Annual Conference 2011

We are here in Raleigh at Annual Conference 2011. Tonight Bishop Hope Morgan Ward preached. In her message she spoke about how we are to know that the God we serve is exuberant and over the top ----- and because of this radical grace this God cannot be at our control. We trust this God who is love ----- and who has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Also, I ran into some pastors that served Warren's Grove in the past:This is Rev. David Blackman and his wife Jackie. David served at Warren's Grove from 2002-2006. David is serving at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Laurinburg, NC.
This is Rev. Chuck Plowman. Chuck served at Warren's Grove from 1992-1996. Chuck is married to Rev. Sally Plowman. Chuck is retiring this year.

Warren's Grove Website

If you have been redirected to this website from the Warren's Grove site, it is because it is under construction. But we did want you to know what our service times are. We worship on Sundays at 8:45am (contemporary service) and 11am (traditional worship). We have our Sunday School classes at 10am. Also, you can call us at any time at 336.592.3400. Our address is 1511 Wesleyan Rd. Roxboro, NC 27573. See you soon!

Foundation For Evangelism - WikiWorship

Recently Colin Knapp made a presentation to the Foundation for Evangelism on WikiWorship. This was held at Duke Divinity School. Here is a transcript of what he spoke about. You can find this article by following this link.

"Generally speaking, my understanding of evangelism has deepened and expanded through my interactions with Professor Gunter and Warner. Meaning that I now am not limited to a specific “one-size-fits-all” evangelism. This has led to a creative freedom to dream, think and imagine what could be considered effective evangelism. Such freedom has directly translated into programs such as WikiWorship.

"WikiWorship is a very different way of looking at evangelism. What we have done is invited those with questions to gather within the Christian community to struggle together with the difficult questions that all of us have. In that struggle, we can see the authenticity of the gathered community –– while at the same time, allow everyone to be a part of the direction the discussion goes. We are allowing those from outside the Church to come in and have a real impact on the way the worship service goes. Our intention was not to go out into the community to tell sinners that they were in need of a savior, but rather we invited those from the community to come in and to participate in our faith community.

"The reason it’s called WikiWorship is based of off Wikipedia. And on Wikipedia anyone can edit the content of the website, and what WikiWorship does is that it gives space for anyone to edit the content of the worship service. Yes there will still be prayer, scripture reading, and singing, but what we did is let the questions guide the actual service. During the service we would start with a prayer, in a very informal worship gathering. We would sing a couple songs, and then we would address one or several of the questions that we had gathered. This answer would be concise and to the point, as to allow time for those who are gathered to chime in, we would pass around a microphone allowing anyone to add, subtract, delete, or change the direction of the discussion.

"My church, Warren’s Grove UMC, and I have been greatly impacted by the professors of evangelism at Duke Divinity School. It is my hope that they continue their great work for the Kingdom of God."

1 Corinthians 11.23-34

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 11.23-34. This passage tells us about how the Lord passed on to the Apostle Paul the institution of the Lord's Supper. And then at the end of those group of verses Paul says in verse 26: "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." This is an intriguing way to look at communion. How do you think the church proclaims the Lord's death through the partaking of communion?

Jet Man Video - Check this out

You can read the story at this link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42977241/ns/us_news-life/

1 Corinthians 10.23-11.1

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 10.23-11.1. In this passage the Apostle Paul continues his emphasis of using our Christian liberty for the upbuilding of others. But then he uses his self as an example and tells the Corinthians to imitate him. He says in 11.1: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." That is quite a bold statement. But, at the same time, is that not what we all should be about as Christians? Should we not be able to say something like that to those who are new to the faith? If we cannot say something like that ----- then are we growing in our love of God and in our love for the neighbor? I would love to hear from you ----- could you say to a new believer ---- imitate me as I imitate Christ?

1 Corinthians 10.1-17

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 10.1-17. In verse 13 it says: "No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." This verse is a very reassuring verse ---- in the midst of a plethora of indictments laid against the Corinthians. For instance, in verse 9 Paul says: "We must not put Christ to the test." Paul is referencing the Israelites putting God to the test in the wilderness. Here the Corinthians are putting Christ to the test in their insistence to continue in idolatry. I agree with verse 13, where Paul says that God is faithful in those trials that we all experience in life ---- but what about when we test the Lord in our persistent turning to idolatry, arrogance, and sin? Does the Old Testament give us any clues to what happens when we continue to turn back to our own evil ways?

I will miss this man

1 Corinthians 8.1-13

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 8.1-13. There is one famous debate that goes on in this passage ---- and that is the debate about eating food that was offered to idols. But, in reality that is not the only issue. There is a huge issue of where you eat this food. In verses 10-11 it says: "For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed." It wasn't just about the food -- but it also was about where the food was consumed. Very wealthy people would be invited to temples for parties -- and these parties had a very "public" component to them. Therefore, people could see who was attending. If these rich and "knowledgeable" Christians were seen in these temples -- apparently this would cause some to stumble. I have been racking my brain to think of scenarios that are similar for us in the 21st century -- I think I have some scenarios. But, I would love to hear what you think. In this first century situation people would be invited to these temples for parties -- and the acceptance of the invitation could cause some to fall because it would hurt one's witness. Where does this happen in our modern day context?

1 Corinthians 6.11-20

This coming Sunday we will be starting back in 1 Corinthians. We took a break from 1 Corinthians during Lent ----- and now we are back. We will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 6.11-20. In this passage the Apostle Paul is looking at what it means to live a life of Christian freedom and liberty. He says in verse 12: "'All things are lawful for me,' but not all things are beneficial. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be dominated by anything." We oftentimes look at freedom as having the ability to do whatever we want to do. That is a mistake as Christians. As Christians we are not free to do whatever we want to do ----- if that is the case then we are not free from ourselves. But I would love to hear what you all think it means to be free in Christ. What do you think?

Martin Luther

In Martin Luther's book, The Freedom of a Christian Man (1520), he writes this statement: "A Christian is a perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all. These two theses seem to contradict each other. If, however, they should be found to fit together they would serve our purpose beautifully." Do you think that these first two statements contradict each other?

Exponential 2011 - Orlando

I thought that I would write about my experience at Exponential Conference. I have been at this conference since Tuesday and we leave to come back home tomorrow. It has been a great time away with 20 pastors and we have been learning a lot about the missional church. If anyone is interested in discussing what that is ----- we will need to get together and have a cup of coffee and I will explain it. But the essence of it is this: the church is to look at itself as a mission outpost, rather than a building. Here are some of the highlights so far.That is a picture of a cool system that doesn't need a projector. I have projectors on the brain lately.That is supposed to be a picture of Rick Warren. I was in a Bible Study that he taught on Isaiah 49.We went to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for Dinner on Wednesday night. We ate on the Porch of Indecision ---- not exactly sure what that means.This is the stage for the main part of the conference ---- they had three screens. There were over 4000 people in attendance.We went to the mall and I was really digging on this seating. I have had furniture on the brain as well.And plant decor.Profound statement at the mall. I think this is one of those moments where we should say: "Now that will preach." Or how they say it in Texas: "Now that dog will hunt."Not totally sold on the marketing strategy ------ and we did look around briefly for the brochures ----- I figured they were too small :-)This was the grill for a nice SUV of a lady that rode through a swarm of "Love bugs" in Sarasota, Florida. That just feels like it is a lot of bugs.