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12 octobre Name ChangeThe propossed new name for the ministry is "New Life Apostlic Ministries; Inc."
The ministries are ass follow:
Dayspring Praise Radio
God of Glory Christian Fellowship
Christain Witness Team
Faith Literature Outreach
Apostolic Bible Institute
Evangelical Apsotolic Communion
7 septembre New by-laws part 2SECTION THREE
THEOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS
NEW LIFE - NEW ENGLAND MINISTRY
THEOLOGICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL STATEMENTS
I. OUR MISSION
=============== The Mission of New Life-New England Ministry is to participate with individuals and churches in evangelistic activity and point of need outreach for the advancement of the Kingdom of God by communicating Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.
II. GENERAL PURPOSES ===================== A. To build and maintain a partnership of local churches and friends
in New England using methods of outreach which reach beyond traditional means, modeling unique, creative and culturally relevant activity while maintaining integrity to the unchanging truths of the gospel message and the historic Christian faith in values, priorities, practices and leadership standards which are stated hereafter. B. To support and strengthen pastors of local churches by providing
pastoral care, relationship, resources for ministry and a means for bringing biblical discipline, if needed. C. To support and strengthen local churches by providing general
counsel, training materials, and potential new or additional pastoral leadership. D. To assist local churches in achieving their mission by providing
assistance in defining, strategizing and implementing their mission, and by designing missions strategies and outreaches in which they may join. E. To plant and nurture new churches which are committed to and
model the Christian convictions, values, priorities, practices and leadership standards. F. To bring renewal to the larger Church of Christ around the world, both through direct ministry and through the stimulation of our example. III. OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH ============================ WE BELIEVE that God is the Eternal [1] King [2]. He is an infinite
[3], unchangeable [4] Spirit [5], perfect [6] in holiness [7], wisdom [8], goodness [9], justice [10], power [11] and love [12]. From all eternity [13] He exists as the One [14] Living [15] and True [16] God in three persons [17] of one substance [18], the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit [19], equal in power and glory [20]. WE BELIEVE that God's kingdom is everlasting [21]. From His throne
[22], through His Son, His eternal Word [23], God created [24], upholds [25] and governs [26] all that exists [27]: the heavenly places [28], the angelic hosts [29], the universe [30], the earth [31], every living thing [32] and mankind [33]. God created all things very good [34]. WE BELIEVE that Satan, originally a great, good angel, rebelled
against God, taking a host of angels with him [35]. He was cast out of God's presence and, as a usurper of God's rule, established a counter-kingdom of darkness [36] and evil on the earth [37]. WE BELIEVE that God created mankind in His image, male and female
[38], for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth [39]. Under the temptation of Satan [40], our original parents fell from grace [41], bringing sin [42], sickness [43] and God's judgment of death to the earth [44]. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation [45]. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin [46]. Human beings are born in sin [47], subject to God's judgment of death [48] and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness [49]. WE BELIEVE that God did not abandon His rule over the earth [50] which
He continues to uphold by His providence [51]. In order to bring redemption, God established covenants [52] which revealed His grace to sinful people [53]. In the covenant with Abraham, God bound Himself to His people Israel, promising to deliver them from bondage to sin and Satan and to bless all the nations through them [54]. WE BELIEVE that as King, God later redeemed His people by His mighty
acts from bondage in Egypt [55] and established His covenant through Moses, revealing His perfect will and our obligation to fulfill it [56]. The law's purpose is to order our fallen race [57] and to make us conscious of our moral responsibility [58]. By the work of God's Spirit [59], it convicts us of our sin [60] and God's righteous judgment against us [61] and brings us to Christ alone for salvation [62]. WE BELIEVE that when Israel rejected God's rule over her as King [63],
God established the monarchy in Israel [64] and made an unconditional covenant with David [65], promising that his heir would restore God's kingdom reign over His people as Messiah forever [66]. WE BELIEVE that in the fullness of time [67], God honored His
covenants with Israel and His prophetic promises of salvation [68] by sending His only Son [69], Jesus, into the world [70]. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary [71], as fully God and fully man in one person [72], He is humanity as God intended us to be [73]. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit [74], inaugurating God's kingdom reign on earth [75], overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation [76], preaching the good news of salvation [77], healing the sick [78], casting out demons [79] and raising the dead [80]. Gathering His disciples [81], He reconstituted God's people [82] as His Church [83] to be the instrument of His kingdom [84]. After dying for the sins of the world [85], Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day [86], fulfilling the covenant of blessing given to Abraham [87]. In His sinless, perfect life [88] Jesus met the demands of the law
[89] and in His atoning death on the cross [90], He took God's judgment for sin [91] which we deserve as law breakers [92]. By His death on the cross He also disarmed the demonic powers [93]. The covenant with David was fulfilled in Jesus' birth from David's
house [94], His Messianic ministry [95], His glorious resurrection from the dead [96], His ascent into heaven and His present rule at the right hand of the Father [97]. As God's Son and David's heir [98], He is the eternal Messiah-King [99], advancing God's reign throughout every generation and throughout the whole earth today [100]. WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church at
Pentecost in power [101], baptizing believers into the Body of Christ [102] and releasing the gifts of the Spirit to them [103]. The Spirit brings the permanent indwelling presence of God to us [104] for spiritual worship [105], personal sanctification [106], building up the Church [107], gifting us for ministry [108], and driving back the kingdom of Satan [109] by the evangelization of the world through proclaiming the word of Jesus [110] and doing the works of Jesus [111]. WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus
Christ [112] and that He is our abiding Helper [113], Teacher [114], and Guide [115]. We believe in the filling or empowering of the Holy Spirit [116], often a conscious experience [117], for ministry today [118]. We believe in the present ministry of the Spirit [119] and in the exercise of all of the biblical gifts of the Spirit [120]. We practice the laying on of hands for the empowering of the Spirit [121], for healing [122], and for recognition and empowering of those whom God has ordained to lead and serve the Church [123]. WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of Holy
Scripture [124] so that the Bible is without error [125] in the original manuscripts. We receive the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments [126] as our final, absolute authority, the only infallible rule of faith [127] and practice [128]. WE BELIEVE that the whole world is under the domination of Satan [129]
and that all people are sinners by nature [130] and choice [131]. All people therefore are under God's just judgment [132]. Through the preaching of the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom of God [133] and the work of the Holy Spirit [134], God regenerates [135], justifies [136], adopts [137] and sanctifies [138] through Jesus by the Spirit [139] all who repent of their sins [140] and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord [141] and Savior [142]. By this they are released from Satan's domain and enter into God's kingdom reign [143]. WE BELIEVE in the one [144], holy [145], catholic/universal Church [146]. All
who repent of their sins and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit [147] and form the living Body of Christ [148], of which He is the head [149] and all are members [150]. WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ committed seven sacraments to the Church: and
to all believers. WE BELIEVE that God's kingdom has come in the ministry of our Lord
Jesus Christ [153], that it continues to come in the ministry of the Spirit through the Church [154], and that it will be consummated in the glorious, visible and triumphant appearing of Christ [155] His return to the earth as King [156]. After Christ returns to reign [157], He will bring about the final defeat of Satan and all of his minions and works [158], the resurrection of the dead [159], the final Judgment [160] and the eternal blessing of the righteous and eternal conscious punishment of the wicked [161]. Finally, God will be all in all [162] and His kingdom, His rule and reign [163], will be fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth [164], recreated by His mighty power, in which righteousness dwells [165] and in which He will forever be worshipped [166]. IV. OUR VALUES =============== A. We value THE PURSUIT OF GOD. We are hungry to know God's
presence, hear His voice and follow hard after Him. (Psalm 63:1-3) B. We value CHRISTLIKENESS. We desire that through the power of
the Holy Spirit, Jesus' love, mercy, grace, truth, purity, power, and integrity would shine through all that we are and do. (Ephesians 5:2) C. We value BEING SPIRIT-LED. We honor Jesus as our Head and the
Holy Spirit as our Counselor. We seek to be responsive to the Holy Spirit in life and ministry. (Galatians 5:5; Romans 8:14) D. We value PRAYER. We believe that prayer is essential, because
it is our primary means of communion with God, and because it is God's primary means of accomplishing His purposes in the world. (1 Thess. 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6) E. We value DISCIPLESHIP. We aim first to grow as disciples of Christ ourselves and then to make disciples of others. (Matthew 28:18-20) F. We value THE KINGDOM OF GOD. We aim to move in the signs of the
present fulfillment of the kingdom, invoking the Spirit's powerful presence, ministering through the Spirit's gifts, and seeing God heal and work wonders. (Mark 1:14,15) G. We value the MERCY OF GOD. We believe that mercy is fundamental
to all that God does in salvation. We, therefore, aim to extend mercy to one another and to all to whom we minister. (Colossians 3:12,13) H. We value INTEGRITY. It is important for us to speak the truth,
deal honestly, and live uprightly. (Ephesians 4:15) I. We value SERVANT LEADERSHIP. We believe that Christ has put
significant leadership authority in the hands of the pastor and associates. We aim to exercise that authority with humility, selflessness, grace, care for the sheep, and a sincere desire to build up the Body of Christ. (Mark 10:37,44-45) J. We value THE INDIVIDUAL, single or married, and we want to
enable and support mature relationships and family growth. (Romans 12:9,10) K. We value UNITY. We are convinced that all who belong to Christ
are one in His Body, the Church. We aim to maintain unity by honoring all who call on Jesus' name and by seeking reconciliation with all parts of the Church. (John 17:21-23) L. We value COLLEGIATE RELATIONSHIPS. We are honored by every
person whom God adds to the Ministry. We aim to work together to build the Church through maintaining mutual respect, open communication, determined cooperation, and believing and speaking the best about each other. (I Corinthians 13:4-7) M. We value REALITY. We aim to walk in the Spirit and see real
supernatural works of God. We aim also to function on the natural plane based on God's leading in conjunction with excellent, relational thinking. (James 1:5) N. We value SIMPLICITY. We wish to do nothing for "religious
effect" but rather to operate in natural low-key, non-hype patterns. We desire to do the ministry of Christ with joy. (Philippians 4:4) O. We value being CULTURE CURRENT. We aim to develop an atmosphere
of ease, and to speak, act, and dress in ways in which our culture can respond positively. For example, we reflect this value through worship music that is of a popular style. (I Corinthians 9:19-23) V. OUR PRIORITIES
================= A. WORSHIP
---------- 1. We desire to worship God with our whole being. We want Jesus at the center as our Lord. We hunger for the fullness of the Spirit... His glory resting upon us! (Philippians 3:3, Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 42:1, 2, John 4:24! Psalm 63:1-5, Romans 12:1) 2. We desire Spirit-enabled worship in a style that is intimate,
dynamic, culture current, and life changing. (1 Peter 2:4, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 14:26) B. THE WORD
----------- 1. We want to hear the Word of God taught in a practical, inspiring way, in conjunction with His current prophetic word. (Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, 1 Corinthians 14:26) 2. We aim to hear and obey God's Word to us to be "doers of the
Word" who are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. (Matthew 7:24-27, James 1:22) C. FELLOWSHIP
------------- 1. We are the family of God, one Body in Jesus Christ, joined together as brothers and sisters forever. (John 17:20-23, Romans 12:3-5) 2. We seek to develop real, intimate, enabling friendships together, built on covenant love, mutual responsibility and faithfulness. (Hebrews 3:12-14, Philippians 2:3-5, Ephesians 4:11-16, Colossians 3:12-15) D. MINISTRY
----------- 1. We believe that all Christians are called to serve Christ in the power of His Spirit, in ways that build up the local church. (1 Peter 4:10,11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Acts 1:8) 2. We are called to do the ministry of Christ in the world
today, for example, to... a. preach the Gospel of the Kingdom b. persuade men to repent and believe in Jesus c. heal the sick d. care for the poor and those in need e. counsel those in need of God's wisdom f. teach believers to follow Christ g. give our resources to the work of Christ h. train Christians to serve the Lord. (Luke 4:18, 19, James 1:27, Acts 26:18, Matthew 28:18-20) E. TRAINING
----------- 1. We believe that all Christians should be trained to "do the works of Christ." (Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:2) 2. We are committed to the "show and tell" model of "on the job"
training, in which trainees are introduced to doing ministry functions with trainers and then are taught during and after the training experience. (Luke 11:1-4) 3. We aim to provide training for all aspects of responsible
Christian life and ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-16) F. SENDING
---------- 1. We aim to renew, refresh, and enable existing churches by sending trained personnel out on short-term ministry trips. (Matthew 10:5-15, Luke 9:1-6; 10:1) 2. We aim to build the Church of Jesus Christ by sending trained
personnel to plant churches throughout New England and around the world. (Revelation 5:9,10, Romans 15:20) VI New by-laws under review New Life-New England Ministry
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Revised
September 7th 2009
Epsom New Hampshire
THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, KNOWING THAT YOUR TOIL IS NOT ON VAIN IN THE LORD. 1 Corinthians 15:58 nas PREAMBLE Recognizing that God is now moving in the earth to restore the Church to the fullness of its original power, purity and order, and to build up the Body of Christ for fellowship, community, counsel and instruction in the Word of God and in the work of the ministry, and for the exercise of spiritual gifts and apostolic offices provided for in the New Testament, and that of the Apostolic and Holy Catholic Church. BE IT RESOLVED that we recognize our selves as a cooperative communion of apostolic succession with members in Christ of like precious faith throughout United States to promote biblical order, worship, unity and fellowship & community in the work of the Lord, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace...until we are come into a more perfect faith and knowledge of the Son of God, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ". In all our deliberation, Jesus Christ is to be honored as Head of the Body and recognized as such by each individual member.
CONTENTS PREAMBLE SECTION ONE THIS COMMUNION
SECTION TWO POLICY
SECTION THREE THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY
APPENDEX
SECTION ONE THIS COMMUNION Mission: Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the whole of the law...” We are called to reach out to the world with the unconditional love of Christ. True Christian love must be concerned not only with reconciling souls to God, but also with meeting the needs of the poor and oppressed, healing the sick in soul and body, working for peace and social justice, protecting the environment, and promoting dialogue and understanding between people of different denominations, religions, cultures and ideologies throughout the world. Thus, we may proclaim by our actions the good news of a salvation that offers not only eternal welfare for our souls, but also wholeness and liberation on every level. Christ deeply desires to alleviate the sufferings of this present world, and ultimately to liberate and transform all of creation as heaven and earth unite in Him who is truly the Alpha and Omega. Jesus called his disciples together and said, "You know those who exercise authority among the Gentiles lord it over them, their great ones make their importance felt, it cannot be like that with you. Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and anyone who wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. Such is the case with Son of Man who has come, not to be served by others but to serve, and to give his own life as a ransom for the many." ---St. Matthew 20:25-28
"Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me... Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me". ---St. Matthew 25:34-36, 40.
Therefore, the mission of Evangelical Free Catholic Communion is to provide a Catholic community fellowship for persons who have embraced the richness and the spirit of Catholicism, apostolic succession, the first four church councils, the traditions of the Apostles and Prophets, the Sacraments, and the original one Apostolic and Holy Catholic Church of Christ begun under the Apostle Peter as the only true and faithful church, after a careful and thorough study of the scriptures and church tradition.
What are Evangelical Free Catholics? We are Christian: We acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Savior, Lord, Founder and Eternal High Priest. Catholic: The Evangelical Free Catholic Communion is an independent rite of the One Apostolic and Holy Catholic Church. It is not Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or Protestant. Our pastors, men and women, married and single, are ordained to Holy Orders by bishops, elders and pastors who trace their ministry in the spirit through Old Landmark Baptist tradition in an unbroken line through the laying on of hands to the original apostles and, through them, to Jesus Christ himself.
Sacramental: We hold that the sacraments are outward signs that confer the very grace they signify. These Mysteries ordained by Christ are seven in number: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing the Sick. We practice open Communion, welcoming to the Lord’s Table all who approach it with reverence, regardless of religious affiliation. (meaning you shall know them by the fruit of their life)
Charismatic: We believe in the Release or "Baptism" of the Holy Spirit and the free exercise of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit described by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12.
Evangelical: We seek to lead all creatures to the direct personal experience and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Free: We believe that the Church must seek to cultivate and to protect individual freedom of thought, conscience and choice. While gently offering guidance, it is her duty to help God’s People develop the faculty of discernment and take personal responsibility for their choices in life. Free Catholics are encouraged to think, to explore and to be true to their own conscience. We are non-dogmatic, emphasizing instead the life of the Spirit and the law of love. We do not condemn those whose ideas differ from our own, but seek to be tolerant, respectful and open to the beliefs and values of others.
"You have been called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom for self-indulgence, but through love serve one another."
—St. Paul
Ecumenical: We respect all parts of the one Body of Christ, whether Catholic Orthodox or Protestant; and we desire, insofar as it is possible, to be in loving communion with all, while humbly receiving what each one has to teach us. Furthermore, we believe that the Church must remain open to recognize the wisdom of the other great spiritual traditions of the world. With humility, we honor the holy people of all times and places. Recognizing the unity of God’s family on earth, we welcome to our altars all who reverently approach them, erecting no barriers based upon dogma or religious affiliation.
Mystical: We believe that every person is invited to know God directly through a personal relationship with Christ and to experience the joy of abiding divine union in this life. St. Paul said that we may “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God.“ Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” And the psalmist writes, “Be still and know that I am God.” With this in mind, we give particular emphasis to the cultivation of contemplative prayer and the discovery of God within.
1. The Way of Salvation
Being created in the image and likeness of God, the human family has a glorious birthright which has become obscured through ignorance, doubt and sin resulting in a sense of alienation from God, from our true spiritual nature and from all of Creation. In the infinite compassion of God, Christ came forth from the heart of the Father, to take upon himself the fullness of our human estate, to liberate us and all Creation. By his incarnation, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension, a fully liberating and transforming grace was released into all Creation. In his love, He invites us to embrace this freedom and to participate in the work of redemption. By accepting and cooperating with this grace our lives are transfigured and Creation is transformed.
2. The Church
The Mystical Body of Christ consists of all who have consciously embraced the grace of Christ. A temple built with living stones, the Church is a sacrament of Christ and a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Referred to as the pillar and ground of truth, she has been entrusted with the care of Sacred Scripture and Tradition. However, the ultimate mission of the Church is to hold forth the message of Christ’s eternal love and healing grace to all the world.
3. Scripture and Tradition
The principal guides for Christian faith and practice are found in Sacred Scripture and Tradition. Through the inspired writings of Sacred Scripture God has revealed the Word of Life. In addition to the Christian and Hebrew Scriptures, the Church has received oral, written and liturgical traditions which come to us from apostolic times. Through the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church, Tradition is constantly nourished, renewed and expanded by the unique contributions of each generation and culture. Ever mindful that all people belong to God’s Family, the Church must remain open to recognize the wisdom of the other great spiritual traditions of the world.
4. The Creeds
The principle doctrines of the Christian Faith are succinctly stated in what are commonly known as the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. The Church looks to these ancient confessions as a standard and basis for Christian Unity
5. The Law
Jesus said: "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these."
Free Will is a fundamental and precious endowment given to all God’s children. The Church must seek to cultivate and to protect individual freedom of thought, conscience and choice. While gently offering guidance, it is her duty to help God’s People develop the faculty of discernment and take personal responsibility for their choices in life.
"You have been called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom for self-indulgence, but through love serve one another." —St. Paul
6. The Sacraments
The sacraments are outward signs which confer the very grace they signify. These Mysteries, ordained by Christ, are seven in number, namely Baptism (we practice immersion), Confirmation (the witness of the baptism in the Spirit), Holy Eucharist (communion), Reconciliation (confessing our sins, Jn 1:9), Anointing the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders (the call to ministry).
•Baptism
This Sacrament of Spiritual regeneration, administered by immersion or by the pouring on of water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, imparts sanctifying grace and constitutes initiation into the Mystical Body of Christ, the royal priesthood of believers and the sacramental life of the Christian community.
•Confirmation
The grace of Pentecost, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, administered by the successors of the apostles with Chrism and the laying on of hands, empowers Christians to participate in the apostolic mission of the Church.
•Holy Eucharist
The central act of worship of the People of God, in which we offer ourselves and our gifts in union with the eternal sacrifice of Christ and partake of His Real Presence under the forms of Bread and Wine, offers to us the privilege of direct Communion with our Lord Jesus Christ
•Reconciliation
The Sacrament in which Jesus Christ, through the ministry of the church, bestows the forgiveness of sins, heals broken fellowship and imparts grace for the amendment of life.
•Anointing the Sick
The ministers of the Church anoint the sick with sacred oil, imparting the grace of Christ to those in need of healing for body or soul.
•Matrimony
The Mystery of Marriage corresponds to the union of Christ and his Church. Through a voluntary, mutual commitment declared before God and the Church, the marital union becomes a channel of sacramental grace.
•Holy Orders
The Holy Spirit, though the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer of the Bishop, ordains women and men, married or single, who are called to serve the Church, imparting to them special grace to administer the Sacraments and feed the flock of Christ.
7. The Ministry
The Supreme High Priest and Bishop of the Church is our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, from whom all Bishops (pastor and elders) and other ministers derive their spiritual powers and jurisdiction. (in the EFCC we do not refer to out ministers as father our bishop, simply pastor, elder, brother or sister)
Our Lord Jesus Christ chose and ordained apostles to guide the Church and to carry on His ministry after His Ascension. To this day, in an unbroken chain, their priesthood and ministry of oversight have continued through their successors, the bishops.
In the exercise of their ministry, bishops are autonomous with respect to that part of the Church entrusted to their care. However, this apostolic privilege cannot be taken lightly. Each bishop should remain rooted in apostolic tradition, responsive to the collegial nature of the episcopacy, and remain ever submissive to Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
The fullness of the ministry of Christ is shared by all the people of God. The episcopacy is complimented by various other ministries in the Church. In addition to the presbytery, which assists the bishop, there are also charismatic and lay ministries incorporating the whole priesthood of believers.
"Jesus called His disciples together and said: You know how those who exercise authority among the Gentiles lord it over them; their great ones make their importance felt. It cannot be like that with you. Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. Such is the case with the Son of Man who has came, not to be served by others but to serve, to give his own life as a ransom for the many."
SECTION TWO PARTICULARS AND POLICIES Elders & Executive Council of Elders The Council of Elders herein after referred to as the "Elders" is the ultimate governing authority. They are the biblically God ordained leadership OF EFCC with matters of faith and practice, but not limited to them.
The decision making policy of Elders shall be by consensus after having deliberated, discussed and prayed over any issue or matter before them. No Elder shall preside over another as all are consider equal in stature and authority.( 1 Peter 5:13) The Executive Director of the ministry shall be first among equals . The Elders shall appoint a secretary for the Elders. He shall keep a record of the Elders affairs. Elders present at any council meeting shall constitute a quorum upon which any action necessary may be taken All pastors of EFCC shall be elders of the communion. . Biblical requirements for Elders
will possess and manifest those qualities as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. In accordance with Scripture, we recognize the leadership of Elders in plurality. (1 Timothy 3:1-2; Acts 14;23; 20:17, 28) Among the functions of the office for Elder is the ability of spiritual oversight, disciple, preaching and teaching the Word of God. Biblical solutions for Elders
Ministry disciple shall be handle in the following manner. The Council shall be responsibility for all biblical disciple within the ministry as it pertains to Elders, directors, missionaries, board members, ministry staff and associate ministries. Pastor of local fellowship entities shall be responsible for disciple within the local fellowship. However, a Pastor who desires to conferee with the Council of Elders should feel free to call upon and access the council's wisdom. No pastor should ever feel he is alone when faced with a difficult disciple situation. All disciple shall be based upon the biblical model with the intent to bring healing and restoration. It should be that which glorifies the Lord. Elders and Credentials
All credentials of ministry must be signature by persons of EFCC who are elders of the council Credentials of ministry for ordination to Christian Ministry shall include two or more signatures. The signatures of at least one elder and the clerk or acting clerk will be required of all ordination certificates after May 1, 2000. Senior Elder
The senior elder shall be called by the council to head and lead the ministry. His stay shall be for and indefinite period of time. He shall serve as board chairman and moderate ministry business meeting except when his compensation package is the subject matter. He shall be ex-official to all other boards and committees.
He shall be have the oversight for the total ministry operations including the ministry vision, scope, staff, daily operations fiscal matters and fundrazing. He may delegate to certain individuals area of responsibility for the better management of certain aspect of the ministry.
The Executive Director shall work closely with the Associate Director. Together they shall find areas in which the Associate Directors ministry will be the most affective.
The Executive Director shall function as the spiritual head of the ministry. He shall pray for the ministry and staff. He shall guide, instruct, encourage, and shepherd all those connected with the ministry from time to time and as special occasions require. He shall seek the best for individuals, helping them to find their proper place of service.
The Executive Director shall deliver a verbal report of the ministry at each board meeting to bring the board current on activity. He shall deliver a written report with copies available to all members at the annual business meeting.
The Executive Director shall call together an Executive Council of Elders to review ministry credential candidates.
There shall be a compensation package to which the Executive Director and the Board of Directors have mutually agreed upon. It shall be reviewed annually.
Associate Director/First Associate Pastor
The Associate Director shall be called by the Board of Directors. His stay shall be for an indefinite period of time He shall work closely with the Executive Director for the smooth and efficient operations of the ministry. He shall make known to the Executive Director areas of ministry which he feels especially gifted.
He shall assume the Executive Directors responsibilities in his absents or when he is unavailable.
He shall give a verbal report of his current activities at each board meeting and a written report at the annual business meeting.
He shall assist the Executive Director in the spiritual oversight of the ministry and serve on the Executive Council of Elders.
There shall be a compensation package to which the Associate Director and the Board of Directors have mutually agreed upon. It shall be reviewed annually.
Staff Evangelists/Associate Pastors The first order of business for the Church of Jesus Christ is the winning of the lost to Christ. The primary purpose of New Life-New England Ministry is to fulfill the Great Commission. It is with this purpose in mind the ministry has established the office of staff evangelist. The ministry shall appoint as many individual to this office as possible from among those who present themselves to the ministry for appointment and are qualified for the task according to the biblical standards of a Christian minister.
Appointment as staff evangelist shall be made by the council of elders in concert with the executive director. The staff evangelist shall coniunte in this capcity indefinitly until he determines that God is directing his ministry in a differnt area of service or the elders determine his ministry no longer is functioning in the work of an evangelist.
The staff evangelist shall recieve a base salary in accord with the ministry policy as determined by the board of directors for associate pastors of the ministry. Additional support for the staff evangelist shall be based upon the thirty five percent (35%) rule use in determining financial support for pastors of Christian Fellowship Groups. Unlike fellowship groups, the administration of this support shall be through the general fund with the remaining sixty five (65%) percent allocated to staff evangelist travel expense (25%) and crusade and ministry expense (40%).
The purpose of the staff evangelist ministry is to conduct evangelistic crusades and meeting on behalf off and for New Life-New England Ministry. He shall seek opportunities to evangelize the lost within and without the ministry. He shall work with and work with out other staff evangelist of the ministry.
We believe evangelistic outreach to be both proclamation of the gospel and demonstration of the power of God through the gospel.
The staff evangelist shall be the principle preacher in the crusades and meeting of the ministry: but, he shall work in concert with an evangelistic team organized through the ministry.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Director shall be a group of men and women whom God has specifically called together to provide oversight for the ministry of New Life-New England. They shall be men and women of high Christian character and biblical soundness. They shall impart wisdom and discernment in accordance with God's will for this ministry. They shall have met all the standards of membership with this ministry. They shall serve without compensation for an indefinite period of time. The board shall strive to maintain a diversity among it's members drawing from a cross section of the ministry churches. There shall be no less than five members nor more than fifteen.
The board shall meet no less that once in any calendar year prior to the annual business meeting. They shall also plan other meetings a seems wise and prudent for the smooth business operation of the ministry.
The board shall function by seeking a consensus among the members. If no consensus is found the item will be tabled or dropped from the boards agenda.
The board shall appoint a secretary/clerk for the corporation who shall keep notes of all board and business meetings and provide all correspondence for the corporation.
The board shall set the official policy for the ministry. When a dispute arises, the board shall have the final say.
The board shall issue the credentials of ministry based upon the determination of the Executive Council of Elders. The board shall have no authority with regards to the Executive Council of Elders.
The board shall set the number and amount of salaried staff positions the ministry shall fund. The Executive Director shall have responsibility for the staff selection.
The board shall set the standard to which Ministry Associates (Itinerant Christian Workers, Ministers and Missionaries) abide by.
No executive session of the board may be held without the presence of the Executive Director. If the subject matter concerns a board member, that members must also be presents or have been informed by the board in writing that such a meeting is being held.
The board shall establish an annual budget for the ministry to be voted on at the annual business meeting. This provision may be waved if there is no distinction between the board and members. The board shall establish fund raising goals. The board shall make provision for dedicated giving.
The Board of Directors shall hold title to the ministry assets. It shall buy, handle, and sell property. It shall receive impute from the membership concerning any major endeavor.
New board members not called to the ministry in the Executives Directors initial call of formation shall be voted on by the membership present at the annual business meeting. They shall have been recommended to the membership by the Elders and Board of Directors having satisfactorily met the qualification to serve. They shall be given an opportunity to speak to the business meeting prior to the membership vote.
Furthermore, A majority of the board of directors and a majority of the members of any committee shall consist of persons who have no financial interest in the affairs of the corporation. Persons deemed to have a financial interest in the affairs of the corporation including persons receiving compensation (other than reimbursement of expenses) from the corporation, independent contractors with the corporation, persons with a financial relationship with a for-profit independent contractor(such as owners or employees of the independent contractor), close family members of the foregoing.
If a director, office, or committee member has a financial interest conflicting with the interest of the corporation in any manner (such as whether to enter into contact with such individual or with an organization with which such individual is associated), then the individual must bring the conflict to the attention of the other directors, officers, and committee members, and refrain from deliberating or voting in any decision with respect to the matter.
CLERK The Board of Directors shall appoint a clerk from among its members for the ministry of New Life-New England.
The Clerk shall serve for an indefinite period of time.
The Clerk shall record the minutes of the business meetings. He or she shall keep a permanent record of the minutes on file, shall read minutes at the board meetings.
The Clerk shall keep the names and address of current board members, and general membership of New Life-New England.
The Clerk shall keep a record of participants with the Council of Elders, their names, address, the date and level of credential granted to each by New Life-New England.
The Clerk shall keep the corporation papers on file in the ministry office. Shall be responsible for all official correspondence of ministry.
The Clerk will initiate the prayer chain when called upon.
The Clerk shall notify board members and the general ministry membership as necessary of the place, time, and date of various meetings which pertain to those individuals.
The Clerk shall provide dual documents of all important ministry records and notes for filing in the ministry office. At the clerks discretion he or she may maintain this file for the ministry.
Upon the resignation of the Clerk, he or she shall surrender all the ministry and corporation paper kept in the clerks possession to the board of directors for their keeping until a new clerk is appointed. .
Official records of the clerk of the ministry
Clerk is the keeper of the listing of officially authorized ministry; Clerk is the keeper of the official list of ministry voting members:
Clerk is the recorder of all credentials given by the ministry;
Clerk is to be the holder of or original copy of the articles of incorporation and stamped and sealed by the State of New Hampshire in the ministry office.
Clerk is the keeper of the original 501 (c) 3 determination for tax exempt status in the ministry office.
Clerk is to have a copy of the latest constitution and by-law.
Only the clerk and Executive Director will have official copies. Clerk is to be the keeper of our official E.I.N certificate from the IRS in the ministry office.
Clerk is the recorder of the ministry business and board meeting minutes.
These should be keep neat and organized for referral back to time when a decision was made about any item. Currently we have some loose ends and these will first need sorting, organizing and review. Additional minutes of out last business meeting should be read at the next business meeting. The same hold true for the board meeting. TREASURER
The Board of Directors shall seek and appoint a treasurer for the of ministry of New Life-New England.
The Treasurer shall serve for an indefinite period of time and shall become an official member of the board.
The board shall determine the need of compensation for the treasurer based upon current size, scope, and needs of the ministry.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping the finical records of the ministry, he or she shall be the primary signature to ministry checks, (other signatures shall be the Executive Director and Clerk), shall receive all ministry funds and pay all ministry bills.
The Treasurer shall deliver a verbal finical report at all board meetings and written financial report at the annual business meeting.
The Treasurer shall keep current of the ministry tax requirements and file appropriate forms with governmental authorities when due.
The Treasurer shall make known to the board any serious financial trend.
The Treasurer shall employ the services of an independent out side accounting firm to audit the ministry books when the ministry annual income exceeds seventy five thousand dollars and shall maintain standards in keeping with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership with New Life-New England ministry is open to all professing Christian believers who are committed Christian Workers, Ministers, Staff and fellow believers. Qualification to join as a member are 1. Agreement with the theological and philosophical statement of the ministry.
2. Personal profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
3. Experience Christian Baptism.
4. Demonstration of Christian character in personal life.
5. Recommendation by the Board of Elders to the membership at the annual
or quarterly meeting with a 2/3rds vote required to carry. 6. Engaged in a local Evangelical Christian Church.
7. Be engaged actively in ongoing Christian ministry.
8. Willingness to regularly pray for the ministry of New Life-New England.
9. Remembering the financial needs of New Life-New England.
10. Be in attendance annually to one of the fellowship quarterly gatherings.
All individuals receiving credentials of ministry from New Life-New England Ministry will automatically become members. The same holds true for officers and board members.
Individuals desiring to unite in fellowship with New Life-New England should make there interest know to the Executive Director or the Associate Director who will review the request with the Executive Council of Elders prior to their recommendation to the board which will in turn present the individual(s) to the entire membership.
Credentials for Women: It is the policy of New Life-New England to grant credential of Christian ministry to both men and women. Acts 2:18
Scripture and time have both shown that God has used both very effectively in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The biblical qualification are the same.
Example of women in ministry
Serving the Church
Ro. 16:1 "I COMMEND UNTO YOU PHOEBE OUR SISTER, WHICH IS A SERVANT OF THE CHURCH AT CENCHREA".
Ro. 16:3 "GREET PRISCILLA AND AQUILA, MY FELLOW WORKERS IN CHRIST'. Prophetesses
Miriam, EX 15:20 Deborah, JUD 4:4
One should conduct an extended study of the role of women in leadership. Two qualifying entity come to light.
Women need and should seek the spiritual covering as prescribe in Christ example to His Father. Re: Eph. 5:21-30.
Miriam serviced with authority, the authority extended to her by Moses which he received from God.
Deborah was clearly the spiritual giant yet she recognized God's order and insisted that Balak provide the ultimate leadership covering for Israel to follow into battle.
It is the intention of New Life-New England to provide the tools for effective and purposeful ministry for women with the following limitations. Credentialized women in ministry should always seek the spiritual covering of the Elders in the church where she serves. If no spiritual covering exists she should withhold her ministry (re: Exective Council of Elders). Women ordained by New Life-New England should not seek a senior pastoral position nor should they seek a position where they would be ruling over men or ruling elders. It is further understood that ordained women could not serve on the Executive Council of Elders of New Life-New England, but would be conferred upon when a woman is seeking ordination.
Ordained Women in fellowship with New Life-New England are free to conduct their ministry as the Holy Spirit direct
and are empowered to perform any and all duties normal and legally associated with the Christian Ministry. Men and Women who have received their credentials of ministry from New Life-New England should keep in mind that they are representative at all time of the Lord Jesus Christ and New Life-New England and should conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the call.
3 septembre The Seven Sacraments6. The Sacraments The sacraments are outward signs which confer the very grace they signify. These Mysteries, ordained by Christ, are seven in number, namely Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders. •Baptism This Sacrament of Spiritual regeneration, administered by immersion or by the pouring on of water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, imparts sanctifying grace and constitutes initiation into the Mystical Body of Christ, the royal priesthood of believers and the sacramental life of the Christian community. •Confirmation The grace of Pentecost, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, administered by the successors of the apostles with Chrism and the laying on of hands, empowers Christians to participate in the apostolic mission of the Church. •Holy Eucharist The central act of worship of the People of God, in which we offer ourselves and our gifts in union with the eternal sacrifice of Christ and partake of His Real Presence under the forms of Bread and Wine, offers to us the privilege of direct Communion with our Lord Jesus Christ •Reconciliation The Sacrament in which Jesus Christ, through the ministry of the church, bestows the forgiveness of sins, heals broken fellowship and imparts grace for the amendment of life. •Anointing the Sick The ministers of the Church anoint the sick with sacred oil, imparting the grace of Christ to those in need of healing for body or soul. •Matrimony The Mystery of Marriage corresponds to the union of Christ and his Church. Through a voluntary, mutual commitment declared before God and the Church, the marital union becomes a channel of sacramental grace. •Holy Orders The Holy Spirit, though the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer of the Bishop, ordains women and men, married or single, who are called to serve the Church, imparting to them special grace to administer the Sacraments and feed the flock of Christ.
30 août What are Free Catholics ?What are FREE CATHOLICS?*We are Christians We acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord, Founder and Eternal High Priest. Catholic The International Free Catholic Communion* is an independent rite of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and is not Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox or Protestant. Our priests, men and women, married and single, are ordained to Holy Orders by bishops who trace their ministry in an unbroken line through the laying on of hands to the original apostles and, through them, to Jesus Christ himself.
Sacramental We hold that the sacraments are outward signs that confer the very grace they signify. These Mysteries ordained by Christ are seven in number: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing the Sick. We practice open Communion, welcoming to the Lord’s Table all who approach it with reverence, regardless of religious affiliation.
Charismatic We believe in the Release or "Baptism" of the Holy Spirit and the free exercise of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit described by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 12.
Evangelical We seek to lead all creatures to the direct personal experience and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Free We believe that the Church must seek to cultivate and to protect individual freedom of thought, conscience and choice. While gently offering guidance, it is her duty to help God’s People develop the faculty of discernment and take personal responsibility for their choices in life. Free Catholics are encouraged to think, to explore and to be true to their own conscience. We are non-dogmatic, emphasizing instead the life of the Spirit and the law of love. We do not condemn those whose ideas differ from our own, but seek to be tolerant, respectful and open to the beliefs and values of others.
"You have been called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom for self-indulgence, but through love serve one another." —St. Paul
Ecumenical We respect all parts of the one Body of Christ, whether Catholic Orthodox or Protestant; and we desire, insofar as it is possible, to be in loving communion with all, while humbly receiving what each one has to teach us. Furthermore, we believe that the Church must remain open to recognize the wisdom of the other great spiritual traditions of the world. With humility, we honor the holy people of all times and places. Recognizing the unity of God’s family on earth, we welcome to our altars all who reverently approach them, erecting no barriers based upon dogma or religious affiliation.
Mystical We believe that every person is invited to know God directly and to experience the joy of abiding divine union in this life. St. Paul said that we may “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God.“ Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” And the psalmist writes, “Be still and know that I am God.” With this in mind, we give particular emphasis to the cultivation of contemplative prayer and the discovery of God within.
Alternative Free Catholicism offers an attractive alternative for Catholic and Orthodox Christians who seek a truly sacramental church which is open to the message and movement of the Holy Spirit for our times. Many sincere people have given up on the mainstream due to its inertia, rigidity, and dogmatism, They feel at home in the Catholic tradition, with its deep spirituality and sacramental worship, but they can no longer accept many of the things that go with it. For example, there are men who are called to the priesthood but do not want to be celibate, and there are women who desire to serve the Church but are told that there is no place for them. Others seek a Catholic Church: which recognizes the importance of free thought, conscience, and expression, instead of one that offers in its place the pronouncements of an “infallible” hierarchy. Free Catholicism also provides an alternative for Protestants and others not from a traditional Catholic background who are attracted to Catholic spirituality, sacramental worship and apostolic tradition but could never join one of the more conservative mainline sacramental churches.
Mission Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the whole of the law...” We are called to reach out to the world with the unconditional love of Christ. True Christian love must be concerned not only with reconciling souls to God, but also with meeting the needs of the poor and oppressed, healing the sick in soul and body, working for peace and social justice, protecting the environment, and promoting dialogue and understanding between people of different denominations, religions, cultures and ideologies throughout the world. Thus, we may proclaim by our actions the good news of a salvation that offers not only eternal welfare for our souls, but also wholeness and liberation on every level. Christ deeply desires to alleviate the sufferings of this present world, and ultimately to liberate and transform all of creation as heaven and earth unite in Him who is truly the Alpha and Omega.
Jesus called his disciples together and said, "You know those who exercise authority among the Gentiles lord it over them, their great ones make their importance felt, it cannot be like that with you. Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and anyone who wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. Such is the case with Son of Man who has come, not to be served by others but to serve, and to give his own life as a ransom for the many." ---St. Matthew 20:25-28
"Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me... Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me". ---St. Matthew 25:34-36, 40. 22 août A prayer for cleansingNew broadcast to be up-loaded this week. DP-164 new program, others are repeats. We just got to keep talking about Jesus. He's the only hope in the world.
Blessings, Dave 30 juillet Dayspring Chapel (ECC)This fall Dayspring Chapel will resume ministry with pastoral service and worship option.
Service/Ministries to be available.
Baptisim
Confession
Confirmation
Dedication
Redeication
Wedding
Spiritual Counsel
Hospital Visit
Communion
Sacrements
Shut-in visits
Anointing of oil on the sick
Prayer of faith
Membership
Blended Worship
Thanks- giving, offferings and tithes
Believers prayer group
Elders prayer
Faith formation
Committment
Fellowship meals
Special meetings
Evangelism
Pulpit supply
Pastor call
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29 juillet Evangelical CatholicsThe term Evangelical Catholic is used by Christians who consider themselves both "catholic" and "evangelical." Evangelical Catholic (catholic is the noun with evangelical modifying) can refer to: evangelical Protestant Christians who consider themselves catholic Christians that identify with the historic Christian Church, who believe that the early ecumenical councils and the Protestant Reformation were both part of the progressive illumination of the Holy Spirit; Roman Catholics who want to identify themselves more closely with evangelical Protestants with similar ecumenical ideals and "progressive illumination"; Catholics who simply want to define themselves according to a penchant for evangelism. Evangelical Catholics may include Eastern Rite Catholic Churches or other churches that are not Roman Catholic, such as Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Baptist, or Pentecostal. 26 juillet Dayspring Radio Programs DP-163 7 DP-26New Dayspring Radio programs # DP-163 AND DP-26 added to Sky Drive for download Experience His fellowship a churchMy relection when I recently visited His true church: I mean the one affiliated with the church Jesus commisioned Apostle Peter to start.
What happen? Change takes place and my/your boldness in Christ is increased.
I/you receive Real Peace.
I/you find the ever present power of the Spirit.
I/you gain victory over the power of the flesh and it's sinful nature.
I/you begin to feel like we are part of the true church.
I/you feel cleansed, renewed and made whole/one with Christ each time we experience His church, His people, and His body.
I/you feel welcome.
I/you begin to love His church as never before.
I/you feel complete as a Christian and a member of His Church universal (as the Apostle creed reference, the Holy Catholic Church).
I/you feel like I've come home where I/you belong.
 Elise HolmanderMy wonderful daughter and grand-daughter
14 juillet Prayer needUse this link to request prayer need. God answers prayer to those woh believe and are committed ti Christ.
30 juin First American Indian religious order
28 juin Talking about Personal reflections on church.So guess I'm going to do more reflections on this subject in the future. Sorry about my poor gramma proof reading. Quote Personal reflections on church. Talking about Facebook and CYclingI really like face book. I think I will be able to add more friend there than here. However I am starting a new group for the dayspring radio ministry. Hopr I get some people to join and start discussion Quote Facebook and CYcling Facebook and CYclingIn the futue I WILL BE WRITING MOST OF MY CYCLING RACE DETAIL ON FACEBOOK.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/home.php?ref=home
HERES THE LINK
Personal reflections on church.Ok: Today the gloves come off. To put it best, I'm irritated at church. Went and visited my old denomination (cause I am still looking for a church home.) . Yes, it's Baptist. Did I grow up Baptist? Well, yes! That is you don't include Congregation, Penticostal and at arms lenght Roman Catholic. Maybe, I'm Bretheren ( Grace Bretheren because thats where Donna & I worshiped when in college), or could I be Lutheren because thats the historical denonmination for people of Swedish decent and my half sister married a Lutheran before they got divorced.
Am I reactionary at this point in time? You bet, but why? I thinks it's becasue so much of my pratical spirituality was formed under the infuence of Fundamentist christian. I best charaterize this as a culture rather than a theology. The Fundamentalist tryed to teach me to hate all other christian groups because of error as they see it in there theology. They failed. Today, I completely reject there attituted toward the other denomination and especially toward the Roman Catholic Church. I have been to, and worshipped the Lord Jesus in all these denominations. Sure, they have different styles and various understanding on how to interpet the Bible. But that all have a desire for the truth of the gospel and encourage their people to live there life for Christ. Listen, every church group has dirty water, bad converts and the like who give them a bad name. Churches are filled up with sinners. Da! Does this make the Church of Jesus Christ bad? No!
Let me tell you what I like about some of my church experiences.
In the Bapist church the people are very friendly, once you get to know them. It's really like one big family. It really is. Yea, I have a comfort zone there because I spent a lot of time there. The people really what you to know Jesus and enjoy the christian life and community. However, Baptist are a liitle clumsy when it comes to communicationing this. Every thing is a gimick including friendliness. When I became a bike racer, I met alot of new people. These people are my friend. Because of my true friendship with them I can model Christlikeness. Bike racing is not a gimick. I love bike racing and XC Ski racing.
But wait. Let me tell you about worship in the Roman Catholic Chruch. People are revent, reflective, quit and worshipful. To put it bluntly. You feel like you are in church. And of-course the teaching of the church is that the church is manifested 3 dimensionally. To be more exacting. You can sense the presence of the Lord. There is a real comfort zone of belonging and the presences of the peace of Christ which all believe are to recieve. The mass is not killing Jesus again as the Fundamentalist claim. It is a beautiful picture of his sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. This is a witness of salvation Protestant churches could model to remind believer of what Jesus did. Yes, I know this message is preached but in the Catholic church it's in your face every week. But isn't that what Jesus said? Do it every time you get together. It is the Catholic church which got me to wear the Madonna del Ghisallo patron saint of cyclist metal. No! She is not divinity like Christ as the Fundamentalist say. We ask her to pray for our safety as you might ask a friend to pray for you.. The metal is worn in faith. To date she has not failed me. Praise Jesus!
How I love Penticostal Worship. I love the old time penticostal churches. So, do you know any around the Concord NH aera? Here, they let me play in the worship band. I even get as asked to preach. And here Donna and I got married. Here in Penticost I was commisioned and sent of into Christian Ministry. It is here where I have witnessed divine healing. If only I could find a good old fasion Penticostal church with jumping and speaking in tounges. Today, penticostal think they got to be like all the other generic bland evangelical churches. I guess this will help them attrack more people. I'm not sure its working. Statically, its not working. What else can I say.
So where do I go. I guess I visit the Baptist church again. Maybe something will click. But it will have to wait until I get a free race weekend. If only these churches would stop stereo-typing me because I race my bike and that take me away from there church. Didn't Jesus travel on Sunday? Cyclist are also commented believers too. |
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When 12-year-old Thomas Foley opened a shoebox in his Aunt Mame’s closet more than 65 years ago, he unwittingly uncovered the building blocks for a remarkable story of faith, courage and determination.|
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