Sunday night the First Church of the Nazarene (FCN) in Lemont presented to their congregation and the public a panel of speakers on Sex. Sermons on sexuality, marriage, and faithfulness are common. Youth pastors regularly answer challenging questions from teens and young adults about sex. And what Pastor has not faced a pastoral counseling session on marital unfaithfulness? But a public focus group with audience questions? That is a deeper level of edification. One might ask, “Why would a church do that?”
The Old Testament, the Gospels and Paul’s writings affirm that sex has always been an issue for the church. What is refreshing is a church unafraid to publicly speak about sex, a church unashamed to ask questions and dialogue, a church filled with the Spirit and confident enough in its relationship with God to speak about what many would say is the unspeakable.
When edified Christians know where they stand on any topic, they do not fear talking about it. Christians unafraid to speak the truth is leadership lead by the Spirit. It is the kind of Christian leadership that counts the cost and is unafraid. In today’s culture of crisis pregnancy, abortion, teen pregnancy, broken marriages, one-parent families, co-habitation, politicians, sports stars, cultural icons and media sex messages out of control, it is a joy to know there are some who are unafraid to speak truthfully through th church. It is the kind of truth that accompanies Jesus’ words from Matt. 25:25 “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.”
Rick Ligthart, President
PASS network of life-affirming care
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Weekly Blog, February 8, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Dear PASS Friends:
Two major events occurred last week: 1) Focus on the Family and Tim Tebow and his Mother had a commercial during the Super Bowl and, 2) a new study was released showing that abstinence education is effective.
I am all for professing Christians being involved in the culture wars, especially when it comes to the sanctity of human life. For those of us who are not Heisman trophy winners, we should not let the Focus on the Family / Tebow's commercial take the place of God’s call on our lives. I applaud Focus on the Family and the Tebows for their great message and courage. My prayer is for those playing sandlot football and attending small churches that you do not leave the cause of Christ up to mega-ministries and mega-sports figures through Super Bowl commercials. It is my prayer that every professing Christian advances the sanctity of human life regardless of if we play powder-puff football or sign the next NFL contract. Bless you and thank you Tim Tebow, Mrs. Tebow, and Focus on the Family. Bless you and thank you all of those who stand for the truth of the sanctity of life who have not made the big leagues of media, sport, or ministry. Even if you are not on TV commercials, You Tube videos, or radio, we know where you are. You are in the trenches of personal ministry daily carrying your cross and you are not alone. We are with you.
The recent study showing "abstinence works" is no surprise as will be the next study that comes out that says abstinence does not work (www.abstinenceassociation.org). And, a few weeks later there will be another study with some new findings. At PASS, we don’t teach abstinence because a study proves abstinence works. We already knew it worked because Jesus does not lie or base his teachings on secular or government studies. We teach abstinence because Jesus says “Teach what I have commanded you.” And, that is good enough for us.
Rick Ligthart
PASS President
Dear PASS Friends:
Two major events occurred last week: 1) Focus on the Family and Tim Tebow and his Mother had a commercial during the Super Bowl and, 2) a new study was released showing that abstinence education is effective.
I am all for professing Christians being involved in the culture wars, especially when it comes to the sanctity of human life. For those of us who are not Heisman trophy winners, we should not let the Focus on the Family / Tebow's commercial take the place of God’s call on our lives. I applaud Focus on the Family and the Tebows for their great message and courage. My prayer is for those playing sandlot football and attending small churches that you do not leave the cause of Christ up to mega-ministries and mega-sports figures through Super Bowl commercials. It is my prayer that every professing Christian advances the sanctity of human life regardless of if we play powder-puff football or sign the next NFL contract. Bless you and thank you Tim Tebow, Mrs. Tebow, and Focus on the Family. Bless you and thank you all of those who stand for the truth of the sanctity of life who have not made the big leagues of media, sport, or ministry. Even if you are not on TV commercials, You Tube videos, or radio, we know where you are. You are in the trenches of personal ministry daily carrying your cross and you are not alone. We are with you.
The recent study showing "abstinence works" is no surprise as will be the next study that comes out that says abstinence does not work (www.abstinenceassociation.org). And, a few weeks later there will be another study with some new findings. At PASS, we don’t teach abstinence because a study proves abstinence works. We already knew it worked because Jesus does not lie or base his teachings on secular or government studies. We teach abstinence because Jesus says “Teach what I have commanded you.” And, that is good enough for us.
Rick Ligthart
PASS President
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
Dear PASS Friends:
I had the blessed pleasure of providing the sermon to the wonderful people at St. Andrews church in Tinley Park this past Sunday. What a joy to be with brothers and sisters in Christ Sunday morning with a commitment to both evangelism and discipleship and a clear understanding on the sanctity of human life. Christian hospitality was certainly evidenced with the wonderful pot luck luncheon following the worship and Holy Communion service. There is just something special when Christians break bread together.
Everyone who ministers through PASS faces immense spiritual challenges as each day we seek to save lives of the unborn, teach abstinence before marriage and faithfulness in marriage, heal those impacted by past decisions through love and understanding, and help those in need with training. Thank you Rev. Frank and Rev. Derrick for your good work at St. Andrew, your unwavering position to the sanctity of human life, and your prayers.
It is a joy to walk together on the path in saving lives.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
Rick Ligthart
President
Dear PASS Friends:
I had the blessed pleasure of providing the sermon to the wonderful people at St. Andrews church in Tinley Park this past Sunday. What a joy to be with brothers and sisters in Christ Sunday morning with a commitment to both evangelism and discipleship and a clear understanding on the sanctity of human life. Christian hospitality was certainly evidenced with the wonderful pot luck luncheon following the worship and Holy Communion service. There is just something special when Christians break bread together.
Everyone who ministers through PASS faces immense spiritual challenges as each day we seek to save lives of the unborn, teach abstinence before marriage and faithfulness in marriage, heal those impacted by past decisions through love and understanding, and help those in need with training. Thank you Rev. Frank and Rev. Derrick for your good work at St. Andrew, your unwavering position to the sanctity of human life, and your prayers.
It is a joy to walk together on the path in saving lives.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
Rick Ligthart
President
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