WELCOME TO FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 9/30/07.

 WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO WE ARE SHIP THIS MORNING.

ON THE BACK OF THE PEW, RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE OOZE AISLE YOU WILL FIND THE RED BOOK ON FRIENDSHIP.

WE WILL ASK THAT EVERYONE SIGN IT.

IN YOUR BULLETIN THIS MORNING THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS ONE OF WHICH IS OUR PRAYER CONCERNS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THIS WEEK.

THIS IS AL A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THIS WORK AND SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS.

WE WOULD ASK ESPECIALLY THAT PEOPLE REMEMBER THAT NEXT SATURDAY  IS THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH AND THE SATURDAY THAT WE HELP OUT WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN BEING INVOLVED WITH THAT, PLEASE TALK TO LARRY.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT WE HAVE A YOUNG MEMBER THAT USUALLY ATTEND IT IS CONTEMPORARY SERVICE BUT THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THIS MONTH HE CAME TO ME AND ASKED IF I WOULD ANNOUNCE THAT HE IS GOING ON A MISSION TRIP AND WANTS TO GO TO COSTA RICA.

HE MADE IT WITH HIS MONEY CONCERNS TO GO TO THE MISSION TRIP AND WILL BE LEAVES NEXT MONTH.

ALSO AFTER THE SERVICE THERE WILL BE PUNCH SERVED AND EVERYBODY IS INVITED TO JOIN US.

AND NOW BE WITH US AS WE WORSHIP WITH THE LORD TOGETHER.

BE WITH YOUR CHURCH IN EVERY TIME AND PLACE AS WE SEEK TO BE FAITHFUL IN WITNESS TO YOUR POWER AND LOVE.

LET US STAND AND SING OUR HYMN OF PRAISE.

NUMBER 90.

I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE BOYS AND GIRLS TO COME UP AND JOIN ME THIS MORNING.

I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU.

WE DON'T HAVE VERY MANY UP HERE THIS MORNING, DO WE?

FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SHOW YOU ONE IS A CARD AND ONE IS A LETTER THAT HAD COME TO MY HOUSE AND ONE IS FROM A FRIEND WHO LIVES PRETTY FAR AWAY.

YOU HARD OF NEW YORK CITY, THIS IS NEW JERSEY NOT TOO FAR FROM N AND THIS A POSTCARD I GOT ONCE FROM ONE OF MY SONS WHO WAS STUDYING IN ENGLAND.

SO THIS CAME CLEAR ACROSS THE OCEAN.

SO IT WAS A PRETTY LONG TIME ON THE WAY BEFORE I GOT TO ME.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THESE LETTERS ‑‑ DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT HAS TO HAVE ON THE OUTSIDE TO GET TO MY HOUSE?

IT HAD TO HAVE A STAMP.

GOOD, THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.

THAT IS WHAT I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

IT ALSO HAD TO HAVE MY NAME AND MY ADDRESS, CHATTANOOGA TENNESSEE.

THIS ONE EVEN HAD TO HAVE USA BECAUSE IT WAS MAILED FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THAT IS A FLIGHT STAMP.

SO THEY HAD TO HAVE BOTH AN ADDRESS AND A STAMP, SO IT IS THE STAMPS THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

SOMEBODY MADE THIS FOR ME, MY SISTER DID A LONG TIMING  A.

YOU SEE IT IS BATTER UP NOW BUT IT HAS A LOT OF SAMPLES ON IT.

ALL THE WAY AROUND STAMPS.

SEE IT IS A PURSE.

IT IS ‑‑ IT IS MADE OUT OF WOOD AND ALL HOF THOSE STAMPS, ALL THE WAY AROUND OUTSIDE AND SO WE WILL DO THINGS WE WILL LEARN ABOUT STAMPS.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

THIS SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT FUNNY BUT THEY ARE GOOD STICKERS.

WHAT IF THIS HAD COME UNDONE ON THE WAY OVER HERE.

SO THERE ARE GOOD STICKERS AND YOU NEED TO BE THAT TOO.

WHEN YOU START SOMETHING, YOU KEEP ON DOG IT.

STICK TO WHAT YOU START.

AND ANOTHER THING SOMETIMES STAMPS HAVE A HARD TIME BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH A MACHINE EVEN WHEN YOU PUT THEM IN THE POST OFFICE BECAUSE THERE IS A MACHINE THAT STAMPS THIS, THAT MARKS OUT THIS STAMP AND TELLS US WHERE IT IS COMING FROM SO IT GOES THERE A CANCELING MACHINE AFTER IT IS STUCK ON A LETTER.

AND SOMETIMES IT MAY GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THEY HAVE ANOTHER POSTMARK ON THE BACK.

SO MAKE THEY SENT IT TO NASHVILLE BEFORE IT CAME TO ME IN CHATTANOOGA SO OUR BIBLE VERSE TODAY IS SHORT COM YOU CAN PROBABLY SAY IT WITH ME SO I WILL READ IT ONE TIME.

WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH GOD.

WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH GOD.

AND SO WE HAVE TO WORK VERY HARD SOMETIMES.

STAMPS NEVER TRY TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE WORTH MORE THAN THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE PRICE WRITTEN RIGHT ON THEM.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN STAMPS LIKE THIS?

THIS HAS CURIOUS GEORGE ON IT.

THEY HAVE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, AND IT HAS 39.

NOW WE HAVE TO PAY 41.

THE VERY HUNGRY CAT TER PILLAR AND ALL OF THOSE.

WHY ARE THEY WORTH ANYTHING?

HOW ABOUT IF I CUT OUT LITTLE PIECES AND STUCK THEM ON AN ENVELOPE, WOULD THEY BE OKAY?

WOULD IT STILL GO THROUGH THE MAIL?

NO, IT HAS TO HAVE THAT THAT SHOWS IT COMES FROM THE POST OFFICE, FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE AND IT IS MARKED FOR A CERTAIN PURPOSE AND WE WANT TO SAY THAT WE ARE VALUABLE BECAUSE WE ARE MARKED FOR A CERTAIN PURPOSE.

WE WANT TO LIVE LIKE GOD WANTS US TO LIVE AND WE WANT TO BE HAPPY, AND USEFUL AND DO GOOD THINGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE SO THE NECKLACE I AM GOING TO GIVE YOU TODAY IS A STAMP NECKLACE TO REMIND US OF THOSE THINGS.

SO WILL YOU BOW OUR HEADS AND PRAY WITH ME.

DEAR GOD, HELP US TO LIVE AS YOU WANT US TO LIVE.

AMEN.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS ON THAT STAMP?

JILLLY KNOWS.

STATUE OF LIBERTY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY.

IT SEEMS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF EACH OTHER HERE, THAT IS ONE OF MY JOYS  AND I HOPE IT IS NOT ONE OF YOUR CONCERNS. 

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY JOYS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

TODAY IS MY PARENTS 40^th ANNIVERSARY AND I CANNOT IMAGINE BEING MARRIED 40 YEARS.

MY JOY IS THIS TIME NEXT WEEK FEILDING AND I WILL BE IN ARIZONA GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE A WEDDING.

AND I AM VERY THANKFUL OF BEING COACHED [INAUDIBLE] I HAVE MY DUCT TAPE SO I HOPE I WON'T GIVE OUT BUT I TOLD HER I JUST DON'T WEAR BEIGE.

WE WILL HAVE A LOT TO SHARE WHEN WE GET BACK.

BEREAN ACADEMY.

SO THIS COMES TUESDAY AT 2:30:00 P.M. FOR VOLUNTEERS.

TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY, TUESDAY IS MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY AND WEDNESDAY IS MY BIRTHDAY.

SO WE WILL HAVE A CELEBRATION TONIGHT.

MY MOTHER IS GOING TO BE 92 AND IS STILL IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

 >> HOW OLD ARE YOU GOING TO BE?

HAPPEN LOOKS LIKE THAT BRINGS US TO THE CONCERNS, HAS ANYONE GOT ANY CONCERNS TO SHARE TODAY?

KENT SMITHSON CALLED US YESTERDAY AND LET US KNOW THAT CONNIE WHO HAD A WONDERFUL ANNOUNCEMENT LAST WEEK THEY ARE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST GRANDCHILD HAD EMERGENCY SURGERY ON FRIDAY.

PLEASE PRAY FOR HER AND HER RECOVERY AND KIM'S CARE TAKING OF HER.

LEEAN'S DAD IS VERY SICK WITH CANCER AND SHE NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS AS MUST HAVE AS HE DOES.

ANY OTHER CONCERNS?

ERIC WAS TO BEGIN INFUSION, SOME MEDICATION TO BUILD HIS BONES TO PREPARE FOR RADIATION.

THERE WAS A TEST RUN AND SO THEY HAVE HAD A SLIGHT SET BACK SO SHE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR PRAYER.

WE PRAY FOR ALL OF THEM.

NOW WE WILL HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A PRAYER.

POWERFUL FATHER, WE THANK YOU, THE JOY YOU GAVE US THIS WEEK.

WE ASK THAT YOU HELP US BE EVER MINDFUL THAT OUR JOY IS A GIFT FROM YOU.

TO REMAIN HUMBLE AND BE GRATEFUL AS WE EXPERIENCE THE JOY THAT YOU CREATED FOR US.

YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR US BUT SOMETIMES WE LET OUR WORLD BRING SEPARATION.

WE ASK THAT WE FEEL YOU PRESENCE BECAUSE IT IS IN YOUR PRESENCE THAT WE CAN FEEL COMFORT AND PEACE.

NOW WE PRAY THE LORD'S PRAYER.

NOW IT IS TIME THAT WE RETURN TO THE LORD SOME OF WHAT HE HAS GIVEN TO US.

WE NEED YOUR HELP THIS MORNING ON THE SINGING OF OUR ANTHEM.

THIS IS HYMN NUMBER 25 IN YOUR HYMNAL AND WHEN I TURN AROUND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SING VERSE NUMBER 5 WITH THE CHOIR.

VERSE NUMBER 5 WITH THE CHOIR.

THANK YOU.

OUR READING THIS MORNING WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE BOOK OF MATTHEW, THE 27^th CHAPTER, STARTING WITH VERSE 16.

YOU CAN FIND THIS IN YOUR PEW BIBLE ON PAGE 864.

AND THEY HAD THEN A NOTORIOUS PRISONER CALLED BARABAS.

SO WHEN THEY HAVE HAD GATHERED PILATE SAID TO HIM WHOM DO YOU WANT ME TO RELEASE TO YOU, BARABAS OR JESUS WHO WAS CALLED CHRIST? 

FOR HE KNEW THAT IT WAS  OUT A ENVY THAT THEY HAD DELIVERED HIM OUT.

BESIDE, WHEN HE WAS SITTING ON THE JUDGMENT SEAT HIS WIFE SENT WORD TO HIM, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT RIGHTEOUS MAN BECAUSE I HAVE SUFFERED MUCH OVER HIM WITH THE DREAM.

NOW THE CHIEF PRIEST AND THE ELDERS PERSUADED THE PEOPLE TO ASK FOR BARABAS AND DESTROY JESUS.

THIS IS THE GOOD NEWS.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

HAVING HEARD THE SCRIPTURE READ, I WOULD LIKE TO READ A SECOND SCRIPTURE THIS MORNING FROM WHICH MY REMARKS ARE TAKEN.

LISTEN TO THE SCRIPTURE FROM MATTHEW 28, VERSES 16 THROUGH 20.

MEANWHILE THE 11 DISCIPLES WERE ON THEIR WAY TO GALILEE, HEADED FOR THE MOUNTAIN JESUS HAD SET FOR THEIR REUNION.

THE MOMENT THEY SAW HIM THEY WORSHIPED HIM.

SOME, THOUGH, HELL BACK, NOT SURE ABOUT WORSHIP, ABOUT RISKS THEMSELVES TOTALLY.

JESUS UNDETERRED WENT RIGHT AHEAD AND GIVE HIS CHARGE.

GOD AUTHORIZED AND COMMANDS ME TO COMMISSION YOU TO GO OUT AND TRAIN EVERYONE YOU MEET, FAR AND HEAR IN THIS WAY OF LIFE.

MARKING THEM BY BAPTISM IN THE THREEFOLD NAME, FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT.

THEN INSTRUCT THEM IN THE PRACTICE OF ALL I HAVE COMMANDED YOU, I WILL BE WITH YOU AS YOU DO THIS, DAY, AFTER DAY, AFTER DAY, RIGHT UP UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE.

MAY THE LORD BLESS HIS READING OF THE SCRIPTURE.

SHALL WE PRAY?

LOVING LORD, MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATIONS OF OUR HEARTS BE ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT AND IN YOUR SON'S HOLLY NAME, AMEN.

ABOUT TWO MONTHS REVEREND REBELO APPROACHED MY AFTER THE BOARD MEETING  AND EXPLAINED THEY HE WOULD BE OUT TOWN TODAY.

WELL THAT IS FINE.

THAT IS OKAY WITH ME.

BUT I WASN'T PREPARED FOR THE NEXT SENTENCE, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO DO THE SERMON AND SPEAK ABOUT THE CHURCH.

IN ALL OF A NANOSECOND I EXPERIENCED SHOCK, HORROR, FEAR, EXCITEMENT, AND OH, WHAT WILL I SAY?

NOW PAUL THOUGHT I WAS REJECTING HIM AND SAYING NO I WASN'T GOING TO DO IT BY MY REACTION BUT I REGAINED MY COMPOSURE AND AS HE TURNED TO WALK AWAY I SAID NO, WAIT A MINUTE I WILL DO IT.

SO WE HAD A BRIEF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE EXPRESSIONS OF THE CHURCH AND THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.

FOR TWO MONTHS NOW I HAVE HAD THE COMBAT MUTT OF PI FEELINGS. I HAVE PRAYED AND HAD MANY THOUGHTS AND SO HERE WE ARE TODAY.

SO WITH MY TOASTMASTERS TRAINING TO KEEP THE BUTTERFLIES IN A STRAIGHT LINE I WILL TALK ABOUT THE CHURCH AND MISSION; AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.

NOW I WILL READ THE SCRIPTURE AGAIN, AND THIS TIME I WANT YOU TO LISTEN FOR WORD THAT MIGHT  JUMP OUT AT YOU OR GRAB YOU AND I WANT TO ASK YOU JUST TO SIMPLY CLOSE YOUR EYES AND LISTEN.

MEANWHILE THE ELEVENS  WERE ON THEIR WAY TO GALILEE, HEADED FOR THE MOUNTAIN, JESUS HAD SET FOR THEIR REUNION.

THE MOMENT THEY SAW HIM, THEY WORSHIPED HIM.

SOME, THOUGH, HELD BACK

NOT SURE ABOUT WORSHIP, ABOUT RISKING THEMSELVES TOTALLY.

JESUS UNDETERRED WENT RIGHT AHEAD AND GAVE HIS CHARGE, GOD AUTHORIZED AND COMMANDED ME TO COMMISSION YOU TO GO AND TRAIN EVERYONE YOU MEET, FAR AND NEAR, IN THE WAY OF LIFE, MARKING THEM BY BAPTISM  IN THE THREEFOLD NAME, FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT.

THEN INSTRUCT THEM IN THE PRACTICES I HAVE COMMANDED YOU, I WILL BE WITH YOU, AS YOU DO THIS.

DAY, AFTER DAY, AFTER DAY, RIGHT UP TO THE END OF THE AGE.

ABOUT THE AGE OF 13 OR 14, THE CHURCH WHERE I GREW UP ASKED ME TO BE THEIR REPRESENTATIVE AT A MISSIONS CONFERENCE. 

NOW I DON'T REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID, HOWEVER EVEN TODAY I REMEMBER THE EXCITEMENT AND  THE URGENCY I FELT TO LIVE OUT THIS SCRIPTURE.

AS LIFE TURNED OUT THIS SCRIPTURE WAS DORMANT IN MY LIFE THROUGH COLLEGE AND EARLY ADULTHOOD.   1963, IN THIS CHURCH MARY WHEATLY TOOK ME TO THE WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP MEETING.

I WAS AGAIN CONFRONTED WITH THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH.

CWL'S FOCUS WAS BIBLE AND MISSION STUDY, PARTICULARLY THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

HOWEVER FOR ME MISSION CAME ALIVE IN THE PROJECTS WE DID IN THE COMMUNITY.

AFTER A TIME I WAS ASKED TO BE THE SERVICE DIRECTOR ON THE CABINET OF THE TENNESSEE CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP, ONCE AGAIN THIS SCRIPTURE CAME TO LIFE AND STARTED ME ON A JOURNEY I NEVER EXPECTED.

A JOURNEY THAT IS SPIRITUALLY  ENRICHING AND EVER CHANGING.

AT THE AGE OF 13 OR 14, I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I WAS BEING LED.

TODAY I WILL WEAVE INTO MY REMARKS FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH AND MISSION AND MY FAITH JOURNEY.

I WILL ADDRESS THREE  EXPRESSIONS OF THE CHURCH ‑‑ THE LOCAL CONGREGATION, FIRST R FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, THE REGIONAL CHURCH, CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN TENNESSEE AND THE GENERAL CHURCH, THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS A CONGREGATION OF INDIVIDUALS.

HERE THE FOCUS IS THE SPIRITUAL LIVE OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.

IT IS A PLACE WHERE WE KNOW EACH OTHER, NURTURE EACH OTHER, DEVELOP OUR FAITH, CHALLENGE EACH OTHER AND GO OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY WITH THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST.

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE SOLES ARE CONVERTS AND LIVES ARE CHANGED.

OFTEN THE LOCAL CONGREGATION IS THE END OF OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CHURCH YET THE CHURCH REACHES BEYOND THE DOORS OF 650 MCCALLIE AVENUE, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

THIS CHURCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN AWARE OF THE NEEDS BEYOND OUR DOORSTEP.

IN RECENT YEARS WITH DWINDLING  FINANCES WE HAVE BEEN TREATED  WITH LESS MONEY TO THE WORK OF THE CHURCH BEYOND OUR COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER AS OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2007, OUR GIVING THE CHURCH BEYOND OUR DOOR IS 100 PERCENT SINCE LAST YEAR.

THAT MEANS WE HAVE DOUBLED OUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO MISSIONS.

LETS THE CHURCH SAY AMEN.

THE REGIONAL CHURCH IN TENNESSEE , CHRISTIAN CHURCH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IS COMPOSED OF CONGREGATIONS ACROSS THE STATE IN  TENNESSEE.

WE FORM A UNION OF CHURCHES, WE MINISTER TOGETHER IN WAYS THAT A SINGLE CONGREGATION CANNOT.

THERE ARE 11 COMMISSIONS THAT GUIDE AND CONDUCT THE MINISTERIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE REGIONAL CHURCH.

THESE COMMISSIONS ALONG WITH THE REGIONAL ONLY PAID STAFF MEMBER LIKE DR.  GLEN STEWARD SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATIONS AND THE REGION ITSELF.

OUR CHURCH CAN UTILIZE MANY OF THESE SERVICES AND IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE USED THE SERVICES OF THE REGIONAL STAFF IN  OUR SEARCH AND CALL FOR MINISTERS.

THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT OUR CHURCH PARTICIPATE IN AS WELL, CAMPS, CONFERENCES, THE ASSEMBLY THAT MEETS EVERY TWO YEARS.

IN ADDITION WE KEEP IN TOUCH  WITH THE BROADER CHURCH BY HOSTING MISSIONARIES IN OUR CONGREGATION WHEN THEY VISIT FROM BEING ON FURLOUGH.

IT IS THROUGH THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY IN 2006 THAT THE CHURCH REALIZED THE PROFOUND NEED OF THE HURRICANE DISASTER AREA.

JENNIFER ATCHLEY  ATTENDED THE ASSEMBLY, SHE HEARD THE CALL OF CHRIST AND SHE SPEAR HEADED THE MISSION TRIP TO PORT ARTHUR TEXAS.

I AM REMINDED OF THE HYMN ‑‑ IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK TO GET A FIRE GOING.

JENNIFER BECAME THE SPARK THAT LIT THE FIRE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

THAT IS THE CHURCH IN MISSION.

THERE ARE OTHER MISSION PROJECTS THAT ARE SPEARHEADS BY THE REGIONAL WOMEN'S MINISTRIES, MEN'S MINISTRY, YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES.  AND EVEN YOUTH AND CHILDREN MINISTRIES. 

THERE ARE FREQUENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECTED BEYOND OUR OWN CHURCH.

THE DISCIPLES  MEN IN TENNESSEE RECOGNIZED THE NEED AND RESPONDED.

THE DISCIPLES DIVINITY HOUSE. AT VANDERBILT IS A UNIT OF THE GENERAL CHURCH THAT IS RIGHT HERE IN TENNESSEE.

WHILE STUDYING AT VANDERBILT OUR FUTURE MINISTERS AND PASTORS WERE LIVING IN APPALLING CONDITIONS.

THE DISCIPLES MEN LED THE EFFORT TO REFURBISH THE DIVINITY HOUSE, TRANSFORMING IT INTO AN ENVIRONMENT OF NURTURE AND COMFORT CONDUCIVE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH.

THIS PROJECT STARTED WITH THE MEN OF TENNESSEE AND EVENTUALLY INCLUDED MEN AND WOMEN AND FROM OTHER REGIONS AS WELL.

I ASK, IF WE DO NOT PROVIDE A DECENT PLACE FOR OUR FUTURE MINISTERS WHILE THEY PREPARE TO SERVE GOD AND US, ARE WE REALLY ABOUT THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH?

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS WAS DEPENDENT ON HIS FRIENDS AND CONVERTS FOR HIS BASIC NECESSITIES.

SHOULD WE CARE LESS FOR OUR MINISTERS AND SERVANTS OF GOD?

SHOULD WE CARE LESS FOR THOSE FOLKS TODAY?

DICK HAMM, FORMER REGIONAL MINISTER OF TENNESSEE AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN U.S. AND CANADA CHALLENGE US TO BEGIN A THOUSAND NEW CHURCHES BETWEEN THE YEAR 2000 AND 2020. 

AND IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS THIS REGION IN COLLABORATION TO HAVE GENERAL CHURCH HAS STARTED THREE NEW CONGREGATIONS.

IN THE U.S. AND CANADA WE HAVE STARTED 520 IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.

THAT IS 520 OF THE THOUSAND THAT WE WANT TO START BEFORE 2020.

LUCKILY, GENERALLY SPEAKING, THERE ARE NOT THE RESOURCES FOR A NEW CHURCH, SO WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEW CHURCH STARTS WITH  THE SPECIAL OFFERING AT PENTECOST.

THIS IS DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN THE REGION AND THE  GENERAL CHURCH.

OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS THE REGION'S FINANCIAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN DECREASES.

THE STAFF WAS REDUCED FROM TWO AND A HALF MINISTERS TO ONE WHO NOW ASSUMES THE  PRIMARY WORK OF THE REGION.

THE REGIONAL BOARD STRUGGLED WITH THIS FOR MANY YEARS. 

THE REGIONAL WORK IS TOO MUCH FOR ONE PERSON TO SERVE 69 CONGREGATIONS.

, YET THERE IS NOT MONEY FOR ADDITIONAL FULL TIME STAFF.

AFTER DISCERNMENT, PRAYER AND MUCH DELIBERATION, A PROGRAM OF VOLUNTEER STAFF BEGAN, CALLED THE REGIONAL ELDERS MINISTRY.

REGIONAL ELDERS ARE MINISTERS OR LAY PEOPLE WHO ARE ASSIGNED TO INDIVIDUAL CONGREGATIONS. 

THE PURPOSE IS TO MAINTAIN A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN  THE REGION AND THE CONGREGATIONS.

THE REGIONAL ELDER COMMUNICATES WITH THE CHURCH MONTHLY SERVING AS A CONTACT BETWEEN  THE REGION AND THE CONGREGATION.

THE JOB IS TO COMMUNICATE THE CONGREGATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND NEEDS OF THE CHURCH TO THE REGION AND TO COMMUNICATE THE REGIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT ARE OFFERED TO THE CONGREGATION.

EACH REGIONAL ELDER ARE ASSIGNED FIVE CHURCHES THAT ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE ELDER'S HOME.

THERE ARE FIVE REGIONAL ELDERS IN TENNESSEE.

OF THE FIVE THIS CONGREGATION HAS TWO OF THOSE ELDERS.

PHIL SUMMERLIN SERVES THE CHURCHES IN UPPER EAST TENNESSEE AND JEAN BLACKBURN IS SERVING IN KNOXVILLE, OAK RIDGE AND CLEVELAND.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS CHURCH TO MINISTER BEYOND ITS DOORSTEPS AND THE REGION IS SEARCHING FOR MORE COMMITTED PERSONS WHO CAN FILL THE NEED OF THE REGION IN THIS KIND OF WORK.

THERE IS MUCH MORE I COULD SAY ABOUT THE REGIONAL CHURCH, HOWEVER IN THE INTEREST OF TIME I WANT TO BROADEN THE FOCUS TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE GENERAL CHURCH.

AS A MEMBER OF THIS CONGREGATION, YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY A MEMBER OF THE REGION AND THE GENERAL CHURCH, HOWEVER THIS CHURCH IS EXPECTED TO MANAGE ITS OWN AFFAIRS UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST, TO ADOPT THE NAME OF THIS CHURCH IT CHOOSES TO USE, MAINTAIN ITS OWN CORPORATE DOCUMENTS, AND TO ORGANIZE ITS OWN MINISTRIES.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO DEMONSTRATE OUR MUTUAL CONCERN FOR MISSION AND WITNESS TO THE WHOLE CHURCH.

WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE BROADER MINISTRIES THROUGH OUR TIME, TALENTS AND TREASURE.

THE REPRESENTATIVE BODY OF THE   CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST IS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

IN ALL OF THE ASSEMBLY WORSHIPS  ITS DELIBERATIONS AND ANYONE R MINISTRIES, IT SEEKS TO MAINTAIN THE WHOLENESS AND UNITY OF GOD'S CHURCH.

A SMALLER BODY OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE GENERAL BOARD CONDUCT IT IS MEETING, THE BUSINESS OF THE CHURCH AS DIRECTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

PEOPLE WHO COMPOSE THE BOARD ARE ALL NONPAID INDIVIDUALS.

THIS BOARD IS AUTHORIZED TO WORK WITH TEN GENERAL MINISTERIAL UNITS AND THREE RACIAL ETHNIC MINISTRIES TO FACILITATE, SUSTAIN AND MAINTAIN THE DAY‑TO‑DAY OPERATIONS OF THE GENERAL CHURCH.

THE GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT ARE AS  COMMONLY REFERRED TO, THE GMP IS REVEREND SHARON WATT KINS, SHE SERVES AT THE AM WAS DOR AND SPOKESPERSON BOTH TO THE CHURCH AND TO THE WORLD.

IN OBJECT SHE CAME TO THE REGIONAL ASSEMBLY IN TENNESSEE AND ON THAT SAME WEEKEND SHE WAS AT THE FLORIDA ASSEMBLY.

SHARON WATKINS SURELY NEEDS WINGS.

THE GENERAL UNITS AND THE GMP ALL REPORT TO THE GENERAL BOARD AND THE ASSEMBLY AND AFTER SERVING AS THE REGIONAL MODERATOR FOR THREE YEARS AND ATTENDS ONE GENERAL BOARD MEETING, I KNEW WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT OUR CHURCH IS ALIVE AND SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST, ALL OVER THE WORLD.

INITIALLY AT THE FIRST BOARD MEETING  IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR I WAS OVERWHELMED.

THE BOARD IS THE WORKHORSE OF THE ASSEMBLY.

I WAS ASSIGNED TO THE ECUMENICAL AND GLOBAL MINISTRIES TASK FORCE.

I WAS IMMERSED IN THE DETAILS OF THE CHURCH AND MISSION.

MY EYES WERE OPENED TO THE ENORMOUS TASK IT IS TO TAKE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE WHOLE WORLD.

I MET PEOPLE WITH GIFTS TO HELP ME TO KNOW OUR CHURCH IS REACHING TO THE END OF THE EARTH.

DAVID VARGUS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE OVERSEAS MINISTRY, HE IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMITTED PERSONS I HAVE EVER MET.

IN HIS REPORT HE SAID, AND I QUOTE.

I CANNOT BE ME WITHOUT YOU, AND YOU CANNOT BE YOU WITHOUT ME.

I CANNOT BE ME WITHOUT YOU AND YOU CANNOT BE YOU WITHOUT ME.

I HOPE YOU GOT THAT WITH ALL OF MY STRIG LES.

HE WENT ON TO SAY, WE ARE ALL CALLED TO UTILIZE OUR ENERGIES, TALENTS, AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO OVER THE WHOLE WORLD A NEW WINE SKIN SUITABLE TO RECEIVE AND HELP DISPENSE THE NEW WINE OF THE DISCIPLES MISSION PASSION IN OUR GLOBAL DIMENSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS BEYOND OUR NATIONAL BOUNDARIES AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.

I WAS STRUCK NOT ONLY BY HIS WORDS BUT THE EMPHASIS IN WHICH HE SAID THEM.

BUT THEN HE SAID SOMETHING EVEN MORE IMPORTANT.

THE CHURCH MUST HAVE A CRITICAL PRESENCE WHICH MEANS TO BE TIMELY AND APPROPRIATELY MEETS GOD'S PEOPLE IN CREATION AT THE POINT OF DEEPEST NEED, SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND ECONOMICALLY.

SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND E ECONOMICALLY.

IF WE ARE TO PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS  AND CHANGE LIVES, WE MUST BE, WE MUST START WITH THE DEEPEST NEED.

NOT UNLIKE WHAT FATHER RON FENDER SHARED WITH US LAST WEEK.

WE IN CHATTANOOGA WHO HAVE A CRITICAL PRESENCE BY MEETING GOD'S PEOPLE AT THE POINT OF DEEPEST NEED ANOTHER OUR DOORSTEP OR IN DEEPEST EFFORT.

NOW, THERE ARE TIMES I AM BLIND TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND ME.

I AM PREOCCUPIED WITH MY OWN CHALLENGES IN LIFE.

I AM OVERWHELMED WITH ANXIETY AND CONFUSION ABOUT THOSE CHALLENGES.

A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY IN FORT WORTH , TEXAS,  I WAS LOST IN ANXIETY AND CONFUSION.

LET ME TELL YOU MY EXPERIENCE.

I WAS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGIONAL ELDERS MINISTRY BUT I HAD NO THOUGHT OF SERVING IN IT.

WHEN I WAS ASKED TO SERVE; I DOUBTED THAT I WAS ADEQUATE.

HOWEVER AFTER PRAYER I DECIDED TO TAKE ON THE TASK.

I GOT OFF TO A SLOW START.

I COULDN'T SEEM TO BEGIN I WAITED SEVERAL MONTHS TO CONTACT THE CHURCHES THAT I WAS ASSIGNED.

I COULD NOT DECIDE WHAT TO SAY WHEN I CONTACTED THE MINISTER, AFTER ALL, I AM NOT A MINISTER.

I WAS ANXIOUS AND CONFUSED, IN OTHER WORDS I WAS STUCK.

AS I PREPARED TO GO TO THE ASSEMBLY IN FORTH WORTH I FELT BOTH A MIXTURE OF EXCITEMENT AND ANXIETY AND DREAD.

I QUESTIONED WHY I WANTED TO  DRIVE 1600‑MILES.

AT THE SAME TIME THERE WAS A DEEP FORCE IN ME THAT CALLED ME TO FORT WORTH.

THE ASSEMBLY, SHARE THE FEAST, WAS SO EXCITING AND FINALLY I AM IN TEXAS.

NOW THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE ASSEMBLY.

MORNING WATCH,  THE OPENING BIBLE STUDY EACH MORNING HAS OFTEN BEEN A PLACE OF ENRICHMENT FOR ME.

AT THIS PARTICULAR ASSEMBLY THE FIRST MORNING WATCH WAS LED BY CARLOS CADOZA FROM COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN DECATUR, GEORGIA.

HE FOCUSED ON DEEP  CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY.

THE SCRIPTURE WAS LUKE 24:13‑31.

THE WALK TO AMAEUS.

AFTER READING THE SCRIPTURE, 6,000 PEOPLE WERE ASKED TO DIVIDE INTO GROUPS OF THREES.

THE TASK WAS TO SHARE WITH EACH OTHER WHERE IN OUR LIVES WE MOST OFTEN EXPERIENCED GOD ‑‑ TO MY AMAZEMENT I WAS AWARE THAT GOD AND CHRIST ARE MOST REAL TO ME, NOT IN PEOPLE, BUT IN THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE EARTH.

WOW, I SUDDENLY REALIZED WHAT MIGHT BE BLOCKING ME FROM BEING A REGIONAL ELDER.

I WAS EAGER TO CONTINUE.

THEN THE SPEAKER LED ME TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I SEE CHRIST IN PEOPLE.

THE DISCIPLES WALKED MILES WITH A STRANGER TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO JESUS AND THE SCRIPTURES THAT FORETOLD OF THE EVENTS THAT WERE NOW HAPPENING.

IT WAS ONLY IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD THAT THEY REALIZED THE STRANGER WAS JESUS.

OH, THE LORD IS ASKING ME TO WALK WITH STRANGERS.

THE LORD IS ASKING ME TO WALK WITH STRANGERS.

ANOTHER PROFOUND AWARENESS.

THAT EVENING THE SCRIPTURE WAS THE SAME.

THIS TIME THE MESSAGE WAS BY MODERATOR WILLIAM LEE, FOCUSED ON THE RETURN TRIP FROM AMAEUS TO JERUSALEM.

IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE TRIP TO AMAEUS.

THE DISCIPLES WERE UPLIFTED AND JOYFUL.

THE WALK WAS BRISK AND SMOOTH.

THEY KNEW THE LORD WAS ALIVE.

IN A FLASH I KNEW MY TRIP BACK FROM TEXAS TO TENNESSEE WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT.

MY EXPERIENCE AS A GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOWED ME HOW TO MOVE FORWARD AS A REGIONAL ELDER.

I WOULD CONCENTRATE ON SEEING GOD AND CHRIST IN PEOPLE.

I WAS CLEAR ON MY JOB AND THE JOB I HAD TO DO.

AT THE AGE OF 13 OR 14 I HAD NO IDEA MY JOURNEY WOULD TAKE ME WHERE I AM TODAY.

ARE YOU READY TO CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY, EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE I MIGHT LEAD?

AMEN.

OUR HYMN OF REFLECTION IS PAGE 477.

IF ANYONE WANT TO JOIN THIS CHURCH PLEASE COME FORWARD.

INVITES US TO THIS TABLE TO RECOGNIZE HIM.

AND ALSO TO RECOGNIZE HIM IN EACH OTHER.

LET US BEGIN WITH OUR DISCIPLES STATEMENT.

OUR COMMUNION HYMN IS NUMBER 411.

LET US RECALL ON THE NIGHT THAT JESUS WAS BETRAYED HE TOOK A LOAF OF BREAD AND HE BROKE IT AND HE SAID TO EACH OF THEM, THIS IS MY BODY, BROKEN FOR YOU, DO IT IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

AND LIKE WISE HE TOOK THE CUP AND HE POURED IT AND HE SAID, THIS IS MY LIFE POURED OUT FOR YOU, IT IS THE NEW COVENANTOF THE BLOOD.

DO DRINK IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.

OUR FATHER YOU LOVED US ENOUGH TO GIVE YOUR OWN SON FOR US IN HAPPINESS TODAY WE PRAISE YOU BECAUSE WE SHARE THAT LOVE.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LIFE GIVEN TO US IN HIS BODY.

THANK YOU THAT WE CAN BE SECURE IN HIM FOREVER.

LOVING FATHER WE PRAY AND THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR SON JESUS THAT HE GAVE HIS LIFE THAT THAT WE MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

LET US READ OUR PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING TOGETHER.

OUR CLOSING HYMN TODAY IS NUMBER 459.

GO IN PEACE KNOWING GOD'S LOVE.

LOVE THE LORD BLESS HIS NAME.

AMEN.