Getting Together

“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

The early Christians in the book of Acts made it a habit of gathering together. They would meet in the temple courts, in homes, as they were going about their business throughout the day, etc.,. There was a tremendous unity among them.

This is not to say they did not have their fair share of relational challenges and disagreements. Read on in the book of Acts and you will see clearly that not everyone got along all the time. This is the challenge of being together. As a wise person once said, “Where two or more are gathered… there will be a disagreement!”

What sets us apart as Christians is our firm conviction that God is in charge, that the Holy Spirit should be part of every relationship, and that Jesus modeled what healthy relationship should look like. This week meditate on the relationships that were formed in the early life of the church (Acts 2:42-47). What were there priorities? What drove them? Who was their focus?

This weekend we will celebrate together at OFC with our Annual Small Group kickoff Picnic. This all church event will be a great time to build relationships, have a good time with your church family, and possibly connect with a small group if you are not connected already.

I will be there. I hope you are as well!

Blessings,
Pastor David

James and Jesus

It is thought that James, the writer of the New Testament letter, was the brother of Jesus. Whether he was or not is uncertain but we know that his letter is amazingly similar to the direct teachings of Christ! Let’s look at how James' teachings were right in line with the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave and you can find in Matthew chapters 5-7:

Being Friends with Vision

Some folks have asked for the sermon notes from this last week. I preached a sermon based on the address that the General Superintendent of the Evangelical Friends Church- Eastern Region, Dr. John Williams, delivered to the Yearly Meeting delegates on July 18, 2011. If you were not at OFC on Sunday this is your opportunity to catch what you missed.

“Vision with action in the context of dependency on Christ brings about renewal”

Be part of something NEW!

A) We are New Creations in Christ- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

B) We have a New Command in Christ

John 13:34-35

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

C) We are Ministers of the New Covenant -2 Corinthians 3:6

D) All in the context of Romans 15:20-21

My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,

“Those who have never been told about him will see,
and those who have never heard of him will understand.”

Therefore, we should seek newness through:
1) The Local Church Body- “Each church should seek to launch 4 new fresh initiatives this next year”

a) For Orange Friends this means:

1. Next Generation Ministry- Children’s Ministry, becoming debt free, facility upkeep/stewardship

2. Parenting class in the Fall 2011, Capital campaign Fall 2011, FCA camp this week (July 25-28)

2) The Surrounding Community

(This is where missional living begins! “Everyday Christians being missionaries in their everyday lives” Matthew 28:18-20 “as you are going”)

a) See a Need, Fill a need!

b) Would you skip church to serve others? What about the entire congregation skipping church to serve others?

3) The Region in which you live and worship

a) Get involved with ministries like CRACK House ministries

b) Partnership with Central Ohio Evangelical Friends Churches- Church planting! Let’s plant 10 churches by the year 2020!

4) Global missions

Know our specific mission field better- Evangelical Friends Missions International (http://friendsmission.com/ )


6 Focused Dreams for the EFC-ER

#1 That every church will be attractional and missional
#2 That every believer will be a contagious , spiritually transformed witness
#3 That every church will grow as a sending church- sending out pastors, missionaries, and disciple makers into the market place
#4 That our churches will multiply in people and ministry- engaging weekly 20,000 or more who love to worship, study, and serve (we presently have 16,000 in average attendance)
#5 That every church will grow in outreach giving - locally, regionally, globally- giving away a tithe or more of the local church income

This includes Great Commission Budget, mission fields, church plants (10 by 2020), youth/young adults

#6 That our EFC movement will be radically revived so that the "radical message of sin and grace and the cross will become more powerful and central"