Once in a Life time

Once in a Life time:

As I set down to pen this Thursday Blast November 10, 2011, this thought keeps going through my mind,  “Once in a Lifetime”.  I love to hunt and I hear it over and over again this is a hunt of a lifetime or hear, the hunting tag that you just received is a “once in a life time event”.  I was fortunate to draw a Moose tag several years ago on my first attempt at putting in for the coveted hunt.  I was able to fill the “Once in a lifetime” tag.  We hear the term on the radio and the TV, you are about to take the trip….you guessed it, of a “lifetime”.  As we relate the term to the kingdom of God, I am persuaded that we are in a time and season that only comes once in our life time.  The world events that we hear are “Revelation Like”.  The current events of the European country of Greece that is broke; Italy is next, other countries not far behind.  What a great hour for the church to rise up and take the place that has been abrogated or given up in the 1960’s.  Let’s take a journey back in time.  In the 1920’s the church  in America was very prevalent and vibrant, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit known as the Azusa Street Revival, Tent crusades, healing lines and true undeniable miracles.  The church was the stabilizing force through the great depression.  In the 1930’s and 1940’s the community revolved around the church as the church was the leader in health care,  social issues, and took great pride in caring for the people of the community.  In the 1950’s the church started taking  the opportunities for granted and became lethargic that led to the 1960’s where the church sat back and allowed the government to step in, “because they could do it better”.   It was not uncommon for the church to be the political leaders as well; in fact of the original signers of the Constitution of the United States, the majority was Christians.  In today’s society it has become taboo for a Christian to hold public office.  Well I am persuaded that the tide is turning, with the collapse of the economy, the dollar shrinking in value, home prices are no longer considered an asset, the merger of businesses and corporations, and the government not knowing where to turn.   It is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity for the church to stand up and take the rightful place the Lord had originally planned for the church.  I look at how opportunities we at Mountain View Christian Center have been afforded, feeding thousands of people, offering a free Job service, clothing thousands, giving thousands of coats, giving away thousands of salmon and steelhead, offering a free medical clinic for the uninsured (to open soon), offering marriage classes, grief classes, blended family classes, divorce recovery as well as being a resource to the community.  Where will it all ends.  I am not sure.  All I know is that we as a church body and a member of this community will do everything in our power to “reach the Lost at any cost”.  Some lost in sin, others that have lost their way in life, none the less we will continue to be a vibrant part of this community as we fulfill our mission Statement, “Love God, Serve People”. 

Last week we held our yearly Leadership summit.  One of the exercises we did was determine how we as a church will fulfill the mission statement.  We came up with 5 ways.  We will “Love God and serve People” through #1 Prayer, #2 Worship, #3 Discipleship, #4 Evangelism, and #5 Ministry.  We then graded each of the departments of the church to determine areas of strength and weakness.  It was amazing the areas we thought we were the strongest we had some blind spots and the areas we thought we were weak in have become our strengths.  One other breakout session we did was ask each department to finish this statement, in our department/ministry we will “Love God and serve People” By…….I will share these with you in the weeks to come.  It was amazing to see the vision come alive in each of the ministries under the flag of the mission statement. 

Some really cool things have come to pass as we have been working on naming the long lane that comes in to the church.  It is official, it is Mountain View Lane.  Our church address will be 317 Mountain View Lane, Burley, Idaho.  Way cool.  We are working very hard in collecting coats and food for the Pre thanksgiving food giveaway.  In fact just this morning we had our delivery of the ice cream that we know was coming.  It has arrived, I must admit I tried it and it is yummy…. Also we had a pallet of ice melt donated to us this week to use around the church.  It never ceases to amaze me of the Greatness of our God.  As we look forward to Sunday Service I will be preaching the book of 1 John.  Please read it this week in preparation for Sunday services.  Several things to take note of this week.  This evening at 7:00 pm MVCC will be hosting a Light for the Lost Banquet which is a part of the Men’s ministry of the Assemblies of God.  It is the extension that provides literature for our missionaries.  Come be a part.  Our very Own Pastor Steve Isaac will be preaching.  Don’t forget the best place to be on Friday night.  Right here at MVCC Celebrate Recovery meal is at 6p.m.  Come be a part. 

As you prepare for Church services this week end don’t forget to invite a friend to come with you…

We Love you all,

Pastors Jim & Joy Powell