"The Weekly" - our Sunday morning bulletin

 Check out The Weekly to find out what's happening on Sunday and the coming week

• The Weekly: July 21, 2019
• The Weekly: July 14, 2019
• The Weekly: July 7, 2019
• The Weekly: June 30, 2019

"The Link" - our biweekly email newsletter

The Link is a newsletter delivered by email every other Thursday. You can stay in touch with CMBC whether you're nearby or far away.  Sign Up Now

Current Read: "Discipleship Essentials" by Greg Ogden

Links

• Why you Should Quit Social Media (video)
  You are going to want to watch this video, one that might convince you to finally “pull the trigger” on your social media accounts.
  
  
• How to Judge the Success of a Church:  Does it Make Disciples?
  “Many skills make for effective ministry. Great leadership. Great vision. Entrepreneurial grit. Disciplined execution. But all of those skills mean nothing if we aren’t making disciples, one by one. Apart from that, all the money we raise, buildings we build, ministries we organize, sermons we preach, and songs we write don’t move the mission forward. Without that mission, we’re wasting our time.”
  
  
• International Council for Religious Freedom Formed
  An international council advocating for religious freedom has been formed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. 
  
  
• Dear Christian Men, Why are you so Lonely?
  Loneliness continues to affect both men and women in the church today.
  
  
• Guys Need Bros
  Guys, we need to be there for each other. Take a Bible, ask questions like, “What is Jesus teaching you right now in your life?” Let’s start building each other up.
  
  
• The Church and the Loneliness Epidemic
  There is a loneliness epidemic in the church today. In a room with hundreds of people gathered together to worship, a person can still feel so very alone. 
  
  
• Why you Should Have that Difficult Conversation
  Difficult conversations are an important part of every authentic relationship. Don’t avoid them; engage them, lean into them, and learn from them. If handled properly, our relationships will grow stronger through these types of dialogue.
  
  
• Confessing Sin is Always Awkward, Sometimes Costly and Absolutely Worth it
  This is another key piece to authentic relationship building. We must be willing to talk about our hurts and struggles with one another.
  
  
• 4 Reasons Leaders Need Large Blocks of Time
  Do you have large blocks of time set aside on your calendar to plan, think, and design?
  
  
• Would you Attend a Gay Wedding?
  Pastor John Piper engages this listener’s question.
  
  
• 2019 Audubon Photography Awards Winners
  Check out these beautiful photographs from 2019.

7-16-19 Links

• How Evangelism Works in a Post-Christian Culture (Video)
  
• How Do I Pursue a Discipling Relationship in My Church?
  
• At Home Discipleship
  
• It's Not About the Dragons
  
• Reflections on Missions from Touring the Tabernacle in Israel
  
• Christian Teenagers Accused of Blasphemy Jailed in Pakistan
  
• Reverse Culture Shock
  
• The Iski and the Helicopter
  
• Can You Trust God in Your Pain? (w/Video)
  
• Partisan Evangelicals and the Burning of the Mission Field
  
• The Snakes that are Destroying the Everglades
  
• Gap Center for Biblical Studies (Upcoming Seminars)
  

7-9-19 Links

• Two Reasons a Church Shouldn't Have Multiple Services on Sunday Mornings
  
• Music for the Church:  Mark Dever Interviews Keith Getty (Podcast)
  
• Christian Family Details Crackdown on Church in China
  
• Book Review:  God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel
  
• The Strength of Your Weaknesses
  
• 5 Bad Reasons to Go to Church
  
• On Laughter, Fools, and Missions
  
• Five Challenges for Missionaries from the Life and Diary of David Brainerd
  
• You Need to Be Inconvenienced for your Church
  
• The Silent & Exciting Witness of Biblical Archaeology (Video)
  
• U.S. Women are World Cup Champions!
  
• The U.S. Women Won, the Men Lost, and the Equal Pay Fight Tied Them Together Again
  
• The Alleged World Cup Pay Gap
  
  

6-25-19 Links

• Recollection
  
• 10 Things to Know about what the Bible Teaches on God and Human Government
  
• Love is Believing the Best
  
• Marxism: The False Religion that Cannot Deliver on its Promises
  
• How does God's Grace Bring us to Faith and Salvation?
  
• Acknowledge Hidden Trauma in your Church
  
• (Podcast) The Strengths Millennials Bring to your Church
  
• For the Bride Set Before Him: The Splendor of the Local Church
  
• Bibles Threatened by US Trade War with China
  
• Top 10 Biblical Archaeology Discoveries of 2018
  
• Some Great Ideas for "Free" Summer Fun!
  
• USWNT Grinds Past Spain to World Cup Quarterfinals
  

6-18-19 Links

• The Pope has Changed the Lord's Prayer
  
• Reading the Bible Upside Down:  Why the Pope Changed the Lord's Prayer
  
• Does God "Lead us Into Temptation?"
  
• What Did I Ever do to Deserve this Blue Passport
  
• Alone
  
• A Worship Song is Fueling Pro-Democracy Protests in Hong Kong
  
• Celebrity Christians and our Own Idolatry
  
• Why God Made your Mouth
  
• A Gameplan for Discipling Men in the Church (Podcast)
  
• Jen Wilkin on Women and Discipleship (Podcast)
  
• Global Missions Through the Bible: Joshua
  
• Check out Blue Letter Bible's Free New Resource: ScriptureMark
  

It is important that you realize that I am not endorsing everything in these articles, videos, or sites but I share them with you as a way for you to see what has engaged my thinking and caught my attention online through the week. Some of the links are related to current events, some are related to current realities facing the church, some are just cool and random facts that you may or may not have known.

 -Pastor Chris Lenhart

Spiritual Growth

Our desire is to develop fully devoted followers of Christ who make disciples. In light of that vision, we are very passionate about helping every person who attends CMBC to take their next step. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, there is always another step to take towards being fully devoted in your following of Christ. There is no one prescription for spiritual growth because everyone is different. But there are some basic areas to consider. It is our desire that each person intentionally participates with God and others in this transforming process. We invite you to consider what’s offered at CMBC and how that may be used by God to mature you in the faith.

Daily Bible Reading

We believe that reading God's Word, the Bible, daily is vitally important and absolutely necessary for spiritual growth. There are many different devotionals and guides for helping you read and apply the Bible, and we encourage you to find something that works for you. Here are a few suggestions:

• Click here to subscribe to The Daily Bread. There are options for home delivery or daily emails.
  
• Bible.com has a variety of different reading plans covering many different topics.
  
• Download and print this Personal Bible Reading Checklist from Pastor Stan Maughan.

Preparing for Baptism

Baptism is important, but it is not salvation. Baptism should be among the first steps of a new believer’s walk in obedience to the Lord. This booklet will help you more thoroughly understand baptism.

Steps to Membership

What is church membership? Although “official membership” is not found in Scripture, the idea of being a regular, integral part of a church fellowship is indicated throughout the Bible. It is not an option. It is mandatory for the kind of healthy spiritual life God intends. (1 Cor. 12:27)

Here are some ways to get integrated into the fellowship at CMBC.

• Attend the “Exploring CMBC” class. This 4-week class is normally offered once a year during the ABF hour (9:45-10:45) on Sunday mornings and is for those desiring to know more about CMBC or intending to join. These classes are required for membership.
• Click here to download and read the “Becoming a Member” booklet. If you wish to become a member and have completed the “Exploring CMBC” membership class, fill out the form at the back of the booklet and turn in to the church office.