In this issue:

From the Pastor 1

From the Pastor continued:

“Turn With Me Now”

Men’s Retreat

Life Walk

Baby News

2

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4

From the Pastor. . .

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M a y 0 1 , 2 0 1 3 V o l u m e 3 , I s s u e 1 6

Children’s Ministries

Youth Ministries

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College Ministries

Ministries

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7

Contact Information

Why we teach the way we teach. People still tease me about the length of time we spent going through the book of Genesis verse by verse. Or the gospel of Luke. An older preacher once asked me how long I had been the pastor at College Hills. At that time, I said “six years.” He then asked me, “Aren't you out of sermons by now?” I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders, all the while thinking, “How can anyone run out of sermons preaching through every book of the Bible?”

Ken Sheppard told me many years ago that I need to understand that a ministry that focuses on the centrality and foundation of the Bible is not a popular ministry. He told me that people generally do not have an appetite for solid spiritual food. But the ministry that is anchored on the Bible is the only ministry that makes any sense, and makes a lasting impact.

Denny Denton, a former member of our CHBC family, forwarded me an email from his pastor, Tommy Nelson. Tommy was one of the men I listened to many years ago as I traveled around the panhandle of Texas on business, and he is one of the Bible teachers Kim downloads on my i-pod when I travel. I want to share Tommy's article with you because he captures the exact sentiments and commitment our elders and I have in preaching and teaching expositorily.

Continued on page 2

Turn With Me Now

If you've been at Denton Bible for any amount of time you've probably (and hopefully) noticed that the cen-trality of our Sunday is the exaltation of the Bible. Though we believe the Bible and explain it, you've also noticed that we do so in a consecutive manner. If we start with Romans we end in Romans. If we begin in 2 Samuel we progress through it until its end. There are reasons for this:

1. The first reason is that it prevents the pastor from being selective. He must preach the whole counsel of God.

The Bible does not group all of certain ideas into individual books. There is not a book on this doctrine or on that area of morality. The Bible is a latitudinal book with virtually all doctrines and all acts of moral obedience running as connective threads through each book. Thus, with all Bible books, when taught verse by verse, one cannot pick and choose but rather be balanced. One will teach the whole counsel of God.

2. Secondly, one gains the fullness of the Biblical text. A note may be pretty in and of itself but when placed in its bar, movement, and score it is heard in context and thus more meaningful. Such is "expositional or expos-itory preaching" [ex: "out" + posit: "a stance or idea set forth"]. Expository preaching seeks to draw out the exact meaning of a passage through the careful study of its words, original language, immediate context, grammatical structure, dispensational setting, (is it Old Testament, New Testament, the Kingdom, or a pre-law period?) theological setting (what theological truths does it set forth), and its moral intent or application. This is done much easier in consecutive preaching and teaching. The pastor's calling is to be an expositor.

3. Another reason is that it deepens the faithful. When one hears 52 varied messages he does not master a book nor its content. One grows deeper in messages of continuity rather than variety.

It is at this point, however, that there is a cultural conflict. American church culture does not attend church in

continuity. Maybe they used to but not (at least as much) anymore. Thus, to gain membership it is more amena-ble to preach to the lowest common denominator to get numbers (knowing that the American church is in a capi-talistic mold) rather than to achieve depth in the faithful, which may not lend itself to quick "growth."

Because of the continental Sabbath in the U.S. (i.e. relaxation, not the seeking of God) and many Christians only attending church sporadically, as well as Christian's who visit churches as they would restaurants, the pas-tor must preach to a moving target.

Thus now the evangelical pastor faces an issue. "Do I preach for numbers or do I preach for depth?" I have decided to preach for depth. When people come periodically they may be frustrated to step into the middle of a study but when they are the tail that wags the dog then the faithful do not learn as well as they could. There is a depth of theology, apologetics and exhortation that exists in speaking to the same people each Sunday. That is the position I have taken. Numbers are not our passion but large numbers of quality people.

There is a movement among evangelicals now in our country to abandon the verse by verse system of preaching as something that is no longer relevant. They have yielded to the pragmatics of success as dictated by our culture - and they would have to study.

In the Bible the word "growth" never speaks to church growth through people coming on Sunday. It means either "converts", or "the knowledge of scripture", or "depth of character". My only concern is our truly spiritual growth not our American capitalistic cram the faith into our shallow, showy, impotent cultural system of progress "growth."

I've determined to let the dog wag the tail - to teach to the perennials. That's why we do verse by verse Bible exposition.

"You show you grow You snooze you lose"

That's why we do what we do. Tommy

Location: Mertzon TX FMI: Pick up a flyer in the foyer or the office

Life Walk 2013: A benefit for the Pregnancy Help Center Saturday, May 4th 9AM. Volunteers are needed!

FMI: Contact Alan Hardwicke The Pregnancy Help Center is committed to helping women and men in crisis because of an unexpected pregnancy and those who have been harmed by abortion. They provide pregnancy testing, verification by ultrasound, peer counsel-ling including information on all options, referrals, maternity & baby items, prenatal & parenting classes. All services are confidential, nonjudgmental and free of charge.

Atticus Justin Burkleo arrived April 14,

2013 weighing in at 9lbs. 3oz.

He joins big sister, Alana Grace. Proud

parents are Justin and Kelsey Burkleo.

Proud grandparents are Mark and Shelley

Emmons.

We’re having a Diaper and Gift Card

Shower for Kira Connel and the little

one that will join her, Ryan, Corban,

and Ellie in July!

SUNDAY, MAY 5TH AT 1PM

IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL

A LIGHT LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

IT’S A BOY!

JOIN US AS WE HONOR

LORI WINKLER AND HER SOON-TO-ARRIVE

BUNDLE OF JOY

WITH A DIAPER & WIPES SHOWER

SATURDAY, MAY 11TH AT 2PM

4414 GRAYBURG

(HOME OF GAYLE BRYAN)

Meets Sundays at 6:00PM in the AWANA Room for all Kids Grades K-5 We are working on our Spring Musical: “ Directors: Ashley Minor Amanda Shirley Joanna Speciale Stacy Stephenson

WEEKLY MEETINGS:

Sunday School: Sundays at 9:30AM Classes for all ages Preschool—5th Grade Kids on Fire Choir: Sundays at 6:00PM CHBC AWANA room Grades K-5th Grade AWANA Clubs: Wednesdays at 6:00PM Preschool—5th Grade FMI: Contact Philip Cross at 277-7980 or the Church office 949-5788

Club Calendar:

04-24—Grand Prix Workshop 05-01—Silent Auction 05-08—Mothers’ Night 05-15—Finish Your Sections Night! 05-19—AWANA Awards 05-22—Grand Prix & End of Year Party

Awana Clubs meet Wednesdays 6-7:30PM

All Students K-5th Grade are welcome!

AWANA stands for "approved workmen are not ashamed". This wonderful, international chil-dren's program provides a clear, consistent presentation of the gospel through-- • Bible memory – our cornerstone • Circle games exclusive to Awana • A fun approach to learning God’s Word • Leadership training that is second to none • The church leaders of tomorrow trained to serve today • Evangelistic focus designed to reach un-churched youth and their families

YOUTH MINISTRIES

Sunday School: Sundays at 9:30AM CHBC Upstairs Home Groups: Sundays at 6:00PM Various Homes Outbreak: Wednesdays at 6:00PM CHBC Upstairs

Weekly Meetings

For More Information:

Contact: Ryan Connel at: 325-949-5788 or 325-227-1778 Email: ryan@collegehillsbc.org

COLLEGE MINISTRIES WEEKLY MEETINGS:

Sunday School: Sundays at 9:30AM (in the College Room)

Home Groups: Sundays at 6:00PM (Various Homes)

Pause: Wednesdays at 8:00PM (Siefker’s Home-1734 Weston) FMI: Contact Ryan Connel at 227-1778 or church office at 949-5788

We appreciate all our extended session workers. Please be in your place by 10:20AM so you can be there before the children arrive. Please call Philip Cross @325-277-7980 if you are unable to work your extended session or if you have any questions.

1’s and 2’s: 3’s & 4’s: 05-05 Allie Rike Jessie Rike 05-12 Taylor Stephenson/Presley Fisher Rex Stephenson/Josh Stephenson 05-19 Ashley Minor/Avery Brown Cami Mariano/Careissy Reeves 05-26 Michon Grissom/Erica Reeves Brittany Guevara/Cameron Cross

HOW TO CONTACT US:

By Mail: College Hills Baptist Church 2102 Johnson Ave San Angelo TX 76904

By Phone: 325.949.5788

By Fax: 325.949.6877

By Email: info@collegehillsbc.org

Online: www.collegehillsbc.org

Look us up on: YOUR CHURCH STAFF:

Lakan Mariano: Senior Pastor

Philip Cross: Family & Education Pastor

Ryan Connel: Pastor to Students

Micah Mariano: Worship Pastor

Cynthia Hickey: Ministry Assistant

CHURCH OFFICE

HOURS: Monday—Thursday:

8:30AM—4:00PM Friday:

9:00AM—4:00PM Lunch Break:

Noon— 1:00PM

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ELDERS AND DEACONS:

These men are responsible for hospital visitation and are available to anyone who has needs. Elder Fred Rike…….….....227-4208 Deacon John Bilberry……....942-1012 Elder Rex Stephenson….942-9537 Deacon Charles Harrison....653-4386 Elder Andrew Siefker…...212-4410 Deacon Jerry Walls………..…944-1876

Extended Session Workers:

BodyLife Home Groups meet Sunday evenings at 6PM. All groups are open to anyone, so choose one and join us! Host Homes: 201 Churchill (Sam & Tracy Torbett) Led by: Sam Torbett & Rex Stephenson 6706 Grand Canal (James & Nina Reid) Led by: James Reid & Philip Cross 4414 Grayburg (Gayle Bryan) Led by: Lakan Mariano 2102 Johnson (Church) Led by: John Bilberry 2639 Parkview (J.T. & Michelle Smith) Led by: Andrew Siefker 1525 S Van Buren (John & Paige Southwell) Led by: Ryan Connel