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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
Have you ever compared yourself to someone else and felt envious? Have you felt the inner turmoil of wanting the recognition, the status, the wealth, the attractiveness, the comfort, the talent, the anything of another? I’m guessing so. Envy comes to us as naturally as breathing, filling us with frustration and discontentment. But there is a way to kill it. We saw John the Baptist kill it last week in John 3:22-36. John’s disciples notified him that a competitor—the man called Jesus—was stealing the people away from his fruitful ministry. John’s response must have been shocking: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
John put envy to death by holding fast to three important truths: 1) God is sovereign and good; 2) we exist to make much of Jesus; and 3) Jesus is supreme. When the glory of Jesus becomes the passion of our lives, envy wastes away to nothing. How can we be envious when we are no longer the center of our affections and aspirations? Instead of discontentment, we get a growing joy that flows over into eternity as we behold Jesus, exalted to his rightful place. Ask yourself this week, “What is one area of life in which I am still seeking to exalt myself, rather than Jesus?”
Giving
After a fruitful summer of ministry, it’s been a fabulous two months as we launched our second worship gathering in early August! Even so, we’ve been operating at a budget deficit for several months (currently about $27,000 behind budget). That’s simply not sustainable long-term.
If you don’t make a habit of giving, would you invite someone into that part of your life? We’re instructed to not give out of compulsion, but giving to the needs of the local church is a stewardship concern for all believers.
If you do give regularly, would you prayerfully consider increasing your giving slightly? Specifically, would you consider increasing your giving by 5-10% of what you already give (for example, if you give $100 normally, consider $110 instead)? If all who don’t give faithfully would begin doing so and if all who do give would increase slightly, we would catch up on our giving by the end of the year and all of the ministries we enjoy could continue through the year and into the next.
Click here to give through our website.
In Christ
Phil Hoshiwara
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
Last week we witnessed a showdown between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus had a lot going for him. He was “the teacer of Israel,” a top-notch Pharisee with an impeccable record of law-keeping. He knew the Scriptures inside and out—and yet Jesus indicates that Nicodemus had entirely overlooked the one thing he so desperately needed: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus, for all his credentials, was spiritually dead. His efforts and good works wafted up to the Lord as the odious gases of a corpse. He imagined them pleasing in God’s sight, but in reality they could only offend.
Even Christians fall into Nicodemus’ way of thinking. We imagine that if we simply try harder, clean up our act, exercise more self-discipline—then God will accept us. We forget that spiritual life is not about what we do, but about what God has done. The good works we perform are the result of the spiritual life God has given us, and that is why they are pleasing in his sight. How does the fact that God has caused us to be born again change the way we view the good works He calls us to do?
New Connection Classes
This Sunday we begin a new round of connection classes.
1. God’s Church God’s Way will be taught by Todd Diehl during the first service (9:30 -10:45am). Come and learn about the precious church that Christ died for–what it is and does.
2. Knowing God will be taught by Randy Hagler during the second service (11:15-12:30pm). Come and learn more about what God is like, and what it means for us.
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
When you think of Jesus, what is the first descriptive word that comes to mind? Probably not “angry.” It is easy to imagine Jesus blessing small children, healing the sick, and turning the other cheek. But Jesus with a whip in his hand? Last week in John 2:12-25 we saw more of the lion than the lamb as Jesus overturned tables and cleared the temple courtyard. The source of his righteous anger was the Jews’ utter contempt for God’s glory. They had exchanged the worship of God for the worship of money, making “my Father’s house a house of trade” (John 2:16).
Jesus came to give himself as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, that we might draw near to God in true worship. But often our hearts reflect the outer courtyard of that temple, full of activity that has nothing to do with the worship of God. Take some time this week to reflect on the condition of your heart. Is it hurried and busy with false worship, or is it zealous for God’s glory? Do not be gentle with glory-robbing idols—in Christ’s resurrection power and with his full blessing, use the whip!
Bond, Mike Bond
At Church on Mill we believe that the primary responsibility for the discipleship of children is with the parents—but this does not mean that parents are alone in discipling their children! For some time we have been looking for someone to come on staff as the Director of Family Ministries. This week, Mike Bond has stepped into that role, and we are thrilled! Please be in prayer for Mike as he takes on this important ministry, helping to better equip parents and support the deacons who have worked so faithfully to see our families grow in Christ-likeness. For more details, see here.
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
Last Sunday we had the privilege of hearing from Tad Skinner as he preached God’s word to us from John 2:1-11. We saw that the peculiar story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding celebration is more than just a display of Jesus’ deity. This first miracle actually pointed forward to the reason Jesus took on flesh and humbled himself to the point of death—to rescue and purify his perishing and soiled bride. Jesus transformed the water use for purification rights into wine to show that he would soon pour our his own blood to “present the church to himself in splendor…that she might be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:27). How great the love of Christ!
If you do not feel worthy of to be the bride of the one through whom all things were created…your feelings are justified! But remember the great work this bridgegroom has accomplished on your behalf. Jesus exchanged your sin for his righteousness.You come to God in all the splendor of Christ’s perfection!
Membership Class
Are you interested in becoming a member at Church on Mill, or perhaps simply want to know more about who we are? Join us in the church auditorium on Saturday, September 16th, for our one-day membership class. The class is held from 9 am to 4 pm, with a one-hour break for lunch. Contact Gracie Turner for more details.
Transition Team Recommendations
This Sunday we will be voting on two candidates to replace Todd Diehl and Randy Hagler on the Transition Team. Will you prayerfully consider Pat Nickel and Andy Clare for these roles? You can read their bios here.
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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The Transition Team has done a great job of helping Pastor Chuck lead as we assess potential elder candidates. It turns out, the team has also become a great incubator for men to experience a measure of what it might be like to serve as elders. As a result, two existing members of the Transition Team are rotating off the team to formally be assessed and trained as they further consider a call to eldership. As a result, we need to add two people to this important team. At the last Members Meeting, we asked the church body for recommendations. Andy Clare and Pat Nickel were both recommended by multiple in our body, and the current Transition Team believes that their varied experiences and perspectives will serve well in their tasks, one of which is formally recommending elder candidates to the body. Read below to get to know each of them a little better.
Andy Clare’s Bio
My best friend and wife of three years, Caroline, and I moved to the Phoenix Area from the land of pop and hotdish (Minnesota) two years ago. We began attending Church on Mill in the fall of 2016. The caring, gospel focused community and teaching of Church on Mill attracted us to this church body. I have been co-teaching “Knowing God” with Randy Hagler and plan on continuing to serve in the Connection Class setting. I am also currently a full time student at Phoenix Seminary preparing for pastoral ministry. As I am considered for the Transition Team, Caroline and I are excited to be praying more intentionally for members and to both grow and serve in gospel ministry with Church on Mill.
Pat Nickel’s Bio
I have been a follower of Jesus for 43 years, and a member of Church on Mill for 40 years. Since Lauri and I moved here from California, COM has been our family and has caused us to call this place home. I am part of the Youth Ministry and also am a Deacon. As I read Scripture, I believe that God has called specific leaders to humbly serve this body as elders, and will, if the church membership wants, happily serve on the Transition Team to help bring this about.
This coming Sunday morning, members will be asked to affirm the Transition Team’s recommendation of both Andy and Pat. If you have questions, please contact Pastor Chuck or see any other member of the Transition Team. Please come having prayed about this and ready to vote and worship.
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
Last Sunday we continued our series in the book of John. Pastor Chuck asked this simple yet often confusing question: “What does it mean to be a Christian?” From John 1:35-51 we saw that to be a Christian means to follow Jesus and to help others follow Jesus. To follow Jesus is to entrust our lives to him—to accompany him as our leader wherever he goes. Chuck encouraged us to be a people following Jesus so closely that we are caked in the dust that his shoes kick up. This will happen increasingly as we hear Jesus’s voice through the Scriptures, and submit to his word.
We do not only follow Jesus, but we also invite others to do the same. This is the pattern we see throughout the New Testament. People do not regularly come to know Jesus by an audible voice from heaven, but through the simple invitations of others—“Come and see!” (John 1:46). This may look like asking a friend to visit a Sunday service, meeting for coffee to explore what the Scriptures say, inviting a family member to attend a Gospel Community, or a simple conversation with a stranger about Christ’s goodness in your life. Ask yourself this week, Who are the people that you are inviting to “come and see”?
Members Meeting Recap
Last Sunday was an encouraging time to hear from members of the body, as well as to hear important updates in the life of the church. If you missed it, here are a few key points:
Todd Diehl and Randy Hagler are stepping down from the Transition Team to continue the process of eldership candidacy. Lord willing, elder candidates will be presented to the church in the next Member’s Meeting in October.
This Sunday we will announce 2 candidates to replace Todd and Randy on the Transition Team. The following Sunday (Sept. 10th) we will vote on these candidates.
We are currently behind by about $21,000 in the church budget.
The transition to two gatherings has gone incredibly well. More people have opportunities to come and hear the gospel, and more people are serving in the church than ever before. Thank you for all of the sacrifices you’ve made for the sake of Christ’s body!
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps. 34:8)
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
Last Sunday we envisioned a global courtroom in which all of humanity has been called to sit on jury. Every member of the jury must come to a decision about Jesus—a first century Jewish man who has claimed to be eternal God, to have taken on flesh, lived a sinless life, died for the sins of the world, and risen in victory. No trial has ever been more weighty or far-reaching, for the jury itself will be held accountable for reaching a right verdict, and the sentencing will be final and forever.
In support of Jesus’ astounding claim, John the Bapist is called to the stand as an eye-witness. His testimony? “Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). The witness is cross-examined, but he cannot be discredited. His reputation is above reproach; he is humble yet bold, and he is convinced that Jesus is the solution to the world’s problem of sin and death. The trial continues on year and after year, and each one of us will have to give a verdict. Not only so, but we who believe in Jesus will be called to take the stand as a witness. May our testimony be true, and our reputation marked by humility and boldness.
Members Meeting
Join us next Sunday (Aug. 27th) from 6 – 8:30 pm in the church auditorium for our quarterly Members Meeting. We will hear testimonies from various ministries, reflect on the transition to two gatherings, hear updates on the eldership proccess, and more! Come participate in prayer, ask questions, and give your vital feedback!
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
The above picture is a reconstruction of the “tabernacle,” the ancient tent where God dwelt in the center of the Israelite camp. Here it is surrounded by barren desert, but during the period of Israel’s desert wanderings, it would have been surrounded by the great multitude of God’s people. Last week we began a new sermon series on the fourth gopsel. In John 1:1-18, we saw this incredible claim: Jesus, the eternal God, became a man and “tabernacled” among us. God dwelt among the people he created.
This was not a holiday excursion or a curious visitation by a distant, uncaring God. Rather the omnipotent Creator who is perfect light took upon himself the weakness of humanity and entered into darkness. He did so to rescue sinners from death, and to make rebels and enemies his children. If you are struggling to believe that God cares for you this week, take some time to meditate on the awesome reality of the God-man who dwelt among us.
Members Meeting
Join us next Sunday (Aug. 27th) from 6 – 8:30 pm in the church auditorium for our quarterly Members Meeting. Come participate in prayer, ask questions, and give your vital feedback!
Wednesday Nights
Last Wednesday we had a great turnout for our Disciplemakers Fall Kick-off. This is a time not only to grow as a disciple of Jesus, but also to be better equipped to make disciples of Jesus. If you didn’t make it last week but are still interested, it’s not too late!Join us this Wednesday (Aug. 16th) from 6:30 to 8 pm. Click here for more info.
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Dear brothers and sisters,
I was so encouraged by our time together last Sunday as we launched our first Two Gatherings! What wonderful fellowship, singing, hearing of God’s word, and french toast!
Sermon Recap
Last Sunday concluded our series on the five solas. From Romans 11:33-36 we considered the last of the solas, wich holds all the others together—soli Deo gloria. God’s glory alone. We have a tendency to believe that we are the sun, and that everything revolves around us and is for us. But our text tells us that “from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forevery” (v. 36). This simple verse means that God is the source of everything, the means of everything, and the goal of everything. Therefore, God deserves all honor and praise from all people for all eternity. This is gloriously good news, because God’s glory is our joy. We are made to enjoy God, just as the earth was made to revolve around the sun, bask in its warmth, and be nourished by its light. If you try to suck everything into your gravitational pull and make yourself the center, you will be frustrated!
Let’s take some time this week to think about the things in our lives that are stealing our joy because we are stealing the glory. How might these things look different if we made God the center? Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God! (1 Cor. 10:31).
By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for God’s glory alone.
Serving
Our church family has been incredibly blessed by so many who have sacrificed to serve and build up the body of Christ. This is precisely what Jesus did—giving himself for the good of his people. Thank you for your Christ-like response especially as we’ve transitioned to two gatherings. If you are still wanting to serve, below are a few specific church needs. We are looking for:
3 people to help with pre-school (this is our biggest need)
1 person to be an usher in the second service
2-3 people to help at the coffee bar
Contact us here if you are interested. Thank you!
Wednesday Nights
All Christians are disciples who make disciples. Want to learn how? Join us tonight (Aug. 9th) from 6:30 – 8 pm for Disciplemaker’s Fall Kick-off Night! Come ask questions and learn about what we will be studying this semester. Click here for more info.
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Bread, shepherd, vine, door, light, Word, life. What do these have in common? Jesus! These brilliant metaphors, and more, are found in the Gospel of
John. John was an eyewitness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and wrote with a clear aim – that people would believe Jesus and have life in him.
You see, Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah. And genuine life is found only and forever in him. Whether you believe already or are still
considering the validity of Jesus’s claims, this block of eight consecutive sermon series will give you ample opportunity to both hear and trust the most
important person to ever live.
8.13.17 | Getting Started – The Gospel of John | God Made Known | John 1:1-18 |
8.20.17 | Getting Started – The Gospel of John | The Gospel of John A Credible Witness | John 1:19-34 |
8.27.17 | Getting Started – The Gospel of John | The Gospel of John When Jesus Calls | John 1:35-51 |
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Dear brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
Last Sunday we considered one of the bedrock doctrines of the Christian faith: sola fida. Faith alone. From Galatians 2:15 – 3:14 we saw that no one can be made right with God by doing all the works of God’s law. Rather, we are made right (justified) through faith. But what is faith? Pastor Chuck gave us a simple equation to define faith: knowledge + agreement + trust = faith. We must have knowledge of who Christ is and what he has done to replace our sin with his righteousness. We must agree that all of this matters and is true. Finally, we must put our trust in Christ, casting ourselves upon his person, just as the rock climber leans back from 100 feet up trusting in the strength of the rope and harness.
But this means that the object of our faith is of vital importance! Brothers and sisters, Christ alone is the only object sufficient and worthy of our faith. All of our best deeds and most valiant efforts to justify ourselves will only prove a splintering rope. It will not hold the weight of our sin. But Christ can bear the weight, and he did so on the cross. Is your faith losing sight of its most precious object? Let’s begin and end each day consciously resting in Christ, meditate on the Scriptures that show us Christ, and live life transparently with the community of believers who constantly point us to Christ.
2 Gatherings begins!
We have finally arrived! This Sunday is our 2 Gatherings launch date! Services will begin at 9:30 and 11:15 am, with connection classes offered during both times. Pastor Chuck has encouraged those of us who are able to attend the first service to do so, since it is likely that the second service will be more full. Let’s prepare our hearts to be on mission. Remember that the purpose of this change is that we would have more opportunities to make the gospel known to more people who need a Savior. Consider ways to make the most of every opportunity before, in-between, and after the services!
Wednesday Nights
All Christians are disciples who make disciples. Want to learn how? Join us August 9th from 6:30 – 8 pm for Disciplemakers Fall Kick-off Night! Come ask questions and learn about what we will be studying this semester. It should be a great time!
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the Lord!
Sermon Recap
It was great to have pastor Chuck back in the pulpit after his time away on sabbatical and vacation! So far in our sermon series on the five solas, we have looked at Scripture alone and Christ alone. Last Sunday Chuck preached sola gratia, grace alone.
Looking at Ephesians 2:1-10 we considered the sobering truth that, left to themselves, all human beings are dead in their sins and enslaved by their destructive desires. We are hopeless and helpless apart from the gloriously good news of verse 4: But God. But God, being rich in mercy has made us alive in Christ. This life in Christ cannot be achieved by any of our own efforts. Rather, “By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” (v. 8). This grace is God’s undeserved favor that has supernaturally united us to the person of Christ. We have died with him and now live and reign with him, and we continue to do so each day by grace. Church, do our lives reflect this costly grace? Are there areas in our hearts that are harboring a cheap and counterfeit grace? May we repent and walk in the new life that Christ has given us!
During the sermon last Sunday, Pastor Chuck shared about his recent diagnosis of lupus. Chuck has expressed his peace in God, and has every intention of continuing to serve this body for decades by God’s all-sufficient grace. Please be in prayer for Chuck and his family as they process this new reality. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have or help you may provide.
1 Week!
One week from this Sunday brings us to our long anticipated 2 Gatherings launch (Aug 6th)! The two gatherings will begin at 9:30 and 11:15 am, with connection classes offered during both times (see below for more info). Consider bringing a friend, and be on the look out for new visitors. We have a message of life that desperately needs to be heard, and we are a people with the most reason to rejoice and to love—let these realities impact even the way you greet a stranger!
In connection with this, our Director of College Ministry, Maddie Pinto, has this to say:
“College students from all over the world will be flooding Tempe next month when ASU kicks off its fall semester. August is a time when students are more open than ever to the gospel, and it is normal for students – especially freshman and international students – to visit us during this time. Our church is uniquely located next to a major university, giving us a strategic opportunity to invest in the next generation. Keep your eyes open for young people this next month, and consider in what ways you can welcome, encourage, and serve these guests, being models of the gospel in their lives.”
New Connection Classes
Our August 6th launch date for 2 Gatherings will also mark the start of two new connection classes. Here’s what you need to know:
1. How to Grow will be offered during the second service (starting at 11:15 am). Join Kent Hardy as he takes us through some of the spiritual disciplines so vital in spiritual growth.
2. Knowing God will be offered during the first service (starting at 9:30 am). Join Randy Hagler in taking a look at what the Bible says God is like, that we may better marvel at His glory.
If you were planning to attend first gathering but are worried about missing the connection class offered during that time (or vice-versa), fear not! The connection classes are scheduled on a rotating system so that, if you consistently attend the same service, you will be able to participate in every connection class that is offered.
Wednesday Nights
All Christians are disciples who make disciples. Want to learn how? Join us August 9th from 6:30 – 8 pm for Disciplemaker’s Fall Kick-off Night! Come ask questions and learn about what we will be studying this semester. Click here for more info.
In Christ,
Phil Hoshiwara
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Summer Series 2017
What happens when the truth of Scripture and the grace of gospel gets smothered in the mere religious traditions of men? God is dishonored and our lives hang in spiritual peril! In this important series, we’ll re-examine the five great ‘battle cries’ of the protestant reformation of the 1500’s, uncovering both their biblical origins and their significance for us as a church today.
Date | Title | Selected Passages | Teacher |
July 9th | Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone | 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5 | Tad Skinner |
July 16th | Solus Christus: Christ Alone | Hebrews 10:1-25 | Chuck Newkirk |
July 23th | Sola Gratia: Grace Alone | Ephesians 2:1-10 | Chuck Newkirk |
July 30th | Sola Fide: Faith Alone | Galations 2:153:14 | Chuck Newkirk |
August 6th | Soli Deo Gloria: God’s Glory Alone | 1 Corinthans 10:31 | Chuck Newkirk |
Did You Know?
There are five different ways to give to the ministry of the gospel at Church on Mill. 1) Cash, 2) Check, 3) Online Giving (Credit or Debit), 4) ApplePay, and 5) Text.
God loves a cheerful giver, and we would love to remove any difficulty from giving! Questions? Email (email )">(email )
]]>Guest Pastor Dr. Greg Tonkinson will present a series of four talks based around the two greatest commandments (Matt 22:37-40). In summary, followers of Jesus are to unreservedly love the Lord and unselfishly love their neighbor. Sanctification, or “soaring” in the Lord, happens when these two commands are constantly, albeit imperfectly, being lived out. The four Sundays at Church on Mill will be spent developing this thought.
Date | Title | Description | Selected Passages |
June 11th | Praise God | My desire will be to discuss our identity in Christ. It’s this speaker’s firm belief that one of the primary reasons believers aren’t stronger in the Lord is due to lack of understanding of their positional truths in Christ. This message will be spent looking at our identity in Christ and the blessings we’ve received from God. This will hopefully bring the believer to a state of desiring to praise God. | Matt 22:37-40, Isaiah 40:31, 2 Timothy 2:6, Rom 6:1-14 |
June 18th | Know God | My desire will be to discuss how we can “love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind.” (Matt 22:37) The primary focus for Saturday morning will loving God through the studying of His Word. | Matt 22:37-40, I Corinthians 2:1-5, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 7:24-29 |
June 25th | Trust God | My desire will be to discuss, again, the greatest commandment. The focus for this message, though, will be on handling the challenges that arise with worshiping an infinite God. Particular attention will be given to those times when God seems distant. | Matt 22:37-40, Psalm 13 |
July 2nd | Promote God | My desire will be to discuss how to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Though this can be demonstrated in a host of ways, the morning will be spent discussing one issue in particular, the area of forgiveness. Giving and receiving forgiveness is one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian life, but when done correctly, it can be one of the most powerful ways to promote God’s love for a broken world. | Matt 22:37-40, Matthew 22:34-40, Ephesians 4:32 |
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Though God always provides, there are times in which God’s provisions are more readily obvious than others: this is one of those times. When Erik Naylor took over responsibility for COM’s collegiate ministry, part of the task he agreed to was developing a strong team of volunteers and staff to share the gospel on ASU’s campus, integrate those God saves into church membership, and send graduates out with a biblical view of Christ and his church all around the world. No small assignment! The Lord has faithfully brought COM – in only two years – a well-respected international ministry (Life Among the Nations), many students, volunteers from all strata of the church, and new staff members. Maddie Pinto is yet another example of God’s gracious provision.
Starting Thursday, June 1, Maddie will be COM’s new Director of College Ministry. Under Erik’s leadership, she will provide oversight to the American side of our collegiate ministries. Erik will be Executive Director of Collegiate Ministries, providing leadership to both the American and Life Among the Nations ministries. This will enable Erik to focus on team and support development, discipleship with college guys, and the stewardship of expanding influence God is giving us with other churches. Maddie brings spiritual maturity, an outstanding set of gifts, years of collegiate ministry experience, and a deep love for Church on Mill. Pray for her as she transitions, and for the whole team as they work over the summer to hit the ground running when the Fall semester begins.
Next time you see Maddie thank her for joining the team!
]]>Join us for a two week sermon series titled Scandalous:
5.28.17
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Scandalous
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Saved to Serve
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Ephesians 2:8-10
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Chuck Newkirk
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6.4.17
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Scandalous
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Glad Submission
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Hebrews 13:17
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Chuck Newkirk
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A Transition Team Update, May 2017
Brothers and Sisters,
It was wonderful to come together with you in our recent Members Meeting. Partially because of the donuts, but mostly because of you. I am thankful that God led Pam and me to Church on Mill and that He has adopted us into His family of grace, as He has many of you. We are thankful to be members at COM and are grateful for the many, many loving relationships we have with you. Praise God!
Many good questions were raised on the topic of Pastoral Proximity, all of which deserve the most thoughtful answer possible and I am hoping this blog might provide a venue for more comprehensive answers than those able to be given in the meeting.
Most of the questions were centered around ‘how’ (as opposed to ‘why’ which was addressed earlier this year), so this posting will deal with that facet of this issue. Below is a concise summary of the research the transition team has performed to date and what has been discovered in the process.
How close should our Lead Pastor’s home be to church property? Ideally, a home on church property or within a block or two. Proximity at this level would allow for seamless ministry between the neighborhood, church campus, and home. There are a couple of vacant lots on church property which are possible sites for a home to be built, as well as dozens of homes that could be purchased just off-site.
What type of home? We are praying for a home of sufficient size to house the Newkirks and allow frequent ministry to groups of people. Ideally, this would mean a home with an open living room, four bedrooms, and an office with a separate entrance. Abby will soon be a teenager so the possibility of her and Micah sharing a bedroom is not most wise. A fourth bedroom for visiting missionary or resident would be great, as well as an office that supports easy access to Chuck and member confidentiality.
Buy, Rent, or Build? Financially, the least expensive method is to build a house on church property. A challenge is determining the best method of funding the build and how to equitably distribute proceeds from a future sale if the Newkirks fund some or all of the build. With the sale of their current home, the Newkirks could afford a new build, but the church might rather own the home. Buying an existing home is an option of course, but the Newkirks cannot afford an existing home in the area. Perhaps God will provide funds through the generosity of others, toward either building or buying.
What about the existing resident properties? We are blessed to have three properties on site, but the plan is to continue to use them as homes for our residents and campus missionaries. The Lord has blessed our training and sending, and we feel it best to continue with all three homes in this manner.
What can members do? Thanks for asking! Three things: 1) Please pray with us for God’s will to be clear; 2) If you have thoughts of strategies to bring before the members in how to proceed, please approach a member of the transition team: we desire and need your insights; 3) Consider if God might use you to help move pastoral proximity from a desire to a reality.
In Christ,
Randy Hagler
(on behalf of your Transition Team)
]]>Something exciting is happening at Church on Mill just about three months from today! You’ve probably heard about it by now, and if you were able to attend our Members Meeting last weekend you know about quite a few of the details. Now, we will take a minute in this blog to talk about our shift from one Sunday morning gathering to two.
Our church is mirroring in many ways the early churches in Acts, what a blessing! God is growing our church in two ways he was growing the Church back then, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the spirit, it multiplied” (Acts 9:31 ESV). Don’t you see our lives more and more reflecting the belief that God is in control? God is growing us on the inside! And don’t you see the auditorium filling with people each Sunday? God is growing us in number, as well.
As we grow, we desire to be faithful and wise with the people and heart God has given us. After much prayer, discussion, and consideration, the Transition Team has decided it seems to be God’s leadership to move forward with a shift to two gatherings beginning on August 6, 2017.
To delve a bit deeper into why we would expand in this manner, we can look at logistics currently and long-term hopes. Our present situation is this: our auditorium is full, and we all, of course, want to be able to continue serving the tens of thousands, especially in Tempe. The most feasible manner of serving more people at this time is adding a second gathering so that more people can come to each.
Our future hope is this: let’s send more people, specifically groups of people, to plant and revitalize more churches across Arizona, the U.S., and the world. We’ve been blessed with faithful men and women who we have sent out to do just this, but we’ve sent them all as individuals or families. If we move to two gatherings and God blesses us with more members, we pray that we’d eventually be able to send groups of 5-10 as teams to new mission fields. To become this type of perpetually sending church, we’ll need a slightly larger body of church members.
Here’s the fun part: our body gets to embark on this journey together. We are not turning into two churches; in fact, we pray to grow in unity as we walk this new road. We will pray together, give together, disciple together, and serve together. Our one church will be able to serve in expanded ways because of this change to two gatherings. In the next few weeks, watch and listen for opportunities to serve the church in new capacities—we’ll need all hands on deck moving forward. Let’s pursue Christ-likeness even more fervently as we stretch ourselves in ways we hadn’t anticipated, and we’ll walk as a family as we do so.
As we anticipate this change, let’s start doing so in community right away. Bless another church member with coffee or lunch and talk through your reactions and feelings about two gatherings. Pray over those reactions and feelings, and pray for the rest of the body and our church. Any of the Transition Team members would love to do this with you, as well. Your insight is needed and valuable as we approach August 6th.
This Sunday the 7th, we’ll have a Q&A directly after church in the East Wing. Please attend if you have questions, insights, or would like to grow in mutual understanding. We’ll have the handouts from the Members Meeting that give a preview of the new typical Sunday at Church on Mill. They mention the identical worship gatherings, the format of connection classes, and the availability of preschool, kids, and youth activities.
What a blessing it will be to offer to others what God has given us. What a gift he has given us in adoption into the family of God! May two gatherings bring more people to see the kingdom of heaven enacted at Church on Mill.
]]>Four Liberating Truths about God
The most important thing about you is what you think about when you think about God. Our perspective on God impacts every single area of life – every day! And yet what we have heard about God often seems incredibly distant from daily life. In this important series, we will consider four liberating truths about God and discover together how to implement them into daily life.
Date | Title | Selected Passages |
April 23, 2017 | God is Great (so we don’t have to be in control) | Psalm 27 |
April 30 | God is Glorious (so we don’t have to fear others) | Psalm 31 |
May 7 | God is Good (so we don’t have to look elsewhere) | Psalm 94 |
May 14 | God is Gracious (so we don’t have to prove ourselves) | Psalm 103 |
(Each “God is…” phrase is taken from Tim Chester’s excellent book, You Can Change, pg 97)
]]>Does God Transform People?
Read Danni’s personal story – In Her Own Words – below:
“When I started coming to Church on Mill a little over 3 years ago, I was in the midst of a several year period of not being convinced that the Christian life was worth living. I knew there was a God, and I believed Jesus had come and died for my sins, but I felt like I had tried out life as a Christian for years, and it didn’t work. I had had some great times feeling very connected with God, but just as many times feeling distant from Him and like I was on my own to figure it out. I had times where I was certain He had answered my prayers, but even more times when it seemed He had ignored them. I became angry and cynical and decided it was better not to pray at all. It seemed too painful to ask God for help, and be let down again, so I spent a few years trying to avoid Him. My biggest frustration was that it didn’t seem like God was actually good; He just kinda did whatever He wanted according to His will and had no regard for my pain or my desires or my life in general. Thankfully, I found some people here that asked me hard questions about my views of God and encouraged me to go back and look at the Bible to see who He really is.
When I finally listened and stopped trying to avoid those thoughts, I read the Bible, and began to pray again. During that time, I also started reading Tim Keller’s book called Prayer, and I only made it one or two chapters in, but one thing that blew me away was that he said prayer is a conversation that starts with what God has already said and done, which is revealed in the Bible. So, the conversation doesn’t start with me. I thought prayer was useless because it was just asking for things, and then maybe getting them, but maybe not. But that’s not it at all. The conversation started way before I was even alive. It started when He created the world, and when He sent His perfect Son, Jesus, to earth to live and suffer and die in my place, taking the punishment that I completely deserve. So I realized two things: 1. Even if my entire life on Earth was nothing but hardship and pain, what God already did for me, through Jesus’ life and death and resurrection is absolutely enough. And 2. My prayers (and my life) should, first and foremost, be a response to that, thanking Him for giving me far more than I deserve. I don’t deserve life, but He created me anyway, and I absolutely don’t deserve to be adopted into His family, but thank goodness, He doesn’t give me what I deserve.
For a short time, I lost sight of reality and my relationship to God because life got hard, but when I read the Bible and engaged in conversations with people here, I was reminded of God’s goodness, and the times of suffering have started to make sense. In the times I felt like He wasn’t answering my prayers, He was changing my heart, and allowing me to now understand the Gospel in ways I didn’t before. I thought He had no regard for me, but He was using my suffering and then this community to make me more like Him. I remember thinking in the midst of the suffering that no lesson God could teach me through it could be worth the pain I felt, and I suppose if He were just teaching me head knowledge, that might be true, but He is far more gracious to us, having gone to great lengths to allow us to be His sons and daughters, and experience Him. That is what is ultimately good for us, just Him, and being conformed to His image. If He had answered my prayers in the ways I wanted, my momentary desires would have been fulfilled, but that’s not what I need. I need Him, and I need His grace and mercy, which He freely gives to me, in ways that are so much better than I could plan.”
-Danni
]]>Below is a great encouragement from Pat – in his own words…
Hi. I’m Pat Nickel. I served on the Leadership Team here at Church on Mill, and I continue to serve as a deacon and as a youth teacher. My wife Lauri and I came to Church on Mill some 38 years ago this month, knowing practically nothing about church life except what we saw in practice in El Centro. I did have brief exposure to another church when I had a job out of town the summer before, which I can’t say impressed me much.
When we came here, Henry Smart was pastor, and we saw his love for the gospel and people. He led the church in community outreach with the support of a small church staff. He used his home in ministry. We also got to know the staff and deacons, but as far as teaching and modeling what it means to be a pastor, Henry was our model. Over the years, we have had other pastors and staff who demonstrated similar submission to Jesus as their Lord, and led with the commitment to faithfully follow His model as servant. When I think about it, there were some who maybe weren’t so humble, but that hasn’t been the norm.
Maybe a year or two into my work with junior high, I was challenged to view my ministry as that of a pastor. I was encouraged by some great role models who I watched submit to the Lordship and shepherding of Jesus and His local pastor. This helped me grow in my understanding of a humble shepherd as a person called to serve the body by providing godly instruction and leadership founded in the Word, not to achieve greatness or stature but to grow the body to mature faith and ministry. Sometimes this is painful or at great personal or career risk, but the servants I have spoken with knew God would be faithful through the risk and pain.
I haven’t lived my life only at church, though. I have seen examples of what the world calls leadership and teaching both at ASU and in my workplace. The world teaches at worst that we get ahead at the expense of others, or at best that we get ahead by teaming with others. Self-promotion is a key to success.
But the Bible says to push others ahead at your own expense, or team with others so they can grow. Philippians 2:3 tells us to do nothing from selfish ambition, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves. A humble shepherd exudes humility in the middle of authoritative preaching and teaching. This stands in stark contrast to the world, and points to God as the One Who changes us.
Some time ago we decided as a church to expand the pastoral leadership of our church to include elders. This includes unpaid men from our members, and call them to share the responsibility and burden of shepherding our members toward mature faith. The key to this is finding men who match up to the biblical model of humble shepherd under Jesus. I know we have men like that here. This change is enables them to fulfill the purpose God had when He matured them and gave them the gifts He chose. I believe our church body will benefit tremendously by having multiple godly men caring for us, teaching us, praying for our good, holding each other accountable for right living, and encouraging each other through the burdens of pastoring.
For Him,
Pat
]]>I believed that I was good enough. I believed that could do it on my own. I believed that I had something to offer God.
When I left home for college, I stopped going to Church regularly, I stopped praying regularly, and began to doubt if anything I had learned about Jesus was true. I certainly did not think that I needed a savior and so nothing that he did made sense to me.
7 years ago, a friend invited me to his bible study. I was still not attending church regularly, but I attended more out of social obligation than anything else. I quickly found something compelling about reading and discussing the scripture with other believers – I had never really done that in church. As we studied, I kept running into passages that did not match up with who I thought God was. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one gets to the Father except through me.” Wow. I don’t believe that!
I did not tell the guys I was studying with, but these scriptures weighed on my heart and I thought, how can I call myself a Christian when the bible says things I don’t believe? Despite my crisis of faith, I was a cultural Christian and servant to the Creator, so I continued going through the motions.
Then one day, at church, the pastor casually referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God. In mediating on the meaning of those three words – Lamb of God – suddenly all of the scripture I had been struggling with made sense in an instant. I was convicted of my sin and I came face to face with my own wickedness. I need a savior so desperately! With tears pouring down my face as I imagined Christ slaughtered for my sake, I silently called out to God asking “What must I do!?”
“Nothing,” Jesus replied, “I have done it already.” That day, I turned from a life of trying to do it on my own; of being ‘good enough’ and I turned toward a life where my trust was not in my strength but in Jesus to get me to the Father. That was 6 years ago, and I was never baptized. I am past due.
-Spencer
]]>Hi everyone, we are Kent and LeeAnne, and we have two daughters – Kara and Brisa. We have been members here at Church on Mill since 1996, and we’d like to talk to you about an area where God has been at work in our lives in recent months.
A couple of years ago, God put it on our hearts to buy a new house. To our logical minds, there were a variety of reasons to move, but among them was a desire to find a home which was better suited to host our Gospel Community, and to be closer to the church property here in Tempe. We made a long list of other things we wanted in the new house, but as the search progressed and we looked at house after house, the list of important things became shorter and shorter. The location and the usefulness for the GC became two of the top 3 items on the list. God truly changed our thoughts and priorities throughout that process.
Then God provided us a place that was aligned with those few important characteristics. It was only a couple of miles closer to the church property, but the drive time was reduced by nearly 25% – a very big blessing! In terms of hosting GC, it has two large spaces which are visually separated, so the kids can play in one area while the adults can talk without shouting in the other area. On top of that, it has an extra bedroom, which has been useful as a storage area, as a guest room for my grandma, and as a fun place for the girls to go when they have a sleepover with their friends.
Then in January, we got a very terrifying e-mail from Pastor Chuck. (Okay, “terrifying” is an exaggeration, but we definitely felt a little fearful.) The church was considering inviting a young lady named Megan Bailey to be an intern at the church for about 6 months. He wondered if we would be willing to have her stay in our spare room for that time. All sorts of thoughts swirled through our heads.
Kent: We are introverts. What if she talks to us constantly and we can never relax?
LeeAnne: What if she eats all our food and leaves dirty dishes around the house?
Kent: Worse yet, what if she eats weird food and makes our house smell funny?
LeeAnne: Should we charge her rent? Should we make her do a bunch of chores in lieu of rent?
Kent: What’s she going to think when Brisa and I get angry and yell at each other?
LeeAnne: What if we can’t keep kids out of her room and they wreck her stuff?
And guess what? It turns out that those questions aren’t really the right ones to be asking. The right question is “Does God want us to do this?” And when we finally asked that question, and prayed about it and talked together about it, our whole thought process changed. We unquestionably remained nervous about the whole thing, but once we realized that God was at work, and had been at work 2 years earlier in our house hunting expedition, we knew that we needed to say “yes”. The practical details are important in some sense, but they do not change the basic fact: where God leads, we need to follow. Sometimes we will follow with a little bit of fear in our steps, but we will follow.
In other words, God worked in our hearts so that we could say “Yes, Megan can stay in our home, and it doesn’t matter if she is a terrible houseguest or a wonderful houseguest. By the grace of God, we will treat her like we would want our own daughters to be treated, and love her as a sister in Christ.”
Megan: As I prepared to drive west from Tennessee, I received word from Chuck that a family, the Hardys, had agreed to host me. God provided a place for me to live! I wasn’t sure what to expect—in fact, I was trying not to have any expectations—but I was thankful for God’s provision and faithfulness. I don’t remember being nervous at all about living with people I had never met until the day I moved in. Like the Hardys, I wasn’t sure about personality, diet, and habits. But again God was faithful. I recall telling my family how thankful I was that I was in a home with introverts. And that even though I do eat weird food, they don’t mind.
It turns out that our fears were unfounded. We have really enjoyed Megan’s presence in our lives, and she has been a great blessing to us. But even if she was a pain in the posterior, we would still be up here telling you how God worked in our hearts and changed our minds to do something that we found fearful. He is truly a good and gracious God.
Megan: Their willingness to obey God, to open their home to me, and their efforts to treat me as a sister in Christ reflect God’s grace and love in a real and visible way.
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