The new series began on Mother's Day. The first message was Fight Night. Not exactly your traditional Mother's Day subject.
For more of us than would care to admit it, we didn't grow up at Ozzie and Harriet's place. Our home probably looked more like Ozzie Osbourne's. Families are messy and difficult. But God can deal with messy and difficult-after all, he deals with us.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Welcome...
During the past few weeks, Pastor Ken's messages have been about The Little "c", the local church. One of the goals for this series has been to call people's attention to the importance of being associated with a local church.
People in our post-modern society seem to have little desire for association, commitment and accountability, but Scripture seems to tell us that is not the way God intends us to live. The Bible indicates humans function best in close community, with a high level of mutual commitment and accountability.
Joining a local church shows commitment, makes close community available, and provides accountability. This past Sunday, 44 people joined our fellowship, and we have at least a dozen more in the process of counseling and baptism preparation.
This is exciting! These people are all showing they want to be a part of what is happening at Argyle, and want to do it in a way that shows their identification with Jesus as the head of the Church. After all, it really is Jesus the Church is all about- not the pastor, staff, or members. But we do get to work side-by-side with God in doing His work.
Hal Hunter
People in our post-modern society seem to have little desire for association, commitment and accountability, but Scripture seems to tell us that is not the way God intends us to live. The Bible indicates humans function best in close community, with a high level of mutual commitment and accountability.
Joining a local church shows commitment, makes close community available, and provides accountability. This past Sunday, 44 people joined our fellowship, and we have at least a dozen more in the process of counseling and baptism preparation.
This is exciting! These people are all showing they want to be a part of what is happening at Argyle, and want to do it in a way that shows their identification with Jesus as the head of the Church. After all, it really is Jesus the Church is all about- not the pastor, staff, or members. But we do get to work side-by-side with God in doing His work.
Hal Hunter
Friday, April 18, 2008
Financial Peace University ends...
The 13 weeks of our first Financial Peace University just concluded. Not everyone who started back in January completed the course, but those who did were excited about the things they learned and the progress they made.
We took a followup survey of family debt. Twenty-five families participated. Their aggregate debt when we took the first survey was $1,481,174. Now, ten weeks later, their debt is $1,325,176- a 10.5% reduction of $155,998, or an average of $6,240 per family!
While still a lot of debt, things are headed in the right direction with these families. Two families showed no reduction in their debt load, but four had reductions of $10,000 or more.
The biggest single message we heard from participants was new found confidence that things could be different in their financial lives, and that it really is possible to be debt free and at peace financially.
We will be offering the FPU again beginning August 27. Check the Financial Peace section of the web site for complete details and a registration form.
Hal Hunter
We took a followup survey of family debt. Twenty-five families participated. Their aggregate debt when we took the first survey was $1,481,174. Now, ten weeks later, their debt is $1,325,176- a 10.5% reduction of $155,998, or an average of $6,240 per family!
While still a lot of debt, things are headed in the right direction with these families. Two families showed no reduction in their debt load, but four had reductions of $10,000 or more.
The biggest single message we heard from participants was new found confidence that things could be different in their financial lives, and that it really is possible to be debt free and at peace financially.
We will be offering the FPU again beginning August 27. Check the Financial Peace section of the web site for complete details and a registration form.
Hal Hunter
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Something new at Argyle...
We are introducing something new... TCAAShareCycle.
This is a great opportunity to share unneeded items with others within the Argyle family. It also serves to reduce the waste stream, conserving both energy and space in our landfill.
If you have (or need) an item you would like to share, consider TCAAShareCycle. It's free, but you do have to be a member of the Argyle family, you have to register, and there are a few rules to remember (click here to read the rules).
We really appreciate the effort and energy Patti Wall has spent in putting this together. She will serve as the moderator of the group.
This is a great opportunity to share unneeded items with others within the Argyle family. It also serves to reduce the waste stream, conserving both energy and space in our landfill.
If you have (or need) an item you would like to share, consider TCAAShareCycle. It's free, but you do have to be a member of the Argyle family, you have to register, and there are a few rules to remember (click here to read the rules).
We really appreciate the effort and energy Patti Wall has spent in putting this together. She will serve as the moderator of the group.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Answering a few whys...
At the end of each Worship Gathering, we ask people with needs or questions to meet with a member of the staff. Yesterday, a lady who was with us for the second time had a few questions. Maybe others may have the same questions and just never made it to the front to ask them. For their benefit, here are the answers.
Why don't you do communion each service?
Different denominations and different local fellowships have varying approaches to communion, or the Lord's Supper. We believe that it is an important symbol and act of obedience reserved for born-again, Scripturally baptized believers. Since our Sunday mornings are intended primarily to engage outsiders, not insiders, there are many people here who would not understand exactly what was happening, and why we are asking them to not participate. So, instead of Sunday morning, we usually celebrate the Lord's Supper on Sunday evening every two or three months, at a special service where it is the primary focus. We also serve the Lord's Supper in Community Groups or in other small groups as requested.
Why is there no cross in the Worship Center?
Actually, there is often a cross as an element in the projection graphics, but there is no permanent cross in the furniture of the room. If an outsider needs a physical symbol to identify who we are and what we believe, we are failing as a fellowship. Insiders already know, and try to be a living symbol of the presence of Jesus to everyone around them.
Why don't we have pew Bibles? Why isn't everyone bringing their Bible?
Scripture references are always included in the projection show that supports each message. And remember, we are trying to engage outsiders on Sunday morning. Often, people coming to our Worship Gatherings are not familiar with the Bible and trying to find a passage may be a distraction for them. Projecting them means no one is distracted away from the message. Also, Pastor Ken sometimes uses more than one translation version, so there is no confusion between alternate wordings of the passages he uses.
Hal Hunter
Why don't you do communion each service?
Different denominations and different local fellowships have varying approaches to communion, or the Lord's Supper. We believe that it is an important symbol and act of obedience reserved for born-again, Scripturally baptized believers. Since our Sunday mornings are intended primarily to engage outsiders, not insiders, there are many people here who would not understand exactly what was happening, and why we are asking them to not participate. So, instead of Sunday morning, we usually celebrate the Lord's Supper on Sunday evening every two or three months, at a special service where it is the primary focus. We also serve the Lord's Supper in Community Groups or in other small groups as requested.
Why is there no cross in the Worship Center?
Actually, there is often a cross as an element in the projection graphics, but there is no permanent cross in the furniture of the room. If an outsider needs a physical symbol to identify who we are and what we believe, we are failing as a fellowship. Insiders already know, and try to be a living symbol of the presence of Jesus to everyone around them.
Why don't we have pew Bibles? Why isn't everyone bringing their Bible?
Scripture references are always included in the projection show that supports each message. And remember, we are trying to engage outsiders on Sunday morning. Often, people coming to our Worship Gatherings are not familiar with the Bible and trying to find a passage may be a distraction for them. Projecting them means no one is distracted away from the message. Also, Pastor Ken sometimes uses more than one translation version, so there is no confusion between alternate wordings of the passages he uses.
Hal Hunter
A Week After...
Last Sunday was Easter, and we packed out the house both Worship Gatherings. Even with a lot of extra chairs in the Worship Center, there were only a couple empties. It was so full a few Baptists had to sit in front!
But yesterday the crowd was more manageable. As a matter of fact, fewer than half as many people were in worship than last week.
What changed? Death still stands defeated and Jesus is still alive. If we had reason to celebrate last week, is this week any less deserving of celebration?
Hal Hunter
But yesterday the crowd was more manageable. As a matter of fact, fewer than half as many people were in worship than last week.
What changed? Death still stands defeated and Jesus is still alive. If we had reason to celebrate last week, is this week any less deserving of celebration?
Hal Hunter
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Knowing, But Not Yet Believing
There is something interesting to notice about the Gospel accounts of the resurrection and first few days afterward. Jesus' followers were presented with the evidence of the empty tomb, told by angels of the fulfillment of the prophesies, given every reason to believe what they had been told would happen did happen- they still had their doubts. When Thomas heard from men he had every reason to trust that Jesus was alive- when he heard eyewitness testimony- he still doubted. It was only when they had a personal encounter with the risen Lord that they went beyond knowing to believing.
It is the same today. We can read the accounts in the Gospels; we can read John's, Matthew's, Peter's and Paul's testimony; we can hear friends tell us about the truth. But, until we have our own encounter with the living Savior, until we feel the power of the Holy Spirit speaking to us, until we surrender our hearts to His love and grace, we only know it. And knowing is far short of believing.
Hal Hunter
It is the same today. We can read the accounts in the Gospels; we can read John's, Matthew's, Peter's and Paul's testimony; we can hear friends tell us about the truth. But, until we have our own encounter with the living Savior, until we feel the power of the Holy Spirit speaking to us, until we surrender our hearts to His love and grace, we only know it. And knowing is far short of believing.
Hal Hunter
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