There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.A time to be born and a time to die.A time to plant and a time to harvest.A time to kill and a time to heal.A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.A time to cry and a time to laugh.A time to grieve and a time to dance.A Time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.A time to embrace and a time to turn away.A time to search and a time to lose.A time to keep and a time to throw away.A time to tear and a time to mend.A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.A time to love and a time to hate.A time for war and a time for peace.Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
This passage and the author’s obvious knowledge about change that happens in life has brought me comfort and peace throughout the years. Change is something that we as individuals tend not to like very much. It is when something changes in our lives that our “fear chord” is struck and reverberates. We get nervous when the company that we have worked for changes ownership. I remember going off to college and the fear of the unknown scared me to death; I remember the re-org at State Farm that frightened the willies out of me. This is a totally natural human response to change. We don’t like it. Yet, change still comes. Sometimes it’s silent, quick and other times it’s a long drawn out process. Sometimes, the end result is better than what we had originally hoped for but one thing is for sure, as Christians there is always change if we are seeking God’s will and not our own.
Three years ago, we began an experiment in change and we called it The Bridge. Many of us made changes in our lives, our churches, our spiritual journey and we allowed God to use us to help people change their own lives. The goal of the Bridge has never been to stay the same but to change in the finest, most minute ways in our own lives so that we could become more like Christ.
This morning I want to tell you of another change. Jill and I have requested to be moved. I can assure you that our reasons are personal and not due to anything with the Bridge nor the North Alabama Conference. There are many factors that weighed in and we decided the best decision for our family was to request a change. Please don’t take this as we don’t want to serve with you because that is not the case. We love you and are so proud of what has been accomplished here at The Bridge. Yet, I will never be able to share with you the difficulties and stress that starting/leading a new church places on a person.
When we began and throughout this journey, we have focused our vision/energies on three points:1. Building Relationships2. Developing Disciples3. Empowering Ministers
I truly believe that we have succeeded in these. Think about all the new relationships that you have invested in since you have been apart of The Bridge. There is a love and family here that is incredible and I applaud you for making this happen and give glory to God.
I know that we have all grown in our relationship with God through Christ. None of us are the same person we were when we started coming to church here and in a nutshell that is what we wanted to accomplish.
Just to think about those who have been empowered in their ministries that have traveled through the door of The Bridge. Daniel McIntyre who has moved his family to Honduras to be full time missionaries; Zach who is going on to seminary, Eric and his approach to coaching with his girls, and Hugh just to name a few. But wow, what a great testament to the work God has done through this group of people.
Now, a new season is dawning and the question is on the table. What happens to The Bridge? The Bridge as we know it is coming to a close. The Conference will not be appointing a new pastor to The Bridge. I will continue to serve The Bridge as pastor until March 28. I will then be on Sabbatical until I move to my next appointment on June 15. This will give me the opportunity to spend time with two new family members, and a time to de-compress.
I, along with Hugh, Rachel, and Zach, have been in conversation with Todd Henderson from Aldersgate UMC. Todd and I have been friends since his arrival in Huntsville and he has been a close confidant and even a mentor to me as a pastor. He is a person whom I greatly respect and someone with whom I look up to as a pastor and as a person. He is also someone whose theology is very similar to my own. Todd approached me in late October/early November regarding the possibility of partnering with Aldersgate. Their situation is that they have outgrown their facilities and we were exploring the possibility of shifting some or all of their contemporary worshippers to The Bridge. As Jill and I made the decision of what was best for our family, our talks began to include our District Superintendents and what was best for The Bridge, Aldersgate, and the Conference.
Aldersgate is spending the next month praying and discerning God’s call for their next step. The Conference has offered them financial support if they will use what we have started to continue reaching out to the community in this area. We don’t know if the name will stay, if a lease for this building can be worked out, or how all the pieces fit together. What I can assure you of is Todd’s leadership and vision. He has a heart and a deep desire to introduce people to the Gospel and help them grow closer to Christ. I hope you will pray about this and spend some time in reflection. Knowing Todd, the vision of what we have set out to do will still happen, so don’t get caught up in a name or a place. The destination is the same (growing people in Christ). Aldersgate is entering a process of discerning God's call and invites you to join with them in a process of discernment and discovery of God's call. Todd Henderson and some Aldersgate leaders want to gather with us Tuesday week, and then throughout the next weeks, as part of that process in order to flesh out what the future may look like as together we reach and grow disciples.
I will never be able to thank you enough for traveling this path with my family, and me and I hope you have some understanding of what you mean to us. We have cried together, laughed together and grown closer to Christ together. Now please continue the work that Christ has begun in you. Continue to grow in your faith and helping someone else grow in theirs. Remember, you may be the only Christ someone sees this week.
Grace, Peace and Love,
Pastor John
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Ecclesiastes
We have not met in a while. This past Sunday night was the first time we had youth in weeks. So for the first meeting of 2010 we did something a little different. We read the entire book of Ecclesiastes. It only takes about 30-45 minutes. Each student took a chapter and read it, even the adults read some.
Background: The book of Ecclesiastes is written by King Solomon, David's son. At the time of the writing of this collection he would have been an older man, and probably about to die. He starts the book when he is made king and tells about his journey to find wisdom and happiness.
Summary: Being a king, Solomon thought that he could buy anything in the world that he thought would make him happy. He plants vineyards, builds parks and other buildings, he takes for himself many wives. He collects horses and chariots, builds a huge army. This man had literally anything and everything he could ever imagine and yet he was still not content. In our day and time we would call this living the "American Dream" we are all on a pursuit of happiness. He realizes that everyone and everything on earth will come to an end and there is no use being rich because you have to give to someone when you die and they may gamble it all away.
Conclusion: At the end of his life, Solomon finally realizes what the one thing is that will bring happiness and fulfillment. He says this in chapter 12: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." In the Message version throughout the book it says that everything else in life is smoke, or in other translations it might say vanity or a striving after the wind. I like the smoke translation because that pretty much says that nothing in our life matters. Yet, Solomon finds the one thing that matters. He says, nothing matters in our life except what we do for God. He says to fear, or honor God and do what he says, that is all that matters.
The challenge to the students this new year, was to honor God with their lives and do what he has placed them on this earth to do. We all are here for a reason. I encourage you to read God's Word and talk to him in prayer and see what he has you here to do.
Also I encourage you to read the book of Ecclesiastes. It will only take about 30-45 minutes to read straight through. It makes more sense to read it all at once than to pick and choose from it. A good translation to read from is The Message, it reads more like a story and makes a little more sense. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Background: The book of Ecclesiastes is written by King Solomon, David's son. At the time of the writing of this collection he would have been an older man, and probably about to die. He starts the book when he is made king and tells about his journey to find wisdom and happiness.
Summary: Being a king, Solomon thought that he could buy anything in the world that he thought would make him happy. He plants vineyards, builds parks and other buildings, he takes for himself many wives. He collects horses and chariots, builds a huge army. This man had literally anything and everything he could ever imagine and yet he was still not content. In our day and time we would call this living the "American Dream" we are all on a pursuit of happiness. He realizes that everyone and everything on earth will come to an end and there is no use being rich because you have to give to someone when you die and they may gamble it all away.
Conclusion: At the end of his life, Solomon finally realizes what the one thing is that will bring happiness and fulfillment. He says this in chapter 12: "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." In the Message version throughout the book it says that everything else in life is smoke, or in other translations it might say vanity or a striving after the wind. I like the smoke translation because that pretty much says that nothing in our life matters. Yet, Solomon finds the one thing that matters. He says, nothing matters in our life except what we do for God. He says to fear, or honor God and do what he says, that is all that matters.
The challenge to the students this new year, was to honor God with their lives and do what he has placed them on this earth to do. We all are here for a reason. I encourage you to read God's Word and talk to him in prayer and see what he has you here to do.
Also I encourage you to read the book of Ecclesiastes. It will only take about 30-45 minutes to read straight through. It makes more sense to read it all at once than to pick and choose from it. A good translation to read from is The Message, it reads more like a story and makes a little more sense. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Good Works
Session 12 of our 12 part series in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. We finally made it to Titus. All semester long we have been talking about Timothy and the youth kept asking "When are we going to get to Titus?" Well we saved the best for last. Poor Titus!
Titus 3:1-8: "Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.
It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this." (The Message).
Why do we do good deeds for other people, is it because we are trying to work our way to heaven? The Bible says that we can't do that because no one is good not even one. Ok here is a little quiz to prove the point: Answer all six of the questions correctly with no help or cheating.
1. What's the square root of 1,764?
2. What day did Texas join the US?
3. What third baseman has the most career home runs?
4. What's the shortest verse in the Bible?
5. What is the first stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange?
6. What was the 36th most popular name for girls in 1999?
Ok so I probably lost you at question one you want the answers? (1. 42, 2. December 29, 1845, 3. Mike Schmidt, 4. John 11:35 "Jesus wept.", 5. Agilent Technologies, 6. Stephanie). Did you fail too, only one youth got one question right! To show them God's mercy they all got a candy cane.
This activiy shows us that we cannot be good enough on our own. We don't do good things because we have to, but because we get to. It is the Holy Spirit in us allowing us to do good deeds as an overflow of His work in our lives.
We did a quick evaluation of our church and youth group as a way of tying the whole study together. I asked them to list 5 good thins we have does as a church and as a youth group. They were then asked to answer the following survey:
1. Are these good things mostly planned or spontaneous?
2. What grade would you give our church for good deeds?
3. What grade would you give our youth for good deeds?
4. What more do we need to do?
5. How often should we do them?
6. How can we get others involved?
That pretty much wraps up Timothy and Titus. Next semester starting in January, we will be taking 6 weeks to discover the Life of Jesus. I hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Titus 3:1-8: "Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous.
It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this." (The Message).
Why do we do good deeds for other people, is it because we are trying to work our way to heaven? The Bible says that we can't do that because no one is good not even one. Ok here is a little quiz to prove the point: Answer all six of the questions correctly with no help or cheating.
1. What's the square root of 1,764?
2. What day did Texas join the US?
3. What third baseman has the most career home runs?
4. What's the shortest verse in the Bible?
5. What is the first stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange?
6. What was the 36th most popular name for girls in 1999?
Ok so I probably lost you at question one you want the answers? (1. 42, 2. December 29, 1845, 3. Mike Schmidt, 4. John 11:35 "Jesus wept.", 5. Agilent Technologies, 6. Stephanie). Did you fail too, only one youth got one question right! To show them God's mercy they all got a candy cane.
This activiy shows us that we cannot be good enough on our own. We don't do good things because we have to, but because we get to. It is the Holy Spirit in us allowing us to do good deeds as an overflow of His work in our lives.
We did a quick evaluation of our church and youth group as a way of tying the whole study together. I asked them to list 5 good thins we have does as a church and as a youth group. They were then asked to answer the following survey:
1. Are these good things mostly planned or spontaneous?
2. What grade would you give our church for good deeds?
3. What grade would you give our youth for good deeds?
4. What more do we need to do?
5. How often should we do them?
6. How can we get others involved?
That pretty much wraps up Timothy and Titus. Next semester starting in January, we will be taking 6 weeks to discover the Life of Jesus. I hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
The B-I-B-L-E
This is the 11th part in a 12 part series of study through the books of 1&2 Timothy and Titus. We have talked about what it means to be a leader, the qualifications of church leaders, watching out for false teachers and leaving a legacy. Last night we talked about how we got the Bible as we know it and what use it is in our daily lives.
2 Timothy 3:14-17...
The Bible has not always been around in the form that we know it. It has been in development for centuries. Johannes Gutenberg played a huge role in making the Bible what it is today. In 1452 Gutenberg invented the printing press. Until his invention Bibles had to be hand written by monks and it could take upwards of 10 months to complete. Now the Bible could be printed in about 10 weeks or less. This revolutionized how the Bible was distributed. Men such as John Wycliffe wanted to see the Bible be translated into the common language. So Wycliffe took it upon himself to do so, yet all of his work was burned. Another man by the name of William Tyndale picked up where Wycliffe left off. He successfully translated the New Testament into English, yet before he could complete his Old Testament translation he was captured and sentenced to death for heresy. He was burned at the stake in 1536.
Paul is writing to a young pastor in Ephesus named Timothy who is having trouble with false teachers and the like. He encourages Timothy to continue in what he has believed since childhood (3:14). He was taught the sacred writings by his mother and grandmother (3:15). Paul then gives authority to what Timothy has learned from childhood by saying, "All Scripture is breathed out by God (literally "God-breathed" other translations say "Inspired by God") and is profitable". He tells Timothy that the Scriptures that he has been taught are useful for something, Paul then tells him they are useful for "teaching, reproof (rebuking), correction, and training in righteousness". He assures Timothy that because he knows the scriptures well, he is now equipped to do the job that God has called him to in Ephesus.
How many Bibles do you have in your house? I know that I have over 20 Bibles in my room that are mine, that is not counting my parents. We have Bibles galore. It is easy to take the Bible for granted. My challenge to the youth was to not take the Bible for granted. Many people gave their lives so that we could have it as we know it today. It is useful for everyday life, we can teach ourselves and others about Jesus, and be trained in righteousness (the right way to live).
Did you know that: The Bible was written over 1,500 years, by more than 40 men from very different walks of life. It was written under many different circumstances on 3 different continents and in 3 different languages. The writers had different purposes for writing, and they addressed a multitude of issues. Yet there is unity. That unity is organized around one theme, God's redemption of people and all of creation. The Bible, as we know it, is comprised of 66 books, with 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT. In 1999, Wycliffe Translators reported that of the 6,809 languages in the world, only 405 had an entire Bible translation in their own language; 1,034 had an adequate New Testament; 883 had some Scripture in their own language, there were 1,500 languages being translated at that time and over 3,000 different languages didn't have a copy of the Bible at all (from Patrick Johnstone's book Operation World).
2 Timothy 3:14-17...
The Bible has not always been around in the form that we know it. It has been in development for centuries. Johannes Gutenberg played a huge role in making the Bible what it is today. In 1452 Gutenberg invented the printing press. Until his invention Bibles had to be hand written by monks and it could take upwards of 10 months to complete. Now the Bible could be printed in about 10 weeks or less. This revolutionized how the Bible was distributed. Men such as John Wycliffe wanted to see the Bible be translated into the common language. So Wycliffe took it upon himself to do so, yet all of his work was burned. Another man by the name of William Tyndale picked up where Wycliffe left off. He successfully translated the New Testament into English, yet before he could complete his Old Testament translation he was captured and sentenced to death for heresy. He was burned at the stake in 1536.
Paul is writing to a young pastor in Ephesus named Timothy who is having trouble with false teachers and the like. He encourages Timothy to continue in what he has believed since childhood (3:14). He was taught the sacred writings by his mother and grandmother (3:15). Paul then gives authority to what Timothy has learned from childhood by saying, "All Scripture is breathed out by God (literally "God-breathed" other translations say "Inspired by God") and is profitable". He tells Timothy that the Scriptures that he has been taught are useful for something, Paul then tells him they are useful for "teaching, reproof (rebuking), correction, and training in righteousness". He assures Timothy that because he knows the scriptures well, he is now equipped to do the job that God has called him to in Ephesus.
How many Bibles do you have in your house? I know that I have over 20 Bibles in my room that are mine, that is not counting my parents. We have Bibles galore. It is easy to take the Bible for granted. My challenge to the youth was to not take the Bible for granted. Many people gave their lives so that we could have it as we know it today. It is useful for everyday life, we can teach ourselves and others about Jesus, and be trained in righteousness (the right way to live).
Did you know that: The Bible was written over 1,500 years, by more than 40 men from very different walks of life. It was written under many different circumstances on 3 different continents and in 3 different languages. The writers had different purposes for writing, and they addressed a multitude of issues. Yet there is unity. That unity is organized around one theme, God's redemption of people and all of creation. The Bible, as we know it, is comprised of 66 books, with 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT. In 1999, Wycliffe Translators reported that of the 6,809 languages in the world, only 405 had an entire Bible translation in their own language; 1,034 had an adequate New Testament; 883 had some Scripture in their own language, there were 1,500 languages being translated at that time and over 3,000 different languages didn't have a copy of the Bible at all (from Patrick Johnstone's book Operation World).
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Welcome!!!
Welcome to the new Bridge Student Ministry Blog. I will be posting at least a weekly blog with a short summary of each week's lesson and further reading and websites about the subject for anyone that is interested. I will also be posting about events that happen in the church and anything else that pertains to the youth. You can access it by going to www.bridgeumcyouth.blogspot.com or follow the link from the youth homepage at www.thebridgeumc.org. I hope you enjoy this resource!!!
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Long Live the KING!
zach
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Long Live the KING!
zach
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