Posts (page 2)

Washing_feet_01

“Mission” is not a program of the church – it is its essence.  “The church’s essence is missional, for the calling and sending action of God forms its identity.  
Mission is founded on the mission of God in the world, rather than the church’s effort to extend itself.” (Guder, p. 80-81) 

A wise man once said,“It is not the Church that has a mission, but the God of mission who has the Church.” 

So, what is a missional church rather than a church that “goes” to or “does” mission?  What might it look like?  

Ø      The missional church sees its purpose as discovering what Jesus Christ is doing in the world and being a witness to him.  

Ø      The missional church spends more time equipping people to be the church scattered more than just the church gathered.  It challenges its people to grow more alive in their faith, to look out to the world and seek out those places where God is already at work and join him in that work, whether in families or neighborhoods and workplaces or beyond.  

Ø      It is more concerned about getting the message out than bringing people in.           

The missional church is all of this and much more.  Can we get there from here?  Yes, I believe God, by the Spirit’s power that raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, is already doing so. 

And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things, at all times [and places], having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  –2 Corinthians 9:8

Check out my new audio clips from a sermon series on Knowing God. If you would like to hear the message in full (25 minutes), check out our full podcast at casemountain.org.

The Rev

Please join us this Sunday for Worship in Manchester, CT at Orange Hall.
No Perfect People Allowed: Tell everyone you know!
We are a missional church; people helping other people.
Check out our website: www.casemountain.org

"Do not heap up empty words like the Gentiles do" (Mt 6:7). What does it mean to heap up empty words? Why was Jesus or the people at the time heaping up empty words? What was the cultural or social context of Jesus' words? Is he making reference to rituals and traditions of the pagan people? As they give human sacrifices, do they chatter empty words? Is he referring to people talking God time and time again what he needs to do (like he needs to know what we need)? Perhaps Jesus was getting at something greater. That prayer is about us and not about God. Have you ever thought about your prayers, do you surprise God with your laundry list? Maybe prayer is about a change in our heart and passions. Maybe prayer is a time for us to let ourselves know how great God is. Well, continue steadfast in prayer.

Pastor Eric "The Rev"

Please join us this Sunday for Worship in Manchester, CT at Orange Hall.
No Perfect People Allowed: Tell everyone you know!
We are a missional church; people helping other people.
Check out our website: www.casemountain.org

Ten_plagues

As I read through the plague account with the Israelite, I wonder why God did it? Scripture states that I was to show the people that God is Lord, which means God is in control? So God shows his control through the good and the bad? As I was reviewing these accounts and much on Genesis, I wondered why God acted a certain way in the Old Testament and seems to be differently today? Maybe it's because of the New Testament; Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection? This is what most good Christians would tell you, but I wonder? This brings us to a place of contemplation and meditation of God's word and our understanding of His word. Does God change or adapt or grow? Sounds like progressive theology. Maybe not, but we certainly act as if God grows. I'm just perplexed by this thought. Continue to keep me in prayer, I am still feeling this viral thing. peace.

Be Perfect as your heavenly Father.

Perfect mirror

It's interesting that the Pharisees revert back to their past; sons of Abraham. I wonder if we do that too? Do we look back to our moment of promise? That time that we are most prideful of. Why do we do that? Maybe it's a good grade in school, a fun date, an amazing friendship, a life changing book, but somehow we don't or can't move forward. Is it a fear of failure for the future? But if it happened once well, won't it happen again? I say move forward in hope of more great times like the past. Of course I am an optimist. Peace be with you.

~ Eric

Please join us this Sunday for Worship in Manchester, CT at Orange Hall.
No Perfect People Allowed: Tell everyone you know!
We are a missional church; people helping other people.
Check out our website: www.casemountain.org

It's vision time at CMCC. We know that vision is important, but how do we know the vision? How do we understand the vision? Does a vision have to be some grandiose idea, or can it be simple? Can it be as simple as "helping other people" or "re-connecting people with God? These are some points that Jesus makes throughout his ministry. Andy Stanley tells us to keep it simple, and others have great summaries of the Gospel. What will God do with and through Case over the next 3 years? How can we help others? Who will help us help others? What would happen if the Lead Pastor left tomorrow? These are several questions we are asking the crew.

Peace,
Eric

P.S. How do I present the vision?

Please join us this Sunday for Worship in Manchester, CT at Orange Hall.
No Perfect People Allowed: Tell everyone you know!
We are a missional church; people helping other people.
Check out our website: www.casemountain.org

Do you wear a face? Are you different around different people? Maybe perfect on Sunday's at church, but doing different things throughout the week. Have you found that some people seem to be holier than thou? A pious face is just that, people wearing a holy face, a better than you face. It would be awesome to have a safe place to explore faith. A place where I won't be judged or condemned. A place where I won't have to be someone I'm not. A place where I am accepted for who God made me, and a place where I can trust others with my thoughts and pains. Let's encourage each other to remove our pious face, GET REAL!!

Peace,
Eric

Please join us this Sunday for Worship in Manchester, CT at Orange Hall.
No Perfect People Allowed: Tell everyone you know!
We are a missional church; people helping other people.
Check out our website: www.casemountain.org

WOW! Life without technology. Could it be? I spent over a week w/o the internet and I thought my world was going to crash in. Why is that? Why was it so hard to function w/o modern technology? Be it tv, computers, cellphones, etc. This Saturday, at Case Mountain Community Church, we will be doing a 24 hour fast. Please join us. I want to encourage you to fast from technology. See if you can go 24 hours w/o technology. It's tough! We will be fasting for spiritual growth and God's vision for the future of the Church. Please keep us in your prayers. Thanks.

Peace,
Eric

Please join us this Sunday for Worship in Manchester, CT at Orange Hall.
No Perfect People Allowed: Tell everyone you know!
We are a missional church; people helping other people.
Check out our website: www.casemountain.org