The Blog

Pastor Mark's Weekly Update

Outreach

Saturday morning from 9 AM to Noon CHBC is opening its doors to Santa Fe Elementary School to come and receive school supplies.  Our feedback from the Back to School Bash encourages us that we help many families in preparation for the start of a school year, but that students and families still need help after the Christmas break.  Santa Fe Elementary is letting their families know that we have supplies for them, and we are just preparing to be good hosts.  This is not an event, but more of a time to talk and meet some of our neighbors.  There will be some breakfast snacks, drinks, etc.  If you can come and help serve and meet some families who live near our church, please come.  Arrive by 8:30 AM.  Pray that the Lord would use the staff of Santa Fe Elementary to share the opportunity, and would work in the hearts of those who are invited to attend.

Sunday

This Sunday morning, Tom Renfro, from Quail Springs Baptist Church, will be leading our worship along with our choir, praise team, and worship band.  Pray for Tom as he supplies our music need for the next two Sundays.  I will begin our new series from the book of Romans.  This will be a timely series for us, I pray you will be faithfully present to hear from the Lord.  As you attend Sunday School this week do not forget that your class is a great place for your friends and family who do not know the Lord.  Use the community of your Sunday School class to help you in being a gospel witness to the lost.

Sunday night I want to encourage you to be present as well as I will be bringing a message to help us have a spiritual health checkup.  Have you been growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord?  How would you know?  Sunday night we will take a few moments at the start of this year to see where we are and what we need to do in 2018 to continue growing in the Lord.  Don’t miss this important message.

Everyday Disciple Maker

Last Sunday I brought a message for 2018 that proclaimed the Christian life demands that we not be a bystander.  If you have not heard that message I encourage you to hear me as I preach, “No Bystanders at Capitol Hill”.  Just click on the title to hear that message.  As a way of application to that message, next Sunday evening, January 21, from 4 PM to 6 PM, we are hosting the Every Day Disciple Maker Seminar.  Taught by our own Ryan Ross, Jason Crosby, and myself, we will explore practical ways that everyday people can be an everyday disciple maker.  Power for Kids will have a special 2 hour practice, Mrs. Cheryl will have some special things planned for the children who are not in Power for Kids.  Our Hispanic Ministry will be hosting their own discipling seminar.  Church wide we are trying to prepare all of us to take seriously the call of Christ and the purpose of our church – to be Great Commission Christians who live by the Great Commandment. 

Sunday School: A Place to Care

Over the next few weeks, Pastor Mark will be writing a series of blog posts on the subject of Sunday School and its various benefits. In those posts he will give some thoughts about how our Sunday School teachers could continue to create environments where ministry and mission can take place.

Sunday School Teacher,

 Thank you so much for leading one of CHBC’s Sunday School groups.  This is a vital ministry arm of our church, because we know that transformational discipleship occurs more often as believers meet in small groups around the study of God’s Word. 

In addition to the power of learning in Sunday School groups, is the opportunity to know about the needs of brothers and sisters in our family and assisting one another in practically meeting those needs.  When needs are beyond the abilities of the group or church, thank you for praying and directing your group to help from other resources.

Consider the power of some of these practical ways to minister to people in your group:

Provide a Meal
Providing a meal, or asking others to help with a few meals. Often people in our groups participate in more than one ministry area of the church.  Consider making sure the leaders of these other areas are aware of any needs that you are free to share, and allow them to participate in helping your group minister.

Just be Present
The ministry of presence can be very helpful. We do not always have the words to say in a particular circumstance, but just being present reminds us that God loves us and is present Himself.

Meet a Need
Are there practical, physical things that could be done. Babysitting, providing transportation, cleaning the house, mowing a lawn, running an errand, or some other personal act?  Don’t ask, “What can I do for you?”  Pray for God to help you see a need, and then just take care of it if you are able.  If you cannot, then  coordinate with someone else in the group or the church to take care of it.

Pray for People (and let them know it!)
We all like to know people are praying for us. So, while meeting practical needs, send a card, a text, or an email just to let them know that they are being lifted up in prayer. 

Share Needs Openly
Make sure the rest of the group is aware of any needs that exist in the group, if you are free to share. Help them know how they can help and pray.

Share the Load
Appoint someone, or perhaps several others to take on these care responsibilities for your group. This is helpful to you, it helps others be involved, and it reminds people in need that some besides the teacher are there to care for them.

Seek Help From the Staff 
As your pastors and ministry director we value your leadership.  We are always available as a resource for ideas, prayer, and guidance through the variety of struggles and trials we will walk through as Christians.  Never hesitate to reach out to us to make sure we are aware of the needs in the body, or to seek support or counsel.

God bless you, as you serve the Lord Jesus Christ,

Pastor Mark and the ministry staff of CHBC