December 2006

Suddenly it’s Christmas, with all the busyness and commercialism that have come to characterize the season—in our homes and in our churches. Before the rush of the Advent schedule engulfs you, we hope you can grab a few quiet moments to click through to the full stories behind the introductory blurbs that follow. And as you read, please join us in praying that we Brethren in Christ will be God’s instruments of peace and encouragement in a world gone badly awry.

As year-end approaches, CM total grows

Congregational support to U.S. Cooperative Ministries is running around $160,000 behind last year at this time, which makes the telephone calls letting us know “the check is in the mail” especially welcome. As a nationwide community of believers, we have committed ourselves to ambitious ministry goals, and we praise God for the faithfulness of His people in matching giving to planning.

There but for the grace of God . . .

Although the media frenzy over evangelical leader Ted Haggard’s moral failure quickly subsided, pastors and other Christian workers should not be so fast to put the story behind us. This is the time to call one another to accountability in all aspects of our daily lives. As the saying goes, “there but for the grace of God go I.” Read more>>

Study guides encourage fervent prayer

Just in time for the January prayer emphasis, you’ll find two new study guides on the denomination website for small groups or Sunday school classes wishing to focus on fervent prayer. Read more>>

 

For your giving convenience

If you’ve intended to send a gift in support of the ministry activities of the General Church, but couldn’t find a stamp, you can stop looking. It’s now possible to give to a variety of General Church programs online.Read more>>

 

 

After the blizzard, showers of blessings

A freakish fall blizzard blanketed the Buffalo-Niagara region with more than 30 cm of wet, heavy snow in early October, cancelling homecoming plans for alumni of the Niagara Christian Community of Schools and leaving the campus in disarray. However, in the weeks since, NCC has been showered with blessings as supporters of the schools have come together in a mighty way. Read more>>

 

Researcher reaffirms connection of heart and treasure

It is old news for Christians, but nonetheless good to hear again. A new study of giving habits highlights the correlation between personal faith and personal philanthropy. As the author of Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism writes, “There is not one measurably significant way in which religious people are not more charitable than nonreligious people.” Read more>>

 

A concluding thought

The following was spotted on the sign next to a local church.

Happy Meal: $2.49
BMW: $55,995
God’s Love: Priceless

A timely thought for this season, and all year round.

Share your insights

You receive Momentum because you are a leader in the church within a congregation, a regional conference, the General Church, or all three. You may have asked to be included on the mailing list for Momentum or your name may have been picked up automatically when you entered your current position of leadership. Regardless of how you have come to Momentum, your feedback is important. Please let us hear from you.  

Don McNiven and Warren Hoffman
General Church Leaders

Contact Information:
Email: bic@messiah.edu
Phone: 717.697.2634
Fax: 717.796.4781
Web: www.bic-church.org

Archived issues of Momentum