The War of the Worlds
From District Superintendent: Rev. Doug Conley
Antlers restaurant in Toronto was the scene of a protest. The restaurant features farmed meat "meant to run in the wild." The protesters stood outside with signs that said, "MURDER" and another that said, "Animals are not ours to use." (Washington Post March 28, 2018)
This clash is just one small example of the conflict that is raging in our culture and is fueling animosity in every corner of society and the world. We are at war; not a war with bullets and bombs, not an economic war. We are in a war of worldviews.
When I first read about the protest in Toronto, I was immediately struck by the sign that said, "Animals are not ours to use." The primary reason is that it is in stark contrast to my worldview (which I would like to believe is Biblical). I believe that human beings were created in the image of God. Unlike the rest of creation, God breathed into Adam and he became a living soul. Human beings, unlike the rest of creation, have been created to have a soul and,like God, to rule and reign over the creation he entrusted to us. So, clearly animals are ours to use. Jesus reinforced that idea in a vision given to Peter in Acts 10, when he says to Peter, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
This is not an article about not being a vegetarian. All this is to illustrate that most of what is occurring in our society that we don't like is the result of the fact that the Biblical worldview is no longer dominant. It has become the minority point of view and its market share is shrinking fast. As a result we continue to speak and live like everybody knows where we are coming from and understand what we are talking about. That is simply no longer the case.
Our nation is divided on abortion because the majority no longer believes that human beings are created in the image of God and that life is sacred at its beginning and at its end. Even the argument, "It is a woman's body and she has the right to choose what to do with her on body." falls flat when set against the biblical perspective that all of life is a gift from God and we are accountable to him for what we do with it. The New Testament reinforces that idea with the fact that "we are not our own, we have been bought with a price."
What should we do? How do we engage in the new World War? Let me offer a few ideas and I am sure that you can offer many others:
- #1. We need to become experts in articulating our world view. Many Christian ideas no longer hold sway with our society. We have to become better at defending our ideas and actions by rooting them in the actions of God in history. One way to approach this is to read the materials produced by RZIM (Ravi Zacharias International Ministries)
- #2. We must respect those with an opposing idea and be willing to listen carefully to what they are saying. They may help us understand why our communication is not being understood. Or, they may help us see the logical holes in our arguments. This means that we must intentionally interact with people who are not like us who travel in very different social circles. In other words, we must live missionally.
- #3. We cannot respond to this in a war-like manner. If we believe that all people are created in the image of God, all human life is sacred; then we cannot eviscerate those we disagree with and respond to them as if they were enemies. When we do we undermine our own message.
- #4. We must look at the scriptures more deeply and invite the Holy Spirit to be our teacher. The casual reading of the Bible will not suffice to equip us for this task.
- #5. Choose love rather than fear. Many Christians live in a state of fear that they will not have the right answers, that they will be embarrassed at not being able to converse with those of a different point of view. I believe that if we study the Bible and the teaching of those God has better equipped to respond to this clash of worldviews, the Spirit of God will, as promised, guide us in what to say. However, no matter what we say or how well we say it - nothing trumps love. Our best apologetic is to love people with the love God has imparted to us.
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Derwood Farmers' Market
On Saturday April 21, Derwood Alliance Church launched a community outreach in the form of a
Farmers' Market.
The market received an enthusiastic response from the community.
If you think this might be a good idea for your community, please contact Mark Trinkl.
Do you have an effective community outreach? Tell us about it and send some pictures.
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New Addition to the Orozco Family
Julio, Yenory, Maddyx and Camila are excited to announce their new addition to the family!
Name:
Xavier Ezekiel Orozco
Born on:
March 30th, 2018
Weight: 9 lbs
Length: 21 inches
Congratulations to the Orozco Family!
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Registration for LIFE-on-life Formation
The Mid-Atlantic District is partnering with LIFE-on-life Formation to provide a space to address the needs of the whole person. The purpose is to produce spiritually mature men and women committed to incarnational ministry. This series of 9 cohorts spans three years.
Registration for the first retreat is now open!
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2018 Dream Incentive Grant Application
Church Ministries is delighted to have received funds for another year of Dream Incentive Grants designated for small to mid-size churches. Please
click here for informational pages and application for the 2018 grant.
All applications must be submitted by September 15 to
vincentk@cmalliance.org or to the following address: the C&MA, Attn: Kim Vincent, 8595 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920.
We look forward to seeing what the Lord is placing on the hearts of our churches for greater Kingdom impact.
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Your Church's Participation in Great Commission Day Yields Direct, Redeemed-Life Results!
Every week, the Alliance Communications office receives stories of people who have experienced dynamic new beginnings because they were introduced to Jesus through an Alliance church here in the States or an Alliance worker somewhere in the world. As a result, hope is displacing despair; joy is overcoming grief; and light is dispelling darkness. This is the transforming power of our all-sufficient Savior unleashed through His people.
One vivid example is Emmanuelle, a single mother in France whose life had been characterized by pain, trauma, and despair. Just as she was on the verge of ending it all, God interrupted! You can
watch the video to see how her story unfolds or
read about it in Alliance Life's May/June issue.
Emmanuelle's and thousands of other redeemed-life stories are made possible because of the faithfulness of U.S. Alliance people in sending, supporting, and equipping our front line workers through our earnest prayers and generous giving. This is why we celebrate Great Commission Day. The more your church participates, the more redeemed-life stories it makes possible.
Our Lord is not willing that ANY should perish
(2 Peter 3:9). Every soul deserves the opportunity to hear the gospel. And every Alliance person deserves the opportunity to help create gospel access for those who have not yet heard.
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May 15
LO&CC
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May 23
Prayer Gathering
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May 28
Memorial Day
OFFICE CLOSED
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SEEK 2018
The U.S. Alliance family is invited to attend SEEK 2018: An Alliance Regional Deeper Life and Missions Event. This conference, coordinated by four Alliance districts (The Alliance Southeast, Eastern Pennsylvania, Great Lakes, and Midwest) and the National Office, is intended for those who earnestly seek a fuller, richer life in the Holy Spirit. Join President Stumbo, International Ministries Vice President Tim Crouch, conference speaker Sunder Krishnan, and several Alliance international workers as together we press into the deeper, abiding presence of God's Holy Spirit.
Dates and Locations:
May 4-5, 2018 - Deltona (FL) Alliance Church
June 1-2, 2018 - Lancaster (PA) Bible College
June 8-9, 2018 - Westgate Chapel, Toledo, Ohio
November 2-3, 2018 - Eagle Church, Zionsville, Indiana
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The Gathering
Join us for our next event on May 23, 2018 at 7pm.
The live site for this event will be at First Alliance Church in Silver Spring, MD.
14500 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904.
If your church would like to participate as a satellite site, please contact Pastor Ira Towns at itowns@cmamad.org.
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Family Camp at Summit Grove
Date: July 21-28, 2018
Location: 140 South Front Street
New Freedom, PA 17349
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Summit Grove Summer Soccer Camp
Date: July 30th-August 3rd
Location: New Freedom Park Field
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Book Signing!
Upcoming book signing for "
Ponderings of a Pedaling Pastor" by Dennis Whitmore.
Date of book signin
g
:
May 12th
(1pm-
3pm)
Location:
Barnes & Noble
(
Francis Scott Key Mall)
5500 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21703
Click Here to order a copy of his book/get more info.
It can also be found at:
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InterChange 2018: Save the Date!
(For district superintendents, assistant district superintendent, association presidents/executive directors, and wives)
Dates: November 9-14, 2018
Everyone should arrive on Friday, November 9.
- Association leaders/wives-please arrive before 5 p.m. for dinner and MCM Consultation following dinner.
- DS's/Assistant DS/Wives-dinner/Evening on your own.
- Saturday, November 10-All-day training. Attendance is mandatory.
- Presenter: Dr. Gary McIntosh
- Devotional speaker: Rev. Paul W. Smith
- Ministry to wives: Heather Smith
- Concludes-Wednesday, November 14, by noon
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton
1775 East Cheyenne
Mountain
Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
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Fair Share and Church Multiplication Update
April 2018
Fair Share (YTD):
Budget: $307,453.64
Received: $290,610.27
Deficit: $16,843.37
Church Multiplication (YTD):
Budget: $122,083.33
Received: $69,032.69
Deficit: $53,050.64
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