Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Speaking the Word



We can be confident that God will complete the work He has begun in the lives of His children (Phil 1:6). In His kindness, God is conforming us to the image of Christ the Son (Rom 8:29). The more we are conformed to the image of Christ, the greater will be our desire to proclaim Christ through our lives and to have the word of Christ on our lips. David serves as an example of one who praised God and proclaimed God's goodness through the words he spoke. Consider a few verses from Psalm 71:
-My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day (ESV) v.8
-My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. (ESV) v.15
-I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my sol also, which you have redeemed. And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt. (ESV) - vv. 22-24

We give glory to God and encourage one another by speaking the Word to one another.

For more on this topic from John Piper, click HERE.

Pastor Blake



Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Developing a Culture of Evangelism


In Mack Stiles book, Speaking of Jesus, he writes of 3 areas in which a local church needs to evaluate in regards to developing a culture of evangelism:
a. Are we motivated (heart)?
Are we cultivating compassion? Do we need encouragement when we see hard hearted non-Christians? Do we trust in gospel-power?
b. Are we equipped (mind)?
Do we rehearse and revisit the gospel? Can we articulate the gospel well? Do we sing the gospel? Do we hear it in our preaching/teaching/discussions with other church members/membership interviews?
c. Are we available (feet)?
Are we individually encouraging one another to be on the lookout for new people in the hallways on Sundays? Are we willing to put aside a conversation with a bro/sis (one that can be picked up later) when we see someone we don’t know (this could be your only chance!)? Do we “write people off” in our minds? Have I made myself so busy (even doing good ministry things) that I don't make a point to get to know those who don't know Christ?

Consider which area you could use some growth in. Bring someone along with you in learning together! Could you bring along others at BCC so that are not needing to be rebuked as stated in Galatians 2:14--our "
conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel."

Let me know if you need any resources as we grow together!
Pastor Ben

Please Pray for Heartline and Heart House




It is our mission to provide emergency shelter for women and their children. And financial aid, eduction, community and resource referrals, and basic essentials to residents of Woodford County who find themselves homeless, victims of domestic violence, or in any other crisis situation. Here are some ways that you can pray for Heartline and Heart House:

  1. Please pray that God will lead people who are in need of help to Heartline and Heart House.
  2. Please pray for the staff who work with the clients to be able to have moments where the gospel is able to be shared. 
  3. Please pray for clients hearts to be softened and will receive the gospel and be willing to work with staff in obtaining some of their goals.
  4. Please pray for the organization that funding needs will be met.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Please Pray for My Sister's House




My Sister’s House ministry is focused on the individualized relational care of single women and their children providing them with Biblical counselors/advocates and assisting them with the coordination of sustainable resources. My Sister’s House ministry will also help facilitate the transition of its qualifying residents to self-care circumstances as their final goal.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Please Pray For WHIP (Washington Helps Its People)




WHIP opened the doors in 1983 to help 61571 residents. WHIP continues to serve residents of 61571 through donations from churches, businesses, individuals and civic organizations. The WHIP staff is all volunteers serving during distribution hours. We are thankful that this organization exists. Please pray for them as they serve the community of Washington.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Parenting and the Church



Parenting and the Church

This year our youth program is looking at adding some curriculum from a ministry called Truth:78. I’m very excited for this addition as they seem to be very likeminded to our own church in their thinking on the training of children and the church’s partnership with families. Here are some exerts from a few of their articles I’ve recently read and been very encouraged by…
In their article, “A Key Component of Effective Children’s and Youth Ministry,” they write,
The people who have the most access, the best opportunity, and the greatest potential influence—not to mention the biblical responsibility for helping children walk in the truth—are their parents. My plea to parents and grandparents is that they make the most of the fleeting opportunity they have.
The life of a parent today can quickly become consumed by so many good things that there is little time left for what is most important. Parents must not trade the greater things for lesser things.
  • What will it profit a child to be an accomplished pianist but spend his life as a fool?
  • What will it benefit a child to have all the friends in the world— even good Christian friends—but have no friend in Jesus on Judgment day?
  • What good will it do for a child to marry well but never sit at the marriage feast of the lamb?
  • What benefit will there be for the child who makes it to the national championship on his way to destruction?
  • What will it profit a child to gain the whole world and lose his soul? (Mark 8:36)
Imparting the truth to our children is essential and should be the primary focus for the church’s ministries to children and youth. However, the best two hours of children’s programming is no substitute for the passionate and intentional pursuit by parents of everlasting joy for their children. The church is best equipped to encourage, support, challenge, and develop resources for parents in their work of discipling their children.1

In their other article entitled, “Partnering With Your Church,” they go on,
We believe that God has called both the church and home to raise up the next generations to know, honor, and treasure God through Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through a strategic, loving partnership between the church and home. This partnership affirms that parents by proximity, opportunity, and God’s design, bear a unique responsibility for nurturing their children’s faith (see Deuteronomy 6:4-7). This partnership also affirms the role and responsibility of church leadership to provide encouragement and training for parents, and also to provide formal instruction for children and youth. Therefore, it is important for parents to consider how they can enrich their partnership with their local church.
They go on to discuss 7 ways parents can partner with their church. A couple that stood out to me are, 

1. Become Familiar with the Children's and Youth Vision and Philosophy of Your Church

Church leaders are greatly encouraged when parents express an eagerness to learn more about the vision, philosophy, and instruction being implemented in the classrooms, programs, and other related activities. If your church has not yet communicated this vision and philosophy to parents, prayerfully and humbly consider how you might bring this to the attention of the leadership.

2. Offer to Serve the Church in Discipling Children and Youth

Many churches find it difficult to adequately staff their children’s and youth ministries. Many challenges in the classroom experience relate to understaffed classrooms and/or overwhelmed volunteers. Seriously consider how you might use your gifts and abilities to further the discipleship of children and youth in your church. Teaching, organizational oversight, small group leading, preparing visuals, leading worship… all are valuable for implementing a spiritually enriching ministry.

3. Prioritize Family Participation in the Life of the Church

One of the most important ways that parents can partner with the church for the faith of the next generation is to make it a high priority for the family to participate in the regular life and rhythms of the church, especially the corporate worship service. When parents do this, they are teaching and training children that the Christian life is to be lived in community with God’s people. As members together, we have both responsibilities and privileges. Living out the “one another commands” within the greater family of God should be the normal and regular habit of every Christian family. At a minimum, families should prioritize worshiping together in the weekly service. This may feel daunting to some parents but here are some resources to assist you:

4. Partner with Your Children's Ministry Teams

Your children will be best served when parents and church are joyfully working together. Toward that end, there are some very simple and practical ways in which parents can strengthen the relationship with their child’s ministry team. For example:
  • Before Sunday school (or other events) pray with your child—for their own demeanor and edification, and also for the teachers, volunteers, and other students.
  • Ask the teacher if there are specific ways you can pray for the class from week to week.
  • Share appropriate concerns you have about your child’s spiritual condition, temperament (e.g., shy, energetic, not comfortable in front of a group, etc), and any behavioral issues with teachers.
  • Inquire if there are any needs in the classroom that you could help with.
  • Bring your child to class on time. If needed, make sure to take them to the restroom, have a snack, or get a drink of water before class.
  • Make sure your child is prepared for class: Bible in hand, verses memorized, etc.
  • Have realistic expectations regarding the classroom and volunteers.
  • If you have any problems with the class, teacher, etc., pursue a biblically appropriate way to address those issues outside of class.
  • Let your child’s Sunday school team know you are grateful to God for them and appreciate their ministry.

6. Encourage, Support, and Pray for Your Leadership

Youth and children’s pastors and ministers have a difficult job as they try to navigate the goals and needs of the wider church as well as the goals and needs of parents and their children. Commit to praying for them and remember to communicate thankfulness for their ministry. If you have concerns or disagreements with the leadership, be sure to address the issues in a biblical manner. Start by addressing the leader(s) personally at a mutually appointed time.

7. Use and Recommend Discipleship Resources for the Home

There are many excellent resources available for parents to help them disciple their children. Parents can serve the larger church by alerting church leadership to specific parenting resources. Upon review, the leadership may choose to recommend these to the wider church body.

All that to say, I hope our ministries at BCC are pursuing those ends of helping, partnering with, and encouraging parents in the training and equipping of the children in our church!

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph 3:20-21)
 - Phil 

Thanks to: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/redesign/wpcontent/uploads/2016/12/PAFF_122116_kidscatchsocialbias-609x419.jpg for image.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Please Pray for the Bennetts

Bennett Photo.jpg
Gary and Barb Bennett


The Bennett’s focus in Rwanda is helping adults in a variety of activities. Gary and Barb both teach at New Creations Ministries. NCM is a teaching ministry for pastors and lay leaders. The Pastoral Training Bible School teaches in Kinyarwanda (the tribal Rwandan language) and the Christian Leadership Institute of Rwanda teaches at the university level in English. Gary works with finances, construction, and an agricultural research and demonstration. He teaches pastors new subsistence farming methods so that they can focus on shepherding and discipling. Barb teaches English. Barb also teaches music at their local church to children and adults. Barb also helps with the Children’s Church worship time.