Where should I go to church?
The church is God’s big family with many locations but one LORD. As you ponder a local church gathering, remember that the denomination or affiliation isn't the most important consideration, but whether the church's beliefs and practices harmonize with God's Word, inspiring a deep sense of connection and purpose with the LORD as well as each other.
The church has never been about a specific building or place, as many have turned it in to. Personally, there are certain buildings and places that have meant a lot in my foundational years of following Jesus, but I have moved on from those places as I have grown in Christ. Tradition has the ability to hinder us in our walk with the LORD and from fulfilling His will in our lives.
If you aren’t careful, this kind of believing can and will stagnate your spirituall growth and progress in your Christian walk by allowing a man made tradition or a fond memory to hold you back. Daily, the LORD works in our lives as we are continuously being transformed into who He has called us to be. This is a life long process and not a one time event.
If I may offer some advice - First, I would select a church which preaches the Gospel faithfully, kindling a passion for Christ in every heart. However, it is not enough to be sound theologically; I would choose a church which endeavors to practice what it preaches, translating its beliefs into everyday life, fostering a community of unconditional love and support.
Paul, in writing to the Ephesians, stated that Christ "loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25), reminding us of the profound impact Christ has on our lives.
Because Christ gave the church life, there is no equal to it among human institutions, offering a sense of belonging and spiritual growth. As you become a part of a local church, however, remember that just as there are no perfect Christians, there are no perfect churches, and that's what makes the journey so beautiful.
Those who make up the church struggle with the same weaknesses and temptations as you, and it's in this shared humanity that we find true connection. As you pursue fellowship within the church, ask God to help you offer your best, demonstrating a spirit of patience, forgiveness, and love.
Finally, while there are many Christians who model Christlike behavior, avoid making any one person an ideal to follow, instead fixing your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and embracing the transformative power of His love.
If you live on Maui and are looking to continue your spiritual growth and currently looking for a group of like-minded believers, I invite you to join us this Sunday at 9 am. We are meeting at the Courtyard Marriott in Kahului across from Costco and near the airport (location map below). Feel free to reach out if you'd ever like to chat.
The church has never been about a specific building or place, as many have turned it in to. Personally, there are certain buildings and places that have meant a lot in my foundational years of following Jesus, but I have moved on from those places as I have grown in Christ. Tradition has the ability to hinder us in our walk with the LORD and from fulfilling His will in our lives.
If you aren’t careful, this kind of believing can and will stagnate your spirituall growth and progress in your Christian walk by allowing a man made tradition or a fond memory to hold you back. Daily, the LORD works in our lives as we are continuously being transformed into who He has called us to be. This is a life long process and not a one time event.
If I may offer some advice - First, I would select a church which preaches the Gospel faithfully, kindling a passion for Christ in every heart. However, it is not enough to be sound theologically; I would choose a church which endeavors to practice what it preaches, translating its beliefs into everyday life, fostering a community of unconditional love and support.
Paul, in writing to the Ephesians, stated that Christ "loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25), reminding us of the profound impact Christ has on our lives.
Because Christ gave the church life, there is no equal to it among human institutions, offering a sense of belonging and spiritual growth. As you become a part of a local church, however, remember that just as there are no perfect Christians, there are no perfect churches, and that's what makes the journey so beautiful.
Those who make up the church struggle with the same weaknesses and temptations as you, and it's in this shared humanity that we find true connection. As you pursue fellowship within the church, ask God to help you offer your best, demonstrating a spirit of patience, forgiveness, and love.
Finally, while there are many Christians who model Christlike behavior, avoid making any one person an ideal to follow, instead fixing your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and embracing the transformative power of His love.
If you live on Maui and are looking to continue your spiritual growth and currently looking for a group of like-minded believers, I invite you to join us this Sunday at 9 am. We are meeting at the Courtyard Marriott in Kahului across from Costco and near the airport (location map below). Feel free to reach out if you'd ever like to chat.
Location and Service Time
Courtyard Marriott
(by Costco and Kahului Airport)
Sunday at 9:00 am.
(by Costco and Kahului Airport)
Sunday at 9:00 am.
“Pastor, did you launch or start a new church?”
No, The Church was actually already launched in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost over 2000 years ago. That’s when and where it all started.
However, we are certainly doing our part and gathering the saints here on Maui who are weary of the “church norm” of the day and are seeking to return to the church model as described in Acts 2:42-47.
No light show. No fog machine. No fancy band. No suits. Just real, raw, and hungry Jesus people who are seeking authentic Christianity.
Join us this Sunday!
Acts 2:42–47 (NLT) — 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
No, The Church was actually already launched in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost over 2000 years ago. That’s when and where it all started.
However, we are certainly doing our part and gathering the saints here on Maui who are weary of the “church norm” of the day and are seeking to return to the church model as described in Acts 2:42-47.
No light show. No fog machine. No fancy band. No suits. Just real, raw, and hungry Jesus people who are seeking authentic Christianity.
Join us this Sunday!
Acts 2:42–47 (NLT) — 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity--47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
You Have A Story
BEAUTIFULLY SCARRED
Transparency means we are no longer living a facade or casting a shadow. Transparency allows His light to shine through us.”
We all have scars, and there's nothing wrong with that. Some of us are scared physically, and some are scared mentally or emotionally. We live in a world that looks upon our scars as a weakness, and labels our scars as flaws. We try to hide and cover up our scars so that others can't see how flawed and weak we really are. This is not the way to live, and I would like to encourage you to be bold enough to live differently and quite the opposite of that.
Our world, and sometimes even the church can, more often that not, be a very shallow place. We are conditioned to mask, hide, and cover up the truth so that we don't show weakness and vulnerability. This is no way to live. Transparency is the way to live empowered and truly free in Christ. Transparency means we are no longer living a facade or casting a shadow. Transparency allows His light to shine through us. A lack of transparency keeps us living in the dark.
These dark places of our lives have become surrounded by religious stigmas and judgements by many in the church, and consequently we live in an isolated dungeon that hinders us from embracing freedom in Christ. The freedom to be scarred. The freedom to be weak and in need of God's amazing grace that truly strengthens us to live in this world.
God doesn't waste anything, especially your scars. There is a scarred man in Heaven today and His name is Jesus. His scars have made provision for healing in your own heart, mind, and body. Scars are proof that God still heals today. Don't hide them from others, but wear them bravely as proof that Jesus loves you.
We all have a story, and your story is ultimately His glory.
Our world, and sometimes even the church can, more often that not, be a very shallow place. We are conditioned to mask, hide, and cover up the truth so that we don't show weakness and vulnerability. This is no way to live. Transparency is the way to live empowered and truly free in Christ. Transparency means we are no longer living a facade or casting a shadow. Transparency allows His light to shine through us. A lack of transparency keeps us living in the dark.
These dark places of our lives have become surrounded by religious stigmas and judgements by many in the church, and consequently we live in an isolated dungeon that hinders us from embracing freedom in Christ. The freedom to be scarred. The freedom to be weak and in need of God's amazing grace that truly strengthens us to live in this world.
God doesn't waste anything, especially your scars. There is a scarred man in Heaven today and His name is Jesus. His scars have made provision for healing in your own heart, mind, and body. Scars are proof that God still heals today. Don't hide them from others, but wear them bravely as proof that Jesus loves you.
We all have a story, and your story is ultimately His glory.