PCN Logo
4th-july-banner2.jpg

 The 4th of July

Article by
David Mathis
Executive Editor,
Desiring God
 
  It is good and healthy to have real affection for the nation we call our own. It is right for the Christian to be patriotic and reserve a special kind of love for city and country. In fact, it's a sign that something may be amiss spiritually if the Christian doesn't have some tempered but tangible sense of belonging to his country. It's not only okay for American Christians to enjoy being American on the Fourth; it's commended.
american-flag-building.jpg
God means for us to be appropriately enmeshed in this world (as Jesus prays in John 17, not of the world, but  sent into it). Christ and country aren't irreconcilable. In Jesus's perfect arithmetic, there is space not only to render God our everything, but render to Caesar his share as well
( Matthew 22:21-22).
Christians render respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed ( Romans 13:7). We acknowledge God's common goodness when our nation is manifestly "God's servant for your good" ( Romans 13:4) and the authorities are "ministers of God"
( Romans 13:6).
"Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" ( 1 Peter 2:17).
fireworks-summer.jpg
 It continues to be legal to speak the gospel in public in these united states, and even to press for repentance and faith. This is a glorious liberty. Let's make the most of it while we can, remembering that we Christians have a true country, which will satisfy our inconsolable longing like no nation in the present can. And let's double our joy by bringing as many others with us as we can.
statueofliberty_fireworks.jpg
Let's be profoundly grateful for the freedom we have in this country to recruit for the true one, and let's be unashamed to seize upon our fellow Americans' desire for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and show them in whom such joy is truly found.



Strange and Funny Things Said to Pastors and Church Staff Members 

"So did you fly or drive there?" 
That was a question asked of a pastor after he returned from a trip to the continent of Africa.
"You need to turn all the lights up during worship. You can't worship God when it's dark because He is light." 
There has to be a theological response to that.

"I can't run the media and worship God at the same time. I can only worship God with my eyes closed."
 
Note to that church member: Don't drive and worship at the same time.
 
"You blink too much when you preach. You are also a very pale person." 
Thank you for your kind words.
  
"Congrats. This is our last Sunday. This church is dead." Words said to a new pastor on his first Sunday at a church.
 
Drop Shadow Accent Image
Pacific Church Network
July 2017
Pastors and Vacations

As I attempt to call or meet various pastors throughout the summer, many of them are not available because they are on vacation. I called one pastor and he was in Toronto. Later, another one was in Virginia City, NV--and yet another one texted me back from Asia! Sorry to call during your vacation...don't pick up! It's fun to see the posts on Facebook. I'm glad they are taking vacations. Thom Rainer once asked a pastor, "When do you take vacation?" His answer flabbergasted Thom. "I don't," the pastor said. Thom writes, " I thought maybe he had misunderstood me, so I clarified. In the past six years that you have served as pastor, when did you take a vacation? 'I haven't,' he reiterated. I had heard him right the first time. This pastor had deprived himself and his family for the past six years. I anticipated burnout was not far away. Unfortunately, I was right." ( read his article )

beach_family_trip.jpg Pastors need a vacation and their family needs one as well. It's sometimes a little selfish or arrogant not to take one. Selfish, because you are not thinking of your family, and arrogant to think church can't go on without you. "Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd..." (Mk 7:17). Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." (Mark 6:31).

After almost four decades in the ministry, I often find that the ones who are most burned out, or those who burn others out, are the ones who fail t o rest. So enjoy your summer, take a day off, take your family and spouse on a vacation. Rest, renew and be revitalized. Your family, your church and your health will appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Jim Smith  
President, Pacific Church Network
 
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Sign Up Soon for our Holy Land Tour
If you ever have wanted to go visit the land of the Bible, do it this year. Once again PCN is hosting a fantastic tour of Israel on November 28 - December 8. To secure your space, a $500 deposit must be made in July.
More information
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Keeping Your Church Healthy
Hear Paul Borden share what he has seen that has kept churches healthy in his years of consultation around the world. This free workshop for all PCN members will be on Monday, August 28 at Branches Church in Fullerton. Bring as many as you want, but to help us plan accurately for lunch, please RSVP soon. 10:00 am - 2pm
More information
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Americans Attending Church Survey
jesus-stained-glass.jpg
Based on Barna's most recent data, almost 4 in 10 (38%) Americans are active attenders of a church, any church. Those classified as churched (very active) have attended a church service in the past seven days, not including a special event such as a wedding or a funeral. Most churched city in America?  Chattanooga, TN: 59%.
Read more
 
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Pastors' Wives Enjoyed Spa Day
This past month, on Saturday, June 17, PCN sponsored a free day at Glen Ivy Spa in Corona, CA. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed their time getting to know each other, relaxing at the spa and just being pampered all day long. PCN was honored and glad to invest time into the lives of these pastors' wives. We appreciate all that they do. Thanks.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Coming Up: Youth Retreat in August
Pacific Church Network is holding our annual youth retreat, again at Pine Summit. Started by some youth leaders from a few of our churches, this retreat has grown every year and is now open to all youth groups interested in attending.
Cost is $129 for the weekend, August 18-20.
More information is available here.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Uplifting Time of Worship
A wonderful time of worship was experienced by a group of Spanish-speaking men at Iglesia Renacer in Anaheim on Saturday, June 3. Pacific Church Network sponsored this event. Spanish Ministries Director Emilio Núñez continues to equip and encourage those involved in our Spanish-speaking congregations. More events are planned throughout the year, including the annual men's and women's retreats, in Big Bear Lake and Murrieta Hot Springs.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
PCN Discount for Global Summit
If you are planning on attending the Global Summit at a Satellite location August 10-11, we have a great discount. Through CBAmerica, we can offer a $139/registration rate for the 2017 Summit - available at any U.S. Satellite Host Site (not available at Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL).  The Priority Code is: 17TGLSCRFT. Register at www.willowcreek.com/summit.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Plan to Attend One of Our Fall Retreats
15-17 de Septiembre 2017 
Murrieta Hot Springs Conference Center
September 22 - 24, 2017
Pine Summit Camp, Big Bear Lake, CA
 
Men's Retreat
O
ctober 6-8, 2017
P ine Summit Camp, Big Bear Lake, CA 

Del 13 al 15 de Octubre
En Pine Summit Camp 
Big Bear Lake, CA

More information is on our website. You should also be receiving some material on our retreats in the mail soon.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Spanish-language Upcoming Events
  
Torneo de volleyball
22 de julio
Iglesia Bautista de Bell

4900 Clara St.

Cudahy, CA 90201

Para más información por favor se comunican con:
Emilio Núñez (626) 442-5500 o
29 de julio
San Antonio Heights Community Church
2520 N. Euclid Avenue
Upland, CA 91784
Este taller atiende a uno
de los problemas más difíciles de tratar en la vida de la iglesia:  como restaurar a las personas que caen en pecado y como restaurar a los heridos por los que pecaron.
Inscripción en línea 
 
El Picnic Anual
5 de agosto - 10:00 AM
El picnic anual se llevará a cab en el parque El Dorado de Long Beach.
Traiga su comida y nostros proveeremos la reacreacióm. deportes y una meditación con el pastor Felix Valdelamar.

PCN Espanol
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Great Youth Concert in Long Beach
On Saturday, June 25, close to 100 youth attended the Pacific Church Network event called, "The Real Social Network." Several bands and speakers gathered at Bethany Church in Long Beach for a great time of music, networking and inspiring speakers. Thanks to Stephany Bustos and her team for directing this event.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
CB Chaplain Headed for Annapolis
This summer, CB chaplain Jon Uyboco has been assigned to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Jon's wife Susanna, along with their four children, have been living in SoCal this spring near Camp Pendleton, while Jon was deployed to Okinawa and the Pacific. Jon has a good reputation within the Navy. We are excited that CB now has a strong evangelical chaplain helping cadets during their academy days. CB has close to 200 chaplains around the world.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
On Long Sermons
Brian Howard writes for his blog:
"Please do not require me to listen to a long sermon because you neglected to take the time to prepare for one that is clear, precise, and excellent. The best communicators spend enough time in preparation that their sermons are true to the text, interesting, clear, relevant, and precise. Some feel like preaching a 75-minute sermon makes them more legit, or biblical. My high school student and the neighbor that finally agreed to come to a worship service with me would beg to differ. Why not preach a carefully crafted, precise, and clear 35-minute sermon? You can do so, be faithful to the text, and apply the gospel. "I wish the pastor would preach longer sermons," said nobody, ever. If you can't narrow down your sermon to a manageable time frame, can you at least give us a ten-minute break to decide whether or not we will stick around for part 2?"
read more
 
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image
Survey Results so far
baptism
Already, 33% of our churches have responded to our short survey. Thank you. Of those who have responded, we have had 186 baptisms in the last 12 months! That is fantastic!
Church / City
Sierra Baptist, Independence 3
Redeemer, Burbank 8
Hope International, Hollywood 16
International, Honolulu 6
Lifepointe, Fallbrook  5
ShoreLife, Huntington Beach 10
New City, San Diego 4
Iglesia Bautista, Santa Barbara 6
Valley Christian, Menifee 5
By His Grace, Riverside 17
Calvary Baptist, Whittier 6
Cornerstone, West L.A. 23
First Baptist, Canoga Park 1
Bethel Grace, Bellflower 4
Armenian Evangelical, Glendale 7 
Desert Highlands, Palmdale 1
San Antonio Heights, Upland 4
Montebello Christian Fellowship 11
First Baptist, Oceanside 3
Response Church, San Diego 27
Recovery House of Worship, LA 15

Please take a few minutes to take this survey for us if you haven't. Thank you.
Newsletter - Dance Drop Shadow Image