Fifth reformed church

Marks of a Disciple: Loving

Disciples of Jesus Love.

“My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Jesus gave us all sorts of other instructions and commands, but he boils obedience to God down to one thing: love. In the summary of the law, Jesus said to love God and love people.  Here he says to his followers, “Love each other.”  But he didn’t stop there.  He said, “Love each other as I have loved you.”

The thought process goes like this:

• As God loved Jesus, so Jesus loves us.
• As Jesus loved us, so we are to love one another.
• The love of God is a self-giving love – a willingness to give of oneself for the benefit of others.

But what does that love look like? Christ-like love means being Christ-like in our willingness to give everything away–even our lives–for the sake of God’s purposes in others. Yikes. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t expect perfection from us, but he does expect imitation.  If we are just throwing up our hands and saying, “I can never do that,” we are missing the point. Our goal is to grow in Christ-likeness until we are willing to lay down our lives for our friends.  (And not just in the imaginary moment of being a martyr – but in the everyday routines of life where all of us naturally focus on ourselves and our needs.)

You might have heard it said that hurt people hurt. That means if a person is hurtful to others in their words, actions or presence, it is probably because they have been hurt themselves.  This perspective gives us a way of become curious about others rather than furious with them.  But it is also true that loved people love. 

The church is often accused of being hypocritical (and let’s face it: we have a less-than-stellar record because we are less-than-stellar people). Sometimes in the face of these accusations, we overlook the great change God has worked in the world through the transformed lives of people. Much of the world has no concept of the very real value added every day to life on this planet by authentic followers of Jesus Christ.  The church isn’t perfect, we know that full well. But God is up to something.  God is using his church to reach the world. 

Practically speaking, the purpose of Christians loving one another is not to create a holy huddle. The purpose is twofold:

1. We move toward the goal of the entire Christian life, which is becoming like Jesus.
2. The world will witness a new kind of community that surprises them, that wows them, that baffles them, and that attracts them.

Bill Hull in The Disciple-Making Pastor said, “The distilled essence of Christ’s ministry to mankind was motivated, sustained, and underlined by love”. Boil this Christian thing down, and it is all about self-giving love. Jesus gave himself for us.  When we let that sink in, really sink in, we are transformed by understanding that God SO loves us. And then we give ourselves for others.  We are empowered by the Spirit to obey Jesus’ command to love one another within the church, and to love our neighbors outside of the church.

Disciples of Jesus Love.

Stay up to date with our IMA Mexico missions team by clicking here!!

January, 22nd 2012 - "Abiding" (sermon audio)

The first step in becoming a disciple who makes disciples is being a disciple yourself.

Spiritual fruit comes from the overflow of our fellowship with God. The more deeply we are connected with Christ and

walking with Him, the more fruit there will be. The best investment you can make in combating the evil or advancing

the Gospel or serving the poor is to focus first on your relationship with Jesus. To commit by yourself as his apprentice -

to learn everything he said and to seek to apply it all the time. Abiding in Christ, is the most basic and necessary

commitment needed from a believer to grow into a more devoted follower of Christ.

"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can

bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you

are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

(John 15:3-5)

When we become believers, the Holy Spirit - or the Spirit of Christ - comes to live within us, to be ever present in our

life, to intercede for us, to remind us of everything Jesus said. He stays in us ... present all the time ... active all the

time. What would it look like for us to stay in Jesus all the time, to be present with him all the time, to be active with

him all the time? That's what Jesus is talking about.

We all need to develop our own Rule of Life to grow as disciples who make disciples. Basically, this is a game plan for

spiritual growth. A Rule of Life involves a rhythm for living that helps us abide in Christ and grow more connected to Him.

To begin crafting a strategy for spiritual transformation, Pastor John Ortberg suggests these initial questions:

1. How and when will I pray?

2. How can I approach my work in a way that will help Christ to be formed in me?

3. How will I handle money in a way that draws me closer to God?

4. How will I invest in Christian community (such as corporate worship, fellowship and confession)?

5. How can I fill my daily tasks with a sense of the presence of God?

The first step in becoming a disciple who makes disciples is being a disciple yourself, and the crucial and most basic

element of being a disciple of Jesus is choosing to abide in Him daily.

February 5, 2012 - Praying (sermon audio)

 

Disciples of Jesus Pray as a Way of Life.

Disciples of Jesus pray. The words of Jesus Christ are the foundation of all we, as disciples, do. These words shape our prayers. Scripture instructs us to pray for health, families, friends, enemies, shalom for the world, and an end to poverty and oppression. Still, we find ourselves asking, what is prayer, how do we pray and why do we pray?

 

What is prayer?
Disciples of Jesus pray as a way of life. As Pastor Jon says, “We live in a world where a resurrection has happened.” Prayer is primary in that world. Prayer is not a special language for holy times. Prayer is the “Amen!” to God’s actions and the language through which a disciple grows. Eugene Peterson calls it “practicing resurrection.” The disciple is immersed in prayer, soaking in it, and struggling through it.
Prayer is the language we use to respond to God. It is an active passivity. Disciples begin praying by listening. God speaks. We respond.

How do we pray?
Prayer begins in silence. Silence is where the disciple recognizes his/her reliance on God. Silence is not resignation, but rather active waiting for God. Silence can feel awkward and uncomfortable, but when growing, abiding, reflecting disciples practice silence, our true selves are revealed. We see our own human hearts and recognize the pride, the violence, and the apathy. We also build within us a true desire for God. Silence in prayer grows us as disciples and teaches us to respond to God. The disciple listens first understanding that God is at work.
Prayer is not something we just teach ourselves to do. It is a discipline that takes time to develop. The disciple knows he/she can only pray when abiding in Christ and when immersed in the Word. At times it may still seem impossible to pray, but the disciple is certain Jesus Christ will pray for him (Hb. 7:25) and the Holy Spirit will intercede (Rm. 8:26).

Why do we pray?
Just as our lungs were created to breathe, we were created to be in relationship with the living God. Disciples know they are children of God, so they pray. Disciples know they are heirs to God’s promises of redemption, joy, and a full life, so they pray.
Disciples are convinced prayer is how we are in relationship with the living God, how we grow and abide in Jesus Christ, how we reflect on the Word through the Holy Spirit, and how we act for Jesus Christ and the mission of the church. When we pray for the will of God to be done, we participate in the mission of God. God hears his disciples and acts for them.

Invitation to pray
Our purpose of church multiplication is coming to fruition in the Caledonia Church Plant. We cannot accomplish this on our own. The number one thing we can all do is pray. “Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send out workers into the harvest field (Luke 10:2).

Disciples of Jesus pray as a way of life, seeking to join God in His mission in this world.

January 29th, 2012 -"Reflecting" (sermon audio)

The most powerful practice for abiding in Christ is reflecting on scripture.

Reflecting on scripture is the best thing we can do to assist in our own growth toward being a more devoted follower

of Jesus, that is toward being a disciple who makes disciples. Our aim is to truly be Christlike: not just one who thinks

good thoughts about Jesus, but one who is willing to sacrifice of self to follow Him and love others.

A church near Chicago named Willow Creek did a study in their congregation, seeking to measure how folks were

growing spiritually and then invited 1,000 other churches to do the same. Results of individual member surveys showed

that people seem to fall into one of four categories of spiritual growth.

EXPLORING CHRIST - GROWING IN CHRIST - CLOSE TO CHRIST - CHRIST CENTERED

Results further revealed that there are identifiable catalysts to spiritual growth for individuals in each segment which

help to move them forward in their journey. The one catalyst that stood head and shoulders above all the rest is the

practice of "Reflecting on Scripture." If you want to grow spiritually, read and reflect on the Bible.

As we immerse ourselves in scripture, we are transformed as our minds are renewed. Scripture shapes us. From it we

are taught and trained. To be trained in righteousness is to know what we have received Christ's righteousness through

his sacrifice for us. We are also rebuked or redirected from hurtful and self-defeating paths; we are corrected. The

original word is the same as that used in 'orthopedic' - meaning to set right - like the setting of a bone, fixing that which

is broken.

There is a difference between reflecting on scripture and Bible study or Bible reading. Knowing a lot about the Bible is

not the same as abiding in Christ. The goal is not for you to make it all the way through the Bible. The goal is for the

Bible to make it all the way though you. We grow to be a little more like Jesus with every sincere investment in

reflecting on scripture, so that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work to participate in what God is doing

in the world - and not just participate but to be thoroughly equipped!

Plan for Reflecting on Scripture

Pray for enlightenment ... acknowledge that you can't figure it out on your own.

Read with a vulnerable heart ... approach the passage with a spirit of vulnerability.

Reflect on a brief portion of the Bible ... in reading for transformation, we have to go slowly.

Take a thought of verse with you through the day ... look for a nugget to take away for you.

Commit some portion of scripture to memory ... not to recite to others, just for you.

The most powerful practice for abiding in Christ is reflecting on scripture. Through the Bible, God will change you if

you're open to it.

January, 15th 2012 - "Growing" (sermon audio)

Disciples of Jesus are Growing People.

Our purpose as a church is growing disciples who make disciples.  So we need to ask ourselves, what does a disciple look like?  Though there may not be a complete and comprehensive description, we know that a follower of Jesus means much more than simply being a believer in Jesus.  To follow Christ means to seek to become like him.

Peter teaches us about being a disciple in 2 Peter 1:3-7.  In this passage, he notes that disciples are united in Christ.  Disciples acknowledge the depth of their own need and surrender themselves to Christ.  They are “in Christ” and participate in the divine nature.  Also, a disciple is a growing person spiritually.  There is a flow.  As a result of being united in Christ, disciples invest in growing in Christ.  As disciples, we understand the call to become more like Christ and pursue that growth with no excuses.

In 2 Peter 1:8-9, Peter goes on to explain why disciples need to be actively growing.  Growing keeps us from becoming ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus.  If we are not growing in Christ, we are spiritually blind.  We’ve forgotten we have been cleansed from our sin.  If we are not actively remembering, we are forgetting.  Disciples of Jesus are growing people.

So if spiritual growth is so important, as a church, how do we know when it is happening?  If spiritual growth, according to the Great Commandment, means to grow in love for God and love for others, how do we measure that?

Willow Creek Community Church, near Chicago, conducted a survey to try to measure if their congregation was growing spiritually.  They found they were leading people to Christ, but once there, people were not growing much spiritually despite robust participation in church activities and programs.  So if church programming doesn’t necessarily lead to spiritual growth, what does?  1000 additional churches have taken this same survey and identified specific catalysts for growth as well as four distinct stages of growth.

The point is not so much which stage you are in, but rather, are you moving?  Disciples take responsibility for their spiritual growth.  Our top priority as a church is helping people grow into more devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. 

So as we seek to grow disciples who make disciples, we need to know what a disciple looks like.  Disciples of Jesus are growing people who take responsibility for their growth and pursue it.

February 12, 2012 - Obeying (sermon audio) 

 

Obeying God is critical to abiding in Christ.

This whole Christian gig is much less about us accumulating religious information and much more about us being changed – truly changed – by God. That’s why there’s such a strong emphasis in the Bible on obedience. It’s not because God wants us under his thumb, but because God wants us to enjoy life as he intended. The Apostle John put it this way: “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands” (2 John 1:6). In another place in the Bible, Jesus said this: “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). There is a relationship between obeying and abiding in Christ.

The real key to starting your relationship with God is humility – to humble yourself before God and to say, “I need help!” Obedience is the key to continuing and advancing our relationship with God. Sometimes this message of obedience has an unintended interpretation that if we obey, then God favors us with his grace. We do not earn grace. We do not obey to get something from God. The marks of a disciple are descriptive of a person who is abiding in Christ – seeking God and seeking to be transformed by what they hear God speaking to them in scripture. Whenever Christians have gotten serious about obeying, the fruit of the Spirit have grown in their lives, and they have become more like Jesus – more giving, more self-sacrificing, more humble, more gracious.

The most powerful practice for abiding in Christ is reflecting on scripture. As we reflect on scripture, God’s word remains in us, and we immerse ourselves in God’s instructions (commands) for living as a follower of Christ. To keep the commands, you have to know the commands. We reflect on scripture, study the Bible and memorize portions of it and the Holy Spirit helps us by bringing things to mind at the time we need them.

The Bible takes another tack on this same idea by going at it from the disobedience side. Psalm 19 says: “Keep you servant also from willful sins: may they not rule over me” (Psalm 19:13). I take that to mean premeditated disobedience. Nothing will nuke your experience of your relationship with God faster than doing something that you know is contradictory to something that Jesus commanded. The first place to start in the spiritual life of following Jesus is to repent from anything you know to be wrong.

We all need help to do life well. To encourage one another, we have to be connected to one another is such a way that there is deep trust. The author of Hebrews writes this: “Spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). We as Christians should be connected enough with other Christians that we open ourselves to a gentle accountability with regard to the mission to which God has called us. This is why smaller groups are so important to the life of the church.

Information is only half the equation; application is the other half. Some simple spiritual math emerges: Information + Application = Transformation. This explains why Jesus told us about the relationship between obeying and abiding. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you” – When we obey Christ, we live in unhindered relationship with him, and we experience a kind of joy that is far beyond our capacity to produce and far behind the difficulty of our present circumstances.

Obeying God is critical to abiding in Christ.

(RCA Missions PDF) 

Reformed Church World Service (RCWS) is calling for prayers for peace in South Sudan. A recent resurgence of inter-ethnic violence there has left thousands dead.

Since late December, Luo-Nuer people have attacked Murle people in the towns of Lekwangole and Pibor. Local authorities report that more than 3,000 people have been killed and 120,000 displaced.

Many became separated from family members as they fled the violence; 19,000 remain missing. Homes in Lekwangole and Pibor were burned to the ground, and many cattle were stolen. Sources in South Sudan say the attacks are believed to be retaliation for a Murle attack last August in which 740 Luo-Nuer were killed. Those attacks resulted in 31,000 displaced persons and 166 orphaned children.

The latest reports indicate that Murle people are now attacking Luo-Nuer people in a cycle of retaliation.

"This is sad news coming out of the world's newest nation, South Sudan," says Derrick Jones, supervisor of RCA mission in Africa. "Please pray for peace and reconciliation efforts among the Lou-Nuer and Murle in South Sudan."

RCWS will work with the Presbyterian Church of Sudan, an RCA mission partner, to assist the displaced people with maize seed, sorghum, ground nuts, blankets, medicine, and cooking utensils. RCWS will send $10,000 to the Presbyterian Relief and Development Agency, an agency of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan.

RCA Global Mission continues to support RECONCILE, a mission partner that promotes peace-building in South Sudan by providing training in trauma healing, civic education, and conflict transformation. RECONCILE works in areas with high inter-tribal tension. New RCA missionaries Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mather are currently raising support to join RECONCILE and help address inter-ethnic conflict.

 

The IMA mission trip to Mexico is quickly approaching – the last two weeks of February, 2012! Participants from Fifth Church and around the U.S. and Mexico will be doing medical work/surgeries at Centro Medico San Lucas and in the surrounding Mayan villages. In addition,  the Water Filter Team from Fifth Church will be helping install clean water filters in some villages with monies donated from Fifth friends.  Your prayers and donations are greatly appreciated.   In addition, items that are distributed to the people in Mexico are greatly needed to take along. Please deposit any items on or before February 12 in the collection box near the hub in the church lobby. Reading Glasses – 2.5 strength and higher in plastic frames. Particularly need 3.0 and higher (Dollar Store or other) Sunglasses with UV protection Toothbrushes/Travel-size toothpaste Cloth Bags/Bolsitas (approx.. 5x7 with string closure)- given out in the villages with medications & Bibles

Beginning on January 11, 2012, Fifth will be offering Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class on Wednesday nights that will teach you God's way of handling money. Together we will climb out - one family, one church, one community at a time. 

From eNews: 

More Month at the End of the Money? 

Part of growing disciples who make disciples is growing in our understanding and practice of good financial stewardship, generosity and our capacity to give. We want to be able to provide for the security of our family and avoid the stress that comes with financial worry. Beyond our own needs we would love to give more to support ministry and to help others, but we barely seem to be able to keep up with our own bills each month. God can help us go from surviving, to thriving and giving, like no one else. 

Start the new year off right with an opportunity to learn about God’s plan for personal finance. This January, Fifth will be offering the Financial Peace University class, which teaches the life-transforming message of faithfully living by God's financial principles in every area of our lives. Did you know there are over 800 verses in the bible talk about money? God’s ways of handling money still work. The timeless lessons taught in scripture are every bit as relevant to us today as they were when they were written. 

The Financial Peace course, presented by national Christian author Dave Ramsey, has been taught in tens of thousands of churches and is impacting hundreds of thousands of families. The class is highly entertaining for everyone, with a unique combination of humor, informative financial advice and biblical messages. Couples who take the class together learn how to communicate about budgeting, spending, and saving and get on the same page about their money. However, the class will benefit singles, couples, newlyweds, families, empty-nesters, retirees, everyone. 

The class will be co-lead by Fifth members Paul Henderson and John Leegwater, who have both been through the class with their spouses and have seen the benefits. John says “I think it fits into our vision at Fifth because everything we have, money, things etc. all belong to God and we are just managing it for him. I feel that if people have the right tools and mind set about money, we can really change our personal futures as well as the church and even beyond.” 

The class starts Wednesday, January 11, and will meet every Wednesday for 13 weeks, from 6:30pm until 8:30pm. There is an optional dinner served at Fifth on Wednesdays at 5:45pm (cost $5 per person), as well as childcare and children’s programming. Contact John Leegwater at john-at-mtcrestoration.com or Paul Henderson at paul-at-roosein-assoc.com for more information or to register. You can also register for the class directly from the Financial Peace web site. One registration covers a family unit: an individual, a couple or a couple plus their teen-aged children. Scholarships are available to assist with the nominal course fee, if needed. 

The Christmas story - the story of Jesus being born in a manger, shepherds coming to visit and kings following a star to find this infant child -is a story filled with stewardship messages. As you remember the Christmas story this year, talk about the stewardship lessons we find with your family. 

Part 1 of 3: Lesson from the Infant Jesus "Time, Talent and Treasures"

There is no shame in being poor. 

It is interesting to note that while throughout his adult life Jesus always taught us to give and to serve, He first came into this world as one who needed assistance. It was no accident that He was born without a place to lay His head. In coming to our world in this way, Jesus shows us there is no shame in being poor. A risk we take when we practice stewardship is that we may begin to think of ourselves as better or more deserving than someone in need and consciously or unconsciously look down upon those who need our generosity. When we look down upon those in need we look down upon the infant Jesus himself. 

Part 2 of 3: Lesson from the Shepherds "Christmas Lessons and Stewardship"

We all have gifts to give. 

The shepherds came from the fields bringing only themselves and their sheep. Yet their interest in Jesus was enough to win them a place in the Christmas story for all times. What is their stewardship message to us? Even if all we have to give is our interest, our caring, and our time to come and visit; those are important gifts to give. 

Part 3 of 3: Lesson from the Wise Men 

Just worshipping Jesus isn't enough. 

The Wise Men present an entirely different message than the shepherds. Like most of us, these were men with many blessings. They are praised in the Christmas story not just for coming to worship Jesus but also for bringing Him gifts. The lesson is that just going to church is not enough. We also are expected to bring our gifts with us. 

A new educational opportunity has opened up in honor of the late author and missiologist, Lesslie Newbign (1909-1998). In cooperation between the Reformed Church in America, Western Theological Seminary and City Church San Francisco the "Newbigin House" opened with an inagural conference which included a keynote address from author/theologian N.T. Wrignt. The conference also welcomed faculty from Western Theological Seminary including Dr. George Hunsberger, President Dr. Tim Brown and Vice President of Academic Affairs  Dr. Leanne Van Dyk as well as former General Secretary of the RCA, Wes Granberg-Michaelson. It's mission is to provide theological, cultural and spiritual formation for men and women interested in a wise and engaging missional impact in an increasingly secularized culture. 

"The Newbigin House is designed to raise up a generation of missional leaders who can plant congregations in urban areas - and to assist in the work to raise up a generation of men and women to have an impact in the areas they come from," says Tim Brown. "I am so proud of my faculty and board of trustees and donars and students because I believe God is urging us on to do this."

For more information on the Newbigin House, please visit their website. You may also enjoy reading an article on the Newbigin House from RCA Today. If so, click here. Also, if you would like to learn more about Leslie Newbigin, please take some time to read about him on Newbigin.net! 

 

 

The Woodland Drive-in theater has been featured in a special article on the Hope Network site. If you'd like to read it, please click here.

December 2011: 

RCA Administrative Assistant for Development and Human Resources 

The Reformed Church in America is seeking a poised, experienced, and professional Administrative Assistant to support Development and Human resources. 

The Administrative Assistant for Development and Human Resources must provide a full range of timely, confidential, administrative, executive support, and other related services, to the Director of Development, Development Team members, and Personnel Director.  This includes organizing meetings, coordinating travel arrangements and accommodations, filing, preparing high quality documents, reports, correspondence, submissions and related material, in order to support the activities and goals of both departments.

The ideal candidate should have previous experience working with high level management, handling confidential information, and financial management support. This individual should have exceptional clerical skills, experience in Microsoft Office Suite programs, Google mail, Google Docs, Expense Expert and a demonstrated proficiency in using Raisers Edge database.  In addition, he or she should possess a strong attention to detail, a teamwork mentality, and a positive attitude at all times. Excellent skills are required in the following areas: communication (both verbal and written), organizational, problem solving, and time management. Please click here for a full position description) 

Grade: 13 Salary range: $33,631 to $34,700 per year

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Please email a letter of interest with your resume by January 5, 2012, to Sharon Hayes via shayes@rca.org

November 2011:  Fifth Church seeks Church Planter for Caledonia 

Fifth Reformed Church (Grand Rapids, MI) www.fifthrc.org is seeking a leader and pastor to plant, sustain, and grow an outreach oriented, theological Reformed church in Caledonia, MI. General responsibilities are to grow disciples who make disciples for the purposes of building a mission oriented community in Caledonia. To review the complete job description including responsibilities and requirements, click the link below and/or contact Fifth Reformed Church via email "info at fifthrc.org".  Please include "Caledonia Church Pastor Position" in the subject line.   

Job Description

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

So, what happened? 

What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off,

and this empty feeling of missed purpose. 

Is this what we really want out of Christmas?

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy… http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

Fifth’s Church’s deacon team is offering congregation-wide opportunities for an Advent Conspiracy, including: Donating

toward clean water projects in Valladolid, Yucatan, Mexico and Angel Tree gifts for Clancey Street Ministries’ families.

[AC] Promo 2011 from Advent Conspiracy on Vimeo.