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As described in this post, I have been undertaking the thought of joining Mars Hill as my church home. I did not want to simply slide into it with ease or with simple conscious. I wanted to really put Mars Hill to the test in my beliefs, and in return, it managed to test a lot of what I believe. In fact I couldn’t find a single reason to not say it was my church home. The elders and deacons of Mars Hill Church really do have their act together! And that isn’t because of something they read in a New York Times or Amazon bestseller list… it simply was founding the church from the get-go on the living, breathing Word of God. Jesus’ message is enough, and needs not any extra panache or fanfare added in. There is no need for golden pianos, metal plated Bible covers, or inspirational sports commentaries placed inside to be called “extra features”. The Bible is not a DVD box set. It just is.
Going back on the original topic: membership. It actually means something for this church, and not just to the elders. I’m talking the sheep here. The laymen. It is required for all leadership positions and its a way that the community stays active and accountable of each other. In terms of leadership, I will probably lead a community group in the next year. Much of that will depend on location and career opportunities playing the mix. Regardless to say, as of April 1st, 2008, I am a member of Mars Hill. I could not be more thankful to God. Being that I was appointed a member on April Fool’s Day is not a coincidence. It’s a good reminder that by myself, I am the biggest fool of them all. With Christ, I am called to be a disciple and live my life for Him in action and deed.
On and unrelated note, I am finishing up CSS: The Missing Manual this week. I’m having fun going through the tutorials and learning a lot of applicable knowledge when it comes to the backend of web design. I hope to implement these changes with Slipstream.cc and eventually get my portfolio hosted directly on my site, though Carbonmade has done an excellent job just in terms of a free service. Time to get back to studying.
Today, Pastor Mark preached one of those sermons that can really stick with a person. It covered Paul’s writing to the church of Philipi on Christ’s humility. What an amazingly deep passage! Paul cries out to ‘complete my joy’ he says in verse 2, ‘by being of the same mind, having the same love, being full of accord and of one mind.’ I could go more into all the notes I took, but I’ll leave it at that. I encourage you, Christian or not, to check out Philippians chapter 2, verses 1-11. It’s juicy stuff that will not only shock you but hopefully instill in you a better knowledge of Christ’s heart.
I’m going to be writing up more of my thoughts for my community group for this Tuesday’s get together. We’ve got an online discussion area now for when we don’t see each other the other 5-6 days of the week. I ask for prayer for new opportunities in ministry at the church that have fallen into my lap that I use guildance and prayer in. I’ve done much of the same in the past, for my home church, but much of it was half hearted and quite self-seeking. I want to leave my pride at the door and seek nothing more than His Kingdom.
