ACC - Leadership Online

Art forgeries are often very hard to catch. Only those who are experts with the original classic paintings can spot the fakes.

Secret Service agents – given the responsibility of identifying counterfeit currency – carefully study legal currency, so that they can quickly nail bad money.

As followers of Christ we are always to beware of bad doctrine – false teaching – that does not line up with Scripture.

In fact, Jude said, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith…” – this means to become doctrinally strong – knowledgeable in the Word. As Paul advised Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” If we do this, we will be able to identify false teaching quickly.

Read and study your bible – there is no substitute.

Let me suggest two other resources to help you become doctrinally strong:

The ESV Study Bible – the best study bible I have ever seen – I highly recommend you purchase one – you then get access to the online version too! http://www.esvstudybible.org/

Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know by Wayne Grudem. This book is a very helpful and concise book on the basic keys of Christian doctrine from a respected theologian. http://amzn.to/coHiRw

You may be a biblical neophyte – or an experienced, well seasoned bible student – regardless – there is always more to learn. Get going – get learning – today! Your life will be incredibly enriched and you won’t fall victim to heretical teachings!

Peace,
Dave

I recently got involved with a youth ministry learning community/training group. I'm loving it! The driving force behind the material we are covering is that Jesus not only gives us a model for living our lives, but also a model for doing ministry. So, if we want to know how to improve our ministries, we need to study the life of Christ.

In one of my assignments, they asked us to consider how Christ suffered for us. I immediately thought of the cross, as I'm sure most Christians do. However, the point of the lesson was to broaden our understanding of the life of Christ. We know very little about his childhood, but there are some passages that give us some insight. One verse that really stuck with me is

Isaiah 53:3a "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering..."

Jesus was a man of sorrows. He was familiar with suffering. In other words, the cross wasn't his first experience with suffering. I don't know about you, but that's huge for me! I've always really connected with

Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."

Knowing the humanity of Christ is powerful. He understands us...he can relate to what we're going through. But for some reason, I've always put suffering into a different category...as if it wasn't part of the life of Christ (apart from the cross of course). Suffering is a product of living in a fallen world. John 1 teaches us that Christ left heaven and took up residence with us on earth. Christ entered our fallen world and as a result experienced life just as we do, suffering included. Perhaps we could "rewrite" Hebrews 4:15 to say something like "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our suffering, but we have one who has been subjected to suffering just as we have-yet all his suffering was undeserved."

It's powerful for me to understand that my savior has walked in my shoes. He "gets" what life is like for me and offers me hope. If you are in a place of suffering, I hope that you can connect with the savior who is acquainted with your sorrow.

Grace,
Chris

Crazy Love - a great book by Francis Chan, is the basis for our discussion at Soul Purpose - our Thursday morning men's ministry. I've just started reading and so far it is most excellent. There was a link in the first chapter to this video. Check it out.

How could you not stand in worshipful awe of our God?

Peace,
Dave

I love being a dad. It's the most difficult thing I've ever done, but it is by far the most rewarding thing I've ever done. Here's a few things that make me smile:

1. The way she says "daddy" (doesn't pronounce the middle d's)

2. The way she "helps" me w/ chores

3. Playing hide & seek

4. Reading bedtime stories (Doesn't get much better than Dr. Seuss!)

5. Praying with / for her

The list could go on and on, but these are the things I love right now. I'm so excited for our next addition to the family. Our baby boy is due in 3 weeks...which means he could decide to join us any day now. I'm looking forward to learning to be daddy to my boy.

Grace,

Chris

Yesterday we learned about Diotrephes (see III John) – perhaps the very first church boss. He was immature (always wanted to be first), insecure and easily threatened (gossiped about other leaders and was uncooperative – definitely not a team player) and controlling and manipulative (kicked people out of his church if they disagreed with him!).

Man, would that guy be a pain in the neck to have around ACC!

Today I thank God for the incredible team of elders he has allowed me to work with here. These men sincerely want what God wants for our church. They are humble, flexible, prayerful, loving, pensive and true to the word of God; I consider each a good personal friend.

As we lead our church please pray for us. Our team needs courage, wisdom and ever-increasing hearts for God, His people and the unchurched.

The ACC elder team: John Beckley, Ray Demich, Dale Hugo, Jim Johnson, Ken Kerr, Jim Ray and myself.

Please note: Not a Diotrephes among us! That, my friends, is by the mercy and grace of God!

Peace,
Dave