1.
Why no collection at the 11:15 a.m. service?
2.
Who is your minister?
3.
To what denomination do you belong?
4.
What do you have to offer me?
5.
What if I am uncomfortable visiting a church?
6.
Is there a role that I can play at Alameda
Chapel?
___________
Why no Collection at
the
11:15
Service?
No one should be pressured to give. Many
are offended by the undue emphasis placed
on money by some ministries or churches.
We take our principles for giving from
2 Corinthians 9:7
[point to reference for Bible text].
This passage teaches that each
believer should give. The Alameda Chapel ministry is funded by the freewill
contributions of believers. The funds are used to tell
others about the Lord Jesus Christ, support Christian workers
worldwide, and pay the expenses
of this local church.
How much and how often
a believer gives is a decision made between the saint and the Lord.
The believer must not be compelled or shamed into
contributing.
You will not be pressured
to give.
Who is your minister?
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Chief Shepherd
("Pastor" means "Shepherd")
He desires that all
"saints" (believers) do the work of the ministry.
Under the Lord's loving rule, elders and deacons
are to serve God's people. These brothers, and other saints with certain
gifts, have the responsibility of pastoring and equipping all the believers to
minister with the gifts and abilities God has given them (see
Ephesians 4:11-12).
So, in a way, the answer to the question is:
all Alameda Chapel believers are ministers--or at least should be!
John Pillitiere, Warren Elliott, and Marc
Collins share leadership responsibilities at Alameda Chapel.
If we may serve you in some way, please
contact us.
To what denomination
do you belong?
None. We are an independent assembly of believers. We
fellowship with any who love the Lord Jesus Christ and obey His word.
What do you have to
offer me?
The Lord Himself.
This is not an oversimplification.
The Lord Jesus is the answer to the needs of our lives. He has given
us His word, the Bible, to prepare us in every aspect of
our lives (see
2 Timothy 3:16).
People, sooner or later will let us down, one
way or another. We can't promise you that we won't let you
down (although we'll try really hard not to!). However,
the Lord Jesus loves you. If you entrust your life to Him by
faith, He will never leave you nor forsake you (See
Hebrews 13:5). He is the
"wonderful counselor" (see
Isaiah 9:6).
In serving Him, we have various ways to
minister the word of God to you and your family, such as our
Sunday preaching service, Bible study in your home, and
individual ministry.
It would be a blessing for us to help you
come to know Him, who alone can satisfy your deepest needs.
What
if I am uncomfortable visiting a church?
We understand that some feel this way. If you will "risk a try,"
however, we promise you that
-
We will not ask you for your money.
-
We will not pressure you to join.
-
We will try to minister to your needs, and
pray for you and your family.
Alameda Chapel is not
a gigantic church, so it's easy to get to know us. Stop by this Sunday at 11:15 a.m. It
would be a blessing for us to serve you and your family!
Some are more
comfortable coming by one of our homes for a small group Bible
study. Come for dinner, join the discussion (or just check
it out), and stay for dessert. It's all copasetic .
. .
To learn about a
location, send
us an email.
Is there a role that
I can play at Alameda Chapel?
Definitely.
What that role would be depends on where you
are with regard to the Lord.
If you are seeking the truth, then your role
will be to learn from the Bible the salvation that God is
offering you in Christ, as a completely free gift, and enter
that life. Ask about our study, "Survey of Basic
Christianity," a study that answers many questions that
people have.
Experiencing your interest in the things of God
would be a blessing to us.
Once you become a believer, you will enter
the adventure of your life. You will find the Lord working
in your life, and the whole course of your life will change--and
so would your role at the Alameda Chapel.
For
example,
-
True believers desire to know the Lord more
and more. So, your role would be to walk with Christ
daily, communing with Him in prayer, and maturing in His powerful word, the Bible.
-
True believers desire to obey the Lord.
So, your role would be to do what He commands. This includes
participating in believer's baptism and
walking in holiness.
-
True believers are motivated by the Holy Spirit
to worship and glorify Christ. So, your role would be to
worship and thank Him. We who meet at the Alameda
Chapel do this is by remembering who He is and what He has
done for us weekly in a meeting we call the "Breaking of Bread"
(also known as "the Lord's Supper" or "communion;" see
Luke 22:19).
[point to reference for Bible text]
-
True believers are given gifts
and talents to serve others. So, your role would
include using the talents and gifts He has
given you to impact the lives of others for eternity. To
many, being a "servant" sounds low class, but in God's kingdom,
things are different. For example, the Lord Jesus taught
"he who is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matthew
23:11). He practiced what He preached and He wants us to
follow His example (see
Mark 10:45).
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2008 Alameda Chapel All Rights Reserved |
