Read through the Bible in 2013

December 31, 2012 by

Attempting to read through the entire Bible in a single year can be daunting.  Reading through Scripture is a great way to see the flow of human history from God’s perspective.

We’ve put together a reading plan that takes one through the Bible, while not requiring one to read every book of the Bible (though we recommend that, too!).  Most days will feature two chapters with readings scheduled for Sunday through Friday.  This reading plan will walk through the entire scope of history covered by the Bible, from creation in Genesis through the new creation in Revelation.

In addition to reading through Biblical history, the reader will make it through all 150 psalms.  The book of Psalms is the most-quoted book by the New Testament authors.  It features great depictions of human sorrow and soaring proclamations of the beauty and majesty of God.

I plan to follow this reading plan in 2013.  I hope you will join me!

A copy of the reading plan is available here.

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Main, New City News & Views

Christmas at Creston

December 17, 2012 by

 

We are joining Creston Church for worship on Christmas Sunday.  The service begins at 10:00AM, not 10:30AM!  We are excited to worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We hope to see you there.

Creston Church is located at 238 Spencer St NE, near Palmer School.  Here is a map.

Filed Under: Announcements, Main, New City News & Views, Upcoming Events

First Annual Chili Cookoff

November 26, 2012 by

Title: First Annual Chili Cookoff
Location: Palmer School Gym, 309 Palmer St NE
Description: On Sunday, December 2, bring a pot of chili and enter a contest to win a prize (multiple prizes will be awarded) or you can just bring yourself and a friend or two and enjoy a bowl of chili.

Those who attend will participate in the voting for prizes. For more information or to enter the contest, send an email to info@newcitychurch.org.
Start Time: 17:00
Date: 2012-12-02
End Time: 19:00

Filed Under: Announcements, Main, New City News & Views

politics and unity

November 3, 2012 by

As followers of Christ and as citizens of the United States we are very thankful for the great privileges afforded to us to vote for the candidates and/or political parties we believe best align us with causes that Scripture encourages (affirming life, justice, equal wages, wise stewardship of natural resources, etc.). We believe that Christ’s command to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” compels us to be active and responsible citizens and that includes voting for our elected leaders.

Nonetheless, at New City Church we do not endorse political candidates or parties. This is not and will never be the practice of New City Church. There are many reasons why this is so. Here are some of the most important.

Our identity is in Christ, not in a politician or his/her party. All followers of Christ agree with this. Sadly it is rare to find a Christian who is both vocal about his or her political views and about proclaiming Christ. It is not that the two are incompatible; it is that the two are rarely observed together.

Why is this? I think it’s because the more passionate we become about tax rates or military strength or trade agreements the less passion we have left for the weightier matters. It seems that as humans we have little capacity to passionately pursue both. It is as Jesus said: no one can serve two masters.  It is not impossible to hold passionate political views and be entirely committed to following Jesus and work to fulfil the Great Commission, though is quite difficult to hold the two in proper tension. It becomes easy to begin to confuse the two.

There was a time when the percentage of those in a church who identifed themselves as a Democrat or a Republican closely mirrored that of the general public. For example, if in 1970 47% of Americans identified themselves as Democrats and 44% identified themselves as Republicans, one could expect in any local church to find the church split about evenly politically. Their politics did not define who they were in Christ and so there was unity in the midst of great diversity of political opinion.

Compare that to today, when churches tend to align as predominantly Republican or predominantly Democrat. Why? What shifted? Our identify changed from being in Christ to being in a political party. No longer are we Christians first, who happen to disagree about foreign policy. Today we see great hostility, even among followers of Christ. It is not enough to disagree with a person’s political view—that person must be evil for disagreeing with my view about nationalized health care!

New City Church does not endorse candidates or parties because doing so destroys Christian unity.

Further, when a church endorses candidates and parties we believe the gospel is distorted. Our mission is to make disciples. The only way to do this is by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and building Christian community. In the context of friendship we can share the good news that Jesus saves and in the context of fellowship in the church we can help one another grow in Christ-likeness.

Our mission is not to get a certain person or political party in power. Voting for a particular candidate is not going to point someone to Christ. No one has come to faith because a certain candidate won his or her election. People believe in Jesus because the gospel is proclaimed and the Holy Spirit of God works his sovereign grace in a person’s heart so that person can repent and believe and be saved.  That must remain our focus as a church.

Scripture tells us that the cross of Jesus is offensive to non-Christians, for it tells them they are not good enough for God, that Jesus had to suffer their penalty for them, that it is only because of the righteousness of Christ that they can be accepted by God.  Why should we add offense to the cross, demonstrating (if not telling) others that their political views are wrong?  Let’s allow the cross to be the only offense, and not we ourselves.

Vote for the candidate for president you believe can best lead this nation, but always remember that confusing politics and political issues and political parties with the gospel of Jesus Christ is deadly.

Filed Under: Main, New City News & Views, Thoughts

Baptism

October 2, 2012 by

Before he returned to his Father, Jesus gave his followers some instructions, often known as the “Great Commission.”  He said,

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

All Christians everywhere have the same confession: Jesus is Lord.  We acknowledge that all authority  is his.  Because he is Lord, he tells us to make disciples of all nations.  This involves two steps: baptizing new converts, and teaching them to observe his commandments.

Through baptism a person publicly identifies with Jesus.  Baptism is a public declaration that Jesus is Lord and signals the person’s desire to follow Jesus.  It does not grant salvation to a person; a person is baptized because he or she has responded to the good news that Jesus is Lord and that all who come to him in faith will be saved.

At New City we ask three questions of a person being baptized. 1. Do you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in  your heart that God raised him from the dead?  2. Are you trusting in Christ and Christ alone for your life and salvation?  3. Do you renounce Satan, this world, and your own evil desires to follow Christ and Christ alone?

On the basis of a person’s faith demonstrated through these questions the church  of Jesus Christ baptizes this person in water, symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  The one being baptized is thus publicly identified with Jesus.  The apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Romans,

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
(Romans 6:3-4 ESV)

Baptism, then, symbolizes our identity with Christ and our desire that we walk in newness of life.  This is the second part of the Great Commission.  We baptize new believers and teach them to observe Jesus’ commands—that they “might walk in newness of life.”

Baptism is more than a mere ritual to go through.  It is part of the mission of God in this world.

Filed Under: Main, New City News & Views

Bible study

September 23, 2012 by

The Fall bible studies begin this week.  We meet each second and fourth Sundays and Wednesdays of the month.  All are welcome.  We meet at Creston Church Ministry Center, 1343 Buffalo Ave NE.

Filed Under: Announcements, Main, New City News & Views

Ordination

September 5, 2012 by

On Sunday, September 9 the Council of Elders of New City Church will ordain me. Many ask, “What is ordination?” Ordination is a public acknowledgement of three things: a man’s giftedness for ministry; a man’s calling to ministry; and a man’s qualification for ministry. Ordination is an act of the Council of Elders of a church. In ordaining a man, the church makes a claim on his life. He is set apart by God (and the church) for the ministry.

In 1 Timothy 4 Paul writes,

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.
(1 Timothy 4:14-15 ESV)

There is some debate over what the gift is that was given to Timothy at his ordination.  It may be that God gives a man who is ordained a special giftedness for ministry.  Or it may be the role of pastor itself that is the gift that was given to him.  Whatever it means one thing is quite sure: Timothy was set apart for a particular task.  In the verses right before Paul writes,

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
(1 Timothy 4:11-13 ESV)

Though Timothy was young he was, by virtue of his office, an example to the believers.  He was to devote himself to Scripture, to immerse himself in it for the benefit of the church through teaching.

While all elders are equal, Paul nevertheless recognizes a difference among them.  Later in that same letter to Timothy Paul writes,

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
(1 Timothy 5:17 ESV)

At his ordination Timothy was set apart for the purpose of laboring at preaching and teaching.  As the primary preacher and teacher of the church (though not only; he still had a council of elders laboring with him) Timothy was set apart and supported by the church so that he was free to pursue his calling.

Since ordination is a public acknowledgement of a man’s giftedness, calling, and qualification for pastoral ministry, there must be some sort of examination of that man’s life.  Paul warned Timothy to not be too hasty in ordaining others (1 Timothy 5:22).  The Council of Elders recently called an ordination council, consisting of the elders and other pastors in the community.  I was required by them to write a statement of my faith and theology.  When the council met I was asked to defend and explain various items in my statement.  In addition my life was opened to them; they asked questions about my home and how I lead my wife and children.  This, combined with over a year and a half serving as the lead pastor of New City Church, led to the ordination council’s recommendation that the Council of Elders formally ordain me to pastoral ministry.

I am humbled at the grace given to me by God.  I am ever amazed that he has called me to such a great and wonderful role.  It is a tremendous privilege to be able to serve God’s people.  I gladly accept the church’s claim on my life.

Filed Under: Announcements, Main, New City News & Views

Construction

June 13, 2012 by

The City of Grand Rapids is working to improve the Creston Neighborhood via improvements to Plainfield Avenue.  One exciting feature of the updates is the addition of seven bio-retention islands.  These islands will be part of the crosswalk across Plainfield and will feature stop-and-wait space to continue crossing.  We are excited for these improvements this summer.

Along with these improvements come the dreaded cones and barrels and signs that block your way.  This summer Plainfield Avenue will be closed to traffic from just north of Ann Street to just north of Quimby.  Here is a crudely rendered map showing the blocked portion of Plainfield (in red) and an alternate route to Palmer School (where New City Church meets) for those who are used to driving north on Plainfield.

Construction and Detour

Filed Under: Announcements, Main, New City News & Views

Lent

February 21, 2012 by

What is Lent?  When did it begin? It is the period of time before Easter. Traditionally it is the 46 days prior to Easter. While observance of Lent is not commanded in Scripture, it is nonetheless very old, and very valuable. Though celebrating Christmas is not in Scripture, many still do. The observance of Lent is actually older than the observance of Christmas!

An important figure in the early church is a man named Irenaeus. He was born in the year AD115—less than 20 years after the book of Revelation was written! In a letter Irenaeus mentioned the various ways people fasted in the days leading up to Easter. This is significant because it indicates the early church had been celebrating the resurrection on a yearly basis by fasting in the days and weeks prior to Easter Sunday.

At the Council of Nicea in AD325, a call was made for regular meetings that were to take place each year “before the 40 days of Lent.” Since the Council did not explain when that was, it must have been a widely recognized time. We can see that the celebration of Lent was widespread throughout the churches of the world.

While Lent is 46 days long, it is a 40-day fast. Whatever is given up during Lent is celebrated and enjoyed on Sundays since Sunday is a “mini-Easter.” After all, we meet on Sundays to celebrate our Risen Lord!

Let’s celebrate Lent this year. Choose something in your life that you can give up Monday through Saturday. Whether it’s bread or basketball or soda or pasta or something else, give up something you enjoy (giving up liver probably doesn’t count). When you desire that thing, spend time in prayer instead. On Sundays, enjoy the thing you have given up, thanking Jesus for His resurrection and our future resurrection.

As a church let’s celebrate Lent and spend time in concentrated prayer for our community and the Gospel.  Pray for God to work in a powerful way as we continue to serve Him in the near-northeast of Grand Rapids.

Filed Under: New City News & Views

Blessings

February 16, 2012 by

The desire for meaningful and deep worship experiences at New City is a no-brainer.  I believe most churches would say the same thing.  We all want to encounter God, to connect with God.  So, how does this happen?  How do I, as the worship leader, facilitate this?  Can I?  Should it even be my responsibility?  I believe my responsibility is to plan a worship service that ultimately glorifies God, and provides a place for God’s people to be open to hearing from God.  To minimize distractions.  To provide opportunity to respond to God.  The reality?  I can only plan.  It is the responsibility of each worshiper to come prepared to worship.  To shut out potential distractions.  To listen for God.  To respond.

As a worship leader I have the privilege of listening to music and choosing what we will add to the “list” of songs we sing at New City.  One of the recent songs that have been added is called “Open Up The Sky” by Jonathan Stockstill, of the band Deluge.  This song was recorded on Deluge’s “Live From Bethany World Prayer Center” and released by Integrity Music.  You can find it on iTunes.  The song is a powerful cry from the heart of God’s people directly to the heart of God.  The text is amazing.  The tune is singable.  The song, as far as songs go, works.  However, there is one line in the song that made me think a bit deeper.  And as the worship leader, I have the responsibility to make sure, as best I can, that the songs chosen are biblically solid.  Sometimes a little more homework is necessary.

So what are the words I had issue with?  “We don’t want blessings, we want You”.  Really?  Can I sing that?  Can I ask the church to sing that?  With conviction?  Can this be the cry of our heart?  Do I not want God’s blessings?  Do I only want God?  Confession time … I DO want God’s blessings!  In fact, I believe I need his blessings.  However, I want the Giver of these blessings FAR MORE than I want the blessings.  Why?  Because what good are his blessings if I don’t have him in my life?

I believe I understood the “essence” of what the songwriter, Jonathan Stockstill, was saying, but I still wanted to understand it deeper and introduce the song to New City with confidence.  As I did my homework, I found a blog of another worship leader who had the same issue with the song.  His conclusion was to change the lyric.  He took the high road and contacted Jonathan Stockstill for permission.  Here is part of the dialog from Jonathan Stockstill, which gives us insight into his heart at the time he wrote these lyrics.

… “What’s up man! I have no issue with you changing up the words. I actually considered saying that line instead, but really wanted to say what I said. I was in a season that God was really pouring out blessing after blessing, but my walk with Him lacked intimacy. I felt like there were all these traces of God’s favor that manifested in blessings, but I didn’t feel close to him. I would have traded every blessing for a deeper walk with him. I wasn’t saying that I don’t appreciate the blessing or even want them for that matter. I was simply saying “I am not pursuing you FOR blessings… It’s you that I want“. I can understand how that would be a tough line to sing, especially if you don’t know the heart behind it, but it is what I wanted to say, so I said it …”

So I decided to remain true to the intent of the author, and simply challenge the New City people to think about what they are singing.  And the song was a hit!  Sometimes keeping it simple works well.  Getting out of the way of God always works well.  Confirmation of this came on the day we introduced “Open Up The Sky”.  While we were still singing the song, a young man walked over to our pastor and said, “I get it; God IS the blessing”!

Filed Under: New City News & Views
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