY 2 0 2 0

WEEK OF May 17

God would make good on his promise to bring Israel back to the land that belonged to their ancestors. In the Leviticus text, the names of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were specifically mentioned. But God would not only bring Israel back, and bring them back to the specific land of their forefathers, God would also make Israel prosperous (better or pleasing) in that land—even more so than their forefathers.

God’s Love Brought Israel Near Deuteronomy 30:11-14

A p p l i c at i o n

The Natural Response to Being Loved by David Faust

What would you say if someone asked, “Is it difficult to be a Christian?” Might your answer be both yes and no? On the one hand, Christ already did the hardest part. He accomplished what we could never do for ourselves. He lived a perfect life and suffered for our transgressions on the cross. We sinners could never measure up to all the righteous standards of God, but his love overflows and his grace is sufficient in spite of our imperfections. “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). To receive this gift, we must come to the Lord empty-handed, poor in spirit. In humble, repentant faith we come like the Ethiopian who heard the good news of Jesus, eagerly asked to be baptized, and afterward “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:34-39). For us, that’s the easy part. But here’s the hard part. In the words of G. K. Chesterton, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). What is the cost of following Jesus? Everything! Dying daily. Picking up an instrument of death. Denying yourself absolute individual autonomy and choosing God’s will ahead of your own. By confessing that “Jesus Christ is Lord,” you agree, “I am not my own boss anymore”—a difficult decision indeed. Why would anyone want to do that? Because of love. Love makes us do things we would never do otherwise. Love causes a mother to endure the pain of childbirth and make countless sacrifices for the well-being of her children. Love enables a married couple to stick together through thick and thin. It motivates soldiers to lay down their lives for their

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country. Love compels ministers and elders to faithfully shepherd their flocks even when the work is exhausting and the sheep seem hard-hearted and unappreciative. Love is the root of other noble virtues like loyalty, honesty, and kindness. Why go to church services on the Lord’s Day? Because we’re trying to earn God’s favor? Because leaders browbeat us into feeling guilty if we don’t show up? No, we worship God because he first loved us. Love for the body of Christ moves us to join together, sharing our spiritual gifts in worship and mutual encouragement. Why give money back to God? We aren’t trying to buy his blessings. We’re motivated because God has given so generously to us. “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7) because he is a cheerful giver. Moses laid down the Law to the people of Israel, but even under the old Hebrew covenant, obedience was supposed to be motivated by love. God’s commands, Moses insisted, are “not too difficult for you or beyond your reach”; they are intended for anyone who will “turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 30:10, 11). Following Jesus may sound like the most demanding, difficult adventure imaginable, but it’s a natural response. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15), because the noblest and most effective motivator isn’t coercion, control, or even our own self-interest. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Personal Encouragement: Imagine a non-Christian friend asking you if it’s difficult being a Christian. In your journal or on a sheet of paper, write your response in your own words. - 84 -

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D i s c ove ry

by Leigh Mackenzie

1. What “win” stories from this past week do you have about living out godliness? 2. What were your biggest challenges last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 30:4-6 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention? Then ask the same two readers to each read Deuteronomy 30:11-14, and once again ask for observations. Finally, ask the readers to each read Leviticus 26:40-42, and again ask for comments. Ask the third person to summarize (not interpret) what all three passages are saying as a whole. (Don’t try to capture everything!) Take about 60 seconds for this part. 3. Let’s look more closely at the details: • List what God says he will do for his people. • What are the people’s responsibilities? • In what ways does God offer his help and support? 4. What do you learn about God’s character from these passages? 5. What do you learn about the needs of people in general? • What do you learn about your own needs as they relate to living for God? 6. What do these passages teach you about what it takes to obey God’s commands on a daily basis?

8. Based on these passages, complete this sentence: This week, I will . . . 9. What will be a challenge for you this week as you seek to love and obey the Lord?

For Next Week: Sometime this week, read and reflect on Job 2:11-13; 23:1-17 as we begin to study “Obscured Vision.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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M AY 2 0 2 0

WEEK OF May 17

7. This week, with whom in your spheres of influence will you share the insights you’ve learned from this passage?

O b s cu red

Vi s i o n

J o b

DON'T BE SILENCED BY THE DARKNE SS.

L e s s o n T e x t:

J o b 2 : 1 1 -1 3 ; 2 3 : 1 -1 7

S u p p l e m e n ta l T e x t:

P s a l m 6 ; 4 2 : 9 -1 1 ; Job 1:1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2:10

s t u dy

I Catch No Glimpse of Him! by mark scott

When we were young, we were taught about the patience of Job. Then as we matured and read the book of Job, many of us may have felt a disconnect. Job did not sound very patient. To be honest, he seemed pretty cranky. But we can hardly blame him. He lost family, houses, livelihood, and health all in quick succession. Worse was that Satan was behind it, and God had suggested it. Our title comes directly from the text (23:9). Job would be the first to admit that his vision of God often was obscured. But he still gave us a good example to follow. Continue to trust God when you do not understand and when life does not make sense. And do not be afraid to ask God your hardest questions. Do not let the dark nights of your soul silence your desires for answers. God will not crawl off of his throne just because someone asked him a tough question. Friends’ Best Efforts Job 2:11-13

had leaned heavily into Job. From a human standpoint, they offered typical answers (i.e., Job had sinned, Job was trying to justify himself, Job was impatient with God, etc.). Job overextended himself and was speaking about things he did not understand. But he did seek his day in court with God. We cannot blame his heart for this desire. His complaint was bitter. His groaning was real. He wanted to state his case (his sense of justice) and give liberty to his arguments (rebukes). He knew what he knew: he had tried to live for God. Would God be able to find anything against Job? Not from Job’s perspective. He knew if the evidence was brought in that he would be delivered (acquitted). He admitted to following God’s steps without turning aside. He kept the commands (mitzvah) and viewed them as his daily bread. He knew he was existing in darkness, but he remained blameless in his integrity. God’s Elusive Sovereignty Job 23:3, 8-10, 13-15

A man of Job’s wealth and clout was bound to have friends. When Job lost it all (1:1–2:10), three of his friends showed up to offer their sympathy and comfort. [There was a fourth friend named Elihu. He was the young man in the group and perhaps Job’s best friend. His advice came later in the book—32:2.] Job called these men miserable comforters (16:2), and God said they had not spoken what was right (42:7).

Job’s Shortsighted Argument Job 23:1, 2, 4-7, 11, 12, 16, 17 When Job began to speak back to his friends in Job 23, it was his seventh response to them. His friends

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But all of Job’s effort to find God (east, west, north, or south) would not provide even a glimpse for him. Job might not have been able to find God, but God could find Job. God even knew the way Job would take. God’s sovereignty gave Job confidence that he would emerge from this experience as gold. Job understood that God stood alone (was unchangeable) as God and no one could oppose him (turn him back). Job recognized God could carry out his decree whether Job understood it or not. Michael W. Smith and other artists sing a song about God entitled “Waymaker.” The lyrics include, “Even when I don’t see it, you’re working,” and “Even when I can’t feel it, you’re working.” Job knew that at the end of the day, that would be true. - 87 -

M AY 2 0 2 0

WEEK OF May 24

But . . . they meant well and started well. Eliphaz (translated “my god is gold,” cf. Genesis 36:4, 10) was a Temanite (area east of Idumea). Bildad (“confusing love”) was a Shuhite (an ethnic designation, Genesis 25:2). Zophar (“sparrow”) was a Naamathite (“pleasantness”). They heard about Job’s troubles (evil). They came, they sympathized (bemoaned, pitied, wagged their heads), and they attempted to comfort. To their credit, they initially did not say a word. They wept, tore their robes, and sprinkled dust on their heads. For one week they just observed his suffering. Sometimes presence matters more than words.

Why does God sometimes seem so far away when in reality he is always near? It must have something to do with mankind living in a sin-stained world. But this does not mean God is not in control. God may have seemed elusive to Job, but he was more present in Job’s trials than Job could possibly know. Because God is spirit (John 4:24) and because we are sinners, God will more often than not be elusive. Job longed to find him and go to his dwelling.

A p p l i c at i o n

If Only I Knew Where to Find Him by David Faust

Certain things are rare, but you can find them if you know where to look. If you want to see polar bears, you can find them in countries that ring the Arctic Circle. Looking for penguins? Go to Antarctica. Redwood trees? They grow in California. Koalas? Go to Australia. Travel to the right location and you can find rare works of art. Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, and his Last Supper is on display at a convent in Milan, Italy. The famous portrait Whistler’s Mother was painted in England by an American-born artist and sold to a French museum, but to see it you must travel to Abu Dhabi where it’s on display. Rare treasures are difficult but not impossible to locate. But where can you go to find God? That’s the question Job asked. In the midst of his suffering, Job wondered about God’s whereabouts and exclaimed, “If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments” (Job 23:3, 4). Piercing Questions Have you ever wondered where you can find God? I have. In stressful times, piercing questions flood my mind. Can I find God in nature? Yes. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:20). Can I find him in history? Yes. Down through the centuries, men and women of faith have borne compelling witness to the reality of God’s presence and power. Can I find him in Scripture? Yes. If I open my spiritual ears and eyes, I can hear his voice and see his revealed

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truth in the written Word. “All Scripture is Godbreathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). Can I find him in other people? Yes. Individuals who love well—whose lives overflow with genuine grace and truth—display God’s character and make his presence known. Can I find him in my mind and conscience? Yes. It’s reasonable to consider God the First Cause—the Uncaused Cause—the architect of a universe far too orderly and complex to have happened by chance. The apostle Paul said the requirements of God’s law are written in our hearts (Romans 2:15). C. S. Lewis observed in Mere Christianity, “When you argue against Him, you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all. It is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on.” But will all of the rational arguments for God comfort me when my life falls apart? For many of us, including Job, the issue isn’t finding God in nature, history, logic, or even Scripture. The question is, Can I find him in my suffering? Here is the bottom line. I can find him in Jesus Christ, the God-Man who endured grief beyond measure so that all my sorrows will one day be removed. I can find God in the Suffering Servant—the “man of suffering, and familiar with pain” whose punishment brings me peace (Isaiah 53:3, 5). My piercing questions find answers in the One who was pierced for my transgressions—who sacrificed, served, and suffered in order to find me. Personal Challenge: Imagine you’re having a conversation with a non-Christian friend and the topic turns to how you can possibly know God. In your journal or a sheet of paper, write out how you would respond. - 88 -

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D i s c ove ry

by Leigh Mackenzie

1. What is one example of how you loved and obeyed God last week? 2. What was challenging for you this past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Job 2:11-13 aloud, one after the other (possibly from different Bible versions). Then ask the same two readers to each read Job 23:1-17. Ask the third person to retell (not interpret) the story from these passages, taking about 60 seconds. (Keep it simple!) 3. What in Job’s story captures your attention most? 4. Let’s look more closely at the details in these passages: • How would you characterize the responses of Job’s friends to his condition? • How would you describe the nature of Job’s questions? • How would you describe his convictions? • His hopes? • His view of God? 5. What do you learn about God’s supremacy from these passages? • About his love for humankind? 6. What does this passage reveal to you about people and how we should respond to God? 7. In what specific way this week do you need to closely follow God’s steps, keeping his way without turning aside?

• What will you do this week to simply be with, sympathize, and comfort this person? 9. Based on this passage and our discussion, complete this sentence: This week, I will . . . 10. What challenge will you face this week?

For Next Week: Sometime this week, read and reflect on Job 27:1-6; 31:5, 6, 16-23. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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WEEK OF May 24

8. Who is one person among your friends, coworkers, or family members that is presently going through a dark time of suffering in their life?

O b s cu red

Vi s i o n

J o b

SEEK & EMBRACE INTEGRITY THROUGH CON S IS TENT ACT S OF LOVE.

L e s s o n T e x t:

J o b 2 7: 1 - 6 ; 3 1 : 5 , 6 , 1 6 -2 3

S u p p l e m e n ta l T e x t:

J o b 2 9 : 1 1 -1 7; 3 1 : 2 4 - 3 4 ; Matthew 25:35-40

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s t u dy

The Look of Integrity by mark scott

Integrity is a subject of much discussion today— perhaps because there is so little of it. It means living an undivided life. It means doing what you say. It centers on consistency. It means you are the same person holding a Communion tray on Sunday morning as you are holding a remote control on Saturday night. Job had it. The writer told us this from the start (Job 1:1). While Job was not perfect, he was “blameless” (31:6—the same word also translated as “integrity”). To live a life you know God would honor need not show up as arrogance. The Assertion of Integrity Job 27:1-6 Before Job’s youngest friend Elihu spoke (Job 32), Job gave his last defense to his other three friends (Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad). This defense is contained in chapters 26–31. Parts of it may seem like pride and a bitter man getting in his last shots against God. But there is an assertion of integrity here that actually is not just Job’s best assessment of himself but an honest exposure of his motives to live the way God wanted him to live. Job deeply felt as if God had denied him (taken away) justice. Like Naomi, he felt as if God had made his life bitter (Ruth 1:20 and Job 3:20; 7:11; 10:1; 23:2). When we strive to do right and bad things happen to us anyway, we inevitably feel this way. As long as God gave Job breath (the same word for “Spirit”) he would strive for integrity.

The Evidence of Integrity Job 31:5, 6, 16-23 Few people can claim the things Job claimed in chapter 31. No wonder God thought so highly of

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There was no distance between Job’s walk and his talk. His words and deeds were a perfect match (1 John 3:18). He was willing for God to weigh him in the scales of justice if he had walked with falsehood or hurried after deceit. This consistency of life showed up in how he cared for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. When they were in need of food, Job did not deny them. The poor had deep desires, the widows (i.e., silent ones) grew weary, and the orphans needed a dad. Job claimed that even from his youth he was conscious of the needs of the fatherless and the husbandless. It was not just with food that Job concerned himself. He also supplied clothing to the needy. In the Ancient Near East clothing was viewed much like shelter. If anyone was perishing (destroyed or exterminated) or needy due to lack of clothing, Job made sure to shear his sheep and give the needy the wool for a covering. It is hard to miss the parallels of these things in Jesus’ own teaching (Matthew 25:31-46). But Job’s help went beyond food and clothing. He spoke for those who had no voice. He defended them in court (literally the “gates” of the city). Earlier in the chapter, Job had challenged God to weigh him with honest scales to confirm his integrity. Now he claimed that if he had misspoken or misrepresented himself that God would cause his arm to fall from his shoulder or be broken off at the joint (socket). Job did all these things because he feared God and was captured by God’s splendor (highness or exaltation). Giving evidence of one’s integrity does seem like boasting about one’s humility, but it certainly was not wide of the mark for one person (Matthew 11:29, 30). - 91 -

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WEEK OF May 31

Job asserted his integrity in lip and heart. Of course, the heart and tongue are inextricably linked (Matthew 12:34-37). His speech would not be anything wicked. His tongue would not utter lies (anything deceitful or full of guile). He refused to cave in to his friends’ accusations. (The “you” is plural in verse 5.) Job felt bound to maintain his innocence (right or righteousness) and not let it go. His conscience (heart) was not convicting him because he strove to do right. Integrity can be asserted without pride.

Job (Ezekiel 14:20). Even though Job’s wife cried out for Job to curse God (Job 2:9—remember that as a mother, she had felt the losses too, so can we blame her?), he remained incredibly loyal to her. He remembered he made a covenant with his eyes to her when they married (31:1). He even asserted that if he had “lurked at my neighbor’s door” (31:9), God could cause someone else to have her (i.e., “bow down on her”).

A p p l i c at i o n

Time to Adjust the Seat by David Faust

I am approximately six inches taller than my wife. Most of the time our height difference doesn’t matter, and it comes in handy when Candy asks me to reach the dishes she keeps on the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet. Our difference of height creates discomfort, though, when we drive each other’s cars. Candy adjusts the seat of her Honda Civic to fit her shorter frame, so when I get in, the steering wheel presses so close to my chest that I can barely squeeze into the driver’s seat. And in my Toyota Corolla, I keep the front seat so far back from the console that she has to stretch out her arms like Superman to reach the steering wheel. To drive each other’s cars, we have to adjust the seat, and then remember to put it back into its original position when we finish driving. The Winds of Change There are deeper lessons we can learn from this example. When you and I find it difficult to settle into the driver’s seat of life, it’s not surprising that we feel a bit uncomfortable. God never intended for us to control the steering wheel in the first place. The ministry environment I have been accustomed to for many years has been changing rapidly. I’m guessing you have noticed. Not only is the culture around us shifting dramatically, but so is the corner of God’s kingdom in which I have lived and moved and had my being. Many trusted leaders have retired or died. My spiritual eyes are adjusting to an unfamiliar landscape as colleges, conventions, and other prominent features of the Restoration Movement that have helped to shape my walk with Christ respond to the winds of change. Cincinnati Christian University has closed its doors. The North American Christian Convention has

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morphed into a new ministry called Spire. A public high school now stands on the site where Standard Publishing’s magazines, children’s literature, and Bible study books were printed for decades. The Lookout has merged with Christian Standard magazine, and so, for the first time since 1888, it is not a stand-alone publication. And during 24 years of The Lookout’s existence, I’ve written a weekly column for it. In some cases, these developments were predictable and some might say inevitable. But alongside many others who care about our movement, I feel a bit disoriented as I watch our beloved institutions, and the people who have served in them, endure the impact of changing times. And yet . . . God is unchanging. His Word is true, his purpose constant, his love unrelenting. Human institutions come and go, but God’s faithfulness will never fade away. I am flawed, fallible, and shortsighted. I cannot always understand the ways of God, but like Job, “I know that my redeemer lives,” and with Job, I insist, “Till I die, I will not deny my integrity” (Job 19:25; 27:5). Nor will I deny my faith in the Lord or abandon the ideals of our movement, which in their best moments our leaders and institutions have espoused and embodied. God is infinitely taller than I am. Instead of adjusting the seat to fit my own comfort, I should adjust to his leading. I need to let go of the steering wheel, trust the Lord to do the driving, and move forward in faith. Personal Challenge: Meditate on Job 27:5: “Till I die, I will not deny my integrity.” Write that verse as a heading in your journal or on a sheet of paper and then jot down any adustments you will make, with God’s power and wisdom, to live with integrity this week. - 92 -

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D i s c ove ry

by Leigh Mackenzie

1. This past week, did you spend time with a friend, coworker, or family member who has been going through a dark time of suffering? If so, who, and how did that go? 2. What challenges did you face last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to read Job 27:1-6 one after the other (possibly from different Bible versions). Then ask the same two readers to each read Job 31:5, 6, 16-23. Ask the third person to retell (not interpret) the story from these passages. (Keep it simple! About 60 seconds is all the time that’s needed.) 3. What main themes do you observe in these passages? 4. What, if anything, do you struggle with in these passages? 5. Let’s dig a little deeper into the details in these passages. • What words does Job use to describe his character? • What evidences do you see of Job’s character? 6. What do you learn about God through Job’s statements? 7. What do these passages reveal to you about humanity? 8. What do you learn about living to please God?

10. Based on these Scriptures and our discussion, complete this sentence: This week, I will . . . 11. What will be a challenge for you this week?

For Next Week: Sometime this week, read and reflect on Job 16:1-5, 15-21, and 6:12-17. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.

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WEEK OF May 31

9. What do these passages compel you to do to serve others, such as the poor and needy, the widows, and/or the fatherless, this week?

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Interact Practical, Inspirational . . . Wally Rendel Just finished [reading the] March issue of Christian Standard. Best, most practical, inspirational issue to date. What a blessing.

Kingdom Impact > Weekend Attendance . . . Patrick Glasser @patrickglasser3 I have enjoyed the new Christian Standard magazine format. I absolutely loved this quote in the February edition by @wtmckenzie in his article “Solving the American Church’s PR Problem” [p. 38]: “We value kingdom impact over weekend attendance.”

Ministry Behind Bars . . . Tim Robertson I’m sitting in my office weeping for joy after reading the article featured about the “reluctant prison chaplain” [“Ministry Behind Bars,” by Bill Twaddell, p. 72, February 2020]. Toward the end of the article is this nugget: “Last March we began Monday evening services in the women's prison in Vandalia, Missouri.” Ever since Karen and I had to end our involvement—and therefore the involvement of Mizzou Christian Campus House—on Monday evenings in the Vandalia prison, we’ve been telling people that it was God’s ministry and if God wants it to continue, he’ll make it happen. And now it is, through the work of this man of God and Christian churches affiliated with The Crossing–Quincy 48th Street.

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For space, length, readability, relevance, and civility, comments sent to Interact may remain unpublished or be edited. We do read them all and prayerfully take them to heart. If we publish your comment, we will try to honestly reproduce your thoughts with those considerations in mind. Where we disagree, let’s continue to keep P.H. Welshimer’s words in mind to “disagree without being disagreeable.”

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- THE FINAL WORD -

PRAY The events of the last few months have had a tremendous effect on our congregations, communities, nation, and world. We ask that you join us at Christian Standard Media in prayer. For while the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 are uncertain, we know we serve a faithful God of certainty. Please join with us in prayer for:

Our leaders Give our leaders wisdom and courage to make the best decisions for people all over the world.

Healthcare providers Protect our healthcare workers. Give them endurance, courage, and hope as they treat many patients.

The General public Heal those who are sick with COVID-19 and protect those who have not been infected. Comfort those who are anxious. Bring peace where there is unrest.

Business owners and employees Provide for those who feel uncertain about their futures. May they know that you are the giver of all good gifts.

Churches Let the church be a light in a dark and uncertain time. Lead churches to care for their communities and provide hope for those who are lost.