Heath
Church of Christ

One God, Many Responses
by Dave Mason from the February, 2010 Newsletter

How would you respond if you looked up from reading this article and saw Jesus standing beside you? Imagine if that really happened. What would you do? The way you answer that question lies at the heart of worship. Worship is how we respond when we find ourselves in the presence of God.

When Moses found himself speaking with God at the burning bush, he responded by removing his shoes, a sign that he was standing on “holy ground.” When Isaiah saw a vision of God on His throne in heaven, he responded by acknowledging his sinfulness as he cried out, “Woe to me. . .” King David responded to God by writing songs and playing them skillfully. The disciples of Jesus responded by leaving everything behind to follow Him. Mary the sister of Lazarus responded by anointing Jesus’ feet with very expensive perfume. The crowd in Acts 2 responded to God by repentance and baptism. –One God, many responses.

Christians all over the world continue to worship God by responding in a variety of ways. Some respond by meeting secretly in homes so as to avoid being arrested. Others respond by traveling on foot for miles to meet with other believers in a shelter, singing God’s praises with the accompaniment of one tambourine and listening to a simple message from the Bible.  Some respond by assembling in grand cathedrals for sessions of “high church” featuring pipe organs and old traditions. Others respond by meeting in small chapels and singing from the “old-school” hymn books complete with shaped notes. Today many Christians respond to God with modern songs of worship backed by a complete band. –One God, many responses.

Have you ever stopped to consider all the different ways people respond to God each week at the Heath Church of Christ? Under one roof, adults participate in Sunday morning services that blend old and new styles together and focus on God’s Word. At the same time preschool and elementary age children respond to God in an age-appropriate way by learning Bible stories and singing simple songs. The group attending the Sunday night Fireside Service responds to God using the “old standard” hymns and biblical preaching in a relaxed, yet traditional setting. On Wednesdays evenings our teens respond to God by rising to their feet and singing modern songs of praise followed by strong teaching from the Bible. –One God, many responses.

This Spring we seek to reach out to our community by providing yet another avenue for people to respond to God. Beginning Sunday, March 21 we will offer a “blended” worship style during first service and a more “modern” worship style during the second. The “blended” service will include our current mix of classic hymns and new worship songs with a more formal feel. The “modern” service will feature many of the newer worship songs and a more casual approach. –One God, many responses.
Please pray that God will multiply our efforts in this endeavor.

Two Important Dates
On Sunday, March 14 the HCC will offer one combined morning service. On that day Bible School will meet at 9:00 and Morning Worship will begin at 10:00. During this “unity service” we will celebrate what God has done in the past and pray for His expanded work in the future.

On Sunday, March 21 we will begin offering the two different morning worship styles, first service “blended” and second service “modern.” Because of useful input from the congregation, considerations are currently being made about slightly adjusting worship times. Those changes will be clearly communicated if and when they are made.

The Gifts of 2009
from the December, 2009 newsletter
It is hard to believe that Christmas is around the corner, isn’t it?  Have you made your list and checked it twice?  As December 25th approaches, much of our time and energy will be focused on shopping for perfect gifts for our loved ones.  The Christmas season also encourages us to reflect on God’s gifts over the past year.  I would like to take a moment and offer thanks to God for his many gifts this year at the Heath Church of Christ:
Thanks for a loving, active, Biblical church – Because of the loving, servant-minded people, many quality programs and ministries, devoted leadership, and dynamic, meaningful services, HCC is truly a special church.  I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful church.
Thanks for the many servants of the church – The church would not be able to function if it were not for the many Christ-focused volunteers who teach and administrate Sunday School, manage our resources with care on the finance committee, lead our children’s choirs, offer food for the hungry through outreach ministries such as Angel Food and Last Call, take communion to our home-bound members, handle our sound, lighting, and power point technologies flawlessly, and who keep us running on Sunday mornings with ample coffee and hot chocolate.
Thanks for the sincere fellowship we have enjoyed – Events such as the Gellar Park picnic, the Fourth-of-July party, the August community day, and the fall bon-fire were special opportunities to laugh and share together.  We will continue to plan more of these kinds of events in the future.  But the shared life of the church went beyond parties and fun gatherings.  In 2009 we have reached out to one another during times of sickness, hospitalization, unemployment, and bereavement. Over this next year, let’s continue to sincerely care for one another in these ways.  Our love for one another, in good and difficult times, is perhaps the greatest blessing of belonging to the local Body of Christ.  Also, over the next weeks let’s remember those that have lost loved ones this past year through encouraging words, cards and in our prayers.
Thanks for a terrific staff to serve with – One of the true blessings of working at HCC is the opportunity to serve alongside of talented, Godly, people like Dave, Josh, Jim, Lucy and Bruce.  Beautiful worship services, creative and challenging student programs, immaculate building upkeep, diverse and inspiring children’s activities, and attractive and professional publications are all just a small part of the contributions made by our dedicated staff. 
Thank you God for the 48 new HCC members this year, the outstanding VBS program, the decisions resulting from the SuperStart, Believe, SITS, and Camp ministries, the regular and generous offerings of church stewards, the ongoing faithfulness to missions, record Easter and bean dinner attendances, the commitment and faith of our elders and deacons, and for numerous families strengthened, lives restored, and seeds of faith planted.
Christmas is a time for giving and receiving gifts.  Christmas is a time for reflecting over the countless ways God has blessed and enriched our lives through his Body.  Most of all Christmas is the occasion for remembering God’s greatest gift—the savior born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago.  It is the birth of Jesus into the world that has made all of God’s other gifts possible.  “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Merry Christmas!

Our Source of Peace this Thanksgiving
from the November, 2009 newsletter

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything…”
These challenging words of the Apostle Paul cause me to reflect: “Paul must have made a slight mistake.  I can understand, ‘Do not be anxious about some things, such as the style of clothes you wear, or getting your Christmas cards out on time, or the outcome of the college football season.’  But how could the wise Apostle command us to not be anxious about anything?”

When we hear Paul’s command, we think to ourselves, “Paul does not understand my situation—the lack of money, the uncertain future of my children, excessive medical bills, a lack of clarity about a college major, the social pressures of fitting in with the crowd, or the downsizing of my company.  How can the Apostle command me not to worry?!”

I think Paul encourages us not to worry for at least two reasons.  First, worry steals our joy in the present.  When we worry about tomorrow it has a way of distracting our attention from the blessings of the day and robbing us of our peace.  Our word for “worry” comes from an Old English term meaning, “to choke” or “to strangle.”  This is exactly what worry does to our ability to celebrate each day. 

Consider Jesus’ comparison of our faith to the types of soil that a farmer’s seed landed upon during planting season.  Jesus explained that occasionally the seed of God’s word lands on thorny soil.  Listen to Jesus’ warning in Matthew 13:22, “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.”

Paul cautions us not to be anxious about anything because unhealthy worry steals our joy in the present and places a stranglehold around our faith in God’s blessings and goodness.  Author Corrie ten Boom wrote, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

This leads us to the second reason why Paul commands us not to be anxious: excessive worry undermines our trust in God’s control.   Constant worry is usually a symptom of trying to control our circumstances.  But problems and struggles in life remind us, sometimes painfully, that we really have little control over our lives.  Consequently, we must place our lives, struggles, and worries into the hands of the only one who has control—God.

Sometimes we worry about things we can’t control or even know: “Will I have enough money when I retire?  Will I lose my job?  What will the diagnosis be?  What if I get sick?  What will happen in the future?”  This is unnecessary worry.  So much of our worry never materializes.  Our worry is like fog.  I read recently that a dense fog covering seven city blocks, to a depth of a hundred feet, contains less than one glass of water.  All of that fog, if it could be condensed into water, would barely fill a drinking glass.  Such is the nature of worry.  Worry often steals our joy and blinds our faith, but it actually has little substance to it.

Rather than worrying about happenings that are out of our control or things we do not know, we need to focus on what we do know.  We know that God is in control and that he loves us. God knows our personal situations.  He knows our future, our needs, and what is ultimately best for us in life or in death.  We can choose to worry, or we can decide to have faith and trust that God will provide and meet our daily needs.  Take to heart the promise of Philippians 4:19, “God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

The Apostle Paul commands us not be anxious; however, what are we to do when we experience a season of worry?  How do we discover God’s peace?  How do we rest well tonight?  Paul says we need to give our anxiety over to God and allow him to transform our worry into prayer and thanksgiving.   Philippians 4:6 encourages, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Paul’s remedy for anxiety this November is prayer and thanksgiving. Prayer and thanksgiving take the focus off ourselves and entrust our needs, worries, and concerns into God’s hands.  These “hands” are our true source of peace this Thanksgiving. 

Simply Christian
from the October, 2009 Newsletter 
This past month we have been celebrating the 200-year-anniversary of Thomas Campbell’s “Declaration and Address,” a key foundational document for the fellowship of churches called, “The Restoration Movement.”  I would like to use this article to provide an overview of some of the background and ideals of “Restoration” churches.
The “Restoration Movement” is a description given to churches that find their origin in a unique Christian unity movement that took place on the American frontier during the early 1800’s.   Early American Christian leaders, such as Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone, believed that Christian unity could be achieved by restoring the simple beliefs and church practices presented in the New Testament.

Today, there are three church traditions that claim this special heritage: Christian Church/Church of Christ, Church of Christ (non-instrumental), and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Consider this generalized way of understanding the unique values of each branch of the movement. The “Restoration Movement” is a unity movement based on the truth of God’s Word.  The Churches of Christ (non-instrumental) historically have emphasized the “truth” portion of the movement’s goals, while the Disciples of Christ over time have placed a higher premium on the goal of “unity.”  The Christian Churches/Churches of Christ have sought to find a balance between unity and truth.  The Heath Church of Christ is a part of the Christian Church/Church of Christ branch of the movement. 

The Christian Church/Church of Christ is not a formal denomination; consequently, there is no overarching church government that we are accountable to.  We are an autonomous, free body of believers—we are shepherded by elders from within our fellowship, our elders and church board (deacons and trustees) make our congregational decisions, we hire our own ministers, and we send out our own missionaries.

Though we are not an official denomination, our churches historically have been connected (and networked) through a yearly worship/fellowship conference entitled “The North American Christian Convention,” our Bible Colleges and Seminaries, our periodicals (for example, The Christian Standard), and most recently, through our network of mega-churches.
From a historical standpoint, the convictions and ideals of our churches have been conveyed, not through doctrinal creeds or confessions, but through slogans.  These slogans represent the early convictions of the founders of the “Restoration Movement” and they continue to serve as relevant, guiding principles of faith and practice for our churches today.  Some of the slogans include: 

• “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, love.”
• “No creed but Christ, no book but the Bible.”
• “Where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent.”
• “We are not the only Christians, but we are Christians only.”

David Eubanks, the retired president of Johnson Bible College, captures the importance of these defining slogans – “These statements were more than just clichés.  They represented a firm determination to accept the Scriptures as the only authoritative rule, to reject sectarian division, to work for the restoration of the ancient church in faith and practice, and to promote the unity of all believers.”

These slogans neatly summarize the genius of the “Restoration Movement,” which represents a tradition of churches who have desired to be “Simply Christian.”   In the current national context of cynicism with traditional religious structures and divisions and disillusionment with liberal denominations that have abandoned the Word of God and compromised with the secular culture, the simple message of unity based on the authority of the Bible has tremendous appeal.

Rather than being Lutherans, Pentecostals, or Episcopalians, the “Restoration Movement” asks, “Can’t we just be “Christians only?  Can’t we quit fighting over non-essential doctrines and find unity based on the core essential beliefs and practices of the Christian faith?  Can we fulfill the prayer of Jesus in John 17 by restoring and practicing simple, unadorned New Testament Christianity?” 
This is the “Restoration” plea.  This is the “Restoration” idea.  And it is really a simple idea: The unity of all Christians based on the authority of the Bible, and the Bible alone, for the purpose of mission and evangelism.

Get Connected
by Greg Robbins (from the September, 2009 newsletter)
It is hard to believe that summer is ending and fall is around the corner, isn’t it?  Warm summer evenings, shorts, late nights, and trips to the pool are now being replaced by new routines, chilly mornings, sweatshirts, school schedules, and homework (and thankfully, football!).  The arrival of fall provides a natural occasion to get connected (or in some cases reconnected) to the church community.  I would like to use this column to share with you some of the many ways to get involved in the life of Heath Church of Christ this autumn.

Sunday School – There are classes for all ages that meet at 9:45 on Sunday mornings.  Sunday school provides opportunities to study and apply God’s word, fellowship with other Christians, and meet new friends.  This weekend (September 6th) there will be a brochure in the bulletin listing our morning class opportunities.  Please take a few moments to look it over.  The Bible school hour is a great way to get connected at HCC.

Wednesday Night Adult Electives – This fall we will be offering two six-week elective sessions for adults.  These short-term groups are designed to address relevant topics for the Christian life.  These informal classes also provide meaningful occasions to meet new people and encourage fellow believers.  The class themes for session one (September 9th – October 14th) include: “The Miracles of Jesus” (for women), “Quiet Strength” (for men), and “Heaven” (mixed group).  While on this subject, please mark on your calendars—the church bonfire and fall party scheduled for October 21st (break between sessions).

Sunday Evening Adult Ministries – Adults will have two study options this fall on Sunday evenings.  Our traditional Fireside service meets at 6:00 and consists of the singing of hymns, prayer, communion, and a teaching time.  Damon Reid is going to be leading a special Bible study through the book of Jeremiah on Sunday evening beginning in late September.   We are also going to be offering the “GriefShare” program during the Sunday PM hour this fall.  “GriefShare” is an encouragement ministry for people who are grieving and recovering from loss.  This support group would also be appropriate for Christians wanting to minister to a friend or loved one who is grieving.  Please see me if you have any questions about this special program, which will begin on September 27th.

Sunday Morning Worship – I would like to close by sharing briefly about the sermon direction for the fall months.  After concluding this summer’s Old Testament study, we will begin a short series explaining the unique history and plea of the Restoration Movement.  Thomas Campbell’s “Declaration and Address,” the 200-year-old foundational document of Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, will provide inspiration for the series.  These messages will attempt to answer the relevant question, “What kind of church is HCC?”  The final Sunday of this series (October 4th) will serve as a “Decision Sunday.”  We will be talking more about this intentional commitment day in the weeks to come.

Following this course of messages, we will focus one Sunday in October on the fundamentals of worship and one Sunday on the same-sex marriage issue that is currently making headlines in our nation.  The last major teaching series of the year will be based on the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes and will address the ultimate questions surrounding the meaning of life. 

We are expecting a great autumn season at the Heath Church of Christ.  We encourage you to get connected in the various ministries and programs of our faith community.  We also encourage you to reach out to friends, neighbors, and co-workers who need to experience the love of God and the love of his people.

God Makes A Way
by Greg Robbins (From the August, 2009 Newsletter)
This summer we have been studying the book of Exodus and the story of Israel’s departure from Egypt.  With the final plague, the death of the firstborn sons of Egypt, Pharaoh’s stubborn will was broken and Israel was finally released from cruel bondage.  For countless generations to come, the people of Israel would remember and celebrate how God’s death angel “passed over” their homes, leading to their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. 

The rituals God prescribed for that terrible night in Egypt would become the sacred customs of the Jewish holiday, Passover.  God instructed his people to slaughter and eat a year-old male lamb, without any defect.  They were then directed to smear the blood of the lamb on the doorframes of their houses.  This lamb would function as a type of substitute.  When the destroying angel came to an Israelite home and saw the sacrificial blood, the angel would pass over the house, sparing the family from death.
The preparation of the Passover meal was filled with symbolic actions.  This would not be Israel’s favorite cuisine.  They were to use bitter herbs to represent their bitter enslavement.  This was also a meal that was to be experienced in a hurry. They were to roast the whole lamb over the fire, which was the quickest way to cook at that time.  Moreover, the Hebrew people were to eat bread without yeast, representing their haste in fleeing the threats of Pharaoh.

This ceremony would forever remind and teach Israel that when there appeared to be no way, God provided a way of salvation.  God uses meals to teach his people eternal truths about his salvation.  Just as the Passover taught Israel about God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the Lord’s Supper continues to instruct and remind Christians of God’s final act of deliverance through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples occurred in the context of the Passover.  In fact, we should think of the Last Supper as a Passover meal.  Jesus’ life and death, however, would forever transform the Passover ritual for Christians.  In the context of this banquet, Jesus spoke of the unleavened bread as being his broken body.  Jesus went on to explain that the cup now represented his blood that would be shed for the forgiveness of sin.  The Last Supper of Jesus would become our Lord’s Supper.

The New Testament presents the Lord’s Supper as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Passover.  Just as the shedding of a perfect lamb’s blood opened the door for Israel’s redemption from slavery, the shedding of the Lamb of God’s blood paved the way for our salvation from sin and death.  The Bible describes Jesus as God’s final Passover lamb
(1 Corinthians 5:7).

The holy ceremonies of the Old Testament foreshadow and are fully realized in Jesus.  Jesus is our Passover lamb.  He died as our substitute; consequently, no more lambs need to be sacrificed.  When we were lost in our sins and facing eternal separation from God, God made a way of salvation through the shedding of Christ’s blood.  We remember this once-and-for-all act of deliverance when we gather around the communion table on Sunday morning.  The Lord’s Supper reminds us that God makes a way when there appears to be no way.

God uses ritual meals to dramatize and teach us about his salvation.  The Bible also reveals that there is still one more meal to come—the Marriage Supper of God revealed in Revelation 19.  The marriage supper is a veiled vision of God’s final deliverance of his people.  The Marriage Supper of God will mark the end of suffering, pain, slavery, tears, heartache, sin and ultimately, death.  On that day we will finally be whole and free. 

The Passover points to the Lord’s Supper.  And the Lord’s Supper points to our final salvation meal in the New Heaven and New Earth.  Through the blood of Christ, our Passover lamb, God has made a way for that day to come.

“Essentials of a Healthy, Growing Church (Part 2)”
Greg Robbins (July, 2009) - This is a continuation of last month's article which appears below.
     Recently, our church leadership had the privilege of meeting with Dr. David Faust of Cincinnati Christian University for a day retreat.  Dr. Faust was very encouraging and inspiring to our elders, deacons, and staff.  The theme of our second session was entitled, “Essentials of a Healthy, Growing Church.”  In this study, Dr. Faust shared many qualities of a healthy church.  Last month I summarized the first four essentials: growth atmosphere, Bible teaching and edification, faithful leadership, and the mobilization of church membership.  I would like to use the remainder of this month’s column to address the three more essentials of a growing church, which include:
     Assimilation and Involvement of New Christians – Growing congregations have a clear plan for incorporating visitors and new members into the life of the church.  Orienting and integrating new people into the HCC community is a current priority for our leadership.  The expanded welcome ministry and the Inquirer’s night program are designed to encourage visitor assimilation into the church.  A new member’s class and further development of our small group ministry are ideas that are being considered to aid and increase new member integration.  With these ideas being shared, however, we need to keep one additional truth in mind: the most effective way to involve and welcome new people is to personally invite them to be a part of a class, a group, a ministry, or to participate in a service project.  Experience suggests that people stay, even thrive at churches, when they are genuinely welcomed and personally invited to become involved in the life of the church.  Everyone who considers HCC home shares this responsibility.
     Meaningful and Attractive Worship – Dr. Faust accurately suggested that the Sunday morning worship service in a growing congregation is designed to accomplish three goals: honor God, inspire believers, and impact observers.  God is honored when our praise is authentic and our hearts and minds our surrendered and devoted to him.  We seek to inspire believers through weekly communion, sincere prayers and fellowship, meaningful singing, and Biblically based, culturally relevant preaching.  Lastly, our hope is that newcomers to our services will be blessed and challenged through their encounter with God in worship and through experiencing the genuine love of his people for one another.
     Healthy Small Groups – Small groups are a vital part of the overall ministry of a healthy, vibrant church.  The book of Acts informs us that the first Christians met together in each other’s homes (Acts 2:46).  God’s Word can be shared, discussed, and applied openly in smaller circles.  Small communities of people provide friendship, support, guidance, encouragement, and accountability for one another.  People in small groups can more easily mobilize and concentrate their resources and energies to meet their needs and the needs of others.  Dr. Faust memorably summarized the strength of group ministry this way: “It is easier to love and experience love in groups.” 
     As our congregation continues to grow and reach out, I am convinced that our group ministry will need to grow and expand as well.  These groups may take the form of a Sunday school class, a ministry team, an intimate Wednesday evening class, or a home fellowship.  My goal is that in the near future every member and friend of HCC will be involved in a small group of people they consider their true companions in Christ, studying, praying, and serving together.  

Essentials of a Healthy, Growing Church (Part 1)
Greg Robbins (June, 2009)
     Recently, our church leadership had the privilege of meeting with Dr. David Faust of Cincinnati Christian University for a day retreat.  Dr. Faust was very encouraging and inspiring to our elders, deacons, and staff.  The over-arching theme for the day was “What Should Change and What Never Changes.”  Under this larger motif, we discussed making wise, prayerful changes within the life of the church, the present change upheavals occurring within our culture, and the fundamental practices and truths that the church must always affirm and protect.  Everyone is invited to listen to these meaningful discussions. A recording of these sessions are available to be played or downloaded from our website.
     The title of session two of the retreat was “Essentials of a Healthy, Growing Church.”  In this study, Dr. Faust shared eight qualities of a healthy church.  This lesson both challenged and gave hope to our leadership.  I would like to use the remainder of this month’s newsletter, as well as July’s column, to share these eight qualities with you.  The first four essentials of a growing church include:
     Growth Atmosphere – The mood and spirit of a healthy church is characterized by enthusiasm, excitement, excellence, and a desire to reach out to new people.  Within this atmosphere, people feel good about inviting friends to a service or event.  I experience this growth vibe and mindset every Sunday morning at HCC.  God is blessing our church.  Let’s continue to lovingly welcome new visitors to our congregation and sincerely care for every member who calls the Heath Church of Christ their spiritual home.
     Bible Teaching and Edification – The foundation of a healthy, God-honoring church is the Bible.  Presenting the Word of God with passion, faithfulness, and relevancy should be at the heart of everything we do as faith community.  Dr. Faust specifically challenged us to get creative regarding our methods and formats when we teach the Scriptures.  Several questions the leadership has begun to discuss concern our primary Bible teaching opportunities: Sunday school, Sunday evening services, and the Wednesday night program.  Some of the questions include: What should be the goals and focus regarding each of these teaching times?  What role should Wednesday evening programs play in the church’s overall Bible teaching ministry?  Should we place a stronger emphasis on group ministry?  I welcome your feedback and insight in response to these important questions.
     Strong, Faithful Leadership – At the helm of a growing church is a dedicated, prayerful, courageous, and deeply committed leadership.  Biblically speaking, the elders are ultimately responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church (Acts 20:28; Hebrews 13:17).  In light of this sober mandate, the elders of HCC deserve our trust and respect (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).  Deacons assist and serve alongside the elders in performing the ministries of the church.  Our congregation is blessed with many outstanding men who perform these vital roles.  Our leaders, while being committed to the meaningful traditions of the past, are progressive and forward-minded in their thinking.  This gives me great hope for the future of HCC. 
     Mobilization of the Membership – In a growing and healthy congregation, everyone, young and old, contributes to the ministry of Christ.  It is a crucial role of leaders to equip and involve church members in ministry and service.  Moreover, it is a key responsibility of members to actively pursue ways to get “plugged in” to service opportunities and to creatively seek out ministry avenues to employ their gifts, talents, skills, passions, and life experiences (1 Corinthians 12:27).   For the Heath Church of Christ to continue to grow in the future will require church leaders to trust and empower members to perform an increasing amount of ministry responsibilities, along with more and more church members being willing to serve and get involved in the life of the congregation.  Thank you to everyone for your faithful service.

Joining the Family
by Greg Robbins (May, 2009) 

“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4-5).
During the month of May we are highlighting our church’s mission statement.  The statement communicates that the Heath Church of Christ exists “to reach people for Jesus Christ, to teach people the Word of God, and to equip Christians for service.”  The verbs “reach, teach, and equip” summarize our values and purpose as a faith community. 
Evaluating the purpose and priorities of HCC provides an appropriate occasion to consider our commitment to the church, specifically the decision to join our family as a member of HCC.  I would like to use this month’s column to answer these important questions about church membership: What is membership? What are the benefits of membership?  And how do I become a member of the Heath Church of Christ?

What is Membership?
Consider this summary definition of church membership: Membership is an active and visible commitment to a particular church.  It is a positive affirmation that we commit ourselves to and identify with the ministry of a
specific local congregation.  Moreover, membership involves a two-way commitment between member and congregation.  It is a promise by the congregation to help every member grow and mature in the faith.  It is a pledge by the member to participate in the life and ministry of the church.
This definition correctly portrays membership as an active and positive commitment.  A commitment to
membership is not simply a decision to be present in a particular church’s worship service; rather, it is an
active pledge to support the faith assembly spiritually and financially, to employ our talents and gifts in ministry and
service, and to support, love, and strengthen other members.  It is also an agreement to be accountable to the other members and allow them to encourage and support us in return.

What Are the Benefits of Church Membership?
There are many spiritual and practical benefits and blessings associated with belonging to a local church.  Some of these benefits include the following:
>Membership publicly identifies you as a believer in Jesus Christ.
>Membership provides you with a spiritual family to support and encourage you in your faith development.
>Membership offers needed accountability and discipline for many important areas of the Christian life including:   attendance, holiness, study, worship, communion, service, and stewardship.
>Membership affords many opportunities to discover and use your talents and gifts for service in God’s Kingdom.
>Membership places you under the leadership of church elders who are committed to nurturing and protecting your faith.
>Membership allows you to vote on important church matters and serve in key leadership and teaching roles.

How do I Become a Member of the Heath Church of Christ?
The only requirements for membership at HCC are the same requirements that the New Testament establishes for becoming a Christian: confession of faith in and baptism into Jesus Christ.  In the record of the early church (Book of Acts), we discover that when a person accepted Christ and was baptized they were immediately set apart from the world and added to number of the growing Christian church (for example, Acts 2:41).  Consequently, we advocate that being baptized into a right relationship with Christ naturally culminates in local church membership. 
Practically speaking, while we allow private baptisms, we require decisions for church membership to be shared publicly.  The Bible teaches that Christians are all part of the same “Body” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27).  A decision to join the “Body of Christ” affects all its members and, therefore, should be shared and celebrated in the public assembly.  Decisions for membership are typically shared at the close of the Sunday morning service.
If you are a committed Christian I encourage you to consider making a decision for membership.  If you have any questions about membership please talk with a church leader or a staff member, or plan on attending the next scheduled Inquirer’s Night event.  As you contemplate making this deeper commitment to joining the HCC family, consider this quote by minister Leroy Lawson: “When you become a member of a church, you are not so much joining an organization as you are becoming part of a body, a member of a family, intertwining your life with others in
common purpose and mutual upholding.  You have promised yourself to God and to others who have made this same pledge.  You were baptized as they were, you enjoy the same communion as they to, you study the same
scriptures, have the same hope, serve the same Lord.  You are no longer alone.”

REFLECTIONS ON THE CROSS
by Greg Robbins (April, 2009)

As we prepare for Easter, I would like to use this month’s newsletter column to offer reflections on the meaning of the cross of Christ.  Isaiah 53:5 describes the suffering and death of Jesus this way: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”  Why did Jesus have to suffer and die?  Why was the cross necessary?

The Bible teaches that Jesus bore and endured the penalty of our sin.  Why couldn’t God just ignore our sin and forgive?  To answer this fundamental question we need to begin with the nature and character of God.  The Bible portrays God as a God of both holiness and love (Exodus 34:6-7).  God is perfectly holy and just (1 Peter 1:15).  At the same time, our Creator is also full of love and grace (1 John 4:16).  It is this love that compelled God to create humanity for the purpose of sharing in loving relationship. 

Tragically, the relationship between the Creator and His children was forever altered when mankind willingly chose to sin and rebel against God.  Sin is putting our desires ahead of God’s desires.  Sin drives a wedge between God and man.  This wedge cannot be surmounted unless God intervenes.  The sin of humankind forced the Creator to make a decision. God’s perfect moral character demands that sin be accounted for and punished.  On the other hand, God is also full of love and grace and He desires to forgive His disobedient children.  Our Eternal Father must be true to
Himself.  His holiness demands justice, but His love desires to show grace.  How can God express His holiness without destroying His children and, at the same time, demonstrate unconditional love without condoning human sin and violating His character?  In short, how can He judge sin and pardon the sinner?

In our Heavenly Father’s divine plan, He decreed that the shedding of blood could atone for the sins of His children (Hebrews 9:22).  In God’s economy, the blood of a blameless life could be exchanged for the lives of sinful people.  This pattern is manifested many times in the Old Testament.  Perhaps the greatest Old Testament example of this pattern is the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).  Each year the Israelites would renew their agreement with God and symbolically have their sins forgiven.  The high priest would sacrifice one lamb which was representative of blood
being shed for the forgiveness of the people.  The priest would then place his hands on the head of a second lamb, dramatizing the transference of sin to another.  The lambs functioned as substitutes; that is, they gave up their lives and endured the penalty of sin.  The Old Testament precedent is that one life can be offered up on behalf of another.

The Old Testament sacrifices, however, were only designed to be temporary.  The sacrifices of the first covenant were a foreshadowing of the true Lamb of God who was to come.  The shedding of an animal’s blood was not
effective to remove the sin of people.  Our sin could only be removed through the sacrifice of a faultless human life.  Since there are no perfect people, the New Testament explains that God entered the world in the person of His son, Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:6-7).  As the only perfect person who ever lived, Jesus allowed himself to be offered up as the final sacrifice that would once-and-for-all take away the sins of the world. 

On the cross, Jesus served as our Passover lamb (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).  On the cross, Jesus’ blood
ratified a new covenant between God and people (1 Corinthians 11:25).  On the cross, the sins (and punishment) of all of humankind were transferred to Christ in the final act of atonement (1 John 2:2).  On the cross, God’s justice and love converge and are completely satisfied and expressed in the sacrifice of Jesus.  Jesus’ suffering and death entirely satisfies God’s holiness and justice (a life is substituted for another).  Moreover, Jesus’ passion perfectly expresses God’s love and grace (God gave up Himself for us).

Imagine the truth of the cross this way: Suppose you are found guilty of a crime.  You are in a courtroom in front of the judge and he sentences you to death for your crime.  His sentence is just.  You are guilty and the punishment for your crime is death.  But suppose that the judge is your father.  He knows the law and that your crime demands punishment.  He also knows love and he loves you too much to let you die.  So in a divine act of grace the judge steps down from the bench and removes his robe and places it on you and says, “I’m going to die in your place.  You are free.  You are now innocent.” 

This is the story behind the cross. This is why Jesus died.  1 Peter 2:24 declares, “He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  You have been healed by his wounds (New Living Translation)!”

Certain Investing during Uncertain Financial Times

Falling financial markets has many of us evaluating our investment portfolios.  What is a wise investment from God’s perspective?  Consider this relevant story Jesus told about smart investing, located in Luke 12:16-21 – “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops…This is what I’ll do.  I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones… [and then I will] take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.’  But God said to him, ‘You fool!  This very night your life will be demanded from you.  Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself.’  This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

The man in the story had been blessed with an abundant harvest.  The rich man’s wealth forced him to make an important decision.  It is a decision that we all have to make—how will I spend the resources entrusted to me by God?  The wealthy man asked, “What shall I do?”  Here is the choice: he can be rich toward himself or he can be rich toward God.  This is the same choice we have to make everyday.

Jesus explains that the affluent man chose poorly by opting to be generous toward himself and invest in the stuff of this world.  He purchased bigger barns, bigger houses, and added on bigger additions in the elite part of town.  He reached a point that only a few reach—he could truly stop working and live off his wealth the rest of his days.  He was the envy of everyone in the community.  Nevertheless, Jesus sadly informs us that all the hoarding and all the construction projects were in vain, because that very night the man’s life was taken from him unexpectedly.

One author envisions an additional chapter to this story.  The very next day many people gathered for the wealthy investor’s funeral.  They praised him for his success and all his financial accomplishments.  However, shortly thereafter, the funeral ended and everyone returned to their normal routines.  Later that night the angel of the Lord came and engraved only one word on the successful man’s tombstone, “Fool.”

Jesus explains that this man was foolish because he made investments that were not eternal.  Job 1:21 reminds, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.” 

In this haunting parable, Jesus cautions us against putting too much hope in our temporary investments.  The Bible invites us to enjoy life as a gift from God, but warns us not to become too attached to the valuables of the world. These things are temporary.  We don’t take them with us when we die.  We depart “naked” according to Job’s sober commentary.

Jesus suggests that a better life philosophy is to be “rich toward God.”  What does it mean to be rich toward God?  To be rich toward God means making investments that are eternal, namely investing in God’s plans and his people.  What God wants more than anything else is for people to come to know him, to be saved from their sins, and to enter into a loving, eternal relationship with him through Jesus Christ.

When we support this cause of reconciling God and people, we are making an eternal investment.  From the book Living a Life on Loan, “The best way to invest your treasure in Heaven is by investing it in people who are going there.”  This investment is not affected by the uncertain mood swings of Wall-Street.  This investment will yield benefits in this life and the life to come.

Greg Robbins

by Greg Robbins
In Mark 4, Jesus and his disciples are sailing across the Sea of Galilee when a terrible storm erupts.  The Bible tells us that while the disciples are overcome with fear because of the violent squall, Jesus peacefully napped in the stern of the ship.  The disciples nervously aroused Jesus and questioned him about why he was not concerned with their near-certain demise.  Mark reports that at that moment, Jesus stood up and rebuked the rain and wind.  Immediately, the storm settled and a peaceful calm came over the lake.  Jesus’ demonstration of power over the weather caused his students to raise the most important question of all.  Mark 4:41 informs us that the disciples “were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this?’  Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Who is Jesus?  Our answer to this ultimate question affects all of life.  People through the ages have responded to this question by answering that Jesus is a great teacher, a prophet, a wise sage, or an enlightened spiritual guide.  But how do the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John answer this timeless question?  Most importantly, how do you answer the disciples’ question?
The theme of the months leading up to Easter at the Heath Church of Christ is “Encounter with Jesus.”  Our goal is that everyone will “encounter” Jesus in a new and transformative way as we study his story, seeking to understand his identity and claim on our lives.  The “Encounter with Jesus” program consists of several components including:
Preaching – On Sunday mornings and evenings leading up to Easter we will study the story of Christ reported in the Gospel of Mark.  “Encountering Jesus” will be our theme as we dig into Mark’s vigorous and fast-moving telling of the life of Christ.
Bible Reading – Everyone is encouraged to read through the four gospels in preparation for the Passion Week and Easter Sunday.  Gospel reading plans will be made available on Sunday, January 18th.  The reading schedule begins January 21st and concludes on April the 12th.
Encounter Groups – We will begin a 13-week, Wednesday night small group emphasis beginning January 21st at 7:00 PM.  Encounter groups will provide everyone with an opportunity to study the life of Christ in a deeper way, while enjoying Christian community.  Groups will be using a new DVD curriculum that presents the miracles and parables of Jesus in a fresh and thought-provoking way.  Everyone is encouraged to make this short-term commitment and take the next step in their involvement in the fellowship of the church.  Sign-ups for “Encounter Groups” begin Sunday, January 11th.

Peace On Earth
by Greg Robbins (From the December, 2008 Newsletter)
It’s December 26th, is there peace on earth?  During the Christmas season we hear a great deal of talk of peace.  “Peace on earth, good will toward men.”  Many of the Christmas cards that my family has received over the years convey that peace is a desired commodity at Christmas time.  Christmas cards paint almost fairy-tale like pictures of winter wonderlands and warm fire places.  These warm and cozy images present peace, tranquility, innocence, simplicity, and the best that this world has to offer.
 During the Christmas season, peace is usually ushered in through the giving of gifts, visits with old friends, parties, holiday programs, and the singing of favorite carols.  During the month leading up to December 25th, we seem to place problems and conflicts to the side.  The world as a whole seems to be at peace at Christmas time.  Nations at war will set their weapons aside to experience even temporary peace on Christmas day.
 But what about December 26th?  What about when the presents are all unwrapped and the bottom of the tree is bare?  What happens when the turkey is reduced to leftovers, when we have to return to work, when the school doors open again, when the relatives go home, when the decorations lose their appeal, and the tree turns brown?  What now?  Will there still be peace?
I find the angel’s familiar message to the shepherds to be most intriguing.  Luke tells us that “there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night...suddenly a great company of heavenly host appeared…praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
 “And on earth peace.”  The angels proclaim a message of peace.  The angel’s announcement is eye-opening because the world that Jesus was born into was a world at peace.  The vast Roman Empire and its powerful military had silenced any threat of war.  The entire civilized world was experiencing the “pax romana,” which is Latin for “Roman peace.”  The birth of Jesus came at a time when the known world was characterized by external tranquility.  Yet, ironically, the heavenly hosts proclaimed that Jesus came to offer peace.  What type of peace did Jesus bring?  Is there more to peace than the absence of conflict, stress, or worry?  Is true peace something more than the inviting sentimentality of holiday cards?
The Bible explains that in a relationship with the infant in the manger—Jesus, the Son of God—we receive the gift of true peace.  The apostle Paul assures us that this is a peace that passes all understanding.  It is a peace that is not dictated by outward circumstances, a peace that is not enforced by a powerful military, a peace that does not come and go with the holiday season, an eternal peace that cannot be shaken by cancer, loss, unemployment, loneliness, or despair.  This is an everlasting peace given by the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.
 Jesus told his disciples in John 14:27 – “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you.”  The peace of Christ is an inner peace.  It is a peace that stems from being saved by the savior of the world.  It is a peace founded on the trustworthy promises of God and energized by the hope of life everlasting.  This is the peace that Jesus offers.  This peace demands to be heralded by angels.  We cannot achieve peace; rather, we can only accept the peace that Jesus extends to each of us this season. 
Romans 5:1 promises, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This December, if we accept the peace offered by the babe in the manger, then when the decorations come down, when we go back to work and school, when the frosted cookies are replaced with diets and fitness center memberships, and the angels return to heaven and the shepherds to tending their sheep, then we will still have peace.  Because, if we are in Christ, the peace and joy of Christmas do not end on the 26th of December; rather, our peace and hope begins and lasts until eternity.
 I came across this fitting words some time ago: “When the song of the angels is silent, when the star in the sky has gone to sleep, when the wise men are home, when the shepherds are back with their sheep.  When the manger is darkened and still, when Bethlehem is quiet again, when Jesus has been gladly welcomed, then the peace of Christmas begins!”
 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
 Merry Christmas!

A Mirror to the Heart 
by Greg Robbins  (From the November, 2008 Newsletter)

Psalm 89:1 – “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”
Psalm 88:14 – “Why, O Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me?”

The Biblical book of Psalms has been described as a “mirror to our souls.” Mirrors are honest, aren’t they?  A mirror presents a truthful picture of our physical appearance (I have been seeing a great deal more gray hair these days!).  Spiritually speaking, the Psalms serve a similar purpose.  These ancient poems and prayers reflect the content of our souls.  The Psalms are a reflection of the human experience.  They are a carbon copy of what goes on deep within the human heart as we listen and respond to God.

The Psalms present a roller coaster of emotions.  One praises God for his loving action, while another cries out to God because of his silence.  The Psalms toss us back and forth.  They present a mosaic of emotions and feelings that move us from the heights of hope, trust, praise and thanksgiving, to the depths of hopelessness, despair, anger and disappointment. These sincere prayers address the mountaintops of the Christian life—salvation, joy, peace, safety, health, and deliverance.  Conversely, the Psalms also are very candid about the valleys that come with the life of faith in a fallen world—anger, pain, confusion, disappointment and doubt (often these feelings are presented side by side).

The Psalms present a honest portrayal of life with God.  The life of faith is filled with victories and defeats, celebration and mourning, clarity and confusion, despair  and hope.  The Psalms are a mirror that truthfully mirrors  the various spiritual struggles that occur within the human heart.

I find comfort in the Psalms because my life with God has peaks and valleys.  Sometimes God seems very close to me, while other times he seems far away.  There are occasions when I discern clear answers to prayer, while at other periods of spiritual famine I wonder if God heard my petition at all.

The Psalms reflect all of the feelings and thoughts of our hearts.  They remind us that every Christian has faith moments of both darkness and light, joy and disappointment, hope and despair.  However, even though these ancient, heart-felt prayers teach us that we may at times wrestle with God, they also remind us that God still reigns and that he will meet us in our moment of need.

The Psalms give us permission to approach our heavenly Father with openness and integrity.  We don’t have to wear a mask or hide our true feelings when we draw near to God.  God allows us to pour everything out of our hearts (the good and the bad) before him and petition him with sincerity, faith, and confidence.

The Psalms are filled with the spiritual battles of countless believers.  These Old Testament prayer-warriors wrestled with their pain and anger toward God.  They grappled with their doubts and unrealized expectations.  Nevertheless, with the exception of several prayers of lament, every psalm concludes with praise to God, as if to say: “Lord I am struggling.  I am hurting and am not sure why this is happening to me.  But I know you are still in charge.  I know that you love me.  Therefore, I will praise you and place my trust in you because I know in the end you will deliver me.”

The Psalms are very honest about our faith struggles, but they also remind us of our faith certainties.  The Psalms mirror our hearts and then point to the only answer that we have—God.  Sometimes within our hearts we celebrate our life with God.  At other times, deep within our souls, we wonder if life with God is really worth it.  I appreciate the Psalms because they honestly reflect both experiences. Yet, in the end, the Psalms direct us to God and encourage us to seek him in prayer whatever our mood or circumstance, anticipating his deliverance.

Author Ben Patterson makes this point about the Psalms: “The Psalms…are a mirror; they reveal you.  Yet, they are much more.  Read them and they will read you.  Pray them and they will change you.  James Gilmour, the great Scottish missionary to Mongolia, went to the Psalms again and again when he was stuck in his prayer life. ‘When I feel I cannot make headway in devotion, I open at the Psalms and push out in my canoe, and let myself be carried along in the stream of devotion which flows through the whole book.  The current always sets toward God, and in most places is strong and deep.’”

During the November morning worship services our theme will be “Prayers that Move the Heart of God,” based on select psalms.  My hope is that our prayer lives will deepen as we are “carried along in the stream of devotion which flows through” God’s ancient prayer book, the Psalms.   The Psalms mirror our souls, inviting us to pray with honesty and uncompromising hope.

Growing in the Grace of Giving
by Greg Robbins (from the October, 2008 Newsletter)
We are blessed to serve in a congregation that excels in many ways.  Our outgoing XYZ program for seniors, meaningful and God-glorifying worship services, fun and active children and teen ministries, creative and servant-minded women’s ministry committees, relevant, Bible-based classes and small groups, and a variety of community outreach ventures all serve as examples of how the Heath Church of Christ excels in its mission to reach people for Christ and deepen them in the faith. 

During the month of October, the Sunday morning messages will focus on equipping our congregation to excel in another vital area—giving.  The four week October series of messages is entitled, “Growing in the Grace of Giving.”  This theme is based on Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthian Christians found in 2 Corinthians 8:7 which reads: “But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

The specific messages will address these four areas:
“The Spirit of Giving” – Why do we give?  Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 8:5 that our giving is “first to the Lord.”  When we give, we practically demonstrate our trust that God will meet all of our daily needs.  Beyond this foundational motive, Paul teaches that our giving is “an act of grace.”  When we give, we are sharing the grace and generosity of God with others.

“The Standard of Giving” – How much should we give?  Christians disagree on the amount God commands us to give. Paul suggests that we should follow the example of Jesus when we evaluate the standard of our giving.

“A Strategy for Giving” – Practically speaking, how do we develop a realistic plan for giving?  After addressing debt problems and prioritizing our spending, we should consider the guidance found in 1 Corinthians 16:2.  In this simple verse, Paul teaches that we should give regularly, personally, thoughtfully and proportionally.

“The Result of Giving” – Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 9 that living a life of generosity leads to blessing, joy and meaning in our lives.  Generosity is our generous God’s will for our lives.

Pray
I want to thank everyone for their faithful giving to support the work of God’s Kingdom here in Heath, Ohio.  Would you please make this special teaching emphasis a matter of faithful prayer?  Please pray that God would open our hearts and minds to his plan for our finances.  Please pray that God would use this series to encourage new and renewed commitments to sacrificial giving to the Kingdom.  Perhaps, most of all, pray that through this challenge God would bring a spiritual revival to our congregation.  Sacrificial giving dethrones the competing idol of money in our lives, thus opening our hearts and souls for the work of God’s spirit. 

God’s Timing
Isn’t interesting that this series, which our leadership has discussed and planned for many months, arrives at a time of great economic uncertainty in our country?  Headlines these days concern economic bail-out plans, shaky markets, high energy costs, and an uncertain financial future for our nation.  These headlines bring to mind Psalm 11:3, which asks: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”  The Christian’s response to this important question does not change, regardless of the health of the economy: we pray, we continue to do the work of ministry, we give sacrificially and faithfully, and we trust that God will provide our daily needs. 

In light of the current fiscal headlines, it is almost as if God is inviting us to take Him at His Word and completely trust in his care and provision, rather than the banks, the markets, or the government.  During this time of financial uncertainty, God invites us to entrust our lives and resources into his hands and “grow in the grace of giving.”

August Reflections
from the August, 2008 newsletter

It is hard to believe that we are two weeks into August now.  Where has the summer gone?  School orientations, homework, vibrant autumn colors, and chilly fall evenings are just around the corner.  August provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the blessings of the summer, while looking forward to the welcome routines, exciting plans, and special events of the fall.  
As I reflect on the summer here at the church, the many youth events, the Vacation Bible School and Summer in the Son programs, and the camp season come to mind.  It is so exciting to see God working through these ministries to touch and change the hearts of our children and students.  Thanks so much to Josh and Lucy, as well as to the many sponsors who gave up summer vacation, time, and energy, for loving and serving our kids and teenagers and providing them with such outstanding spiritual transformation and growth opportunities. 
During the summer we have also witnessed a positive growth trend in our Sunday morning attendance.  While morning attendance is not the only gauge of a church’s vitality, it can be indicative of God’s favor and spiritual health within the congregation.  Typically, attendance and participation in the church tends to drop during the summer months. Yet, encouragingly, our church attendance this summer has remained strong and consistent.   Moreover, over the past months we have celebrated many decisions for Christ and witnessed a steady stream of weekly visitors.  Let’s celebrate this positive growth trend and give God
the Glory.
Church growth and health is a great blessing from God; however, with progress and increased participation comes responsibility.  Each person who calls the Heath Church of Christ their spiritual home shares the role of welcoming newcomers to our congregation.  Make a point each Sunday to welcome and befriend our guests and visitors.
Beyond this, everyone who regularly attends should get involved in a ministry of the church.  Whether you are serving in the nursery, ushering, helping with sound and audio during Sunday morning, quietly encouraging a person who is grieving, or  reaching out into the community with Christ’s love and compassion, every Christian in the Heath Church family is called by God to be a servant of Christ.  The work and ministry of a growing church is not performed by two or three key people; rather, ministry is the responsibility of every member and participant.  The growth and health of our church is contingent upon every Christian’s involvement.  1 Peter 4:11 challenges us: “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
From the great response to our first Last Call community meal to the lively and meaty discussions we have enjoyed during Wednesday night Bible study to the many outstanding special events such as the Patriotic musical, the Solid Rock concert, and the women’s spa day, it has been a summer filled with many blessings.  Now as the days of August steadily get marked off, we can look forward to God’s provisions and plans for this fall. 
Fall Wednesday night youth and adult programming with begin on September 10th.  From the adult ministry perspective, a full roster of classes and groups are being planning that will address topics such as Christian parenting, facing trials in our lives, and why we can believe in the truthfulness of Christianity.  On Sunday evening September 14th, we will be hosting another Inquirer’s Night.  This special two hour class is designed to introduce and inform newcomers about the programs and values of our church. This is also an outstanding opportunity to get acquainted with staff and to get answers to any questions you may have. 
Three sermon series are scheduled for the fall on Sunday mornings.  In September, we will focus on the core spiritual values and foundation of our church.  In October, we are going to study God’s plan for our finances.  As we seek to grow in the “grace of giving,” we will consider the standard and motive for our giving, along with how we can overcome debt so that we can begin to give strategically and sacrificially.  Each family will be encouraged to take a “next step” in their giving to the Lord.  Finally, in November leading up to Christmas time, we will wrestle with several of the most difficult questions directed at the Christian faith.  Honest questions dealing with the reality of hell, the presence of pain and suffering in our lives, and the truthfulness of the Bible, among others, will be addressed.

Our First Year
from the July, 2008 newsletter

August 3rd will mark the completion of our first year of ministry at the Heath Church of Christ. Over the year we have experienced many “firsts”: our first Beta camp, our first community day, our first Christmas program, our first bean dinner (complete with the full “Bean Boy” experience), our first children’s musical, our first VBS, our first encounter with Phil Stanley, and the first of many times worshipping, studying, praying, celebrating and grieving together.  What a year it has been!  In some ways, the year has flown by.  When we arrived late last summer, we jumped in head first into the ministry and have not slowed down since.  Yet, in other ways, it feels like we have been a part of the Heath church for many years.  You have made our family feel at home so quickly.  We are grateful for your warm reception and unconditional acceptance of our family.  We look forward to many more years of serving Christ together.

God is blessing our church.  Over the past several months, we have experienced a positive growth trend in our attendance on Sunday morning.  Recently, we have also witnessed several people making commitments to Christ and to the church.  This should be a cause of excitement and celebration.  I have also been greatly encouraged by a growing passion within our congregation to lovingly go outside the walls of the church building to serve those who are hurting or hungry.  The “Life on Loan” group projects, the enthusiastic response to the upcoming meal program with the Last Call ministry, and the servant-minded group that recently returned from painting at KCU all are indicative of this growing zeal to model Christ by serving and meeting needs in the community.

In light of these exciting and hopeful developments, we need to pray and ask God for his blessing and direction for the next year.  Pray that God would protect and guide the elders and deacons who lead and care for our body of believers.  Pray that God would give the leadership wisdom as it seeks to orient, assimilate and disciple visitors and new Christians.  Pray that God would grant us vision and clarity on how best to build on the recent short-term group experience.  As we grow, I am convinced that we will have to increasingly offer more group opportunities for people to build deeper friendships, receive prayerful support, and learn new ways to apply God’s Word. 

Pray for our fall financial challenge.  This special teaching emphasis will have the twin goals of helping our families become wiser and more faithful money managers at home and at church.  Growing as care-takers of God’s resources will enable us to better prepare for upcoming ministry opportunities, pay down our church building debt, hire additional staff in the future, and invest more in our local and global missions. 

Pray that God would unveil new opportunities for our congregation to visibly meet needs and serve in the community.  Our loving and genuine compassion and ministry to those in need is perhaps the most effective witness in our increasingly skeptical world.  Finally, pray that as a spiritual community that we would continue to practice sincere love and compassion for one another.  Our church has experienced several difficult losses recently.  Yet, in the midst of so many tears, our congregation has shined.  Your authentic love and concern for those grieving within our congregation has been a tremendous blessing to me personally.  Let’s make it our goal to extend this same sympathy and love to everyone who walks through the doors on Sunday morning.

My family all agrees that our first year at the Heath Church of Christ has been our favorite ministry year to date.  Thanks for your love, commitment, support and faith.  However, I am convinced that our best years are yet to come.  May God lead us as we seek to be a colony of love, truth and light in Heath, Ohio.

Baptism: Our Common Meeting Place 
from the June, 2008 newsletter

I would like to take a break from the previous series of articles addressing Biblical giving, and use this month’s newsletter forum to review a portion of the recent message on Christian baptism.  The sermon theme from June 8^th focused on baptism as our “common meeting place” as Christians, based on the account of the conversion of the Philippian jailor recorded in Acts 16.  The following is an excerpt from this earlier message.

According to Acts 16, the “way of salvation” finds its culmination in the act of baptism.  Acts 16:33 shares that following his statement of faith and visible act of repentance the jailor and his household immediately submitted to Christian baptism.  The Bible does not give us a systematic definition of the meaning of baptism, but it does use various images to convey baptism’s central importance.

The New Testament presents baptism as death and resurrection.  Consider Romans 6:3-4 – “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death.  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

In baptism we die with Christ (to an old life) and we are raised with Christ (to a new life in God’s kingdom).  There are several reasons why we as a church practice the baptismal form of immersion.  The original Greek word baptizo literally means “to dip, or immerse.”  Furthermore, it was the early church’s normative practice (for the first several hundred years after Christ) to practice baptism by immersion. 

However, the principle reason we immerse (rather than sprinkle or pour) is because immersion best represents our death and resurrection with Jesus.  More specifically, the mode of immersion most adequately symbolizes the meaning of baptism—our complete and total surrender (mind, heart and body) to Christ.  Baptism by immersion paints a picture of “the total surrender of a total person to the total will of God.”

Baptism also represents our new identity and status in Christ.  The apostle Paul in Galatians 3:27-28 explains – “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

The world says a person’s name and identity are based on the clothes they wear, the place where they live, their school, their color, their family background, their circle of friends, their income or even the college football team they support.  But Paul explains in baptism all these worldly markers are drenched and erased.  In this watery grave we all rise with a new set of clothes and a new name.  This new name is “Christian.”

Baptism means death and resurrection.  Baptism means a new set of clothes.  Baptism also means entry into Christ and his church.  The New Testament teaches in Romans 6 and Colossians 2:12 that in baptism we are united to Christ’s death and resurrection.  Because of this truth, baptism must be viewed as more than a symbol; it is a mystery.

In the act of baptism, in some mystical sense, we are connected to the power of the central events of the gospel—the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  In baptism, our story is joined to Christ’s story.  Through being joined with Christ the Bible promises that our sins are washed away.  Moreover, our story is connected to the story of the church.  The Bible says that “we are all baptized by one Spirit into one body.”   

When the Philippian jailer came to faith and repented of sin, the final step in his total belief response to God was immersion into Christ.  Baptism is the completion of this inaugural faith process.  Baptism is the culmination or climax of our conversion.  Baptism is the clearest, Biblical indicator marking our transition from seeker of to disciple of Christ.  In short, baptism is the place we meet Jesus.

A Balanced Life
from the May, 2008 Newsletter
Last month I began a series of articles focusing on money and resources that God has entrusted to us during our life on loan.  I would like to use this month’s column as a forum to discuss the difficult question regarding money: “How much is enough?” 
Proverbs 30:8b provides us with a wise answer: “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”  Isn’t that a beautiful, sensible verse?  God wants us to live a balanced life.  God does not want anyone to be impoverished.  God’s will is that everyone is able to enjoy the simple gifts and basic necessities of life.  For many of us, however, it is not poverty that we struggle with, but riches.  How much is enough?  Does God put a limit on the amount of wealth we are allowed to accumulate?
God’s Word maintains a neutral perspective toward wealth.  Wealth is neither good, nor bad.  The Bible presents wealth as a gift from God.  Nevertheless, like all good gifts from God, we can abuse money and use it for selfish ends.  Frankly speaking, to acquire great wealth and greedily spend and hoard it for ourselves is sinful (Luke 12:21).  The word that most adequately describes scripture’s counsel about money is caution.  We are cautioned because riches have the power to enslave.  Money has the stealth ability to seduce and corrupt our hearts and motives, causing us to desire more and more.  When gaining money for ourselves becomes an end unto itself (and not a means for some greater good), it becomes a false god, an idol.  Scripture warns us that idols do not satisfy the longings of our hearts.  Millionaire John D. Rockefeller was once asked, “How much money does it take to satisfy a man?”  He answered, “Just a little more.”
Riches have the power to enslave.  But the Bible also cautions us that wealth is fleeting and temporary.  Psalm 49:10 clarifies, “For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others.”  We cannot take our wealth with us; however, we can be rich toward God and generous toward others.  Living generously with eternity in mind is the only way to keep wealth in the servant’s role and God on his throne.
As Proverbs 30:8 reminds us, God’s design is that we live a balanced life.  God does not want us to dwell in extreme poverty, nor selfishly pursue and exist in great luxury.  Rather, the Lord desires that we learn to be content with our daily bread.  Can we learn to be satisfied with the simple gifts and blessings of God such as food, clothes, shelter, a devoted family and a loving church?
Jesus gave us a model to follow in the Lord’s Prayer.  In his timeless petition, Jesus prayed, “Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name.  Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.”  When we offer this prayer we are acknowledging that we trust God to provide for our essential needs.  A balanced life is a trusting life.  We don’t worry about hoarding for tomorrow.  We are not anxious about not having enough.  Instead, living a balanced life means we trust in the Giver of bread to secure our fundamental needs.  Living this balanced life liberates and enables us to invest generously in the Kingdom of God.  
The apostle Paul learned the balanced life.  He had experienced both poverty and riches.  Through his extreme experiences Paul learned to trust in God to meet his daily needs.  Paul shares this coveted lesson in Philippians 4:11-13: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
 “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.”  May this reflect our attitude as we invest with eternity in mind.

~Greg Robbins 

Investing With Eternity In Mind
from the April, 2008 Newsletter

Our lives are on loan from God.  If our life is a gift from God, how should we use the time he has entrusted to us?  If our time here on earth is brief, how should we invest our money and resources?  The Bible tells us that we should invest our resources into things that will last for eternity.  The Apostle Paul conveyed this truth in 1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.”
I have heard it said concerning wealth, “We can’t take wealth with us when we die, but we can send it on ahead.”  How do we send our wealth on ahead of us?  How do we lay up treasures for the coming age?  We send our resources ahead and lay up treasure in heaven by investing in things that are eternal—our relationship with God, our love for fellow Christians, local and global missions, ministry to the hurting, sharing God’s mercy with a friend, the kindness we show our spouse, and the values that we pass on to our children.  These are investments that can last for eternity. 
Isn’t it interesting that all of the above-mentioned “eternal investments” are connected to people and their relationship with God?  God and people are the best investment of the time and resources on loan to us.  Someone has said, “The best way to invest your treasure in Heaven is by investing it in people who are going there.”  The church of Jesus Christ is the one entity on earth devoted to reuniting God and his people through the life-changing message of the gospel.  To invest in the church is to make a long-term investment that will pay eternal dividends.
I would to challenge everyone to begin thinking about their investment in the eternal mission of the church.  We invest in this timeless vocation when we make God and people a priority on our calendars and on our day-planners.  We also invest in the church’s divine mission when we give faithfully, sacrificially and generously from our financial resources.  In the weeks to come, through sermons and articles, I would like for us to honestly evaluate our “investment portfolio.”  Are we investing in God and people?  Are we investing with eternity in mind?  Our faithful and generous investment in the ministry of this church answers these important questions. 
— Greg Robbins

Living a Life on Loan                                                                  
From the March, 2008 Newsletter

Jesus told this Kingdom story recorded in Matthew 25: “Again, it [the Kingdom of God] will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.  To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.  Then he went on his journey.  The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more…After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.  The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents.  See, I have gained five more.’  His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

A loan is given with the expectation of a return.  Just as the owner in the parable entrusted his wealth to his servants, God has entrusted our lives to us.  What kind of return will God get on his investment?

During the months of April and May, through the Sunday morning messages and through small groups and classes that will be meeting on Wednesday nights (and possibly other times), we are going to be challenged to think of our life as on loan rather than as a life we own.  Starting next month, each morning message will apply this “on loan” perspective to essential aspects of our lives such as our time, opportunities, jobs, families, money and marriages.  Beginning April 2nd, we are asking everyone to commit to a two-month Wednesday night small group experience.  In these groups, we will be discussing and applying the principles found in the challenging book Life on Loan: Finding Grace at the Intersections.   Sign-ups for these “Life on Loan” groups will begin March 16th.  I will be sharing more details in the weeks to come.

The Bible teaches that “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).  Everything belongs to God, including our lives.  Our life is on loan from the owner.  Are we being good managers of his property?  When we stand before God in eternity will He say, “Well done, good and faithful servant?”

Progress Report
From the February, 2008 Newsletter

Recently my daughters were given progress reports at school.  These reports provide updates on their academic progress and achievement.  In a similar way, the New Testament book of Hebrews functions like a spiritual progress report.  Hebrews challenges us to evaluate our spiritual growth and maturity and to recommit our lives to following Jesus, our great high priest. 

Hebrews is a long, meandering sermon-letter, rich with Old Testament images and involved arguments.  In light of the apparent complex and veiled nature of the book, many Christians have simply avoided studying and applying the letter all together.  However, as we will discover on Sunday mornings and evenings over the next couple of months, Hebrews is actually  very practical and relevant for the contemporary church.  Bible commentator Thomas Long accurately captures the surprisingly contemporary-sounding context surrounding this New Testament letter:

“The Preacher is not preaching into a historical vacuum; he is addressing a real and urgent pastoral problem, one that seems astonishingly contemporary.  His congregation is exhausted.  They are tired—tired of serving the world, tired of worship, tired of Christian education, tired of being peculiar and whispered about in society, tired of the spiritual struggle, tired of trying to keep their prayer life going, tired even of Jesus.  Their hands droop and their knees are weak (12:12), attendance is down at church (10:25), and they are losing confidence.  The threat to this congregation is not that they are charging off in the wrong direction; they do not have enough energy to charge off anywhere.  The threat here is that, worn down and worn out, they will drop their end of the rope and drift away.  Tired of walking the walk, many of them are considering taking a walk, leaving the community and falling away from the faith.”

The spiritual struggles facing the first audience of Hebrews are startlingly relevant to our context today.  We struggle to stand for Christ in the face of social pressure.  We get discouraged when hardships and temptations steal our joy in following after Christ.  We are tempted to sleep in or go to the ball field on Sunday morning, rather than be consistently faithful in church attendance.  Sometimes we get bored with the weekly routines of the Christian faith.  Have you ever considered throwing in the towel and giving up on Christ altogether?  If so, then you better take very seriously the challenging message of Hebrews.

My hope is that our study of the letter to the Hebrews will reinvigorate our faith and provide us with renewed “strength for the journey” of discipleship.  Are you ready for your progress report?

Upcoming Sunday Morning Messages
February 24 – “Traveling Together” (Hebrews 2:5-3:6)
March 2 – “Rest for the Weary” (Hebrews 3:7-4:13)
March 9 – “Can a Christian lose their salvation?” (Hebrews 5:11-6:12)
March 16 – “Preparing for Good Friday” (Hebrews 9:1-28) 

--Greg Robbins

“Focusing on the Fundamentals”
From the January, 2008 Newsletter

How do we grow as a church in 2008?  Some reason that the church must be gimmicky or novel in its ministries in order to stimulate growth.  While I am all for meaningful innovation, I think it is important to remember that ultimately it is God who grows the church (1 Corinthians 3:6).  Rather than searching for the latest gimmick to encourage substantial growth, I think it is the church’s role to focus on the fundamentals of what it means to be God’s new community.  Just as a basketball team must master the basics in order to be successful (sound defense, crisp offense plays, consistent foul shooting, unselfish passing, etc.), so the church must focus on the ancient fundamentals presented in Acts 2:42.  Acts 2:42 provides us with a summary of and glimpse into the life of the first church.  In one sweeping verse, we are introduced to God’s ideal vision for his new community.  Focusing on the fundamentals of the “apostle’s teaching,” the “fellowship,” the “breaking of bread” and of “prayer” provides the necessary ingredients and context for God to begin to grow his church. 

How do we grow as a church this year? 

First, the church must be built upon the foundation of the “apostle’s teaching.”  My hope is that from the pulpit and in every classroom the Bible, and its central message of the Lordship of Christ, is preached and taught faithfully, seriously and relevantly.  Looking ahead, this year in our AM and PM Sunday services some of the books that we will be studying include Job, Hebrews, Genesis, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Ecclesiastes. 

Second, the mood and atmosphere of our church must be characterized by loving “fellowship.”  Fellowship is more than eating donuts and drinking coffee; more accurately, true Biblical fellowship describes our common, shared life together as Christians.  God has designed the Christian life to be a shared life.  My hope for this year is that everyone within our larger congregation will get connected to a smaller, more personal fellowship within the church where they can give and receive encouragement, prayer, accountability and love. 

Third, our identity as a church should be shaped by the “breaking of bread.”  The early church made the corporate assembly a priority.  Each week they met together to worship God, remember their unique identity in Christ and to receive encouragement to continue living the Christian life throughout the week.  If you are currently in the mode of establishing New Year’s resolutions, I challenge you to commit this year to never missing a Sunday worship service.  Each service provides us with essential opportunities to express gratitude to God, to remember who we are in Jesus Christ and to be inspired to live out our faith each day of the week. 

Finally, to grow as a church in 2008, we must be a people of prayer.  The fact that prayer is listed among the Acts 2:42 fundamentals reminds us that spiritual health and growth in the church is supernatural in nature.  What should we be praying about this year?  Pray that people will make new decisions to follow after Christ.  Pray that God will open doors for our congregation to go beyond the walls of the church building to be salt and light in the community.  Are there several community needs that our church can tangibly and visibly meet in 2008?  I will also mention that we need to begin praying about this year’s financial campaign to reduce our building debt.  We will be talking more about this in the months to come; however, for now, pray that God would provide the church leadership vision and clarity concerning the details and goals of the campaign.  Pray that God will deepen and grow our church through this endeavor.  Also begin to pray that God will provide your individual family with direction concerning your commitment to the campaign.

Do we want to grow in 2008?  Lets focus on the fundamentals!

--Greg Robbins

“Are You Ready for Christmas?”
From the December, 2007 Newsletter

It is hard to believe that the Christmas season is upon us.   Are you ready for Christmas?  In our culture, this question usually means, “Have you checked everyone’s name off of your shopping list?”  More precisely, are you spiritually ready to ponder the mystery and wonder of the first Christmas story?  We cram so much into our lives during the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas day.  There are presents to buy and wrap, cards to send, decorations to put up, parties to attend, loved ones to visit, meals to prepare, programs to participate in, phone calls to make and plans to finalize.  On top of these responsibilities, during the holidays we usually have increased job pressures to cope with, school functions to support, ball games to attend and studies to complete for finals.  All of these activities, events and responsibilities contribute to the holiday rush.

This article is a kind of pep talk to encourage all of us to have the proper focus and attitude for the Christmas season.  To maintain the proper focus requires that we take a breath and slow down (that is right, I said slow down!).  Slowing down at this time of year goes against conventional wisdom and complicates our hectic schedules, expectations and calendars.  Busy schedules and calendars are not inherently bad; however, we must guard against allowing them to distract us from the true meaning of Christmas.  Could God be telling us to slow down this holiday season so that we can truly hear and appreciate the message of the manger?  Christmas is a time for God to speak through the miracle of the Christ child.  Christmas provides a unique occasion for our faith to be renewed in awe, wonder and mystery.  Christmas affords us the opportunity to hunger and seek to know Jesus all over again, or for the first time. 

There is a “Peanuts” cartoon where Lucy and Marcie are walking along to school and Lucy says, “I’m going to ask the teacher if I can be Mary in the Christmas play this year.”  Marcie answers, “She has already asked me, Sir.”  Lucy continues, “I think I’ll be great in the part.”  Marcie says once more, “She asked me yesterday.”  Ignoring her, Lucy declares, “I like the part where the angel Gabriel talks to me.”  With exasperation, Marcie says, “Why would Gabriel talk to you? You never listen!”  It is possible to miss hearing God’s voice and experiencing his blessings if we do not have any quit moments to listen to the words of Mary and Joseph, to the song of the Angels, to the joy of the shepherds and the worship of the wise men.

The Christmas season is filled with many tasks and details: keeping track of shopping lists and checkbook balances, organizing and sending cards, planning menus and attending various holiday programs.  All of these details compete for our attention and make it difficult to slow down and focus on the baby in the manger; yet, we need to slow down because God’s plan for our busy lives is proclaimed from the nativity. Through the story of the birth of the savior, God reveals a calming message of hope, joy, peace, love and salvation.

During the Christmas season, God speaks the loudest.  Tragically, sometimes it is hard to discern God’s voice above the sound of cash registers and the tearing of wrapping paper.  If God’s voice is not heard at Christmas, when will it be heard?  This holiday season, focus on the spiritual over the material, your blessings over your wish lists, giving instead of getting, and the people you love rather than price tags and credit card balances. Most importantly, focus on the “Christ” of Christmas over the “rush” of Christmas.  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him ‘Immanuel’ – which means, God with us” (Matthew 1:23).  This December, slow down and allow the hopeful message of this verse to rekindle your imagination and warm your hearts.  Are you ready for Christmas?  Are you ready for the coming of Immanuel?

- Greg Robbins

One Purpose (A Message from Greg and Dave)
from the October, 2007 HCC Newsletter

“What, after all, is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow…The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose…” (1 Corinthians 3:5-8).

Dave and I thought we would use this month’s newsletter as a forum to explain how we are transitioning to our new roles here at the Heath Church of Christ.  It is a great privilege and blessing working with Dave.  From the very beginning of my time here, Dave has served as my biggest cheerleader and encourager.  His support has made my adjustment to my role as preaching minister very smooth and natural.  I believe our temperaments, skills and passions compliment one another very well.  Currently, my ministry efforts consist of preaching, teaching, pastoring, administrating and working closely with our elders and deacons.  While Dave and I will certainly continue to share some of the above responsibilities, Dave’s role is beginning to center more on worship and technology, membership involvement and new visitor follow-up.  Dave and I hope that our ministry teamwork (along with Josh and Lucy) will contribute to the growth and spiritual maturity of our congregation.  While Dave, Josh, Lucy and I all have different ministry tasks, we all share and are committed to the one purpose of planting seeds and building God’s kingdom.  --Greg

As each week goes by I grow more and more confident that transitioning from the senior minister role to associate was the right decision for me and my family. I am thoroughly enjoying serving the Heath Church of Christ in this new capacity. Several have asked if I have more free time now. The truth is, since the transition I am not necessarily less busy, but I am less burdened. It is refreshing to spend more quality time on a few things rather than a rushed effort on many things at once. Thanks to the elders and to the Heath congregation for allowing me serve where I am best suited.
Good things come to those who wait. Now that the two-year-long minister search is finally complete, God is once again demonstrating his pattern of sending the right people for the right job at the right time. It is truly a blessing to work day to day with Greg Robbins. From day one Greg has jumped headfirst into meaningful ministry.  I especially appreciate his dedication to Bible truth, team building and unity within the body. We’ve found that our talents and personality traits compliment one other. I am looking forward to many years of faithful service together.   --Dave