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5-6-07 -- Real Struggles, Real Solutions
Grace Notes
“I am sick of me and would like God to take over.” “I would not consider myself an alcoholic, but I am an abuser. Pray for me.” “I am a control freak who no longer wants to be in control.” “I just wish I knew how to fix it but I did not. I failed.”
These anonymous confessions and dozens more fill “Uncensored Grace,” a Web site linked to the new book Stripped: Uncensored Grace on the Streets of Vegas by Jud Wilhite, senior pastor with Central Christian Church (Las Vegas, Nevada).
“Stripped is the story of eight people’s real struggles, real hurts, and real discovery of Jesus. It’s the story of Central,” says Kurt Ervin, Central’s executive pastor. “Uncensored Grace is one way to help even more people find God.”
CCC created Uncensored Grace for the person who finishes Stripped and wants to know about a relationship with Christ. The last page of the book directs readers to the Web site and invites them to learn more online.
“Anyone visiting the site can ‘dump their junk’ by writing a sentence or a page about any hurt or hang-up they struggle with,” Ervin says. Each anonymous confession is routed internally for approval, then posted for others to read and comment on with words of encouragement or affirmation.
The site also serves as a catalyst to help visitors take the next step, with a video of Wilhite teaching on salvation, videos from Central’s “Freedom” sermon series, podcasts of real-life stories, a space to submit prayer requests, and a church finder. An e-mail link even offers visitors a chance to communicate when they’ve made a decision to follow Jesus; all the e-mails go to Central’s evangelism pastor for follow-up.
“When you think of Vegas, you don’t think of grace,” says Ervin. “But God’s unconditional love is alive here.”
Or as one articulate junk-dumper writes, “Vegas is where you'll find the lost and the found. You'll have to dig a little deeper here. You'll have to look beyond the image, see the truth underneath. You'll come face to face with your demons, and you can invite them for dinner or send them packing—that's your choice.”
www.uncensoredgrace.com
Thanks for the Memories
Clay Center (Nebraska) Christian Church worshiped, learned, and grew together in its building on South Alexander Avenue for more than 100 years. As the congregation prepared to move into its new facilities this spring, the church observed a “Great Month of Remembrance” to honor the spiritual lessons learned in its previous location.
Clay Center organized two ways for members to share their memories. During March, worship services included video testimonies and letters from families who moved away from Clay Center. Church leaders invited everyone to share stories of how the church helped to shape their faith.
In addition, Remembrance Focus Groups allowed smaller, more intimate times of reminiscing. The church encouraged every member and regular attendee to participate in one of these small groups geared toward laughter and sharing favorite memories.
www.ccchristian.org
A Boost for Rebuilding
Flames destroyed the 60-year-old, predominantly African-American Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church (Portland, Oregon) in February. A flood of support from community members and neighboring churches, including nearby Englewood Christian Church, is helping to rebuild it.
Phil Carrier, a member at Englewood and a dulcimer player, organized a benefit concert that drew 300 people and featured a variety of gospel, bluegrass, and blues musicians including nationally acclaimed gospel singer Willa Dorsey.
The concert, originally scheduled from 7 to 9 pm, extended to more than three celebratory hours and raised more than $3,400 for the rebuilding effort.
“There were lots of hugs and lots of tears and lots of laughs and lots of outright fun,” Carrier told a local newspaper.
“This was about helping a hurting church, not just helping across racial lines,” says John Crippen, senior minister at Englewood. “We’re glad to have made a difference for our brothers and sisters at Morning Star.”
www.englewoodchristian.org
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
PREVIOUS COLUMNS:
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