"The Weekly" - our Sunday morning bulletin

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

• The Weekly: August 18, 2019
• The Weekly: August 11, 2019
• The Weekly: August 4, 2019
• The Weekly: July 28, 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

• What Does it Mean For a Man to Lead His Family Spiritually?
  What does it mean for a man to the spiritual leader of his family, and practically, how does it look?
  
  
• Why Satan is No Friend of the Family
  “If family truly comes from the mind of God and plays such an essential role in his world, don’t you think this explains why there are so many attacks on the family?”
  
  
• Are you Ruled by Your Desires?
  Looking at Philippians 3:18-21, Pastor John answers the question, “Are you ruled by your desires?”
  
  
• When the Dam of Despair Breaks, Hold the Rope of Hope
  Hope is a powerful character trait that presses back against the cynicism that is so prevalent in our culture. In the Bible we are reminded that we are to “not lose hope.” What does that look like in life’s most difficult valleys?
  
  
• Missions:  Can we Hasten the Parousia (Coming of Jesus)?
  This is a rather in-depth and exploratory look at the motivation for Christian missions. Can Christians hasten the second coming of Jesus? That is the question that the author seeks to unpack in this article found in the most recent edition of Themelios. (Volume 44 Issue 2). This is a deep and thorough examination of Matthew 24:14; give yourself ample time for this lengthy read.
  
  
• Caring for Missionaries Through Connection: The Three C's
  How do we care for our global partners who are actively on the field, doing the work that Jesus has called them to do? These three c’s give us guidance on how we can be better partners and better senders.
  
  
• Should Christians Care about Physical Fitness?
  Fall sports are starting! This provokes the question, is physical fitness beneficial for our Christian walk? Should Christians really concern themselves with physical fitness?
  
  
• 3 Reasons Drifting from the Faith Starts with Drifting from the Church
  Drifting away from church is a good way to begin drifting away from the faith.
  
  
• Lamentation Upon the Occasion of Another Christian Apostatizing
  Will this become a new #trend? In our ‘look at me’ age many are taking to their social media platform of choice to make emotional announcements regarding their move away from Christianity. 
  
  
• Famed Yale Computer Science Professor Quits Believing in Darwin's Theories
  David Gerlanter has determined that, ‘the origin of species is exactly what Darwin cannot explain.’
  
  
• Finding Amelia Earhart's Plane Seemed Impossible. Then Came a Startling Clue.
  “Robert Ballard has found the Titanic and other famous shipwrecks.  This month his crew started trying to solve one of the 20th century’s greatest mysteries.”
  
  
• The Testimony of Benjamin Watson
  Be encouraged by the testimony of Super Bowl Champion and Bart Starr Award recipient, Benjamin Watson.

8-6-19 Links

• God Created Family to Picture His Truth
  
• Why I Wish We Hadn't Lived Together Before Marriage
  
• Marriage is for Mission
  
• If You Send an MK Some Cookies
  
• Not with Lofty Speech
  
• Make Sunday Morning Uncomfortable
  
• How Not to be Cliquish or Silent About Your Faith at Work
  
• Grieving the Tragedies in El Paso and Dayton
  
• Rural Youth Ministry: Are We Ready for the Next Wave?  Part 1
  
• How Participation in the Lord's Supper Can Help Your Children
  
• How a Boeing 727 Was Stolen and Never Found (video)
  

7-30-19 Links

• Well-known Christian Author, Purity Advocate, Renounces His Faith
  
• What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ?
  
• The Crucial Difference between Law and Gospel for the Christian Life
  
• Law or Love?
  
• Don't Give up Praying for your Children
  
• The Only Status that can Satisfy
  
• Why Facebook Failed
  
• Don't Assume Scripture's View of Gender
  
• I Support Coach Cox
  
• Global Missions Through the Bible: Luke
  
• The Secret Codes that Printers put on Every Paper (video)
  
• Termite Architecture! (video)
  
• Enjoy this Canadian Population Clock

7-23-19 Links

• Why you Should Quit Social Media (video)
  
• How to Judge the Success of a Church:  Does it Make Disciples?
  
• International Council for Religious Freedom Formed
  
• Dear Christian Men, Why are you so Lonely?
  
• Guys Need Bros
  
• The Church and the Loneliness Epidemic
  
• Why you Should Have that Difficult Conversation
  
• Confessing Sin is Always Awkward, Sometimes Costly and Absolutely Worth it
  
• 4 Reasons Leaders Need Large Blocks of Time
  
• Would you Attend a Gay Wedding?
  
• 2019 Audubon Photography Awards Winners

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)
  

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.