Sometimes churches, even really great churches like Berean, have it all backwards. We think that we are to be catered to and kept comfortable in church with padded chairs, soft sermons and music just the way we like it. Being stretched is not what we want and reaching out to people in the community is for the paid professionals in ministry.
But, this is completely the opposite of what we should be thinking as a church. Church should be each and every member stretching and growing faith and reaching others as we fulfill the great commission given in Matthew 28:18-20 and stated again in Acts 1:8.
We need to be vocal about our faith, talking about Jesus to our friends and families, even if they have rejected Him before. We need to pray for the lost we know and don't know in our community as we tell others and prepare ourselves to talk to them in words and deeds...Read More
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year... and the busiest. It seems like we run from one party to another, shopping has to be done, decorating, cooking, cleaning, the list never stops. But it should stop! How can we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, when there is no peace just a hectic schedule crammed full of must do's and mad dashes from store to store?
Believe it or not one of the best ways to add the peace we all seek, is to add some things to your schedule. I know it sounds crazy. Adding stuff to do at Christmas time makes no sense. But, we need to add times when we can celebrate, remember and reflect on the fact that a baby was born to save the world.
In the logic of the world adding things to do would only stress us out more. But with God's logic remembering Jesus will lift our hearts and draw us closer to Him. At Berean we have three great opportunities to remember Jesus this holiday season. Read more!!!
The community of Murphysboro was one busy place on October 31st. The football team had a playoff game, the Crimson Express traveled to a marching competition in Pinckneyville and of course the annual community Trunk of Treat that Berean participates in was happening that night.
Shelly and I started off in Pinckneyville to watch one of the best marching bands in the region if not the entire state take the field. With precision they maneuvered all over the field. Their turns were sharp, their music seemed flawless and they moved as one unit, with one purpose. They did great!
As we were on our way to the marching contest we listened to the Red Devils football team on the radio. They roared onto Doc Bencini Field and moved the ball at ease against an outmatched opponent. The team worked as one with the line blocking, the backs hitting holes and passing and receivers catching each pass that was zipped to them. Click to find out how Berean is a team!
The recent Light Trivia Night was an absolute blast. Chris Grode lived up to his bluster by mopping the floor with the competition (with the help of a ringer) and we learned that Chris spent the bulk of the 80's watching movies apparently multiple times!
I won't go into how all the teams finished, but I will say that one team thought that Li'l Wayne was taller than John Wayne and second place finishing team Humphrey missed a Bible trivia question. Before you gasp in surprise, it was kind of a trick question about the minor judge Shamgar. Feel free to criticize them if you had heard of Shamgar before you read this. He gets all of one verse in the Bible. Click for more.
The newest Kid's Connect is now available at Berean Christian Church! This is the new Kid's Connect for March!!! Make sure and see Mrs. Stephanie to get your paper copy or click here to see the electronic version!
Check out the article on pastor Troy, memory verses, the calendar and all of the fun things coming up. Don't forget the Egg Hunt and breakfast on Easter Sunday.
Remember to get your PAW sheet every Sunday for worship service.
See you Sunday!!!
Berean Christian Church in Murphysboro will continue its tradition of breakfast and Resurrection Sunday service. On April 5, 2015, Resurrection Sunday or Easter, Berean Christian Church will open its doors at 8:30 AM and serve breakfast to anyone that attends. Following the breakfast the Resurrection service will begin at 10:00 AM.
Berean’s worship services are relaxed with people wearing jeans to business casual. The music is a mix of contemporary to traditional and each week Communion is open to all believers. Minister Troy Humphrey encourages everyone to attend the informal worship service. “We truly embrace the notion that you can come as you are at Berean. Regardless of your past, who you are, what you do, or what you are wearing, you are welcome here.” Says Humphrey. Read More
BIO: Jim and Jane Siefert are charter members of Berean Christian Church in Murphysboro. Jim has been an elder since the founding of Berean in 1979. He and Jane spend thier time visiting children and grandchildren and treaveling throughout the Unitied States
By Jim Siefert
How would you describe the church? We all know what it is not. It is not a building. So, what is the church?
Thomas Campbell, a leader in the Restoration Movement gave the following definition of the Church, "The Church of Christ, upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one; consisting of all those in every place that profess their faith in Christ and obedience to Him in all things according to the Scriptures, and that manifest the same by their tempers and conduct, and of none else; as none else can be truly and properly called Christians". Continue Reading
Troy Bio: Much like the changing of nature's seasons, our lives can and will change. Since coming to Berean in October 2008, Stacy and I have enjoyed seeing our older sons marry, the birth of our first granddaughter, and the addition of what we affectionately call our 'B' team.
God placed the call on our lives to become foster/adoptive parents. With the tremendous support of our family at Berean, we continue to add to our number, making us busy, fulfilled and tired! And remember in this great relationship with God: don't look back!
By Troy Humphrey
As I read Jim’s article (one of the perks of working on our ‘connect’ publication before it gets to you!) I was drawn to the truth we can‘t understand ‘the nature of the church’ without accepting ‘the necessity of the cross’. Continue Reading.
Bill and I got married in October 2011 and decided we wouldn’t use birth control in an effort to start our family.
After a year and a half without pregnancy, we met with my doctor and both underwent fertility testing.
I was in the clear as far as they could tell, but we found out Bill had a couple of issues that would make it difficult for us to conceive. We both tried fertility drugs for a few months because the doctor thought that might help our odds, but ultimately the drugs didn’t work. And at that point, our physician told us there was little to no chance we would ever conceive on our own and she then started suggesting In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and other methods.
For some reason it was just not something we felt comfortable pursuing and together we agreed we would take a break for awhile and possibly look into all of the other “options” after the holidays and after the first of the year.
I was devastated because I had always hoped to have children and it was a very dark time for me, as well as for Bill. I had been praying, praying, praying that God would allow me to became pregnant, but then I finally had to change that prayer. Click Here to read more.
Murphysboro, IL / March 6, 2015 – Berean Christian Church in Murphysboro will continue its tradition of breakfast and Resurrection Sunday service. On April 5, 2015, Resurrection Sunday or Easter, Berean Christian Church will open its doors at 8:30 AM and serve breakfast anyone that attends. Following the breakfast the Resurrection service will begin at 10:00 AM.
Berean’s worship services are relaxed with people wearing jeans to business casual. The music is a mix of contemporary to traditional and each week Communion is open to all believers. Minister Troy Humphrey encourages everyone to attend the informal worship service. “We truly embrace the notion that you can come as you are at Berean. Regardless of your past, who you are, what you do, or what you are wearing, you are welcome here.” Says Humphrey. Click for the rest of the story.
by Stacy Humphrey
If I am honest, it is almost noon and I have prayed for 3 minutes today. I prayed for 3 minutes as I sat against my son’s bedroom door, so the 3 year old in there would not come out before his 3 minute “take a break” was over.
So to be completely honest I did not pray for a full three minutes, because as soon as I sat down to block the door I remembered my fresh cup of coffee getting cold downstairs, on the dining room table, surrounded by the laundry I was folding when said three year old committed the automatic “take a break” infraction of kicking someone. So I asked the 13 year old to carefully bring me my coffee. Then I sipped my coffee as I prayed the remaining time. I prayed for almost three minutes while being told repeatedly by the incarcerated three year old that the bubble gum he stuffed in the keyhole of the door two days ago, was indeed still in the keyhole. Click to read the rest.
By Stephanie Ward
If you haven’t heard, I am here to tell you we have some thrilling activities happening in the kids and youth program at Berean! Be warned, I am going to be using many exclamation points in this article because I can’t contain my enthusiasm (nor do I want to)!!
Wednesday night and Sunday morning are not the only times we like to get together as one big church family at Berean. Once a month we come together on family nights to fellowship with one another while doing different activities. Last month we played board games and on February 27th at 6:00 pm we will be doing a family movie night in the auditorium (of course snacks are included)! Read the whole article here!
This time of year is always special for Christians. The birth of Christ, whether people want to acknowledge it or not, is center stage. Each Christmas season everyone gets to choose.
Do they want the child from the manger or what the world offers? At Berean this Sunday everyone attending will be ask that same question by children in our annual Christmas play. No, there are no real speaking parts, so a five year old will not be pounding the pulpit with a plea for salvation. Read the entire article.
By Stacy Humphrey
What do we regret?
I read an article quoting R.C. Sproul Jr. reflecting on his deepest regret that he did not hold his wife’s hand more when she was alive:
“It’s not, of course, that I never held her hand. It is likely, however, that I didn’t as often as she would have liked. Holding her hand communicates to her in a simple yet profound way that we are connected.”
I once heard a pastor's wife who was losing a battle to cancer say, “I wish we had had people over to eat more often”.
I wish I had read more books to my kids, held them longer, listened with interest when they shared. Finish the article.
Murphysboro, IL / December 29, 2014 – Berean Christian Church in Murphysboro will begin the new year with a sermon series based on the popular book, “Not a Fan” written by Christian author Kyle Idleman. The series will follow the main premise of the book that Christian life means more than being an enthusiastic admirer of Jesus.
The series should prompt those in attendance to take an honest look at their relationship with Jesus and inspire a heartfelt evaluation of their Christian faith.
The series will begin on Sunday - January 11, 2015 during the worship service at 10:00 am. Small group sessions will take place January 11, 2015 during Sunday Connect at 9:00 am and during Wednesday Night services starting on January 14 at 6:30 pm...Read More
By Russ Ward
New Years get you to thinking about priorities in life and yes even dreaded resolutions. But, this year let's not look at our waistline for resolutions let's look at our lives spiritually. This year think about spiritually, whether we are firewood or fruit.
If you have ever been out to the farm where Shelly and I live you know that we have a couple of trees that needed to be cut down. One tree was resting up against the old milking parlor and the other tree was a one of those soft maples that grew in two different directions. It was also rotten in the middle where rain and snow had caused it to deteriorate over the years. Click for the whole article.
And these were not small trees. The one up against the building was bigger than 24 inches at the chest and the other was really like two trees in one making it nearly twice as big as the other one. Regardless both of these trees had gotten out of hand and had to go.
It is not that I had anything against the trees personally, they were a danger. With the wrong kind of wind or ice storm we could have not only lost two big trees, but a couple of buildings and electricity. Not a very pleasant thought in the middle of the winter.
The problem with those trees was not the tree’s fault. The little, soft maple, whirligig seeds just happened to float down and find a seam of soil up against the building and they did what trees (especially soft maples) do, they grew. They were not tended to, guided or pruned. They were left to their own devises shooting up in any way they wanted to, with only nature directing their growth.
This is what ultimately led these trees to the burn pile and for wood used at cookouts for hotdogs and S'mores.
As Christians we need tending. In the book of John 15:1 & 2 Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, so it can be even more fruitful.”
In this verse Jesus makes the point that he is the “true vine” and as Jesus continues to say in John, the 15th chapter, we see that the branches are the disciples and believers in him like us.
We are to be pruned by God and stay connected to Jesus to produce the fruit. If we do not produce fruit and are not connected to Jesus we will wither away.
The fate of the withered branches is similar to what will happen to the two trees cut down on the farm. They will find their way to a wood stove or the burn pile.
The result is that we should look at our lives carefully and see if we are still a branch connected to the vine. Do we get nourishment from the vine? Do we rely on the vine for all that we need? Or are we self dependent and try to live independent of the vine?
If we are connected to the vine then we should be producing some fruit for God’s Kingdom and just some fruit is not good enough, we need to produce more. But, to produce more, we must be ready to get pruned. I’m no tree but that doesn’t sound like fun, however it is necessary to produce more fruit. This fruit is not for ourselves, but for the Kingdom of God.
Remember, even though pruning will hurt, we have a great gardener looking out for us! He will lovingly trim where it is needed to produce lasting growth.
If we allow this growth and stay connected to the vine, you won’t end up in the middle of the fire pit at a wienie roast.