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Frequently Asked QuestionsWe live in a modern, fast paced, progressive society. Family values, political views, personal goals, and beliefs span the broadest spectrum ever. Contrasted with worldly viewpoints, the practice of a Christian lifestyle may seem unusual or foreign. Most, if not all, questions can be satisfied simply by attentive Bible study. Those that linger are put to rest by experience and the passage of time. As Christians we continually discover new truths when we genuinely seek them. This is a process. We've included this section for those who may be experiencing a Spirit-filled church atmosphere for the first time. We have included a simplified answer for issues about which volumes have been written. Consider our commentary an introduction. For every question, the answer is most thoroughly addressed in your Bible. Click on any of the following questions: What services are offered for children? For youth?
Question: What services are offered for children? For youth? Answer: Children's Church is ministered Sunday at 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for ages up to 12. The check in area is just outside the sanctuary in the main foyer hallway. Please let any Children's Team Member know it is your first time and they will lead you through the process. Classes are available for ages up to 9 for the Sunday 9:00 a.m. service, ages up to 12 for the Sunday 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday 7:00 p.m. services. On Wednesday, classes for ages up to 6 go to their class at the beginning of the service. Ages 7 and up go to class at the break at the end of Praise and Worship. Youth Ministry services are held Sundays 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for young folks ages 12 and up. The Youth Hall is located at the back of the building. Take the second driveway then straight ahead. Question: I'd like to be baptized. Who do I need to speak with? Answer: We have several services throughout the year devoted to recognizing and welcoming new believers, baptisms, ordinations, and baby dedications. Watch for announcements in the bulletin and on the sanctuary screens before services. Please feel free to invite your family and friends to attend your Baptism service. This sacred ceremony is a very special part of each Christian's life. It was important enough that even Jesus went to John to be baptized at the beginning of His ministry. We should follow the same example. Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (NKJ) Question: I'd like to volunteer in a ministry department or perhaps join the choir. What's the first step? Answer: Complete a volunteer application and send it to the office. Be sure to indicate what areas you are interested in. The Office Manager will forward your application to the appropriate Ministry Leader. He or she will contact you. Another, more in depth, application may be required depending upon the area and level of commitment. Please be encouraged to participate in activities outside of services. We hope that there is something for everyone to enjoy. We are constantly looking for new venues for fellowship and ministry. It is our desire to offer new and changing programs as often as possible. Question: Do you offer CDs of the sermons? Answer: You may purchase CDs at the end of the service. Our Media Store is located at the back of the sanctuary, opposite the sound booth. Question: I hear people say, "try to be like Jesus." Why is it important to apply what the Bible says to my life? That's a very old book. I don't see how it can be relevant today. Answer: Consider the Apostle John's careful statement of who Jesus is: John 1:1-16 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man (John, the Baptist) came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.'" And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. (NKJ) Now Hebrews 13:8 says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJ) You can easily make the connection. He is the Word of God. He is God. He has never and will never change. He is just as important to you today as He has ever been to anyone. The Bible is His instructions and His gift to us. We should treasure every word. As we do this, and do what He did, following the examples of the Apostles, we'll find that we are, indeed, more and more like Jesus. Question: What does it mean to be Spirit-filled? Answer: Let's look at the examples of this experience recorded in the Bible: Acts 2:1-4 Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (NKJ) Acts 4:29-31 "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (NKJ) Acts 19:1-6 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (NKJ) Being filled with the Holy Spirit of God is a very real, very personal experience. You can see that there is no ONE-WAY rule or design. We find this occurring most often in the midst of prayer and/or imparted through the laying on of hands. It is most certainly a literal habitation of God's Spirit within us. It is the difference between believing that God is and experiencing the power of who He is. Question: What does it mean to speak in tongues? Answer: Jesus declared that His followers would speak in tongues. We see the first evidence in the 2nd chapter of Acts. As we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, the impact, the filling produces the ability to speak, to utter sounds that is beyond your understanding. This gifting was unplanned, was new, was miraculous that day in the upper room. It is not man's design. It is evidence of God's existence in us. Mark 16:17 [Jesus speaking] "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;" (NKJ) Acts 2:3-4 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (NKJ) Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (NKJ) 1 Cor 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (NKJ) Study the 12th chapter of Romans, and the 12th and 14th chapters of 1Corinthians. You will find that tongues is just one of many "Gifts of the Spirit." Every Spirit-filled believer has a gift or several gifts. As you pray, praise & worship, and hear the preached Word of God, you will discover the gift God has entrusted to you. Question: Why do people dance during the Praise and Worship portion of the service? Answer: It is simply one of many expressions of worship to the Lord. Some people sing, some raise their hands, some clap to the music, some dance, some bow, some shout, some pray. It's not so important how you worship as it is that you worship. Psalm Chapter 150 says it all: Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD! (NKJ) We should always be genuine and respectful in all we do to express our love of God. Glance through the book of Psalms. You will find many references to praising God. He deserves and desires our thanksgiving. He rejoices over us even as we rejoice over Him. Praise and worship is our connection, our offering of adoration to our Creator. 2 Samuel, 6:14-15 reads, 'Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.' (NKJ) Just like King David, we all ought to, without shame or embarrassment, come into the House of God and enjoy the liberty to worship the Lord with all our might. Question: Sometimes I see people "falling down" during the Altar Service. Why is this happening? Answer: The sensation of God answering our prayer need or just His presence as we are being prayed for or even worshiping Him is sometimes overpowering. Often people report that they feel suddenly weak or loose control. Don't try to make this happen. If it does, fine. If not, that's fine, too. Dan 10:7-11 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. (NKJ) Acts 9:3-9 And as he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (NKJ) Rev 1:17-18 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (NKJ) |
