the connection
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November 2015 newsletterTRANSCRIPT
Beau and Leslie have been together for over
5 years and just celebrated 3 years of marriage
in September. Beau was
born and raised in
Lakeside, CA, and
moved here in 2009 to
live with his dad, Ray
Brown, after he sus-
tained a severely bro-
ken leg in a motorcycle
accident and was out of work for an extended pe-
riod of time. He began working at the Walmart
Distribution Center shortly after arriving in Rolla.
Leslie was born and raised in Rolla, the third
child of awesome Christian parents Ray & Karen
Turner. Leslie currently works at the Dermatolo-
gy Center as a registered nurse, but is starting a
new job at PCRMC in the surgery department in
November. Beau met Leslie when she was a jun-
ior in high school and the rest is history. Though
Beau was raised in southern California, he fell in
love with Missouri’s slower pace and Leslie’s
charm. Together they enjoy fishing, watersports,
horseback riding, and spending time with their
families. They love taking trips to visit Beau’s
family in San Diego, and their favorite place to
visit in Missouri is Bull Shoals Lake. Their
“children” are a big red quarter horse, Odie, a
boxer mix, Roxie, and two miniature Schnauzers,
Peggy & Pepper. They also recently added two
pigs, Walter & Penelope, to their farmette in Doo-
little.
Leslie has been attending First Assembly of
God for the majority of her life, was saved during
Kids Camp at Lake of the Ozarks, and was later
baptized by Pastor Ray. Once Beau & Leslie be-
came a couple, Beau began to come to church as
well. Leslie volunteered for many years at Vaca-
tion Bible School, and Beau and Leslie volun-
teered together in the nursery for several years.
They hope to become more involved in church ac-
tivities. Leslie is interested in possible future
medical mission trips and working with at-risk or
disabled children and youth.
Leslie Brown
The Book of Daniel is absolutely a great
book in the Bible and much of it is about prophe-
cy, some fulfilled and some yet unfulfilled. The
subjects of prophecy include the Lord Jesus Christ,
nations and world powers, and the great tribula-
tion. Jesus himself called Daniel a “prophet” in
Mark 13:14. There are three words that really tell
us a lot about Daniel’s life: purpose, prayer, and
prophecy, and Daniel 2:44 seems to be a key
verse in this prophetic book. It states, “In the time
of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a
kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it
be left to another people. It will crush all those
kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will
itself endure forever.” Dr. G. Campbell Morgan
says this about Daniel: “persistent government of
God in the government of the world.” Truly Daniel
is a book on the sovereignty of God.
Join us the next few months as we dive into
this great Old Testament prophetic book.
Chuck Whitmire
DANIEL SERIES
This, unfortunately, is a popular and pervasive
belief in our culture, but it is false to believe that all
religions are basically the same and that there are
multiple paths to God. For example, does every belief
system even believe in the existence of God? Lee
Strobel explains that Christianity, Judaism and Islam
say there is a God. Hinduism says there are gods
(plural), and Buddhism and atheism say there is no
God (Strobel, 53). These are fundamental differ-
ences! What else? Christians believe in the Trinity,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit while Islam rejects this.
In addition, Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
and other religions and cults are works-based, mean-
ing that righteous works must be performed to gain
heaven (although for some of these, heaven is still
not guaranteed.) Christianity, however, is not works-
based, but grace-based. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For
it is by grace you have been saved, through faith –
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not
by works, so that no one can boast.” Finally, the per-
son and work of Jesus Christ is greatly diminished in
other religions and cults by denying that Jesus is fully
God or fully man or the ONLY way to God, whereas
Christianity affirms all of these truths. So, even a cur-
sory look shows us that all religions are NOT the same.
What is religious pluralism, then? According to www.gotquestions.org, “Religious
pluralism generally refers to the belief in two or more
religious worldviews as being equally valid or accepta-
ble. More than mere tolerance, religious pluralism
accepts multiple paths to God or gods as a possibility
and is usually contrasted with ‘exclusivism’, the idea
that there is only one true religion or way to know
God.” Christianity is accused of being “intolerant” and
“exclusive”, to claim that Jesus is the ONLY way to be
reconciled to God. Yes, it is exclusive, but this is what
the Word of God declares.
John 14:6 “Jesus an-
swered, ‘I am the way
and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Fa-
ther except through me.’”
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is
found in no one else, for
there is no other name
under heaven given to
men by which we must
be saved.” I Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God and
one mediator between
God and men, the man
Christ Jesus.” As a side note, Ravi Zacharias reminds
us that other religions are “intolerant” in other ways:
“Muslims cannot tolerate disagreement with the Ko-
ran. Buddhism does not accept the Hindu scriptures
and the Hindu caste system. Hinduism does not ac-
cept views of life that do not include karma and rein-
carnation. Atheists cannot accept any belief in
God” (Strobel, 52). So don’t be defensive when you
are called intolerant. First of all, you are basing your
beliefs on Scripture. Secondly, every belief system
out there has its non-negotiables.
What, then, is Universalism? According to Matt Slick of the Christian and
Apologetics Research Ministry (CARM), “Universalism
teaches that all people will eventually be saved
through the atonement of Christ”. Basically, Univer-
(Religions continued on page 6)
Many Christians ask, "Is joining a local church neces-
sary?" The New Testament has ample evidence that
when a person trusts Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of sins and takes on new identity in Christ, that per-
son immediately attaches to a local band of believers.
10 REASONS FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
1. It was an apostolic precedent (Acts 2:42–47). In
the Early Church believers met with the apostles daily
for teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
No indication is given that any believers remained
separated from the local church. For example, the
apostle Paul tried to "join the local disciples" when
he relocated to a new community (Acts 9:26).
2. The first-century believers kept track of each other
(Acts 2:42–47). Several times in the Book of Acts the
phrase, "The Lord added to their number daily," is
recorded. The church kept track of who was becom-
ing a part of the body of Christ. Numbers represented
believers, and they added those believers to them-
selves. Other places in Acts reaffirm the first-century
church practice of "adding to their number" (Acts
2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1,7; 9:31; 11:21; 16:5).
3. Ekklesia is the original Greek word for "church."
Ekklesia means "the called-out ones." The word itself
denotes being called out of something (the world)
and into something else (the church). This includes
both the Church universal and the local church. Spirit-
ually speaking, we become a part of the Church (the
body of Christ) worldwide. Practically speaking, how-
ever, we become a part of the local church in our own
communities and spheres of influence.
4. Church membership is an expression of commit-
ment. In a world where commitment is diluted and
loyalty is nonexistent, the church serves as a stand-
ard of commitment. Jesus is looking for those who
will not look back, have counted the cost, and are
willing to give up everything to follow Him (Luke 9:62;
14:33).
5. Church membership models caring. Church mem-
bers exist to accomplish many functions, including
devotion to each other, honoring one another, shar-
ing with each other, and practicing hospitality
(Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12). The apostle Paul went
so far as to say that the members belong to each oth-
er. This model of a caring community can best take
place when the individual members of the Body make
a commitment to one another.
6. Church membership shares the burden. We are in-
structed to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
The picture here is of a beast of burden (the mule)
who can carry 10 times more baggage than one man
can bear. It is the same with the church. Sometimes
we need each other to carry the heavy burdens life
hands out. A commitment to church membership
says, "I’m willing to share the load and help carry
someone else’s burdens. I’ll be available when need-
ed." This also allows the individual members to rest
assured that someday they’ll need help carrying a bur-
den, and someone will be there to help—much as a
healthy family functions (1 Corinthians 12:26).
7. Church membership breeds encouragement. "And
let us consider how we may spur one another on to-
ward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage one another—and all the more as you see
the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Being
spurred on (motivated, energized) and encouraged
are just two of the blessings we receive and are called
to give out as a result of being committed to the local
church.
8. Church membership says, "I’ll serve." As one must
join the military to have the privilege and duty of serv-
ing one’s country, so it is with the church. We must
join the ranks of the committed to receive the full
benefit of serving God. Someone has said, "You are
either a spectator on the sidelines or a participant in
the trenches." God is looking for participants in His
army. Ephesians 4:12 declares that the members of
the church are to be equipped for service. Only true
members are issued equipment to carry out the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:18–20). All spiritual gifts
(Continued on page 6)
BENEVOLENCE
FOOD BASKETS
WHAT YOU CAN DO
ADOPTING A FAMILY
A SEASON FOR GIVING
LOCAL
Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child, Thanksgiving Baskets, Christmas Baskets
SHOEBOXES FOR
N A T I O N A L C O L L E C T I O N W E E K N O V E M B E R 1 6 - 2 3
Attention Middle School students! Mark your calendar for Xtreme Winter 2015! We’ll be heading
down to Branson on Sunday, December 27 and be returning Tuesday, the 29. The cost will be
$80. We have to register students very soon, and spots are very limited, so families, quickly get signed
up by contacting Sam either by text at 573-578-1770 or call the church office at 364-1266 and leave
your child’s name. We’ll get to listen to Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, For King & Country, and many
more, plus great speakers that will talk directly about issues our kids need to hear! If you’re a middle
school student, you don’t want to miss this trip!
WINTER XTREME FOR TWEENS
salists believe that if people don’t get right with God
in this life, they will have an opportunity to do so in
the next. However, this totally dismisses the Biblical
teaching on hell as a place of eternal punishment for
those who do not receive Christ in this life. It takes
away the urgency to come to Christ now, and removes
the desire to live a pure life that honors God, because,
well, people think they’ll be forgiven eventually, any-
way. As Matt states, “The danger of universalism is
that it can give someone a false sense of security
about their eternal destiny. It can remove the need of
accountability. It can remove the fear of judgment. It
does not require repentance.” Universalism is very
appealing in a culture that values “tolerance”. Howev-
er, John 3:36 reminds us, “Whoever believes in the
Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will
not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” There
will be no second chance for redemption after death,
so we must maintain the Scriptural truth that people
must get right with God now.
Beverly Flori References: “What is religious pluralism?” GotQues-
tions.org
Bodie Hodge and Roger Patterson, World Religions and
Cults, Volume 1
Matt Slick, “The Danger of Universalism”, https://carm.org
Lee Strobel with Jane Vogel, The Case for Faith, Student
Edition, pp. 52, 53
(Religions continued from page 2)
are intended to operate within the context of the local
church (1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10).
9. Church membership is an attitude of submission.
Church members submit first to each other and then
to Christ (Ephesians 5:21–24), for Christ is the head
of the Church, His body, of which He is the Savior.
Scripture is clear that the church is not an organiza-
tion with a ladder of hierarchy, encouraging its mem-
bers to climb the ladder. In sharp contrast, the church
is like a body with Christ as the head—at the controls.
All members are to submit to the head, her one and
only leader. The result should be mutual submission
to one another and to Christ.
10. Church membership is symbolic of our heavenly
citizenship. "Consequently, you are no longer foreign-
ers and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people
and members of God’s household…" (Ephesians 2:19).
Being committed to the family of God grants us citi-
zenship and eliminates our alien status. When for-
eigners want to become official citizens and gain ac-
cess to the rights and privileges of a different country,
they must make a commitment to and take responsi-
bility for the safety of, defense of, constitution of, and
authorities of that country. Christians are God’s peo-
ple through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6) and are
added to God’s household.
Making a commitment to the local church means
much more than adding your name to a roll book. It
means taking the responsibilities that come along
with the privileges, being blessed and blessing others,
and saying "No" to the world’s standard of commit-
ment and "Yes" to God’s. These are good reasons to
encourage people to join the local church.
(Membership continued from page 3)
PA
ST
OR
S &
ST
AF
F
Sam Parker After School Ministries &
Missions Director [email protected]
Karen Turner Administrative Assistant
Mark Berry Facility Manager
Pansy Bingham Business Administrator
Abby Swearingen Media Assistant
Chuck Whitmire Lead Pastor
Ray Cook Associate Pastor
Brian Feller Children’s Pastor
Jason Gibson Youth Pastor
1608 N Oak St Rolla MO 65401-2342
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #116 ROLLA, MO
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP 10 Reasons it’s important
RELIGIOUS PLURALISM Worldview FAQs
A SEASON FOR GIVING Holiday giving opportunities
BEAU AND LESLIE BROWN Spotlight family