TRUTH DECAY written by Tom Mercer DECIPHERING... ‘THE DA VINCI CODE’ written by Albert Mohler
ADULT MINISTRIES
SPOTLIGHT What’s new? What would you like to be a part of?
PF’s CORNER
devotional written by Pastor Frank Mercer
POINTE DISCOVERY What’s the next step for our church? MAY 2006: ISSUE 35
There is a difference between objective truth and subjective truth. Objective truth is true about the object, that is, it is true about something outside of me. To say, “Ice cream is cold,” is an objective statement. It is a true and measurable statement. But to say, “Ice cream is good,” is a subjective statement. It says nothing about the ice cream, the object. It says something about me, the subject. It says that, as a matter of individual preference, I happen to like ice cream! If you do not agree that ice cream is cold, you need to be corrected. If you do not agree that ice cream is good, then you have the right to your own opinion (even though I might think you’re crazy).
by Tom Mercer, Senior Pastor
Science is on a quest for objective truth. So, if you said that one plus one equals three, then I, as a scientist, would have the right to go on television, hold a press conference and declare that you were wrong (and the ACLU would not be able to sue me). Likewise, historians are attempting to discern truth that is also objectified. For example, if you said that Hitler didn’t kill the Jews, you are at odds with the data, which is the centerpiece of any objective quest for historical accuracy. But when it comes to morality, our culture is drawing an increasingly hard line, segregating ethics from those other disciplines. Prevailing winds of opinion now declare that while, other things are okay to objectify, moral beliefs are now to be categorized in the subjective column. According to the moral relativists, those beliefs are only a matter of opinion or personal preference. The ascent of relativism has been fueled by several critical factors. One of those factors is a weakened public confidence in the Bible. Most nominal Christians don’t have the confidence they once had in the Bible because their understanding of the veracity or historicity of the Scriptures is limited to the headlines. For example, a few years ago, The Jesus Seminar, a group of Biblical “scholars,” decided that Jesus only “really” said a fraction of what the Bible claims He said. The Seminar made headlines for months and a lot of people responded with something like, “Dude, I didn’t know that!” But what the public wasn’t told was that the legitimacy of their entire discourse was preempted by their unwillingness to consider the possibility of the miraculous. And that was before they even began deliberating about a book that was admittedly full of miracles. So, based on that assumption, their discussions were a joke and their conclusions were predictable.
But the headlines used words like, “scholars,” “research” and “enlightened.” Other believers hear or read lead lines for a news story like, “Evolutionary theory has now been firmly established as fact,” and they’re shocked! “Oh no, my youth pastor must have been wrong!” Well, no youth pastor is infallible, but evolution is still only a theory, a theory that is losing momentum with every passing year. The fact that objective science is increasingly becoming an ally to the believer should not surprise us. God’s plan has always been that, with every new discovery, Biblical truth would be confirmed. His strategy has always been to reveal Himself through the general revelation of the Cosmos, that is, through our scientific observation and discovery. He also reveals Himself in the more specific revelation of His Word. The former reveals the physical laws that make things work well and the latter reveals the spiritual laws that make us work well. So never allow the relativistic media to set an agenda that you can only react to. Be proactive in your research. Never fear the data. Eventually, science will catch up to the Bible! A second factor that has enhanced the popularity of moral relativism is our shrinking planet. Most of us have more extensive interaction with other worldviews than our parents did. In short, it was easier to say that practicing Buddhism wouldn’t get you to Heaven when we didn’t personally know any Buddhists. But when the Buddhists you’re talking about are your friends and neighbors, it is easy to second-guess what you’ve always been taught is true. Statistically, the percentage of people in your relational world who belong to an ethnic minority group has doubled over the past two generations. As the world has gotten smaller, relativism has gained popularity. But we must remember that God didn’t bring people with aberrant religious views into our relational world to dilute our confidence in the Christian faith. He brought them into our relational world so that we could introduce them to the Christian faith. In fact, He supernaturally and strategically placed anywhere from eight to fifteen people into each of our relational worlds so that we could communicate the truthful, helpful and durable dynamic of His plan of redemption. The fact that you have come to love someone who is living the wrong lifestyle doesn’t make his or her lifestyle suddenly right! A third factor that has fueled relativism is that we, the church, have not been able to clearly define the difference between God’s objective Word and our subjective opinions. When we communicate our opinions, we must be careful to not speak with prophetic zeal, as if we were actually speaking for God Himself. It shouldn’t be that difficult to discern which standards reflect “thus says the Lord,” and which convictions simply reflect personal opinion or preference. In his discussions of “disputable matters” with both the Romans and the Galatians, the Apostle Paul couldn’t have spoken more clearly- nobody needs to share your opinion in order to please God. In fact, in a few years, you won’t even have all of the same opinions or convictions that you have now! God’s opinions may be binding on everyone, but ours are not. By the way, don’t repeat the Galatians’ mistake in your own home. Discover the moral absolutes that the Scriptures clearly teach, then model, instruct and discipline accordingly. Then figure out which of your opinions are worth offering as a matter
of lifestyle. Share them with your children as well, but teach them to follow those instructions at a secondary level. Kids should be taught to obey God’s law because they will always need to. Presently, they must obey your laws because God says that a child must honor his or her parents. But when they are grown, our kids are no longer obliged to live a lifestyle that reflects our opinions. As adults, they can decide those things for themselves. When parents throw all of the things they require of their children in the “always absolute” category, they run the risk of encouraging their kids to throw them all out when they leave the nest. Balance is so important. So, when you put a liberal media in a shrinking world with an arrogant church, you have a recipe for disaster. But the recent ascent of moral relativism in our culture does not mean that it is a new idea. One of the darkest periods of Israel’s ancient history is characterized by the words, “In those days…everyone did as he saw fit.” (Judges 21:25). Relativism couldn’t work then and it can’t work now. Moral absolutism plays by a different set of rules. Absolutists believe that some things are morally right or wrong, regardless of how you or I might feel about them personally. Morality, then, is like science or history in that sense. It is not something we are allowed to invent, but something we are obligated to discover.
The Bible claims to be the highest standard of moral authority that any human being could have. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12
The Scriptures read like a prescription that we might get from a pharmacy. It claims that, if we follow directions, we will live healthier lives. In fact, that’s where Biblical infallibility comes in. Do what it says and you cannot fail. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. -II Timothy 3:16-17
According to the writers of Scripture, the Bible has been and always will be true, for everyone, everywhere, in any generation. For, ‘All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands for ever.’ And this is the word that was preached to you. -I Peter 1:24-25 Now, just because the Bible claims such a high degree of absoluteness doesn’t prove that it’s specific claims are justified or even that absolutism is a valid worldview. But there are several good reasons why any truth seeker would want to give moral absolutism a long look.
Absolute truth is cosmologically consistent. Every other element within the Cosmos requires absolutes. Faye Wattleton, the former president of Planned Parenthood, wrote an article entitled, “Self-Definition: Morality.” It contained this comment: “My parents’ morals were deeply rooted in religious conviction but tempered by tolerance- the essence of which is respect for other people’s views. They taught me that reasonable people may differ on moral issues, and that fundamental respect for others is morality of the highest order. I have devoted my career to ensuring a world in which my daughter, Felicia, can inherit that legacy. I hope the tolerance and respect I show her as a parent is reinforced by the work she sees me doing every day: fighting for the right of all individuals to make their own moral decisions about childbearing.” But what if she were engaged in the world of scientific research? Would she be allowed to write the following? “My parents’ intellects were deeply rooted in scientific discovery but tempered by tolerance- the essence of which is respect for other people’s views. They taught me that reasonable people may differ about scientific facts, and that fundamental respect for others is science of the highest order. I have devoted my career to ensuring a world in which my daughter, Felicia, can inherit that legacy. I hope the tolerance and respect I show her as a parent is reinforced by the work she sees me doing every day: fighting for the right of all individuals to make up their own physical laws and mathematical formulas, those that work best for them.”
Without a universal understanding of the laws that make the Universe function, we would still be in the Stone Age. What if Wattleton’s specialty was history? Would she be taken seriously if she wrote the following? “My parents’ research was deeply rooted in historical research but tempered by tolerance- the essence of which is respect for other people’s views. They taught me that reasonable people may differ on historical events, and that fundamental respect for others is research of the highest order. I have devoted my career to ensuring a world in which my daughter, Felicia, can inherit that legacy. I hope the tolerance and respect I show her as a parent is reinforced by the work she sees me doing every day: fighting for the right of all individuals to make up their own record about what happened in the past.” Without a common understanding of the annals of history, we could never chart a course for the future. That’s why we dig deeper. We’re doomed without data. Now, we don’t understand every law of physics completely. But we are quite sure they are out there to discover, and it’s the job of the scientist to do so. We don’t yet understand the human saga completely. But we are quite sure that history happened the way it happened, and it’s the job of the historian to find out what that way was. We may argue about the moral fabric that provides the foundations for human relationships and personal success. But we believe that they must exist, because as morality in our culture becomes increasingly perceived as subjective, our world becomes increasingly positioned for socio-political implosion.
Relativism cannot be rationally defended. For one, it is self-refuting. Francis Beckwith writes about a conversation with a physical therapist he calls Bill in his book titled Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air: Bill was a friendly, tolerant sort, willing to talk with me about Christianity until the question of homosexuality came up. My apparent lack of tolerance made him uncomfortable, and he said so.
“Is that your morality?” “Yes.” “Then why are you pushing your morality on me?” “Uhhh…This isn’t fair!” “Why not?” “I can’t find a way to say it so it sounds right.” “Bill, it doesn’t sound right because it isn’t right; it’s self-refuting.” “Now you’ve got me confused.” “No, you were confused when you started. You just now realized it.” If you want to be a relativist, any moral obligation to be tolerant of other views cannot be defended, because no moral obligation is allowed. Further, moral relativists cannot rationally defend justice. Without moral absolutes, neither justice nor fairness has any real meaning. For either of them to be in play, people must be treated equally according to a commonly accepted standard for what is right. Justice demands a moral requirement. Without a moral requirement, no one can justifiably or fairly be punished for wrongdoing. Neither can moral relativists rationally strive for personal or social improvement. How can you have moral reform without a goal? Relativists can change their moral standards, but they cannot become better people. In his book titled Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air, co-writer, Gregory Koukl writes, “Moral reform implies an objective rule of conduct as the standard to which we ought to aspire. But this rule is exactly what relativists deny. If there is no better way, there can be no improvement. Relativism destroys the moral impulse that compels people to rise above themselves because there is no ‘above’ to rise to.”
“That’s what bugs me about Christians,” he said. “You seem nice at first, but then you start getting judgmental.” “What’s wrong with that, Bill?” “It’s not right to judge other people.” “If it’s wrong to judge people, Bill, then why are you judging me?” “You’re right, I was judging you. Kind of hard to avoid it. How about this? It’s okay to judge people, as long as you don’t force your morality on them. That’s when you cross the line.” “Okay, Bill, can I ask you a question?” “Sure.”
The truth always works. If something doesn’t work, then it isn’t conforming to truth. So, in a sense, scientific exploration is not only a quest to discover what’s true, it’s a quest to discover what works. (Continued on page 16...)
Name: You! Occupation: Nurse, Teacher, Mom, Dad, Butcher, Baker, Candllestick Maker, etc. Ministry Role: ABS Leader Life Experience: Whatever it is, we guarantee that some student will be encouraged by your story.
A PLAN FOR BATTLE an army of of dedicated youth soldeirs make their move
Hobbies & Interests: Bowling, knitting, hunting, underwater basket weaving, really anything goes. Ministry Highlight: Being an adult who speaks into a student is one of the most rewarding experiences.
Name: You! Occupation: Construction Worker, Banker, Receptionist, etc. Ministry Role: Tribe Leader Life Experience: Whatever it is, we guarantee that some student will be encouraged by your story. Ministry Highlight: Being an adult who speaks into a student is one of the most rewarding experiences.
If you are interested in investing in the lives of students, please contact us at (760) 245-2415 ext. 261/262
by Tim Kuhl, Jr. High Minister, and Doug Story, Senior High Director It takes a village to raise an idiot. No wait. That’s not how that goes. But sometimes it seems that with everything in this world that works against what is good for our teens even a whole village doesn’t stand a chance. Unless of course we understand a few key rules of engagement. You see, in the hierarchy of influence, we can win. Let me tell you how… There is a seeming imbalance between the amount of books written on young children and teenagers. What to Expect While You’re Expecting is almost a forgone conclusion for any expecting parent. Scour the shelves at Barnes & Noble in search of a book on adolescence and the pickings get slim. But there is fruit to be picked. And as youth pastors we read through books looking for clues to inform our approach to ministry. And the most overwhelming, out of the park, number one cry we hear from books is…adults. What? You mean in a world with MTV, iPods, drugs, sex, MySpace and every other evil-that adults rank consistently as what is most important to a teen? Absolutely. There are few things that we can substantiate more than the important role adults play in the lives of teens. Parents rank number one, every time. In discussions, in polls, in informal campus observations kids relent that their mom and dad are numero uno. And second on the list? Other adults. Teachers, coaches, club advisors, and youth leaders. Bingo. We found our secret weapon. In the heart of every person, man or woman, child or adult is the need to know and be known. And so two years ago the student ministry here at HDC changed the way we did business. The shift from a big program during the week to small groups was, well, huge. The draw for a student changed. The outcome of any given night changed. The structure changed. And our own leadership changed. More than you may know. The role our leaders play have always been vital. Our reach is limited, and their presence pushes the message of Christ further than a microphone can take it. But suddenly everything they were used to was changed. And in the span of three months time we flipped from tasks to relationships. The battle plan had changed. The marching orders were altered. As we approach the conclusion of our second year in the new program what is the outcome? Fantastic. Our students are known and are knowing others. And our leaders have revealed themselves to be more important than we ever knew. Allow me to explain.
Consider a high school student. A girl. She attends one of our local high schools where she is a cog in the machine. Students ushered from class to class. She’s on a team, but even there the clock seems more important than the people. The boys seem more interested in all the girls than any one at any time. But on Wednesday her Area Bible Study is there, chatting away. Oh, she is still quiet there too. But when she isn’t there, it gets noticed. She gets asked questions that don’t get asked anywhere else. And her leader? She notices. She cares too. She prays and calls and talks. What just happened? Life change.
The Underground
Or perhaps a junior high boy. He is squirrelly. Actually, he drives people crazy. At school his teachers are tired of seeing him. Girls avoid him. And even though they would never, ever admit it, his mom and dad are praying for age 15. And on Tuesdays he shows up at the gym for his Tribe. The same guys, every week. And by now they have learned that consistency breeds commitment. Maybe they couldn’t say it, but they do it. And his leader is there. Week in, week out. After work, with a room of crazies, not avoiding or there to socialize with other adults. All that matters to him on Tuesday nights are his guys. Making more of an impact in an hour than the rest of the day combined. Battles being won. So what is this plan for battle? It is getting adults who care into the lives of the next generation. Pastor Tom is wise to remind us that the next generation is always the greatest. And winning the generation over is a job the Lord has put into your hands, moms and dads; a job you share with us each week. And sharing is a concept we understand well. We share our groups with our leaders all the time. Because battles are being won every week by an army of soldiers giving their time to the war. Our leaders in student ministry are the secret weapon. You see, in the hierarchy of influence, we can win. Our leaders are how.
(Stepping Up)
With a few remaining weeks together we will focus on training you with new skills for Jr. High.
Jr. High
(MasterMind) We will study through selected chapters in the book, The Case for Creator.
FUEL/ Sr. High (Down & Dirty)
High School May 5th- Parent Night, 7:30pm May 19th-21st- River Trip May 24th- Reunion, 7pm in the gym May 31st- Last ABS of the school year June 2nd- Elevate ‘06 June 3rd- Promotion Weekend Junior High May 5th- Parent Night, 7:30pm May 6th- Underground/
Jr. High Mixer May 7th- Missions Team BBQ May 23rd- Grad Night May 30th- Talent Show June 2nd- Elevate ‘06 June 3rd- Promotion Weekend Sixers May 12th- Scandia June 2nd- Elevate ‘06
Are you really ready to get your hands dirty for others? The world tells you to serve yourself, but God’s Word tells us that there is a different course of action for you.
by Albert Mohler (originaly published on Tuesday, July 29th of 2003. For more on Mohler, visit www.albertmohler.com) The summer publishing season seems always to include a thriller that leaps to the top of the best-seller charts and stays there until the fall--when readers get serious and return to school and work. The Da Vinci Code is this year’s winner, sitting at the top of the Amazon.com ratings this week and listed at second place in the New York Times hardcover fiction list. The book was on the top of that list last week, and it has made the list for 18 straight weeks. Not bad for a book with a seemingly unmanageable mix of plot structure, conspiracy theories, and mountains of detail about Catholic orders, renaissance art, theological heresy, and theoretical mathematics. Hooked yet? I was forewarned about the heresy in the book, and so I started reading with a determination to force my way through an unpleasant read. It wasn’t hard. As a matter of fact, the plot was so engaging, and the content of the book was so rich, that I had a hard time putting it down. Dan Brown may or may not actually believe what he writes, but he writes so well in this genre that the average reader will not even care. That is the problem. Devotees of suspense novels read for the sheer pleasure of the intellectual engagement--not so much with big ideas, but with the conspiratorial mind. Brown took a big risk in this novel, betting his narrative on a conspiracy involving virtually everyone even remotely connected with Christianity throughout the last 2,000 years. The forces arrayed in this conspiracy include the Knights Templar, the Masons, the Roman Catholic Church, Interpol, and a secret society known as the Priory of Sion, which is claimed to have included as Grand Masters no less than Sandro Boticelli, Isaac Newton, and,of course, Leonardo Da Vinci. Sorting all this out for the reader are characters ranging from Robert Langdon, a Harvard art historian, to an albino monk/assassin, who is sent by Opus Dei, a Catholic order close to the papacy. The murdered director of the Louvre has a mostly silent part, speaking primarily through secret codes and ciphers left written in his own blood as he died. A cast of other characters is necessary for the narrative to work and the plot to unfold.
But the human characters take a back seat to the grand conspiracy that gives the book its plot, and in that conspiracy is the heresy. The Da Vinci Code’s driving claim is nothing less than that Christianity is based upon a Big Lie (the deity of Christ) used by patriarchal oppressors to deny the true worship of the Divine Feminine. Still hanging in there? If you thought The Last Temptation of Christ was explosive, The Da Vinci Code is thermonuclear. The book claims that Jesus Christ was married to Mary Magdalene, that a child was born of this marriage, and that Mary and her child fled after the crucifixion to Gaul, where they established the Merovingian line of European royalty. Art historians may quibble with Dan Brown’s details, and mathematicians may take issue with his summary of the Fibonacci Sequence, but as a theologian, my problem is the author’s toying with such an easily dismissed heresy. Brown has crossed the line between a suspense novel and a book promoting a barely hidden agenda, to attack the Christian church and the Gospel. In order to deliver on his conspiratorial plot, Brown has to lay the groundwork by having his main characters deny the inspiration and authority of the biblical text and replace Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John with the gnostic gospels found just after World War II at Nag Hammadi. The gnostic texts are called the “unaltered gospels,” and the New Testament texts are dismissed as propaganda for the goddessbashers. One character (hint--watch him carefully) explains that all this is “the greatest cover-up in human history.” Jesus (“the original feminist”) had intended for Mary Magdalene to lead the church after His death, but “Peter had a problem with that.” So, Mary Magdalene hit the apostolic “glass ceiling” and was sent off to Gaul, taking with her, not only her child, but--you guessed it--the Holy Grail. Heard this all before? The main contours of this plot have been found in many books published in the occultic literature. Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Henry Lincoln, and Richard Leigh (1983) made the same claims, but in what claimed to be a non-fiction expose-not a suspense novel. Holy Blood, Holy Grail sold by the thousands. The Da Vinci Code will likely reach millions. Never underestimate the commercial potential of a heretical conspiracy packaged in a seductive novel. Brown will take his millions to the bank. I said that the book’s [hereafter TDC] heresies are easily dismissed, and they are--at least to anyone with a real interest in the identity of Jesus and the history of the church. Calling the Nag Hammadi texts “unaltered” gospels is like reading the official Soviet histories as objective fact--complete with leading figures airbrushed out of the photos. TDC claims that the New Testament is simply the result of a male-dominated church leadership inventing Christianity in order to control the Roman empire and subsequent world history and then to oppress women and repress goddess-worship. In TDC the heretics are the heroes and the apostles are unindicted co-conspirators. The Great Satan is Emperor Constantine, who, it is claimed, never even became a Christian, but knew a good marketing plan when he saw it. Constantine supposedly called the Council of Nicaea in 325 in order to invent the idea of Christ’s divinity (and celibacy) and then turn out the heretics, thus burying the real story of Jesus (and Mary Magdalene) forever. “It’s all about power,” one character explains. That’s why Constantine “upgraded Jesus’ status.”
And the Council of Nicaea? There, TDC reveals, the Emperor led the bishops to declare Jesus as the Son of God by a vote. “A relatively close vote at that,” the text elaborates. The real Council of Nicaea adopted a creed in order to reject the heretical teachings of one Arius, who taught that Jesus was not of the same substance as the Father. Brown weaves fact and fiction with such recklessness that the average reader will assume all these claims to be factual. The Council of Nicaea did not “invent” the divinity of Jesus. This was already the declaration of the Church, claimed by Jesus himself and proclaimed by the apostles. The council boldly claimed this as the faith of the Church and named Arianism as a heresy and Arians as heretics. A close vote? Only two out of more than 300 bishops failed to sign the creed. Not exactly a cliffhanger. The Nag Hammadi texts as the real gospels? Not on your life. The texts are easily identifiable as gnostic literature peripheral to the Church. The early Church did not establish the canon (official set of New Testament writings) at Nicaea, though a general consensus was already evident at that gathering. The New Testament writings were recognized and set apart because of their authorship by one of the apostles and by their clearly orthodox content--in harmony with the other New Testament writings as recognized by the churches spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. Much more could be considered, but the main issue is this: How plausible is such a conspiracy? The threshold of credibility for this conspiracy requires us to believe that the entire structure of Christian theology is a sinister plot to fool the masses. Further, we must believe that the leaders of this conspiracy knew that Jesus was not the Son of God, but were willing to die for this cause by the millions. As C. S. Lewis once argued, people might be willing to be martyrs for a lie if they are innocently deceived, but very few will die for what they know to be a lie. Credibility for this conspiracy requires belief in the claim that the truth, known by millions, has been kept secret from the world
until now. Specifically, until the release of The Da Vinci Code. What about the atheists--the rationalist opponents of Christianity? What about the liberal theologians who dismiss the deity of Christ as mythological baggage? They must be greeting The Da Vinci Code with excitement, right? Not hardly. The strange and unsustainable logic of this conspiracy theory has not impressed the skeptics. Shirley MacLaine might take the argument seriously, but not Richard Dawkins. The book’s thesis requires the reader to believe that virtually every major work of western art includes an embedded code, and that this code is evident all around us if we will just see it. Of course, to pull this off Brown has to see symbols (especially phallic symbols) everywhere. Freud was a rank amateur. A late night conversation with a close friend reminds me of the attraction of a conspiracy theory--with or without evidence. This brilliant friend, holding a Harvard doctorate, told me that he was absolutely certain that President John F. Kennedy was the victim of a great international conspiracy including world communist leaders, the Mafia, J. Edgar Hoover, and various Hollywood celebrities. After laughing out loud, I realized my friend’s utter seriousness. My rational faculties were in full outrage despite the lateness of the hour, so I simply asked my friend what evidence would be required to prove or to disprove his thesis. He looked me straight in the eye and told me that the evidence was so hidden that the truth would never be known in our lifetimes. So-hold onto your theory without the evidence and be unmoved, regardless of the facts. Those who want to believe the heresies of The Da Vinci Code will hold to them tenaciously--whatever the evidence. Clearly, the book attacks the Gospel, but the truth is unshaken. The Da Vinci Code will soon fall from the best-seller lists, be remaindered to the outlet malls, show up in paperback, and may even interest Hollywood. The faith of the Church remains intact. G. K. Chesterton reminded us that orthodoxy is not only true; it is infinitely more interesting than heresy. It is alive and compelling and life-changing. Heresies come and go by fashion. The truth is unchanged and unchangeable. Caveat Emptor.
Join us on Wednesday, May 17th, at 7pm in Powell Auditorium as we host the noted author of Cracking Da Vinci’s Code, Jim Garlow. This event will help you separate fact from fiction as Hollywood gets set to release a movie based on Dan Brown’s national best seller, The Da Vinci Code. This controversial book has sparked some of the most heated debates in years about the person and work of Jesus. Come seek the truth and be equipped to respond to those who might not know what the truth really is.
SMILES (Statisfied Moms In Life’s Every Situation) Bible Study Thursday from 9:30-11:45am
TRAINING LADIES for BIBLICAL SUCCESS Childcare available on Tuesdays only. Space is limited. TLBS: Monday at 6:15-8:30pm in the chapel TLBS: Tuesday at 9:15-11:45am in the gym We welcome all ladies ages 18 and over. Don’t forget to email tlbs@high desertchurch.com, or call Patti in the church office at (760) 245-2415, ext. 261 for more info. Please note that TLBS will resume this Fall. It’s hard to believe, (no pun intended) that we have finished our study, Believing God, by Beth Moore and that TLBS will be over in the next week or two for the 2005-2006 season. What a great year it has been! Getting our “feet wet” in a book that many of us had never studied; Nehemiah; we established a firm foundation of faith for God to build on for the rest of our lives. God, through Nehemiah, taught us that we need to be women who are passionate about people, rooted in prayer, willing and available to do His work, compassionate toward others, and always ready to go to a higher place with our Lord. Applying these truths, many of us finished the study in Nehemiah being closer to God then we ever had been, and eager to fulfill our commitments to serve Him wholeheartedly. Hallelujah! And then what better way to build even further on the foundation then to chase it with a dose of Beth Moore in Believing God. Setting out, we discovered that our faith was often shallow and that we needed to move from a place of just believing in Him, to a much better place of believing Him at His word. Astoundingly, we have come to know God for who He is – a faithful, loving and gracious God. We have witnessed the fact that God can do what He says He can do. God is able to do immeasurably more then all we ask or imagine. We have come to see that we are who God says we are – chosen, adopted, redeemed and so much more. We have been empowered by knowing we can do all things through Christ – and that means “moving mountains”. And we have come to understand the power and authority we have because His word is alive and active in us – so that we can speak blessings on those we love and tell the enemy to flee with confidence that he will. With all of this fresh on our hearts, it is the hope and prayers of the TLBS Board and Ministry Team that everyone have a truly blessed Summer, keeping in mind all that you have gleaned from God’s word this session. Remember to allow God to build on the foundation He has already laid, that He can “rebuild” our lives especially when we think that they are in ruins. He wants us to conquer mountains – and that sometimes means we have to climb over top of them! We look forward to seeing you back in the Fall and anticipate amazing things from God because He is truly Amazing! Come, we’re saving a place for you this Fall! -Written by Sandy Runnels
Childcare provided for children of all ages on a first-come-first-serve basis. To obtain our program letter and registration form, contact Director, Nancy Franklin, or Assistant, Sharon Page, at (760) 245-2415 ext. 530 or at smiles@highdesertchurch.com. Purpose Statement: “Moms Preparing Moms to Change Their Worlds For Christ.” Our program runs concurrent with the school schedule. Every September through May we offer: The Enjoyable – a wonderful hospitable environment, special events such as our Christmas Tea, the Valentine Friendship Tea, and Year End Luncheon. The Truthful – worship, Bible studies, classes on marriage and family using materials from Christian authors, and a newsletter. The Helpful – meeting weekly in Friendship Circles made up of 8–10 women for accountability and prayer, an oikos event to reach out to friends, lending a hand to other ministries in the community and abroad, a notebook for all the years events and studies, and leadership training.
WONDERFUL ONES (Bible study for singles 35 and older learning to live in spiritual victory) Meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month in the gym/ room 108 from 6:308:30pm Contact Brenda Dugger for location and details at (760) 241-3704. Groups continued on next page...
Monday from 7:00- 9:00pm Cost is $30. Another chance to be a part of the (NEW) Surrender class. Surrender is focused on your individual growth in Christ. It isn’t just a marriage class or a singles class, it is all of the above. If you desire for each aspect of your life (home, work, parenting, etc.) to improve-- join us. If you have gone through Surrender in the past, bring a friend or your spouse and go through it again. Guaranteed excitement!
SERVING HIM SINGLE (Bible study for singles 35 and older) Friday at 7:30pm Contact Paul Godbey for location and details at (760) 954-8719.
OUTBACK FAMILIES Throughout the week. Call Todd Arnett in the church ofďŹ ce at 2452415 for more info or email todd@highdesertchurch.com
(Truth Decay...continued from page 9...)
1- Observation Through research, scientific or historical, we observe things that seem to be true. 2- Hypothesis We then formulate a hypothetical “law” that might explain the observation. 3- Prediction If our hypothesis is correct, then certain things should happen a certain way (if you’re a scientist) or more artifacts consistent with that theory should be uncovered (if you’re a historian). Based on what our initial observations revealed, predictions are made about what we should discover as we continue to make observations and take measurements. 4- Confirmation Further research reveals which of our predictions were correct and which were incorrect. The development of technology has been a key component in this phase of discovery. There may be a great deal of disagreement during the process, but eventually, the crème of the truth always rises to the top! Einstein made observations, formed hypotheses and then made predictions. The technology of his day did not allow him the luxury of testing many of those hypotheses during his lifetime. But now those hypotheses are being confirmed over and over every day as new technological capabilities measure the Cosmos to a greater and greater degree of confidence. After King Tut’s tomb was discovered in 1923, revelation took a back seat to speculation. As always, observational digs led to hypothetical theories. But, one by one, those theories have undergone a continual process of either dismissal or revision as tomb after tomb has been exposed throughout the region. Spiritually, the same process reveals the truth. The “truth,” in any application, will always work, or it isn’t the truth. So
if my moral hypothesis is that “social productivity and personal fulfillment is enhanced when a Christian “absolutist” world-view is applied to life,” then I would predict that, as that world-view is abandoned, we should be able to measure the increase of dysfunction and despair in society. And, sure enough, every day, our newspapers reveal the latest “research.” An increase in relativism has indeed coincided with a measured increase in crime, divorce, substance abuse and suicide. Data, baby, it’s all about the data! The suppression of that research and the denial of the resulting data has given our society a bad case of truth decay. But that doesn’t mean all is lost! Even when we are given fewer and fewer opportunities to show how moral absolutes can benefit society at large, we can still show our relational worlds how moral absolutes can benefit an individual’s life or a family’s home life. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. -James 3:13 By the way, that’s always been the most effective stage anyway. It’s not about politics, it’s about oikos! Faye Wattleton’s concluded her comments this way. “When others try to inflict their views on me, my daughter or anyone else, that’s not morality: It’s tyranny. It’s unfair, and it’s un-American.” Sorry, Faye, but that has never been our desire. Our goal is not to make people conform against their will. We want them to accept Christ of their own accord. God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. An appeal is a far cry from a demand. If a demand is what the Christian faith required then, 2,000 years ago, Jesus would have demanded that everyone submit to His will and, believe me, He could have gotten compliance! But He didn’t make a demand. He made an appeal. Our approach is the same. Faye, it isn’t the fact that we intend to force you to submit to our morality that really bugs you. What bugs you is the fact that we don’t allow you to force your morality on us. That’s what’s really bugging you, Faye. And that’s what isn’t fair. That’s what’s un-American. And that’s the truth.
ISRAEL & JORDAN STUDY TOUR Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to step back into the Biblical world. Pastor Kurt Thielen will be leading this tour that will explore the lands of Israel and Jordan in May of 2007. If you are interested in learning more about this experience, join us for an information meeting Sunday June 4th at 11:45am in T1 & T2.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS Creation Station (infant through 2 years old), north side of auditorium during the weekend services. Noah’s Ark Park (3 years through prekindergarten), south side of auditorium during the weekend services.
NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR GRANDPARENTS A group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren has begun. For more details please call Allen and Beth Dillon at (760) 240-3246.
MEN’S BREAKFAST: WHAT KIND OF MEN DOES HDC NEED? Saturday, May 6th, at 8:00 am. in the HDC gym. The cost is $6.50. Tickets are now on sale at the Island. Senior Pastor, Tom Mercer will be speaking and 7 Worship Minister, Matt Coulombe will lead us in some music (we’ll get to see his acoustic side). In addition, a booth will be set-up for those who want to register early for the November Men’s Conference (you guys who rush to get the deluxe condos will like this)! This event is brought to you by our Band of Brothers men’s ministry team (pre-empting the monthly second-Saturday breakfast at Don’s Restaurant for May.) ATTENTION YOUTH LEADERS From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for all you do. What we do for work, you do for free. We love these kids, and we know you do too. Your commitment proves it. Over 300 students were ministered to this school year by you. Over 15,000 hours were invested into students’ lives this year by you. Over and over again we were encouraged by your faithfulness, sacrifice, and love. You rock. Thank you. -Chris, Doug, Nathan, Tim
INTIMATE ISSUES BIBLE STUDY FOR MARRIED WOMEN In this world with so many conflicting ideas on sex, how do you as a Christian woman make sense of them? You desire God’s best for yourself and your husband but you have questions—questions you want to have answered from a woman’s perspective. This eight-week study, led by mother/daughter team, Patty Schell and Genny Hays, will be using the book, Intimate Issues written by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus, along with insights from God’s Word. If you have any questions or wish to register for this study, please contact the HDC church office at 245-2415, ext. 240. The cost for this class is $20 for materials.
Power Surge (K-5th grade), in the gym during the weekend services. UNDERGROUND (6th grade) Saturday at 4:30pm & 6:30pm in room T-3 & T-4. JR. HIGH Jr. High, Saturday at 4:30pm & 6:30pm in T-1 and T-2. SR. HIGH FUEL, Saturday at 4:30pm & 6:30pm in the chapel. ADULTS SEVEN COMMUNITY, Sunday at 5pm & 7pm in the auditorium. (K-5th grade program now available in the gym during the 5pm service)
ADULTS HARBOR COMMUNITY, Saturday at 4:30 & 6:30pm, and Sunday at 8:15, 10 & 11:45am SENIORS FRIENDSHIP CLASS, Sunday school for retirement age at 8am in the chapel. For more info on these ministries call the church office at (760) 2452415 or visit highdesertchurch.com
Summer Blast is “HDC Kid’s” single biggest event of the year (taking place from June 26th-June 30th). Built upon the foundation of introducing elementary students (grades 1st-5th) to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through peer based OIKOS relationships, Summer Blast ministers to hundreds of elementary students each year. With music, practical speakers, high-energy games, crafts, and snacks, Summer Blast is bound to be a highlight of a child’s summer. This year’s theme “The Dig” is based on an Indiana Jones-style adventure. Don’t worry parents; our version gets a “G” rating. (No live snakes in the auditorium please!) Our drama follows four young archeologists who are searching for the lost treasure of Veritas (the Latin word for truth). After their plane is forced to make an emergency landing, leaving them stranded in the jungle, they find an ancient Incan pyramid that contains a treasure thought to exist only in legend. Once inside, their quest soon becomes a wild adventure to the finish as they realize they’re not the only ones in search of the treasure. I’ve gotta tell ya, kids are going to love these characters, and they are going to love Summer Blast. This is the
best opportunity of the year for the kids of HDC to invite their friends to come and see what our church is all about. This event is primarily an entry point for classmates, relatives and neighborhood friends to get a taste of who we are, what we do, and the Jesus we serve. To be honest, Summer Blast is not for the kids of HDC. Now do we want them to come? Of course, but we want them to bring friends who need to hear the gospel. Everything from the promotion to the price structure of Summer Blast has been geared to helping your kids reach their worlds for Christ. Every “oikos” child that attends gets to come free of charge! Check out the awesome growth that has taken place in this program over the years, and more importantly, see what God has done in the lives of hundreds of children. Four years ago we recognized that only about 10% of the kids who attend Summer Blast were un-churched kids, yet we said our primary purpose was evangelism! It came as quite a shock to realize that we were basically “evangelizing” Christian kids. Parents, we want to thank you and your kids for your contribution to the purpose of Summer Blast over the years. Because of your participation, last year 39% of the kids who attended Summer Blast were oikos kids, and each child was introduced to who Jesus is and what He’s done for them. This is another year for us to reach our goal, but we need your help. We are projecting that about 500 HDC kids will attend Summer Blast this year. So to reach our goal, each HDC child needs to invite one friend that doesn’t know Jesus. Registration begins at the Island or online on May 6th. Thanks for helping us to narrow the gap; we hope you will help us succeed in reaching our goal! Written by Mike Day, Senior Elementary Director
Pastor Frank Mercer
Dr. Frank Mercer, known through the years as “Pastor Frank” or simply “PF,” continues to be a faithful ambassador of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His clear and practical messages from God’s Word have encouraged people in their walk with Christ for seven decades. PF and his wife, MaryAnn, who now live in Oelwein, Iowa, pray every day for HDC, our staff and our mission. Connections is pleased to share PF’s insights from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, excerpts from PF’s devotional book, “Feasting on Philippians.”
Focus passage: Philippians 1:1 Scripture reading: II Timothy 1:1-2:3
Paul frequently identified himself with young preachers. He was constantly training young men to carry on the teaching of God’s Word, the preaching the Gospel, and equipping them to do the work of ministry. This is the method of discipleship Jesus had in mind when he said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Timothy was a product of Paul’s training “school,” so it is no surprise that he had developed a pastor’s heart!
3) Timothy: Led to Preach Like Paul.
“The things you have heard me say... entrust to reliable men” (II Timothy 2:2). If Paul could not go, he sent Timothy and the message came out the same– Timothy was like a vest pocket edition of Paul! Timothy did not originate his teaching of Christ, he learned it all from God, through Paul. Paul instructed Timothy not to change the message, don’t try to improve on it... just guard the truth, teach and preach the Word of God and be willing to suffer as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. And he did that! How wonderful it is to have (or have had) a Christian home where the Bible is used as an instruction book, where parents pray, love abounds and eternal truths are learned early in life. Timothy was privileged to have had a Christian mother! It is also a special privilege to have been led to Christ by an individual who is concerned about your spiritual growth, teaching you to love God and His righteousness, motivating you to serve the Lord Jesus. As Timothy followed Paul’s example (and his mother’s), it led him closer to the Lord Jesus! If people follow your example of lifestyle, will it lead them closer to Jesus?
1) Timothy: Led to Christ by Paul.
Paul speaks of Timothy as “Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord” (I Corinthians 4:17). There is no greater joy than that which comes from being used by God to share the Gospel of Christ with someone and have the Spirit of God use it to bring salvation to that individual. On Paul’s first visit to Lystra, Timothy accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. And, then, on his return to Lystra, the people spoke so highly of Timothy that Paul took him along as a “fellow worker.” Your friends know if your faith is genuine and Timothy was the real thing! He was ready for “on the job” training.
2) Timothy: Led to Love by Paul.
Paul declared that, “For to me, to live is Christ”– Christ was his life! That which gave purpose and meaning to life was the Lord Jesus. Speaking of his young friend, Paul said, “I have no one like-minded.” Paul and Timothy thought alike with regard to Christ, the Christian life and Bible doctrine. Jesus Christ took two very different individuals in age, education, religious training and family background. He filled both hearts with Himself, a love for God, and a love for one another. God gave them a great friendship and beautiful fellowship in the Gospel! Jesus removed the natural barriers that might keep people apart and used them as a “team” in ministering the Gospel. Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” They did! AND WE MUST!
1. What do you learn about Timothy’s family background in your Scripture reading? 2. Can you find the top four challenges Paul presented to Timothy. 3. If our assignment is essentially the same, what should we be doing this week?
REASONS TO JOIN A GROUP
Here are some great reasons to join a small group: • • • • •
Grow in your knowledge and application of Scripture Deepen your relationship with fellow-believers Experience encouragement and support in life’s difficulties Learn how to pray for and reach out to your oikos Experience the joy of serving and helping others
If you are interested in joining a group, call the church office at 245-2415, ext. 240 and speak with Tim Wheeler, Pastor to Adults.
REFRESH- SMALL GROUPS FOR THE SUMMER Most of our small groups run from September through the end of May. During the summer break we encourage you to attend our mid-week Refresh program (see ad on page 1). In addition, watch for new small group info at our annual Small Groups Connections event in September.
RESTORATION GROUPS GRIEFSHARE
SINGLE MOMS
Meets on Tuesday nights. Call the church office at (760) 245-2415 for more info.
If you’ve lost a family member or close friend, you’ve found there are not many who understand the pain you feel. We understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement during this difficult time. Through videos, small groups, and your own personal reflection, God will lead you on your personal journey from mourning to joy. Call Kay at (760) 949-7226 or Debbie at (760) 955-7008 for more info.
LIVING COURAGEOUSLY
DIVORCECARE FOR WOMEN
FORGIVEN & SET FREE
Let us help you in the journey after divorce. Meets on Tuesdays in T-1 & 2 at 6:30pm. Call Marcia at (760) 243-9522 for more info.
OVERCOMERS OUTREACH
A Christ centered substance recovery group for men & women. Meets on Fridays at 7pm in T-2. Call Steve at (760) 949-6837.
We provide support for those who are chronically ill. We meet the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month in the chapel at 6:30pm. Call the church office at (760) 245-2415 for more info. Childcare is provided through 6th grade at no charge.
PRISM WEIGHT LOSS CLASS
Are you interested in a weight loss program based on Biblical principles and lifestyle change and includes a source of support and encouragement? Call Tery Lucus at (760) 242-7422 or email at tlucus@eee.org for more info.
This is an eight week Bible Study and support group for women who have had an abortion and are struggling to overcome feelings of shame, regret, anxiety, and depression. The group will meet off-campus and confidentiality will be maintained. Call Ginger Stolp at (760) 242-7343 or (760) 559-4887 for more info.
PURE L.I.F.E. FOR MEN & WOMEN
These groups for men and women incorporate the use of restoration materials, spiritual disciplines, small group accountability, and prayer as a means to help men and women renew from a life of inappropriate sexual behavior. This program is committed to strict confidentiality. Women meet Tuesday evenings at 7pm in T-3 & 4 and men meet Wednesday evenings at 7pm in 209 and 210. Just show up.
BAPTISM / JUNE
Are you interested in being baptized at HDC? We have two baptism classes that you need to attend. The first class will give you info about the baptism and how to develop a personal testimony. The second is spent video taping your testimony. The first baptism class will be on May 28th at 10am in the chapel and the second class will be on June 4th at 10am in the chapel. The classes are in preparation for the June 17th & 18th baptisms. Both classes are required. If you have any questions call the church office at 245-2415.
GETTING GROUNDED/ CHRISTIANITY BASICS CLASS
The next seven week term will run from Apr. 23rd-June 4th on Sundays at 10am in room T-5. It is approx. 90 minutes. This class will help you focus on the basic truths of the Christian faith that are essential for your growth in Christ. We will answer questions like, “What should I believe about God, Jesus Christ, and the Bible?, How can I know for sure if I have eternal life?” It will be taught by Tim Wheeler, Pastor to Adults. Call the church office at ext. 203 or check the “Getting Grounded” box on your Welcome Form.
PRAYER CHAIN
If you are interested in being a part of the prayer chain, or if you have a prayer request, call Karen Sanchez at (760) 242-0273 or email it to prayer@highdesertchurch.com.
BEFORE YOU DIVORCE
Don’t let the emotional intensity of a marriage crisis drive your decision. Before deciding whether to divorce or stay together, get help. Contact David at 245-2415 to find out more information about this group.
HOMESCHOOLERS
Home teachers meet the first Monday of every month at 6:30pm in room 109 (No children please). For more info on activity days and field trips, contact Karen Sanchez at (760) 242-0273.
WELCOME MINISTRY Appreciation Dinner for Small Group Leaders Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 4th at 5:30pm. Our annual Small Groups Leaders’ Appreciation Dinner will take place in the gym. You must RSVP for this event a few weeks prior. Call Cathy at ext. 240 to sign up. There is no cost to you for this event. We simply would like to thank you (please note that there will be no childcare provided).
Join others in the joy of welcoming people to our campus and services on the weekends. If you are interested in contributing a few hours a few times a month as a greeter or usher, please consider being a part of Harbor’s Welcome Ministry. For more info about being a greeter, please call Christine Potts at (760) 955-6158, or if you are interested in being an usher, please call Mike Harridge at (760) 949-2795.
EMAIL FOR MEN
If you’re interested in receiving email from Band of Brothers (men’s ministry of HDC) and other great stuff (not junk mail), email Tim@highdesertchurch.com, and put subscribe and your name in the subject line.
Pointe Discovery is going to be a special place! For years, we have wanted to provide a place just for kids, where they can learn how much Jesus loves them and even discover God’s purpose for their young lives. Now, finally, such a place is looming on the high desert.
Diego and Don Voyage begin to discuss the plans for phase one of construction on the Children’s Ministry Center.
photography by Stefan Brinkley
CHURCH FAMILY GROWTH * Last year, due to a lack of adequate child space and parking, our Harbor Community moved to a ďŹ ve service format. However, this was only a temporary solution. * With our Seven Community expanding to two services and the future addition of the Classic Community, we are now out of space to expand and accommodate future growth.
VICTOR VALLEY POPULATION GROWTH * The population of the Victor Valley has grown to over 300,000. * HDC currently ministers to over 8,000 active participants.
* Construction in the Victor Valley has grown rapidly and is now producing more than 5,000 new homes per year. * By the year 2020, less than 15 years from now, the Victor Valley is estimated to be home to more than a million people. * If our church growth stays constant relative to the population in the Victor Valley, HDC will have more than 25,000 active participants by the year 2020.
(1) Pointe Discovery Children’s Ministry Center. (2) Phase 1 of Pointe Discovery will feature an auditorium venue designed for maximum exibility and easily changeable stage sets. (3) Outdoor walkway.
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(4) With bright colors and fun shapes, kids imaginations will be captured from the minute they walk into the lobby. (5) Break out classrooms will be used for smaller teaching sessions.
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LAND HO! Phase 1, a $12.5 million dollar start, is already underway. It includes: * Expanded parking on the east side of our campus, giving us a net gain of over 330 parking spaces. * Completion of Arlette Drive to Seneca, giving our people an additional egress east out of our parking lot. * The entire overall Pointe Discovery structure first floor completion of the Pointe Discovery complex. To date, over 1,200 of our church families have joined Team Discovery, committing over $8.5 million to this first phase, and those numbers are growing each week.
DOES POINTE DISCOVERY NEED YOUR SUPPORT? Absolutely! 1,200 families cannot do it alone! We would love for you and your family to join us as we take a stand on behalf of our children and impact the lives of future generations here in the high desert.
HOW CAN YOU JOIN TEAM DISCOVERY? Getting involved is easy. Simply pick up a commitment card at our Pointe Discovery Center in the lobby of Powell Auditorium and prayerfully consider what God is calling you and your family to commit to this project. Then fill out your commitment card and turn it in to the church office or place it into one of the offering bags during service.