In any organization, the structure of leadership determines its direction, health, and longevity. If you look at the corporate world, you see CEOs and boards of directors. In the political world, you see presidents and parliaments. In the religious world, you often see popes, archbishops, or centralized "headquarters" that dictate policy for thousands of local congregations. However, when we look at the New Testament, we find a completely different model. The church of Christ

We have spent the last nine posts exploring the blueprint of the New Testament church—its origin, its worship, its leadership, and its ultimate hope. But as we conclude this series, I want to move away from the "theology" for a moment and speak directly to you. The church is not just a subject to be studied; it is a family to belong to. If you have been searching for something more in your spiritual life—something deeper, simpler, and more authentic—I want to extend a persona

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase "standing on business." In our modern context, it often refers to integrity, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of your goals. You're serious about your grind. You don't let excuses dictate your actions. What does it mean to "stand on business" when it comes to accountability? It's not about being aggressive or defensive. It's about a deep, internal commitment to taking responsibility. It's about recognizing that your actions have consequences

If the New Testament had a "How-To" manual for actually living out your faith, the Book of James would be it. It is often called the "Proverbs of the New Testament," James doesn't spend much time on abstract theology or debating heretics. Instead, he focuses on what faith looks like when the rubber meets the road. Whether you're struggling with a short fuse, wondering why life is so hard, or trying to figure out how to treat people, James has a blunt, loving, and practical wo

If you were to step into a time machine and travel back to the first century to visit a gathering of early Christians, what would you see? You wouldn't find light shows, professional rock bands, or complex rituals directed by a centralized hierarchy. Instead, you would find a group of believers gathered in simplicity, focused entirely on the "apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" ( Acts 2:42 ). In the church of Christ, our goal is not to

In a world where you can find a different church on every street corner—each with its own name, its own set of rules, and its own unique "flavor"—it is easy to become overwhelmed. Many people have concluded that the church is simply a "human club" where like-minded people gather. But if we look into the pages of the New Testament, we find something far more profound. We find that Jesus Christ did not come to start a collection of competing denominations; He came to build His

In a world overflowing with opinions, "influencers," and ever-changing social norms, where can a soul find a solid place to stand? If you walk into any ten churches in your town, you are likely to find ten different sets of rules, varying worship styles, and conflicting doctrines. This religious confusion leads many to ask: Who has the right to say what is true? For the churches of Christ ( Romans 16:16 ), the answer is simple, though it is increasingly radical in today’s cul

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to become a part of the church? It’s more than just joining a club or attending a weekend service; it’s about a beautiful, life-changing journey guided by God Himself. When we look to the Bible, we see a clear and encouraging pattern of how we can enter into a relationship with Him and find our place in His family. While these are often called the "steps to salvation," they are really milestones of a growing heart, reflecting the sam

In the corporate world, quarterly audits are non-negotiable. Businesses scrutinize their ledgers, pivot their strategies, and trim the fat to ensure they haven't drifted from their mission statement. Yet, when it comes to the most vital enterprise of human existence—our relationship with the Divine—we often settle for a vague, unexamined "religiousness." We must ask ourselves: Is our faith a living organism or merely a historical monument? The Paradox of the Hollow Tree True

Sunday morning I preached on Ephesians 4:11-16 and discussed the need to grow in Christ. In our Sunday evening men's class we discussed the roles of apostles and prophets, mentioned in the first part of this text. This discussion included the " miracles and wonders and signs " that were preformed by Jesus and the apostles ( Acts 2:22, John 2:11 ). While supernatural spiritual gifts could be given to any believer at any time, these roles represent people who were themselves "

This year I’ll be directing my sermons and classes to help us focus on spiritual growth. Last year we focused on getting back to the Bible. What’s next? We need to move on to spiritual maturity. Think about your role in the body of Christ, the Lord’s church. Ephesians 4:11-16 emphasizes that we are not an organization but a healthy organism that naturally develops. What do we need to grow in Christ? There are three key concepts that can help us grow in Christ: empower, equi

Hello.  My name is Ray Reynolds and I suffer from A.C.S.  This is commonly known as “After Christmas Syndrome.”  The gifts have been unwrapped.  My trash cans are full.  The leftovers are gone.  The tree is down.  The lights and ornaments have been put away.  Our friends and family have stopped calling, sending cards, and visiting for the holidays.  Another Christmas has come and gone.  I wonder how many of you are suffering from the post-holiday blues?!? What do we do now th

The Christmas story, often painted with cozy scenes of manger, shepherds, and a star, would be incomplete without the arrival of the Magi. These enigmatic figures, traditionally known as the Three Wise Men, bring an element of intrigue, prophecy, and profound significance to the nativity narrative. But who were they really? And what can we learn from their journey? The Gospel of Matthew is the sole biblical account of the Magi, yet it offers surprisingly few details. It speak

On Sunday, December 7, we discussed the word “peace” and focused on how to bring a revival of peace in our world today. I spoke to the church family at Summerdale about a few areas where Christians are called to live in peace, drawing from specific Bible verses. The overarching theme was the importance of unity, forgiveness, and love in all relationships. However, I feel like I may have rushed through the last point, so I feel sure we could all benefit from a deeper look into

The annals of early Christian history are filled with tales of profound faith and courageous witness. One such story is told of Telemachus, an obscure monk dwelling in a 4th-century monastery. Driven by a compelling spiritual calling to engage with the broader world, he left the solitude of his cloister. Gathering his few meager possessions into a sack, he undertook the journey to the heart of the Western world: Rome. Upon his arrival, the city was in a state of feverish exci

The air is still, and the dishes are clean, Not a slice of pumpkin pie can be seen. The turkey is carved, football games are done, The feasting is over, and it sure was fun! The guests have departed, the house is so quiet, No hushing or bustling, no culinary riot. The counter is empty, the lights are turned low, We savor the memories with hearts all aglow. Dressed in flannel PJs, and doing our best, We settled down for a well-deserved rest. When out in the yard there arose su

Marriage isn't a destination—it's an incredible journey that demands regular, intentional maintenance  to thrive! Inspired by our current Sunday AM Bible class series with “The Middles” on strengthening families, we're focusing on the vital skills that keep a relationship vibrant, like sharpening communication, consistently filling those "love tanks," and creatively showing affection. This got us thinking: How can we help couples build a rock-solid foundation from the start?

God hates prejudice and discrimination. It is a corrosive acid on the very foundation of society, transforming a potentially vibrant, unified whole into a fractured landscape defined by injustice and mistrust. It is an awful practice that systematically denies individuals their inherent dignity, stifling human potential by valuing characteristics like skin color or origin over talent and character. This leads to profound societal damage: economic progress stalls as innovation

Since I was a child I remember preachers saying we are called to be "in the world, but not of the world." This phrase, rooted in Jesus' prayer for his followers in John 17:15–18 , is the core of Christian distinctiveness. It's a challenging tightrope walk, requiring us to engage deeply with the culture around us while maintaining a clear, separate identity anchored in Christ. What must we do with this intriguing paradox? What Does the Bible Mean by "The World"? When the Bible

From carved pumpkins and trick-or-treating to costumes and ghost stories, Halloween is a holiday beloved by many. In my pre-teen and teen years, the cities around our area would coordinate truck or treating and publicize dates to coordinate with parents. The benefit to this effort was that some cities did trick or treating on the weekend, instead of Halloween night. This provided us with ample opportunities for a greater “haul” of treats. We’d often hit two or three cities in