A number of poeple at The Rock are reading Francis Chan’s book, Letters to the Church, in small groups. We have found his book challenging, convicting, and oddly comforting. Challenging in that it makes observations from the Bible that confront the ways we do church. Convicting in that it exposes some ways church is more about tradition and cultural expectations than what God desires. And comforting in that we have discovered there are things being done at The Rock that reflect the Bible’s design for the church.
One challenge from chapter 3 is to examine our expectation for church. Chan asks us to list some of our common expectations when coming to church. Chan states; “They usually list obvious things like a really good service, strong age-specific ministries, a certain style/volume/length of singing, a well-communicated sermon, conveniences such as parking, a clean church building, coffee, childcare, etc.” He then has us list the commands God gave the church in Scripture. Lists include “loving one another”, “visit orphans and widows in their affliction”, “make disciples of all nations”, and “bear one another’s burdens.” Chan then asks, “what would upset their people more - if the church didn’t provide the things from the first list or if the church didn’t obey the commands in the second list.” Zing. Ouch.
I believe God is up to something at The Rock. God us using this book and other means to cause us to focus on what is truly important to God. Would you pray with me in discerning what any of this means for us? I am excited for the future of ministry and worship at The Rock!
In the meantime, come and engage in worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship at The Rock this Mother’s Day Sunday!
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, and the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common." - Acts 2:42-44
- Pastor Curt
Theological Word of the Week:
Eternity
When used of God, the doctrine that God has no beginning, end, or succession of moments in his own being, and he sees all time equally vividly, yet God sees events in time and acts in time.
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
Upcoming Events
Children's Ministry
This week Rock Kids will be digging into the story of Jesus' plan to come back for us, found in Revelation 21-22. The kids will learn the Bible point "Jesus wants to be with us forever." Kids my have mixed thoughts about heaven. Some may be confused, & some may be curious. Some may be excited, & some may be scared. We want to help kids get excited about heaven and the idea that Jesus has made a way for them to live with God forever.
-Cameron
Sermon Topic - May 12
“Real Moms”
Various Readings
April 2019 YTD