In today’s edition of the Gainesville Sun, the Associated Press reported on the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life survey suggesting that between 47 and 59 percent of U.S. adults have changed affiliation of their religion at least once. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist says, “This shows a sort of religion a la carte and how pervasive it is . . . in some ways, it’s an indictment of organized Christianity.”

Two comments in the article grabbed my attention. First, the article pointed out that the ranks of those unaffiliated with any religion are growing not so much because of a lack of religious belief but because of disenchantment with religious leaders and institutions.  In my opinion this is a wake up call to the local churches and leaders of those churches. This comment seems to say that the rank and file would participate in worship in the church but somehow they have been burned or dissappointed in some way by the church or it’s leaders.  Our conduct in the church really does make a difference in how the unchurched world interprets the truth of the gospel.

Secondly, the article pointed out that many “Americans who belong to their childhood faith are “reverts”–people who left the faith, only to return later.”  This is encouraging for those who are passionate about working with children and youth.  Often times we wonder if what we teach these young people is really sinking in.  The Pew research seems to indicate that what we plant in the young will eventually take root and draw them back to the Lord Jesus.

Concluding thoughts:  Live a contagious, authentic Christian life that demonstrates the reality of the transforming power of Jesus.  In addition, put an emphasis on reaching and training young people with the message of the gospel.  Your work there will not return void–or should I say many of those young who grow up will return.

The month of April brings some unique opportunities for us to worship and serve our Lord through the ministry of the church.

Easter Sunday is April 12 this year. This is one of my favorite Sundays of the year
because we have the attention of most of the world as we celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus! Now we all know that every day of our lives is a resurrection day. Truthfully, moment by moment, we experience the joy and blessing of the resurrected and living Christ who takes up residency in our lives by the Holy Spirit. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead dwells in us to give us the power to live a totally transformed life. It is our willingness to yield to Christ that is the determining factor as to the victory we experience day by day. Let me encourage you to bring someone with you on Easter Sunday. That may be the only Sunday in the year that they will come to church with you.

We will take a special offering in addition to our regular tithes for our Seminary Scholarship fund. Our prayer is for $30,000.00 to be raised from Easter through August, to bring the balance of our fund to the level it needs to be. The interest from the principle invested is used to grant scholarships to our NCBC students pursuing Masters degrees at one of our six SBC Seminaries. We have a church approved scholarship committee that receives and approves the applications for this scholarship. We do our best to help in every way we can. Kelly and I benefitted greatly from this scholarship when I was a student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. NCBC is sending 3 students off to seminary in the very near future. May their tribe increase!! Pray about giving a sacrificial gift.

The Ladies Ministry is sponsoring a Women’s Retreat to Jacksonville, Florida on the 24th and 25th of April. Our ladies will have the unique and wonderful opportunity to hear Anne Graham Lotz on Friday night and Saturday. As you may know, Mrs. Lotz is the daughter of Evangelist Billy Graham. She is being used of the Lord powerfully all over the country. We are blessed to have her at this special event. Cost for the weekend will be $36 per person for the hotel room plus money for meals. The ladies will meet at the church at 3:30pm on Friday & leave by 4pm. You can begin to sign up through your Sunday School class with a
$10 room deposit.

On April 29th in the evening worship service we will experience a presentation from our Celebration Choir and Orchestra entitled, 3:16-The Numbers of Hope. Our musicians, under the leadership of Michael Anderson work very hard to prepare Christ exalting music that equips and encourages us to worship the Lord. Pray for them as they prepare. Also, plan to bring someone to hear these great songs that will lift up Jesus. This is one more great opportunity for us and for those we can bring.

Our College Students are headed out on their Spring Retreat, to Keaton Beach, over near Perry. Let’s commit to pray that they will come back on fire for Jesus. We have a good number of very faithful college students in our Church. These retreats can be life changing events. I encourage every one of our students to go—get signed up!!

These messages in Acts on Sunday morning have really challenged me to think about North Central and how we should focus on the spiritual and numerical growth of our church. The Lord has truly been faithful!

I Love You in the Lord,
Calvin J. Carr