Emmanuel Christian Fellowship – McGregor, TX

It is a staggering thought, but we really are going to do this!  We are giving the people of ECF a “sabbath rest” during the month of JULY 2009.  We will not be holding any kind of public service in our facility that month!  Yippers…for four Sundays, you will be released to spend that time as needed and desired away from ECF!   We have our reasons and you’ll hear more about all this the next few weeks, but for now…consider yourself in the loop and informed!  Plan accordingly.

Elders

What would happen if we looked up tomorrow and doors of ECF were closed? Closed for a Sunday, four Sundays, or just closed for good. Would we be able to continue to function as believers, use the gifts, and actually be “the church” out in the world  today? Like many other Christian institutions, have we so attached ourselves to our physical location and way of doing things that we sometimes substitute those things for a deeper relationship with the Lord? I believe the answer to the last question can always “yes and no,” for even though we continue to move out of old mind sets and methods of how we do church and into a deeper faith-relationship with Jesus, the lure is always there to create new church systems that end up bringing us right back to where we began in the first place.

Fortunately, I don’t see this happening at Emmanuel now. I feel that we are getting more comfortable being uncomfortable; more certain about the reality of uncertainty. Faith demands this! If our primary focus is to hear God and obey, we have a better shot at not falling into the traps of relying on systems, programs, and habits. Instead, we get the opportunity to follow a “Living God” and be a “living dynamic church” that ministers to a world that exists out side the four walls of what we’ve come to know as church.

For a broader perspective on this topic, I encourage you to pick up a book that has been making the rounds. It is entitled  So You Don’t Want To Go To Church Anymore and per Mike, is a “must read” for us at ECF. Don’t let the title throw you off. The book actually has less to do with people not wanting to go to church, and more to do with changing how we view church, than anything else. Take a chance on it and see if it doesn’t further open your eyes. There are several copies floating around and it can be purchased at Mardel for around $12.00.

Paul

We will be “setting-in” Jimmy Hering and Paul Allison as elders on Sunday, August 2nd.  Mike Paschall, Andrew Shearman & Ronnie Peacock will facilitate the proceedings!

We are putting this date out there NOW for your summer planning.  It is so important that everyone make that particular Sunday a priority!  It’s one of the more significant events in the history of this body.

Mike

YOU GOT TO SEE THIS!  click here     Ok…I’ve watched this video again (for about the 10th time) and I’ve still got tears in my eyes!  The overall message is so pure and so right.  We are too quick to judge and too quick to surmise the outcome or results based on what we see with our eyes and what we hear with our ears.  This dumpy-frumpy little Scottish woman does not look the part we typically expect of our media “air-brushed” superstars.  In fact, I fell victim like everyone else in that audience.  I would have bet a fiasco loomed when she walked on that stage.  But, oh how wrong and so atypical!  I appreciated the candor of the judges and the spirit displayed during Susan’s performance.  It was absolutely thrilling.

Apostle Paul writes to one of his sons and tells him to not allow anyone to judge him based on his age.  He required him to remember the day when other men of God layed hands on him and imparted spiritual gifts and ministry resolve.  I think we all need to have a little “come to Jesus” and remember a that we have destiny on our lives and “how things look” is not really that important.  Yes, we should examine ourselves and we’re encouraged scripturally to do that, but passion and surrender is what determines a man or woman’s life…not our external bling.  Let us remind ourselves that the real fruit comes from seeds planted deeply in a person’s heart.  Be careful  of hasty opinions and shallow vision.  People deserve better.  The Kingdom deserves better.  We have to do better.

Mike

Check out Stephanie’s latest blog – CLICK HERE!!! Do yourself a favor, pour another cup of coffee and have a serious read on this woman’s blog site.  Patti and I are constantly amazed to discover the next layer of depth, passion and call on these people.  It really is breath-taking to catch these kid’s heartbeat.  Please pray for Stephanie and her team Luminous!  They are desparately seeking God’s way this month!

Mike