West Main

CAMP!

It is NO exaggeration that we are going to have the biggest, best and

most amazing year ever! The theme, lessons, games, activities

and facilities are lined up to make this year magical!

We cannot wait to see what God does for us.

The only thing missing now is YOU! We need you to turn in your

registration forms and bring your friends along! If for some reason you

need to leave a day or two early, you will only have to pay for the days you are there!

We are going to make lifelong memories and we cannot wait to see you there. 

If there are any questions contact Brian Pannell. Get your forms turned in right away.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, JUNE 15!!!

LOVING APOLOGETICS:  THE BEST DEFENSE

In First Peter we are instructed to “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (I Peter 3:15-17).

The English word “answer” in the above Scripture is the translation of the Greek word “apologia,” which means “to make a defense.” Defending Christianity with formal, rational, scientific, and philosophical reasoning is enjoying immense popularity in the Evangelical Church worldwide. One particular astute and effective apologist is William Lane Craig. I highly recommend Craig’s website (www.reasonablefaith.org or simply type “William Lane Craig” in YouTube for numerous videos). Virtually every week Craig is debating or conversing with the world’s top unbelieving scientists and atheists at top-tier university campuses. William Lane Craig is making a strong defense for the case of Christ and Christianity to a secular world.

In addition, we witness the popularity of apologetics in recent movies such as, “God is Not Dead;” a Christian movie based on how young people in particular may guard their faith from being attacked on secular campuses. Just a few years ago three million Christians completed the apologetic program, The Truth Project, a work of Focus on the Family. There is also the recent debate between Bill Nye and Ken Ham on taking the six days of creation as literal and scientific that made national headlines. There are even several Christian universities now offering Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Apologetics.

So from popular to academic levels, Christian apologetics is capturing the attention of a good portion of the Western Evangelical Church. I believe this focus and interest on apologetics is overall a good and healthy thing. Christians must not fear or cower in the face of challenges made to our faith, God, and His Word. We cannot sit idly by as the forces of darkness seek to destroy faith and trust in God and His revealed Word.

I would like to make just one observation here concerning apologetics. In the text from First Peter the apologia that is being called upon concerns our “good behavior” that is rooted and reflects our “hope.” Notice that the apologia spoken is in answer to those who question our morality, who would “speak maliciously,” or “slander” our “good behavior.”

While intellectual debates certainly have a place in Christian apologetics, I wonder if we sometimes focus on the intellectual concerns of the Bible and Science to the exclusion of how we actually live for Christ. What of the apologetic for Christ and Christianity summed up in Jesus’ words, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Where is our love apologetics in the contemporary church?

Years ago someone said to me in reaction to my “intellectual sermons,” “No one cares how much you know till they know how much you care.” I am not saying we neglect or ignore intellectual and philosophical defenses of Christ and Christianity. I am saying perhaps we are over compensating to the point of neglect and ignoring the more powerful apologia of love. Defend your faith, yes, but do so with “gentleness and respect” in the power of God’s love. In the end, as simple as it may sound, God’s love manifested in your behavior is the best defense.

– Terry

Kids in Action is for our children aged 3 years - 6^th grade. We will be continuing to have activities for you each Wednesday evening this summer. On June 11 we will be cleaning in the Fireside Room from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Parents, we could use your help too. ) On June 18 we will have a game night and snacks while others are passing out invitations for our Neighborhood BBQ at Lewis Park on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. Please come join us for these fun nights! For more details please contact Denise Beeks.

Sunday Evening Ladies Class will begin on June 22.   We will be studying Soul Keeping, Caring for the Most Important Part of You.   If you would like to order a book, please contact Jessie Pannell or Toni Parker.

Vacation Bible School  --  Our VBS theme this year is: Kingdom Rock - Where Kids Stand Strong for the Lord, and is for kids who have finished Kindergarten through 6^th grade. If you need more info or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Denise Beeks.