Conflict Management In The Church

Conflict is a big problem in everyday life, especially in church. Sometimes it can cause a family to leave the congregation or even cause a pastor to quit.

From personal experience, I know how hard dealing with conflict in church can really be. Every week you do the same thing, go to church on Sunday, go to church on Wednesday, come to an event. It becomes repetitive, and you become bored. But then someone decides to get rude with you, you shove that hurt down and keep going. But what do you do when it continues to happen? That person becomes mean and even starts pinning people against you. You must remember that grown-ups too, sometimes act childish. Sometimes it's not just children that must be reprimanded.

But you are about to lose it and you find yourself with an ultimatum. Continue on with biting your tongue until one day you blow up on that individual and you look like the bad guy. Or leave the church, after all they don't want you there anyway.  Many times me and my family are faced with the same decision. And for about 6 years we stayed at that church, the church where you feel unwelcome, unloved, hated. They refused to speak to us and when they would we would feel like we are the dumbest person ever. Although we felt that way, we stayed. We stayed because we know God has a bigger plan than what these people think. We stayed because we know God's got this and this is something we must learn from.

The Bible has a few things to say about conflict:

"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." -Luke 17:3

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." -John 13:34

"There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing." -Proverbs 12:18

"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone Respect what is right in the sight of all men." -Romans 12:17

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger." -Proverbs 15:1

"This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger" -James 1:19

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." -Ephesians 4:29

Although many people don't think so there are ways to handle conflict biblically. Matthew 18:15-17 says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."

Which means come to your fellow Christian and explain why you are upset. Sometimes they will understand their wrongs and apologize. If not take someone else, someone acting as a mediator. If all else fails bring them to the pastor and explain whats wrong. Maybe the pastor will have a way to settle your differences. Sometimes we feel alone when conflict arises, but we have to remember that God is there and He has a bigger plan than what anyone can see or even imagine. He has a plan for all the pain and struggles you are facing. And his word has instructions on how to handle it.

Qualifications for Missionary Service

What are the Qualifications for Missionary Service? 

 Many people believe you just sign up and go to a foreign land and that's it. But little do they know there is just so much more to it. One must be sure in their calling to the mission field. God's method in reaching the world is through people, not just through the Bible.  It's pretty much all about timing. And God has a plan for the right person to be in the right place at the right time. There can be no doubt of your calling, especially with the devil afoot. You must believe with everything in you that God did the calling and sent you to the right place, so you can stand up to Satan and his attacks because believe me when he finds out that you are going to act on your calling, he comes running for you. You have moved up on his attack list.

A few questions to ask yourself about your divine calling:

1.  Do you know beyond a doubt that you are called and how was it demonstrated?*
2. In what way where you convicted of it and is it playing out in your life now?*
3. If the call is truly genuine, is this the right time for you or is further personal and professional growth needed?*

Questions concerning the evidence surrounding your call:

1. What is you level of Christian maturity? *
2. Is there ministry experience? If so, how successful has that been?*
3. Does your church and denomination back you or at least say they will?*
4. Have you declared a burden for a specific people group? If so, is there evidence of deepening knowledge and ministry among them in this country?*

Further questions would include:

1. What is your level of education and training?*
2. What do you know about missionary ministry and cultural problems that are to be faced?*
3. Is there sound evidence of spiritual and emotional stability? What about evidence of spiritual gifts and practical abilities?*
4. Do you have a sense of servant-hood and how are your interpersonal relationships? *
5. If you are unmarried, are you okay with going into the mission field unmarried?*
6. If married, how does your spouse feel about this calling? Are y'all both on the same level of commitment?*
7. If there are children, how many and what are their ages?*

People may not think, but many times when you enter the mission field with a teenager, they have a harder time adjusting. Due to the different culture, language, etc. Since they are transitioning into adulthood, this is a crucial time in their lives.

 Other things to consider would be how are you going to get there and will you be able to raise the funds? And another thing to look at is how have you done in the past with past ministries? The best way to judge future performance is with past performance.

To me there are other things to consider as well....

 Being a missionary is thought to be fun and easy. To be truthful, who would want to leave there families and venture out in the unknown? The only excitement I have found in the idea of going on a mission is pleasing  my God and helping children in other countries to come to know Him. My calling is to become a children's pastor missionary. I have spoken with many missionaries  and have found that many of them enjoy the adventure of it all, but they miss spending time with their families. Many of them are gone for many years at a time and some have come back home to bury their parents. I am frightened when I think about having to leave my family and go somewhere I have never been and being surrounded by people I have never met.

 Questions like, whats it going to be like there, am I going to get lost over there always fill my head, and many times I will just sit there and think about it all. Most of the time I get excited but sometimes not. I am sometimes faced with the I am not good enough's and I will never succeed. The only comfort I find is that even though I am not at home, my family will still love and miss me. And that my Jesus will always be with me, no matter how far away I am from my home. My Jesus will stay beside me no matter what and will protect me from what ever I face.

 For me, I can get depressed if I think long about the things I will have to do without. So overthinking is not a trait that I'm grateful for having, at this present moment. I have learned that if God plans it for me that trusting Him is all I can do. To me this "missionary thing" is a great deal bigger than most give it credit for. Picking up and leaving my family for an extended period of time to become a career missionary is a HUGE thing. I am worried that I will never meet or have a husband and family, one day. But forge ahead I must because in God's perfect timing these things shall be given to me, I just need to believe and have faith.

 I'm glad on one hand that I was single when I received the call because schooling would of been a lot more difficult to pursue if I would of had a boyfriend or fiance. But to all those out there that feel that they are called into mission work full-time, I say go for it! It's now or never! God is NEVER wrong. All of His promises do come to fruition. We have to have faith in our calling and continue in faith to pursue it. It's never a mistake and it should never be a burden. God's work is the most important work someone can be called to do.

**NOTE** These questions were taken from Introduction to Assemblies of God Missions (MIN261). Published by: Global University.

Leading with Integrity

 Often many of us have a hard time staying honest and truthful when thrown into the role of a leader. But we must keep in mind despite all that goes on around use we must try to keep our integrity. Here are a few reasons it is necessary to have integrity while leading:

1. Leadership functions on the basis of trust. If there is no trust in the relationship, how can you expect someone to follow your lead if you don't trust them and they don't trust you.
2. Integrity has high influence value. People would rather you tell them the truth. than for you try to make yourself like good.
3. Our tendency is to work harder on our images than on our integrity. Many times we are to focused on how we look than staying honest and fair to others.
4. Integrity means the leader lives the truth in his or her own life before leading others. To be a good effective leader, you must live in the truth you wish others to also live by.
5. A charismatic personality may draw people, but only integrity will keep them. No matter how exciting you are no one wants to have to deal with someone that doesn't live honestly. 
6. Integrity is a victory, not a gift. You must work towards having integrity, it is not just handed to you.
7. You will only become what you are becoming right now. Without integrity, you can not expect to move forward.
8. Leaders are to live by a higher standard that followers. If you wish to lead others in truth and honesty, you also must live the same way.

 

 While working on the Effective Leadership book from Global University, I have been working under a leader at my church. This leader has a very hard time seeing others succeed or work very well with the children she teaches. I have been working with her for a year now and she seems to have a fear that I am going to out do her. Even though I don't wish for her job, she acts like I do. It seems she has lost complete focus on the goal, of bringing children to Christ and now it's all about competing. I was quite surprised when reading this book, because many of the points seemed to answer everything I have been dealing with, with her.

It is hard sometimes to be a "Timothy" in a situation where you can actively see your "Paul" faltering in the position that they were given or placed in. But if you handle it as Paul has instructed us all to do in these instances you will see a clear divide. Usually after much prayer and devotion to the word and placing it in God's hands your situation can do a complete 180. God will fix it or you will move on. We can't at the same time be afraid of the change that something like this may bring. This will be where our faith comes into play and we will have to rely on the fact that God is the director of our path and He has decided to change things up a bit. We have to trust Him, fully and completely.

 So what do you do when your mentor may not be functioning correctly or adequately? In 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, Paul gives an excellent set of guidelines to keep us accountable. To check ourselves and then go to God with our findings. I think the most important thing that I have learned for my situation is that God's voice, presence, and His objective should always remain at the forefront of my mind at all times. And that there will be leaders that "rub us the wrong way" and we have to handle it the way He wants us to.

Different Types of Sermons

I recently began my study on Homiletics. Homiletics is the art of preaching or writing sermons. In this study I learned that there are multiple ways to write a sermon. Three types that were stated are Topical, Textual, and Expository. I listed the definitions of these three main types of sermons below:


Topical:

 A topical sermon is to consider the topic or theme of a passage.


Textual:

 The textual sermon has much in common with both the topical sermon and the expository sermon. Like the topical sermon it takes its subject from the text; however, the text itself controls the development of the outline. Other portions of Scripture may be quoted or referred to in support of the points made, but the whole outline is the outline of the text itself, not logical development of the topic.


Expository:

The term expository comes from the Latin exposui- "to have laid open the truth for inspection and understanding." We cannot open up to others what is not first open to us. The expository sermon is not simply an easy way out for the lazy or overworked preacher. It is the exposing of the message of a Scripture portion that provides directly all the main and subdivisions of the sermon.

 This study has shown me the many ways of going about writing a sermon. Different things like gestures and speech, but the thing that stood out to me the most is that I apparently write more like the Topical type. I feel that Topical is what I will use the most when I start writing sermons. Right now, I have begun to write Children's Church Lessons and I have found that Topical is the one I use the most. I am just a beginner to the whole sermon world, but I hope to one day write a sermon from each of these types. I like choosing a topic and then researching for scripture and finally sermon illustrations to expound on what I have learned.


 My Dad is a minister and looking over his sermons, he writes more topical sermons and says to him these are the easier of the three to write. Preaching on your congregations daily life, I believe falls into this category. The ups and downs that a believer has to endure on a daily basis and how as a believer they are expected to handle it graciously and how to do it according to Christ is something that a sermon should cover at least most of the time; basically, because it is relevant to our issues, today.


 It is very important to know how to write each or at least know the difference between these different types so that you will know how to adequately correct or encourage others.  

The Call To Ministry

 Everyone is called to ministry but some have a special calling. Like some of the Old Testament prophets, people today can receive visions, dreams, or even words from God, telling them of what He has called them to do. Some are called to be preachers, missionaries, or evangelists, but they all have something in common. They were all called by God.

 For example, at fifteen years old, I begin having a series of dreams. I was preaching to a large group of people in a small church in one and in a few others I was speaking with children who were in great need of a bath.  I had begin praying hoping I would learn the reason behind the dreams, but instead I was informed by God, that I was going to be a missionary. Now, I do wish for you to keep in mind that when I was ten, my mom was told by God that I would be in ministry and not to worry about me a bit. She and my Dad kept that to themselves as to not influence me at all. So a couple years have passed and I am running from God, I am uncertain as to why, but I was. I was doing pretty much anything to get out of having to be in ministry. Maybe it was fear, or me just worrying for no good reason.

 Having just graduated May of 2014 and just had my 17th birthday that July, my parents were worried about how I would be when I got a older. So they had cracked down on me, doing a thing they liked to call tomato-staking. Much like how when tomatoes grow, they need something stable to hold them up like a wooden stake in the ground used as a support, because they have become too top heavy and they will just fall over and break their steam, without the support. I was with my parents at all times. I hated every bit of it, though I would never let them know that. But now I can actually see the beauty in it. What a difference a couple years would make. Anyway, August of 2014 was a time of change for me.

 An evangelist visited our church. He was born in Africa and was called to evangelize in America. Pretty cool if you ask me. So the first day he was there, he calls for people in need of healing to come forward. And my mom has pain in her hip, so she goes forward and I followed hoping to show her moral support. But oh man, what happened to me when I went up there. After he got done speaking with my mom and praying over her, he looks at me and calls me to stand in front of him. I felt like a child in front of her father and I was about to get in big trouble. He asks my name and I tell him, then he asks me if we have met before, I say no.

 He precedes to tell me that I am called to be a missionary and four countries God has given him to say. Africa, India, Russia, and England. He asks if I already know this, but before I can say, my mother says yes she does. He asks why I haven't done what I am suppose to. All she can say is that I am running. With this he seemed truly upset and he tells me that I shouldn't be doing that and if I am worrying about school, I shouldn't because it will be completely taken care of. Then he began praying over me, while I am in tears.

I am now about to turn 19 this July and I have been serious about my calling and school ever since that day. I now know without a doubt that God called to be a missionary to children abroad. Money for my school books has been miraculously provided each time I am in need of it. I have found being called both an amazing yet terrifying thing. I am very excited to think that one day I will be overseas ministering to children and telling them all about God.

See when you are called, it isn't like you are just thrown to the wolves. No, God has a big plan. He knows where we are best placed in the world. He knows what we need, like my pastor says," He doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called." No matter where God places you or sends you, He will always be there and He will always take care of us. Being called is so much more than going over here and telling someone about God. It is about giving up your own selfish ambitions and doing what God wishes for you to do.

The Jews vs. The Gentiles

Sometimes, we as Christians believe that we are without sin and we begin judging the people of the world (unbelievers), like the Jews judged the Gentiles. They were circumcised, so what, that didn't make them any better. They were just as dirty as the Gentiles. Just because we call God our Father, it doesn't mean we can go around judging others. No, we should show love to others in a way that points them towards God.

The Jews felt like they were the keepers of the law. That they were to guard and protect the law. They did such an awesome job that only the Jews were allowed to follow it. Their job was to tell other nations about God and his works, but they failed to do so. With them being the only ones allowed to follow it, the Jews failed to glorify God. Like the Jews, God has entrusted us to tell others about Him. We are not suppose to have an holier than thou attitude. If we act like we are better than others, how do we expect them to actually want to come to church? Or want to hear about Jesus? They are going to believe that all Christians are the same and therefore, we may have just lost them forever. If Jesus wanted us to tell others about Him and we refuse or fail to, are we any better than the Jews?

Accepting others will ultimately glorify God. So instead of being mean and acting as if we are better than others, maybe we should focus more on God and leading people to Him. I believe that Paul had a wonderful way of putting this. In Romans 3:9, Paul's states," What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin." Meaning that Jews and Gentiles are equally as bad or as good as the other. Just because the Jews are God's chosen it doesn't mean they are any holier than anyone else. In the same way today, Christians are as equally sinful as an unbeliever. The only difference is we have a glorious Father, that loved us enough to send his son, to forgive us of our sins. Now our job is to not be like the Jews or the Gentiles, but like Paul and share the wonderful news of our Savior.

Learning from Ruth and Naomi

Ruth is one of my favorite women of the bible to learn about. As you can recall, she was married and was having a wonderful life, that was until her dear husband died. Not only was she suffering but so was her sister-in-law Orpah and her mother-in-law Naomi. Out of all of them, Naomi was the one who had it the hardest. She has lost both of her sons and her husband! So time came for them to move on, for there was no one to care for them. Naomi told the girls to go back home to  their families, because she too was going back to her homeland. Orpah did as she was told and went on her way, but Ruth refused.

Ruth showed great courage by going with Naomi to an unknown land, taking Naomi's God as her own. And in almost the same way, we take someone else's God as our own when we first become Christians. We know nothing of this God, we know He sent Jesus to forgive us of our sins if only we would ask, but what else? We may know of the bible stories like Jonah, Noah, and Daniel. But what do we truly know about God when we first become Christians? As new Christians we know almost nothing of God, only Jesus. As growing Christians, we must learn of our gracious Father, the one who loved us enough to sacrifice his son for our souls.

I believe the picture that Ruth and Naomi paint, is one that new and old Christians alike should follow. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should try and help each other grow closer to our Father. Learn all we can about him and why he loves us so much. We have such an awesome Father and I wish that we would just realize that. And maybe just maybe we can one day show God how much he truly means to us. He is so much more than someone to save us from hell. He is all-powerful, all-knowing and he loves us more than anything. If only we would turn to him and love Him the same.

My Mind--The Enemy?!

 Your own mind can be your worst enemy. Your mind can cause you to do some crazy, off-the-wall things. It can make you think wrong, fear, doubt ,and overthink. But your mind isn't doing this on its own. True you have free will but yet, your mind, my mind, our minds, are the devil's playground. He can run and jump in the sand piles of hate and insecurity. Or slide down a curly slide of jealousy. Swing on the swing of sorrow and doubt. Seesaw our moods by a single thought. But yet we don't blame him, we blame God or each other. Or better yet we go right along with his plans, without a single thought.

 Who is this devil? Is he the guy on your shoulder with a tiny pitchfork, small pointy horns, and a little red suit? Is this bad guy in a hot place where he can never touch us? I don't know the answers to some of the questions like these. But I do know, even the devil was an angel, causing the fall of many other angels. I promise you God was there and still is today. He will fix it all no matter how we feel or what we think. All we must do is simply ask and He will help. God is here to help and you can definitely trust Him.

The following quotes from Spurgeon sums it up well:

"But some will say that they cannot help having bad thoughts. That may be, but the question is: do they hate them or not? We cannot keep thieves from looking in at our windows, but if we open our doors to them and receive them joyfully, we are as bad as they. We cannot help the birds flying over our heads, but we may keep them from building their nests in our hair."

"Vain thoughts will knock at the door, but we must not open to them. Though sinful thoughts rise, they must not reign. He who turns a morsel over and over in his mouth does so because he likes the flavor, and he who meditates upon evil loves it and is ripe to commit it. Think of the devil, and he will appear; turn your thoughts towards sins and your hands will soon follow."

Childrens Ministries in the Assembly of God Denomination

Working with both the Rainbows and the Mpact Girls, I've learned a few things about the basis behind their existence. For one, I never knew the Rainbows, the Mpact Girls , and the Royal Rangers all have to do with missions, whether its raising money or discipling others. I just learned this, recently.

Royal Rangers is a program in charge of preparing young men to become closer to God and to empower them to be all that they can be. Boys can join the Royal Rangers when they enter Kindergarten and can continue earning badges until graduating the 12th grade. Their motto is: "Ready: Ready for anything! Ready to work, play, serve, worship, live, and obey God's Word". To learn more about Royal Rangers and everything they are about, click here.

Mpact Girls is a program training girls to make wise, proper and god-pleasing decisions. Mpact Girls was formal called Missionettes but has since changed. From grades K-12, girls are taught the values of a Christ-like character, teamwork, a servant ministry, and the Holy Spirits guidance. Mpact leaders goal is to empower girls to see God in their lives and all he is doing around them. Their tagline (motto) is: "her heart... her world... His purpose".  For more info on their goals and their vision, click here.

Rainbows is for Preschool age children, ages 3 and up, with stories and crafts based on Noah's Ark. In Rainbows, both Boys and girls alike learn how to be pleasing to God and how to be good helpers to others. Their motto is "Rainbows are helpers".  Click here to learn more about Rainbows.

I first start working with Rainbows, only a year ago. And being with the Rainbows, I've seen how sweet kids truly can be. They enjoy their lessons and crafts. They also share like they are suppose to, even though sometimes they don't really feel like it. Each Wednesday is filled with stories of each child's week, they've been so excited to tell.

Around the time I started helping with the Rainbows, I also began helping with the Mpact Girls as well. I first went to Girl's Camp with them and I couldn't believe how much fun they were to be around. When Chapel came, I seen a total different side of those girls. Each girl had went to the alter with their own problems and situations. But in the end, they were praying for girls they had never met before.

I've yet to help with Royal Rangers but I've seen a definite change in my brothers. They have started reading their Bibles more and are excited to go every Wednesday. They loved when they were learning how to pitch tents and how to catch fish.

I wanted to share these ministries with others because I'm not sure many people know about them unless they are involved with or attend an Assembly of God church. I grew up in this denomination so it's not that new to me. But working with these children, I believe is helping to mold me into the woman God intends for me to be. Watching these children honestly and wholeheartedly turn their lives over to God at such a young age can change anyone's perspective. Working with them and being involved in their lives convinces me more and more everyday that this is what I was chosen to do. I plan on working with children and doing missionary work some day and knowing that these children can hand themselves over to God to be molded and shaped according to His will is a life changer for me and it should be for all people.

Be Ready, He's coming soon!

 
 What really bothers me about The Rapture and The Anti-Christ, is are we even ready for Christ's Second Coming? Most say yes 'cause look at the world, we're living in. But seriously are we ready? We can't compare today's life to the Tribulation, the Rapture, or Armageddon. We may think that the current president is the Anti-Christ or Predecessor,but we truly don't know. Life now days is so busy and corrupt with sin, immorality, & filth, that if He were to come back today, we would never notice. Yes, I can't wait till Jesus comes so that I can see Him & run to Him for an embrace. But I know, I'm not ready and I'm certain many others can agree they aren't ready either. My reasoning behind not being ready would be due to the fact that I know many people who should know God before the Tribulation occurs. They know what they are doing but refuse to ask God for his help. So I find myself constantly angry with them, with my only option being, to pray for them.



 So why do we worry about who the Anti-Christ is? 2 Peter 3:14 says,"So dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make an effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him." How can we be found spotless, if we are to busy dabbling in the world instead of trying to be more like Jesus? Being Christ-like, is hard, especially with the world in it's current state. The common focus for today's christian is to not fall into Satan's traps or other worldly motivations. When people upset us with their actions or words, we should be sure to not cause ourselves to have to repent. They already have to answer for their actions, why should you have to cause yourself to have to do so as well? We should avoid things that would lead us away from being with Christ in heaven or lead us away from ultimately being more Christlike. If that isn't enough motivation, I don't know what is. Why would you want to miss out on the beautiful place that is heaven, or the chance to finally see our amazing Father?

 Although it would be some what interesting to know who the Anti-Christ is or will be, being too focused on that, can lead us astray. And trust me, I've found myself constantly comparing the outside world to the Book of Revelation and the Book of Daniel. It can get you pretty spooked if you read to closely into it and find even one similarity. As you go on from day to day, focus only on how you can be Christ-like and pleasing to our Father. Because He loves us so much and He isn't the least bit okay with us falling away. And even though you see worldly things, that spark your interest, look to the things God has done all around you. What wonderful love he has for us!

The Importance of Interpreting Scripture Correctly

Scripture is sometimes hard to understand, and if not understood correctly, it could leave a person never knowing the full truth. God's Word isn't something to be taken lightly, so when interpreting it, one should be careful to find the Author's true meaning.

 For example, a preacher I heard a while ago, said "Once you are saved, you will always be saved." He took scripture and twisted it to mean something he wished for it to mean. But his congregation wasn't aware of what had happened. So they felt that when, they did wrong, when they stole, cheated, or lied, they'd say it's fine, because I'm saved. This is such a gross misinterpretation of scripture, in my opinion.

 With that preacher saying that one thing, he left the people whom look to him for guidance in the dark. They were left not knowing they must work at doing good and following God's will for their lives. They still just do bad things and figuratively put a sticker on their forehead saying I'm saved, so I'm safe.

 When interperting scripture we must be very careful, so that others and ourselves aren't misled. Because this misleading could lead to our undoing. John Wesley provided a new unique way of looking at this concept.

 "I was saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved."

I was saved means at sometimes a person is forgiven of his or hers sins and began following God.

I am being saved says that, we are working daily to be like Christ. And perfecting our lives as we follow God.

I will be saved, is when we will finally meet God and we will no longer struggle in this world. And we will be forever saved, with God in heaven.

 Therefore, One should pay close attention when interpreting scripture, otherwise, it could cause the down fall of many and leave many never knowing the truth. Our jobs as ministers or anyone involved in ministry is to adequately prepare others to receive Christ as well as live for Him. Our job is to not let them learn for themselves at first. They have to be taught the right way and in a sense the right direction. They also need to know that they are to study what their Pastor says to them on their own, so that they know without a doubt that it is being interpreted correctly and they aren't just taking his word for it.

My Thoughts on Forgiveness

In today's society, forgiveness isn't commonly used. People will hold grudges over the simplest of things. In Philemon, Paul asks for one thing, forgiveness of Onesimus's wrong doings. Onesimus had done something unforgivable by the Roman Law, or any law for that matter, he stole goods and money from Philemon, his master.

 Onesimus fled, trying to hide himself among the crowds. Unbeknownst to us, Paul and Onesimus meet and become quite close, close like family. So when Paul writes this letter not only is it from the heart of a fellow believer but also a person begging forgiveness for someone he loves.

 Forgiveness is a powerful thing, although most people don't believe so. When God sent Jesus, he showed us the ultimate story of forgiveness. When Jesus died, our sins were forgiven and we were made clean and our sins erased.

 When C.S. Lewis said," Everyone says that forgiveness is a wonderful idea, until he has something to forgive." Next time it is on your heart to forgive, and you feel like you've got the right to hold that grudge. Remember, God didn't have to send Jesus so we would be saved, he chose to.

 God choosing to send His son is only part of a bigger picture. He chose to forgive us so that we can use that as an example to forgive others. He gave the ultimate sacrifice in order to save us all but He also uses the things He does and the examples of others in the  Bible to teach us to be more like Him. We can only hope that the slave owner, Philemon chose to forgive as God does His children.

The Responsibilties of the Church Concerning Church Growth

 Although the church's growth is ultimately God's responsibility; as believers, we also have to do our part.
If you look in Acts 2:37-47, you will find that Peter is telling the people (early believers) how to be a biblical church. He gives 13 characteristics all churches should follow:

• Repentance
• Baptism
• The Gift of the Holy Spirit
• Devotion to Doctrine
•  Devotion to Fellowship
•  Devotion to Breaking Bread
•  Devotion to Prayer
• Wonders & Miraculous Signs
• Generosity
• Gathering Publicly to Worship
• Glad Meal Times
• Favor with People
• Growth 

"Repent..."
To repent, means to understand your sin and be willing to change you mind-set and life-style in order to receive forgiveness from the Almighty.
"Be Baptized...in the Jesus Christ"
Being baptized in water is way of showing people around you the spiritual change inside you.
"You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"
To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, one must give ultimate control to God and have faith He will guide you.
"They devoted themselves... to the Apostles' Teachings"
Doctrine (the Apostles' Teachings) has been most helpful to those who need assistance in living a christian life-style despite what others think.
"They devoted themselves... to Fellowship"
To fellowship, means to get to know other believers and welcome newcomers to the church.
"They devoted themselves... to Breaking Bread"
The Breaking of Bread or Communion, is a sacramental sign of Christ being in the believers midst.
"They devoted themselves... to Prayer"
Prayer is crucial in the life of a believer, whether its praying personally, by oneself or praying all together as one.
"Everyone was filled with awe at the many Wonders & Miraculous Signs performed by the Apostles "
God proved, to the early church, the truth behind their doctrine & teaching, through miraculous things, like healings or exorcisms.
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need"
Believers should be willing to sacrifice for the good of the church or feel the need to help the less-fortunate.
"Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts"
Gathering publicly helped to show the non-believer the devotion of God's children, in a way they where witnessing to the non-believer.
"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad & sincere hearts"
The early believers were happy to share their food and homes with fellow believers as an act of fellowship.
"Praising God and enjoying favor with all people"
Enjoying favor with people was and is God's gift to some churches, although some still face persecution.
"And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved"
Only God can make the church grow but it is up to us to witness.

 I believe that all these things are required for God to grow a biblical church. Yet, not all churches are willing to do this or they are or unaware of these characteristics. Not all churches are devoted to the doctrine, fellowship, or communion. Today's churches have come to do this because they feel it is a requirement not out of wanting to obedient to the teachings or God's will. Devotion to prayer, seems to also be affected in much the same way. Generosity isn't commonly known, due to the fact no one wants to do it from the kindness of their hearts, but instead to see what they will receive in return. All this may stunt the growth of he church.
 But growth can continue on, if we as believers confide in God and try to follow these thirteen characteristics of the biblical church. God hasn't changed and he's waiting for us to accept Him and follow his prompting. Even if we try as a group that is better than not trying at all. The work is plenty but the workers are few is a verse that comes to mind in this instance because many in the church want change but most are unwilling to see it through.

A Brief Explanation of the Synoptic Gospels and My Thoughts

Matthew, Mark, And Luke all have a way of complementing each other, yet they are all quite different.

 Matthew directs his writing more to the Jewish audience. He is found trying to compare Old Testament Messianic prophesy to our Messiah, Jesus Christ. Do to a Jewish outlook he gives only the royal genealogy of Jesus. Matthew connects King David with Christ in order to show his Messianic Kingship.You'll find he also only writes of Christ's teaching.

 With a Gentile point of view, Mark focuses upon Jesus's actions, such as miracles, Christ's suffering, and his ultimate sacrifice. Through Mark's words we see how Jesus' actions, came to have a meaning and teach us something. So in Mark,we are shown to show Christs' love through our actions.

 Luke did his best to take what Christ taught and the things that he did and turn them around to show the world all that there was to know about the Messiah. Luke gives us a universal point of view, one that isn't directed to one group of people but to all. As we go along we come to the genealogy of Jesus once more, but instead of the Royal Lineage (like Matthew), we find the physical genealogy of Joseph (Christ's suspected  father). And if you look closely, you'll find that instead of Josephs father, Jacob being listed it is actually Mary's father Heli, this being listed due to Jewish Tradition.

 With Matthew's writings about Jesus's teaching and Mark's writings about Christ's actions, we find Luke intertwined the two. Matthew, Mark, and Luke  each differ in the way they begin their writings. You'll find that Matthew and Luke begin their gospels with Christ's Birth, while Mark begins his with Christ's Baptism.

 After reading each Gospel and learning a bit more about each one, I've found Luke to be more thorough in showing the life of Christ. He gives you both teaching & actions and I enjoy that about Luke. Because he doesn't really direct his Gospel towards anyone specifically, I feel most at home with Luke. I like that he just tries to tell the story and tell the world about Christ.This is something that all of us should strive to do as well, so his writing in my opinion is an excellent example for us all.

 Matthew, Mark, and Luke gives us a glimpse into our Savior's life. Seeing His life played out in front of us, gives us a more intimate look into the role He would eventually play in each of our lives. We learn more about Him so we feel closer to Him. I'm grateful that these men took it upon themselves to show us this view of Him.