Chuck Bridges Blog

In the past couple of weeks, due to the death of two people who made a lasting impact on my life — spiritually and in many other ways — I have pondered the wonder of my “growing-up” years. Living in this fast-paced, hectic society it is easy to lose sight of how God has worked in our lives to bring us to the place where we now live.

I grew up in what would be considered a Medium to Small sized church — West Greenville Baptist Church. Because this was my only experience of what a church was, I never thought of our church as small. We had some great times growing up because of the special relationships we enjoyed with people who continue to be special today. In attending the family visitations prompted by these who have now gone into God’s presence, I have realized some things that I think need to be present in any NT church…

• Biblical Preaching — God’s messages to every generation should originate and be developed from His Word. The Bible is more current and up-to-date than today’s newspaper! (West Greenville always preached the Word)
• Salvation Opportunity — We never know how God is working in people’s lives. One of the greatest evangelistic worship services I ever attended would be considered as a failure by many in “Church Growth” circles. Only one got saved — But, that ONE WAS ME!!! I’ll never forget it! People should be given an opportunity to accept Christ EVERY time the Word of God is opened!
• Fellowship — No matter how we interpret and decipher the biblical word for “fellowship,” you just cannot explain relationships that are built around a common bond of those who have been saved by Jesus Christ. We shared some of this intimate Christian Fellowship at my “Home Church.” Many of these people that I have not seen in years continue to be the same whenever I do get to see them. (by ”same” I am referring to their countenance and continual commitment to Christ) Our BOND formed many years ago will never be broken. And, even better than that, we will get to see each other forever one day in heaven!!
• Mission/Purpose — To guard against becoming “Inward” focused we all need to particiapate in the genuine “FELLOWSHIP” shared by those in a church family and then find every way we can to encourage the people we know and those we ENGAGE each day to come and experience what they are missing. If we will PRACTICE TRUE FELLOWSHIP and are always open to bring others in so they can experience it, we will find that it is exactly what people all around us NEED and WANT!

There’s no doubt that our ministries at Washington Avenue have many improvements that can be made. And, we are always open to God’s leadership to change anything and everything! But, our Vision and Strategy is Simple: We want to reach people who are ‘far from God;’ demonstrate true Christian FELLOWSHIP; share the Good News of Christ’s salvation with them; and then find every way we can to get them CONNECTED to Christ’s Community of Faith!

I don’t know about other groups but our Connecting Point (Home Group) that meets at Alton and Tracy Dickey’s home each Sunday evening is experiencing this TRUE, GENUINE FELLOWSHIP! As I was thinking about my “beginnings/heritage of faith” I couldn’t help wondering how the fellowship, teaching, and ministry we are participating in each Sunday evening will IMPACT the lives of those precious children who come each week? They will never forget these times and what they experienced!

Whether it needs to be said or not I will say it anyway: Be faithful to attend and serve in our Main Events each Sunday (at 9:15 or 11:00am) and then get plugged in to a Connecting Point. (Visit the Connecting Points table in the atrium for a list of all the groups) Who knows how God will use these ministries to “Craft” your forever!