Post-Game: Thoughts on the Merger

Dear HHCC Friends,

God has brought us through a long and sometimes stressful Pastor search process, and by no plan of our own, it has resulted in a new Pastor, a merger, and a new and bigger church family.  There are some things we will miss:  we won’t be using our old name anymore.  we’ll close our legal structure to join Origin’s, and we”ll all have to adjust and make room for new things.  To say there is no “loss” here is stretching the truth — there are some things we will miss.  But what IS true is that we’ve gained so much more than what we left behind.  Together, the Origin and HHCC congregations form a new Origin congregation that is stronger, more robust, wiser and better prepared to carry out the mission we realized both churches were already on.  The local church is not a name, and it’s not a piece of incorporation paperwork.  It’s a divine appointment to be part of Christ’s body.  We have taken our strength, joined it with Origin’s strength, and most importantly, followed God in what He is doing — living inside His appointment for us as “formerly HHCC,” now as Origin Church.  What better object lesson can we find?  When we are in His will, we walk in HIs power!

Blessings,

Cliff

Struggling with a decision?

We have all struggled with a decision at one time or another. Many decisions are second nature to us and we almost do them without thinking about the outcome. But others have far reaching effects or affect a lot of other people.

The next time you find yourself struggling, try using these 6 steps to assist in the decision making process!

1.       Make sure that this is God’s will and you have no will of your own at stake.

2.       Try to get to that place where all you want to do is God’s will.

3.       Do not base your decision on feelings alone instead.

4.       Look to the Spirit from direction.

5.       Look for agreement in both the Spirit and the Word.

6.       Pray, study the Bible and reflect on this decision…what do you hear God telling you about His perfect plan? 

Nine-tenths of our difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lords will, no matter what it may be or when it comes.

The Art of Uncertainty

Are you sure?

We certainly like to be.  There is something about humans that makes us want to be sure about things — sure about ourselves, our beliefs, our ideas … our politics!  We don’t like things to be unsettled.  We want things around us to be in order.  We feel this way, but if God intended it to be so, he would never have sent Abraham to a new land, Joseph to prison, David fleeing into caves, Paul to prison, or Jesus followers to a lonely house after His crucifixion.  There is a time for certainty, and a time to lean on God because that’s all we have.  If we can only live well in certain times, then we are not going to be very happy.  How do you handle uncertain times?  How could you do it better?

Who Are You?

Seriously, who are you?  What’s your name?  How do you spend your days?  What defines you?  The Bible reminds us that we sometimes forget who we are, and who we stand for.  Who Are You?  Who Who?  Who Who?  Confused?  Join us Sunday, and we’ll clear it up …

Let’s talk about unity

Let’s get real — lots of people say they want unity, but only on their terms!  I know this must be true becaue I’ve seen so many people who say “why can’t we all just get along” choose NOT to get along when things don’t go their way.  If we’re to be effective in our churches, our other organizations and in life, we need a slightly more sophisticated approach to unity than “let’s all get along.”  I think studying the story of Paul, Barnabus and John Mark can help get us there.  See you Sunday!

Cliff

Welcome to Heartland Hills!

Hi, and welcome to Heartland Hills Community Church.  Come back often to see what our ministry leaders are saying about recent goings-on in the church and more.