Pastor's Check-in: February

This last month has been incredibly busy and fulfilling. We are poised to be in a unique position in our community. We have experienced an increase in being able to give out food boxes to people who call in and are in need of help. We are starting a new Bible study class during the week on Tuesday nights. At the same time we are being more purposeful with our youth and starting a youth group Tuesday nights as well.

We are also excited that the eNewsletter is starting this year. Some of you reading this post probably got here because of it. This is the first time the church has put out a newsletter in some time. We are rolling it out mainly as an eNewsletter because this allows us to ease back into a monthly publication without any costs. I hope it becomes something you enjoy reading, looking, and viewing through everything presented in it.

During our Worship Services on Sundays I have been preaching about creating proper habits and correcting wrong ones. It is a sermon series called "The 7 Habits of the Christian Life." So far we have talked about "Being in the Word," "having "A Life of Prayer," "Connection and Fellowship," and "Generosity." You can catch up on these sermons by visiting our YouTube Channel, and be sure to subscribe so you can be alerted when we go Live on Sundays. Even though you can see these online, I encourage you to come be part of it.

We have made some progress on remodeling the youth room and plan on finishing it by March. We have paint and things covered but are still looking to get new carpet. We can do this at a very discounted rate but it will still have a cost. There is plenty of volunteer opportunity here so let me know if you want to be part of it.

The last Thursday of February I am starting an interdenominational class called "Understanding the Difference." It is open to all churches and is aimed at talking about the differences between Biblical Christianity and Mormonism. It's purpose is to present everything in a loving way that helps people get informed and answer questions they have. Prayer is needed for this as many think this class will bring to light the hidden tension in our community.

We also invite your prayers for the building of a walk-in freezer in our church. This will allow us to store more food and become a secondary food pantry location for Cassia County. It is part of our plan in looking for ways for this body of Christ to be the hands and feet, to go out into the community and love on people. We still currently help with Cassia County food giveaways and some community events, but we seek to find more ways to be an integral part of the place God has called us to. As we meet needs and show love we will be showing people Christ because God is love.

Pastor's Check-in: January

2017 is here!

This new year brings with it excitement and great hope. 2017 represents a new year with new things on the horizon. For me, I will be entering my 4th year of being ordained and as the Senior Minister of Burley First Christian Church. There are many things to look forward to in the life of our church.

As you may or may not know, we are starting an eNewsletter this year. Many of you reading this post got here because of it. The church has not put out a newsletter in some time, so this allows us to ease back into a monthly publication without any costs. I hope you enjoy reading, looking, and viewing through everything presented in it.

In addition to the newsletter, we hope to remodel the youth room and revamp the audio/video setup in the sanctuary this year. Much of the material needed is already purchased and ready to go, so we simply need to do the work. I will be leading these projects up and would willingly accept volunteers! The exact dates for the projects are to be determined.

Our Sunday focus for the first part of the year is about creating proper habits and correcting wrong ones. The sermon series is called "The 7 Habits of the Christian Life." We will be talking about things we do as Christians that are not biblical, or were taught to us wrongly, or that we have assumed are correct because culture teaches us they are. I encourage you to come be part of it.

Personally I have made some goals regarding my own development and for my leadership and interaction with the church. Specifically, I hope to get the support of the congregation to help make it possible for me to attend training, classes, retreats, and/or workshops to help further my ongoing education. I hope to continue to seek new ways technology can be used with and by the church to further reach people for Christ. Technology is the new frontier and it is a place that needs Christ.

I am also always looking for ways for this body of Christ to be the hands and feet, to go out into the community and love on people. We currently help with food giveaways and some community events, but we seek to find more ways to be an integral part of the place God has called us to. As we meet needs and show love we will be showing people Christ because God is love.

You Need to Hear About This!

Water is so essential for life, a large part of the world cannot have clean drinking water. This project redefines how we approach the problem! 

"WATERisLIFE provides clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education programs to schools and villages in developing countries.  We provide opportunities for others to be involved through fundraising and field project implementation.

Through community driven and community engaged integrated water, sanitation and hygiene programs, WATERisLIFE works closely with Non Government Organizations, local governments and partners to focus on an integrated approach to ensure that households, schools, orphanages, and medical facilities have access to safe water, proper saniation and hygiene programs.

The results of our work change everything.  Hours are restored each day – women can use their time to learn a trade, start a business and receive an income.  Children can receive an education.  Clean water will reduce sickness by almost a third.  Clean water saves and transforms lives, and communities."

Some fun for Regional Assembly!