Joy and laughter are gifts from God to make life more enjoyable. I don’t always think about Jesus smiling or laughing. The reality however is that he did! He knew the pain and pleasure of life.
This past week, we have laughed and been filled with joy over the children who attended VBS. And speaking of children, just listening to what they have to say can fill you with joy and laughter. Kids (not here at VBS), aged 5 to 10, were asked questions about what they thought of love and marriage. Here's what they said:
"If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long." -- Glenn, age 7
"I think you're supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn't supposed to be so painful." -- Manuel, age 8
"No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That's why perfume and deodorant are so popular." -- Mae, age 9
"It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I'm just a kid. I don't need that kind of trouble." -- Kenny, age 7
"One of you should know how to write a check. Because, even if you have tons of love, there is still going to be a lot of bills." -- Ava, age 8
Loving, Leading and trying to Laugh more,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Urgent Pakistan Update
On Monday afternoon I received a text message from Pakistani Evangelist Imran Sadiq, whom Fellowship Church supports financially each month. In the text message Imran informed me that two Christian brothers were martyred by Muslim extremists.
On Tuesday I was able to talk with Imran. The two brothers were friends of his and lived near him. They were both falsely charged with blasphemy and on Monday were outside of the courthouse that was going to acquit them. Unfortunately they were gunned down.
A clash between Muslims and Christians in the surrounding Faisalabad area ensued. Imran told me of rocks being thrown, businesses being burned, and lives being threatened. Even the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, made public comments condemning the murder of these two brothers.
Your financial support of Fellowship Church reaches to the far ends of the earth. Because you give, we are able to support Imran and other missionaries around the world. You are making a difference in the world. Thank you!
Please pray for Pakistan. I am praying for love, boldness, and wisdom to be displayed. Imran wanted me to convey to you his appreciation for your support and prayers.
This incident reminds me of how fragile life is. We are not promised tomorrow. Let us remember that and live like it!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
On Tuesday I was able to talk with Imran. The two brothers were friends of his and lived near him. They were both falsely charged with blasphemy and on Monday were outside of the courthouse that was going to acquit them. Unfortunately they were gunned down.
A clash between Muslims and Christians in the surrounding Faisalabad area ensued. Imran told me of rocks being thrown, businesses being burned, and lives being threatened. Even the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, made public comments condemning the murder of these two brothers.
Your financial support of Fellowship Church reaches to the far ends of the earth. Because you give, we are able to support Imran and other missionaries around the world. You are making a difference in the world. Thank you!
Please pray for Pakistan. I am praying for love, boldness, and wisdom to be displayed. Imran wanted me to convey to you his appreciation for your support and prayers.
This incident reminds me of how fragile life is. We are not promised tomorrow. Let us remember that and live like it!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Who Runs the Church?
Who Runs the Church?
Every organization is run by some sort of system to ensure effectiveness in its goals and mission. The more complex the system, the more confusing, and the less likely for effectiveness to occur.
Regardless of your political affiliation, just think about government for a moment. Many times, the larger the government, the less effective it will be. Do you and I really know where all of our hard earned tax dollars go? Hardly!
Organizations that function with clear structures are most effective. So back to the main question: “Who runs the church?” In short answer, Jesus does (Ephesians 5:23). The next logical question then becomes “how does Jesus run His church?” The Bible refers to a group of men called Elders (1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, Acts 15:6, 1 Peter 5:1,2). The word elder means shepherd and overseer. In fact you may be surprised to discover that the word pastor only occurs one time in the New Testament, yet the word elder occurs numerous times throughout.
Elders ruled, oversaw, and shepherded the local church in the New Testament. Does this mean there was not a point man or lead pastor? No, but it does mean that the New Testament church was not organized to be run, led, overseen, and shepherded by just one pastor.
The clearest, and most Biblical manner in which the church is to be run or organized is to have a group of qualified men who are called and appointed to serve as Elders of a local church body. As we prepare to make the transition in the future to become an Elder led church, I believe we will see the Chief Shepherd, Jesus leading us and guiding us more clearly than ever before.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Every organization is run by some sort of system to ensure effectiveness in its goals and mission. The more complex the system, the more confusing, and the less likely for effectiveness to occur.
Regardless of your political affiliation, just think about government for a moment. Many times, the larger the government, the less effective it will be. Do you and I really know where all of our hard earned tax dollars go? Hardly!
Organizations that function with clear structures are most effective. So back to the main question: “Who runs the church?” In short answer, Jesus does (Ephesians 5:23). The next logical question then becomes “how does Jesus run His church?” The Bible refers to a group of men called Elders (1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, Acts 15:6, 1 Peter 5:1,2). The word elder means shepherd and overseer. In fact you may be surprised to discover that the word pastor only occurs one time in the New Testament, yet the word elder occurs numerous times throughout.
Elders ruled, oversaw, and shepherded the local church in the New Testament. Does this mean there was not a point man or lead pastor? No, but it does mean that the New Testament church was not organized to be run, led, overseen, and shepherded by just one pastor.
The clearest, and most Biblical manner in which the church is to be run or organized is to have a group of qualified men who are called and appointed to serve as Elders of a local church body. As we prepare to make the transition in the future to become an Elder led church, I believe we will see the Chief Shepherd, Jesus leading us and guiding us more clearly than ever before.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Relationships Matter...
My family and I recently wrapped up our vacation in South Carolina. Recently I’ve thought much about relationships. Some are deep, some are shallow, some are trustworthy, others not so much. However, life can’t be lived without relationships. And really the only lasting thing in life is the network of relationships that we build.
Before coming to South Carolina for vacation we were given a piece of property right on Lake Murray. The property had never been developed, so months ago I began the process of seeking to have it cleared and developed so that we could use it for vacation and other trips.
After many phone calls I felt really good about a guy named Steven. I had never met him in person. He made no outlandish promises to get my business. He made no hard sells to convince me. He simply appeared to be honest from the phone conversations we had. So I took the risk and hired him.
Throughout the weeks and months that followed Steven did everything that he said he would do and even more. He was fair in his prices and he helped connect me to others even when it did not necessarily benefit him. Throughout the process I got the feeling that he really cared not only about the job, but about me and my family.
Relationships are vital to life. And no relationship can last without honesty and genuine care. Do a check up on your relationships: Are you honest? Do you genuinely care?
I am so thankful for the many honest and caring relationships Jane and I have with you. We love you and appreciate you.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Before coming to South Carolina for vacation we were given a piece of property right on Lake Murray. The property had never been developed, so months ago I began the process of seeking to have it cleared and developed so that we could use it for vacation and other trips.
After many phone calls I felt really good about a guy named Steven. I had never met him in person. He made no outlandish promises to get my business. He made no hard sells to convince me. He simply appeared to be honest from the phone conversations we had. So I took the risk and hired him.
Throughout the weeks and months that followed Steven did everything that he said he would do and even more. He was fair in his prices and he helped connect me to others even when it did not necessarily benefit him. Throughout the process I got the feeling that he really cared not only about the job, but about me and my family.
Relationships are vital to life. And no relationship can last without honesty and genuine care. Do a check up on your relationships: Are you honest? Do you genuinely care?
I am so thankful for the many honest and caring relationships Jane and I have with you. We love you and appreciate you.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
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