The Church & Service
GCD Newsletter 20th September 2023
Last week I attended a pastor’s conference at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The theme of the conference, “A Glorious Calling,” served as a reminder that though pastoring has its challenges, it’s truly an honor to serve God by shepherding his people. I left encouraged and refreshed.
Even for those who are not pastors, serving and being a part of a local church truly is a blessing. This, however, doesn’t mean it’s always easy or appealing. In fact, sometimes it’s downright difficult. The church certainly has her warts that often mask her true beauty. Not only that, but the spiritual forces of evil are working overtime to continually discredit and minimalize the need for all believers to assemble regularly.
So, warts and all, we continue to gather and serve. Last week’s articles remind us of the beauty of the local church, even when there are needed improvements. Bringing about change isn’t easy, but quitting is not a biblical option for a believer.
In Christ,
James Williams serves as associate pastor at FBC Atlanta, TX. James and his wife, Jenny, are blessed with four children and are actively involved in foster care. He is passionate about beholding the beauty of our Lord and helping others do the same. He enjoys writing, running, and gardening. You can follow James Twitter or his blog where he writes regularly.
Last Week at GCDiscipleship.com
Love Your Church Anyway
by Heidi Kellogg
“I know that if I continue to connect with people at my church, there’s a chance I’ll eventually be misunderstood, betrayed, and rejected by some, but it’s worth the risk for the chance that I’ll be understood, welcomed, and loved by others. I don’t have to deny other people’s sin or pretend it isn’t serious, but I do need to remember my own sin when I’m tempted to avoid community as if I’m not also part of the problem.”
The Singles Among Us Deserve A Better Church Culture
by Denise Hardy
“In the present, however, we need to focus on what the church is. The church is not little cell groups that meet in separate corners of a building. The church is not denominations. The church is not made up of everyone who is the same…The church consists of couples, singles, children, widows, widowers, divorcees, different ethnic groups, and many different cultures.”
What Jesus Purchased With His Life Is The Greatest Act Of Love Imaginable
by John Piper
“It is a joy that is meek and merciful and pure and peaceable, but these things alone do not awaken people to the glory of God. In order to waken people to consider God as an explanation for our good works there generally must be an obstacle of suffering that would ordinarily cause them to be angry or despairing but does not have that effect on us. Rather they see us “rejoice” in hardship. They see that this hardship does not make us self-centered and self-pitying and mean-spirited. Instead they see our joy and wonder what we are hoping in when ordinary props for hope have been knocked away.”
Next Week! Insufficient Pastors, Sufficient Savior
Tuesday, September 26, 9:30-10:30PM
Are you a pastor that is tired and weary? Are you going to be at TGC 2023? Do you carry a feeling of being inadequate and insufficient for ministry? Join three pastors and authors, Jonathan Dodson (Unwavering Pastor), Ronnie Martin (Art of Pastoring), and Jeremy Writebol (Pastor, Jesus is Enough), as they aim to encourage and equip pastors and Christian leaders through a series of conversations about our calling, ministry, and the sufficiency of Jesus Christ for the church and our lives.
For more information, head to the GCD Website: