Lighthouses, Leprechauns herald spring at Parade of Tables

PROVIDENCE IN THE NEWS!

The News staff writer Darragh Doiron

Jesus said he was the light of the world, and Tonya Brickey feels his guidance in lighthouse images. She fell in love with them on her East Coast honeymoon and made them her Parade of Tables theme.

Flowers, children and guardian angels, a globe and bunnies became themes as hostesses made Tuesday’s Presbyterian Women Gala luncheon at Providence Church festive. The event raised funds for the Children’s Presbyterian Home. The homes, with sites across Texas, help children live in a safe environment with access to education, nutrition and support, Carlita Zummo said.

Zummo is president of the Presbyterian Women and said the event, with a silent auction, should raise about $1,200 to send in support of the children.

Carrie McCullough arranged statuettes of protected children around her table. “It’s all about leaning on the Lord,” she said. She was moved by the children and set about finding a psalm to go with it. She chose Psalm 59:16: “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love: for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

Brickey’s lighthouse table guests came with small votives her mother, Jody Hay, painted with lighthouses and sent from West Virginia. She laughed as she noted that she’d chosen the theme for another parade, but the votives were lost in the mail. Her mother’s work was finally guided to her door.

Zummo is the widow of Zip Zummo, a celebrated local Italian. She’s actually Irish, and therefore set out two big, stuffed singing leprechauns on her table. Both she and co-hostess Eula Lee Reeves wore green sweaters to accent the Irish theme. “It made me feel so good to see so many smiling faces here for a good cause,” Zummo said.

ddoiron@panews.com

Decline in US Mainline Denominations Continues

by Joshua A Goldberg, Christian PostPosted: Monday, February 15, 2010, 16:08 (GMT)

The largest Protestant denomination in the US has reported a decline in membership for the second year in a row, according to the National Council of Churches’ 2010 yearbook of churches.

The Catholic Church, meanwhile, rebounded from last year’s reported membership loss with a 1.49 percent growth, joining church bodies including the Assemblies of God and the Church of God in Christ as the few large US denominations with reported growth.

Also reporting growth in NCC’s 78th annual Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches were the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses – though a significant number of the two organizations’ core beliefs are considered by conservative Bible scholars as contradictory to historic orthodox Christianity.

Notably, the NCC reported in its announcement of the 2010 yearbook’s release Friday that eleven of the 25 largest churches did not report updated figures.

Furthermore, membership figures reported in the 2010 yearbook were collected by the churches in 2008 and reported to the yearbook’s staff in 2009.

Despite the delay and lack in new stats, the yearbook continues to provide a unique look at the nearly 230 national church bodies as well as information on nearly 240 U.S. local and regional ecumenical bodies.

In her remarks on this year’s stats – which, again, are actually from 2008 due to the reporting delay – the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, editor of the annual yearbook since 1998, acknowledged the continued loss of membership in the largest mainline denominations.

This year, church bodies reporting the highest membership losses were the Presbyterian Church (USA), down 3.28 percent to 2,941,412; American Baptist Churches in the USA, down 2 percent to 1,358,351; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, down 1.92 percent to 4,709,956 members.

Though she noted that many observers have attributed accelerated membership decline of some churches to "an increasing secularization of American postmodern society, and its disproportionate impact on liberal religious groups," Lindner advised caution in assessing the causes of decline.
She also said statistics in the yearbook actually reflect "continued high overall church participation, and account for the religious affiliation of over 163 million Americans."

"American society as a whole has not experienced the kind and rate of secularization so clearly demonstrated during the last quarter century in Western Europe. Indeed, American church membership trends have defied gravity particularly where the Pentecostal experience is included," she added.

Lindner also noted that the largest plurality of immigrants to the United States in the last 50 years have been Christian in their religious affiliation.

"In an era in which we have come to expect the inevitable advance of secularism in the U.S., the influx of robust Christian communities among new immigrants once again amends the topographical map," she reported.

So while a number of denominations have reported losses, overall, the Church in the America is growing.

Total church membership reported in the 2010 Yearbook was 147,384,631 members, up 0.49 percent over 2009.

That figure has been rising every year since 2006, when the overall membership total dropped for a second straight year following a record high 161 million.

As the yearbook only records figures from national church bodies, the total membership value doesn’t take into consideration the multitude of non-denominational churches scattered across America.

The following is list of the largest 25 church bodies in order of size, according to NCC’s 2010 yearbook:

1. The Catholic Church, 68,115,001 members, up 1.49 percent.
2. Southern Baptist Convention,16,228,438 members, down 0.24percent.
3. The United Methodist Church, 7,853,987 members, down 0.98 percent.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5,974,041 members, up 1.71 percent.
5. The Church of God in Christ, 5,499,875 members, no membership updates reported.
6. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc, 5,000,000 members, no membership updates reported.
7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 4,633,887 members, down1.62 percent.
8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., 3,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
9. Assemblies of God (ranked 10 last year), 2,899,702 members, up 1.27 percent.
10. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 1(ranked 9 last year), 2,844,952 members, down 3.28 percent.
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
11. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
11. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
14. The Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod (LCMS), 2,337,349 members, down 1.92 percent.
15. The Episcopal Church, 2,057,292 members, down 2.81 percent.
16. Churches of Christ, 1,639,495 members, no membership updates reported.
17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 1,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
17. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., 1,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
19. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1,400,000 members, members, no membership updates reported.
20. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., 1,331,127 members, down 2.00 percent.
21. Baptist Bible Fellowship International (ranked 22 last year), 1,200,000 members, no membership updates reported.
22. Jehovah’s Witnesses (ranked 23 last year) 1,114,009members, up 2.00 percent.
23. United Church of Christ (ranked 22 last year), 1,111,691 members, down 2.93 percent.
24. Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), (ranked 25 last year), 1,072,169 members, up 1.76 percent.
25. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (ranked 24 last year), 1,071,616 members, no membership updates reported.

Three Letters or Four, The Choice is Yours

Today I want to examine two words. But first, let's look at what what makes them different.
In Dr. Seuss' book "Red Fish, Blue Fish", there is a character named "Ish." Ish carries a dish and magically on the dish appear fish. So if you have an "Ish" it will bring you fish on the ish fish dish. Any other Seuss fans?
Well the word "ish" has numerous meanings. Dictionary.com says, “addicted to,” or “inclined or tending to." It, is a word that is usually an add on to words like "freakish, Spanish, or babyish."
The second word is "less." Less is often defined as a smaller amount, but I like another definition, "lower in consideration, rank, or importance."
By now you may have probably guessed the two words I am contrasting. They are selfish and selfless. The definition of selfish is, "devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others." When you look at the definiton of selfless it is simply, "unselfish."
Why am I looking at these two words? Because our culture is filled with an epidemic of selfishness. Just three little letters change everything.
Jesus spoke so often about the subject, I am hard pressed to only give one example. Time and time again, Jesus is clear. Life is not about... YOU. Romans 5 and Philippians 2 tell us that Jesus was all about selflessness. He preached being kind and caring in so many of His stories. He was all about giving and yet, Jesus called people to leave what they were preoccupied with and follow Him.
That has been one of my most sad discoveries. So many people are simply caught up in their preoccupied selfish ways. So many like what they like and by no means should anyone consider asking them to do anything different. I would love to say that those who follow Jesus are different, but I can not.
Some Christians have turned a number of their churches into their own private clubs. Sometimes it's like a country club, other times it is just a club based on whatever those folks have in common, even when the idea that unites them is that they are together in a noble last stand to exist. Denominations may battle against one another over everything from doctrine to practice. Some beleive they are the only ones who do this right or that right.
Beth Moore says that we have to be "intentional" to not get caught up in the consumeristic selfish culture both in and out of the church. But take heart, Jesus battled against it, so who are we to think such things change. I do wonder though... what does a church look like that welcomes anyone... what does a church look like that is always willing to leave 99 to seek the 1 lost sheep... what does a church look like that treats its own people with grace and forgiveness... what does a church look like that is not concerned with what "the membership" wants, but is concerned about getting people to come meet Jesus for the first time... what does a church look like that is about mission and evangelism and not about members and money... what does that church look like? Some church leaders and members are too afraid to really look carefully at those questions? Are any churches aware that they truly operate as selfish bastions of homogeneous folks? That would be radically brave...and unusual (maybe that would be considered a minor miracle). It would take a lot more "less" and a lot less "ish." I pray that as a church leader, I am leading people toward selflessness and away from selfishness. I believe that I am accountable for that and I pray that other churches and church members will feel the same way.

To Pray and To Move

Lent is a time of reflection. It is the spring of the year and a time to re-focus on what is important in life. God created this time as one to stop, think, be quiet, and listen to God’s voice. God doesn’t forcefully take over someone’s life unless they are willing to submit to being taken over. It is God’s way. We are called to regularly reflect upon what God is telling us.
What is God telling you? I hope it is that He loves you.
Indeed as we go forward, we are walking the path to the cross. It is a path filled with difficulty. Jesus said, “Follow Me.” He also said that He came “not to bring peace, but the sword.” Life is full of hard roads and I have often wondered why Christians think their roads should be smooth and easy. The Way of the Cross is one in which so many want to follow, but if you look at the Disciples, none of them were able to go the distance with Jesus. Peter even denied Him in the end. It is that way with us. We cannot follow. We can only want to follow and acknowledge that it is impossible. We can never be “like Christ”, only shadow figures of Him. He is the one who successfully walks the narrow path and goes to the cross. He is the one who takes humankinds wickedness upon Himself and says, “it is finished.” Only Jesus can break the bondage of sin and death in such a way to proclaim life to all who believe in Him and call Him Lord.
Believe me, there is no “luke-warm” in the eyes of Jesus… only commitment. There are no members of the church, just disciples. Jesus gives life in abundance. Isn’t that what we are seeking in Him? I think we want abundant life and a peace for the future that surpasses all understanding that is our need. I think so. Why not grab it? Why not recommit your life to Christ. Pray about it. Make a decision to join in more and get more from life. There are small group studies, Bible studies, even regular worship attendance.
So, pray… reflect… but get moving because God calls us to follow Him,,, and “follow” means to get moving.

An Honest Conversation

One evening I received a call from a friend who didn’t even say “Hello”; he simply asked “Do you know of anyone having an affair with Tiger Woods. At that point, it had become so comical because seemingly every other day another woman was coming forth and claiming a sexual relationship with the greatest golfer on the planet. How did you perceive Tiger Woods before all of the information about his multitude of liaisons became public knowledge? Honestly, I think most people really cheered for Tiger. His amazing abilities on the golf course created the idea that on any given occasion he might do something incredible… and often… he did. Like him or not, Tiger is still the best player on the planet. I suspect that his popularity will never be what it was, but most people will forgive or forget or not care or whatever and move on. The ironic twist is that this very, very, public figure is now seen in a far different light. That has happened before to people like baseball slugger Mark McGuire, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Richard Nixon, stock broker Bernie Madoff, O.J. Simpson, and too many politicians to list here.
One of the biggest falls was biblical. King David had it all. He had killed the giant, Goliath, overcome the armies of enemies, and even survived murderous attempts on his own life from his own king, Saul. There he was, reclining on his couch on a day when many were off at war. He saw the lovely Bathsheba and was smitten. Later when he found out she was pregnant, he tried to conceal his actions and even killed her husband in an all out effort to get away with his indiscretions. From that point onward, David was never the same. Israel was never the same. He acknowledged his sin and God forgave him but his legacy was forever tarnished.
What can we learn from the Bible and today’s headlines? First, we know that while God invented sex, God intended it to be a part of the marital relationship. There is a reason that the Bible uses the term “know” when it speaks of sex. “To know” someone is actually knowing a great deal about them. It is an intimate term that is much more than physical. When people fulfill only their physical desires, there is a loss of relationship. People become objects, ceasing to be human beings. It is easy to see how our culture, men in specific, struggles with seeing women (and men) as sexual objects. Sex is used to sell everything from soft drinks to pornography.
Secondly, God wants people to love one another, but, sorry, that doesn’t mean random acts of sex. Tiger Woods may have an addiction to sex, but his behavior may also destroy his marriage. He is not alone in our country. Are we shocked that the divorce rate continues to grow? God wants people to love one another as brothers and sisters, but husbands and wives are to love one another as partners, including sexual partners. The apostle Paul said this many times in letters to Ephesians, Colossians, I Peter, and Corinthians. Sex outside of marriage leaves its mark. Did you know that there are 12 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases each year? Like a child trying to separate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, there is always something remaining. The analogy may not be clear, but I think you get the point! Lives are damaged and emotions are never the same.
Finally, there is Good News. No matter who you are or what you have done, God loves you. Not because you love God, but simply because you belong to Him. You are forgiven. You can always turn around and realize that God will make you whole again. God will allow you to start fresh again. Male or female, we are free to recognize that we have done wrong and start over. I love that about God. Everyone is redeemed through grace, not because of how we act, but in spite of how we act. Sex is not dirty or wrong, but beautiful and fulfilling when used as God intended. I wrote this not for those who are in committed marriages and faithful, but on the chance that it may help someone who isn’t because the church has to have an honest conversation and teach sex education.

Come See

A few weeks ago, I was asked "Didn't you use to preach at another church?" When I realized what was being asked, I understood the confusion. I have been in our area now for nearly five years. When I first arrived, I discovered that the church I was called to serve, the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, was slowly, but surely, dying. The church had topped out in membership back in the 1980's and had begun a slow deterioration. It was not clear at first, but over time, it was becoming very clear. As the years passed, the church membership was getting older and fewer and fewer young families were joining. When I arrived on the scene, many in the church understood the situation, but, unfortunately, many others did not. It was comfortable. The building was paid for and beautiful, but it was in an area that had become a demographic challenge for the church. To top it off, it was found that the financial secretary had been stealing for many years. After many failed attempts to bring in new members, it was clear that the hurdle of location could not be overcome. The church had to move!

I will never forget that winter of 2007. It was the most difficult period of my ministry. Christians fought against Christians. Harsh words and attitudes were tossed about with ease. Why? Because some people were more concerned about keeping "buildings and stained glass" more than concerned with reaching people for Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "Go make disciples..." He never said, "stay where you are and they will come to you!" Thus, in January of 2008, the church sold its property an moved into temporary space at the St. John Lutheran Church. At that time, the church changed its name to Providence Presbyterian Church.

Fast forward a bit to 2009 and we find our efforts to build a building thwarted by the rising cost of building materials and labor. We were unable to build and remained at our temporary home. In the spring of 2009, St. John Lutheran Church approached us about uniting together to form one church, Providence Church. While that is still in the works, we are finally beginning a building project. Phase One is slated to be a church for "people who don't go to church." We are building a worship center that doesn't necessarily feel like a worship center. It consists of an area for worship that has a modern feel and an area that welcomes kids. It is different! And like the Apostle Philip telling Nathaniel in John 1, we just want to say, "Come See!"

That's what Providence is about, providing a place for everyone to "meet Jesus." If you have given up on "church" but like Jesus. Come see. If you "used to go to church" but stopped, come see. If you think you don't have the "right clothes" or "nobody invited you", I want to say, "come as you are" and "you're invited." Just Come See.

Passion Goes Worldwide

IT'S TRUE!!!

PFTG NOW READ ON

6 CONTINENTS

(check out the cluster map of the earth)

Beer Joint vs. a Church... Who Has More Faith?

In a small Texas town, ( Mt. Vernon ) Drummond's bar began,
construction on a new building to increase their business. The local Baptist church started a campaign to block the bar from opening with petitions and prayers.
Work progressed right up till the week before opening when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that. Until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.
The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court.
As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork. At the hearing he commented, "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but as it appears from the paperwork; we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that does not."

Get In The Boat

Do you like to travel? I really have enjoyed visiting various
places throughout our country and even overseas. But, did you know there is a difference between traveling and touring. According to Daniel Boorstein in his book, The Lost Art of Travel, things have changed significantly over the last number of decades. Years ago when you planned a trip, you really had to do a lot of planning. If you were going out of the U.S., you were likely getting on a ship and it would take a week to get there. You had to carry lots of stuff and spend more than a weekend. The same was true of traveling in the Old West. You were on a stage coach or wagon and you had to worry about the heat, few beds, bad food, even being robbed by bandits. Traveling was risky and difficult.
That all changed when companies began to offer tours. From better transportation to luxury accommodations, people were able to see the world quicker, easier, and without much risk. Suddenly tours allowed folks to see the sights… from a bagpipe player in Scotland to staged western shoot-outs to even one town in England who offered tourist a real public hanging as your bus stopped in their town for gas and refreshments. That is why travelers generally go to “destinations” instead of random places. Smart companies created tours which kept people from wondering too much into local areas.
In Matthew 8:18-22, this is what Jesus tells “wannabe” disciples. “Jesus told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. ‘I'll go with you, wherever,’ he said. Jesus was curt: ‘Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know.’ Another follower said, ‘Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father's funeral to take care of.’ Jesus refused. ‘First things first! Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life."
I hate to tell you, but I believe that Jesus is asking us to travel… not tour. Traveling involves a time commitment. It involves a commitment to personal risk. It involves prioritizing what Jesus wants over what we may want. I have always noted that one of the people asking was a religion scholar. That would be someone who supposedly knows the Law and has a relationship with God, yet Jesus is clear that following Him means it may not be comfortable or cushy. Following Jesus may mean that you have no place to lay your head. Your faith may be tested and you will have difficulties.
But what is the payoff to traveling with Jesus? It obviously isn’t being rich or having the best of everything, so what could it be? Jesus promises life… a life worth living… a battle worth fighting for… a beauty to be saved… a wonderful, energetic, and fruitful life. Too many people are content to “tour” with Jesus. They simply hit the hi-lites and see pretty much what they expect to see along the quick route through life. Jesus knew that people longed for something more than a tour of life. Jesus knew that we would be better off to travel and follow Him. It would offer riches beyond wealth and visions of God’s mighty acts far beyond the mundane day-to-day views of the world we settle for.
I remember living in Fort Walton Beach, Florida some years ago. All of the tourist went to many of the crappy fish houses and shops on the island and main street. But locals, we knew better.
We went to the best restaurants nowhere near the beach. My favorite was Mary’s Kitchen. Ooohhh… the food was awesome. But rarely, if ever, did you see a tourist eating there… it was only those of us who lived, if only for awhile there, as travelers. Let’s see what Jesus has in store for us. Let’s follow Him. Quick, get in the boat! Until next time,

Like A Dead Fly on the Window Sill

A man saw a dead fly lying on the window sill. Suddenly, he began to think about how the fly represents so much of life as it is lived… not by flies, but by us… humans. Here are a few of the thoughts that filled his mind as he stared at the dead fly.
The fly left it all on his field of dreams. The effort exhausts without truth. A false savior will kill you every time. We can’t invent freedom. It’s not up to us to make it. Things are not always what they seem. It’s okay to stop and rest. Listen!
He made a little banner with a post-it note and a tooth pick. On the banner he wrote “I did it my way.” Then he took some small rocks and hoisted the banner above the fly in honor of the fly’s Herculean effort.
So what does to fly teach us? The dead fly illustrates how some live out our lives. Here in Texas, we have seen lots of flies trying to get out through the window and die trying because there is a screen prohibiting their exit. The fly put everything it had into getting out but died trying. The fly gave all he had and left it on his field of dreams just as we will.
The fly didn't have truth. Sadly, the fly was deceived. He believed freedom was ahead, but it was only death. Death awaits all, no matter what else you may think or deny. The fly never heard anyone say, “Fly you cannot get through that window, try the door or something else.” The fly saw the window as a way out and it was determined to go through the window even if it killed him. And it killed him.
We all live out our lives looking through the screen. All people want to know their salvation is assured. They want to believe without doubt that God is going to welcome us into the eternity that He intends for us. But, God seems hard to get to on the other side of the screen and we cannot get there. Thus, many people find themselves working out our faith without any confidence. Like the fly, real freedom is what people seek. It is a freedom from worry and a real honest knowledge of God’s love. The fly sought LIGHT! We want to know the LIGHT.
In John 14:6-7 Jesus said, "I am the Road (the Way), also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!" Sometimes, things are not as they appear to be. The fly thought it saw all it needed… it just needed to pass into that future. It simply needed to fly, but it couldn’t. Many of us do that. We become enamored with false visions. Either we think we can make it into the future eternity without God or we think being good is simply enough. Why didn’t the fly rethink its strategy? Why doesn't it just stop thinking, “I can do it, I can do it. I'll try one more time, one more time, one more time!” It could not, we cannot. We look at the dead fly and wonder why it is so stupid and wonder if we are much smarter.
Thankfully, God is a lot smarter than we are. God knew we needed a way to get to the Light. The truth is that we, like the fly on the window sill, will die too. Happiness, Love, Joy, etc… in this life and the next can only be given by God. God (The Holy Spirit) comes through the screen and meets us here on earth and gives us hope. A real hope that will sustain us, lead us, and help us to live as disciples. God even reaches out to us in our death and raises us out of the grave. God does it all. It's not up to us. Yes, we are much like a fly, but if can put your trust in God, your eternal life is assured. That is Good News. If you have trouble trusting, simply ask God for help in your effort. God will respond. I give thanks to Dr. Baxter Kruger for seeing a dead fly on the window sill and, who knows, maybe we will see that fly in heaven, it just won’t annoy us. Until next time, Blessings!