Book Groups March 2018 Feb Inside this newsletter Pastor Andy’s Letter Milestones/Attendance One Another Meals in Homes Dear Church Family, interpretation (sometimes cit- Christ CC News On February 21st, 2018, Billy Graham breathed his last, and— ing Jesus’ conversation with the February Photos April 29 at last—his faith became sight. I missed the majority of Graham’s Samaritan woman at the well as Pancake and Sausage Day August 5 active ministry years, but even so his impact has shaped my own “proof” that Jesus wouldn’t en- Missionaries November 4 February Book Groups We had four groups meet during the Sun- ministry in some ways, and certainly the landscape of the Ameri- dorse Graham’s rule). Thus, it’s day School hour throughout the month of February. John Dirks , Grant worth pointing out that Graham imposed this Stauter & Derek Meiss, Mark & Stacy Ludy, and Denny Foor each led a can church today. In the wake of Graham’s pass- small group discussion covering these four books: Uncomfortable; 12 ing, many have written eloquently about his life rule not on every Christian, but found it wise for One Another Meals were held on Feb- Ways Your Phones are Changing You; Evangelism; Look and Live. and influence,1 and in what follows, I’ll offer a few himself given his life of travel, fame, and—most ruary 11th. This is one way the local body likely—personal temptations. of Christ can encourage, edify and break observations as well. bread together. If you would like to sign up Simplicity in Preaching As I began preach- Additionally, Graham was strict about the for One Another Meals contact Denise Bene- Moms’ Group ing occasionally in college, I remember trying rule, but not silly. For instance, he did dine with dict: [email protected] to imitate Billy Graham’s preaching style that I Hillary Clinton in public, but such a meeting was had read about in a biography. The small, coun- not secretive or unknown to his wife or others. The rule has been lambasted as misogynistic, try congregation at Center Christian Church Billy Graham Gridley Food Pantry in Fairmount, Indiana patiently endured my 20- November 7, 1918 - February 21, 2018 prudish, and even illegal, but in a #metoo world, year old finger-wagging-Billy-Graham imperson- shouldn’t we be celebrating a man of such great ations. Truth is, I didn’t really have any idea of how Billy Graham fame and power who went to his grave faithful to his wife? How preached, and it was only after I had preached a few times that I many churches and marriages in this world might have been actually watched Graham preach on T.V. I was astonished at how spared the pain of adultery if believing men and women were Our Moms’ Group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month underwhelming his preaching was. His larger-than-life name had “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16)? from 9-10:30 am. If you’re a mom looking to get plugged in, come led me to believe his sermons must have been spectacularly pro- Finished Well A third characteristic of Billy Graham’s life that hang out and dive into God’s Word. Childcare is provided. If you found. But, to my surprise, Graham’s preaching was amazingly I appreciate is that he finished the race of faith well. As he aged, would like to help with the kids please see Susan Johnson. Thank you simple. He was not profound; he was earnest. His bold appeals to all the childcare volunteers. he did not assert himself with a flurry of public, and possibly re- to trust in Christ were not the thunder of a prophet, but with the grettable, statements that would have undermined the gospel he compassion of a father. Graham was a winsome man, but the spent his life preaching. He did not seem to grasp for the limelight power of his preaching was not from eloquence. It was the power he once had, like so many professional athletes and movie stars Photo Directory of the Holy Spirit working through the simple message of the gos- The Gridley Food Pantry operates out of our have been unable to do. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “But building and is open on Thursdays from 12:30- We took photo directory photos at the end of pel. Graham was “not ashamed of the gospel” believing that the I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preach- 1:00. They are accepting donations to help with last year and the beginning of this year. These simple gospel is “the power of God for salvation for everyone who ing to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). What the Easter baskets. Please give your donation to helpers posed for the camera so our photog- believes” (Rom. 1:16). a tragedy it would be to preach to a quarter billion people in life, Maralon Stauter. Pictured L to R: Phyllis & Bill rapher Tiffney Palmer, could test the camera. only for him to find that he had not run his own race of faith and Krieghauser, Carol Neuhalfen, Shirley Funk, Pau- The Photo directory with contact informa- The Billy Graham Rule Early in his ministry, Graham line Booher, Maralon & Jon Stauter. Not pictured: tion is on our website: www.christ-cc.org. If sought accountability from trusted friends to help him avoid the was disqualified! By the grace of God, however, it appears that Barb Ringger, Larry Neuhalfen. you need the password feel free to email the dangers inherent in his popularity and platform. In 1948, he made Graham can say with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good church office. You can also pick up a paper fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now, there is copy of the directory at the Welcome Wall. a pact with three friends that he would “avoid any situation that would have even the appearance of compromise or suspicion.”2 laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the This rule applied to his finances (he took a set salary, published righteous judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Tim. 4:7-8) the results of income, and gave oversight of funds to others), pub- Grace and Peace, Pastoral Staff Youth Groups licity, and his interactions with women. Graham made a law unto Andy Huette, Sr. Pastor Wednesdays Andy Grant Stauter, Associate Pastor Jr. High 5:30pm Zack Puck himself that he would never be alone with a woman not his wife, Kyle Romine, Associate Pastor Sr. High 7:00pm Jordan McKinsey Sunday Worship Services which has been popularized as the “Billy Graham Rule” (well- 1 I highly recommend Christianity Today’s special edition that just came out with 26 ar- Easter Services Morning Worship 9 am-10 am Moms’ Group known enough that Wikipedia has an entry on the rule). Gra- ticles about its founder, Billy Graham. The articles are a superb glimpse at various facets Good Friday Service: J.A.M. (ages 3 - PreK) every Sunday of his life and ministry. I particularly enjoyed “The Evangel-ist,” “What I Would Have March 30 at 7 pm K-3 Children’s Church; 4-5th grades 1st & 3rd Sundays 1st & 3rd Wednesday of month ham’s self-imposed rule has been mocked, misunderstood, and Fellowship Hall Done Differently,” “Lead Us Not Into Scandal,” “Little Girls Need Their Daddy,” and Easter Sunday Service: Communion served 4th Sunday misapplied in recent years in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, John Stott’s article “Walking Together to Glory.” The full text of the entire issue is avail- Sunday School 10:30-11:15 am 9-10:30am Bible Study & Hang out April 1 at 9 am Vox, among other media outlets, often with fallacious Biblical able online and many of the facts cited in what I’ve written here are found in the issue. 406 W 7th Street, PO Box 280, Gridley, IL 61744 • Phone 747-2299 • www.christ-cc.org 2 Graham, Billy. Just As I Am (New York: HarperOne, 1999), 128. March About Our Missionaries MARRIAGE AND DATING Birthdays The Jr. and Sr. High Youth Groups just 1 Lori Hardman finished their series on Marriage and Dating. 4 Lukas Krug They started the series off with a biblical per- 7 Anna Albritton Wes & Natalie Crump Matt & Natalie Taylor 8 Tammy Sanders The Traveling Team To Every Tribe spective of marriage. Marriage must be defined 9 Derek Meiss by God in His word, instead of the culture. 11 Molly Erwin When we let anything outside the Bible define 13 Aiden Palmer the divine institution of marriage, it can cause 13 Jonna Strauch confusion and chaos. A marriage defined in 16 Tim Fairchild 17 Sam Poppen the Bible is a covenantal commitment between Over 30 High School Students joined in to lis- 17 Jeff Stoller one man, one woman, for one lifetime. The basis ten to the wisdom of some married couples on February 28th. The panelists shared their ex- 19 Phil Hartzler for this definition of marriage is that it reflects the periences in dating, engagement and marriage. 22 Greg Allen union between Jesus, 23 Reese Deckard the Bridegroom and his Bride, the church. This view of marriage 24 Maelee Palmer tends to get distorted in our ever-changing culture. The second part 25 Kain Gentes Joe & Amy Flammer 26 Dee Foor Dan & Christi Ucherek of the series talked about dating.