Here’s a cut at a question on American Pragmatism from Redux this past Sunday.

I always like the Sunday’s when a little philosophy makes it into the mix!!

A team from Antioch has been in Nicaragua all week (they return tomorrow).

One of the primary things they’ve been doing is ministering to women at the House of Hope, which houses some 200 women saved from either prostitution or sex trafficking.

Below is a link to Amanda Winger’s blog where you can read about the ministry as well as how the Antioch team has been involved.

I think this trip, like most short-term trips, is doing as much if not more to change the people who went from Antioch than the women in Nicaragua.

The hope is for a long-term relationship that would allow for us to truly make a difference and express love to these beautiful people in need.

Click here for Amanda’s blog.

Check out the Antioch Family Camp 2010 Recap Video!!

Family Camp 2010 from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

At Antioch we have what is called a Benevolence Fund.

The Benevolence Fund is money that we use to help families in need within the Antioch community with such things as bills, medical needs, stuff for kids, car repairs etc. etc.

It is one of the coolest parts of church – when the community is able to lend a helping hand to people who need one.  It is what makes church look like family.

Anyway, the Antioch Benevolence Fund has fallen on hard times – meaning it has gotten a LOT of use.  We have been able to help dozens and dozens of families and individuals this year as Bend has gone through some pretty hard economic times.

I’m writing to let the internet world know that the Benevolence Fund (often called “Love Offerings”) could use a little love itself!!

If you’d be able to help replenish this fund and our ability to help people out, simply click on the link below and select Benevolence Fund (Love Offerings) as the designation option for your donation.

https://www.antiochchurch.org/cc/give.asp

Thanks for the consideration – it is greatly appreciated!!

Ken

Matt Smith :: Wisdom Part III from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Just saw these pictures of some of the staff at Antioch showing up in promo shots for the intern sweatshirts (a bunch just came in for the Antioch families who hosted interns) and the Intern Art Book.

What a crew!!

A pastor friend of mine told me about a wealthy church near his in SoCal where the pastor recently explained his teaching style to some recovery ministry workers saying:

“You see, we live in a very affluent neighborhood and much of the bible is hostile to the rich. We have to be selective in order to be sensitive to our audience.”

If I ever write a book, it will be partly to say the opposite of that pastor –

The guys captured a couple of the worship songs on video from last Sunday’s service.

Good news for all the Antioch iMembers out there!!

(Click here to see all the videos in our Vimeo account)

Came to My Rescue from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Matt Smith and I are in Baltimore for a series of meetings with World Relief.

Below is the sunset from the 4th floor of Sammy and Lorelei Mah’s house.  Pretty cool!!

(The sign silhouetted is the old Domino Sugar Factory sign along the Baltimore Harbor)

God Works from the Bottom Up from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

This Sunday is Antioch’s Fourth Annual Baptism at the Deschutes.

We’ll be meeting at Farewell Bend Park at around 5 pm for an all-church potluck and will walk a short way down to the Bill Healy Bridge after dinner for the baptism service.

Plan on bringing food or a dessert as well as lawn games and chairs.

One of my favorite events of the year!

(Click the picture below for pics and videos of previous years)

Mission Kids Promo from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

Here’s a song Justin Lavik, Antioch’s Worship Pastor, wrote and sang this morning for special music.

Special Music :: Justin Lavik from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

I love the fun the staff has been having with these new video announcement spots.

Here’s the latest installment of the Antioch Spotlight!!

Antioch Spotlight :: July 11 from Antioch Church on Vimeo.

I read this spoken word piece written by Micah Bournes, one of last summer’s interns, in my message yesterday at Antioch.

I wasn’t going to post it, but I’ve had an overwhelming amount of requests.

Here it is:

A wise man once said to me “the more I study history the harder it is to be a patriot.” America the beautiful, built on biblical principles and the backs of slaves. Manifesting our destiny from New England to the California coast, desecrating most native civilizations that got in our way. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m no afro centric conspiracy theorist with a slavery chip on my back, in fact, I’m proud to be an American, I love running water and Mickey D’s, religious freedom and democracy, but recently I’ve asked myself, what does it mean to be free? As natives of the U.S., liberty is engrained in our constitution and DNA, but if your freedom is married to your American rights, will you still be free when America dies? And America will die. No, I’m no prophet predicting the future, I’m a historian observing the past. From Egypt to Babylon, the Greeks to the Romans, in their moment, they felt invincible, little did they know, their temples would erode, their cities would burn and their coliseums would crumble with a roar as loud as that of the crowds which filled them before they fell to the ground.   The globe continued to roll. A new empire rose, then fell, passing the torch to the next generation of fools convinced they would eternally rule. So what makes us think we’re the exception? let me repeat my question. If your freedom is married to your America rights, will you still be free when America dies? What does it mean to be free? Bondage is a spiritual state, not physical chains; realistically most Americans are still enslaved. Mastered by their own desires, aspiring merely to aspire higher, driven by their insatiable appetite for material wealth and physical pleasure, wondering whether their labor will ever end. Slaves in need of liberation. In need of a freedom like Silas and Paul, fastened in stocks to a Roman prison wall, yet feeling so free they sang hymns to their liberator. For our freedom is greater than shackles. If  ever America is tackled by a foreign kingdom, and US citizens are enslaved or imprisoned, I will still have freedom. Freedom that is true, having nothing to do with a bill of rights or a politician, The Declaration of 1776 did not ensure my independence, nor did Lincoln’s proclamation bring my people emancipation, true liberation comes only by salvation. Salvation comes only by faith in Christ. Until you believe that the son of God died and resurrected so you could be free from your sin, you will never know liberation. And If you believe that the son of God died and resurrected so you could be free from your sin, no prison cell or ball and chain can ever take your freedom away. For he who is called in the Lord [while] a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. For if the Son makes you free you shall be free indeed. So tonight as we cheer for our moment in time, watching millions of dollars explode in the sky, I pray you consider this question of mine; will you still be free when America Dies?

I’m looking forward to the BBQ after church this Sunday.

First, because it sounds like a lot of fun to do a community BBQ on the 4th of July.  Secondly, because there are kid bounce houses, which means my kids will be happy.  Thirdly, because instead of crappy Costco burgers they are doing Shish Kebobs!

No cost (donation only) and all proceeds go to the Nicaragua trip in August.

Welcome the birth of the Antioch Choir everyone!!

My good friend, Ben Larson, has foregone a scholarship at NYU Grad School (tops in the country) to hang with Antioch and birth The Antioch Choir (in addition to an Antioch Drama team and helping with Kids Music).

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is our bar – waiting to see just how much talent is in Bend!!!

If you’re interested in joining the choir and singing for Antioch and at local concerts and events, e-mail Ben at info@antiochchurch.org

I’ve been buried lately with blessings.  Almost too many God things and dreams coming true at one time to keep up.

What I realized, that never occurred to me before, is that when God heaps on blessings – like a snowstorm – you need to shovel out!

In other words, good stuff is still stuff… and stuff means administration and work.

I’m not complaining, these are the good kind of problems!!

Really wish there was a way (and the time) to tell all the stories of what God is doing in and through the Antioch community!!!

Ed Underwood :: The Jesus Movement from Antioch Church on Vimeo.