From the Board of Elders
From the Chair of the Elders
By Jody Warren
Romans 7:22-25 The Message (MSG) 21-23
It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. 24 I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? 25 The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. As Elders, we have a number of tools at our disposal as we care out our mission for the congregation as God’s messengers. We have the wisdom and counsel of the pastor, the company of the other Elders, and the Bible. When I read the Bible, I may read a whole chapter or a portion in several versions, depending upon my mood, to get the full depth of God’s word. Sometimes, I read MSG to get a more contemporary flavor of God’s message. Let me make three observations about this text. First observation: Romans 7 is a passage that grips us because we see ourselves in it. We read Romans 7, and everyone understands and says, “Amen, yes, that’s right, that’s true, that’s me.” Second observation: Romans 7 tells us about the Christian life as we actually experience it much of the time. Paul is not discussing the life of an unbeliever nor an immature or a carnal Christian. In Romans 7 is Paul describing the mature Christian life as it is actually experienced much of the time by the people of God? And the Third observation: there is no escape from Romans 7 in the Christian life. Paul is describing, in a word, what we find when we come to Romans 7:14-25. Which word? Actually, one word could be struggle, another is conflict, and a third is war. Struggle, conflict, and war. That’s what Paul says was going on in his life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Each of us finds the same in our lives, when deciding to follow Jesus Christ. You’re going to have a struggle, you’re going to have a conflict, you’re going to experience inner warfare. My parents often told me growing up: “Knowing and doing are two different things. You can know the right thing and you can still do the wrong thing. Knowledge alone will never save anyone.” So what will save us? Consider this: 3 We’re going to win some and we’re going to lose some. We’re going to be knocked down and we’re going to get back up. We’re going to keep on struggling and, through the help of God, we’ll one day win the battle. We’ll never ultimately win the victory until we are with Jesus Christ face to face. How do we walk in the spirit and be like Christ? It is moment-by-moment dependence on Jesus Christ and realizing that His power is enough to rescue you. You don’t have to be defeated, although sometimes you will be. You don’t have to stay in the muck and mire, although that’s where you may find yourself. Through complete dependence on Jesus Christ, there is the possibility of significant victory in your life. “Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Amen! “Serving by and in His Grace” The Deacons were recently asked to review their duties as outlined in the AHCC By-Laws by the Constitution and By-laws Committee. When reviewing the various “duties” of the Deacons, it appears as though the Deacons have their hands in every aspect of the life of our church. There was only one area that was felt we needed to stress in these modern times was the “dress code”. We all know what we are trying to achieve, but do we actually communicate this to everyone when we “draft” the individual for a specific role like Deacon. We expect the person to accept the role plus the expectations that go along with the position. We are quick to show judgement when things do not go as we expect. Do we need to check ourselves before we judge others? Have we decided the “norm” without consideration of the “dress” of the times? Are we staying behind times and not recognizing what is acceptable for today’s standard? Who gets to determine what is correct? The role of the deacon in Christian churches varies with the denomination of the church and its mission. Deacons are responsible for the daily running of their church, just like military non-commissioned officer run a military outfit. We are all part of God’s Army! Keep the GOOD WORK coming by being there when asked and saying “YES”
DOMI, Inc. UPDATE 2017 MISSION DOMI, Inc.
DOMI, Inc. UPDATE 2017 MISSION DOMI, Inc. Disciples Outreach to the Mentally Ill has as its Mission Housing for this special population, thus the Latin acronym for Homes. It is a ministry of the Bluebonnet/LRGRVD Area of the Christian Church (DOC).
HISTORY
The dream for transitional housing for the mentally ill began in the halls of Austin Churches in 1984. The dream was in reach in 1988 with the opening of Harbor House, a very large group home in north Austin. This was a collaborative effort of BBA Churches, Travis County MHMR, Hogg Foundation, and Fairweather Lodges. The dream continued in 2002 when a new facility of 17 duplexes, Bud O‘Keefe Village opened in San Antonio. This was funded by DOMI and Inman Christian Center in partnership and with a HUD grant. Liz Jones was Chair of the DOMI Board, Dan Saucedo, Director of Inman, Charlie Peyton, University CC Austin was Treasurer. Many of our AHCC members attended the Groundbreaking of a very happy occasion. FUTURE DREAMS A new construction duplex built in the mode of Bud O’Keefe Village is the current dream
We hope again to collaborate with HUD. BOARD of DIRECTORS Bob Jones, Chair, Alamo Heights CC San Antonio; Pat Garland, Secretary, Central CC San Antonio; Liz Jones, Treasurer, Alamo Heights CC, San Antonio; Tom Maser, Central CC Austin; Russell Ward, Central CC Austin; and Loyce Collenback, Treasurer Emeritus, Western Hills CC San Antonio.
Needed from the Area: Additional Board Members to help make the Dream happen with only two Board meetings a year in Austin or San Antonio.
God Bless you.
Linda Hawkins, Chair of Elder
