Grace Laxson :: Beautiful Exchange from Antioch Church on Vimeo.
- Thank God for Evolutio... / 05.17.2012
- Brie Mahar and Giving ... / 05.12.2012
- Antioch Summer Interns / 05.09.2012
- Ministering to the Hom... / 05.09.2012
- The Justice Conference... / 05.09.2012
- Brett Kunkle / 05.03.2012
- Mike and Ann Mara and ... / 05.02.2012
- On Skepticism / 05.02.2012
- Quote / 05.02.2012
- Pre-Conference Q&... / 05.02.2012
- Justice as a Theologic... / 04.27.2012
- Antioch Staff / 04.25.2012
- Institutions vs. Movem... / 04.25.2012
- The Suffering Church / 04.24.2012
- Bob Harder on Fuel in ... / 04.19.2012
Archive for the ‘Antioch’ Category
Why Church?
Here’s the message from Antioch’s first Sunday in our new home at Bend High.
I feel pretty blessed to see all the ways God is working in and through this community…
Why Church? :: Antioch 5 Years Later from Antioch Church on Vimeo.
Community at Antioch
The best chance to get connected at Antioch all year is this Sunday.
Our Annual Community Groups Fair is after the first service!!
Forgiveness
Grace and Forgiveness Part II tomorrow on Forgiveness.
“Forgiveness is the final form of love.” Reinhold Neibuhr
Grace and Forgiveness
Her’s a slide Connie Gabbert worked up for the Grace and Forgiveness Series we’re starting this Sunday at Antioch.
Been studying up for this one – think it could be good!
Love Your Way Out
From the vault – 2006
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I love history. I really love studying the Civil War. And, even though it’s not quite as intruiging to me as the Civil War, I love studying WWII.
One of the most fascinating parts of WWII to study is the Allied invasion of Europe. Most people are familiar with the heroic landings now known as “D-Day”, but most people don’t realize that it took weeks to “break out” of that part of France and really start making progress toward Germany. The Allied troops were barely able to move hundreds of yards a day after the D-Day landings because of the natural terrain and hedgerows on the south western coastal region of France. Once the Allied troops under General Patton broke through the German ranks, however, the daily progress became measured in dozens of miles rather than yards. The gas often couldn’t keep up with the progress of the tanks.
So why do I bring all that up? Well, it’s kind of the picture I have in my mind of the funk we sometimes get into in life. We get bottled up… pinned down… and pressed against. It seems like we can’t quite make any progress and we usually get pretty depressed and beat down. It’s in these times that I’ve learned the same lesson again and again. The lesson is this: Love is the General Patton of our life campaign. Love is the thing that busts us out of ruts. Love is what lifts us up and gets us moving forward again.
Now I know what you’re saying… “That’s pretty profound Ken… how hard is it to throw a love bumper sticker over such a deep and nuanced issue and proclaim the problem solved?”
So here is where I need to make my distinction. It’s not the subject of love or love emotions that I’m talking about. Rather, its the practice of love — the reckless abandon of helping others when you yourself need help. It is in the paradoxical decision to take ones eyes off of our own situation and commit much needed energy, time, money or resources to others that we see the magic of “busting out” of a funk by “loving your way out.”
Somehow, God designed it so that the act of love would break negative inertia. And, somehow, God designed it so that the act of love would allow us to move forward in life again.
So, it’s WWII, General Patton and the challenge to do the opposite of what you feel like when you’re depressed — jump out in love rather than hunkering down and demanding it.
Start now… who can you call, e-mail, visit or bring a gift to? Why not love your way out beginning tonight?
Dream
Here’s the dream I penned for Antioch during the Summer of 2006.
Fun to pull it out again!!
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OUR DREAM :: THE VISION THAT DRIVES US
It is the dream of a vital spiritual community where God lives, moves, speaks and changes lives
It is the dream of church as a movement rather than an institution
It is the dream of services where the hurting, lost, tired, needy, frustrated, skeptical, old, and young can find inspiration, motivation, meaning, acceptance, healing and joy
It is the dream of a church where Christian living is not stale or duty bound, but a place of authentic experience, vibrant joy, creative adventure and meaningful devotion
It is the dream of a growing and healthy community that continually attracts and welcomes people of all backgrounds, colors, and experiences into meaningful fellowship
It is the dream of making a dent in Central Oregon – of changing lives and helping real people with real needs from Madras to La Pine, Prineville to Sisters and everywhere in between
It is the dream of a global focus where injustice, persecution, poverty and the plight of orphans stirs us to go beyond ourselves and make sacrifices that exceed our wildest expectations
It is the dream of passionate artists infusing the church with a sense of beauty, awe, wonder, and inspiration
It is the dream of a church that enthusiastically and practically comes alongside parents to support and help them as they raise their children to love and obey God
It is the dream of relevant education – fulfilling every man and woman’s desire for a place to learn, interact, question and grow in an engaging and comfortable environment
It is the dream of a church with a high ceiling of vision that attracts leaders, dreamers and others who are looking for a cause worth giving their life to
We dream so that we are stretched beyond our abilities and utterly forced to trust God to move mountains, change hearts and build his church
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus…” Ephesians 3:20-21
Kilns Concert
If you’re in Central Oregon – don’t miss this concert at the Kilns next week featuring a few of Antioch’s Summer Interns!!
Affirmation
There’s not enough of it in this world!!
As Lee Barton, one of my favorite pastor friends once said, “We’re all affirmation junkies.”
Life is hard, work is hard, being imperfect is hard so make sure to encourage your friends, spouse or co-workers today – they’ve probably already had their share of criticism :)
Luke’s Special Music
Here is one of Antioch’s summer interns singing special music this Sunday.
Absolutely one of my all time favorites!!
I’ve printed the words to the song below and the video at bottom (the video quality is poor, but worth the watch).
“Here, Master, in This Quiet Place”
Author: Fred Pratt Green (1974)
Here Master, in this quiet place, where anyone may kneel.
I also come to ask for grace, believing You can heal.
If pain of body, stress of mind destoys my inward peace,
In prayer to you Lord may I find the secret of release.
If self upon the sickness feeds and turns my life to gall,
let me not brood upon my needs, but simply tell You all.
You never said, “you ask to much” to any troubled soul.
I long to feel Your healing touch, will You not make me whole?
But if the thing I most desire is not Your way for me,
may faith, when tested in the fire, prove its integrity.
Of all my prayers, may this be chief till faith is fully grown.
Lord disbelieve my unbelief and claim me as Your own.
We ask you Lord our Great High Priest make our faith fully grown
Lord disbelieve our unbelief and claim us as Your own.
Here master in this quiet place where anyone may kneel.
Luke Suciu :: Special Music from Antioch Church on Vimeo.