Archives for September 2014

Companions in Christ

September 30, 2014 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Empowering People to Become Mature Followers of Jesus

Part of our vision is that FBC would be a community that empowers people, young and old, to continue their spiritual journey and grow into mature followers of Jesus. Companions in Christ is a spiritual formation group that helps people focus on questions such as:

How is God working in my life?
How am I being formed in the likeness of Christ?
What practices will open me to God’s leading?

Our first Companions in Christ group, “Embracing the Journey” will meet for six weeks starting in late October.

We will meet at First Baptist Church, Kennett Square, 7pm – 9pm

October 28, November 4, 11, 18, December 2, 9

Each participant will get a guidebook that will direct our conversations. ($8.00)

If you are interested in participating you may sign up in the Welcome Center, talk with Pastor Dan, or email me at fbc.pastor.ks@verizon.net

Space is limited, so if you are interested please be sure you can attend most meetings and sign up soon.

Pastor Dan

A time of Celebration and Looking Forward

September 29, 2014 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Yesterday First Baptist Church of Kennett Square held an installation service which marked the end of their search for a settled pastor and the official start of my ministry in this community we are quickly growing to love. It was a great time of celebration as we looked back at the way God guided both the church and our family to the place where we were united for this season of ministry together. Pastor Jim Olsen, the intentional interim who served before me joined us and challenged us to speak the truth with love and continue to purse what it means to be the true church in this day and age. After the service was over we celebrated with a time of fellowship in the social hall and had a huge cake to mark the occasion. Cassandra captured this moment as Nancy and I cut into the cake before everyone had an opportunity to share a piece. We are looking forward to see how God is going to work in and through us in the days and months ahead.

You can see more pictures of the service below.

Thanking Pastor Jim and his wife Arden for their years of service to FBC.

Conversation with God

September 22, 2014 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Today I started reading Hearing God by Dallas Willard. It is one of those books that has been sitting in a pile…on the “to read list” for some time.

As I opened it up and began to read this is what I started with…

“Hearing God? A daring idea, some would say – presumptuous and even dangerous. But what if we were made for it? What if the human system simply will not function properly without it? There are good reasons to think it will not. The fine texture as well as the grand movements of life show the need. It is not, in fact, more presumptuous and dangerous to undertake human existence without hearing God?”

I am excited to see where the book goes. I have lived some of my life while hearing clearly from God…it has set me free from doubt and allowed me to take bold steps, confident that God would provide and protect me and my family. I have made decisions based upon my own wisdom and strength and have lost many a nights sleep as I wondered if I had made the right decision. I have lived both sides of the fence…in my moments of wisdom and maturity I have learned to be still and listen for God’s leading, guiding and directing. My sense is that it will continue to be a struggle until the day that Christ calls me home to be with him.

All I can do is echo the words of the apostle Paul from Philippians chapter 3, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

I will share with you some of my insights from the book in the coming days.

If you want to get a copy for yourself you can find it here.

835690: Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God By Dallas Willard / Inter-Varsity Press

Our United Mission (September 7, 2014)

September 7, 2014 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Matthew 28:18-20

This message is the first in a series that deals with the Mission, Vision and Values of First Baptist Church.

When I use the word Mission I am talking about something that is God given…something that is held in common by all churches and individuals who call upon Jesus as Savior and Lord.

When you hear me talk about Vision I am referring to how a particular individual or congregation lives out their God given Mission in a specific place and time.

Vision is a picture of a preferable future…if your vision for your life or for the congregation already exists…then it is not a vision…it is a description of reality…a vision should stretch…it should challenge…it should demand growth…a God given Vision will take your breath away as you think about how the world will be transformed as it becomes a reality.

Values, values are those characteristics of the individual or community that you hold so sacred that you will not sacrifice as you pursue the Mission and Vision.

Some people like to refer to Mission as our sense of purpose…but when it comes to the church, to the things of God I believe we have something bigger than a purpose…we have a God given Mission.

When Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will find it.” (Matthew 16) he is declaring that his disciples have a mission, are on mission…our lives go beyond purpose.

Jesus very clearly gives the Mission when he says,

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 am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20

This has been the ongoing mission of the healthy and vibrant church seeking to follow Christ since the day Jesus spoke it.

Jesus invites us, no calls us, to partner in what was his Mission…to draw people to God.

This is our mission…the only question is whether we chose to accept it