Unchristian

I recently read the book Unchristian by David Kinnamon & Gabe Lyons. Okay, let me be a bit more honest; I read the book summary of Unchristian. It was an interesting read on how Mosaics & Busters (my generation) perceive Christians. There were six themes the authors identified of how Christians are viewed. They are: 1) Hypocritical, 2) Too focused on getting converts, 3) Anti-homosexual, 4) Sheltered, 5) Too political, and 6) Judgmental.

These things may be true, they may not. It doesn't matter. This is how many Christians are viewed. So, what are my thoughts?

As a Christian, God has called me to love him wholeheartedly and to love my neighbor. As an expression of love for all God's people (red, yellow, black, white, gay, straight), I believe the greatest thing I can do for them is to share the good news, the hope of Jesus. Hopefully, my motives are pure and I do it all with love. One of the ways I try to lead in that love is by serving others in the name of Christ. Our church calls them bridge events. Recently, as teachers returned from their summer break, our church provided them an awesome breakfast from Chic-Fil-A. It was a small way to share with them the love of Christ. We had a blast!

The old adage is true; people don't care how much you know (or who you know) until they know how much you care. Caring for people is my way and our church's way to build a bridge to the "unchristian." A bridge that leads to Christ who is perfect in every way and who is not hypocritical, too focused on getting a convert, anti-homosexual, sheltered, political, or judgmental. He's none of those things; he is God who wrapped himself in flesh to rescue all of us from the depravity of our sin and wants us to be in relationship with him.

I acknowledged my sin and need for Jesus' forgiveness about twenty-six years ago. He changed my life. My heart's desire is for all people to come to know this Jesus who is alive and real and is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). I may not convey that message very well at times. But, to those who do not know Jesus, please understand that I am a sinner just like you who has found forgiveness. You can too! His name is Jesus.

As we finish our summer Growth Groups semester this week, I would like to say thank you to the following people for facilitating a group this summer: Paul Eill, Don Brown, and Rex Culbertson. They stepped out and helped us test this Bible storying experiment this summer with our groups. They have done an excellent job! I have received more positive feedback this summer from those in Growth Groups than at any other time in the history of our church! We have seen time and time again that the Word of God is "living and active" from Hebrews 4:12. The more we examined God's Word, the more God continued to reveal His truth. As group members shared what God was teaching them, life-transformation was taking place every week.

I also want to thank those of you who volunteered in your Growth Group to share the story, rebuild the story, and even facilitate. Some people did this for the first time ever. It was exciting to see you step out of your comfort zone. That's usually when we grow the most. At Ridgeview, our goal is to make disciples who are making disciples and Growth Groups are the primary vehicle we use to do that. We saw disciples being made this summer! We are now seeing disciples who want to make more disciples!

As we take a month off from Growth Groups, let me remind us all that we never take a day off from discipleship! May we as followers of Christ continue daily to see God shape our thinking, our hearts, and our burden for those who do not know Him.

See you Sunday!

Pastor Tommy

Reflections on Sunday's Message & Discipleship

What a great Sunday we had last week as we kicked off our new message series. It was great to have so many of you join us for lunch after church. As we learned Sunday, a practical atheist is one who believes in God but lives his or her life as if God doesn't exist. There is no evidence in a person's life that he or she knows God or fears Him.  At the root of practical atheism is real discipleship. So, what is a disciple anyway? How do we define the term disciple? There are three areas to look at:

1) A disciple is one who is committed to following Christ. They have made Jesus Lord or their life. Jesus said in John 8:31, "...If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples." 
2) A disciple is one who is committed to being changed by Christ. They are becoming like Christ in attitude and action. Jesus said in John 15:8, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
3) A disciple is one who is committed to the mission of Christ. We call it being a bridge of God's love to all people at Ridgeview. It is about seeking to build a bridge for people so they can connect to Jesus who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) and is the only way to the Father. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said "Christianity without discipleship is Christianity without Christ." Our Practical Atheist series has challenged us all to examine our Christianity and whether or not it has Christ in it. If it does, then we will obey Jesus as Lord, we will become more like Him everyday, and we will be burdened for those who do not know Him and we will look for opportunities to share Jesus with others. 
As Jesus clearly lays out in the Scriptures, there is no room for casual, lukewarm Christianity when you follow Him. What steps can you take today to align your life with true discipleship?  

Pastor Tommy

Do you believe in God, but don't fear Him?

This Sunday we will begin a new message series entitled, "Practical Atheist." As you survey the spiritual landscape of our country, 94% of Americans claim they believe in God or some kind of universal spirit. Unfortunately, there are many today who claim to believe in the God of the Bible but do not fear Him. They do not fear Him by living with an attitude of "I can do whatever I want to do." Many people today believe in God but live their lives as if He does not exist. They are practical atheists. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, "1) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2) People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3) without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4) treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." We see these characteristics today in those who claim to believe in God.

The Bible says in Romans 12:2 not to "conform any longer to the pattern of this world." I look forward to sharing this Sunday the characteristics you will see in your life when you truly love and fear God. 

Blessings,

Pastor Tommy

Fanning The Flames With Our Words

This Sunday we will conclude our message series dealing with the words we speak. It certainly has caused me to focus on speaking words of life rather than negative words of death. As we have learned from Jesus' teaching, our words are an indication of what is going on in our hearts. We must guard our hearts!


Paul encouraged Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God which is in you..." in 2 Timothy 1:6. We as the body of Christ have great opportunities to fan the flames for Christ as we speak into each other's lives. I have found our Growth Groups to be great vehicles to do that. Just last night at our group I told a brother in Christ I was proud of him.


As we gather for worship Sunday, may we all fan the flames in others by lifting them up with positive, edifying words. As we will see this Sunday, they literally do have the power of life and death.


See you then!


Pastor Tommy

Mega Sports Camp Opportunity 1 1/2 Weeks Away!

I'm excited about participating in Mega Sports Camp 2011! It will be held again this year at Northwood Baptist Church (888 Ansel School Rd, Greer) beginning Sunday, July 31 through Thursday, August 4. The camp hours are 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the total cost is $15 which includes a t-shirt, a sports bag, snacks, and tons of fun! Sports offered for kids will be basketball, soccer, cheerleading, and baseball. 

The most exciting part for me is that through the vehicle of sports a number of kids will come to know Jesus Christ! My 40 year old body will be out there each night running, jumping, clapping to the worship songs, kneeling in our sports huddles, and kneeling in prayer with the kids each night. My skills aren't what they used to be; but I believe God is okay with that. He can use me just by being available. Maybe you feel you can't really contribute to a sports camp because there's no way you can get out there and play. That's okay. We'll have plenty of others who can do that. We have opportunities for people who will sacrifice their evenings for five nights for a couple of hours. In return for your investment, the Kingdom of God will grow.

If that's a team you'd like to be a part of, how about emailing me and letting me know you're in. We'll find a place for you on the roster!

Thanks!

Pastor Tommy (tommy@ridgeviewchurch.net)

Don't forsake the small things this summer

I appreciate the encouraging words I received as we finished up our Man 2 Man series. In many ways this series was about stewardship; being a good manager of what God has entrusted us men with. For many of us men, we can always have our eyes set on the next big goal, career track, etc. Sometimes the less glamorous things like being in a Growth Group at church, spending time with family, giving God the firstfruits of our income, exercising, or personal time with God can get postponed "until tomorrow" or "the fall semester." 

Jesus said we must be faithful in little matters: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10). God has entrusted us with stewardships; are we being obedient in them? 

I was challenged recently by this statement: "How can I pray for God's blessings on certain areas of stewardship when I'm being a disobedient and poor steward in others? What does my lack of faithfulness reveal about my relationship with God? Am I truly making Him the Lord over all my life?"

Wow, those are strong and convicting words! God expects me to be a good manager over many thins such as my physical body, my family, my friends, and my income to name a few. A lack of faithfulness in the small things reveals a character flaw of mine. I must turn and repent each time I realize I'm falling into that trap. I want to hear my Master say "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:21). I've got to stay connected to Jesus everyday. I pray for wisdom that He would show me areas where He wants me to be faithful and I pray for strength to be fully obedient in all those areas.

As we fly through these dog days of summer, take a moment and think: "Are there any areas of your life that you've been neglecting? Don't forsake the small things this summer. A good word for all of us! 

Pastor Tommy

Man 2 Man Series Finale This Sunday: Ally

Our four week Man 2 Man message series will wrap up this weekend with what I believe will be one of the most important. I look forward to challenging all of us as men to have an ally in our lives. Why an ally? Because even the greatest of men have weak spots and vulnerabilities that the Evil One knows about and looks to target. We need men in our lives who have our back! The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."

Men, do you have an ally in your life? The key thought I want you to think about for Sunday is this: Without accountability, you are vulnerable. I look forward to sharing this Sunday how we all can thrive as a Shepherd Warrior, a spiritual coach for our family, and a knight who lays down his life for his bride.

Men, don't miss this Sunday! God's Word and God's Spirit are going to work in your heart to shape you to be all that He wants you to be in Christ!

Blessings,

Pastor Tommy

16 Things I Pray For My Boys Every Month
That I Received From Evangelist Tom Harmon

1. Their salvation.

2. Their mate.

3. That they would fall in love with God's Word.

4.That God would keep them from the evil one.

5. That they would have a conscience void of offence before God and man.

6. That their character would be more valuable to them than their credentials.

7. That they would stand up for what is right even if it means standing alone.

8. That they would be kept from the love of money.

9. That they would be kept morally pure.

10. That they would have the heart of a servant.

11. That eternity would burn in their hearts.

12. That sin would always be distasteful to them and that they would be broken easily over sin.

13. That they would love each other.

14. That they would trust God with their parents and not allow rebellion to set in.

15. Regardless the hardship, that they may never become bitter against God.

16. That our boys would be glad to be boys.

17. That I do not stir up anger in them, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

Ridgeview Church Membership

This past Sunday we had a membership class after church. I am pleased to share with you that Brian & Kerri Timms, along with Dillon and Kim Key, have agreed to live by our membership covenant and desire to unite with our church through formal church membership. I believe that joining a church is very important. I picked up a brochure some time ago from our parent church that lays out nicely why they encourage people to unite officially in membership. Allow me to share them with you:

1. Joining a church helps one identify with a body of believers
In the New Testament, when the apostles would go from town to town, they always sought out a group of believers with whom to identify. It gave them a sense of belonging as they joined together with their Christian family in the local towns. When you join a church you are saying, "I belong here; this is my family."

2. It is important to join a church in order to have a relationship of accountability

One of the most important reasons for joining a church is that it puts you in a position where you can be accountable by others. The Bible talks about this accountability in Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5. 

At Ridgeview, we recognize the need for a formal membership. We teach in our membership class to commit to membership for four reasons:

1. A Biblical reason

Christ is committed to the Church- "...Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..." Ephesians 5:25

Christ expects us to be committed to His Church- "Consequently you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."       

Ephesians 2:19

2. A Cultural reason

Membership swims against the current of America's "consumer religion." Commitment always builds character.

3. A practical reason: It defines who can be counted on

Every team has a roster. Every school an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration. Membership identifies our family.

4. A personal reason- It produces spiritual growth

Accountability to the body will produce growth.

When someone joins Ridgeview church, they agree to the membership covenant. Here is what they are agreeing to:

"Having received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with what we believe and what we practice, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Ridgeview Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:

1. I will protect the unity of my church

*By acting in love toward other members

*By refusing to gossip and resolving conflicts using Matthew 18:15-17

*By following the leaders

(Romans 15:5,19,1 Peter 1:22, Ephesians 4:29, Hebrews 13:17)

2. I will share the responsibility of my church

*By praying for its growth

*By inviting the unchurched to attend

*By warmly welcoming those who visit

(Luke 14:23, Romans 15:7, 1 Thessalonians 1:2)

3. I will serve the ministry of my church

*By discovering my gifts and talents

*By being equipped to serve by my pastors

*By developing a servant's heart

(1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:11-12, Philippians 2:3-4,7)

4. I will support the testimony of my church

*By attending faithfully

*By living a growing and godly life

*By giving regularly

(Hebrews 10:25, Philippians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Leviticus 27:30)

Let me again welcome our newest members! It is not only exciting to see them unite with our church through formal membership but also to see both families involved in the Eill Growth Group and serving Christ at Ridgeview. They are growing as disciples of Christ. That's a goal for all of us!