Thougts on Our Church

The direction our church has taken is paying off. I love it!!! I forget sometimes how great God is blessing until I tell someone else.

At our Small group Sunday Night, we had 16 Adults and 16 kids. In the past, our tactics were to get them settled in to church and then try to build relationships. This approach at building relationships first has been paying off. we have already seen a rise in participation at church, and we will continue to see more.

People don't want or need to be judged by a religion or told what to do. that is direct antithesis to human nature. Human nature naturally rebels against authority, especially in a culture that no longer enforces it. Human nature, however, almost always responds to love and encouragement. Are we building a "feel good" church? God forbid. We are just finding a means to carrying out the Great Commission that doesn't handicap us before we start.


Praise God for His Greatness

Sunday Recap

Here's just a recap of what went on at Business Meeting Sunday

1. We voted to change our missions giving. We are now going to give as follows
-125- TBI
- 125- Texas Mission Builders
-250 - Pine Springs
- 250- Phil Gavilla (Guadalajara Mexico)
- 250- Jason Clark (France)
-250- Chris Miller (Australia)
- 250- to be recommended by the new missions committee each month

IT is exciting to see our church stepping out in faith, supporting these ministries in the "uttermost parts of the earth".

The Landscaping is nearing a close. THe plants are in the ground and look great. A little mulch and we're all through.

The church also voted to raise one of the pastor's salary. IT is exciting to see a church moving in this direction. As we continue to grow, time will tell how this decision is. THank You.



We are moving in the right direction. Our Young Adult Small Group has seen 4 visitors in the last 2 weeks. Our Adult Small Groups are beginning to solidify and are nearing the next step of growth. God is blessing the faithfulness of His people. I pray we continue in this faithfulness and see how that we truly cannot "out give" God!!!

Amazing Love

Maybe I Said "Excited" Too Much

I am so excited about our services Sunday! It seemed, for the first time in months, that everyone was engaged in worship.

I'm convinced that satan(that old jerk) has been doing a number on our church. we saw some substantial growth and then it all stopped. People suddenly found themselves at odds with one another over the pettiest of things. Well, someone realized it, made others aware of it, and they started attacking HIM head on. (Take that Jack)

It is exciting to see the excitement about missions growing at LDMBC. I am ready for this month's business meeting so we can finally utilize what God has given us to use for His Kingdom work! Our small groups also seem to be solidifying. I know it is challenging for some of you guys, but let me praise you for your willingness to try anything to find that one thing that works!!! As we move this direction, we will no longer be limited to the size of our building, but by the number of houses in Henderson!!! Praise God!

The Body of Christ

When the Bible says that "you are the Body of Christ", does it mean that there is only one person in our church who is supposed to be the lungs or heart? Sometimes it seems like certain churches are in a coma, with only a few who are the heart or lungs working while the rest lays limp in the hospital bed. It also seems that, at times, the heart and lungs get annoyed with the limp appendages that just sit and get bed sores. At whom should they be annoyed? The appendages themselves? The Central Nervous System? The accident that caused the coma?

Much of the conflict in today's churches comes from that question. While many do not realize it, the conflict begins and ends with, "I'm not sure who to be mad at so I choose you". Why must anyone be annoyed with anyone? Why must the blame be placed? Why can't the few organs that do work join together to will that first little finger to twitch, or that leg to jump. Maybe, just maybe, those few organs could work wholeheartedly with the Head, who, let's face it, is the only part that can wake those arms and legs and fingers up.

Rather than EXPECT the Head to do the work, we start to think that maybe a "shock to the system" would help, maybe a cast or a brace, maybe a transplant even. All that leaves you with is a church that can only be understood by watching of the greatest movies ever, "Weekend at Bernies". It is the story of 2 men who find their boss dead, then spend the rest of the movie treating him like a puppet, making everyone believe he is alive (sounds more gross than it is).

A church can't be all heart forever. New cells need to be added and strengthened. Maybe the Head will replace all the dead tissue, or maybe He will resuscitate it. Whatever the case, it is the job of the Head. Come one heart and lungs, let's watch the Head do its work

Isaiah 6

So I thought it was cool how heaven's priorities have not changed. Sunday, we learned from Isaiah 6 how that Heaven's priorities are:
1. Get the Lost Lost
2. Get the Lost Saved
3. Get the Saved Serving

This is the Great Commission made over.

What have you done to help a lost soul see their lost condition lately?
How have you helped someone see how to be saved?
How have you helped a new believer begin to serve in a more mature way(and yes that is expected of you too)?

The Foci of our Intentions

What exactly are the focus (foci on the plural ???-I know.....) of our intentions?

-Do we want to see people saved? Really?
-Do we want to spend the time discipling people? Really?
-Do we want to see new churches planted? No, Really?

That about covers it, right? What else is there?

-Having strong ministries established, that funnel people into the church
-Having an organized children's ministry that brings in new parents
-Having a top of the line worship service to "create worship"

These things are the forest, but the people are the trees.