No church, no problem?

I've been thinking and reading a lot recently about people's view on the church. What is it for? What does God desire from churches? Are churches becoming unnecessary, or will they become so in the future? Jesus talked about building His church on "this rock." What did he mean? Visible church vs. invisible church?

My very short take on it all: God intends for us to live out our commitment to Him within the context of a church community, both visible and invisible. We cannot do without the web of relationships that comes from being a committed member of a church body, at least we cannot do very well.

Granted the church has its problems today, just as it always has, but what can we expect? The church is made up of people in desperate need of grace from God, and who continue to struggle to live how God desires even, and perhaps especially, after they join the community. We should not do away with hospitals because we find sick people there, that's the whole reason for the hospital. Healing sick people is not the only, or main, purpose of the church, but it is one of them, and God desires for that to happen first and foremost within His church.

Anyway, here's some links to stuff I've been reading that touches on these issues in one way or another. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Books:
The Shack, William P. Young
The Reason for God, Timothy Keller

Articles:
http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var1=ArtRead&var2=946&var3=issuedisplay&var4=IssRead&var5=100 (Courtesy of Bill Barnes)

Sermon Prep

I'm always amazed how preparing a sermon is different every time, and yet God somehow always comes through to get across what He has on His mind. Inevitably there is a point in my preparation process where I think, yea this isn't going well, and what am I going to say on Sunday? Which isn't a good feeling at the time, but it drives me back to asking God to do His work through my preparation, which of course is a very good thing. I am somewhere around that point right now preparing for this Sunday, and remembering that it's happened before gives me some encouragement, and an assurance that God will come through this time as well. So now, to the task of bringing the thoughts and insights of the last few days together into something coherent and God-willing helpful for others.

Childs Family Backpacking Trip Summer 2008

It's a tradition 43 years in the making. My mom and her dad first found this secret spot in the summer of 1965. Most years since, parts of the Doyle/Childs family have made the 6 mile trek in to enjoy the pine tree forests, drinkable spring water, rainbow and brook trout (yum!), and just time away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Audrey was an honorary member of the family last summer, but got to be a full fledged member this year.

Here we are preparing to set out on our hike:









In camp:









Friend in the forest:










Fish for breakfast:

g3 men's backpacking trip

I was reminded this past weekend how much I love the outdoors, especially in the Sierra Mountains. The smell of pine trees, clean air, and dirt in your hair. :)

It's so easy to get caught up in all the craziness of modern society and lose sight of what's important in life. But somehow taking some time out, slowing down, and just walking around in the middle of a forest, by a lake, up a mountain of rock boulders, gives me some perspective on things.

This past weekend I got to spend a couple days with 4 other great guys from g3 (New Church's young adult group) up at Lake Margaret near Kirkwood ski resort. It was such a blessing to enjoy some unhurried time together hiking, swimming, telling stories, playing the bean game, and much more.

It makes me want to get out to the mountains more often, we'll see what we can do.

Steve



Here's some pics from our trip:

g3 Men's Backpacking Trip

College Life Summer Kick-Off

On Thursday the 26th, we kicked off the summer with the college students with a BBQ at our place, some worship, lots of fun puzzles and some brainstorming about events for the summer.

It was great to see a lot of folks again and catch up with what's been going on in their lives, and it's always great to host people at our place.

We decided to work our way through the book of James this summer as we meet on Thursday nights.

Here's a link to a few pictures from the night:

CL Summer Kick-Off

DC/NYC trip

Audrey and I just returned from a week in Washington DC and New York City. The occasion was to visit Audrey's sister, Esther, as she had some time off work last week. We took the opportunity to see some other old friends out in the area as well. Got to see our friends Tim and Dawn just a few days before they had their first baby, Emma Grace, congrats you guys!

It was a great trip in a few ways, first it was nice to just get away and relax and be refreshed a bit. Second it was great to see friends again and catch up with what's going on in their lives. And third it gave me (Steve) a chance to reflect on all that God's been doing lately in our lives and in the life of New Church. Describing what's been going on lately really helped give me perspective on why I'm doing what I'm doing and a greater appreciation for how good God is and how much He's been doing in our midst.

I came back really excited about what God has in store for the ministry here at New Church, it's definitely a time of change and transition, but more and more I'm sensing it's also a time of growth and really good new things on the horizon.

Here's a couple pictures from our trip, and a link to a few more:

DC/NY Trip

College Life End of Year Party

It was a joyful time to celebrate with many of the students, remembering the good times and good things of this past year. And thanking God for all that He has done in each of us and in the community. It was sad, and yet exciting to pray for the several seniors who are graduating and heading in different directions. Our hope is that their time spent with us at New Church and with College Life has prepared them in some small way to live as intentional followers of Jesus the rest of their lives, and use the gifts they've been given in the churches where they find themselves over the coming years, whether that be here or elsewhere.

It's been a joy to be a part of their lives for this short time, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the Lord does in their lives as they move on from here.

Here's a couple pictures from the celebration time at our (Audrey and I's) apt. a little over two weeks ago. Enjoy!

Steve