My Influence Revealed?

"With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day....praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:40-41,47.

The gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by the Father(Acts 1:4-5, John 14) was given to the church at Pentecost.(Acts 2) This is the record of God's creation of the church, desgined to be a supernatural movement, powered by the Holy Spirit unlike any other organization. It's main task by means of the Holy Spirit is to give testimony to the Good News about Jesus' life, death and resurrection "that through repentance in the name of Jesus Christ forgiveness is found."Acts 2:38) And the Lord added to their number daily as they were faithful to this call.

This is more than an institutional call! This is God's plan for each indivdual believer empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear witness to all that Jesus is in their lives. This is the influence given to each believer. Influencing my world in many locations(wherever I am placed) with the love and good deeds of Christ. It is my prayer that this vision will be your vision for our world!

It is during the month of May that we ask you to prayerfully and by faith consider your financial support for our local church. I believe this is an expression of belief and faith in God's church to influence our world with message that salvation is found in no other name but Jesus. I want to encourage you to give yourselk in obedience, fully to this privilege of influencing our world in many locations with the love and good deeds of Christ!

For each of us The Church of Influence Fund becomes a yearly way to assess our generosity. Most of the church funding comes from the general fund, but a very important 20% of our funding comes from the pledges we make to the Church fo Influence Fund. The funds are used for current ministry including some staff costs. If pledges exceed our current ministry needs, this allows us to expand our ministry influence in this community.

This year we will use some of the funds to save for parking expansion, auditorium technology and seating enhancements, replacing worn carpeting, and improved signage inside and outside the building. All of these measures will make our experience and that of our guests much more pleasant.

Our pledge desisions should be made by this Sunday, May 23rd. They can be mailed into the church, placed in the offering plate, or communicated online through the church website. I will be praying for you as you faithfully and obediently step out in faith to honor our Lord with a generous heart and mind.

See You this Weekend!

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Inner Circles

But you will recieve power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

Jesus says His followers are empowered witnesses. That is our identity. Being a witness is simply a function of who we are as Christians. We just tell others about all Jesus is in our own lives.

How being an empowered witness is our identity and not just a task is all because of the Holy Spirit.

Do not leave Jerusalem; but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5

This week we will learn about "the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about." If you are a believer this promised gift is yours. The Holy Spirit is the reason you are an empowered witness.

I trust you will make this weekend a priority on your schedule. Understanding these important truths is so important to our lives and witness in OUR WORLD. By means of the Holy SPirit we are way more influential than most of us realize.

This weekend you will see many ministry testimonies of God's goodness to our Constance Family. We will also be reading a first hand testimony of one of the great "fishers of men". You can read ahead in Acts 2:1-41.

I am so encouraged by our churches desire 'to exist for the one not yet here.' This is a living out of our vision to influence our world in many locations with Christ's love and good deeds. What a joy for each one of us to fully participate in God's heart and kingdom priorities.

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Circles of Influence

Most of us underestimate our influence. I was talking to a friend in the church lobby Wednesday night. He told me he had been praying for his neighbors and his Christian testimony in his neighborhood. He has had some talks with neighbors about spiritual things and some of the neighborhood kids have come to youth group at times. One neighbor seemed to have no interest, and he had no opportunity to talk about spiritual things with this family. This family knew some of the neighborhood kids had come to Constance. This week that family asked for the times of our Constance Worship Services. They said they were coming to Church this Sunday. Amazing! Also an answer to faithful prayers (Pray and Watch) and living an authentic Christian life before neighbors.

I believe God has strategically placed each one of you as beacons of hope and light in your neighborhoods. The hope we have and the light we shine all comes from Jesus who uses your life and circumstances to show his love and mercy to all who are still far away from knowing him.
"And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making hsi appeal through us...." 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Ask God to continually help you to see your neighbors and friends as He does, pray for them, love them, serve them in Jesus' name. "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view...." 2 Corithinas 5:16. I know God will bless this faithfulness for it is his desire that all come to a knowledge of faith in Jesus Christ!

Speaking of influential people. Who has more influence than Mom's?? This week is Mother's Day and also a day we do Baby dedications. This week we will have many guests invited by these parents. Please pray for these family members and friends that Our Father by means of the Holy Spirit would work in hearts and lives and draw them to Jesus. Pray for these families as they desire to raise their families with Jesus at the center of their lives.

This month we are considering our vision as it pertains to the call of God in our lives as a local church body. Our vision as a church is to influence our world in many locations with Christ's love and good deeds. During this time would you come before God and ask what that means for God using your time , talent and treasure for His kingdom building purposes.

Who in your life has God placed so that they can see God's love and grace??? "Father, please send your Holy SPirit to work in the hearts of these people. Draw them to Jesus and make them kingdom workers."

See you all this weekend!

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Being a People of Vision

"The vision at Constance Free Church is to influence OUR world in many locations with the Christ's love and good deeds."

I love our vision statement! It is so personal! It paints a reality of each one of us, in our unique worlds, walking in step with the Father, taking each situation of our lives as an opportunity to share Christ with others. To truly be a church and people of influence.

Oswald Chambers shares some thoughts about the everyday circumstance of our lives:

"The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight....

It was said of Jesus — 'He will not fail nor be discouraged . . .' (Isaiah 42:4) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible. Getting into God’s stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give up because the pain is intense right now— get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose."

This is my desire for us as a body of believers, namely that we would allow God's Spirit to transform how we view our world. That the impossible becomes possible as people are attracted to the love and good deeds of Jesus Christ that are lived out through his people. Pray and Watch God work through your lives.

I look forward to worshiping together this weekend. There is a tremendous blessing and encouragement when we come together as a church family. Make this a priority for your weekend.

Sharing in the Vision,

Pastor Randy

Transitions Continued

Last week Pastor Jim Barber announced that he would be resigning his position as a Sr. Associate Pastor at Constance Free Church. Pastor Jim senses a strong call to use his gifts, talents and learnings to encourage other churches to grow as a full time church consultant. You can read more in last week's Log Eye and in Jim's Blog.(Link is in last weeks Blog)

Many of you have asked what will we do next in this transition. After looking at different options we are transitioning to manage Constance Free Church through a common model of having an Executive Pastor. I have asked Pastor Jim Scott to serve as my Executive Pastor. I believe that Jim is the right man for the job and look forward to all God has for us as a church as he serves in this new pastoral position.

This means we will begin a search for a Church Business Administrator. Within a week or so we will have the job description written and posted. Pray for Pastor Jim Scott. He was scheduled to return from the Berlin Church Planting Summit last Friday but due to the volcano is now scheduled home this weekend. Once he gets back Jim and Jim will write a position description and continue the transition.


This week most of our ministry staff spent a day at our North Central District Conference(our Free church association). Our speaker was Pete Scazzero who has authored the book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. I recommend this to you. I warn you it is not a book you will read quickly. It is a book designed for your long term life in Christ. If you have found your Christian life stalled or feel that transformation is not happening in your life I recommend this study to you. I know it will bless and change you in Christ's image.

I look forward to seeing you this weekend as Pastor Sean leads us in considering a question every one asks, "What Happens When We Die?" I am sure your friends are asking this question. The question may be asked when a friend or relative dies, or when they see a tragic event on the news. I encourage you to invite a friend -it might be the beginning of a great conversation.

What a blessing we all have to know Christ and to live life fully in him.

God's Rich Blessing

Pastor Randy

One Way

Is Jesus Really the only way to find God?? An important question. This will be the question we will address this weekend. The answer really does affect the way you live life whether you are a follower of Jesus or still a spiritual seeker. I encourage each of you to invite a friend. This question for seekers is an important one and second only to "Why does a loving God allow suffering" in spiritual investigation.

Thank You- for your participation in making Easter a special day of life change for the many who attended. Many of you invited a friend. Statistically speaking people accept over 80% of Easter invitations so thank you for inviting your friends. We hosted almost 1000 extra people on Easter.
Many of you went to Saturday night and Sonrise service on Easter weekend and allowed for better traffic flow and space in our parking lot. Thank You for your service in this way. Continue to Pray and Watch for your friends. I know God is working.

This week we are also announcing Pastor Jim Barber's transition to full time church leadership consulting. I have posted a full story on this in an earlier blog post and you can read Pastor Jim's story in full on his blog site as well.

God Bless

Pastor Randy.

Transitions

On March 1, 1995 Pastor Jim Barber walked on the Constance Campus as a pastor called to minister to this local body. He was leaving a successful business career at Honeywell /Alliant Tech and sensing a growing interest in a call to ministry that led him to join the pastoral staff here at Constance Free Church. He had already been serving as an adult teacher, growth group leader and chairman of the elder board.

On March 16, 2010 Pastor Jim Barber tendered his resignation as a Pastor at Constance Free Church. In his words “As you know, I have had an interest in church consulting for some time now. My earliest leanings this way were ten years ago. I think it has been seven years since we agreed that this could be a part of my ministry. After careful consideration, prayer, and agreement with Cheri, I have concluded that I am again at a crossroads in my calling. I plan to take formal steps to become a church leadership consultant …”

Since I’ve had the privilege of knowing Jim for the past 23 years, I too acknowledge God’s leading and calling in his life. I know God has gifted him, placed this desire in his heart, and fully support this calling of God in his life.

On a personal note, I am so thankful for having had the privilege to serve these past 15 years with Jim. Thanks Jim for faithfully using your spiritual gifts and talent for the Glory of God. Your service to God has been a huge blessing to me and Constance. Thank You so much.

To learn more about Jim’s journey, I would encourage you to read the rest of the story on his blog.

Pastor Jim will continue serving full-time until September 1 and thereafter continue to serve as the President of BridgeLink (as well as assisting Constance in the transition period). I will offer additional details about the transition next week.

God Bless

Pastor Randy

On The Road

And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24: 25-27

This weekend is Palm Sunday and we are going to investigate a passage I am sure that Jesus taught these two disciples while walking the Road to Emmaus. The passage is found in Genesis 22 entitled in my Bible -"The Sacrifice of Isaac". A baffling passage, "Why would God encourage Abraham to child sacrifice???" If Jesus used this passage to teach about himself, what did he teach? How was God working in this passage to reveal Jesus and His heart for mankind?

I pray as we look at this passage it will chase away "your foolish and slow to believe heart" and replace it with a heart "burning for Jesus" and the truth found in the cross and the resurrection.

I look forward to seeing you this weekend and hope you will make worshipping our Lord a priority in your schedule.

This would be a great week to invite a friend! I have had many people ask the question about child sacrifice and this passage. So Bring a Friend! It's one of the great OT Gospel passages and we will investigate it together.

Please continue to "Pray and Watch" in "your world". Easter is the most attended Sunday in the Church year! It's a great opportunity to invite a friend and to share all that God has done and been doing in your life. People are interested in Jesus Christ and especially how he has changed your life.

God Bless and See You This Weekend!

Pastor Randy

Big Thaw

It's 62 degrees today and my father-in-law is in town to do some ice fishing. He is out right now and probably within the hour I will be cleaning fish. (should I have given him a life-jacket this morning?) It seems like a couple days ago that winter had a firm grip on our area. How quickly things can change. In two days the calendar changes to spring and new stuff starts happening all over the place.

As I thought about this sudden change I was reminded of the Chronicles of Narnia and how the ice queen had complete icy control and a new wind and breath (Aslan-a representation of the power and presence of God) came, touched hearts and new life came about.

If you are a believer, Spring is a great time to celebrate and remember God's life changing touch and presence in your life. As we celebrate the life we have in Christ this Easter (of course we celebrate daily as well) it is my prayer that you will share this life with other's around you.

Take on the mindset of Paul, who once he had experienced new life in Christ, said he could never see anyone around him the same again. We all need a life changing touch from God. It might seem that all those around you aren't interested or have everything together. Take on Paul's and Christ's mind, know everyone needs a touch from God. "Pray and Watch" and trust that God is working because He promises to "Draw All to Himself".

This weekend we continue looking at the most famous sermon in the world and probably some of the most famous words of this sermon acknowledged and honored through out the world called "the golden rule." Though these words are heralded as some of the wisest and acknowledged as the highest ideal and good in the world, there is a problem. It never seems to work. People don't seem to ever follow the rule. Find out why and what you can do about this problem and "oops" that you may be part of the problem-this weekend at Constance.

I hope you will prioritize our time together. No question, Christ has entrusted and changed each believer with the Gospel message of life in Christ. It matters for the world around us that this message is heard and understood. Just remember--If God can change you-He can thaw and change those you are praying for. What a privilege to be apart of life transformation that will last forever.

See You this weekend!

God Bless

Pastor Randy

Anniversaries and Things

Judge Not! Lest You Be Judged! Most of us have heard those words of Jesus many times. Sometimes people use those words defensively by saying,"Stop Judging Me!" It seems we use these words frequently and many times to our advantage. All of us are pretty good at quick opinions and judgments. This weekend we will explore what Jesus said on this topic and why this sin if often misunderstood and often devastating to community.

Deb and I just got back from visiting family and friends in Texas. It's actually a part of our 30th anniversary celebration that will continue until after our actual July 12 date. We had a great time and experienced the Houston rodeo. WOW, I never knew such a things existed but it was fun and I ate more beef in three days than a normal month. It's a three week celebration with parades, concerts, the largest and richest rodeo event the largest livestock exhibition in the world etc.............Find out more at www.houstonrodeo.net if you are looking for an anniversary outing. You will have about 2 million friends to celebrate with.

March 9th marked my 24th anniversary at Constance Free Church. Several folks from the original calling committee still call Constance home-all the original committee are still friends. March 9th every year I thank God for this amazing church. It's such a blessing to be your Pastor.

Just a reminder for the weekend- DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS!!!!- So set your clock forward 1 hour on Saturday night and you won't miss the blessing of gathering as a body this weekend.

See you this weekend and don't forget to Pray and Watch wherever you go. You can be about the work of God's Kingdom everywhere and all the time.

God Bless,

Pastor Randy