Monthly Archives: July 2013

In light of the recent Supreme Court decisions about marriage (U.S. v Windsor, available at http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/12pdf/12-307_6j37.pdf) our church is rethinking our relationship to the government  at both federal and state levels. I was recently asked why we maintain a 501(c)3 status with the IRS and if in so doing we are obligated to align our bylaws with current state and federal law. It is a complex issue and one that I am looking for advice. 

Currently we are in the process of adopting a section in our bylaws defining marriage (you can see the suggested language we are using at – http://www.alliancedefendingfreedom.org/content/docs/issues/church/Suggested-Lang-Church-bylaws.pdf. There have been several changes suggested to the language which we are working through with our deacons. 

The larger question remains: what kind of relationship do we maintain with both the state and federal government?

Thoughts? Responses are welcome.

WORLD CHANGERS RELFECTIONS 7/15/13

THESE ARE RANDOM REFLECTIONS THAT I AM TILL PROCESSING…

                Lessons learned: People are extremely generous when given an appropriate challenge and opportunity; People want to be involved in projects bigger than themselves;                         People are hungry for affirmation.

God creates opportunities for us to trust Him more

God opens doors we’d never dream of opening ourselves

God demands obedience and faithfulness…

 By Wednesday afternoon/early evening we learned there are people here by divine appointment. There are people here at random, and there people here searching for something they can’t seem to find at home. Lord, give me the discernment to know the difference between those that come my way. Teach me to discern the heart of people.

Thursday evening’s service was the “Concert of Prayer” a truly moving and worshipful way to lead students to pray for Winston, for their own family and community, and for one another. Deep and lasting friendships have been made during these few short (though they certainly FELT long) days!

Friday, the adversary attacked through a local family…upset by something, one member of the family verbally abused several staff, another family member called the church- I spent ten minutes with her on the phone, then one family member went through the parking lot and jotted down the name of churches represented and sent a very scathing email making accusations that had no basis in reality. I alerted the police and asked people to pray for protection. 

The days leading up to WC I prayed like never before. Lord, may that hunger for prayer, the longing for You to fulfill Your promises drive every day of my life!

Few books have challenged my understanding of what it means to serve God as Nik Ripken’s book, The Insanity of God. He and his family- at significant personal cost-  experienced a faith shattering journey that needs to be read by every follower of Jesus. The accounts of believers across the world who have gladly suffered for the privilege of following Jesus has shaken my complacency and my tendency to accommodate the gospel in order to ‘fit’ in the community I serve.

Nik’s own journey in one of the most God-forsaken places on earth- Somalia in the early and mid-1990’s- is worth the price of the book. The second half of the book as Nik recounts the stories of believers across the world who have suffered for the privilege of knowing and sharing Jesus is  compelling reading. To listen in on the joy and peace that people have experienced in some of the worst conditions imaginable challenged me to rethink the ‘hard’ places in my own life. 

If you need something to rekindle your enthusiasm for following Jesus- READ THIS BOOK! IF you are content with what God is doing in your life-READ THIS BOOK!