Just Church

VERSE OF THE WEEK: Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. (Acts 10:27-29) (READ the Entire Section)

PASTOR TO PASTOR

“Feeling clearly called of God to the carrying of His work in the conversion of sinners, the sanctification of believers and the building up in holiness of those who may be committed to our care we associate ourselves together as a church of God under the name The Church of the Nazarene. We seek the simplicity and the power of the primitive New Testament Church. The field of labor to which we feel called is in the neglected quarters of the cities and wherever else may be found waste places and souls seeking pardon and cleansing from sin. This work we aim to do through the agency of city missions, evangelistic services, house-to-house visitation, caring for the poor, comforting the dying. To this end we strive personally to walk with God and to invite others so to do.” (Phineas F. Bresee)

There is much talk about the church these days. Much of it is angry, divisive, and judgemental. It is littered with labels and name calling. It is the "worship wars" on steroids. Everything the church does or does not do as come under scrutiny. If a pastor wants to introduce a new song he is labeled an "emergent". It is the similar to being called a communist and can have almost as tragic an effect as being called a philanderer.

On the other side, if a pastor believes in the authority of scripture he or she might be called a "fundamentalist", which is like being accused of burning witches.

I want to scream, "Can't we all just get along?" But I don't. I would rather say,"Shut Up"; all of you. In other words, let's quit picking at each other with a fine tooth comb, and let's start being who we say we are..."The Church of Jesus Christ".

We, you and I, would do well to be The Church of the Nazarene. Read Bresee's words again. Who can argue with this declaration, made at the very first gathering of a church that would be called the Church of the Nazarene. It would make a good mission statement.

Look at some of the identifying and profound phrases embodied in this text:
1. Clearly called...
2. The conversion of sinners...
3. The sanctification of believers...
4. The building up in holiness...
5. Neglected quarters...
6. To this end we strive personally to walk with God and to invite others so to do...

How are we doing? What are we doing?

When I was a sophomore I played on the JV Baseball team. We only had one field so we were always competing with the Varsity for field time. If they were practicing we had to use a smaller field that could not be used for games. It was impossible for both of us to have games on the same day. We were in the north so we had a short season. We hit, fielded, pitched. We took fly balls and ground balls. Coaches drilled us on the fundamentals; bunting, stealing, pick-off plays, running the bases. I say all of that to say that we practiced alot but had very few games.We would go two weeks without having any games. It got boring and was demotivating. We were there to play and we wanted to play.

We ought to quit talking, going over the plays ad nausem, and get in the game.

Dr. Bresee once stated, “Let the Church of the Nazarene be true to its commission; not great and elegant buildings; but to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and wipe away the tears of sorrowing, and gather jewels for His diadem.”

Amen!

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
We have most recently visited GraceWay (MS), Hazelhurst (MS), Baker (LA), and the Fort Jesup Camp Meeting.

We look forward to visiting the following churches:

August 15 -- GracePointe (LA)
August 22 -- Victory Praise and Worship (MS)
August 29 -- Crossroads (MS), Pascagoula Hispanic New Start
September 5 -- Available
September 12 -- New Iberia (LA)

To schedule me please contact Pam. I would love to come to your church. (I am especially available on Sunday nights. If it looks like I am in your area on Sunday morning or might be passing through, and you would like me to come, please contact Pam)

SPECIAL NOTES
Rev. Jim Norcross (Darlene) has accepted appointment as pastor of Bossier City CON (LA). This is his second stint as pastor there. Jim and Darlene have been enjoying retirement in Homer, LA, while running an Antique store there. We welcome them back to the LA team.

The following have had successful reviews: Rev. Derek Catron (Lake Charles First, LA), Rev. Chris Rego, (Brookhaven First, MS), and Rev. Kaye Shelley (Philadelphia, MS)

Open Churches: (MS)Waynesboro Trinity, GraceWay
(LA) Kenner First and Bossier


Important Prayer Requests:

Rev. David Kelly (Crystal Springs, MS) has begun treatments for cancer. So far the pancreas has been ruled out, but the oncologist wants to look at it one more time. Please pray for him.
Rev. Don Wedgeworth (Meridian Northside, MS) is in need of our prayers. He is suffering serious heart problems and is on oxygen.
Rev. Stephen Deese's (Gloster, MS) mother is battling cancer.
Continue to pray for Rev. Jerry Cole, McVay Memorial (LA), and Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

BOARD LEADERSHIP SUMMITS 10am - 3 pm Cost $10 per person

Mississippi - August 7 at Bridgepoint Church in Brandon, MS Louisiana - August 14 at Rocky Creek Camp

Rev. Corey Jones, pastor of the Crossroads Tabernacle CON in Ft. Worth will be our guest speaker. His church is known for its very strong prayer ministry. He will be talking to us about prayer, a praying church, and the subsequent results of having a praying church. You will not want to miss this. Bring your church board and leadership team.

Everyone present will receive gifts, snacks, lunch, and materials. The whole district, one day, under one roof.


It is Nazarene Pastors night at the Mississippi Braves game on Friday night, August 27th in Pearl, MS. (Outside Jackson). Fireworks after the game. Tickets are $7. Call or email the District Resource Center to reserve your tickets. Your whole family is invited. Game starts at 7. Coming from a distance? We may be able to help if you want to stay overnight.

Pastor Lisa McCleese reports: The Gulfport (MS) church hosted an appreciation luncheon today for Gulfport City workers who have been working on the road widening project on Three Rivers Road (the road the church is on). They had around 20 workers come and the local news station, WLOX out of Biloxi, took some video and did a short interview with the pastor.

Pastor Joe Talhelm reports: Just thought I would let you know how the Lord blessed our church this past week in our Vacation Bible School - it was incredible, averaged 135 (81 kids) each night (altar services three nights) with a baptism service on Fri night - baptising 32 (28 kids and 4 adults). VBS Program on Sunday had 253 in the service with a great program and the Lord moving. It was, by far, the best VBS ever here in Ebenezer!(LA) God is to be praised!!!

Kenner First (LA) reports: Just a note to tell you about our Aug. 1 Sunday Service. It was a memorial to Hazel Blanchard Duxworth who passed away Sept. 20. It was a wonderful service with approx. 60 people attending. The church looked very full. We had 42 from our congregation and Filidelfia joined with us with at least 20 more people. Rev. Henry Siems, who formerly grew up in the area, pastor now at Stillwater, Ok, was our special speaker. He also brought his 6 boys with him to share in the service. Dale Adams, hosted the service. We had good music and a good service.


Book I am Recommending: "Deep Church" by Jim Belcher. I bought this book because of all of the "controversy" over the traditional church and the Emergent, Emerging, PostModern Church. Unlike the book above that is largely about style, the battle between the traditional and the emergent is more theological and more ecclesiological. The venom that is often used by adherents to both groups borders on the absurd. This book, according to Belcher is for people like me who aren't quite sure what all the fuss is about. It is a textbook on the Emergent church but it also calls for a reconsidering of the traditional church. It is first and foremost a call for a third option..."Deep Church."

Book I Am Reading: "Be Holy" by Joseph Coleson, et al. A book out of the Wesleyan church, it is compilation of writings on holiness. By the admission of the author it is written to stir a new flame for the subject of holiness and to do so in a way that is engaging for a new culture and generation.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Holiness is and always should be an identifiable trait of God's people. Holy people are called to be set apart for God's purposes in the world. " Thomas Armiger, General Superintendent, The Wesleyan church.