Where Is The Church?

Where is the church when my child is in crisis? As a parent, yes I am a parent before I am a pastor, I struggle with the same questions you do. Where is the church? What should the church be doing for my family? Why won't someone reach out to my family?

Here's the conclusion I have come to, as a parent, after pondering, praying and asking these questions. The Bible clearly teaches and indicates that as a parent I am called to pastor my child. I am called to pastor and lead my home. Noah is a great example of pastoring his family in a corrupt godless culture.

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. Hebrews 11:7

We think of Noah as trying to save the world but his first priority was his family. Amidst all his flaws and shortcomings he led his family. That's what we need to do as parents. We need to live Jesus before our family. We need to love them closer to Jesus, not try to control them closer to Jesus. We need to pray them closer to Jesus. We need to teach them in our home about Jesus. Can I challenge you to take the steps that you need to for your family? I have a new question for all of us. Parents, what are we doing to save our family?

What then is the role of the church for my family and for your family? God gave pastors and teachers to the church to do the following.

Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:12

Our church is here to equip you to do God's work in your home first and then we trust to do His work as part of our church and in the community. We want strong families. We want the best for your family. I believe we are giving the best, are you receiving it and applying it? Are you an active part of our church? What steps do you need to take?

My heart breaks when I see parents of young children investing more time in sports and hobbies than teaching their family God's Word. Dad and mom, teach Jesus to your little ones. Don't miss the opportunity.

My heart breaks when I see parents of teens in crisis knowing the formative years are behind and now your greatest influence will be your actions. Live like Jesus like you never have before! When you do this, you will fail but get back up and live like Jesus!

I pray for your families.

Talk It Over - Red Letter Day - Week 4

Easter Update

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Got A Question You Need An Answer To?

This year after Easter Craig Groeschel is taking three weeks to answer your questions… any questions! Questions about God, religion, sex, relationships, evil, anything that has been on your mind.

To submit your questions you can simply click on the link below and leave your questions. Be sure to invite your friends who have questions to submit as well!

Submit your Question

Talk It Over - Red Letter Day - Week 3

VIdeo Update

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Which Road Are You On?

Just A Click Away

What if you could be part of bringing the life changing truth of Jesus Christ to people around the world without leaving your own home or office. It is now possible with Church Online. I would love to see a group of 4 to 6 people from CATF lead a Church Online experience once per week, it's simple to do... very simple. Contact me if you are interested. Take a look at what Bobby Gruenewald Pastor, Innovation Leader at LifeChurch.tv had to say about this. http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2010/03/18/india-urban-youth/

What Are You Seeing?

So often we view life as being in the valley (the crap of life) and then on the mountain top (let the good times roll). A better picture is two railway tracks running side by side. One track has its challenges and the other has good things. Make no mistake the two never meet, but seeing the two change how we view life. At bare minimum we see the grace of God amidst our trials. I think keeping the second view point allows us to see God at work in the midst of our challenges.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Forgiveness

How are you doing practicing what we heard this past Sunday about forgiveness? Remember what Miles challenged us to do, pray about the issue in your life where you need to receive or give forgiveness. Remember Jesus' love is greater than any offense.

Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you? Matthew 18:33 NLT

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Will you pray?

Talk It Over - Red Letter Day - Week 2

Spring Ahead

Don't forget to turn you clocks ahead one hour tonight. See you in the morning.

VIdeo Update

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How To Find The Good Life by Brandon Duff

Christianity is not about what you get for yourself, but what you give of yourself. For God so love the world He gave. How about you? Have you got caught up in the consumer Christianity mindset? It's easier than you think to go down that road, looking for what's in it for you.
At the very heart of God is giving. When we follow His heart and give of ourselves we will find that we receive so much in return.

This week will you give

• Time to a neighbour
• Money to the needy
• Talents to serve in the church
• Effort to help a co-worker
• ?

Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”
Luke 6:38 The Message

Connection

Great connection opportunity offered by Tammy Harrison from CATF. Have fun and get in shape. Why not bring a friend that does not know Christ?

Starting Soon

FAITH FITNESS

A great way to get in shape! This is a combination Cardio/Muscle class infused with contemporary upbeat Christian Music. We will do different cardio styles each week (ie: hi-lo aerobics, cardio-boxing, bootcamp, interval training) combined with many muscle sculpting exercises. The result is ultimate fat burning while creating lean muscle mass! Following this will be a relaxing flexibility section. This workout is suitable for all ages, all levels, both men and women.

Classes offered at:

Beacon Christian School

300 Scott St.

St. Catharines

Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 (starting March 23)

Rhythm Generations Christian Dance

School, 384 Vine St., St. Catharines

Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 (starting Mar.24)

Cost: $ 60.00/ 10 week session

To Register or for more information contact Tammy Harrison

(905) 382-5546 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (905) 382-5546      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email harrisontammy@yahoo.com

Together Lets Strengthen Our Bodies And Our Faith

Video Update

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Letters from a Pastor - Part 3

Your Prayers Matter by Craig Groeschel

Dear Church,

My family is overwhelmed with gratitude for your prayers. Thank you for lifting us before God faithfully.

Several of you ask us often how you can specifically pray for us. I always look forward to giving you honest and immediate needs because I know your prayers make a difference.

If you ever don’t know what to pray, we always are asking God for wisdom to lead well, spiritual direction and power, anointing to teach God’s word, and protection for our family from spiritual and other attacks.We truly feel your prayers. Without your prayer support, we couldn’t do what we do.

Thank you for caring enough to pray.

Letters from a Pastor - Part 2

Your Friendship Matters by Craig Groeschel

Dear Church,

Thank you so much for treating me like a normal person. I feel that you honor the “office” of the pastor but love and accept me as a person.

I don’t take this for granted. Many of my pastor friends tell me that they feel lonely in ministry. Many have explained that other pastors in town are difficult to get to know and trust. Others have expressed deep hurts from friendships-gone-bad with people in their churches.

My family feels loved and accepted and not judged by the church. Some people may act differently around us because they are “with the pastor.” Our family enjoys when you are yourself and let us be ourselves. I’m especially grateful when you don’t put unrealistic expectations on my children and love them as regular kids.

We’ll always try to be a good and faithful example of Christ, but we’re grateful when you love us even though we occasionally fail.

Letters from a Pastor

Craig is posting a series of blogs from a pastors heart. I thought it would be great to post them here. I will do my best to keep up with them, but feel free to go directly to his blog and read them this week, http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/

His words are true to how I often feel. Thanks for reading.

Letters from a Pastor by Craig Groeschel

People in my church often ask me, “What can we do to help you?”

This week I’d like to dialog about how people can truly help and support their pastor. I’ll write from my perspective and would love to hear yours.

Your Words of Encouragement Matter

Dear Church,

Thank you so much for taking time to share how God is working in your life. Knowing that our ministry is making a difference is often all I need to keep going when I’d rather give up.

As your pastor, I’m way more “human” than I’d like to be. In my best moments, I’m fully convinced of God’s calling and presence. In my worst moments, I feel weak, insecure and totally ineffective as a Christian, much less the shepherd of a flock.

Just last week, one of you took the time to tell me how God has used our church to change your life for the better. I didn’t tell you, but on the inside I was wondering if my efforts mattered. God used your words to minister to me in a deep way.

Thanks so much for telling me how God is working in your life!