Running, Growing and Following
Dear Friends,
I am in Pawley’s Island, SC this week working with the AMiA. I will be back to preach at all four services this weekend, but let me tell you why I am here. We are the guests of the Lilly Foundation. There are about 20 of us in a meeting room; we listen to two brilliant and respected authors and church consultants, and we dream. We dream of how the AMiA might be more effective in its mission.
As we dream, I can’t help but dream about Christ Church, too. How can we be more effective in our mission to make disciples and teach them to obey the commands of Christ? I pray that God will allow us to focus on that big picture…that every study and small group might take to heart what we are about. More on that later.
But you can imagine the pride I felt when I spoke about the new Restoration Anglican Church start under Jed’s direction. Fran attended last week’s inaugural service, and she said it was thrilling and joy-filled. Here are some photos from the service, which takes place in a restaurant…
The restaurant is set-up for live music so there isn't a bad seat in the house.
The worship music was full of passion and energy as Matt led the time together.
Here are a few things you need to know:
Gospel Gossip
This weekend I am honored to preach from 2 Corinthians. I was scheduled for only the sanctuary services…but called and re-booked myself for all the services. It’s good to be the rector! 
The reason is that I have a special heart to convey to our church at this time. If you’re in a small group, you need to be here. I hope a kind of ‘gospel gossip’ comes out from our Small Groups as a result of this message. And for others…we have lots of ways for you join small groups or reflect and think through the sermon by yourself. Contact Susan Freeman to request the weekly curriculum via email.
Just Grow
You don’t have to be in a Small Group to grow in Christ! We have great Bible studies throughout the week, and some of you are simply receiving the sermon notes at home and making this a part of your quiet time or daily prayer. As long as you’re growing, I praise God for it!
Roof Dog Run…last chance!
This is the last time I will mention the Roof Dog Run…because it’s this Saturday! It has been quite a while since we have done an event on campus that was this anticipated, and had this kind of potential to affect the lives of others (both the orphans in Peru, and the runners who will discover Christ Church through it.) Please pray with me that both of those groups are blessed by this 4th annual race. If you’re not signed up, just show up here at the church on Saturday around 7 a.m. The race starts at 8 a.m.
Follow My Blog
Do you like the new and improved look of my blog? More and more, I am using it to share with you many of the readings and thoughts that I have during the week. Some of them humorous…some deep. For example, this week, I have been following the announcement out of the Catholic Church concerning Anglicans. I will have something to share about that tomorrow, so please check back …or better yet, subscribe to my blog and you’ll receive an email each time I post something new (don’t worry…you can cancel at any time) You can find me on Facebook and Twitter, too. Let’s keep in touch.
Say No to Complacency
Speaking of keeping in touch, I had a word with some of our leaders last weekend. My encouragement was to combat an attitude of complacency that can so easily creep into our worship lives. Complacency about coming to church week by week, complacency about reading the Scriptures, complacency about serving others. Honestly, complacency is everywhere in our culture. It’s a non-productive contentment with the status quo. It’s a lack of enthusiasm for the positive things we could and should be doing. If this is how you find yourself, I implore you to pray through it with your family or your small group, and get back on track. As a church family, we have so much to do to reach others for Christ.
All Saints
Over the past few weeks, our Worship Ministry collected names of the “Saints Who Have Gone Before Us” for the concert program that we will distribute at our All Saints’ Day concert on Nov 1. I sent in the names of some members of my family, on my side and on Fran’s side. These were people I loved and who died in the last few decades. Some I know had a strong faith. Some did not. One I even shared the gospel with on her last few days. But they are names…and behind each name is a person whom we loved and cared for…or by whom we were cared for when we were young. In our tradition, we never pray to the dead…and we don’t pray for the dead in specific terms. But we do remember and give thanks for their lives. Be with us on November 1 for the performance of the Mozart Requiem by our own choir and musicians and the talent from Dallas Baptist University.
A final word on that. The traditional Anglican service of Lessons and Carols says it best. Just before the start of the songs and scripture that tell the whole story of God’s redemption of the world, I call the people to prayer. Near the end of the long series of prayer, I am privileged to read one of the greatest petitions of all time. Read this…and weep for joy that God has given us such a great salvation: Lastly let us remember before God all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no man can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom we for evermore are one.
I’ll see you this weekend!
In Christ,
David+
