Why does the Country Fellowship Church exist?
Ten-year-old Grace, came home from VBS and proudly announced to her mother, “I asked Jesus into my heart.” “But honey,” her mother replied. “You asked Jesus into your heart two-years ago.” Grace shrugged her shoulders and sighed, “I know, but He keeps escaping.”
The good news: Jesus does not escape from His children. (Hebrews 13:5)
The bad news: We escape from His purpose.
Don’t forget why we exist as church! The Local Church should not escape from her purpose!
We do not want to be a Program Driven Church. We did not want to be a Denominational-Driven Church. We did not want to be a just Traditional Driven Church. Instead, we want to be a Purpose Driven Church. The Purpose Statement that we adopted:
“The Country Fellowship Church provides an atmosphere of Grace where people can meet Jesus and grow up in Him.”
Our purpose statement is based on the Great Commandments (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) In other words, “A Great church obeys the Great Commandments and carries out the Great Commission.” Now that is why we exist! Everything we do, as a church should fit into that purpose statement. If it does not fit into our Purpose Statement, then we do not do it.
Sunday, January 9th, I will bring my “State of the Church Sermon.” This sermon will highlight vision and strategy for 2022. I am really excited about 2022. Let’s Go!
Over 10 years ago, I met at a little cafe with Dr. Greg Long about starting the Lost Pine Cowboy Church in Elgin, Texas. Each year I go and preach at that church. This allows Greg and Bonnie to visit with their grandchildren in Georgia. L.D. White is bringing the message this morning and I know that he will do a great job. Next Sunday, I will trade pulpits with Terry Williams who is a member of our church. Terry has been interim pastor at Madisonville Christian Fellowship. This church recently called a pastor from Florida, but he will not be in the pulpit until January 9th. Terry is trying to give some space between his leaving and the new pastor arriving. I know that Terry’s message will bless your hearts. Terry and Sheri have a great love for Country Fellowship Church. Don’t forget our Men’s Breakfast on Thursday, January 6th at 7:30 a.m. at Toasted Yolk on University and our Bible Study here at Aldersgate on Friday, January 7th @ 9:30 a.m. Our new study is “Angels Unaware.” At the conclusion of our study on that day I will share with you about “Growth Strategies” for 2022. We will also open it up for discussion and ideas that our church family might have. (9:30 a.m. is the new time for Fridays. We will also meet here in the fellowship hall.)
Happy New Year!
Your Pastor & Friend!
Charles