A Family Missional Strategy?

by Paula Nix

I love cross cultural ministry.  One of the things I love about it is how relational other cultures around the world are.  Relationships really seem to matter.  Time isn’t important, schedules aren’t important, people and relationships seem to trump all.  I long for that, but many times the cultural context in which we live makes it difficult.  Ours is a society where schedules and time clocks rule the roost.  But, isn’t missional supposed to be all about relationships?  So, how do we become missional in THIS cultural context?  How do we start to make the relationships we have and the people we love the most important thing? Read more

What is a Healthy Church Member? Mark #1: An Expositional Listener

REVIEW OF MARK 1, CONDENSED FROM THE BOOK:
Expositional preaching is the first and most important mark of a healthy church.  Do we really believe that? I do. What does our culture seem to say about the most important mark of a healthy church?  Numerical growth, baptisms, offerings, budgets???  We must be driven by Scripture and its meaning must drive the agenda. Read more

What is a Healthy Church Member?

Isaac’s Keep is discussing the book What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti M. Anyabwile in its community group.  Being a church that seeks to be a 9 Marks church, this book is an important book to accomplish this goal.  I am including a review of the book and hope to post more articles as we study together. Read more

What about Children?

How do you balance being a missional church, void of many of the programs that we offen associtate with church, and remain faithful to the calling of Deuteronmy 6, to teach the children diligently?  In many ways this is a challenge that forces us to rethink children’s ministry.  Read this article and comment what you think about it.

ESV Study Bible

The English Standard Version is releasing a new study Bible.  This is the translation I recommend and preach from and now I’m recommending this study Bible.  This is a high quality tool for those who want to understand what the Bible says.  The ESV is widening the gap of excellence with the release of a full study Bible.  It should serve the chruch well.  Read more

I Am One of Them!

Just finished my sermon prep for the week and I’ve grown accustomed to taking a few moments upon completion to just think and reflect on the sermon in my own life. Sometimes I pray, sometimes I doodle, listen to music, or contact someone that’s on my mind. This week’s sermon is over Mark 10:13-16, “Let the Children Come.” It has reminded of much about my own daughters and my responsibility as their father. Read more

Finding Beliefs to be Fun!

Yesterday, Nick expounded Isaac’s Keep’s belief regarding Jesus Christ. That’s Article IV under IK’s Affirmation of Faith:

IV. JESUS CHRIST:
We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitution atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth. Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:46; 2Corinthians 5:21; 1Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30,31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6-8; 6:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; 9:28; 1 Timothy 3:16

I really appreciate Nick’s time and effort in working through Isaac’s Keep’s Affirmation of Faith. We really do live in strange times regarding “beliefs.” The mention of “beliefs” is often perceived as stuffy or old fashioned; that somewhere orthodoxy fell out of touch and fluffy feelings became vogue. I’m not going into why that has happened, but I want to encourage you to take up the hard work of studying the beliefs of Christianity. Read more

Small Groups

Connecting to God and the people at Isaac’s Keep is really important in building community and relationships that are strong. One of the best ways is through our community groups that meet during the week in members’ homes.

These are informal, family friendly gatherings that allow us to build community and develop lasting friendships. At our small groups you will have time to just hang out and be yourself, while discussing parts of the Bible and praying together.

We are currently (Fall 08) studying, “What is a Healthy Church Member?” You are always welcome to join us.

If you would like more information on these gatherings contact us at church@isaacskeep.org.