Monday, July 19, 2010
Global Mission Church Status
The UCC and Disciples of Christ have a new program in which congregations are encouraged to seek status as a Global Mission Church. Here's an explanation, and here's the booklet explaining how it works.
Relationships
Bath Church Mission and Social Concerns Board Report-
Relationships.
Missions can be a boring subject to some people. Who wants to hear about other people’s problems? Who wants to hear about stuff outside our neighborhood, city, state or, good grief, other countries?
“Missions”can even be worse than boring to others because it sounds to some like “there they go asking for money again.”
Surprise, Surprise. Global Missions is anything but boring and surprise again, it is not about money!
Christian Global Missions is about RELATIONSHIPS! (Not Charity)
So let’s get over the idea that our faith is only about ME. And it is not about my money. It is about relationships, i.e. to God, and to God’s creation which includes brothers and sisters made in God’s image, a-hem, oh yes, wherever they live.
The church is a global body where we are related through Christ to millions all over our planet. Bath Church RELATES to this global church through our mission board which serves each of our members as we keep closely in touch with what’s going on.
Once we get our relationships straightened-out, our interest and concern grows. Once we realize and experience God’s love for us and all humankind then and only then do we see what the Gospel is all about. It is not all about ME and MY money. It is about following Jesus, loving God and what God has created, (including the people)-everywhere.
In future reports we will bring you updated news and details about our partners with whom we are related here in our city, Akron, our state, Ohio, our country, the USA and, yes, globally.
:
Relationships.
Missions can be a boring subject to some people. Who wants to hear about other people’s problems? Who wants to hear about stuff outside our neighborhood, city, state or, good grief, other countries?
“Missions”can even be worse than boring to others because it sounds to some like “there they go asking for money again.”
Surprise, Surprise. Global Missions is anything but boring and surprise again, it is not about money!
Christian Global Missions is about RELATIONSHIPS! (Not Charity)
So let’s get over the idea that our faith is only about ME. And it is not about my money. It is about relationships, i.e. to God, and to God’s creation which includes brothers and sisters made in God’s image, a-hem, oh yes, wherever they live.
The church is a global body where we are related through Christ to millions all over our planet. Bath Church RELATES to this global church through our mission board which serves each of our members as we keep closely in touch with what’s going on.
Once we get our relationships straightened-out, our interest and concern grows. Once we realize and experience God’s love for us and all humankind then and only then do we see what the Gospel is all about. It is not all about ME and MY money. It is about following Jesus, loving God and what God has created, (including the people)-everywhere.
In future reports we will bring you updated news and details about our partners with whom we are related here in our city, Akron, our state, Ohio, our country, the USA and, yes, globally.
:
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Living the Questions Announcement
Most professionals are required to continuously update their education or become obsolete, out of date, out of touch with the dynamic changes in their field.Continuing education is also a must for Christians.
I began my faith journey as a rigid fundamentalist which served me well growing up in the South side of post Al Capone Chicago. Years later, after 25 years of academic preparation for ministry I still had much to learn.
Then, in 1999 in the 1st Congregational Church UCC in Ellsworth Maine I was asked to moderate a new series, “Living the Questions” (LtQ). What a wake-up call that was! Top religious scholars and Biblical research combined to produce a review of the latest discoveries relating to faith issues.
This “recovering fundamentalist” is grateful for my continuing education offered by LtQ. I now have more questions than answers but I am thankful for the questions.
LtQ-2 is the next edition of this exciting update and it will be offered at Bath church this Fall!
Further information will be offered in our church’s subsequent publications.(The Link, Splash, Sunday Bulletins). Read on and plan to enroll in this mind blowing course as part of your continuing education. (CEU credits will be offered ?)
Chuck Ausherman
I began my faith journey as a rigid fundamentalist which served me well growing up in the South side of post Al Capone Chicago. Years later, after 25 years of academic preparation for ministry I still had much to learn.
Then, in 1999 in the 1st Congregational Church UCC in Ellsworth Maine I was asked to moderate a new series, “Living the Questions” (LtQ). What a wake-up call that was! Top religious scholars and Biblical research combined to produce a review of the latest discoveries relating to faith issues.
This “recovering fundamentalist” is grateful for my continuing education offered by LtQ. I now have more questions than answers but I am thankful for the questions.
LtQ-2 is the next edition of this exciting update and it will be offered at Bath church this Fall!
Further information will be offered in our church’s subsequent publications.(The Link, Splash, Sunday Bulletins). Read on and plan to enroll in this mind blowing course as part of your continuing education. (CEU credits will be offered ?)
Chuck Ausherman
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