Pantano Christian Church

This weekend we have an opportunity to affirm three elders.  These men (Chris, Jim and Tommy) finished their first year as an elder.  They have served very well.  We are asking that you prayerfully re-affirm them for a 3 year period of service this weekend.  You’ll also have a chance this weekend to declare your membership at PCC if you so desire.  Per by-laws, only members can vote for elders.

The Bible is clear that elders are to have spiritual oversight of a congregation (the word is also translated “overseer” – see 1 Timothy 3:1, 5:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:3 as some of the texts that describe an elder’s role).  As a group (there is always a plurality of leaders in the New Testament – not one who runs the ship) our elders lead us by giving spiritual oversight in the following ways.  They set the vision, the direction and priorities of our church.  They have empowered me to lead our staff to make sure we as a church are moving toward fulfilling our vision.  I lead in staffing, budgeting and programs to move us toward fulfilling the direction of the whole eldership.  While I am an elder (never the chairman), they also evaluate me and hold me accountable for the movement, growth and health of our church.  They give me freedom to lead within clear limitations.  This is a very healthy and godly leadership system.  I can’t say enough about how I appreciate and respect our elders.  It is a joy and an honor to serve with these godly folks.

Our elders do not micromanage the affairs of the church.  They lead through vision and setting godly ends providing spiritual oversight.  They also serve the Body in various ways as teachers, leaders and volunteer service.  We have an extremely healthy eldership.  These are mature men with a kingdom focus, a strong unity and a clear leadership of this church.

As you prepare to affirm our elders, you might want to check out the qualifications for elders are found in 1 Timothy 3:1-9 and Titus 1:6-9.  You can see their pictures and bios (click on their name to see the bio) online at http://pccwired.org/visitors/elder-directory/

This Sunday (1/31) we’ll have our Leadership Community at the E. Tucson Campus in Coop Court at 3:30pm.  We’ll highlight what our priorities are for this year, how we are approaching them and what we’ve been learning about our congregation from the Reveal survey we took in May ’09.  I want anyone who’s leading in anyway to join us.  Our vision is a God centered vision.  The better we all know where we are going, the better and faster we’ll get there – to the glory of God!   To reserve free childcare, contact Jen Henson at 979-2091.

Together to make a difference;

Glen

This past week (Sierra Vista, you’ll hear it this weekend) I spoke about transformation – becoming like Jesus. Near the end of my message I quoted Mark Batterson (National Community Church – Washington DC): “It’s much easier to act like a Christian than to react like one. Anyone can put on an act, but your reactions reveal what is really in your heart.” Let’s not just “act” like Jesus, but react like Jesus!

I like the quote because it reminds me that becoming like Jesus isn’t just about trying to act like Jesus. The WWJD (“What would Jesus do?”) bracelet mantra isn’t enough. It’s not a bad start, it is just too shallow. To become like Jesus we need our heart to be transformed to become like Jesus. Our heart is our inside self – thoughts, values, passion, will, etc. Do we view experiences through the experience of Jesus? Do we value the things Jesus values? Do we view people as Jesus views people? Are we passionate about the things Jesus is passionate about? Does Jesus shape our goals and priorities? Well, there are a lot more of these kinds of questions. It’s a heart thing.

The part about the Batterson quote I like is the reaction part. You see, what’s in our heart is what comes out when the junk of life hits us and temptations come our way. Jesus was very clear on this. In Matthew 15:18 & 19 (NIV) he said: ¹⁸ But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. How we react is a great way to evaluate how we are growing to become like Jesus (or not).

So I shared the Batterson quote in my message. The next day I go to a meeting with some great Christian leaders at an Italian restaurant. You know the place – you get fresh bread and they pour oil and vinegar on a plate so you can dip the bread. The server, as he’s taking the plate of oil/vinegar away, spills it on my shirt and pants. What ever was in my heart was about to come out.

So you are wondering – how did Glen do? How did he react? I reacted well. I responded well primarily because I had that quote in mind. I “had” to respond well. Actually, that’s not true. I chose to respond well. I intentionally chose to respond like Jesus would because that’s what was on my heart.

We need to keep our head in Jesus and our heart open to the Spirit! We need to read about him and reflect on his words. That’s why we read the Bible, good books and blogs. We listen to podcasts. We participate in a life group in order to keep our focus on Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of transformation. We have to be intentional to allow Jesus to transform our hearts so we will react like him. What are you doing to intentionally allow Jesus to transform your heart?

Together, transforming to be like Jesus to make a difference;

Glen

This is the first time in 4 years of doing my blog that I’ve sent out a second blog in a week.  Probably like you, my heart is overwhelmed by the magnitude of the disaster in Haiti.  Having lived and worked in developing countries, I understand the huge challenges presented by a 7.0 earthquake.  The buildings and infrastructure only make the effects of a 7.0 even greater.  Getting food, water, medicine and other basics to that in need becomes an overwhelming task.  With 50,000 or more dead and many more injured, it just about seems hopeless.  The challenges are huge.  But we never choose inaction and we are not without hope.  We believe in a God who is bigger than an earthquake and we admire followers of Jesus who are already making a difference in Haiti.

I know how generous our folks at PCC are.  So I want to suggest a way for you to participate.  The best thing we can do right now is to provide funds to the relief organizations that have the expertise and means to make a difference.  I have confidence in 3 Christian mission organizations to provide relief.  These are reputable missions with low overhead and a strong history of effective service.  Our church has had a relationship with all three in one form or another (we value partnerships).

Give as God leads you.  Pray for God’s intervention and mercy as so many work to save lives.  Pray that God’s people in Haiti receive supernatural strength, compassion and wisdom in the days ahead to serve the wounded and grieving.

International Disaster and Emergency Services (IDES)

You can click the Haiti box in the middle of our PCC home page or go to IDES (Donation online by check routing only – they save money by not paying credit card fees so more of your gift goes directly to relief)

Compassion International

A bunch of our Pantano folks sponsor children through Compassion International.

World Vision

Together to make a difference through the love of Jesus;

Glen

I hope you’ve been engaging in our 2010 Bible Reading Challenge.  If not, get started, it is not too late.  Why are we doing this Bible reading challenge?  Well, it hit me hard as I was reading chapter 5 of John last week (Friday’s reading).  Here’s what Jesus said:

“You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. (John 5:39, 40 – The Message)

The religious leaders of that day were challenging Jesus.  They didn’t believe he was sent by God.  They were very religious.  They knew the Bible (the Old Testament in that day) better than any of us do.  But they missed It.  They missed God.  They missed Jesus, the one sent by God.

That is both our reason for the reading and the warning.  We read not to just fill our heads with knowledge about God or about eternal life.  We read to discover God!  We read to get to know Jesus better and deepen our relationship with him.  Look again at what Jesus said above.  The Bible POINTS to God, Jesus and eternal life.  That’s why we read!  That’s what we look for.

The warning is not to allow our Bible Reading Challenge to become rote.  If you look up the definition of “rote” in a dictionary you find it means “mechanical” or “routine” or “without thought of the meaning.”  May we NOT read in a rote way.  May we not just mechanically read a chapter a day, five days a week.  May we instead read to see where the Bible is pointing us.  May we discover more of God and life.  May we see more of ourselves in front of God’s mirror – the Bible.

By the way, the word “rote” comes from an old German word that is the root of the word “crowd.”  Interesting!  To just read the Bible in rote way is no better than just being one of the crowd!  And Jesus warns us not to be just like the crowd.   He said that broad are the gate and the road that leads to destruction and MANY will go that direction.  Narrow are the gate and road that leads to life and few will go that direction (Matthew 7:13 & 14).

Together to follow Jesus well and make a difference,

Glen

I want to wish everyone a blessed New Year.  God’s blessings are more about the lasting gifts that he gives in spite of our circumstances.  His unconditional love is a gift when others are not consistent in love.  His presence is a treasure when we feel alone.  His guidance is worth more than all the books or shows ever produced.  His forgiveness is amazing.   We can’t even count all his blessings.  They are prolific.

As we begin this new year, we are reminded that many of our brothers and sisters around the world are facing persecution.  We can’t go and save them, but we can pray.  God hears the prayers of his faithful for those who are faithful.

You may have heard about Brother Robert Park of Tucson who went into North Korea to seek justice for the many who are suffering under the current regime.  Mr. Park is a man of strong faith.  While some may wonder if his actions were wise, the right response is to ask God to do a miracle through this man’s courage.

I just got a note that many of our brothers and sisters in a central Asian country (some were recently taught by our Director of International Outreach) were arrested as they were preparing for Christmas.  At least one gave in during the interrogations and put more at risk.  Several were fined $2500 which is about equal to over 4 years of an average salary – a huge amount.

Those are just two of the many stories I hear every month.  Please pray for God to provide courage, the right words, open doors and that the suffering of the faithful will result in a growing faith in the lands of repression.

We have GREAT news about our Christmas offering – it was the biggest EVER!  Wow, I continue to be blessed by the generous giving of our Pantano folks.  We collected $62,000 at the E. Tucson campus and $6,000 at the Sierra Vista campus – totaling $68,000.  Did I say wow?  We’ll be able to buy lots of water filters, build a rain collection tank and help many families right here in our community. Thanks everyone!

In case you missed the weekend services on Dec. 26 and 27, please go online and listen to or watch my message titled “Priorities” and find out where we are putting our focus and priorities in 2010.

And finally, don’t forget to start the 2010 Bible Reading Challenge.  Together, let’s read through the New Testament in a year (5 minutes a day, 5 days a week).  Get the brochure or subscribe online.

Together, following Jesus to make a difference;

Glen