Church Press Newsletter
November 2012

Greetings!

"And He (the Son of Man) will send His angels with a
loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four
winds, from one end of the heavens to the other" (Matthew 24:31).

What Will Happen On the
Last Day?
Sermon by Pastor Don Ginkel on 2 Peter 3:10

One of the most colorful agnostics in American history was Robert Ingersoll who gave dramatic lectures throughout the country ridiculing the Bible and questioning the existence of God. One night he was speaking to an audience in a small town in New York and he told how he doubted that there was a future judgment. When he finished an old drunkard stood up in the rear of the hall and said with a thick tongue: "I sure hope you are right, brother Bob. I'm counting on that!" A lot of people today are hoping that Bob is right.

Many names have been given to the Day of Judgment: "The Last Day," "The Day of Reckoning," "The End," "Dooms Day," and many others. This message will focus on seven things that will happen on that momentous day.

I. THE TRUMPET. It seems that one of God's favorite instruments is the trumpet. He mentions this instrument many times in the Bible. In Matthew 24:32 we read, "The Son of Man will send His angels with a loud trumpet call." The first event that takes place on the Last Day is the sounding of the trumpet. This trumpet will sound forth so loudly and clearly that everyone will know that something big is about to take place. Not one person will miss the sound; all the living and all the dead will hear it. [complete article]

12 Pillars of a Healthy Church
By Dr. Waldo Werner (LCMS)

THE INTRODUCTION: What will your church be in five or ten years? Seriously, will it be a Life-giving Church or a Religious/Christian Museum? Will your church be a depository of Institutional/traditionalist/liturgical forms visited by local consumers who want their style of ancient spiritual experiences - or will your church communicate the saving Gospel and the pure Word of God in words, forms and styles which non-believing neighbors can understand, embrace and join your Life-giving Church?

If you are a pastor or leader of a congregation who is seeking to build a truly Life-Giving Church, one which empowers and mobilizes God's people for mission, you will find a simple, integrated, wholistic, Biblical approach in these pages. Here is a spiritual system/model for small and large conregations which helps connect your people to God, to one another, and to a lost world!

This book takes you beyond information and inspiration to application! You are given the knowledge, resources and tools to implement an expanding spiritual model to equip leaders of your church to disciple members for their ministries (12 Pillars of a Healthy Church, p. 7, by Waldo Werning, 303 pages #303 $12.00 from Church Press)


Stack of Stuff

Consider purchasing
a set of I Have Good News For You CDs, 90 minutes for each of the ten lessons,  #C121 $55 or DVDs #D121 $85 to share with your shut-ins. They will thank you many times over. Click Good News CDs & DVDs or info@churchpress.com.

Portals of Prayer
One of the best moves your church can make is to provide this devotional booklet for each family. Have a sufficient quantity sent to your church each quarter and then hand them out. Call CPH at 1-800-325-3040 for a quote. The cost is reasonable and the benefits are excellent.

"Lance Armstrong Has Lost Nearly Everything
And if he loses it all, it could be the best thing that ever happens to him." A powerful article by Ted Kluck in the October 2012 issue (website) of Christianity Today. Good article for your church newsletter and as a discussion starter for your youth group. Click Armstrong.

"I Was There at Your Borning Cry"
by John Ylvisaker is a moving hymn following infant baptism. It speaks to the infant just baptized and to everyone in the worship service who has been baptized including seniors. Sing it right after a baptism with worshipers standing. It is No. 116 in Best of the Best. Quite moving. To view the  words click view words. To hear the melody and view the words click  words and melody. Every pastor should have a copy of this song book. It's a must have. Click Best of the Best at Church Press to order.

Keep encouraging
your people to bring their friends to church. Don't just invite, but bring.

Consider sending a
special Thanksgiving letter of invitation. Use Thanksgiving stationary, both letter and envelope, if you can; otherwise use church stationary. Insert the names of families in the greeting - it will make it more personal. Send the letter to all prospects (another reason to have a large and up-to-date Prospect List).

For Thanksgiving eve or day
A sermonic Bible study by Pastor Ginkel on Luke 17:11-19. Can be used at a worship service or for a Bible class. Just click Luke 17:11-19.

For pastor's eyes only: The Soul of the Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe by Dr. Gene Veith. He takes you into the magical world of Narnia. 240 pages. New, hard cover, retails for $19.99. This single copy is available to first pastor who emails us and asks for it. There is no charge. Will also include Atlas of the Bible Lands, hard cover, new, $14.95. We'll send them to you by Media Mail.

For church secretary's eyes only: Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul. 101 stories to open the heart and rekindle the spirit. 402 pages. New, retails for $12.95. This single copy is available to the first secretary who emails us and asks for it. There is no charge. Will also include Atlas of the Bible Lands, hard cover, new, $14.95. We'll send them to you by Media Mail.

A mindset is a set
of assumptions and methods held by a person which is so established that it creates a powerful incentive for the individual to continue or accept prior behaviors and choices. With that in mind, in what areas is your mindset good or bad? Any changes needed?

For ideas for your website
Google Woodlands Lutheran Church, Montverde, FL. They have a good one. Dr. Brian Kneser is the pastor.

Leaders are Readers: 9 Tips for Picking Good Books
Rick Warren says: "Books matter. I hope you're not only a reader - but also a smart reader. What you don't read is as important as what you do." Click his 9 Tips on how to pick good books to read and what to avoid.

"As I went to the freezer door,
I asked my wife, 'What should I take out for dinner?' Without a moment's hesitation she replied, 'Me.'"

Veterans Day
is Sunday, November 11. A good move for you: ask the veterans at your worship services to stand. Have a prayer for them and then a "hand of applause." They more than deserve it.


Men Need Male Leadership
By David Morrow

  

The fact is, women will follow a man, but few men will follow a woman unless they are forced. For instance, there are many men who coach women's basketball teams, but it's very rare for a woman to coach a men's team. Men follow female bosses, teachers, and commanding officers only because they can be fired, flunked, or court martialed. But given a choice, men rarely follow female leadership. One church I know experimented with all-female youth leadership; within six months 75 percent of the boys had disappeared. Pastor Dan Jarrell puts it this way, "When women lead, men leave. (I know, men are sexist pigs. They shouldn't be this way. But remember, we're talking about men as they are, not as they ought to be.)

 

Maybe this is one reason the Scriptures presuppose male leadership in the church. Perhaps these commands rise not from first-century sexism but from the realization that both genders respond well to competent male leadership. If you want men to come to your church, give high-profile positions to Spirit-led men. Sounds chauvinistic until you consider that men are heavily outnumbered at church. Think of it as an affirmative action program for Christianity's largest minority group (Why Men Hate Going to Church, p. 157, by David Morrow - 248 pages, #301 $14.99 from Church Press).  

 


10 Lessons Churches Should Learn from the Apple Store
By Steve Gladen

What follows is from Guy Kawasaki who writes about all things Apple in design, marketing, innovation, and retail. Here he summarizes key insights about the success of the Apple Store. As I was reading I couldn't help but think about how many of these same insights might apply to the ways we think about the church.

Some of us may be uncomfortable using the language of retail stores to describe the church, particularly if we start referring to those who come to church as customers. That's a fair concern. Church is not one more place to exercise our habits for consumption, and worship isn't meant to be just another shopping experience. At the same time, both retail stores and churches care about the people who walk in their doors and should give attention to the kind of experience they want those people to have. So noting that the two aren't the same, we still might learn from one to help us do the other more faithfully. (You'll be happy to have read this article - DFG) Now click 10 Lessons.

 

4 Downsides of the Perfectionist Pastor
By Mark Pierce

I make my bed in the morning. I color coordinate my clothes closet. And yes, I write my sermons three to four weeks in advance. I admit it. I am a perfectionist. . . . Lately though, I've come to realize certain downsides to what I affectionately name as disciplines . . . I have noticed particularly these downsides when I think about some of my pastor friends. I meet regularly with some guys who are off the charts in the opposite direction. To suggest that they are not organized is to do serious damage to the term "organized." Here's the thing. They have fantastic ministries! They are reaching men, women and children for Christ. Despite their disorganized, scatter-brained outward appearances, they are incredibly effective. [complete article]

 


The Legacy We Leave Behind
By Billy Graham

"The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God." 

  

Full page ads of his picture and message have been placed in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and in many newspapers across the country. They were paid for by friends of his ministry. For printable posters and bulletin inserts, click here.

  


Thank God for Little Things
By Helen Steiner Rice

Thank You, God, for little things that often come our way -

The things we take for granted but don't mention when we pray -

The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed -

A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need.

Oh, make us more aware, dear Lord, of little daily graces 

That come to us with 'sweet surprise' from never-dreamed of places. 

 


"You Raise Me Up"

Will you let Jesus do that right now? Take two minutes to watch and listen. Just click "You Raise Me Up." 

 


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Tengo Buenas Nuevas Para Ti
10 lecciones a fondo
Un Estudio Biblico Que Cambia Vidas
Del Pastor Don Ginkel

This is the Spanish edition of I Have Good News For You
(CD pdf format). Contains the full text plus worksheets with answers for the teacher. You may print unlimited copies of the text as often as needed. 
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