Pastor's Blog

Pastor's Blog

Archive for July, 2014

A Place Where Love Abounds

What kind of place does the Lord intend the church to be?  The Scripture offers many answers to this question.  But one answer is crystal clear.  The church is to be a place where love abounds. Sandwiched between a discussion about spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12) and worship (1 Corinthians 14), the Apostle Paul reminds us of how important love is and what it looks like (1Corinthians 13). Calling it a “more excellent way” (12:31b), the Bible says that love is . . . more  important...

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Membership Matters

 “Why?  Why should I become a ‘member’ at Ingleside?  I enjoy the music and the teaching.  But I don’t know why membership is important.  I just don’t think it matters.” If you’ve ever wondered why membership matters, read on.  Here are five good reasons. First, membership—both the word and the concept—is biblical.  1 Corinthians 12:27 says:  “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (NASB).  God expects those who follow Christ to be members...

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An Invitation to a Better Life

When is the last time you read and reflected on the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 11:28-30?  Perhaps they are for you today. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV) These words of Jesus are recast in today’s idiom in The Message paraphrase of this passage.  It...

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Long Pastorates and Healthy Churches

In his ground-breaking book, The Purpose Driven Church (1995), Rick Warren recounts a study he made a few years ago of the 100 largest churches in the United States.  He writes:  “Although I discovered that large, growing churches differ widely in strategy, structure, and style, there were some common denominators.  My study confirmed what I already knew . . . :  Healthy, large churches are led by pastors who have been there a long time.  I found dozens of examples.  A long pastorate...

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One Service – July 6

This Sunday, July 6, we will gather in one great service in the Worship Center at 10:30 a.m.  On this Sunday closest to our national Independence Day, we will celebrate and give thanks to God for the liberties we enjoy as Americans   . . . and for the ultimate freedom we have as followers of Jesus Christ. Some might ask, “Is God pleased with a patriotic-themed worship service like the one we will have at Ingleside on July 6?  When I look to Scripture for guidance, I believe the answer...

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