Church Blog (Page 3)

Church Blog (Page 3)

Indentifying Elders: What To Look For

Probably the simplest advice for identifying elders comes from Thabiti Anyabwile in his book, Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons: “Notice men who already appear to be shepherding members of the church even though they don’t have the title ‘elder’ or ‘pastor.’” That’s a great place to start thinking.  Beyond that, it may be helpful to keep in mind a few categories that we…

Abuse Seminar from FEB 2020

The numbers are staggering. According to the best information that we have today in America, in a study that has surveyed 17,000 people, 1 out of every 4 girls will experience sexual abuse before they are 18 years old, and 1 out of every 6 boys will experience sexual abuse before they are 18 years old. Put the numbers together, and that means that about 1 in 5 kids will…

Qualifications for Elders and Deacons

Elders and deacons are important in God’s design for the church. We’ll address three important questions here: What are elders and deacons again? What’s the difference? What are the biblical qualifications for elders? What are the biblical qualifications for deacons? What are Elders and Deacons Again? What’s the Difference? According to the New…

Simeon Trust Psalms Course

This spring, we will be offering another course through the Charles Simeon Trust. These are seminary-caliber courses designed to help you learn how to study and apply Scripture. Josh Fenska would like to begin leading a group through a course on the  Psalms in early March. Check out course details here, including the full syllabus and bios of the video instructors. (If…

A Goal: Identifying More Elders in 2021

“A church without godly leaders is an endangered church.” (Thabiti Ayabwile, Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons) As we seek to move forward in 2021, one of our priorities is to find a few more elders. Currently, our team of elders consists of me (Josh Fenska, since 2006), Tim Tatum (since 2012), Josh Anderson (since 2013), Matt Vent (since 2017), and Mike…

Hesed House

In response to Scripture’s call to serve others… Hesed House is located right here in Aurora.  As the second largest homeless shelter in the State of Illinois, their mission is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and give people the chance to hope again.   At this time, Hesed House has requested meals for their clients.  Specifically, they need a…

Support of Church Plant in Rantoul, IL

In our budget for this year, we proposed $35,000 to give to missions. Some of those funds will go to familiar mission partners such as Jumpah Ministries (Cambodia), Mission Church in Montgomery, Wayside Cross, World Relief DuPage/Aurora, and the Acts 29 Catalyst Fund. Recently, because of your faithful giving, we were also able to give a gift of $4,000 to complete the…

Gentle and Lowly Book Gift

Crossway Books has generously given Redeemer 100 free copies of Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, which is enough for every family and single adult in our membership to take one. Most of us have used this book in small groups this year and have benefitted greatly from it. If you would like a copy to give as a gift this Christmas (or want a…

Praying for the Persecuted Church: Pakistan

  Today we will lift up the country of Pakistan. For a quick reference, here are some ways you can pray (taken from https://www.prayercast.com/pakistan.html): • Pray for the spiritually oppressed in remote areas to encounter the Gospel. • Pray for the Church to multiply in the power of the Spirit as persecution intensifies. • Pray for the strongholds of Islamist extremism…

Praying for the Persecuted Church: Libya

  Today we will lift up the country of Libya. For a quick reference, here are some ways you can pray (taken from https://www.prayercast.com/libya.html): • Pray for a unified government that will rebuild the nation with justice and peace. • Pray for the tiny Libyan Church to be united and established despite intense persecution. • Pray for Jesus to reveal Himself to…

Praying for the Persecuted Church: Somalia

  Today we will lift up the country of Somalia. For a quick reference, here are some ways you can pray (taken from https://www.prayercast.com/somalia.html): • Pray for the believing minority who suffer great persecution and martyrdom. • Pray for courage and strength for those who are boldly sharing their faith. • Pray for safe fellowship and encouragement for isolated…

Wisdom For Words from Proverbs

On Sunday, Josh taught from the book of Proverbs about the power of words. The theme of words looms large throughout the whole redemption story, and the book of Proverbs is full of instruction about specific ways our words can bring life or death (Proverbs 18:21.) Proverbs 10:19 reminds us that “when words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his…

Praying for the Persecuted Church: Afghanistan

Today we will lift up the country of Afghanistan. For a quick reference, here are some ways you can pray (taken from https://www.prayercast.com/afghanistan.html): • Pray for appropriate and expedient solutions to ongoing threats of violence. • Pray for Afghans who are seeking Truth to boldly…