» Connecting with Others

‘churchianity’?

vsschreffler — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:55:56 +0000

Ok, assuming that Jesus was right when He said, “I will build my church” and the Apostle Paul was accurately inspired by the Holy Spirit when he explained that the church is the Body of Christ and that the Apostle James was likewise inspired when he said the church was the bride of Christ..why do so many people have a negative attitude toward church?

I think there’s a difference between radical Christ-following and what passes as a culture Christianity in the average american worshiping community. I’d really like to get some feedback–what do you think churchianity is and why do you think a lot of people are down on church?

Twitter 101 – How to sign up & follow CCCN

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:07:58 +0000

Step 1: Go to http://twitter.com.

Step 2: Click the Join the conversation! Green Box

Step 3: Create a Username.

Step 4: Follow 3cNaz on Twitter

Step 4: Start connecting!

Growing With Student Ministry

elapp — Sun, 30 May 2010 21:16:16 +0000

It is fun to see things grow. If you have plants or flowers at your home or apartment, plant a tree at the park or work on a farm, you don’t invest time, money and energy to plant things so they will die. You want them to grow to use their fruit or enjoy their beauty.

We must have the same mindset as it relates to our faith in Christ. But it can work differently than our very visual analogy of growing plants. We want to see the growth and adding students to our numbers is great, but they must be growing in their knowledge of the truth so they may become disciples: followers of Jesus who are mature in their faith and bearing spiritual fruit.

It is fun to have more students; more rowdiness; more challenges; more souls who are hearing about Jesus gathered together on Wednesday nights. But at the heart of even ONE more student joining the activities on Wednesday nights, there must be growth that is, for a time unseen, the deep inner working of the Holy Spirit, transforming the life of an unbeliever to one who is seeking first the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 4:11-15

¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Christ loved me through you

elapp — Fri, 14 May 2010 22:34:33 +0000

Those who go to a building called a church need to be reminded that we don’t go to church but that we are the church. We are his fullness (Ephesians 1:23). We are His chosen people (I Peter 2:9). We are what He is building (Ephesians 2:21,22). Since we are the body of Christ, we celebrate that we are connected to Christ. He is the head of the church and He leads us and guides us.

While it is incredible that God would choose us to be a visible witness of how He loves, we know that we fail, struggle, stumble and sin. The body has aches and pains at times, is broken and flawed, needs healing and help.

We are not to be discouraged, but be encouraged for God is at work. For we put on love (Colossians 3:14) so that we live in unity. We extend grace to one another, because He first loved us and first extended grace to us (Romans 5:8, I John 3:16)

I am so thankful for Christ Community Church and at its heart, a community of grace and care. Grace is undeserved favor towards one another. There are too many stories to share in this short blog of love extended to one another when love was not deserved, when hurt and pain were overwhelming, when the broken body needed to be healed. But they are real and many can testify to moments of perfect love and grace, amidst the imperfect and living in a fallen world. And in recent days–in profound ways.

We long for the hope of heaven when all things will be made new, when the body will be completely healed and will praise our God and Father, our Lord and Savior, in perfection, for all of eternity.

Missions

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:30:17 +0000

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries

Myanmar Aid – We give praise that Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) is working with local Nazarenes to give assistance to victims of Cyclone Nargis . Please continue to pray for the people of Myanmar and for NCM personnel as they work to bring hope and comfort to the hurting.

Transformation of Asia-Pacific Youth and Children – Pray for the Holy Spirit’s transforming power in the youth and children of the Asia-Pacific Region. Pray that they stand firm and embrace Christ while surrounded by pressure to conform to worldly life.

The Center of Hope – The Center of Hope in Bhekulwandle, South Africa, focuses on helping those suffering from extreme poverty and AIDS. Pray for the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries staff who administer this center and for each person who walks through its doors.

CIS Church Development – Please pray for church development and ways to minister to people living in former communist nations. Pray they will be effective in what ever way the Lord leads, so more churches are established and more people come to the Lord.

Small Groups

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:27:40 +0000

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES

9:30am to 10:45am

Walking through the Word: Room 2103 Teacher: Sandra Navarro/Matt Fitzgerald
The study in this mixed age group class is an Old Testament Bible study.

Continuing in the Faith: Room 2102Teacher: Phil and Kathy Hendrickson
A mixed age group of adults with a focus in this class on sharing and praying with one another. Our current Bible study is from the Book of Acts.

Young Adults Group: Church Office Teacher: Jeff Tollefson; 20 somethings making connections with contemorary thought and ancient truth

Beginnings: Pastor’s Office-introduction to the Bible and Christian thought for those who are new to the faith

Ambassadors: Room 3107 Teacher: Gene Nossa
Group of senior adults who enjoy their fellowship time at the beginning of their class followed by an in-depth Bible study.

WEEKLY SMALL GROUPS

Second Time Around
Grandparents Support Group: Room 2103
6:30PM on Wed

Men’s Bible Study: Thursday Evenings
Roy Lewis’ Home at 6:30pm
Leader: Bill Stewart

Women on Fire: Room 2103
First Sunday of the month at 12:30PM
Leaders: Julie Kishore & Sandra Navarro
This is a group of women who are committed to prayer and sharing with each other. They meet on Sunday afternoons once a month and share a potluck lunch during their time together.

Care Ministry – Welcoming our Guests

admin — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:22:08 +0000

Care Ministry Meetings: Every 4th Sunday of the month, 12:30pm in Room 2105.

Wouldn’t it be great if all first time guest knew immediately that they were genuinely welcome at Christ Community? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could feel linked to a group of people who truly care about them, regardless of their background? Imagine how cool it would be if all newcomers discovered here, the kind of relationships that helped them find answers to their deepest needs!

You can be a vital link!

Mrs. Mary Lou Schreffler (Pastor Victor’s mother) lead us in developing this awesome caring ministry – not a program but a process – here at Christ Community.

Mary Lou became involved in this outreach in 1999 when it was first introduced at Atlanta First (now Gracepointe) Church of the Nazarene in Atlanta, Georgia. After serving for several years as a team leader, she became coordinator of the overall ministry.

It remains to this day the single most effective approach for bringing first time guests (new visitors) back again and again. Mary Lou trained us to truly welcome newcomers, and to appreciate our “regulars” as well.

We learned how to:

Recognize first time guests and approach them in the confidence of caring.
Encourage and nurture them.
Lead them to recognize our church as an accepting place to experience grace.
Help them find places of productive and fulfilling service.
Grow Christ Community because we are meeting needs.

You can serve effectively as a Care Ministry member if you have the desire to do so.

For more information, see Sue McClure or Kandis Stewart, or complete a sign-up form at the registration table.