Fervent Prayer Week: Church Leadership
This passage, along with many others, shows the great tension found in church leadership. Elders in the church are to be people of character, maturity, compassion and courage having a responsibility before God for the spiritual condition of the church. But ultimately church leaders are like any other member of the church. They are people striving to serve as the body of Christ for the body of Christ. Far from being supermen they are simply stewards who have a responsibility to care for the church. A true leader is to be a disciple of Christ and is to follow his example to serve and sacrifice for others.
Celebrating Five Years!
This past week, we celebrated five years since having launched Mercy Hill Church in Milwaukee. Five years! At Mercy Hill, there's something we say often, "We're not here to build a church, we're here to BE THE CHURCH."
Jesus Is My Homeboy
I don't remember how long ago I first saw this t-shirt, but I do remember that when I saw it, it hit me... how engrained Jesus is in our culture. And I started thinking about it some more, just because Jesus is engrained in a culture, doesn't mean that's it's a good thing.
Chosen for His own... but why?
As the primary worship leader at Mercy Hill, many of you have heard me share the idea that our worship is more than a song on a Sunday morning. In all honestly, I realize I probably sound like a broken record. But the brief moment I take to share my heart between two worship songs is hardly enough time to give this idea the weight it deserves.
FERVENT: HEALTH & HEALING
There are a lot today in our culture who talk about wellness. There are wellness coaches, wellness programs, and a myriad of opinions on how we can be well. I think most people recognize the great need for healing. We are people who are inherently NOT well. We are broken and warped, twisted by our sinful natures. Of those of us who are members of the family of faith, however, there is a way that we can be well despite our sinful condition.
FERVENT: Mercy Hill Ministries
If you've been around Mercy Hill for any length of time, you've heard us talk of being the Church and not building a church. This is not simply some cute catch phrase adorning our website, but rather something that helps direct us as we plan events and start new ministries.
FERVENT: Government
Praying for our government is really never at the top of our list, is it? Scripture urges that "...supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." I Timothy 2:1-2
FERVENT: CHURCH LEADERSHIP
Heb 13:17-19 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.