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sunday recap

June 16, 2014 — Leave a comment

Yesterday was a fantastic day at SLW!

Here’s a quick recap:

:: Dads – We took a few moments to celebrate dads. In honor of our dads, we’re sponsoring a backpack as part of the Lakeview District Backpack Program which facilitates nutritious meals for underserved children right in our own community. SLW has the opportunity to help provide backpacks for over 30 children in the new school year.

:: Oasis – Nate shared about last week’s first gathering in Meadville as Oasis which included two baptisms! Go God! If you haven’t already signed up to be a prayer partner and to learn more about what God is up to in Meadville through Oasis, connect with him here.

If you’re a part of SLW, you can support both Oasis and the Backpack Program by giving through our Glocal Outreach missions focus–both are missional partnerships we’re excited to be part of.

SUMMER SPORTS XTREME begins tonight. It’s not too late to register the kiddos (potty trained 3yo – 6th grade) for this free sports camp facilitated by qualified coaches and includes some interaction with professional athletes. Check out slwchurch.org for more info!

original image: Vyacheslav Argenberg on Flickr

We stepped into chapters 3-5 of Joshua before pausing in The Book of Joshua for our summer series, here are some highlights from that message:

:: What does it look like to live–in the midst of our impossible, impassible, unnavigable situations–as those ready for God to do the miraculous? (Joshua 3:5)

:: God is the God who goes 3,000 feet ahead of His people, showing the way, overcoming the most powerful obstacles, and subjugating things to Himself. (cf. Joshua 5:1)

:: Following Jesus means we can stop thinking like slaves and rebellious wanderers…and start living as people of the promise. (cf. Joshua 5:9-12)

What would you do in the overwhelming situations you face if you were certain God is going before you, that He is more powerful than the most significant obstacles you face, and that He is FOR you?

The podcast will be available soon, you can check it out by heading to SLW’s podcast site at slwchurch.podomatic.com.

In Sunday church, Encouragement, history, Joshua, Missions, Oasis, SLW

First.

July 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

There’s an old recipe for rabbit stew that begins, “First, catch the rabbit…” Though it may seem a bit obvious, at least the writer of the recipe understood the importance of keeping first things first; and when it comes to exercising faith, it’s important to make sure first things really are first in our own hearts.

In Discipleship courage, Discipleship, Encouragement, faith, history, Joshua, Leadership, personal, Prayer, Scripture

Why I Love The Wesleyan Church: Freedom

October 4, 2010 — Leave a comment

There is something about the notion of “freedom” which, for those of us brought up in America, brings with it the idea of Founding Fathers breaking away from the tyranny of British rule; “freedom” is an ideal—a philosophical concept which crescendos in our national anthem as we sing of “The Land of the Free/and the home of the brave.” But, for me, it is easy for ‘freedom’ to remain a mere concept because I have never known the cruelty of actual slavery.

For what would become The Wesleyan Church, the concept of freedom meant something much more than fireworks on the Fourth of July; it meant bringing people out of the very real, very harsh, very evil clutches of physical slavery—where men, women, and children are bought, sold, traded, and handled as things owned by another person. The Wesleyan Church’s history in North America is intimately intertwined with the abolitionist movement; the fight for freedom is a very identifiable part of who we are—which is one reason, I believe, we still hold that oft-discussed stance on alcohol: we desire to see individuals, families, and communities free from the bondage of alcoholism (if you don’t believe alcohol is a slave master, you have not endured the abuse, hunger, or darkness brought by the disease).

I love The Wesleyan Church and our history as freedom fighters. But the fight for freedom cannot simply be a proud chapter in our heritage. It must remain an outflow of the great work of Jesus Christ and an organic part of our activity as those who preach holiness and equality. Today, more than ever, the world needs individuals, local churches, and the Church to offer freedom to those who are powerless to find it on their own: from the very real horror of modern physical slavery and human trafficking to those who are enslaved by poverty, addiction, and captive minds, we must recognize slavery as alive and well.

As the Body of the One who came to set captives free, living as Christ means we offer the freedom only Jesus brings, living as modern-day abolitionists at every possible level.

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Note: this post is the third part of a series.
You can read the introduction here, the first post here, and the second in the series here.

In church church, history, Leadership, slavery, The Wesleyan Church

Why I Love The Wesleyan Church: Equality

September 23, 2010 — Leave a comment

As we get ready to welcome our daughter, Jubilee, into the world, I love being part of a church that won’t disqualify her from ministry leadership just because she will be a girl. I’ve often told my wife that I love the fact she would not be denied the chance to lead in a local church just because God gave her two X instead of an XY chromosonaI combination. I won’t use this post to defend the Wesleyan stance on women in ministry—there are enough resources dealing with the issue and I don’t really have anything to add that might change your mind if you disagree with the idea.

The Wesleyan Church’s history of being deeply involved in the women’s suffrage movement (even hosting the Seneca Falls Convention) is awesome. Our push for equality in the era of Jim Crow is something to be proud of. It seems we really hold to the idea that in the Jesus Kingdom there truly is no male/female, slave/free distinction. We have held high the banner of equality for generations and I hope this continues.

I love that anyone is seen to have the potential for ministry leadership & participation–that women aren’t relegated only to ‘hospitality’ and children’s ministries but have the same potential to take leadership in other areas, be involved in preaching, and pursue ordination in the same manner that a man does. Again, I know we’re not perfect but we act on the belief Jesus can use anyone he chooses… and more important than gender or background is the condition of a person’s heart.

Still, I hope we aren’t found resting on what our forebears stood for but that we continue to recognize the need to pursue equality today, and recognize this goes further than the issue of women in ministry. We continue to hold that all persons are understood to have the right to life, whether aged, not-yet-born or somewhere in between; but there are other issues we must lend our voices to, as well. This will cost us because what is right and what is popular are not always the same, but in doing so, I believe we continue living out the heart of God.

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This post is part 2 of a series. Read the introduction here and the first post here.

In church church, history, Leadership, The Wesleyan Church

New Blog Series this Week:

September 20, 2010 — 2 Comments

image: jimmywayne/flickr

I wasn’t introduced to The Wesleyan Church until I ended up attending a Wesleyan school, but my time at Bethany Bible College exposed me to some things of Christ that I saw in The Wesleyan Church which made me want to be part. Sure, there are things I might change and I know the denomination is looking at a number of creative solutions to a number of issues, but over the next few days I’ll be sharing what I see as some deep-in-our-DNA aspects of The Wesleyan Church I don’t think we can ever lose without fundamentally altering who we are. Keep in mind, these are just my opinions, and I hope you feel free to chime in.

I also hope none of this comes across as though I think the Wesleyans are ‘better’ than others or the only ones invited into heaven–I know there really is only one Church and I love Jesus much more than denomination–but I love the part of the body of which I am part… over the next few days we’ll discuss why 🙂 .