Shunning the Roots of Traditionalism

It was a simple conversation; comments in the beauty shop between myself, my beautician, and a man who is visiting various churches trying to find a church home. Not for the first time, I found myself being asked, ‘where do you go to church?’ After I responded came the next, not unexpected, question.What kind of church is it? (That’s usually how it’s put.) Therein, for me, lies a problem. Not the answer, but the question. If I’ve raised a few eyebrows, let me backtrack a bit for clarification.

Like many of you, I grew up in the traditional Church of Christ. I am, let me state here and now, very proud of my spiritual roots. I am in no way ashamed to belong to a church that bears the name of Christ. That being said, there are elements entangled in the midst of my roots that I now find myself, almost always, feeling the need to (for lack of a better term) apologize for.

Most of us – especially women – pay attention to labels. We want to know if a product is made by a reliable company. If it’s a garment, we like to know if it’s easy to care for. If it’s an appliance, we want to know if it has a good warranty. What are the specific functions it performs that meet our needs? So we read the labels. Labels are important.

All of us – whether we realize it or not – wear a label, perhaps more than one. Our labels aren’t tangible, nor are they always indicative of our true character. Our labels can be complimentary or degrading. As human beings, we seem to label others. He’s an ex-con. She’s a gossiper. He’s a womanizer. She’s a bar hopper. I do realize that in our present day culture it is important to know if there’s a sex offender or child molester in our neighborhood. So let me clarify that I’m not averse to labels when the safety of others is an issue. But, aside from those examples, labels can be hindering to either our own spiritual growth or that of others.

My growing up in church, while filled with many pleasant memories, was also steeped in legalism and traditionalism. I didn’t realize it then. At the time, my indoctrination, while grounded in truth, was lacking in the teaching of two specific elements; the work of the Spirit, and grace. (More on the latter in a bit.) What we in the Church of Christ were known for more than anything else was ‘you people believe you’re the only one’s going to heaven.’ That seemed to be our label. I’m sure most of you can relate.

Dear brothers and sisters, aren’t we blessed that such isn’t the case here at NPC! But, as ripples in a pond, that old label still haunts us. I believe it is that label, which has hindered – to a lesser or greater degree depending on where we’re from geographically – our effectiveness at drawing others closer to Jesus and bringing still others to Him. So, back to my original point.

When asked about my church I found myself, also not for the first time, offering a rapid and almost apologetic clarification. My next words after answering church of Christ were something like… ‘but it’s not like the churches of Christ you’re probably familiar with.’ After returning home from the beauty shop, this weighed heavily on my heart. After hearing several comments made in class this morning, I realize others feel the same or very similar concerns; overcoming that stigma in trying  to bring others to Jesus. It’s a problem that disturbs me. A part of me almost feels the need to apologize for feeling the need to apologize. Almost. But not quite.

Being asked about NPC’s affiliation is, for me, a dreaded question. That dread stems from past experiences. Too many times in years past when I’ve given answer to the question of ‘what church do you go to’ I’ve seen the negative reactions. Whether the result of their own personal experience or the all too well known (and perhaps justified) stigma that churches of Christ believe anyone who claims affiliation elsewhere is lost and, further, should not be fellowshipped as brethren, the negative reactions have far outnumbered the positive. For many, their very body language speaks louder than words ever could.

I’ve learned in recent years that churches of Christ don’t have a corner on such elitist beliefs. However, we seem to be best known for it more so than any other church affiliation. Maybe we’ve been given a bad wrap. Sadly, maybe we’ve earned it.

Thankfully, that belief is no longer the case in many congregations of the churches of Christ. The old legalistic, staunchly traditional views do still firmly  exist in some. But I am thankful for the way so many of us now hear and embrace the beautiful teaching of grace. Sorely lacking in my childhood and much of my adult life, it has become a welcomed and freeing part of my spiritual walk.

So… how does one move past feeling such (dare I say shame?) over the unfortunate stigma that we still seem to be labeled with? I believe there is only one answer. Jesus! Allen has stated more than once that his desire isn’t to convert anyone to church. His desire is to convert others to Jesus. I believe that’s why so many are drawn to NPC, and why they feel so welcomed and loved here. Far from perfect, we are a work in progress.

For now, I feel the need – a strong need – to shun the traditionalism of past years. I’m still uncomfortable with and leery of possible negative reactions to the label of ‘believing we’re the only ones who are right.’ As for our beauty shop conversation, it went well. There were no negative reactions. I find myself wondering, however, if the result would have been the same had I not quickly made my follow up comments in an almost apologetic tone. Should I, instead, have boldly stated, ‘we are a church of Christ,’ without feeling the need to expound on that statement? The truth is, I don’t want to wear the old label, and I can’t, in all honesty, pretend it doesn’t exist.

Jo Hardage

When Enough Is Not Enough

There once was a good king who loved the people of his kingdom. So great was his love for them that he felt their struggles, their tears, and their joys. He often referred to them as his children, so great was his care and concern for their welfare. Unlike other kings who sat regally on their thrones and never walked among the people, this good king often left the splendor of his castle to go out and walk throughout his kingdom. Sometimes the people recognized him, but many times they did not, for he would dress as they did, and work beside them as they toiled.

Always, he made sure to have an abundance of goods along with him that might increase their comfort. In the winter when the winds blew and the road they walked became icy, he would go before them, breaking the ice in order that their way was less treacherous. He offered them warmer coats, and hardy food that would keep their bodies strong. In summer, when the sun grew hot and the heat made them sweat from their toil, he offered them cool water and invited them into the shade to rest.

Some of the people gladly accepted the king’s kindness and mercy, knowing that their lives were made easier by doing so. Others, however, allowed pride or stubbornness to stand in the way of accepting the king’s gifts. They declined them, believing their own strength and abilities were sufficient, and their toils more rewarding without accepting from the king. “We have enough,” they would say. “We do not need anything else. We are strong, and we are wise. Let him help those who feel too weak or less willing to make it on their own.” Surveying the fruits of their own labors, they would proudly boast, “We have done all this without the help of the king. Why should we accept anything from him when we are fully capable on our own? We do not need the king’s help.” So they toiled on never accepting the king’s offers of warmer clothing in winter or cool water and shade in summer.

So it is with us today. Jesus, our good and gracious King, offers us boundlessly of His mercy. He lived among us. He feels our hurts, our struggles, and our joys. He loves us so intensely that He was willing to bear the cross. There, He paid a price we could never pay. Like the good king in the story, our King goes before us. He makes our way safer and more secure. He walks with us through the storms. Sometimes we recognize Him, knowing that the good things we have can only come from Him. Other times, He is there, yet never acknowledged by those who feel that they are good enough or strong enough or capable enough on their own. Whether it is pride in our own self sufficiency, or stubbornness alone that keeps us from accepting His good gifts, we find ourselves like those in the story who refused the comforts their king offered.

This world is full of hardship and trouble. God has never promised us a life free of either. Just as the king’s people in the story had to work, so must we. But like the good king in the story who sought to make their toil less burdensome, so our Good King offers us those things, which will make our lives more joyful. He offers to cleanse us with his blood. He gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide, to strengthen, and to give peace amid the storms of life.

Our enough is never enough. Our own strength, our own abilities apart from Him, are useless in bringing us the true peace and joy that can only be found in Him. He offers Himself unconditionally. We need only accept. He knocks… He waits… He loves!

Jo Hardage

And the Leaves Must Fall by Jo Hardage

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:” Ecc. 3: 1.

As I’ve watched the seasons come and go, I’ve realized how closely our lives parallel the changing seasons. Nature’s pattern of change is mirrored in our own. Although our changes don’t occur with the same constant, repetitve schedule as that of nature, they do, nonetheless seem to follow a pattern. While nature’s symphony of seasonal change is ordered and pedictable, ours is not. Our own symphony more often resembles noise instead of melody.

How we long for peaceful, carefree days! Yet, our days are not carefree. Our days aren’t always at peace. Too many cares crowd out the peace we long for. Cares and worries over relationsips with loved ones, financial worries, health concerns for ourselves and others, as well as the daily struggle to keep Satan at bay often rob us of the peace we long for.

There is a maple tree in my front yard. It was a mother’s day gift a few years ago, and I have enjoyed watching it grow and the beautiful color changes of the leaves as autumn prepares them to let go and fall. They cover the ground beneath until the wind carries them away to rest somewhere else. 
One of my favorite pleasures growing up was playing in the woods. I was always near the house, but I loved the blanket of leaves that covered the ground. As the season progressed and the rain fell the leaves decayed and nourished the soil beneath.

We all have our autumn seasons. We find ourselves needing to shed our leaves. Leaves of burdens we have carried for too long. Leaves of grudges or unforgiveness that we have habored. Leaves of doubt from wavering faith. Shedding our leaves oftentimes allows us to be naked and exposed spiritually and emotionally in ways that we find uncomfortable. It opens us up to vulnerability. Yet it also alllows rejuvenation and renewal. Just like the trees in winter, we, too, must from time to time be stripped of what is no longer needed or useful. Or of those things that may be hindering future growth. A tree simply lets go. We, however, find letting go difficult.

As the dead and decaying leaves nourish the soil, so the shedding of our leaves of care and sin nourishes and allows us to grow. They become our ‘compost.’ We never really forget the leaves we shed. If we are wise, they serve as lessons learned and necessary turning points in our Christian walk. If the trees never allowed the dead leaves to fall, there would soon be no room for new ones. So, too, if we cling to our leaves – never shedding, never letting go of our burdens – there ceases to be room for growth. Welcome the shedding, dear brothers and sisters. Let go, and let the leaves fall.

Serving in the NPC Family

It is time to renew ourselves to SERVE at NPC in ways that we really feel called to serve. To help our church family organize the ministry, every NPC member should identify 1-2 major areas that they feel strongly about and where they are willing to invest time and energy.

It is important that as disciples we all follow the example of Jesus, “who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.” Your service in the NPC family ensures that our guests and your NPC brothers and sisters see Jesus and worship him. It is a command from the Lord that each of us approach membership in his family from the standpoint of a servant and not a consumer.

The SERVE at NPC Form represents broad ministry interests in order to keep it simple. Please note that your response will be followed up by some of the following – elders, ministers, deacons or ministry leaders – to identify specific ways in your area that you want to serve.

Jesus wants cheerful servants who are committed to the task he has given them to do (Lk. 12:43). We want the same for each member of the NPC family. Prayerfully consider ways that you feel the Lord is leading you to serve in the NPC family.

You may complete the online form below or pick up a hard copy form at the Welcome Center.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nhKApOpIiAYEAtfu8CLFfdHk8Zdh3h4x3QPceia0Z9k/viewform

Until the Waters Run Clear

Growing up in a rural area afforded my three cousins and me lots of opportunities to traipse through the woods. As an only child, they were my constant playtime companions. We all lived close together, being separated only by a gravel road. Back then, one could walk the woodland trails without fear of present day worries.

I well remember a few times when we would run across an old open bottle or can that lay almost buried in the soil. Oftentimes it would be filled with water. And of course there were always puddle holes to play in. Puddle holes of muddy water, which had become home for tadpoles or mosquitoes. But what I remember most was that the water, which was stagnant, smelled awful! But, as kids will do, we weren’t content with just leaving it alone. So we would invariably end up with that foul smell on our hands and clothes.

This morning, as I do every morning, I made a pot of coffee first thing. There is usually a little left in the pot from the morning before, which I just pour into the sink before rinsing the pot and adding water for the fresh coffee. This morning there was a bowl in the sink that I had left there last night and filled with water so that any remains of food in it would wash away easily. When I poured the remaining leftover coffee out, it went into the bowl of water. The result was a murky brown yucky colored bowl of water. So I just let the water from the faucet run into the bowl. In a few seconds, the murky color was gone, and all that remained was clear water.

Our lives are often like that. Sometimes we allow ourselves to stagnate. We let the cares of the world creep in and surround us. And if we aren’t reading God’s word and taking time to communicate through prayer on a daily basis, those cares can overtake us. Then what happens? Remember the stagnant water? We, too, can become like that. We can become spiritually stagnant. And, I wonder, when that happens does the Father see us as we see the muddy puddles of water? Does He smell the foul odor of sin and worldly cares that we’ve allowed to overtake us?

Even when we’re trying…even when we’re putting out a good effort, we can still find ourselves like that bowl of water in my sink this morning. We’re clean. The waters are clear. Then, boom! Something unexpected happens. Something devastates us or hurts us or frustrates us so badly that we take our focus off of Jesus. We face temptations, obstacles, or difficult challenges, and we begin to feel less like praising and more like grumbling. We never know when our waters might be darkened with the murkiness of worldly cares. Just like that bowl of water that turned dark when I poured out the leftover coffee, our clear waters become murky and ugly if we don’t continue to displace worldly cares with prayer, feeding on the Word, and meditating and listening to the Father. We have to keep filling ourselves with spiritual things until the waters run clear; fresh, sparkling, life giving. Stay focused, brothers and sisters. Stay focused, and keep the waters running clear.

by Jo Hardage

You can email Jo at johardage@yahoo.com.

Kenser to lead outreach to veterans in Arkansas

Doc Kenser announced Sunday that he would be leading an initiative that brings Arkansas Hospice, the VA and local churches together to reach out to veterans in communities all across Arkansas.

Our own Russ Norman writes this encouraging note:

“I’m on a search for a certain person more qualified to be in on a pilot program to minister to vets in hospice care. I can’t think of anyone I personally know better suited than Doc Kenser. With his background and his heart for God,I feel assured he can help pilot such a program to be successful for others. Good luck on other places being able to duplicate his efforts and compassion. All of God’s blessings on this endeavor, Doc. Lead on brother. You are an inspiration!”

Assembled in the Love of God – Additional Notes

Here are additional notes and links from Sunday’s sermon:

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! (John 17:20-24 NLT)
 
For more on perichoresis – dancing in the round and teaching on the Trinity – You’ve got to read these quotes!

The Divine Community of love – Father, Son and Spirit – shows us how to view the whole Story. God wants to assemble people to share in His eternal love. 

Creation and Fall – In love, God creates the worlds as a temple wherein he can share his love with his creation. However, Adam and Eve believed there was more to be gained than the Love of God. 

Abraham – God promises to assemble a people through Abraham in order that He might love the whole world. 
Genesis 12:1-3

Sinai – God delivers Abraham’s descendants with a mighty hand and out-stretched arm from the bondage of Egypt in order to assemble with them in the wilderness at Sinai. On the mountain, the leaders see God and eat with him. Exodus ends as the glory of God fills the tabernacle in the midst of Israel’s camp. God establishes several assemblies throughout the year that He might be with his people. 
Exodus 19:4-6
Exodus 24:9-11
Leviticus 23

David/Solomon – David brings peace on every side and establishes Judea and Jerusalem as the center of God’s people. Solomon builds the Temple for God to dwell permanently among His people. 

Prophets – God’s assembly is spurned by His people. Many times they prefer the assembly of the Baals or Asherah to the assembly of God. At other times, they assemble to mistreat each other as though God were absent and unaware of it all! Eventually, God casts them out as He had done in the garden. 
Amos 5:21-26

Jesus – In Jesus and in love, God once again assembles with people!
John 1:14
Matthew 1:23

The End of All Things – There is a future great assembly when the world will experience the love of God and believe in the Love He sent. We participate in it in the Spirit each time we assemble. 
Revelation 7:9-16

Greek Wedding Dance video
the dance

Will you join the dance of the love of God?

A Back to School Prayer

Today we offer a prayer of blessing for our students, families, & educators.

Kids we love you. We are excited to see how God uses you this year. We want to hear how much you learn, things you experience, and we want you to recognize how God works in your life.

Parents and caregivers we love you. We are excited to see how God uses you this year. We want to hear about what you learn, things your experience, and we want you to recognize how God works in your life.
While our children experience some of the anxiety that goes with transition, it’s nothing compared to the heart of a parent or caregiver. It has been said that when children go off to school, work, or new transitions in life,

“It’s like our heart leaves our body walks around the earth. All we want to do is bring it back to ourselves.”

The Father knows that feeling because He sent His son and all Jesus wanted to do was to bring us close to Himself.

We pray that we would learn what it means to be led by the Spirit, because the milestone of going back to school, for us, is primarily faith development. Today, We remind each other of the dedication of faith we made concerning our children. To lead them, guide them, and show them what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Today we are reminded:THIS TASK IS NOT DONE ALONE, because faith development is – by the Spirit, through relationships. We join together and bless our children and families in this milestone.

Father, Your word tells us that a wise man will hear and increase learning and that a man of understanding will attain wise counsel. Lord, give our children teachers who can provide wise counsel and inspire them to search after learning. And when they have learned, give them understanding in how to apply what they know. Make them wise.

Father, help our children to understand that whatever work they do is not to please teachers or even to please their parents, but it is ultimately to please You, their Heavenly Father. They work for You and not for anyone else.

Lord, grant that parents may rest in the fact that Your grace is sufficient to carry them through whatever comes their way, especially when we mess up. When challenges arise that are too much for them, You are carrying them by Your great strength.

Jesus, when we compare ourselves to others, it is easy to focus on ways we don’t measure up instead of focusing on what You have made us to be. In those moments, remind us to focus on what is true, what is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely. Lord, anything good or praiseworthy, help us to meditate on those things.

-amen

 

– Patrick Luse

Women’s Ministry Book Club: Wednesday Nights, Summer 2014

 

Join us for 5 Wednesday nights this summer: June 11,18, 25 and July 16 & 25 for some great summer reading! Please get the book and join us in this discussion class!

 

We will be doing the Christian fiction novel “Lineage of Grace,” by Francine Rivers. Through her eyes, we meet five women whom God chose—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary– each destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Each was faced with extraordinary—even scandalous—challenges. Each took great personal risk to fulfill her calling. The stories are written with Biblical truth interwoven with fictional details to flesh out the stories of these five unlikely women to be found in the lineage of God’s son . . . each story speaks of the grace and mercy of our great God! This is an entertaining read that you will enjoy as you find yourself drawn into the compelling stories of these true-life women.

 

You can buy the book at Lifeway for $16.99 (they have one copy in stock) or you can order the book on these websites:

 

Amazon:  for $9.95

Christianbook:  for $10.49

 

EBook version available for $9.99

Thoughts for Sunday, May 4

In a way the message of Peter is this:

We have to keep quietly and faithfully living out our lives under God’s rule and reign no matter what is going on around us.

That’s not easy because we want to insist that we could live a whole lot better if circumstances would change. This week I want to start a conversation around the question, “How can people relate to one another in a way that is powerfully alive? I think we would all agree that we desperately want that and the world does, too!

Read and carefully reflect on 1 Peter 5:1-11. 

Contemplate these questions as you prepare to share your faith in your LifeGroup. 

Is it appropriate to talk about Jesus submitting or being subject to you? If so, how have you seen him subject himself to you in your life?

Is it hard for you to accept a place of low position? Describe why it is hard. 

What do you think about the idea that subjecting yourself to another can produce a relationship that is powerfully alive? Have you ever seen that happen?