FROM PASTOR JOHN DOOLEY
“What are we becoming as a family in Christ?” “Are we still heading in the direction God would have us to go?"
“Where is God taking us as a next step?"
These are the questions that as your lead pastor, I am constantly asking before the Lord in my prayer time. In fact, congregational leaders who do not ask these questions move without direction and purpose and eventually the congregation begins to die (Proverbs 28:18).
The challenge of pursuing these questions, however, is that they put us in a constant state of change, and you know how people feel about change. Without change, a congregation is headed for death, but at least it is slow and peaceful. It is slow because you get a committed core willing to carry you ‘til death do you part, and it is peaceful because the message you communicate is that NO one need apply here unless you are exactly like us. Loved ones, here at Apostles, we are not without a vision and thus we are in a constant state of change; but I like being a part of a changing, moving, dynamic community. I like it because it’s a part of my “new DNA” as a Believer in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). I want to change!
In fact, if I’m not changing, I’m not growing, and if I’m not growing, I’m not becoming more like Christ, and if I’m not becoming more like Christ, then I am still operating out of the same old sin nature. But to be honest, overseeing and leading change isn’t much fun. For some, you can’t move fast enough and for others, you move too fast – way too fast. But loved ones, I cannot over emphasize how important it is for us to periodically ask yourself the question, “Am I in a state of faithful growth and change, or have I become stagnant in my spiritual development?” We need to understand that our commitment to faithful growth and change must come from within us. (Philippians 1:27 & 2:12-13). Otherwise, we will go down the path of growth and change, at best kicking and screaming or at worse, not at all (Philippians 2:14-16).
Loved ones, I share this to say that I am sensing that God is calling Apostles to a season of significant change. What is more, this season of change has the potential to take us to a place of greater spiritual maturity than ever before. And even more than that, it will eventually lead to a season of slower, more stable growth. Part of that change is at hand with the increased opportunity to serve the community.
As a result, already the fear is surfacing about “being spread too thin.” Let me address that by saying first, we are not alone in any of the activities you have been invited to embrace. Apostles was not the only church involved in Serve the City. In fact, as we are doing these outreach missions we will constantly be seeking partnerships.
For example, Church of the Messiah is going to partner with us for the August 20th sandwich night at Union Mission. Networking with the Body of Christ must be at the heart of what we do. Secondly, each person is being asked to do their part – no more, no less. There is no reason to feel overwhelmed by the opportunities. Just do what the Lord tells you to do and no more. Some things you will participate in, some things you will not. One word of caution however, if you are feeling called to something you don’t have the time to do, perhaps the Lord is using that to cause you to evaluate your schedule.
The second area of significant change I am sensing involves how we are structured to disciple ourselves and those Father God privileges us to interact with. I cannot really give you any detail right now. Suffice it to say, I am sensing that God is calling us to organize around the principle of the family- God’s most basic and profoundly important unit of creation. Right now our children’s and youth ministries operate in compartments that are not integrated. I believe God’s call to Apostles is to integrate the entire discipleship process so that infants, toddlers, pre-school and school agers,
Loved ones, I feel a sense of excitement about this because of what it could do to strengthen us not only corporately as a family in Christ, but also in our individual families. If this has peaked your interest, or you have felt God speaking to you about Apostles in the same way, please talk to me as soon as possible. Loved ones, I know that Apostles has experienced a lot of change. Some of it has been hard for some of you and I grieve over that. I really do hurt when I know there are those in the family who are hurt. I don’t know how this next season will unfold. How will we react to this season of change? It is my prayer that we will flow together in one heart and mind.
But for now, please know how grateful I am to have been a part of what has happened thus far. I am grateful to Father God that He has continued to add, to the core of people who were here when I arrived, dedicated and deeply committed believers whose desire it is to see Apostles continue down the path of faithful growth and change. I cannot begin to thank enough, those who were supportive in the midst of change they didn’t even always understand. I cannot thank enough, those who gave grace when the change was not implemented well or simply was NOT a change that was needed and thus required an “about face.” I cannot thank enough those who spoke well of PROMOTE, understanding that Apostles is PROMOTE and PROMOTE is Apostles, (Romans 12:9-10), my heart could not be fuller as I think of you all. And so I end with the words of the Apostle Paul:
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:3-6 (ESV)
THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS
*The following is an excerpt from Tom White, the Executive Director of The Voice of the Martyrs ministry.
As “Pencil” watched his three friends beaten and arrested by North Korean police, he cowered in fear. It was the last time Pencil ever saw them. He admired the way they could be so bold about sharing their faith in Christ, though they knew the risks. Pencil wanted to be like them, but it seemed the words got stuck in his throat; he never seemed able to share that he had asked Jesus into his heart too.
Depressed and lonely, Pencil crossed the river fromNorth Korea into China
“I want to learn how to be brave like my friends, and unafraid to share Jesus.”
Pencil spent the following months in intense discipleship; then was commissioned to carry the gospel back toNorth Korea
Pencil died two months later in a prison camp; he never saw his 20th birthday. But his witness had already led some in the camp to Christ, and affected others. The officer who had tortured Pencil went to a Christian couple and asked why Pencil was different. He and his household were saved after hearing the gospel message for which Pencil had died. Pray for them; their lives are at risk every day they live for Christ in Kim Jong Il’s “hermit kingdom.”America
For more information about The Voice of the Martyrs ministries, please visit their website, www.persecution.com
As “Pencil” watched his three friends beaten and arrested by North Korean police, he cowered in fear. It was the last time Pencil ever saw them. He admired the way they could be so bold about sharing their faith in Christ, though they knew the risks. Pencil wanted to be like them, but it seemed the words got stuck in his throat; he never seemed able to share that he had asked Jesus into his heart too.
Depressed and lonely, Pencil crossed the river from
“I want to learn how to be brave like my friends, and unafraid to share Jesus.”
Pencil spent the following months in intense discipleship; then was commissioned to carry the gospel back to
Pencil died two months later in a prison camp; he never saw his 20th birthday. But his witness had already led some in the camp to Christ, and affected others. The officer who had tortured Pencil went to a Christian couple and asked why Pencil was different. He and his household were saved after hearing the gospel message for which Pencil had died. Pray for them; their lives are at risk every day they live for Christ in Kim Jong Il’s “hermit kingdom.”
For more information about The Voice of the Martyrs ministries, please visit their website, www.persecution.com
APOSTLES FAMILY NEWS
TO BE LIFTED UP IN PRAYER: * The families & children in our community
* Our schools, their students, faculty and administrators
* Military men & women serving on our behalf
* Our local, state and national leaders
* Our PROMOTE school faculty, students and their families
Angie Connolly
Paul Light
HOMEBOUND:
Dorothy Brannon
Would you like to join us in lifting up the joys and concerns of our Apostles family each day? Join Apostles' Email Prayer ministry! You'll receive daily prayer requests from Pastor Carl Mahler. Click here and scroll down to "The Power of Prayer" for more info.
