Praise God for His power to save and reconcile us to Himself and one another. We see God at work among our church and city and we are encouraged. Can we get an amen?!

Deacon Nominations

Now seems like the right time to establish a Deaconate Ministry. We won't know for sure until that first deacon is ordained, but we're definitely experiencing the signs of a church in need of a deacon or two. To this end, our pastors have asked all church members to engage in a process that should take 4-6 months. It's not a contest and we won't be taking a vote. However, we believe God will use the entire body to identify and support our future deacons.

Here are four things you can do:

1. Review our Deaconate Ministry Paper. It explains the qualifications of a deacon and the process of selecting and ordaining one.
2. Review this article and sermon on the purposes of deacons. This explains why we should want deacons and the difference they would make in our church community.
3. Pray for wisdom. As we progress, we'll provide you with more specifics. For now, we need men who agree to be assessed.
4. Fill out the form below. You must be a church member and you are welcome to submit more than one name. Please keep in mind that this is not an election and your nomination is a recommendation, not a vote. All submissions will be kept confidential (pastors only). 

What does it mean to partner with Sovereign Grace Churches?

How is God working in our sister churches?

How can we give to the mission of Sovereign Grace?

Learn more about our partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches and how you can participate in the planting and strengthening of local churches around the world.

Download the 2014 Mission Fund and Financial Report Brochure.

Go here to give.

Our final sermon from We Believe In Organized Religion focused on the role of denominations in the life of Christians. Why should local churches relate to other local churches? How should they relate? And is it even possible for a church to choose not to relate to other churches?

While many say we are moving into a "post-denominational" future, there is still good reason to work towards building strong partnerships with other congregations. Call them what you will (denominations, networks, a family of churches, etc.), churches bound together in a meaningful manner is a reason to rejoice. Go here to listen to the sermon.

Here are a few things we learned about denominations from Acts 15:1-41.

Denominations are biblical, not sinful.

The question isn't "Should we relate to other churches?" We are one church under God. Jesus is the head of the universal church (little "c" catholic). We already are related to one another. It's unavoidable.

So then, the better question is "How should we relate to other churches?" And guaranteed, no church is going to devise an effective plan to relate to every other church that has ever existed, currently exists, or one day will exist. That's impossible. Churches come and go and so do their denominational ties. It's ok that today we find so many denominations. You might even say more is better.

Denominations promote theological precision.

Churches have always worked together to preserve, protect, and promote good theology and doctrine. Most of our cherished creeds and confessions were the result of churches coming together...as was our very own Statement of Faith. Add seminaries, colleges, programs, and theological publications (like books) to the list and you will quickly see how interdependent churches are on this point. Every church stands on the shoulders of other churches.

Denominations facilitate mutual encouragement.

We don't know what we don't know. How's that for a trustworthy statement? God is at work everywhere, at all times, simultaneously...and the view from our church is very small indeed. If the Apostles thought it necessary for churches to know what was occurring in other churches (and this wasn't gossip, it was for encouragement), you'd think it'd be good for us today as well.

Denominations provide real accountability.

What are we supposed to do when a church needs help or a teacher teaches something that's not true? Is each church really on their own or should we do something? The context for accountability is forged in moments of prosperity. We make commitments to one another. We invest in one another. And when trouble arrives (and it certainly will) we draw on mutual trust and history and love and relationship, and rush towards the hurting and needy church. Not away.

Denominations unite churches. Independence divides them.

Associations are built on the principle of our union with Christ, not pragmatism. Not efficiency. Not practicality. We consider the interests of other churches (where possible) above our own. There are times when it's right to sever your ties, but let's not pick our friends based on the benefits we hope to receive. Let's choose partners we can promote and bless and love...in good times and bad...like Jesus does for us.

20th Annual Orange Plaza Car Show.

Parking will be a challenge, so come early!!  Plan on staying in Old Towne Orange after Church for lunch and some classic cars. 

Harness the power of Facebook.

Download this banner and replace your cover photo. Then ask all your "friends" to be your guest on Easter Sunday.

Studying the key events and people that every Christian should know.

Join us in the Woman's Club Garden at 10 AM for Sunday School. This week we continue our study of church history loosely based on a study guide called Christian History Made Easy. You don't need to buy anything and there is no homework. Just come and learn with us.

This week: AD 90-250

Our second sermon from We Believe In Organized Religion focused on the role of deacons in the life of Christians. Why and when does a church need deacons? What do deacons do? What difference do deacons make in the everyday world of local church ministry?

Deacons are a part of God's plan to advance his word through us. They ensure our testimony as a church equals the testimony of the Scriptures...that our walk and talk match up. As Pastor Eric said, "We need to repent of our preoccupation with growth management practices and go back to the Bible. When the church grows and her ministries get stretched, God's says elect deacons, not adopt better business practices." Go here to listen to the sermon. 

Read more about our Deaconate Ministry.

A few of the things we know about deacons from Acts 6:1-7.

Deacons are servants.

That's what the word deacon means (i.e. servant) and every christian is called to be one. Their ministry is modeled after Jesus, who came not to be "deaconed" but to "deacon" us. However, God calls some christians to represent the church, people given responsibility and authority to ensure our life together bears good fruit.

Deacons promote diversity.

Language, culture, economics, spiritual maturity...these all pose challenges to our church life. And left unchecked, we trend towards uniformity at the exclusion of the marginalized. Deacons ensure everyone who wants to join in our fellowship is received well and served with equity. 

Deacons work for unity.

They are trusted officials of the local church. Members look to them to smooth out the kinks and bumps of a growing community.  They function like shock absorbers.

Deacons preserve pastoral ministry.

The necessity of deacons reminds us of the importance of pastors in the life church AND that pastors are just as limited as the rest of us. They aren't our heroes. They are servants in need of being served. The church needs the ministry of the word and prayer and deacons exist to make sure it happens.

Deacons are missional.

They aren't stewards of the status quo. Deacons are about the advance of the gospel and the mission of the church. Stephen (one of the first deacons) was the first martyr, who died after preaching Christ publicly. And Philip (also among the first 7) preached and performed miracles, later to be known as Philip the Evangelist (who baptized the Ethiopian eunuch).

1.  Sunday Morning Prayer: Every Sunday - 9:45 am in the garden we meet to ask God to bless us and be glorified in all we do on Sundays.  All are welcome!

2.  Book Recommendation:  Why We Love the Church: In praise of institutions and organized religion.  This book fits in with our current sermon series on church government.   Everyone will enjoy it, but more specifically for those struggling with organized church in particular.
If you’re questioning why we need to be a church! Or why you need to “go to church”! This book is for you. Check out the bookstore after today's service.

3.  Tea.ology:  Join us for our monthly gathering of women talking like women about.  7 pm in Old Towne Orange.  

Listen as Pastor Eric teaches about Deacons in his second of a three part series on Church Government.