Church Family,

As the week has progressed, the concern about the effects and prevention of the coronavirus have grown rapidly.  As I sit here in our hotel room on vacation, my email and social media feeds continue to fill up with a variety of responses, from no concern to hysteria.  We, as Christian, need not fear and be driven by anxiety because death does not scare us (Phil 1:21), but we must be thoughtful and, more importantly, prayerful about our responses (Phil 4:4-7).  It is no surprise that measures are being put into place quickly, considering the wealth of information we now have since the virus was first reported.  “Social distancing” has been the term to describe the best effort to slow down the spread of the virus.  This term is odd for the church as we feel convicted and compelled to do all we can to be in each others’ lives, spiritually and physically.  Though true, we have to be cautious while never letting go of our unshakeable faith in God.

This is not the first time the Church has faced a pandemic.  In 1918 when the Spanish Flu took many lives in DC, local churches heeded the call of the experts and governmental authorities and complied with the ban of public gatherings (read here).  We are not currently at that point in our community, but we should expect interruptions in our daily lives.  For instance, my daughter’s softball league and my son’s soccer league are suspended, which means two unhappy children, but they understand.  These interruptions, though inconvenient, should not steal our joy because our hope will never be destroyed.  The leadership team and I will continue to monitor the situation alongside the many brothers and sisters in our community.  Below are a couple of things I want to encourage us all to do and consider as the coming weeks unfold the longterm effects of the coronavirus:

1. Take all necessary precautions–I encourage you to read the CDC’s suggestions and follow them regularly (read here).  Light in the Desert Church has and will continue to provide soap and hand sanitizer, and will be there earlier Sunday to sanitize surfaces that are heavily touched.  Individually, the washing of hands has the most significant impact on preventing and slowing down the transmission of diseases among those who live in close communities (just read Leviticus!).  Simply washing your hands often, avoiding touching your face, avoiding close contact with other people, and staying home if you are sick, are the best precautions you can take.  Also, the CDC warns that “Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.”  Understanding that and considering the demographic of our congregation, those of us who are younger will do all we can to look after and care for our older brothers and sisters by not unnecessarily putting them at risk.  So we will limit our greeting time and ask that we give nods and hellos for greetings.  We will continue to gather on Sundays, but understand that everything is day by day as we get more information.
2. Think critically about faith, sin, and salvation–Christian people should be a thinking people.  With ever success or tragedy, it is wise for us to consider what those things tell us about ourselves, sin, God, salvation, and heed God’s wisdom found in scripture.  Thankfully and by God’s grace, many articles have already been circulating that do just that (see below).  What is most apparent in times like this?  Life is fragile, so it matters what you put your trust in (Ps 90:12, 103:15-16, 1 Peter 1:24-25). The Psalmist states that “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Ps 20:7).  Unfortunately, we tend to put more trust in health, stability, comfort, sanitizer, procedures, and a host of other things, so when that is interrupted or taken away, we come to grips with what has a grip on us.  Church family, take this opportunity to think about where you draw your greatest strength.
3. Pray, Pray, Pray–Though this is listed last, it is not the least important.  Paul told the church in Philippians not to be anxious but to pray (Phil 4:6)!  That is our highest duty to each other and our community.  Pray for:
   • Our church family
   • Those already affected
   • The salvation of our city
   • Opportunities to serve and share the hope of Jesus Christ
   • The leaders of our city and state

Brothers and sisters, our community, our city, our state, our country, and our world need us to cry out to God for all to see that Jesus is God’s greatest answer to our greatest pandemic; sin.  Yes, we need to ask God for help to alleviate suffering, we need to ask for the virus to slow down, we need to ask for wisdom in how to respond, but we must ask for Jesus to be seen, to be noticed in our unshakable faith, and ultimately to be trusted.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

Articles:

• https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/what-early-church-teach-coronavirus/
• https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cs-lewis-coronavirus/
• https://www.9marks.org/article/how-dc-churches-responded-when-the-government-banned-public-gatherings-during-the-spanish-flu-of-1918/
• https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/evangelical-history/when-the-deadly-outbreak-comes-counsel-from-martin-luther/
• https://www.9marks.org/pastors-talk/quick-take-what-should-churches-do-about-coronavirus/
• https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/things-coronavirus-teach-us/

Church Family,

I do hope the holidays were enjoyable, refreshing, and a time of deep reflection upon Christ.  I heard from many of you that our season of Advent was a fruitful time of considering all that God the Father has done through God the Son.  I trust you are still finding God’s grace as sweet as you did then.

With the New Year upon us and our emphasis on prayer, I am excited about what 2020 will hold for us here at Light in the Desert Church.  We all long to see the Lord move in tremendous ways in our life together and in gospel impact in the community.  Though exciting, it will at times be clouded with discouragement.  This is natural as we all desire to be used by God for His glory, so when things are not where we want them to be, it can bring our souls down.  So, below is an article I think will help give each of us a good focus when those times come; when the church is not turned around as quickly as we like.  Read, reflect, and pick one of the eight things to do this week.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

8 Ways to Turn Your Church Around

Was your church meeting disappointing this week? Do you find that there seems to be little life in the church? Are there troubles stirring? Are there way too many parking lot conversations? What can you do as a member to make things better?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Have you considered what prayer might do? Divide up the church names and pray for some of the members each day. Pray diligently, begging God for the needs that you can detect. Don’t underestimate prayer. God can do what you will never be able to accomplish on your own.

2. Be hospitable. Ask people each Sunday to come to your home for a meal. Let these couple of families bring some of the food to make it possible. Don’t try to be fancy, but just provide an outlet for people to show love to each other. Encourage other people to do the same. Bring families and singles together who don’t normally spend time with each other.

3. Arrive early to greet everyone there. Don’t sit down until each person has been greeted warmly. Try to have some meaningful discussion with some. I’m always amazed at what just a few people can do by taking responsibility in this way.

4. Meet with the pastor(s) and find out how you can help the church become what God wants it to be. Be eager to help. Offer your time.

5. If someone comes to you to point out the weaknesses of others, don’t listen. Rather, lovingly encourage that person to go to the offending party to get things talked out. Unresolved friction is alike an arctic blast to a church.

6. Don’t quit until you’re dead. Never say, “I’ll let the young people do it.” God may shift you to another responsibility, but don’t let it be because you are slowing down. Continue to play an active part. If some of the parts of your body still work, use them to serve God and His church.

7. Don’t wait until some leader assigns you a ministry; rather, create your ministry and get to work. Don’t expect everyone to take up your cause, but do something that will help the church or reach out to others that doesn’t compete with other regular ministries. Go to the nursing home, disciple younger people, start a prayer group, start a Bible reading group, begin a Bible study at work or at the local hangout. You get the idea.

8. Finally, replace gossip with the giving of thanks. Be a person who always has something wonderful to thank God for. Speak well of your church.

I have observed the effects one or two people can have on their church. It always stuns me, but it is true that just a few can make such a difference.

Church Family,

Yesterday was a glorious day of reflecting upon God’s grace that is so evident in our individual lives and certainly in our life together here at Light in the Desert Church.  From our Sunday Gathering (listen here) to our Thanksgiving Meal, the Lord truly encouraged us all!  I often think of Philippians 1:3-6 when I think about LITDC.  I am confident the Lord will continue to do great work in our midst.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Advent

We will begin this coming Sunday, December 1, a season of reflection called “Advent.”  With that said, perhaps it would be wise to explain what the purpose of Advent is and why we are participating.

As a church family, we want to leverage the month of December, which can quickly turn hectic, to think and reflect on the coming of Christ.  That is what “Advent” means; to come.  So Advent is the season, taken up by the four Sundays before Christmas, we reflect upon Christ’s first coming and anticipate his second coming.  So as we wait, we prepare our hearts and become thankful for his coming in a manger and anticipate his coming on the clouds.  

Each Sunday will take up a theme (see schedule below) that defines the people of God that is only possible through the God-man’s birth.  Along with our Sunday gathering, we are encouraging daily readings together with your families that will center your thoughts on Christ.  If you did not receive that resource this past Sunday, we have a few more, but here is a link to a free downloadable PDF.  Advent will build each Sunday and culminate at our Christmas Eve Gathering.  Imagine what the Lord can do when his people center their affections upon Christ and give him an undivided devotion.

• December 1 – Hope | Matt 1-4, 2:13-14
• December 8 – Peace | Luke 1:26-38
• December 15 – Joy | Luke 1:39-55
• December 22 – Love | Luke 2:1-7
• December 24 – Christ | Luke 2:8-20 (Christmas Eve Gathering 4pm-5pm)

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

Church Family,

I want to take a few minutes to explain and encourage you to consider Life Groups.  To fulfill the mission of the church, which is to make disciples, we need to be strategic and straightforward in our approach.  That is why we have simplified our discipleship process by thinking through three crucial areas in the life of the church; large gatherings, small gatherings, and 1-1.  This simple discipleship process captures all the various relationships one should pursue in the church.  We believe that if an individual any given week were to be a part of our Sunday Gathering, a Life Group, and at different times 1-1 bible reading, then our chances of fulfilling the mission of the church is much more likely.  We must ensure all those areas are adequately resourced so that discipleship can and does happen. This might be new to many who have experienced a more program-driven approach; and, therefore, make the transitions as we implement new things a little bumpy.  In light of that, It is wise to give as much clarity on the “why” of different ministry efforts.  Let me give you a few details on Life Groups and hopefully show its effectiveness in making disciples.

What?

A smaller gathering of our church family in a home to share a meal with the aim of letting God’s Word change us.

Why?

“Why” is a crucial question to consider in any ministry effort.  Ministry often focuses on one of the following: head, heart, and hands.  Head knowledge about God, the Bible, Jesus, our Salvation, etc. is crucial for any disciple of Jesus to pursue a life of joy and holiness.  Though true, that knowledge must change us.  It is not intended to stay in our minds but move towards our hearts to change us at our very core.  Therefore, changing our actions, our hands.  We believe the best way to take our head knowledge (the typical focus of the Sunday Gathering) and let it work on our hearts and hands, is in smaller gatherings, hench Life Groups.  A Life Group does more than impart knowledge and establish community; it aims to apply the gospel to our lives and help other believers do the same.

How?

We believe the most strategic way to structure these groups is simply by making them generationally diverse.  Being generationally diverse helps us accomplish what Paul asked Titus to do in Titus 2, and not to mention the wealth of knowledge and experience different generations can learn from one another.

Next Step

If you are interested, let us know…really, that’s it!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan