The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 43
Nov. 1, 2009
In This Issue
What's so great about...
Choosing Elders and Deacons?
Whether it should be or not, the choosing of additional elders and deacons causes a certain amount of stress on the congregation going through the process. However, this stress is worth it and can lead to wonderful things for Champions. Choosing scripturally qualified men is great because:
It allows scripturally qualified men to serve in specified roles. Elders are those who can vigilantly watch over the spiritual health and welfare of the congregation. Deacons are able to continue their lifestyle of service...but as a deacon they can serve in greater ways than they have previously been able. These roles are God-given for the good of the church.
It allows the congregation to look at the Scriptures for the guidelines as to the qualities necessary in the lives of such leaders. The congregation has a real voice in the process.
It allows the congregation’s leadership, not to be diluted, but to be strengthened with additional hearts, minds, and hands. Greater things can be done—for the glory of God!
Take part in this Great Thing!
-Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
We give thanks today for each of those who have chosen to come to worship with us today. Our prayer is that all of us will be brought to a closer walk with our God!
What a great week!
Sunday, Dylan McKain asked for prayers in his behalf for strength. There was an addition to God’s Kingdom as Krista Freed was baptized Tuesday. God bless them both.
Then, there were additions to the family at Champions as April Zannone (her children are Rachel and Leah) and Lynn Jamison (Jackie Thomas’ aunt) have expressed their desire to be recognized as part of Champions! Great!
There was also the Evangelism Seminar Jerry Tallman presented. He did an excellent job sharing with us motivating and informative insights on evangelism!
Last evening, we had visitors from our community as well as Little Champs for our Trunk or Treat. Thanks to all who worked on this great event!
This week is also starting off great as after services today, we will have a potluck dinner. Following that, the Brentwood Christian School chorus under the direction of Missy Weaver will perform.
Tuesday evening, our Neighborhood Bible studies will resume. If you would like to get involved with one, contact Allen Arnold or me.
A warning! We have had a couple of incidents where things were taken out of the cars of our Little Champs parents while they were picking up their children from school. Whether at school or our services, please be careful to carry your valuables with you or put them in the trunk or out of sight. It just shows there are still more to reach for Jesus!
Parting Thought: Just as tracks are made for a train, there are paths for the righteous!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Jeremy's Junction
The Medina Children’s Home Benefit dinner is coming up and the teens are putting together a special item. There is a bag being put together by Tracine Gibson. All the teens are putting in small items that they enjoy. This is candy, snacks, gift cards, etc. This is an item that is going to be sold at the dinner. The money will go to help the Medina Children’s Home.
If you have any items that you would like to donate, please get them to them to Tracine Gibson. If we all do a little, we can achieve a lot towards helping Medina Children’s Home as they are helping God's children.
We are all God's children and have been blessed with salvation from God. We are all in need of a gift from the Father that will help us reach Him. That gift was given in the form of Jesus Christ who gave himself on a cross. This perfect sacrifice is what can separate us from our sins if we are obedient to God.
Remember, you don't get your life right to come to Jesus; you come to Jesus to get your life right.
If you have anything you can donate to the "gift bag" that is being donated to help Medina, remember get your items to Tracine Gibson A.S.A.P. Let's give to God like he has given to us
If you need to accept God's great gift of his son, Jesus Christ, then please, don’t wait!
—Jeremy Geurin
John's Jogs
SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS
Some say churches of Christ are graying and dying, but are these claims true? While some congregations have a majority of members that are retired, many more are filled with children and young adults. Churches of Christ actually have a larger percentage of young adults than the national average. In fact, we rank #3 among religious groups having the most adults aged 18-29.
According to the Pew Forum’s nationwide survey last year, twenty percent of the American population falls between the ages of 18-29. This survey says churches of Christ have 22 percent in that category. (“U.S. Religious Landscape Survey,” www.pewforum.org. 82-83).
Statistician Flavil Yeakley, Jr. has studied trends in churches of Christ for decades. He confidently says these things about churches of Christ: 1) We are the twelfth largest group in America; 2) We are the sixth fastest growing church in America; 3) We are fourth in the nation in the total number of congregations; 4) We are fifth in the nation in number of counties in which there is a congregation; 5) We are first in the nation in distribution of congregations; 6) We are first in the nation in weekly attendance of adherents. In fact, 76 percent of our adherents attend regularly, which is much higher than most mainline religious groups.
According to a survey by Barna some years ago, churches of Christ were also first in the percentage of members who contributed to support the church. Let’s not be discouraged. We are not pitiful and not dying. We know there is a hunger for God’s Word. SEARCH fills almost 5,000 requests for material per weekly program and nearly a thousand come to its website each day. We are making a profound difference in our world. Please keep us in your prayers and help us financially. (Phil Sanders in The SEARCH Light – October Issue) – “In Search of the Lord’s Way” can be seen on Channel 55 every Sunday Morning at 7:30 A.M.” (JHQ)
We have a rough demographic sketch of the Champions congregation as follows. Ages 0-11 – 13%; 11-18 – 14%; 19-29 – 12%; 30-39 – 10%; 40-59 – 30%; 60 plus -21%. Analyzing these data suggest two things. 1) We are weak in the 19-29 category but we have recognized this for a long time and have been working hard on correcting it. We are losing kids after high school. We need to continue praying and working on this situation. 2) We have a 50-50 split between those under 40 and those over 40. This is a good divide!! – Also Our Youth Group is becoming a shinning example.
I agree with the Search article, our demise has been grossly over exaggerated. We’re well and healthy. We just need to more aggressively apply the message that Jerry Tallman left with us this week. May we lovingly reveal God’s message to all with whom we have opportunity.
—John Qualls