Our Blog

Pastor's Points December 2016

Dear Church Family

It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of 2016!  This is a year that I will never forget!  I have experienced absolute heart ache ,as well as absolute joy in this year.  At times, I have felt as if I was riding an emotional rollercoaster.  I am sure you have had years like this as well.  But Jesus has been with me every step of the way and He makes it all OK.  My hope is not found in my circumstances, my hope is found in Jesus!  And I can say that He has been faithful every step of the way!  And I can also say that I am excited as I look to the future and think about what God is going to do in 2017!!

2017 is going to be a year of God moving in great ways!!  In 2016 God impressed on my heart about the need for us as a church to reconsider our discipleship process.  We have put some foundational things in place by calling a pastor of spiritual development, establishing a biblical counseling ministry, and beginning our special weekend growth initiatives.  In 2017 we are going to consider how we can reinvest in making disciples.  We are going to consider how we encourage each person that is a part of our church to grow as a disciple and then be used by God to help others grow as well.  I truly believe God is going to grow us like never before!!

I am also excited because 2017 is going to be the year that we pay off our existing debt and meet our goal of being debt free in ten years.  This was a goal that we established back in 2008 when we entered our building campaign to build the space that we currently worship in.  To be debt free by the end of 2017 we are asking those of you who made a pledge to the “Greater Things” campaign to consider extending your pledge by one year.  I so appreciate your sacrificial giving for the last three years!  Paula and I know what that requires, and we are excited to extend our pledge by a year to meet our goal of being debt free.  I pray you will consider joining us as well!!  But I know that there are many who are here now who were not here when we entered this pledge drive.  We built in faith praying that you would come and many have.  Would you then consider making a one year pledge to help us meet our goal?  We need to raise at least $92,000.00 to be debt free by the end of 2017. With your help, I know we can meet or exceed this goal.  Please pray about what you can do. You can give a one-time cash gift if you would like, or you can make a pledge to be paid out over the course of the year.  Pledge cards are going to be in the lobby area through the month of December.  Please fill a pledge card out and drop it in to the box.  Our pledges will begin in January 2017.

I love you and I love being your pastor!

November 2016 Pastor's Points

Our church has been on my mind lately.  I am so thankful for our church family!  I personally do not know how people get through life without the fellowship and accountability of a local church.  I love our church, which is to say I love our people!  There is not a gathering of believers that I would rather be a part of.  We have the greatest opportunity to grow and be all that God wants us to be as we are active in the life of our local body.  At Oakhill, we have an expectation that our members are going to commit four things.  Worship, Grow, Serve, Give.  We ask our members to commit to these as our basic understanding of how we will live together in community at Oakhill.

This is a call for those who are our members to make a conscious commitment to be engaged in this local church.  I recently read an article by David Mathis and he shared these words about membership in the local church.

“One of the most counter-cultural things you can do is become an engaged member of a faithful local church.  In our flighty and noncommittal age,
neither non-Christians nor Christians are naturally inclined to find a place to put down roots and make longstanding, objective commitments for the good of others.  We want to keep our options open and, above all, preserve our own freedom of choice, rather than make a covenant for the long haul and embrace a framework for real-life in all its ups and downs.  But what if you went against the grain and became part of the solution to the modern problem of being so noncommittal? What if you joined the rebellion, and pledged your loyalty and engagement to a Bible-believing, gospel-cherishing local church?”

If you are a member of Oakhill, ask yourself… Am I truly an engaged member of Oakhill?  Do I consistently prioritize worshipping with my church family?  Am I actively involved in a bible study group or the growth initiative?  Do I actively serve not just when it is convenient, but am I willing to serve others even if it is an inconvenience for me?  Do I sacrificially give of my time, talent, and treasure?  Or do I give without truly
sacrificing?

The local church matters so much to God that He gave his son Jesus for it.  I pray Oakhill matters to you!!  We are all pulled in so many different directions in life, but I am begging you to make sure that you prioritize your involvement in this local church family.  Not just to do something religious, but to make an eternal investment in yourself, your family, and others.

I love you and I love being your pastor!