Developing A Christian World View

I am very excited about the word our Lord gave to me to create a tool which will help my people develop a proper biblical world and life view. (In light of this “word,” I have also come to better understand myself, that I have also been called to be a tool maker.) What is a world and life view and what is its importance?

A world and life view is a comprehensive cognitive orientation about the nature of things which one uses to order life. A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. It is one’s personal ideology and philosophy concerning life. Everyone has a worldview, this doesn't say it is correct or biblical, but everyone has formulated one. The question is what is yours?

Why is a biblical or Christian worldview important? Because it defines how you will live and what you are willing to compromise on. It speaks to your faith and whether it is grounded in the Bible or in your personal philosophy. It defines whether you believe there is absolute truth, and if so, is that truth in the Bible? A Christian worldview is important because it answers a central question: at the end of the day, will you look and sound like Jesus or like somebody else?

I truly believe that most church goers want to be authentic, orthodox Christians. But because they are being bombarded with so many sweet sounding lies on every side, it is sometimes extremely difficult to determine when to take a stand and when to compromise.

In this series of messages, I am seeking to help the people of God to navigate these landmines and acquire a land mine tool for the future. The tool isn't just to get you over these “IEDs,” but to help you have foresight for what is ahead. Please go to New Horizon's website (www.nhcms.org) for a short questionnaire by the Barna Research Group which they used to determine if you have a biblical worldview and to view my seven point worldview statement. Counting it All Joy!

Bishop Ronnie C. Crudup, Sr.

Seeing Plainly

News on the Horizon:

April 2013 | Editor: A.C. Thomas

4.17 Celebration of

Excellence

4.27 On the Road to Health

Trace Ride

5.3-4 2nd Annual Marriage &

Couples’ Conference

5.5

Project Love

5.18 Baccalaureate Brunch

5.19 Baccalaureate Day

Mark Your Calendar

Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples 1. The God of the Bible created rules and has a plan

for the world and all creation which He is working on without exception. You are included and are a part of something bigger than just your individual circumstances. Therefore, every person will one day stand and give an account of their life to God. 2. Each person has been given purpose and the precious gift of life, which we must steward and cultivate for greatness. Some will and some won't. A part of that purpose for some is to draw people to salvation in Jesus and to support His Church. The power and the guidance to achieve one’s purpose will be supplied to those who ask through the indwelling Holy Spirit. 3. There is evil and an evil one who is active in the world today, and although God is sovereign, He has given mankind free will and therefore tolerates a level of sinfulness, evil, and corruption for the time being. This world system and people are corrupt but can be made better through God, His son Jesus, and those who work for Jesus. Revelation 12:1-17; Genesis 3:15 4. We improve our lives and make the world a better place through our human labor, use of our gifts, prayers, cooperation with others, and our work for Jesus. Each of us also has a responsibility to God to help the poor and be an advocate for justice. Inactivity by Christians is a huge contributor to the corruption which plagues the world. 5. All human problems are an opportunity from God for great success and wealth building to any taker, but especially the believers in Jesus who are left in the world as God's problem solvers and the lights of the world. As Christians, we have the capacity to change, reform, and influence much more than we typically think. 6. Every person or group will not agree with the biblical, orthodox Christian view of God, moral living, sin, salvation, heaven, hell, and the like. But as Christians, we are called to love those who differ with us and demonstrate the greatness and superiority of the Christ in us while we consistently practice overcoming evil with good. 7. Life is more than this material, temporary view which most only see, but it is also spiritual and eternal. Jesus gives us the only opportunity to live to the fullest in both worlds. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each believer in Jesus and the Church to do all we can to reconcile every person to Jesus Christ—who will open eyes and minds and is the only Savior of sinners. Bishop Ronnie C. Crudup, Sr.

The View: Seeing Plainly World & Life View

The award-winning, bestseller Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples directs Christian leaders back to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus Christ. Simple Church, co-written by Thom S. Rainer, President and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, and Eric Geiger, executive pastor of Christ Fellowship Church of Florida, explains the simple revolution.

From the very beginning of the book, the authors set out to prove that people respond to simple in most facets of life, even in the church. For that reason, this book’s research is based on case studies of four-hundred American churches to help bring the simple revolution to light.

The “simple” theory justifies that the more complex a church is, the more anemic it becomes, thereby pulling the church out of its original alignment and message. The authors go on to prove that through simple biblical scripture, “Simple Churches” are thriving. They are thriving because they are also taking four thoughts to heart: clarity, movement, alignment and focus. Each idea is closely examined in this easy read to show why it is time to simplify.

The authors also discuss deeply the considerable threat of culture and the busyness of life; how all of the church’s beloved programs and events can get in the way of the real message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The book also enlightens church leaders on the need of simple procedures in the church to make life easier for ministry leaders.

Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples takes the reader on a journey of research, exploring the complexities of today churches and why we should K.I.S.S.—Keep It Simple Saints. This is a must read for all church leaders.

Stacia V. Hunter

Simplifying New Horizon: The Membership Development Vision

Get Wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn

away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect

you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of

wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get

understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her,

and she will honor you. Proverbs 4:5-8

While reading the book Simple Church, Bishop Crudup received a vision of a “simpler” New Horizon. A simple church is easily identifiable—the simplicity can be seen throughout every ministry or organization. In order to become a simple church, the structures of the ministries at NHCI are changing.

Change is not always easy, but it is necessary for the future development of the church. One of the changes at NHCI involves the transition of Pastor Wheatley from Assistant Pastor to Pastor of Membership Development. Under the Membership Development area, Pastor Wheatley and Annette Fair will work together to help NHCI members and potential members achieve spiritual growth through the “the redevelopment intake process.”

One change in this area is that first-time visitors are now referred to as first-time guests. NHCI guests are also now called on the same day of their visit and asked about their experience at the church. For current members old and new, Membership Development will provide the comprehensive care they need. This includes keeping members informed of growth opportunities such as volunteerism, connecting them to their care cells and care cell leaders, and any general care that is required to be a loving church that worships God and makes disciples.

Since undertaking this new task, Pastor Wheatley has also looked into various ways to attract potential members and keep them, especially those who would otherwise shop for a church. One of these ways is by re-developing the new members’ process. In the past, when a person would join NHCI, by the time they completed the new members’ class, they would not understand the church, its mission, nor its processes.

Now, using a process based on Simple Church’s four thoughts of clarity, movement, alignment, and focus, new members will no longer be “disconnected.” Clarity means that when people join NHCI, they are clear about our mission and the process of discipleship. Movement refers to the steps by which new members will become disciples. Alignment ensures that everyone involved in the new members’ process is committed to the same goal. Focus is pretty self-explanatory—if it does not worship God, is not loving, nor desires to make disciples, it will not become a part of the new members’ process.

The NHCI Mission Statement exists to draw people through unity and simplicity. In order to be a simpler loving church that worships God and make disciples, every facet of the church must be in alignment with the vision of the mission. This requires change which isn’t always easy, but it can be simple.

Evelyn C. Lilley

Business Highlight: N-Tense Fitness The owner of N-tense Fitness took a huge leap of faith to

open the 24-hour fitness center in 2009. New Horizonite Marvin Hightower says his vision is directed towards God’s people becoming “physically fit to do kingdom work.” A native Chicagoan, Hightower says that when he was just a small child, God gave him the vision that he would do great things with his life. Marvin has since worked hard with God’s promise in sight and persevered through personal battles and attacks from the enemy to move toward his destiny.

While working out in pursuit of his dream job with the FBI, Marvin recognized the need for a 24-hour gym. At a critical crossroad in his personal life and career, Marvin decided to abandon his FBI plans and spent the next six months researching the personal fitness business, developing business plans, and scouting locations. Initially, Marvin wanted to move into a modern, new shopping center, but God blocked that move. Marvin settled on an older location at 1335 Ellis Avenue with only a promise from the landlord that he would make renovations. The landlord came through and that saved Marvin money that he could use for operating costs.

What originally began as an opportunity to own his own business and work for himself, Marvin now realizes and understands that N-tense Fitness is his ministry. As a man of God, he is troubled by the problems and issues facing our community. He has committed himself to a vision of helping people understand the connection between being both physically and spiritually fit in order to be all God wants them to be.

Marvin’s biggest challenge today is motivating people to take advantage of a service that ultimately helps them physically and spiritually. Marvin shares that, “when we neglect ourselves, we neglect the things and people around us, and we can’t be used by God.” Today, Marvin continues to share the vision he has for physical fitness. He now has 3 locations of N-tense Fitness in Jackson and Hazlehurst, and he’s preparing to launch out into other areas of health and nutrition where he can share his faith while helping people get physical fit.

Gayle Sims

In February, the NHCI Men’s Ministry traveled to Hattiesburg, MS to offer aid and assistance to those affected by the devastating tornado.

Ministry Highlight: The Men’s Ministry