The following is a venture into a new online ministry launched to allow the Laity an opportunity to share their walk with Christ. Our hope is to provide something more than facts and figures about our church and ministry to those who wish to know more about the Laity's walk with Christ.

Come Sit on our Porch and listen to their stories and thoughts.

A “WELL” Church

Romans 12: 1 – 16

All around us, life is changing at such a fast pace, it is difficult for me to keep up. For me, this is especially true with technology. Think back to the changes that have taken place in the last 5 years.

This is even true for the church.

For example, to communicate more effectively with people, Christians have changed the way “church” is done. Now days, many believers have become accustomed to churches without pews, sanctuaries without hymnbooks, and message outlines and songs projected onto large screens.

For those of us who have been a part of this congregation before May 13, 2001, this room is a change from the sanctuary at the other building. I am happy that we made the decision to change to a new location and building. I sure don’t miss all those steps.

Christians have also recognized the need to change their methods of reaching out to non-christians with the gospel of Jesus.

We as a church recognized this many years ago when we offered to house the SAM, “Social Assistance Ministry” Food Pantry in our building.

That ministry continues to grow each year in reaching out to those in need of help.

As a church, are we continuing to explore new methods of reaching out to those in our community with the gospel of Jesus? A change that the “church” is seeing is toward small group meetings.

There are individuals in this congregation that felt there is a need to reach out to the members of this church with small group meetings.

You may have seen the posters around the building with the word “SEED” on it which stands for Share, Explore, Enlighten, Devotion. This is coming this fall in October. Are you willing to be a part of one of these groups?

Any time there is change, even in the church, people get upset. But you see, change is going to happen whether we like it or not. What is important is how we react to it.

People say that we need to expand our youth program and attract new young families?If we are serious about doing this, then we need to look at what young families want and be willing to change, to meet their desires and needs.

We need to stop thinking of ourselves, get out of our comfort zone, and start caring about others and what God wants. Are we a church that is offering 2% lowfat, grade A, pasteurized, homogenized milk, when the young families want whole milk?

How are we, the TUMC, when we look at ourselves in terms of being a “WELL” church? There are 4 activities that we as a church need to practice in order to be “WELL”.

First – letter W for Worship –

That is why we meet together here on Sunday mornings for fellowship, communion, prayer, and praise.

Second – letter is E for Evangelize –

According to Webster’s dictionary it defines evangelize as 1) to preach the gospel to

2) to convert to Christianity

Third – letter is L for Learn –

We must continue learning sound doctrine taught by qualified leaders, be it through a bible study or small group meetings.

Fourth – letter is L for Love --

In the New Testament, we do not hear about the idea of love, rather we are introduced to Jesus Christ who is God’s love in the flesh.

The reason for this is that God wanted us to know Jesus Christ who was love in the flesh.
Love means opening our eyes to the needs of those around us. Love means rolling up our sleeves and doing something.

In a world of constant change, there is one thing you can trust, God’s unchanging Word.

I ask you to think about our church, is it WELL?

Are we as a church doing what Paul is telling us “Live in harmony with one another.”

AMEN