Blog

On June 17, 11 MCC high-schoolers and three youth group leaders caravaned up to Glorieta, NM to attend a youth summer camp with 5 other churches from the greater ABQ area. Over the ensuing week, the teaching (1-2 messages per day), worship (2 times per day), and discussions were focused on one word: Follower. We deep-dove into what it means to be a follower of Christ, from the commission, the purpose, the way, the hardship, and the reward. 

Discussion topics weaved in and out of important thoughts, with some of my favorite conversations centered on:

• ‘How do we reject the fading beauty of worldly things for the eternal beauty of godly things?’
• ‘Why is the struggle of being a 21^st-century believer worth it?’
• ‘How do you represent Christ to your peers when they don’t want to hear about Him?’
• ‘What’s the difference between believing something is true, and living like it’s true?’
• ‘How do I prioritize Christ amongst all the other big decisions in my life?’

The Lord was at work through these conversations, basketball games, gag-ball pit contests, an adrenaline-raising slew of camp activities, the praises lifted in accord with some 200 other camp attendees, the quiet times we regularly had with the Lord, and the daily time spent together, as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Our MCC students were example-setters all week, even garnering recognition from other churches for the way they comported themselves. One of the other leaders mentioned in the morning leader-huddle that he was so grateful for the Mountain Christian Church students, and how easily they engaged other students, as his group had been blessed by ours. Another leader told me how impressed he was by our students’ constant choice to serve and engage with some of his younger students. How beautiful it is to see God use young people to model Christlike living!

There’s a beauty in attending a camp where exhaustion sets in, and distractions slowly disappear as the focus moves onto Christ. I was immensely encouraged by the willingness and humility of our young adults to enter conversations regarding things eternal, and grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness in meeting us daily. 

I continually pray that each student will eagerly build on their professed desire to follow the King of Kings, and if any do not yet profess it in their heart, that a seed would have been planted at camp, which will continually grow into a full-throttle approach to knowing Christ our Savior.

Why do I lead music worship at Mountain Christian Church? Here is how it all got started… Chris Willadsen was the worship leader one Sunday in 2005 and he discussed how Jesus loves and values children. He asked if my son, Colt, would sing a verse and chorus from “In Christ Alone” to conclude his worship devotional. Colt sang the song while I accompanied him on the piano. This led to Barb Procter asking me to substitute on the piano for Marilyn Hoover. I began singing with Barb’s team, and eventually became the 5th Sunday per month leader- and then the 1st Sunday per month leader. Twelve years ago, Danny Mitchell and I decided to take our same team and play together twice a month.

Was this a plan I labored to implement over time? Definitely not. This was the best type of plan, one in which the Lord gave small opportunities, one step at a time, which ultimately led to huge blessings. The Lord granted the blessing of allowing my kids to all join me in this service, which had provided blessing upon blessing for my family.

I’ve had the wonderful privilege of co-leading with Danny Mitchell, who has provided hours of teaching, advice, and mentorship to each of my kids in how to lead a congregation in worship. I am honored to have been able to share a team with Danny for the past 12 years.

Here are the some of the lessons I have learned along the way:

Serving in the music ministry has provided me community and friendship. If you want to feel connected to others at church, join a ministry and give your heart and soul to it. Few activities, if any, bind believers together like serving one’s local church in ministry. Small groups may form community; but serving wholeheartedly together forms deep relational ties forged by commitment, trust, and sacrifice.

Serving together with my children has been one of the absolute highlights of my life! We’ve all had to learn patience and humility with each other, along with the joy of creating music together. Whatever ministry you team up with — family, friends, co-workers, classmates — serving together will create unforgettable memories, forge strong bonds, and craft each one’s character through working together towards the goal of glorifying Christ in the endeavor.

One of my favorite parts of leading worship is getting to meditate on the lyrics over and over by preparing and practicing the songs. By the time we sing the songs on Sunday mornings, I am so encouraged and uplifted by the truths in the lyrics. The Word we sing about fills my heart with praise.

I look back on the last 18 years and see the hand of God’s faithfulness all over my life. He has graciously allowed me to be a part of the worship team and I consider being a part of this ministry one of the greatest privileges of my life. My heart overflows with thanksgiving to the elders of Mountain who have allowed my family and I to lead worship. I am incredibly grateful to my husband, Rob, who has graciously allowed me to lead worship twice a month and often on holidays for 18 years now.

I encourage you to find a ministry that resonates deep in your soul and then give your heart and soul to it. If you don’t know what ministry that might be, volunteer in small ways with a few. You may find that a certain ministry grips you. The journey will overwhelm you with so much grace.  The relationships will bind you together by the heart to other believers. Every time you serve and sacrifice, I promise you that the blessings you receive will far outweigh the sacrifice. Your heart will resonate, as does mine, “To God be the glory; great things He has done!”

Chances are that if you have been a part of small group before, you have an opinion about their effectiveness in helping you live out the Christian life. Hopefully most of you have had a positive experience in the past. If you have never been involved in one, then what are you waiting for? It can be a challenge to overcome the perceived obstacles in your way.  Who will watch my kids?  Are my kids welcome? I’m single, who will welcome me? I’m too old. I’m too shy. I don’t have time. I don’t want to be judged. They are more spiritual than me. I’m way more spiritual than them. I will not be accepted, and so on. Will you allow me to at least cause you to pause to consider whether now is the time to join a small group, Bible study or community group?

I can certainly draw support from Scripture in encouraging you to become part of a small group. In Acts 2 we are told that the people who heard the gospel message from Peter and were then “cut to the heart” asked him what they should do. He responded to them by telling them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Luke then describes how this group of three thousand new believers were led by the Holy Spirit to interact with one another, to fellowship with one another. It says of them, “they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” (Acts 2:46b-47) Consider this, three thousand new believers were somehow organized by the Holy Spirit into small groups that were accommodated in each other’s homes. 

Community groups are really this simple, they are a gathering of some of you all, for the benefit of all you all, to the praise of the God who is sovereign over all. Community groups are a vibrant expression of the interconnectedness of God’s people. They provide an opportunity for us to create a bond of Christian brotherhood in the sharing of trials, sufferings, joys, laughs, celebrations and, oh yea- there’s food. And did I mention that all of this is done under the canopy of God’s Word? God’s Word is the sustaining and overarching foundation of why we gather.  In some ways, He reveals Himself to us more completely as we hear other’s accounts of how He is working in us and through us. And then there’s accountability- community groups can offer an opportunity to be corrected in our errant thinking by others who are observing how we apply God’s Word to our every day life. 

There are many more benefits that come from being part of a community group, none are more obvious than being able to exercise the spiritual gifts of hospitality and teaching. And even just as important is the opportunity to pray for one another. My most recent personal experience attests to the great comfort and peace that God grants to us as His people are united in prayer on our behalf. 

As I recall the many ways in which I have recently seen God work through those of you involved in community groups, some stand out. I love the way you supported and gently comforted a dear mother who lost her son. It has been amazing to me to witness the move of the Holy Spirit in the life of a dear brother who trusted God to give him a heart of compassion for the homeless. Some of you have seen how this man’s, this couple’s persistent and patient obedience to our Lord have opened an opportunity for the gospel in the life of one of the least of these, one among the many homeless in our community.

And finally, community groups can provide the opportunity to become committed to the local body. William Boekstein makes the observation that “many churches have a number of guests or occasional visitors “orbiting” the church; they are considering landing but not sure if or how they can. Small groups can provide a way for those who are trying- or considering whether they would like to try- to break into the life of the church.” 

Whether you are “orbiting” or firmly planted, it is our hope that you connect with a group of like-minded individuals in our body that you can consistently live the Christian life with. Towards that end, we have a number of community groups and small group Bible studies that you can join.  Or maybe, you are at a point where you are sensing God’s direction to start a new small group.  If that is the case, we would love to help you get started. 

The early Christians "continuously devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship." (Acts 2:42) The word for "fellowship" is koinonia, which means "to have in common" or "to share." As those who are united with Christ, we are to share the life of Christ with one another in a way that results in individual and combined spiritual growth.

Why do women need to be engaged in community? Simple, because they need to be reminded that they are not alone. There is something so deeply nourishing to a woman's heart that comes from spending time with other women. Engaging in community takes a girl out of the lonely perspective of not measuring up and into the bountiful environment of encouragement, support, and accountability.

Why should women engage in worship? Quite frankly, we need to be reminded of whose we are and what better way to do that than to humbly bow ourselves before the King of Kings. When we worship the King of Kings, we realize that though we are nothing in and of ourselves, we are everything in the eyes of the King. Knowing every ugly detail about us, he still chose to go to pull us out of the pit and place a crown on our heads. Engaging in worship isn't a chore, it is a heart healing opportunity to reflect on the one who made us royalty and cast our crowns back at his feet in praise.

Jodi Hendricks explores these questions, and more. She is a wife, mother of four, native New Mexican, licensed Mental Health Counselor, Director of the Women’s Ministry at her church, and an avid motorcycle rider (amongst other things)!

Jodi will be joining us for Koinonia, a women’s retreat sponsored by Mountain Christian Church. We will worship with special guest Cassie Rogers of the Kipsies through song, take a look at Community through Jesus’ encounter with the Woman at the Well, and enjoy lunch together.

Make plans to join us Saturday, March 16, from 9 am-1 pm at Nature Pointe Events. Click here to RSVP. For more information contact Emily Gray (505-297-9178) or Lisa Lemelin (505-917-2999).