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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Two more join “Why Church”

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Two more pastors join the Why Church series. Tami Werschey-Kessinger, pastor of Hartsburg United Methodist Church and Douglas Bowers of Lifepoint Church of God here in Lincoln are the most recent additions to the growing list of pastors and churches doing the Why Church series.
If you have missed it somehow, our community has been invited back to church. Why Church is a unique approach by several area ministers to invite you back to church this September. However, there is more to it than just that.

In a most unprecedented idea, these local ministers of different denominations and backgrounds have come together to also share in the writing of their sermons. Four messages are being written together to answer the question: Why the church is important!

The church is under a lot of criticism these days. A recent Newsweek magazine cover on April 9, 2012 read, “Forget the church…follow Jesus.” A popular rant on YouTube titled “Why I hate religion, but love Jesus” has now been viewed some 22 million times. More and more people are raising a voice against the church. Why?

Mostly because they fail to see all the good the church is or has been. They only focus on the struggles, problems, failures, and a few troubled people within.

It’s too easy to be critical regarding the church: She’s too boring, She doesn't deal with real issues of life, She’s irrelevant, intolerant, and full of hypocrites. Yes! Maybe! The church can, at times, have an image problem.

And yet, most churches are a real blessing. Just look at the positive differences the church has made. Look at all the clinics, hospitals, and children’s homes the church has built. What about feeding the hungry and disaster relief? To this day, it’s the church that is the first to respond in any catastrophe in our country. Are you aware church people are making the largest sacrifices when it comes to adopting orphans or caring for the disabled? Did you know that most prison visitation and counseling is led by the church? Most churches are places of great joy, compassion, hope. Most churches clearly love God, love their neighbors, and make their communities a better place for everyone. (Together for Lincoln for example)

The mudslinging that has taken place against the church over the last few years now demands a response from its leaders. And that is the reason for Why Church! This series is not “why MY church” but “why THE church!”

These ministers are now inviting the entire community to find their way into one of the churches presenting the series and to give them a sincere and open ear as to why the church is needed in our community. If you want more information, check out the newly created website: www.whychurch.net. There is still time for other churches to join. Just contact one of the ministers already involved.

[Ron Otto, Lincoln Christian Church]

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