BBtJ.Org December / January 2006 News Letter

One of our recent joys was visiting college friends, the Don Worthing family in Prineville.

Comments from Virginia

As newcomers to Bend, we are often asked if we have found a church home. In response to a "no" or "not yet," we have been invited to visit every group from the Spiritual Awareness Community to mainstream Christian denominations.

I have been reading several books by Tom Rainer about the "unchurched." While the material about how to present the gospel and catch one's interest is good, the premise is that people should be going to a weekly service sponsored by a Christian organization. The concern is than even though it is possible to get people in the front door, they have a habit of going out the back door instead of staying. However, there is another view of church life as expressed in Jake Colsen's So You Don't want to Go to Church Anymore as mentioned in our Aug/Sept newsletter and in Virginia's Review.

Mark and I have encountered many who strongly believe in Jesus and His Way but who have been church burned. Yet "some" would say these are not good Christians because they don't attend regular congregational services. I don't believe that Paul's "not forsaking assembling together" means that one has to assemble in a building at a specified time. While we do enjoy doing this, it's not the only link to God. For instance, one of our friends, Brian Harig of Go To The Nations, spends his Sunday mornings sharing God with the homeless who frequent Acacia Park in Colorado Springs. He says “We do what we can to show them the true love of God and when they see that love, then they want to hear about His love.” I consider his time well spent.

Mark and I enjoy interacting with people who are "outside the box" of organized Christianity. It's neat to have honest discussions about the Bible, life, our beliefs, etc. Even non-believers are receptive to discussions; we consider accidental contacts as divine appointments for sharing the gospel which we wouldn't have had by being in a service each week. We each are on a Journey with God and are in different stages of growth. A good friend recently said to me that "the only way to have unity is through our love for Him." When we love Him, that love flows out onto others. We must have a personal relationship with Him. Mark and I have grown in relationship with God and choose to see Him in all that is around us. If you are seeking a personal relationship with God and would like to consider this subject further, read my article Is there Life Outside the Church?.

Feedback from our Readers

Shirley W: ...now your relationship is with Christ instead of an organization. We are beginning to recognize the difference and we also visit other churches where we have learned a lot. God has called the two of you to a new type of ministry. We see it happening all over and we think it is great!

Lesley D: We had a couple of minutes spare the other night as I was waiting for an email to download so Tom and I checked out your website to catch up on what you're up to. Sounds great, and we're glad to know that you continue to minister wherever you go. So, this was just a quick note to say Hi and send our love.

Tim R: Thank you for checking up on us. We have received the newsletters at our hotmail address. We have a lot of respect for the ministry you are involved in and are glad to be kept up to date. Keep up the good work. Please pray as we are pastoring a home church and laying the foundation for radio and internet ministries.

Meet Tim and Darcy and hear the STTH radio show at http://www.straighttotheheart.com and .http://www.perfectinglove.org

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