tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57506146846849994592024-02-19T20:12:24.060-05:00Anchor Children's Ministry<b>Where Children's Pastors, Volunteers & Parents unite to help kids become fully committed Disciples of Christ.</b>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.comBlogger284125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-91551340741045770672011-05-05T14:04:00.000-04:002011-05-05T14:04:37.617-04:009 Things – Just how important is family ministry?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is the 2<sup style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">nd</sup> post in the series 9 Things I’ve learned about Family Ministry – but will cover more than just 1 thing in this particular entry. There is a debate going on between Family Ministry and Children’s Ministry that raises a host of critical questions:</div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is Children’s ministry Biblical?</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Does age-segregated programming make sense?</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">How much effort should be invested in equipping parents?</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Can the church do both Children’s ministry and Family ministry effectively?</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is the role of the Children’s pastor different now because of Family ministry?</li>
</ul><div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_644" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f8f8f4; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; float: left; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 310px;"><a href="http://corycenter.org/9-things-just-how-important-is-it/%20/9-things-re-family-ministry-2" rel="attachment wp-att-644" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-644" height="156" src="http://corycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/300x156x9-Things-re-Family-Ministry1-300x156.jpg.pagespeed.ic.uZwuEAJ6B9.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9 Things re Family Ministry" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">9 Things I've Learned About Family Ministry</div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">These really are questions that should be considered and pondered because we seem to be coming upon cross-roads which will define the future of the church – not just in Children’s & Family Ministry, but in many other areas as well. So, let’s take a look at God’s word to see what it has to say…assuming we agree that the Bible has something to say about this topic??? <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhDwAPALMOAP/qAEVFRQAAAP/OAP/JAP+0AP6dAP/+k//9E///////xzMzM///6//lAAAAAAAAACH5BAEAAA4ALAAAAAAPAA8AAARb0EkZap3YVabOGRcWcAgCnIMRTEEnCCfwpqt2mHEOagoOnz+CKnADxoKFyiHHBBCSAdOiCVg8KwPZa7sVrgJZQWI8FhB2msGgwTXTWGqCXP4WBQr4wjDDstQmEQA7" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Most of you reading this know the passages that reference how important family ministry is – Deuteronomy 6 & Psalm 78 in particular – but let me take a big picture approach to this.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20) we are called to “Go and make Disciples,” a clear command from Jesus before he ascends into Heaven. But that call did not just start after Jesus lived, died and rose again; it existed since the Creation. Check out the comparison between the Great Commission and the First Commandment (Gen 1:28) where we are called to fill the earth with worshippers:</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://corycenter.org/9-things-just-how-important-is-it/%20/genesis-matthew-comparison-chart" rel="attachment wp-att-647" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-647" height="114" src="http://corycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/570x114xGenesis-Matthew-Comparison-Chart-570x114.jpg.pagespeed.ic.jEPW1JpDfU.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(176, 176, 176); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(176, 176, 176); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(176, 176, 176); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(176, 176, 176); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Genesis & Matthew Comparison Chart" width="570" /></a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There is a definitive link between the call of the Church to make disciples and the call of the Family to bear and raise their children to be Godly disciples. This is also echoed in what Peter preaches at the end of Acts 2:</div><blockquote style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 10px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">you</em> and <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">your children</em> and <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">for all</em> who are far off – <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">for all</em> whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39 – italics mine).</div></blockquote><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Did you catch it? The promise (referring to the Covenant Promise of God) is given to you, your kids, and the world! The problem is that we often forget our kids as part of this equation and just focus on the 1) getting right with God and 2) going to make a difference in the world. But, God seems to be telling us get right with God, get right with your spouse, get right with your kids, & get right with your church and that’s when <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">together</strong> you can go make a difference in the world. <a href="file:///G:/Personal/Cory%20Center%20for%20CFM/9%20Things%20I've%20Learned%20about%20Fam%20Min.doc#_ftn1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, just how important is family ministry? Well according to this line of reasoning, it seems like it should be the main focus of what the church should be doing! Instead, we focus on so many other things with in the church that seem to be secondary: small groups, community groups, Sunday services, youth ministry, children’s ministry, worship ministry and so on. And while all of these are connected – and VERY important in and of themselves – we are missing the boat on what I believe is the <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">key</strong> issue for the church today: a prophetic call for parents, especially fathers, to turn their hearts back to their children. It’s that important!</div><blockquote style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #666666; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 10px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr size="1" /></div></blockquote><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="file:///G:/Personal/Cory%20Center%20for%20CFM/9%20Things%20I've%20Learned%20about%20Fam%20Min.doc#_ftnref1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</a>For further development of this work see Dr. Rob Rienow’s “The Role of the Family in God’s Plan for the World”<strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">: </strong><a href="http://visionaryfam.com/church-leaders/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">http://visionaryfam.com/church-leaders/</a></div></div></div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-5746538567379844172011-04-30T08:55:00.000-04:002011-04-30T08:55:32.858-04:009 Things - A Little Bit of My Story<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">This is a post I wrote for the <a href="http://corycenter.org/">Cory Center</a> website, but thought it to be </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">apropos</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">for the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AnchorCM">Anchor Children's Ministry</a> blog as well....</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, over the next 9 weeks or so I’ll be blogging about “9 Things I’ve Learned about Family Ministry” as a way to piggy back off of Ryan Frank’s new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Things-Didnt-College-Childrens-Ministry/dp/0784729794">9 Things They Didn’t Teach Me in College About Children’s Ministry</a>. I plan on focusing on various issues within the family ministry paradigm; things that I’ve along the way through my education at <a href="http://www.bethel.edu/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bethel Seminary</a>, reading of various family ministry resources and some of my own thoughts. But, I’ll first start off with a little bit of my story…</div><div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_625" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f8f8f4; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(230, 230, 230); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; float: right; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 310px;"><a href="http://corycenter.org/9-things-a-little-bit-of-my-story/%20/9-things-re-family-ministry" rel="attachment wp-att-625" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-625" height="156" src="http://corycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/9-Things-re-Family-Ministry-300x156.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 4px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="9 Things re Family Ministry" width="300" /></a><div class="wp-caption-text" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">9 Things I've Learned about Family Ministry</div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I grew up a pretty normal kid, going to church every week, going to public school from K through 12<sup style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</sup> grade, went away to a <a href="http://www.anderson.edu/">private Christian college</a>, got a job in the field of social work, <a href="http://www.michiganmomma.blogspot.com/">got married</a>, had a couple of kids, answered the call to ministry, started attending Seminary, had a few more kids and continued to expand from there.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, why do I mention all that? Well, to show that I’m just an average guy who’s trying to figure out how this whole family ministry idea fits within the framework we are to follow as Bible-believing Christians. Our concern should not just be what the Bible says about it (though that certainly is MOST important) but also how do we encourage others to see what we see and follow what we follow – assuming we are striving to see and follow the right things – within God’s Word. That’s what being a leader is all about…</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, as a leader, I take what I am learning and what God is teaching me, and attempt to share that with others in hopes to improve the current state of the church and it’s discipleship process. And make no mistake, children’s & family ministry is certainly about discipleship; because parenting is about discipleship, <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">everything</strong> I do (or don’t do) with my kids should be aimed at teaching them to Love God and Love Others. And because that responsibility falls on parents, everything we do as CFM leaders should be aimed at equipping THEM to fulfill that responsibility.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So over the next two months, here are the topics I’m going to cover:</div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Just how important is it?</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Styles or Methods of Family Ministry</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">List of resources, websites and leaders</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Should children worship with their parents?</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A picture of inter-generational faithfulness</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Primary Plan for Evangelism & Discipleship</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The link between church & family</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; list-style-type: circle; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Where will we go from here?</li>
</ul><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We would love to have you share your thoughts as we seek to delve into this topic of family ministry – hope you enjoy it.</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-58425648795898854772011-04-19T16:35:00.000-04:002011-04-19T16:35:06.090-04:00Tale of the Times?I recently received this cartoon clipping in the mail:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP4NJAWK6NzWvHCdI84jjbljYJagS4_wjQukwv466vGY-HsEns4is6pMUj1QTdMu0ea3HsdprnZ6TJackzbQiXYtZZFZ90cwhMDE7WcUJaeFM6OwILa1lC_cpM7bcczvsGAPE3P4X_bPo/s1600/Family+Circus.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP4NJAWK6NzWvHCdI84jjbljYJagS4_wjQukwv466vGY-HsEns4is6pMUj1QTdMu0ea3HsdprnZ6TJackzbQiXYtZZFZ90cwhMDE7WcUJaeFM6OwILa1lC_cpM7bcczvsGAPE3P4X_bPo/s400/Family+Circus.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Of course, this does send a message about the modern understanding of church and Christianity - that God resides inside the four walls of the church and we don't have to worry about having to interact with Him throughout the week.<br />
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And I wonder if the looks like the faces of other people are sending a message ? "Wait, we have children who attend here?"...or..."Doesn't he know we don't shout in church?" But, maybe it's just me reading too much into Sunday morning comics...Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-32308586918353222672011-04-18T13:47:00.000-04:002011-04-18T13:47:32.453-04:00Is Relevance Important?If you run in any ministry leadership circles (which many of you do), you've likely heard the phrase or idea that the church must strive to be relevant to the world / community around it. I wonder just how true that is....<br />
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On the one hand it seems to make sense Biblically: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"I have become all things to all people, that<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px;"> </span> by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings" (1 Cor. 9:22-23). It also makes sense logically: If we cannot relate to those around us, how do we expect to have a voice to speak into their lives?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">However, here are some elements we should keep in mind:</span><br />
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<ol><a href="http://hrfishbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Irrelevant.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://hrfishbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Irrelevant.png" width="320" /></a>
<li>What's relevant in one community is not relevant in another. Think of ministering in rural Michigan vs. inner city Detroit...</li>
<li>How easy is it to compromise on elements of the gospel as we seek to be relevant? Granted, a lot of church don't compromise, but many have and continue to do so.</li>
<li>The gospel - more specifically <b>being</b> the 'good news' to others - is ALWAYS relevant. Let's focus on being the gospel in the flesh rather than figuring out how to make the message fit.</li>
<li>The idea of relevancy only entrenches the consumerist mentality within the church. That is, "We need to meet the needs of everyone." </li>
</ol><div>I'm sure there are other points to make, but these are just intended to start the conversation...we need to strike a balance between the issues of being relevant, being real, being loving and seeking Christ in every aspect of life.</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-91778326531789400342011-03-30T17:07:00.000-04:002011-03-30T17:07:27.707-04:00What does community with believers look like? How do or should our families live life with other families? We were discussing this topic at our Colonial Woods Community Group last week using Acts 2:42-46 and 4:32-35 as jumping off points. There are four main purposes that the apostles and the early church had for themselves: teaching, fellowship, eating & prayer. And what was the result of all this: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (2:46).</span><br />
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A couple of notes that I find interesting:<br />
<ul><li>They met <b>daily</b>, not just once a week.</li>
<li>To meet with that many people likely meant they would have been outside - thus drawing a lot of attention to themselves and causing an almost infectious presence of the Kingdom.</li>
<li>The Lord is the one who was adding people to their number, it wasn't based on the works of the people.</li>
<li>They had "Great Power" in their sharing about the resurrection of Jesus and in the provision of their needs.</li>
</ul><div>I'm struck how 'unlike' the American Church is to this model. While teaching is central to the church - eating, fellowship and even prayer are seemingly given cursory glances. It's certainly not out of lack of trying! Pastors today run themselves into the ground trying to make fellowship and prayer a priority of the Church. The issue is not lack of effort or lack of knowledge, but of vision...</div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPj3G53Y116CRQMhg-p9UghF4howJCuSTtqZ-UirSVKnjPWtHamc09_mWtuCOEFdYP9Kp6eEhS-64uexkw6g9_E0PuUlK83z2rhancchDfJyYAjYPjUePVX5_9fRbBLFD5ZDlpHybSd8m/s1600/3212_3212_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPj3G53Y116CRQMhg-p9UghF4howJCuSTtqZ-UirSVKnjPWtHamc09_mWtuCOEFdYP9Kp6eEhS-64uexkw6g9_E0PuUlK83z2rhancchDfJyYAjYPjUePVX5_9fRbBLFD5ZDlpHybSd8m/s400/3212_3212_5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I think we often think, "Hey, I'm a good person: I go to church, give my money, send my kids to children's church, pray as a family a little bit. What else does God want?" Well, that particular question would take quite some time to answer - which I may throw some insights towards that in the future - but God asks, demands, and deserves everything. Check this passage out:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="woj">"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and <b>take up their cross</b> and follow me. </span><span class="woj">For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.</span><span class="woj">"</span></span></blockquote>For the folks listening to this passage back then, the cross was a device of torture and death - not one of glory and hope like we think of it today. Jesus was basically saying, "If you want to be my disciple, you have to deny any rights you have - even your right to life - and do everything I ask." [I love the rest of that passage also, but don't have time to discuss it here.] That doesn't sit to well with my "American Cultur-ed" ears!! What may God be telling us we need to give up in order to follow Him?</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-73082078388810872722011-03-16T13:53:00.000-04:002011-03-16T13:53:27.917-04:00Church, It's Time to Get Radical<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I was prompted to read through the book of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+1&version=NIV">Malachi</a> this morning - and boy did I ever need it. This short little minor prophet packs quite the wallop - calling out the people of Israel for their half-hearted, short-sighted, short-handed and lukewarm sacrifices. Just read these passages:</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty. (1:8)</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"</span>Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands. (1:10)</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">He even is talking about the priests:</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. (3:3)</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD Almighty. (2:8)</span></blockquote>He even takes on the topic of money:<br />
<blockquote>"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (3:8-10)</blockquote><a href="http://c0082637.cdn2.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/yes-radical.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://c0082637.cdn2.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/yes-radical.png" width="320" /></a>I was blown away how I have been bringing incomplete sacrifices to Him! I have been offering him only partial offerings. He demands - he <b>deserves</b> - our ALL! I especially like that last verse: "Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it'." You see, when we serve God - we are not the ones giving! We are receiving!! Here's an illustration: What if your pastor asked you to serve by coming to wash his car twice a week? You may say, "Well, OK: you're the pastor." But then he says, "Oh yeah, I'll pay you $1000 a week to do it!" Would you do it? <u>You bet your sweet little hiney you would!!</u><br />
<br />
You see, God is the giver! We are not the giver! God gives us blessings and rewards. I don't know about you, but I want that!! You can take all of these things I posses and simply give me Jesus - they belong to Him anyway. Church - it's time to get radical! Are you willing to give Him everything and see what he will do?Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-6254173161519791552011-03-14T14:52:00.003-04:002011-03-14T14:55:11.744-04:00A repost: Because of March MadnessI wrote this blog entry four years ago (wow, I'm getting old), but thought I would repost it because of the start of the <a href="http://www.ncaa.com/sports/basketball-men/d1">NCAA Men's Basketball Championship</a>. Also, because I am a HUGE Ohio State fan!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WKQyM3uOBGNvUm8LIYX5fOh20_46CdXLnwnvZaE9iGdsB2YvVpdztdzxcIzAzsTlk3jNXIAKXOsJ5L0eZd3y46L_uGigt1ibKrU7wj2YR1NlT_DZTosMdlqbmW2-RLnXvZb7e2lqfRc/s1600/wooden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WKQyM3uOBGNvUm8LIYX5fOh20_46CdXLnwnvZaE9iGdsB2YvVpdztdzxcIzAzsTlk3jNXIAKXOsJ5L0eZd3y46L_uGigt1ibKrU7wj2YR1NlT_DZTosMdlqbmW2-RLnXvZb7e2lqfRc/s320/wooden.jpg" width="320" /></a>I realize I may be going out on a limb talking about basketball (given that most of you who volunteer in CM are probably don't care much about sports), but this is worth reading. We are coming into Championship weekend of the NCAA Tournament for 2007 and, in case you did not realize it, my <a href="http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/">Ohio State Buckeyes </a>are still in it. (By the way....where is <a href="http://www.umich.edu/">Michigan</a> this year?) :) The real reason I am posting about this is not necessarily about baskeball...read this:<br />
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When <a href="http://www.ucla.edu/">UCLA’s</a> legendary basketball coach John Wooden introduced the fast break to college basketball, his team committed the highest number of turnovers and fouls in memory. But Wooden knew “mistakes were part of learning.” He expected them, and he knew that “every opportunity for failure was equally an opportunity for success.” Wooden’s teams went on to perfect the fast-break offense, and today it is used by nearly every team in the nation. His teams went on to win ten national collegiate championships in twelve years, one of the most remarkable team achievements in all of sports history. ( <a href="http://www.amazon.com/If-Aint-Broke-Break-Unconventional-Changing/dp/B000LP66YI/ref=sr_1_5/002-6904732-2901608?ie=UTF8&s=books&amp;qid=1175106394&sr=8-5">If It Ain’t Broke, Break It!</a> pgs. 193-194.)<br />
<a href="http://www.pikes.org/NMImages/Ohio-State-Chip-704506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://www.pikes.org/NMImages/Ohio-State-Chip-704506.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div>There is much that God can do through you as you allow Him to show you what could happen. I am convinced God has great things in store for you and the Children's Ministry of "The Woods" if we will release it to Him. Mistakes may be made along the way, but God will be in control.<br />
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So...do you have any thoughts or insights. I want you guys to be comfortable commenting on here. Remember you can do it anonymously, so do not fear! </div><div>_____________________________________<br />
Go Bux!!! O-H ...</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-47501742866261777312011-03-11T19:23:00.000-05:002011-03-11T19:23:11.927-05:00Earthquake: A Review Post<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote this post originally back in August, 2007 after the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-35W_Mississippi_River_bridge">Interstate bridge collapse</a> in Minneapolis, MN. It may help you process with your teens and children regarding today's events in Japan.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.parentsask.com/sites/default/files/xmldump/PX-217381-95692974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://cdn.parentsask.com/sites/default/files/xmldump/PX-217381-95692974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">As you may have heard, in Minneapolis yesterday a bridge of Interstate 35W fell killing several people and injuring many others. By now, some of your kids have likely seen images or heard stories from this tragedy and are wondering why this happened. There are some general guidelines that you can follow as Christian parents in helping your kids answer their questions:</span></span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1) Don't ignore the questions or feelings they have! Talk about them; better yet, let them talk and you listen.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2) Seek out answers together as a family through prayer and reading God's Word.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3) Use them as a teaching time to instill Godly character and teach them about God Himself.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4) Look for ways to help someone personally affected by the tragedy. In this case, contact the <a href="http://www.redcross.org/" style="color: #336699; text-decoration: none;">Red Cross</a> and see how to best help.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"Faith is more often caught, not taught."</span></blockquote><br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-38478635129907504452011-03-10T13:47:00.000-05:002011-03-10T13:47:34.036-05:00Let the Fire Fall!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In case you haven't heard, <a href="http://colonialwoodsmc.com/">Colonial Woods</a> is having an on-going series by Pastor Phil entitled "Let the Fire Fall!" Our hope and prayer is that revival will take place in the hearts and lives of those who call CWMC their home church. Please be in prayer as we seek God's heart and will.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9telGFzjwPrROUk3ygx0DH5OeBSuz06iiuQanyk32cAUnn-Gu1BGB-HuHrrE2YSnYAhkvNp38ZTJ65NTGNIYqEbX8DAZRfiojGWEqqIvONfFbHyfw-BipwQnJiNZhUwKMK-LR7-_IjmC/s1600/Blue+Fire+Fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9telGFzjwPrROUk3ygx0DH5OeBSuz06iiuQanyk32cAUnn-Gu1BGB-HuHrrE2YSnYAhkvNp38ZTJ65NTGNIYqEbX8DAZRfiojGWEqqIvONfFbHyfw-BipwQnJiNZhUwKMK-LR7-_IjmC/s400/Blue+Fire+Fall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here is a note from Pastor Phil: <br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"We’ve been on an interesting journey over these past few weeks at C.W. I believe God is moving, and I believe he is doing a new work. We never know exactly how much, but just like the Lord is faithful to thaw the winter’s ice and snow to bring in the warmth of spring…there need to be times of thawing for the warmth of God’s Spirit to move."</span></blockquote>You can listen to the messages (about 1 week after they are originally preached) by clicking <a href="http://colonialwoodsmc.com/downloads/sundaymessages.html">HERE</a>. <br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” - 1 Kings 18:36-37</span></span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-31608903849748999912011-03-07T21:56:00.000-05:002011-03-07T21:56:23.282-05:00An Open ApologyOver the last few weeks the Lord has continued to reveal things in my life that are not honoring or glorifying Him. Some of these has been family related, but some of this has been ministry related. I balance many roles in my life: Husband, father, Children's Ministry Pastor, leader, follower, servant, and so on... There are certain areas that I am better at than others and the Lord is bringing me along in the areas in which I fall short.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m0Zpr0q-NmQhuu4R8k9OkWnn1LnC4Niptxm2uCmdlt7LkcBUoF04wcid844G5duCszQoq4pV6sbytxhVqrSfCJj4go8TsWDTCmaXnPUnGYhfoPJ46rZw82Y6TzsX38efQblxfzoq8FgW/s1600/i-am-sorry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2m0Zpr0q-NmQhuu4R8k9OkWnn1LnC4Niptxm2uCmdlt7LkcBUoF04wcid844G5duCszQoq4pV6sbytxhVqrSfCJj4go8TsWDTCmaXnPUnGYhfoPJ46rZw82Y6TzsX38efQblxfzoq8FgW/s320/i-am-sorry.jpg" width="320" /></a>This may came as no shock to you, but at times my personality can come on pretty strong. There are times when I want people to value the same things I value; to believe the same things I believe; to think the same way I think. Of course, I think we all have similar thoughts within us - namely when it comes to our kids - and we do a lot of things to strive to make that happen. But....<br />
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I owe you an apology! Because no matter how we qualify our actions, there are times where we have acted unjustly and sinfully. I'm intentionally leaving this vague as details are not the issue. The issue is the heart, a love of God's people, and my desire to live out God's Word in Romans 12:18:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #001320; line-height: 21px;">If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." So, for what it's worth...</span></span><b>I have offended some of you - I was wrong - and I am sorry.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
His, Dean<br />
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PS - Feel free to leave a comment if you've ever been in a position where you needed to apologize. I'm sure we've all been there.Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-54371661796242476642011-02-25T21:31:00.001-05:002011-02-25T21:41:39.547-05:00A breakthrough I Didn't Know Was NeededEver have one of those moments that you didn't see coming at ya? Tonight was one of those nights for me...<br />
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We recently started having intentional Family Worship times as a way to pass on faith to our kids. Tonight, we used the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Family-Reading-Bible-Lead-through/dp/0310941962/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298684715&sr=8-1">Family Reading Bible</a> and read through the story of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%204&version=NIV">Cain and Abel</a>. We talked about why Cain's offering wasn't acceptable and why Cain killed his brother. I noticed my oldest, Isaac, was a little red eyed the entire time - something I attributed to the fact he had gotten into trouble before worship time for talking back. I even asked him if he was all right...<br />
<a href="http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/angry-young-boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/angry-young-boy.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
When I mentioned that <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5&version=NIV">Jesus said</a> even if we think hateful things in our head / heart it's the same thing as actually committed the act, Isaac said, "OK, I'm sorry - I have thought that about you. I hated you." He was talking to me!! He told me that he has "wanted me gone" for a little more than two years now. I did not see that coming - AND IT BROKE MY HEART!!<br />
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I gave him a hug, told him I love him - and confessed my own sin. I had often been angry and shown that to him. While I've never gone off the deep end with my kids, I was most certainly being too hard on my kids. I had NO idea Isaac thought this of me; moreover, I'm the Children's Pastor and yet one of my own children hated me (at least according to what he told me tonight). <br />
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Fathers, it's time to figure out just what our kids think of us! It is not enough to just discipline our kids, we must show them they are LOVED above all us first. The good news: it's never too late! Fathers, don't go another day without knowing for sure your kids are willing to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6:4&version=NIV">hear your instruction</a>. Fast forward 30 years from now: what do you hope your son will say about his relationship with you? Will he make it a priority?<br />
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This is the just the beginning for Isaac and I...Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-81765487147027875642010-11-08T23:22:00.000-05:002010-11-08T23:22:38.666-05:00Slavery is Alive and Well<a href="http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/413/e6430534d5504ba6841c1ad8d8c766d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/413/e6430534d5504ba6841c1ad8d8c766d3.jpg" width="200" /></a>Lately, God has been laying a passion and compassion to bring attention to the global pandemic of child trafficking - specifically sex trafficking! My spirit is in pain when I think of what is happening, right now, to children around this world at the hands of abusive and evil men. I'm still in the process of doing some research of agencies that exist to help with this amazing area of need - and I have no idea where this will lead for me to help - but perhaps it will help to bring another "voice" into the mix.<br />
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I ran across this video after reading about the <a href="http://www.thea21campaign.org/">A21 Campaign</a> - or you can check them out on <a href="http://www.causes.com/causes/65217-the-a21-campaign-abolishing-injustice-in-21st-century">Facebook</a> - in an article in a magazine:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IOHpW6xDKlw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IOHpW6xDKlw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br />
Here are a few other sites to check out:<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.polarisproject.org/">http://www.polarisproject.org</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.childrenofthenight.org/">http://www.childrenofthenight.org</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.madebysurvivors.com/">http://www.madebysurvivors.com/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.iast.net/">http://www.iast.net/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.endhumantrafficking.org/">http://www.endhumantrafficking.org/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.catwinternational.org/">http://www.catwinternational.org/</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.humantrafficking.org/">http://www.humantrafficking.org</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.redeemedministries.net/">http://www.redeemedministries.net/</a></li>
</ul><div>And, yes - it happens in the <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-06-09/news/bs-md-ar-trafficking-arrest-20100609_1_human-trafficking-glen-burnie-prostitution-charges">United States</a>, too! Another article exists <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/domestic-sex-trafficking-increasing-united-states/story?id=10557194">HERE</a>. So what are we gonna do about it???</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-65612811163311048532010-10-15T16:31:00.000-04:002010-10-15T16:37:37.717-04:00A little Straw Poll<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is a non-binding straw poll: <br />
<script src="http://twtpoll.com/js/badge.js" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
<script src="http://twtpoll.com/badge/?twt=ir3hyi&b=1" type="text/javascript">
</script><br />
</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 39px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #356aa0; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-51273307178518061602010-08-26T15:12:00.000-04:002010-08-26T15:12:16.014-04:00Curious - What do ya think?This is quickly becoming a serious issue for families to deal with! What does everyone think?<br />
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<object allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" data="http://r.unicornmedia.com/content.aspx?uid=944323b8-db67-4623-b9bf-63069fd5dc37&at=124821e6-c70f-4efb-b13f-4394bf65123b" height="310" id="flashobject" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="520"><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="movie" value="http://r.unicornmedia.com/content.aspx?uid=944323b8-db67-4623-b9bf-63069fd5dc37&at=124821e6-c70f-4efb-b13f-4394bf65123b" /><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://r.unicornmedia.com/embed/124821e6-c70f-4efb-b13f-4394bf65123b?view=channellineup%26view_id=984dac0a-a990-45f1-87d8-9b166449906c" /></object>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-83550789662945361652010-08-26T09:43:00.000-04:002010-08-26T09:43:55.801-04:00Who is Making the Call?Ran across this video yesterday and thought it fit nicely with the <a href="http://anchorchildrensministry.blogspot.com/2010/08/is-serving-optional.html">last post</a> on Service. Besides thinking that serving in ministry is optional - when according to <a href="http://www.openbible.info/topics/serving_others">God's Word</a> it is not - we also tend to think that serving in Children's Ministry is something we do only because "they are desperate and really need me." <br />
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<object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jqAh-XvhKsU?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jqAh-XvhKsU?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br />
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Here's the thing: as a Children's Director I am only God's mouthpiece! I am not the one who asks or calls you to serve - that's God department. What we do every week in Children's Ministry is JUST as important, if not MORE important, than "big people service." Think about how many believers accept Jesus before they turn 13??? It is a staggering percentage of adult believers came to Faith before they were in 6th Grade. These kids are impressionable, mold-able, and ready to alter their lives for the sake of the Call of God.<br />
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So, when you tell someone you can serve - or CANNOT serve - who are you answering!? God.....or "Pastor Bob?"Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-90543982664510076702010-08-24T09:48:00.000-04:002010-08-24T09:48:24.215-04:00Is Serving Optional?If you've followed this blog or the Anchor Children's Ministry <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Port-Huron-MI/Anchor-Childrens-Ministry/137977811503?ref=ts&__a=9&ajaxpipe=1">Facebook</a> page for very long, then you know how often I put messages out there about needed volunteer and service opportunities. In fact, you may say to yourself, "Man, he sure is needy!" LOL. But, on top of trying to fill open service positions within Children's Ministry, there is a much bigger picture at stake here: Our on-going relationship with Christ!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gtseng.com/images/service_photo_e3mh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://www.gtseng.com/images/service_photo_e3mh.jpg" width="400" /></a>As Christians we are called to model our lives after Jesus - He is to be our Ultimate Example (among other things) in life! He is the one we are supposed to pattern our lives after! So, the <a href="http://www.carm.org/christianity/christian-doctrine/what-did-jesus-come-do">question</a> becomes "Why did Jesus come to earth in the first place?" (You know where I'm going with this.....)<br />
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You remember the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2020:20-28&version=NIV">argument</a> that James and John - and their mother - had with Jesus about who was going to sit at the right and left hands of God??? The Sons of Zebedee wanted to know how to be great! Jesus' answer would I'm sure have been rather shocking: If you want to be great, you must become a slave / servant to each other!<br />
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"Huh!?!?!? Jesus came to serve? But, he's the Son of God - the One who created the world. He shouldn't be serving anyone, but should be served by us!" As followers of Christ, if we truly desire to be committed to Him, WE MUST SERVE!!!!! There is no way around it. In fact, the Bible is riddled with verses and themes about <a href="http://www.openbible.info/topics/serving_others">serving others</a>.<br />
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Fellow Believers - Serving is NOT optional! If you simply come to church every week, maybe give a little money, then go home - you are NOT following Christ. You may be a Christian - but you are not a Christ Follower! We are CALLED to serve!<br />
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Are you willing to step up to the plate? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of your kids? Service opportunities abound - will you answer the call?!?Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-29684026929552548852010-07-29T13:45:00.000-04:002010-07-29T13:45:05.228-04:00Visionary Parenting ConferenceI cannot fully express how excited I am to announce (again) of an exciting opportunity for parents to attend a conference next February! <a href="http://www.visionaryparenting.com/">Dr. Rob Rienow</a> is a gifted communicator and loving husband & father - you won't want to miss this! Here is a brochure with all the information on it:<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/35058451/Visionary-Parenting-Seminar-Brochure" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Visionary Parenting Seminar Brochure on Scribd">Visionary Parenting Seminar Brochure</a> <object data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" height="500" id="doc_40411540127384" name="doc_40411540127384" rel="media:presentation" resource="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=35058451&access_key=key-2bk3wc726o6h4uo1molu&page=1&viewMode=list" style="outline: none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/searchmonkey/media/"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=35058451&access_key=key-2bk3wc726o6h4uo1molu&page=1&viewMode=list"> <embed id="doc_40411540127384" name="doc_40411540127384" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=35058451&access_key=key-2bk3wc726o6h4uo1molu&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="500" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object> <br />
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Be on the lookout for more information as the time approaches!Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-32609518375801669022010-07-29T13:15:00.000-04:002010-07-29T13:15:55.559-04:00Out all WeekThis is where I will be all next week:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amfmconference.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Association of Marriage and Family Conference" border="0" src="http://www.amfmconference.com/images/promotion/2010National468x60.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.colonialwoodsmc.com/family/images/visionary_parenting_family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.colonialwoodsmc.com/family/images/visionary_parenting_family.jpg" width="207" /></a>I'm hoping to pick up some new insights and ideas to take the Family Ministry at Colonial Woods to the next level! How can our Take-it Home Events be better? What will hosting the <a href="http://www.colonialwoodsmc.com/family/visionary_parenting_seminar_brochure.pdf">Visionary Parenting Conference</a> on February 18 & 19, 2011 help parents take the next step in discipling their children? How can we begin to incorporate the youth ministry of CW into the Family Journey in Faith model?<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">What are some of your thoughts? What would you like to see happen in the next 2 years at Colonial Woods to boost up Homes and Families?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll try and do some blogging while I'm there!</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-12772940258826809702010-07-28T22:46:00.000-04:002010-07-28T22:46:35.110-04:00Bosch Mixer GiveawayOK all you Children's Ministry men and women - you gotta check out this <a href="http://happilydomestic.blogspot.com/2010/07/joys-of-homemaking-bosch-universal-plus_26.html">giveaway</a>!!!<br />
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<br />
<center><a href="http://www.happilydomestic.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af214/HappilyDomestic/Boschgiveawaybutton-1-1.jpg" /></a></center><center><br />
</center><center style="text-align: left;">There are tons of ways to enter - so get started! </center>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-37603652527572211162010-06-21T15:19:00.000-04:002010-06-21T15:19:05.131-04:00Lead Me - From Sanctus Real<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Fathers: in light of Father's Day yesterday, and the fact that our wives and children are SCREAMING for us to lead them, this video is just what I needed!!!!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="265" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12702070&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=12702070&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="265"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/12702070">Lead Me-Father's Day</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/ryanblackfilms">Ryan Black Films</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><br />
Song is sung my <a href="http://www.sanctusreal.com/">Sanctus Real</a>. Here is the story behind the song from Matt:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="225" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11629244&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=11629244&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/11629244">The Story Behind "Lead Me" - Sanctus Real</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1745002">BrightBulb Entertainment</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-29655754302038070642010-06-17T14:57:00.000-04:002010-06-18T17:25:58.498-04:00A Better WayOK, so I've gotta get something off my chest - so allow me to vent for a brief moment!<br />
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What's up with the "in a relationship" statuses on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a>? I see tons (and I do mean tons) of young people's "relationship status" changing almost daily! Going from single, to "in a relationship," to "it's complicated" all in a week's time! Young people, take it from someone who's been there (albeit a loooong time ago): THERE IS A BETTER WAY."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCojrJEPRztnTuaYoRxFtJexiAVA9JrSoNZzsAgX-osAxpcwEnhafcRaZwzZFTuSbUXJD_rrh_b_K7Zs-VUPlDmpdmEi_NYtcsPU_a_nFa4-3DqA1HM6d9kUPPCtSr-MQDkexOeyuiSwd/s1600/facebookstatus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCojrJEPRztnTuaYoRxFtJexiAVA9JrSoNZzsAgX-osAxpcwEnhafcRaZwzZFTuSbUXJD_rrh_b_K7Zs-VUPlDmpdmEi_NYtcsPU_a_nFa4-3DqA1HM6d9kUPPCtSr-MQDkexOeyuiSwd/s320/facebookstatus.jpg" /></a>I realize that as God-created humans we have a need to be relationships - even ones with those of the opposite sex. But I think we've gotten this whole relationship & dating thing all messed up! Teens: God doesn't want you to waste sooo much time on some random boy or girl, trying to "define" the relationship, then letting everyone know about it (through Facebook or otherwise).....He wants you to focus on the things that matter: Loving Him, THEN loving others! There is so much you have yet to experience, memories to be made - but you are so focused on the present you cannot see it, yet!<br />
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Parents: help your teenage sons and daughters understand that being "in a relationship" is not the epitome of the teenage existence!!! There is much that God has in store for your child/children - encourage them to spend time on that! Help them understand that all that relationship "stuff" will work itself out as we follow Him. Dads, let your daughters know they don't need to seek the approval from anyone other than you and their Heavenly Father. Moms, let your sons know you love them unconditionally no matter what!<br />
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When I was in high school and even <a href="http://www.anderson.edu/">college</a>, I spent an incredible amount of time trying to figure out who I could "go out" with or who would be my girlfriend. It was a waste of time!!! Instead, 5 months after finally deciding I would "<a href="http://www.joshharris.com/i_kissed_dating_goodbye.php">Kiss Dating Goodbye</a>" I met the love of my life. She will even tell you that the first thing out of my mouth after meeting her was "Hi, my name is Dean and I'm NOT interested in a relationship." That turned out to be a challenge for her - and she won!!!!<br />
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OK, I'm done with that rant! Thanks for listening!Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-69199023414019364182010-06-17T08:27:00.000-04:002010-06-17T08:27:30.393-04:00Aslan is on the Move!<object allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" allowscriptaccess="always" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" data="http://www.foxcontent.com/player.swf?id=chronicles-of-narnia-the-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader-teaser-us" height="450" id="foxplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="800"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.foxcontent.com/player.swf?id=chronicles-of-narnia-the-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader-teaser-us" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgColor" value="0x000000" /><embed bgColor="0x000000" allowNetworking="all"allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://www.foxcontent.com/player.swf?id=chronicles-of-narnia-the-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader-teaser-us" quality="high" name="foxplayer" width="500" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://origin.foxcontent.com/c/h/chronicles-of-narnia-the-the-voyage-of-the-dawn-treader-teaser-us/index.html">Chronicles Of Narnia 3</a>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-51000011877479783342010-05-26T11:56:00.000-04:002010-05-26T11:56:34.816-04:00" Faithbook" Summer Volunteers needed<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdX4ehdr78L6GMuNqyTJz4h8Jlz1GgXMdkOuaoA4wdUyvY1cIg6T84f5878lKizMNV02uz2fZTYcVd2wm8PWNhBRpDlxO6vpWyoGKQh_4O0RyfvFUDKGWsDkKxOyk4QMB4p-O8kqyu1tE/s1600/Summer+Theme+Posters+-+small.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdX4ehdr78L6GMuNqyTJz4h8Jlz1GgXMdkOuaoA4wdUyvY1cIg6T84f5878lKizMNV02uz2fZTYcVd2wm8PWNhBRpDlxO6vpWyoGKQh_4O0RyfvFUDKGWsDkKxOyk4QMB4p-O8kqyu1tE/s320/Summer+Theme+Posters+-+small.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 19px;">Are you ready to have THE BEST Summer of your life? Would you like to change the life of a child? Are you looking to take the next step in your relationship with Christ? If so, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!!! For a short-term commitment (3 months), you can make a lifetime of impact. We are in need of at least 25 more volunteers to volunteer this summer allowing our school-year Children’s Ministry volunteers to have a reprieve! You can volunteer weekly, twice per month, once per month, for one month only (taking the rest of the summer off), as a sub only…..we will do our best to fit your schedule!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">If this sounds like you, and you’re ready to take this next step, send an email to <a href="mailto:dean@colonialwoodsmc.com">Dean</a> answering these questions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">1)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">Which service time would you be willing to serve?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">2)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">Which age group would you prefer to serve with?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">3)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">How often would you be available?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.75pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">4)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">What capacity – teacher, helper, large-group instructor, etc.?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">Our Summer Program, </span></span><b><span style="color: navy; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: navy; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">faithbook</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14pt;">, starts June 13<sup>th</sup> and runs through August 29<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:personname w:st="on"><b><span style="color: olive; font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; font-size: large;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;">Dean Butterfield</span></span></b></st1:personname><b><span style="color: olive; font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; font-size: large;"><span style="color: olive; font-family: 'Freestyle Script'; font-size: 18pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">___________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Colonial</span></span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Woods</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Missionary</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype></span></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">3240 Pine Grove Ave.</span></span></b></st1:address></st1:street><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Port Huron</span></span></b></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">, <st1:state w:st="on">MI</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">48060</st1:postalcode></span></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Work 810-984-5571<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Cell 810-300-9221</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;">www.anchorchildrensministry.blogspot.com</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Bodoni MT Condensed'; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: bold;"><br />
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</div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-53328343485006355292010-05-24T14:50:00.000-04:002010-05-24T14:50:29.834-04:00Fun in The SunLots of Great things happening this summer in and around Port Huron. Come enjoy time with your families during our Wednesday night programs. Check out the brochure below:<br />
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/31882330/Summer-Fun-2010" style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto; text-decoration: underline;" title="View Summer Fun 2010 on Scribd">Summer Fun 2010</a> <object data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" height="600" id="doc_769427877957928" name="doc_769427877957928" style="outline: none;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=31882330&access_key=key-2gim179bse59xyyx254w&page=1&viewMode=slideshow"> <embed id="doc_769427877957928" name="doc_769427877957928" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=31882330&access_key=key-2gim179bse59xyyx254w&page=1&viewMode=slideshow" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="600" width="100%" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed> </object>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5750614684684999459.post-74003750449562515792010-05-11T19:16:00.000-04:002010-05-12T13:41:37.482-04:00To what are we called to be?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If I believe there is a God, and if I believe that God has His hand in creating and running things on this planet, but what would His desire be for my life? For what purpose do I exist? Well, we may have not got that answer figured out completely yet, but I would venture to say there a place we can go to help us.....</span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 Peter 2:9</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” - 1 Peter 1:16</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. - Romans 6:6</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There are lots of <a href="http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_set_apart">versus</a> in God's Word that point to how we are supposed to be "different." Different than the world around us. Different than those who don't have the Spirit living within them. Different than those we run into every day. But if you look around, can you tell if someone is a Christ-follower?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpL3lFQw5YApOlETY9Hmg6mPprXDMsRQY_Yw6aSIwABTqHnBKudDyqmjJfw1oN0n6J8TxNcjtWBAwYiStUydsRBMwdLKqfOuG1MmS1NkF4m-cqnCPzD_sXcxghIZja7pIUosot7bop2QV/s1600/Publication1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpL3lFQw5YApOlETY9Hmg6mPprXDMsRQY_Yw6aSIwABTqHnBKudDyqmjJfw1oN0n6J8TxNcjtWBAwYiStUydsRBMwdLKqfOuG1MmS1NkF4m-cqnCPzD_sXcxghIZja7pIUosot7bop2QV/s320/Publication1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We hear a lot of talk today about "Being Culturally Relevant" - a phrase common in modern & emergent churches. It's another way of saying we are to be "in the world, but not of the world." But did you know that phrase is not anywhere in the Bible? It's not.....<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=%22in+the+world+but+not%22&qs_version=NIV">search for it</a>! Furthermore, the Greek word is <i>cosmos</i>, and is most often referred to the place where Satan reigns. We are to be physically present in this cosmos, but not follow its values. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So I'll ask a different question: Are we called to be 'relevant' or to be 'set-apart?' Because I don't think we can be both! I believe that we are to "be Holy as God is Holy." And, as we are growing Holy, that gives us the opportunity to be light in the darkness and to be "inf the world, but not of it."</span></div>Dean B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03899412208579226426noreply@blogger.com0