The Hillsboro Christian

In This Issue of The Hillsboro Christian

By Brad Clouse

Stewardship is defined as the “supervising or managing of something (especially, the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care).” Last fall, we spent some time in the book of Philippians looking at faithful stewardship, which is one of the core values of our church. In Paul's letter to the church of Philippi, we see the stewardship of position, attitude, relationships, heritage, time, thought, and resources. Out of His generosity, God has entrusted these gifts to us: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). As God’s people, it is important that our faithful stewardship be marked by generosity.

1.) With generosity, we glorify God. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Our prayer should be that through our generosity those around us will get a glimpse of God and recognize Him for who He is.

2.) With generosity, we further God’s Kingdom. With generosity, we give of our time, efforts, and resources to make a difference in our community. Backpack Club has just started up for this school year and with your generosity as a church family, we are able to provide a time each week to share the love of Christ with close to 100 kids. This past month was the Walk for Life hosted by the Southern Ohio Pregnancy Center. The generosity of so many was on display through the walking, giving, and praying for the sanctity of life. Another example of how our generosity can help further the work of God’s Kingdom is Operation Christmas Child. Through this outreach each year we get to help make a difference in the lives of kids we may never ever see.

3.) With generosity, we are a blessing to others. The story is told of Oseola McCarty, who dropped out of school at an early age and worked most of her life doing other people’s laundry in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. As an uneducated African American woman growing up before the Civil Rights Movement, she had few opportunities for advancement. Though her life was incredibly challenging, she lived every day to the fullest for the Lord and worked very hard for His glory. One day she was having a conversation with a banker who was one of her clients. The banker looked over her accounts and was stunned to find out how much money Oseola had. He asked her, “Don’t you spend any of it on yourself?” She replied, "There's nothing I need. God is good to me, and he provides everything I could ever want. No sir, I'm saving my money for a special purpose he's laid on my heart." The banker was interested to hear what that purpose was. "Well, I

want to set up a scholarship fund at the university for young people who can't afford to go there.

I was never able to get an education myself, but I sure do appreciate the value of one. And I want to help some young women and men have that opportunity I never got." During her lifetime, Oseola McCarty saved more than $150,000, which she donated to create a scholarship fund for financially challenged students at the University of Southern Mississippi. We are reminded of what King Solomon writes in Proverbs 11:24 25 –“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Our generosity brings blessing not only to others but also to ourselves. “For it is in giving that we receive” (St. Francis of Assisi).

In this edition of The Hillsboro Christian, Adam poses the question “What are we building our lives with?” Also, Micah reminds us that we are stewards of the King.

Our guest contributor for this month’s newsletter is Tom Claiborne, who has been serving as lead minister of the Bethlehem Church of Christ for 43 years. Tom holds a special place in the heart of our church family because he grew up here. He shares with us why it is important for God’s people to celebrate stewardship.

In Christian love, Brad

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brad Clouse, a Louisville, Kentucky native, graduated from Louisville Bible College in 2010 with a Master's Degree in Sacred Literature after earning his former degrees at the same university. Brad served at smaller churches in Adair County Kentucky while in college before being called to Ohio in 2009. Brad ministered to the New Vienna Church of Christ congregation for 12 years before being called to the Hillsboro Church of Christ as the Senior Minister.

He is pictured here with his wife, Julie, and his children, Will, Annaleigh, and Samantha.

‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:16).

Our prayer should be that through our generosity those around us will get a glimpse of God and recognize Him for who He is.”

“With generosity, we glorify God.

by Tom Claibourne

In the years as I transitioned from a youth in Hillsboro to adulthood in ministry, I learned two valuable lessons about stewardship.

God is the Owner

During my first year of graduate school, I had an amazing part time job. I would simply sit in a chair, or sometimes stand, as people drove past and handed me money. As a matter of fact, most of the drivers would literally wait in line to give me money!

Then at midnight I would place the money in a bag, zip it up, get in my car and drive away with it. As icing on the cake, my employers gave me a paycheck above and beyond the contents of the money bag. What a life!

Actually, my employer was a major parking garage company in Cincinnati. My role was simply to collect money all evening on their behalf and then drive it to their main safe box down the street. I was simply a steward of their money and was accountable for how I handled it.

I learned several lessons from that interesting and somewhat risky job, but the greatest truth was the reminder that each of us is simply a steward in this life. We are blessed with abilities, opportunities, money, and many possessions, but only temporarily.

Someday we will each drive the last mile of life and leave all our possessions and wealth behind because it wasn’t really ours. We simply managed what was God’s. (See Psalm 24:1,2; 115:15, 16; Genesis 2:15.) This is the first and most basic lesson in Biblical stewardship.

Follow the Dollars

Another lesson I learned came from observing the far reaching impact of faithful stewardship through our tithes and offerings. Consider: a farmer gently drops his tithe into the offering plate. A small boy proudly releases his tight grip on three quarters and tosses them into the VBS offering bucket. A businesswoman smiles as she offers her significant financial gift for the Lord's work.

I wonder how often they, or we, seriously ponder the ultimate destination of our monetary offerings to God. Then again, maybe those gifts never really reach a point where they no longer have an impact on people’s lives.

During my college years, while working in nations controlled and oppressed by communist rulers, I cautiously transported Christian printed materials into several countries over two summers.

One of my most memorable destinations was a small town in eastern Hungary near the border with Romania. Twice I was able to deliver Bible materials to a Romanian couple there and watch their eyes light up as we unloaded the printed treasures.

As we prepared to depart after one of those deliveries, we stood in their driveway beside our vehicle, still struggling to communicate since we did not share a common first or second language.

After a few moments, the husband opened his Romanian Bible and pointed to a page. He motioned at my Bible. I opened it, glancing back into his. I finally figured out the words at the top of his page: Second Corinthians. He pointed to the chapter and verses.

The words of the text were his only way of expressing to us, and to American Christians who had sent us, how much he appreciated our gifts. I tearfully read from chapter nine, verses ten through fifteen:

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

”

Since none of us could say it any better than the Holy Spirit had, we hugged some, cried a little, and smiled a lot.

As we bounced our way down the dirt road we glanced back to find our friend in his driveway with his hands and eyes extended heavenward, giving God all the glory and thanks.

A Trail of Love

Looking back on that moving experience, I can trace the journey of those dollars from midwestern America to the other side of the world. When I showed up at that tiny house in Hungary I was driving a German van, purchased by a mission with bases in Indiana and Austria, because churches in places like Kentucky, Oregon, and Missouri gave money to make it possible.

Christian printed materials were purchased because of the generosity of many Christians. I was able to deliver them personally because HCC and other congregations in Highland County sponsored my trip. Those churches were able to give money to me because individual believers within those congregations put their tithes and offerings in the trays as part of their worship.

The bottom line is that I was able to bring a man and his friends incredible joy in a town in Eastern Europe because numerous Christians gave willingly to the Lord. Then some of those materials were later taken across the border into communist Romania, and the story continued.

As my European friend reminded me from 2 Corinthians 9, God provides the harvest, His people are generous, and countless people are blessed and grateful. We may only get to meet most of those people when we arrive in heaven.

The dime, dollar, or sizable check we put in the offering plate can have a ripple effect across the street or ocean, and impact lives for decades, and for all eternity.

Isn’t it amazing what God does when we take Him at His word and trust Him with the money He has allowed us to use?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Claibourne grew up in Hillsboro, first learning to follow and serve Christ at HCC. As a boy, he often played in a woods where Ponderosa restaurant now sits. Since escaping that woods, he has been on many mission trips, written extensively in various publications, and led seminars in several states.

Tom is husband to Linnea, dad to 2 married daughters and 1 son, and “Pops” to 1 grandson (and two more grandchildren expected in October and January). He has preached for the Bethlehem Church of Christ near Winchester for 43 years.

Occasionally he returns to Ponderosa to overindulge and to reflect on a life of blessings that began in Hillsboro.

10/06/22

Faith in Action ministry is sponsoring a Ladies Game Night in the Connection Café from 6:00 to 8:30. Any lady is welcome to come!

10/09/22

Clergy Appreciation Day (let your ministers know how much you appreciate them and what they do!)

10/13/22 SATH Radio A Thon Fundraiser for SATH (KAMP Dovetail)

10/15/22 our Cross Trails Ministry (horse ministry) is having an event at Hay HooK Farms (Roger & Janet Epley’s home)

10/20/22 MomConnect will meet 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (please note the time, I had the wrong time in September newsletter)

10/27/22

Trunk N Treat Thursday evening 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We can use volunteers to help hand out hot dogs and water.

10/30/22

T.H.E.O. will meet right after 2nd worship service

Back Pack Club is looking for candy donations, (please no chocolate). You can drop off donations to the church office.

Little Lamb Christian Preschool will hold it’s Rummage Sale Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Collections will not start till Monday, October 31st.

Thank You;

We want to thank the church for the Afghan. Also thanks to the group that prepared the plentiful meal for us after the service. Thank each one of your for the calls, visits, prayers, cards, and words of kindness.

May God Bless You!

The family of Dean Everetts

Is Your Work Fireproof?

by Adam Steele

There is a passage in 1 Corinthians 3 that has intrigued me for years. It is a passage where Paul is describing the work that he and others are doing for the church. He describes the type of materials that can be used to build up the church and then discusses what happens when Jesus returns.

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Cor 3:10 15).

The first point that Paul makes here is that each one of us in our role in the church does not set the

foundation, we are simply adding on to what those who came before us. This reminds me of the truth that I am not the last person who will hold my position or serve in my capacity. Someone else is going to come after me and continue to build on top of what I have done. I want to make decisions that will make that next person’s job easier not harder. Paul also explains that not everyone builds with the same materials. Some build with valuable materials like silver, gold, and precious stones. While others build with wood, hay, and straw. In the end fire will prove whose work was worthy of reward and whose wasn’t. This is not a salvation issue, the person who builds with wood, hay, and straw doesn’t go to Hell, but they miss out on a reward that could have been theirs if they had been more intentional in their work for the Kingdom.

Each of us have been given opportunities and abilities by God. He expects that we will invest what he has given us into something of value and that will last. Jesus says in Matthew 6, ““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We have each been given much to invest and the quality of our work is important. When each of us stands before God we will have to give an account for everything we have done. On that day it is not just our work that will be evaluated but also the quality of our work. It is so easy to live our lives pursuing things that won’t last. We give our time energy and money to things that no one will remember or care about after we are gone. There is work that is more valuable that will last forever because it has to do with relationships. When we invest in people by sharing the gospel, we are investing in that relationship so that it can last forever. We can spend eternity enjoying the reward of heaven with all

those who accept God’s offer of salvation. When we train our children in the word of God and introduce them to the God who loves them, we are building with precious materials.

So, what are you building with your life? Are you building something that will last? Are you using silver/gold or wood/straw? How are you stewarding well the position and opportunities that God has given you? Let us be good stewards of all that God has given to us. Let us build for the Kingdom with silver, gold, and precious stones. Let us not miss out on the reward that awaits those whose work endures. Amen.

Grace and Peace, Adam

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Steele is originally from western Pennsylvania. When he was eleven his parents moved to West Virginia where he lived through his time in high school. Adam attended Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, MO.

While in college he met his lovely wife April. Adam and April have two children Silas and Sadie. Before coming to Hillsboro, OH they served at First Christian Church in Jackson, TN. Adam has a passion for ministry and for God’s word and has served as Youth and Families Minister at HCC since 2016.

by Micah Herrick

I have been rediscovering a love for the writings and mythos of JRR Tolkien recently. As we talk about stewardship this month I am led to reflect on a poor example of a steward and what we can learn from his poor example.

In his tales of the imagined Middle Earth, Tolkien writes of a man who was the Steward of the great kingdom of men, Gondor. This was the highest and most noble kingdom of men that had had an empty throne for generations because of the failings and personally forced exile of a former king. See, when we speak of a steward in reference to a throne, we speak of someone who sits in the seat of decision making for a king while he is unable to rule. In some moments in history we have seen advisors who have sat in a seat to make decisions while waiting for a boy king to come of age. In this story we see a kingdom eagerly anticipating the return of their great line of kings with a series of stewards that watch over the kingdom in their stead.

In this story, the Steward of Gondor, a Lord Denethor, comes to a very dark and selfish place. His commission is to oversee the kingdom until the king’s return but we see a very different attitude from him. In the film by Peter Jackson which popularized the franchise Denethor says, “You think you are wise, Mithrandir. Yet for all your subtle-

ties, you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor, and with your right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan. Oh, yes. Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North, last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship!”

Strong words. This Steward had fallen so deeply into a desire for power and fear of loss that he lost sight of his primary duty as a steward of the king. It was his duty to create, establish, and lead a kingdom that achieved the highest greatness possible all for the glory of his king. It should have been a grand and glorious moment for him to bow a knee before his lord and say, “Look at this beautiful thing which is yours and what I have done all for the sake of your glory!”

Jesus told this story:

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time

the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14-30)”

There is a lesson to be learned in all of this. We have all of us been given stewardship over something for the kingdom of heaven. It may be a position, a gifting, your family, or a whole host of other things. And what is more, our king will be returning one day. We have to ask which steward will we be like. The one who bows his knee and willingly joyously hands the full kingdom that has been poured into with fervor and intentionality and made beautiful for the king’s return? Or will we clutch as tightly to the kingdom as we can, with greedy white knuckles, shouting at the wind about what is ours? Each of us serves at the mercy of our king. Each of us bows a knee by his favor. Every good thing is a gift poured out on us from heaven. We serve at the king’s pleasure and his alone.

Each one of us has someone in our lives into whom we must pour. Each of us has someone in our lives that desperately needs to hear the gospel. Each of us has a giftedness that has been granted to us for the service of the kingdom. So are you using your gift? Are you sharing the Gospel of Jesus? Who are you discipling? If we are not pursuing worship and evangelism, we are not preparing for the return of the King. If we are not living lives that are evidently marked by the blood of Jesus, we are not preparing for the return of the King. We are all of us stewards. How are you stewarding for the King?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Micah Herrick began ministry in 2012 after being commissioned for ministry by his home church, White Oak Christian Church, in Cincinnati, OH. Micah is currently serving HCC as Worship Minister, as well as leading our Evangelism team and coordinating our online presence. He has served in both Youth Ministry and Worship Ministry in Richmond, IN and Knightstown, IN before coming back to Ohio to serve in Hillsboro.

He is pictured here with his wife, Rebecca.

ICOM (International Conference on Missions)

The International Conference on Missions will be held this year November 3rd through the 5th at the Greater Columbus Convention Center , 400 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio, 43215.

Guess what? Our church has registered our whole family for ICOM!! That means you and your immediate family get to experience an international conference at no cost to you!. Walk through an exhibit hall with over 325 organizations to meet, attend 5 workshops on various missional topics, worship with thousands of attendees, and more!

You must register for this conference (still no cost to you) by Sunday, October 25th. Here is the link:

Attendees – The International Conference On Missions

On

box:

Attending onsite use code: unity22

Attending virtually use code: onlineunity22

P r a y e r

requests

Health and Other:

Ken Aurigema

Denver Conley

Jim Cook

Ohio Mission Bible Training Center

Janet Pence

Shalom Orphanage Sandy Spruill

Mary Jane Stephens Crue Swayne Sharon Webb Wayne Wiedenbein

Shut Ins:

Barbara Boris Jewel Calmes John Porter Carol Setty Ruby Wallingford

Cancer: Jeffery Aurigema Vicki Butler

Kari Crafton Judy Roush Mark Sears

Family Loss:

Missions: The Brittons, The Millers, The Newmans

HCC Leadership: Steve Allen Brad Clouse Roger Epley Dan Fauber Micah Herrick Mike Labig Adam Steele Richard VanZant

Military: Tyler Amos Ryan Burns Mark Conover Thadeus Conover Corey Hughes Phillip Mycroft

Average attendance for the month of 277

Average weekly giving for the month of July was $12,068.98

Our weekly need is: $11,229.13

The Operation Christmas Child Committee of Hillsboro Church of Christ has been buying and collecting items for shoeboxes over the past serval months. Our goal is to fill 500+ boxes with gifts and love to be sent to children in various parts of the world to show the love of God through His Son Jesus.

We feel we have found many items to fill boxes and are in need of some financial assistance. Many items have gone up in price and some are not available at this time. It costs about $10.00 to buy items to fill the boxes and we always help with the $10.00 donation for shipping cost that Samaritan’s Purse incurs to distribute the boxes.

One of the many things our $10.00 per shoebox donation covers is “The Greatest Gift” booklet. This little booklet tells the Gospel message in the child’s language and is placed on top of every shoebox gift as it is handed to each child. “The Greatest Gift” booklet is something the child can take home and share with their family and friends.

Our financial goal this year is $7,000.00. We have had several gifts to help keep that goal as low as possible, but still could use help.

If you wish to help, please mark your giving envelope “FOR SHOEBOXES” and place them in the giving boxes at church or you may donate online at hillsborochurch.net.

We plan to have the packing party in early November before the collection week of November 13th through the 18th.

Thanks for your prayers and support, The Shoebox Committee.

C-103 & 99.5 Hosts

21st Annual SATH Radio-A-Thon

Tune in Monday, October 24th from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm to show your support for SATH and KAMP Dovetail. We will be live on the air to discuss the programs, fundraisers, future events and awesome opportunities SATH has to offer. We’ll be talking to campers, parents, volunteers and supporters throughout the evening. You can stop by the radio station (between SR 125 and 41 in West Union or call in at 800-326-9722 or 937-544-9722 to make a pledge. So give us a call!