Southview Connect

The Winds of Change

My friends, the winds of change are blowing in our day. In our world, in our nation, in our community, we see change happening at an ever-increasing pace. Southview is committed to the eternal, never changing truths of Scripture, but how we communicate those truths and how we do ministry is always changing. Like Paul, we want to do whatever it takes to reach our community for Jesus Christ. We have received a great message of salvation, love, and forgiveness, and loving our neighbor means we do whatever it takes to help others hear that same message. We want to help all people become fully devoted followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

We know that 57% of the population of northern Virginia says that they have no religious affiliation at all. Despite a multitude of churches and other religious structures and organizations, 57% of our community affiliates with none of them, and if we narrow our parameters to those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, that number goes up dramatically. The reasons for a lack of impact by Jesus’ church in this community are varied, but we can all agree that there is MUCH to be done.

In recent weeks and months, the Elders and staff have been brainstorming and working hard to discern not only Southview’s vision and direction for the coming days, weeks, months, and years, but also to determine if there are new or more effective ways we can reach out to those around us. In the past few years, we have sought to utilize new technologies and social networks as a medium for the communication of our ministry and our message of hope, and that will increase in the days ahead. We have sought to equip our members to “invest and invite” our friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family to Southview or Southview sponsored events. We want to provide opportunities for you to extend that invitation, and in the days ahead we’re going to be much more intentional in our planning and our promotion of those events. We want to make our message of hope and God’s love crystal clear to this community; we want others to know beyond a shadow of a doubt where we stand with Jesus, and we want them to know that we are dispensers of the same grace and forgiveness that we have received. We have sought to provide clear, relevant, Biblical teaching that informs our faith and equips us to live our lives completely devoted to God and His Kingdom, and in the days ahead we are committing to up the bar on this. We want to provide teaching that empowers and equips each person here to grow to spiritual maturity and reach out to those who do not yet place their trust in Jesus.

We want to be a church committed to Loving, Growing, and Serving. Loving God and others; growing to spiritual maturity in community together; and serving others in Jesus’ name. We want our people to move through a process toward spiritual maturity – from worship, to small group community in SMBS and small groups, to serving and using our spiritual gifts for the local church and the Kingdom of God.

We want to be a church committed to teaching and equipping people to reach others for Jesus Christ. God has gifted this body with many teachers who use their gifts regularly, and we want to affirm and utilize those gifts to teach and equip others, with the ultimate goal of reaching our community for Jesus. We received that mission from Jesus, and we want that to drive everything we do.

Please continue praying for us as we seek God’s clear leading as we make some strategic decisions regarding Southview’s direction and focus. We will be communicating a lot with you in the days ahead as we discern a clear path, and we want us to move forward unified, with our hearts linked together around the mission that Jesus gave us. We want to make sure that we hear His voice, and when we do, we want to move with intentionality, passion, and purpose. We’re working on a unified, complete proposal regarding Southview’s specific focus and direction for the next few years, and as soon as we have it ready to share, we will. The Elders and staff are unified in what we are hearing from God, and that is so encouraging!

I continue to say it – I believe the best days of Southview’s ministry are ahead of us. As long as we seek to follow God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, He will use us to accomplish His mission. We exist to share God’s message of love with this community, and I believe there are ways of doing ministry that no one has thought of yet. Together, we have a mission; I’m ready to get to it!

Thanks for being a part of this community of faith. Thanks for being committed to our mission, not content to just sit around and make ourselves comfortable and happy, but for being committed to reach those who do not yet know. We will do whatever it takes (short of sin) to reach this community for Christ. That’s a mission we can all get behind, and together, we can accomplish more than we ever could alone.

More details to come soon – be praying with us – and let’s be ever vigilant in looking for the opportunities that God brings our way to share about the salvation that we have received. Let’s be ever vigilant in listening for God’s voice. Let’s be committed to obeying God’s voice before we hear it.

Serving together with you, and loving every minute of it!

--Pastor William

Compassion Sponsors

There's a great post today on Compassion International's blog about child sponsorship - "3 Things All Sponsors Should Know." You can find it here.

Have you sponsored a child through Compassion? Southview's partnership with Compassion International in Rwanda is going strong, and we're hearing lots of great stories about the relationships that are being built as Southviewers invest in the lives of these kids. If you're not a sponsor, you can sign up here today!

Moving Toward Pentecost

Our current series, Moving Toward Pentecost, comes to a close this weekend. It's going to be a great Sunday of worship as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the "birthday of the Church" on Pentecost Sunday.

Plan to join us for this very special service!

Kids VBS Day Camp Coming Soon!

Every summer, Southview hosts a VBS (Vacation Bible School) Day Camp for kids, from age 3 to 6th grade. This year it will be July 12-16, and we're already planning a fantastic week!

We've seen a major increase in registrations this year already - if you haven't registered your kids yet, do it today! We're filling up fast, and we would love to see you here!

You can find more information about our VBS Day Camp and can register here.

New Homeschool Coop this Fall at Southview!

This Fall at Southview, we will be hosting a new homeschool co-op called "Growing in Grace." The Bible charges parents to be responsible for the training and instruction of their children. This co-op supports parents seeking to fulfill these charges, helping to instill a biblical worldview that glorifies God.

Growing in Grace Homeschool Co-op is a volunteer based co-op. Each parent will need to either teach a class, assist in class, or volunteer in some manner during the co-op hours. We will be meeting on Monday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon from September, 2010 through May, 2011.

You can get more information about this new ministry and register here.

I am very excited about this new ministry, and I can't wait to see what God will do as we seek to be obedient to his Word in training our children in the ways of righteousness.

Partnerships, Prayer, and our next Discover Southview class...

God continues to move in and through us in these days. As I look at the world around us, struggling with insecurity, instability, and fear, I am reminded of the One in whom we put our trust. He is our Rock, our sure Refuge. In Him we trust; in Him we live and move and have our being. We will not be shaken, no matter what comes against us, because we trust in One who cannot be shaken. And that message of hope is what we carry out to this community and to this world as we live our lives in obedience to Jesus’ command to us.

Our partnership with Compassion International continues, and I love to hear stories about how you are connecting with your sponsored children. I’ve heard from the pastors who lead the churches and child development centers where our sponsored kids attend, and they are greatly encouraged by the commitment and faithfulness of Southviewers who are determined to follow Jesus’ command to love others as we love ourselves. To hear the stories of how children’s lives are being changed – that’s something only God can do, and He is using the faithfulness of Southviewers to do it in Rwanda. Thank you for your faithfulness and obedience to God’s Word in reaching out to the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the oppressed in Jesus’ name. What a privilege to serve with you in this and to see what God will do. We are exploring the possibility of a trip to Rwanda next summer (in 2011) to visit these churches and child development centers and to see our sponsored kids. Begin praying now about whether God would have you plan to go with us.

In May, we will continue our weekly gathering for prayer, “We Gather,” each Wednesday night at 6 p.m., and a meal being served each Wednesday. We have opportunities for children to learn how to pray while the youth and adults pray together. I can’t encourage you strongly enough to gather with the church to pray. It is so important not only to pray alone, but also to pray with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We were created to live in community, and praying together is a vital part of being the church. Make it a priority to attend if at all possible.

Our big annual church workday will be on Saturday, May 8 beginning at 8 a.m. You can see some of the projects we’re hoping to complete that day on signup sheets at the foyer counter outside the sanctuary. We appreciate every person who comes and helps to make the building and grounds look as good as possible, reflecting the value of excellence that we commit ourselves to in our work for our Father in Heaven.

Our next Discover Southview class will be on Saturday, May 15 from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. We provide this class to assist those who are considering membership and those who have recently joined to hear more about who we are, what we’re about, and how we do what we do. Be praying that God would lead those He wants to join with us to be here on that day.

I am excited to announce a new "shared space" partnership with a Spanish speaking congregation who is in need of space for services on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, Iglesia Evangelica Roca Eterna de los Siglos (Evangelical Church of the Eternal Rock of Ages). The Elders, staff, and I have been working through the details and we are very excited about a greater utilization of the space that God has entrusted to us for the expansion of the ministry of the Kingdom. This building and everything in it is His, and we want to spread His gospel every way we can. We are committed to helping all people become fully devoted followers of Jesus, and we are always looking for ways to “move the ball up the field” in that. This will expand the opportunity for God's message of hope to go out in our community to people that God created and loves so very much. Be praying as we begin this partnership on May 4 that God would be glorified and that His message would go out in a powerful way.

As always, let us keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, following wherever He takes us, and let us commit to serve Him with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.

Serving Him with you, --William

Climbing Black Mountain

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to climb my first mountain and reach my first summit.  A friend of mine talked me into climbing Black Mountain.  It was my first ascent up a steep incline, more an extreme hiking experience than climbing a sheer face; it provided great insight to my Christian walk.

The “climb” consisted of hiking up a steep and very narrow trail composed of loose rock, dirt, sometimes mud, and often a path divided by a large crevice causing you to be careful where each foot was placed as you made the ascent.  Winding up the side of the mountain, essentially following a trail probably created by water running down the side over years of rain and other weather.  The result was a twisting ever-steeper path that eventually led to the summit of the mountain with vistas you could never experience by staying below on level ground.

My friend proved to be an able guide pointing out areas where footing was difficult and stopping whenever the need arose to catch my breath and get my bearings.  I was pleasantly surprised by my ability to actually make the climb and at the same time quickly saw many life lessons as we worked our way up to the summit.

I learned that while looking up at the summit as we were climbing kept me focused on the climb but often caused me to lose sight of the path and my footing.  I realized I couldn’t make the climb with my attention focused on anything else but the path we were following.  As we got higher and higher and the view got more and more spectacular I had to stop myself from looking at the panoramic view and re-focus on the path or I’d again lose my footing.

Approaching the summit I found myself exhilarated by the sensation of being closer and closer to achieving my goal of making a successful climb, and then my friend pointed out that in mountain climbing reaching the summit is only half the journey…you also have to make a successful descent.   

Arriving at the summit was, as I had imagined it would be, a feeling of accomplishment and a sense of awe at all that God had made when He created the earth, and how beautiful it was to see it from a mile above of the surface.  Having spent only a few minutes at the top we began the descent and it proved as challenging, perhaps more so, as the climb.  

I found that if I wasn’t as careful going down as I was going up I quickly discovered the need to control the descent or risk falling off the trail, and again the need to keep focused on the placement of my feet with each step.  In both the climb and the descent paying attention to the trail beneath my feet and the path immediately ahead were paramount if I was to be successful and complete the journey without injury.  Having successfully completed the climb here’s what I learned from the experience.

1) All of the physical fitness and other preparation I had participated in before the climb prepared me physically to actually make the climb.  2) A guide is indispensable for your first climb.  Without my friend to guide me I would have easily become injured or gotten lost.  His reassurances, knowledge of the landscape and the hazards made the trip not only possible but successful.  3) To climb any mountain successfully you need to stay focused on the path and watch your footing carefully.  4) The experience of making the climb was as meaningful as reaching the summit itself as the amount of time spent on the summit was a very small percentage of the time it took to make the climb, and finally 5) if you don’t take the first step you’ll never reach the summit.

From this I’m sure you can see as I did the application to our Christian walk.  Christ through the Holy Spirit is our guide.  He knows the trail we need to walk, he knows the training we need and he knows how to guide us there successfully, but we need to be willing to take the first step and to stick to the trail he leads us on.  For us as Christians God has also provided a mountain climbing guide book His Holy Word with which he prepares us for the journey.  

He tells us, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.”  It was only when I focused on the path and the placement of my feet that I was able to continue the climb and succeed in the endeavor.  The same is true in our Christian walk, being always aware of the path God has planned out for us and keeping our feet on the path is the key to living the successful Christian life.  Paul command us to “keep your feet shod with the Gospel”, it is the only true way we can stay on the right path.  Christ as well teaches us about how narrow our path is and how difficult it is to find.  “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Reaching the summit in our Christian walk requires our complete attention to God’s leading and His Word.  It will at times be challenging, almost impossible it may seem, and yet in several places the Bible tells us that enduring the trials of this world, sticking to the path no matter how narrow or steep, and reaching the summit we will receive “the crown of life.”  For the Christian reaching the summit is really only the beginning from there we’ll spend eternity in a “new heaven and a new earth” and “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.”

We, however, need to take that first step, placing all of our faith and trust solely in Him.  Once we do He will illuminate our path and be with us every step of the way – but we need to keep to the path.  Following Christ is not easy but it’s worth every step we take.  I pray today that you’ll commit to following Him.  He stands ready to lead each of us; He has a plan specifically for you and for me.  While the climb may seem uncertain at times rest assured He’s right there with us.  Keep climbing, the summit awaits – be faithful in following Him and He will be faithful in getting you there.

May God watch over you as you make your climb and may all of us be found faithful, reaching the summit, may God say to each of us “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”

In Christ

Wes

Beth Moore Simulcast this Saturday!

If you haven't registered for this, it's not too late! Check out more information on the simulcast at www.southview.org - tickets are going fast! You can reserve yours by calling Leah Carr at 703-860-8800, or by emailing her at leah.carr@southview.org. We're providing childcare for kids under 5 during the event for women who attend, and we're doing a kids camp (like a one day VBS) for kids from kindergarten through 6th grade. It's going to be a blast - don't miss it!

Easter 2010

As we look back on the events and activities of the day when Christ entered Jerusalem, we see a world of violence and great unrest.  Within the “church”, the organized followers of Judaism, God’s chosen people, are being led by corrupt religious leaders of the day.  These leaders are distorting the truth to suit their own agendas, currying favor with the Roman government, accepting money for allowing abominable things to occur inside the Temple, actively participating in the crooked practices of the money exchangers, merchants and tax collectors; while denying the truth of God’s Holy Word and His specific instructions to them.  They were actively misleading the very people that God had placed in their responsibility, while covertly plotting to kill – actually murder – Christ, a teacher, a rabbi; one of their own.

Outside the Temple walls, violence erupts, as the religious zealots decide to take the law into their own hands.  Activists, full of righteous indignation and political agendas that oppose the status quo, regularly incite acts of violence in an attempt to unseat the current leadership and intimidate all who come to worship.  Add to this the Roman Guard, imposing Roman rule on the citizens of Jerusalem, with no more concern for the significance of Christ’s arrival than anyone else in the packed streets of the city.  Accustomed to the use of force, brutal force if need be, they patrol the streets to suppress the zealots and any who will call for a new king and freedom from Roman bondage.

On this Passover, in excess of 500,000 people come into the city for the required sacrifices and Temple activities – yet days later, only 500 people will admit to having seen the risen Christ.  During the week of Passover, upwards of 100,000 lambs are slaughtered; and yet the Lamb Of God will be the only real and meaningful sacrifice in a city and country far from God.

Many had heard of Jesus’ great miracles and of his raising of Lazarus from the dead. The crowds pressed forward on the Sunday before Passover, as Christ entered the city riding on a donkey.  Curious but unbelieving, most go about their Passover rituals with little notice of Christ except when he teaches in the Temple during the week.  Little do they realize that behind the crowded streets and the crooked money changers and the market place full of merchants using corrupted weights for measure and excessive prices, is a group of religious leaders bent on murdering Christ.  Yet in love and grace and great humility, Jesus enters the city to offer himself to save them and us from God’s wrath and eternal punishment.

As we consider those days, we should also reflect on our day.  Are we facing those same challenges?  Has Christ become irrelevant?  What is happening with the leadership of His Church?  Is the Church today remaining true to the Word of God, or has compromise entered in?  Is there corruption, service for money and personal gain, or political agendas?  Where is the vision and the focus of the Church today as we prepare to celebrate His death and resurrection?  What is the world like today compared to then?  Has mankind really changed?  Do we not continue to see injustices, greed, malfeasance in office, and corruption at every level of society?  Don’t we need Jesus today more than ever?  I submit that our celebration of Christ’s resurrection this year should reflect our understanding of the incalculable value of His sacrifice and the foundation of the true Church. 

In a world where injustice, greed, corruption, and lack of moral values exist, we need Christ more than ever.  He Is our Rock and our Foundation; and today we need to cling to that rock and rescue the lost.  They are dying around us in greater numbers than ever before, mislead by compromise and false teachings within the “Church”, and surrounded by a godless society which does not see the relevance of, or need for, a “savior.” 

One way to celebrate His resurrection is to revisit the story of the resurrected Christ as he walked along the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).  As one of the great proofs of His resurrection, we can take tremendous joy in the story and look forward one day to walking with Him ourselves in our resurrected body – all because of His great sacrifice for us even before the world was created.

Praise God for the Good News!  Jesus has risen from the dead; and we are saved by His blood!

Happy Easter everyone,

Wes

Easter Weekend!

It is Easter Weekend - what an amazing time of year to remember the sacrifice of Jesus and celebrate that He is Risen Indeed!

Friday evening, we'll have our Good Friday service at 7 p.m. Childcare is provided for those under 5. We'll reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and will celebrate the Lord's Supper together to remember the price that He paid for our sin.

Saturday morning, we'll host our annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at 10:30 a.m. We'll have a massive egg hunt on the church grounds and we'll share the REAL story of Easter - it's about way more than eggs and bunnies! Plan to be here to share this very special time as a family.

Sunday morning, we'll gather at 11 for a big Easter Celebration service. Bible study classes will meet as normal at 9:30. In worship, we'll celebrate, with baptism, music, and the Word of God, remembering that with Christ's resurrection, we are free from the power of sin and death!

It's going to be a great weekend - I'll hope to see you here!

--Pastor William