Chuck Bridges Blog

I don’t know about you but I am going through a little bit of Olympic withdrawal. It was thrilling to watch some of the greatest athletes in the world compete at their highest level for both personal achievement and for their national pride. It was impressive to see how committed each athlete was to their country! Of course, if you watched the track and field events, it seemed like most of the fastest runners attended colleges and universities here in America! It seemed like we had trained the athletes that were many times defeating the athletes representing our country!

This year’s Olympics provided more than just a quick fix for my competitive spirit. It highlighted how small our world really is. No matter what country we may be from (and should be proud of that country) we are all a part of one race — i.e. The Human Race! God loves all of us equally and gave His life so that ALL the WORLD can be saved! (John 3:16)

It is so easy to get caught up in our differences that we fail to embrace our similarities. I have had the privilege to go on mission trips to seven different countries and can honestly say that I have always found people in every country whom I loved just like they were in my family. Especially when we know Christ, there is a common bond that exceeds description.

Bringing this thought a little closer to home, how many of us are separated from our own neighbors, work associates, school mates, etc. because of our differences? How easy it is to even treat people differently because of the college football team they pull for! It is also close to absurd the way people who attend church together divide into segments based on differences! We are supposed to be ONE BODY, bought by ONE SPIIRIT, working together for ONE PURPOSE!!! (Notice the emphasis on ONE?)

WE are embarking on a Brand New plan to enhance the power of ONE as a church family. Starting the first Sunday in September we are kicking off our “Connecting Points” ministry. So far we have 13 groups meeting in homes all over the geographical areas where our people live. In each “Connecting Point” there will be opportunities for Spiritual growth, building relationships, experiential prayer, “real-time” ministry, and community based ministry projects. With strong groups led by committed people we will also be able to assimilate New people more effectively into our church family and get accurate information distributed to our people more efficiently.

Can you tell how psyched I am about “Connecting Points?” If you are a part of Washington Avenue, make sure you find out today where a group is meeting near your home. If you are a part of another church, make sure and get involved in a small group with your fellowship. If you need to get “Connected” to a local church family, visit our website to see how you can get “On Board” at Washington Avenue (www.washingtonavenue.org). Or call us at 864-295-1610 to learn more.

Get in on the POWER OF ONE!