Church Health and Church Growth

I recently read an article about Church Health and Church Growth. The title of the article: Church Growth is okay, but Church Health is What Matters. By the way, this was written by a pastor who has both church growth and amazing church health.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:16 “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing.” (NLT) Notice it is Gods will for the Body to grow and to be healthy, not one or the other. Healthy bodies grow. You don’t have to force a healthy child to grow. Just put them in a stable environment and feed them properly and they will grow and grow. Churches, connection groups and individual Christians will grow spiritually if they are spiritually healthy. That is God’s will and plan.

At JIBC, we believe it is God’s will for every church, every Connection Group and every follower of Jesus to grow spiritually and to be spiritually healthy. How do we do that? We grow warmer through fellowship; we grow deeper through discipleship; we grown broader though ministry; we grow larger through outreach and evangelism and we grow stronger through worship. We strive to keep the five purposes of the church in balance: Fellowship, Discipleship, Service, Outreach and Worship. Which one is most important? They all are! The reality is that every Church and every Connection Group is driven by something: personalities, traditions, leaders, money, fear, etc. The goal is to be driven by the purposes of God as revealed over and over in His Holy Word. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) give a clear picture of Gods desire for His people. I am praying that JIBC will forever seek to be balanced in what drives us. It is not Church Growth or Church Health…it is both!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing, as we resume our teaching series in 1 John: That They May Know.

Pastor Tom

A POWERFUL SUNDAY PLANNED

This Monday, May 28 is Memorial Day. That means this weekend is Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day, a Federal Holiday held the last Monday of May, is a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces. To some it is associated with the beginning of summer and Labor Day marks the end of summer. Let us hope that Memorial Day is much more than a day off. Since before the Civil War, people were observing some form of Memorial Day. In some parts of the country it is called Decoration Day. We still have friends who will go to the family cemetery to pay respects to their loved ones, particularly those who died while serving the country. They use the day to clean the grave site, to decorate with flags and flowers and to gather for family reunions. In this type of setting it is easy to see how traditions and gratitude are passed down from generation to generation. On Veterans Day we give a well deserved thank you to all who have served and are currently serving. On Memorial Day, we recognize those who gave all in service. Make sure you and your families take time to reflect and remember: Freedom is not free.

This Sunday we will have another type of “Memorial Day” recognition as we observe the Lord’s Supper. We do this, after all, in remembrance of Him. Every time we observe the Lords Supper, we are remembering that our spiritual freedom was not free. It cost the Father His only begotten Son. It cost Jesus his life and His life blood. It cost Mother Mary her son. It is indeed a day to remember. It is a very appropriate time to combine these two “Memorial” events. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another. Jesus not only said these words, He lived them. The Bread and the Wine are taken in remembrance of the Good News of What God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

This Sunday we will also recognize those who are graduating. If your favorite graduate is not present Sunday, please know that we still rejoice with you and your family. Well done. Our prayers are with you all as you enter the next stage of your spiritual journeys.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

JAMES ISLAND OUTREACH

I wanted to give our church family the wonderful update on the James Island Outreach. Very soon JIO will be moving from the current site at our sister church, Bethany United Methodist. The Outreach will be in the new location on 1872-C Camp Road at St James Church. Construction and preparation work is still ongoing but they are coming close to the end! The new location will make it possible to serve many more people is a more spacious environment. Our community gives thanks to Bethany United Methodist Church for the many years they housed this ministry. Well done. James Island Outreach has been given the designation of a “Wellness Pantry”. This is kind of a big deal. There are thousands of food pantries across the nation but only 23 have received this designation so far. The goal is not just to give them food but to give them choices in healthy food and healthy eating ideas. Another wonderful expansion for the ministry.

So, how can we help now? Four ways I would like to suggest. First, keep buying and bringing the jelly. Whenever you see it on sale, buy, buy, and buy. We have been designated as the jelly church. Of course you could bring any non-perishable food item. Any food that is donated saves money that can be used to meet other needs. Second, do you have any of the reusable, woven grocery tote bags you could donate? This is a bigger need now since the clients will be able to “go shopping” at the food bank and select food items. I just love this creative idea. If you want to hit a homerun, bring your jelly donations in a reusable bag! Third, consider volunteering with your Connection Group. Susan Warren will be delighted to help your Connection Group find a way to get involved with any of the ministries we support: James Island Outreach, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Lowcountry Pregnancy, Florence Crittenton, etc. Whatever mission we are doing, we can do it better together. BTW, I think they still have some construction and cleanup needs for those with that particular skill set. Fourth, pray for JIO as they search for the new Director. This will be an important decision that can affect the future in a wonderfully positive way. Add them to your prayer list.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing. This Sunday’s teaching will be from 1 John 1:5-2:2. The Joy of knowing you are forgiven. Our memory verse is 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Pastor Tom