Unity is easier said than done, especially within a local congregation. Pastor David explains in his sermon on Matthew 18:15-20 that our concern for each other’s spiritual well-being is crucial to our unity as a church.
Believing and Doing: Jesus is Lord
If Jesus is Lord, then nothing else can be. This is a revolutionary claim of the Christian faith. Are we listening for God’s voice to reveal this deep truth to us? Listen to Pastor David’s sermon on Matthew 16:13-20.
Believing and Doing: Women in Ministry
The Church of God has always supported women as ministers of the good news of Jesus Christ, based on our reading of scripture passages such as Romans 10:5-15. Listen as Pastor David sets the context and discusses how all of us are responsible to take in the word of faith and to share it with others. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
Interrupted by God’s Wisdom
How can God’s wisdom interrupt our divided, polarized way of living? On Tuesday night of the 124th St. Louis Camp Meeting, Pastor David preached on Proverbs 16:1-9. Listen to his message here:
Believing and Doing: Trinity
We begin our exploration of Church of God beliefs with something very fundamental: the Trinity. But believing isn’t enough – our beliefs must transform us so that we behave differently. How can we practice our belief in the Trinity? Listen to Pastor David’s message on Romans 8:26-39.
Jesus is the Subject
First, we study a parable that Jesus once told and explained (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). Then, we explore the slogan “Jesus is the Subject.” Pastor David’s contention: Jesus wants to be the entire sentence! Listen here:
Report from the Church of God Convention
Last week, Pastor David attended the Church of God Convention in Wichita, Kansas. Listen in as he shares a few points of reflection from this gathering of our tribe!
Holiness and Confession
What comes to mind when you think of the word “confession”?
Maybe the word reminds you of someone confessing to a crime in front of a judge or jury. Maybe you think of a written statement in a police station. Perhaps you remember a relationship that deepened – or collapsed – when something was confessed.
Maybe the word brings to mind a picture of a person sitting in a closed room and speaking to a priest on the other side of a screen. Maybe you remember a bedtime prayer or a youth camp where you confessed your sins to God.
Maybe the word “confession” makes you uncomfortable. Maybe it just doesn’t mean anything at all to you.
I would like to suggest that confession should play a role in our spiritual growth and development. Confession is part of the way in which we experience God’s love and new life. Continue reading
What’s Going On in the Church of God?
Earlier this month, several of us from Mt. Haley attended the Michigan General Assembly of the Church of God. This annual meeting gives us the opportunity to learn about what is happening in ministries around the state and even around the nation. The main speaker this year was Jim Lyon, the General Director of the Church of God in the US and Canada.
He shared some amazing news with us, and I’d like to share those updates with you, too. Continue reading
July Youth Update
Summer is moving along! Pastor David, Connie and I attended the North American Convention of the Church of God in Oklahoma City last week and were challenged, inspired and moved to be proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ with boldness. This event is one of the great events of the Church of God and we would fully endorse your attendance or even following it on the Internet. Topics, along with the many great speakers, music and worship experiences plus the general assembly, included a move to have the NAC every odd numbered year with the International Youth Convention on even years, resolutions to improve racial relationships, a call to community outreach and encouragement to keep “Jesus is the Subject” in our daily lives. A blessed experience for the entire Church of God. Continue reading