Filed under: Uncategorized
As we are coming to the end of our “Made” series I hope you have been able to look at yourself in a new light. God has created us all different and unique but with one thing in common. We are all created to serve Him and others. Whether it’s in the church or outside the church, as followers of Christ we should do everything for His glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” What does this mean for you? I am praying that as we finish the series that God will reveal that answer to you.
It is also my prayer that we will all boldly step out in faith and in service to Him and explore what He has made us for. It may be scary, or risky, but if we take the risk and trust in the Lord, He will be there beside us and bless those efforts in some way.
- Rick Phillips
Filed under: Uncategorized
Awhile back I spoke about how we should love the church, not leave the church. But I got to thinking and realized that the reality is that people do leave churches all the time…for many different reasons. It happens. But does it happen correctly? My opinion is that is normally it does not happen correctly. Apparently I am not alone.
Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor of Granger Community Church in northern Indiana, has a blog and posted something recently about how people leave church and I’d like to share it with you here:
People leave churches every day…sometimes even when they’ve been attending that church for years or even decades. But for some reason–a time comes when they decide they need to go somewhere else. Some of those reasons are good. Some of those reasons are bad. The purpose of this post is not to debate the reasons–but rather to talk about the way that you leave a church.
Before I share my ideas on how to leave a church, let me give you my very unscientific stats on how most people leave churches:
- Group A: 20% leave kicking and screaming. They talk about everything they hate, how shallow the sermons are, why the kids program didn’t help and how the music is too loud or too traditional or too something else. And, of course, they say, “You’d be shocked by how many people agree with me, but everyone else is just too scared to speak their mind.”
- Group B: 79% say nothing. They just disappear. They quietly resign from their ministry roles and they stop attending. If you are privy to their giving records, you’ll usually find their hearts actually left a few months prior. Something happened and they became less enthused about the future. Or perhaps they moved into a new phase of life and the church just wasn’t working for them anymore. Either way, at some point you are walking through the hall at church and you think, “I don’t think I’ve seen Bob & Harriet recently.” You soon realize they quietly slipped away.
You might think Group A is bigger than 20%. But it’s just because they have VERY loud mouths. They get people worked up and talk to everyone, so it seems like the whole church is upset when it is really just a few.
You might also think that Group B chose the right way to leave a church. But truthfully, slipping away quietly can be just as painful for the pastor or leaders of the church (especially when you’ve been there for years) as those who leave loudly.
Thinking of leaving your church? Here’s how I would do it…
I would write a letter to the pastors and leaders. In this letter, I would talk about the way God had changed my life through the ministry of that church. I would talk about how some of my family members met Christ there, were baptized, went on missions trips and more. I would talk about how my own thoughts and beliefs were formed through my years at the church. I would talk about how I am more like Christ because of my time there. I would tell stories of specific retreats or camps or services where my life (or those of my family) was changed because of the church and its’ leaders.
You might have noticed that my percentages for Group A and B above only added up to 99%. That’s because I think only 1% leave a church in the way I’ve suggested. Well, actually, it’s probably more like .00001%. Because in 15 years at Granger, I only remember one family leaving the way I suggested. It was Mike and Laura who left in 1996. And the way they left marked me.
If I ever have to leave a church, I want to leave like Mike and Laura.
I want to be clear here. I am not encouraging people to leave the Ridge. But if you do feel God is leading you to leave your church family here or anywhere else, I am encouraging you to do it in such a way that it glorifies God.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Darrel
We are heading into a brand new year at the Ridge and we will be giving everyone a peek into what is coming next during our annual Vision Weekend. We will be taking a quick look back at where we have been and a long look at what we will be headed next.
I want to encourage you to attend one of our services this weekend to hear this message. We have a 5:15 pm Saturday evening service and three Sunday services (9 am, 10:15 am, and 11:30 am) at our Brookville Campus. Plus we have a 10:15 am service at our Greenville Campus.
Among the questions we will answer-
- Where have we been?
- What have we accomlished as a church?
- Where are we headed in 2010?
- Where do I fit into this vision?
My prayer is that you will join the Ridge Family this weekend to be engaged and excited about where God is leading us as a church.
See you this weekend!
Pastor Darrel
I believe that everyone has a desire deep inside them to make a difference with their life. To do that you have to be intentional.
Here at the Ridge we ask you to be intentional and to be involved on a number of levels. One of the areas we ask you to be intentional about is giving. Giving…not just of your time and energy and talents…but also finances. True, we do not “pass the plate” at the Ridge…but that doesn’t mean we don’t believe in giving generously to God’s Kingdom.
This month we are asking everyone at the Ridge to give with the Christmas Spirit toward our “Big Christmas Offering”. 50% of this offering will go to help support 5,000 international missionaries around the world. The other 50% will go to help support local mission projects, including our Greenville Campus. Please prayerfully consider giving an amount equal to the cost of the most expensive gift you give this Christmas as a way of showing your love for Jesus and so that His Good News can be spread far and wide.
Remember we are made in God’s image…and God is a giver…after all He gave His only Son Jesus so that we might find forgiveness and live forever. You can make a difference…be intentional and be a generous giver for God’s Kingdom this year!
- Pastor Darrel
In conjunction with our “Wellness” series I am re-posting an article originally published this past summer. – Pastor Darrel
Sometimes I think the Church is the most misunderstood and under-appreciated organization in the world. Some people expect perfection even though the Church is filled with imperfect people.
A recent article in the Washington Post paints a great picture of the reality and beauty of the Church. Here’s an exerpt from the article:
We’ve been in the church our whole lives and are not blind to its failings. Churches can be boring, hypocritical, hurtful, and inept. The church is full of sinners. Which is kind of the point. Christians are worse than you think. Our Savior is better than you imagine.
But the church is not all about oppression and drudgery. Almost every church we know of visits old people, brings meals to new moms, supports disaster relief, and does something for the poor. We love the local church, in spite of its problems, because it’s where we go to meet God. It’s not a glorified social/country club you attend to be around people who talk and look just you do. It’s a place to hear God’s word spoken, taught and affirmed. It’s a place to sing praises to God, and a place to serve others. It’s a place to be challenged.
In short, the Church is flawed and messy and imperfect…but Jesus Christ died for it…we should love the Church…and it is our job to be the Church’s hands and feet to impact our neighborhoods and the world with the Gospel.
To see the entire article “Love the church, don’t leave it”
This Saturday night is a chance for you to participate in a once-a-year event. It is our “Annual Ridge Family Budget Meeting”. It is an opportunity for you to hear information and ask questions regarding the 2010 Ridge Budget.
The budget has been prepared by the Leadership Team at the Ridge. The Leadership Team are the “nuts & bolts” people (mostly volunteers) who oversee the day-to-day ministries of the church that effect you and your family, as well as the community at-large. The group budgets with our 5 main purposes in mind: worship, evangelism/missions, discipleship, belonging, and service.
The meeting on Saturday night will feature the Ridge staff, the Leadership Team, the Pilot Team, and the Management Team. We will give you “big picture” information and then will allow for questions from you. This is a great way to find out what all is going on at the Ridge in 2010. We hope to see you here Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. immediately following our 5:15 p.m. service.
See you Saturday!
- Pastor Darrel
One of the highlights of the year at the Ridge is our “Single Parent Car Winterization”. Every year we service cars and prepare them for winter. We change the oil, check fluids, change wiper blades, check lights, clean windows and vacuum floorboards to help single moms and dads. Our goal is to show the love of Christ through this simple act of kindness.
For me as Pastor, this is one the most inspiring days of the year because I get to see so many people serving at one time. I believe we were created to serve and when we do, it unleashes something special inside of us.
Our hope is that the love of Christ will touch many lives as we fix cars in the name of Christ.
Thanks for your willingness to serve Ridge Family!
- Pastor Darrel
Filed under: Uncategorized
Sometimes in the midst of meetings and discussions and plans…the busyness of ministry in the church…we can forget why we do what we do.
This past weekend, after 3 Sunday services in Brookville and one in Greenville, a group of us went to the home of Tim & Sherry Doles.
Tim & Sherry have been coming to the Ridge for a few years and recently Tim gave his life to Jesus Christ. Tim couldn’t come to the church to get baptized – so we took the baptism to him. In front of family and friends and a good group of the Ridge Family we witnessed Tim publicly professing his faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was an amazing afternoon as we sang and we heard Tim share his testimony. It was a day I will not soon forget. Our plan is for you to hear Tim’s complete story in the very near future.
But in the meantime, when you are in the middle of “church busyness” and you feel tired of serving…remember why we exist as a church: to witness firsthand God enacting miraculous change in the lives of people around us through Jesus Christ.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6.9 (NIV)
- Pastor Darrel
Filed under: Uncategorized
Never a dull moment behind the scenes at The Ridge. Due to unforeseen circumstances this week at the 11:30 service we found ourselves minus a bass player, male vocalist and guitarist. Enter Gary Wilkins. Gary is our new teaching pastor and in his first full week at The Ridge God has really put him to work. As you can see from the picture, Gary stepped up and filled the void on bass and vocals. You’ll see quite often around The Ridge we try to live by 1 Peter 4:10 cev “Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.” Gary certainly let God use him Sunday. Are you opening your heart and mind to what God is calling you to? Would you like to explore the many different areas where you can be used by God at The Ridge? Is it time to take the next step in your walk with Jesus? If so, send an email to info@ridge.tv or write it on your communications card that you would like to “get used”. We will sit down with you and help you discover what that means in your life.
Thanks Gary and thank You God for giving Gary the talent and courage to jump in when needed.
The Ridge has a new pastor and his name is Gary Wilkins.
Gary’s title is “teaching pastor” and his area will be discipleship, and his specific focus, Life Groups. Gary has a number of other skills, including video editing and writing. He will be a part of our teaching/preaching team as well as our creative team.
We are very excited to have Gary with us. Until he is able to move from his home in Cincinnati, Gary will be working a modified schedule. But the good news is his house sold right away, so Gary and his family will be moving to the Brookville area soon.
Gary’s wife is named Leigh and they have three children – Catherine, Claire, and Ryan. Gary has put together a video to introduce you to him and his family. Go to our website and click on the video to see it.
Make sure you get to know Gary and his family and make them feel welcome this week at the Ridge!
- Pastor Darrel
