Providence Church

Providence Baseball Camp 2013

Providence — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:29:48 +0000

LIMITED TO THE FIRST 100 CAMPERS

Free Baseball Camp for Boys & Girls - COMPLETED K – 8th grades

JUNE 17-21, 2013 at BUCKINGHAM PARK

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Overview:

The camp focuses on the fundamentals of the game, teaching baseball skills and proper baseball habits. There will be prizes, games, and lots of fun. Equipment needed: Players need only to bring a glove and a hat.

Registration Check-In:

Monday, June 17, 2013 at 8:30 AM

Camp Location:

Buckingham Park
9800 Buckingham Road
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Camp Drop off Times: 8:30-9:00 AM
Camp Pick-Up Times: 12:00-12:30 PM

Have Questions? Click Here to contact us.

Attention, Parents/Gaurdians: Each camper will be required to have a completed and signed waiver at the start of camp. Waivers will be available at registration check-in, the first day of camp. To save time, click the link below for a PDF version of the waiver for you to print out and bring with you.

Camper Waiver Form – PDF Version

Camper Registration Form – PDF Version

Donations Accepted

While this is a free camp offered to our community we are asking families to partner with us for this event. Please consider a donation of a $25 gift to help offset associated costs. To make a donation, simply use our Online Giving page and enter your amount.

Click Here to make a donation today. (opens in new window)

Online Registration Form

Should Unmarried Couples Live Together?

Shawn Bergen — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:18 +0000

Dec 14, 2010 By: Geoff Ashley (The Village Church) Download: PDF

The Bible is unambiguous in relating God’s declaration that all sex outside of the marriage relationship is overtly sinful behavior. This includes, but is not limited to premarital sex.¹ What, however, of those who live together out of wedlock and yet are not sexually active? Is such behavior sinful? Is it acceptable?

For the most part, living together has historically been a less binding means of experiencing the benefits of sexuality without the commitments inherent to the marriage relationship. As former generations stigmatized all extramarital sexual behavior, cohabitation was traditionally deemed socially inappropriate. Given that the idea of non-sexual “shacking up” is a relative novelty, we should certainly reexamine the issue taking into account this new perspective. Does the lack of sexual intimacy shed new light that such behavior is appropriate from the perspective of Scripture? For two reasons in particular, it should be concluded that even this new concept of non-sexual cohabitation is inappropriate and foolish.

First, the Bible is explicit not only that one should abstain from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5), but additionally that one is to flee from it (1 Corinthians 6:18- 20). The Greek word translated “flee” (feugete) in most modern translations is rendered elsewhere “escape,” “avoid,” or “shun” and is a source for our English word, “fugitive.” Like Joseph when confronted by Potiphar’s wife, one is commanded to not merely resist the temptation, but to flee from it.² This is not a passive response, but is an active and passionate run in recognition of the entangling power of the flesh and a desire to please the Lord. It would be extremely naïve to think that living with someone of the opposite sex would not present definite temptations toward explicit sin, especially when engaged with that person in a romantic relationship. How inappropriate it would be to pray “lead us not into temptation” when we willingly reside in a tempting environment. For this reason, wisdom would strongly suggest that one not cohabitate. As Jesus has said in regards to temptation, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38).

Second, the Bible says quite a bit about the importance of one’s behavior from the perspective of the world.³ Believers are said to be lights shining in the midst of a crooked generation (Philippians 2:15) and are therefore to display the gospel with their behavior to the larger culture in which we find ourselves. Given that culture naturally assumes that cohabitation includes sexual activity, obedience to the command for excellent conduct suggests that we should refrain from the action. Even if cohabitation did not present the problem of temptation to sexual immorality, it would still be wise to renounce the practice in order to properly display the radical call to discipleship which flows out of belief in the gospel to the world at large.

It seems that our evangelical culture has grown accustomed to asking “can I” rather than “should I.” We have gotten comfortable with merely restricting overtly sinful behavior while largely ignoring the greater demands of wisdom, whereas the Scriptures call us to do all things to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). On the issue of cohabitation without sex, it is certainly true that there is not a single text which explicitly condemns the action, but it is just as true that there is an abundance of Scriptural themes and commands which should cause those who love the Lord Jesus to gladly and humbly abstain.

In those instances in which cohabitation seems to be a necessity for financial or other reasons, we highly encourage one to think through whatever other options might be available. Where the situation seems hopeless, please speak with the church to see what options might be available from our end. Bring those contributing factors into the light and ask for help. Regardless, do not allow the harsh realities of life and all of its circumstances to give a foothold for sin in your life.

“Wisdom cries aloud in the street…” (Proverbs 1:20). May we have ears to listen and hearts that are willing and wanting to obey for our joy and the glory of our King.

Footnotes

1 The Village Church has a brief article written up regarding the issue of premarital sex available in our resource library.

2 The same Greek word is used in the Septuagint’s (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) Genesis 39 account of Joseph and Potiphar as is used in the Corinthians passage.

3 See in particular 2 Corinthians 8:21 and 1 Peter 2:12.

New Song for Easter

jaredl — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:32:08 +0000

Please take some time to listen to a song we will be singing to celebrate all that Christ has done for us! Meditate on these words and be reminded of the amazing grace of God. Looking forward to worshiping with you all.

Man Of Sorrows

Man of sorrows Lamb of God
By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid

Silent as He stood accused
Beaten mocked and scorned
Bowing to the Father’s will
He took a crown of thorns

Oh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out hallelujah
Praise and honour unto Thee

Sent of heaven God’s own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree

Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled
Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed

See the stone is rolled away
Behold the empty tomb
Hallelujah God be praised
He’s risen from the grave

Brought Near a Holy God

jaredl — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:33:59 +0000

One day in the courts of the Lord is better than a thousand elsewhere. King David said that, a man who had many things, many pleasures to enjoy. You think he would prefer the thousand days to enjoy all the privileges that life had brought him, but no. He says I’d give up a thousand if I could just have one day to be near God. If David was willing to make this deal then one thing is clear, God must be very good. A day with God must bring such joy that it’s as if all the pleasure of a lifetime were packed into that moment with the Lord. And to be separated from him then must be the darkest nightmare anyone has ever dreamed.

Paul says that we who once were separated from God have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:13). Christian, you are near God. We have communion with him. We have a close relationship with the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. The bible says this God is “the blessed and only Sovereign the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:15-16). Somehow, Christians now dwell with this Almighty unapproachable God.

If this is true then life can never be the same. There is no such thing as a mundane task or a meaningless day. Cooking breakfast for the kids, doing business with colleagues, taking out the trash, and driving home from work are all tasks that are done in the presence of the living God who is a consuming fire. God’s presence in our lives changes the boring to the extraordinary. Remember Christian that all day every day, you are standing on holy ground.

Why I Love the Nursery Even Though It Is Tough

Frank Sirianni — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:46:44 +0000

In my experience in church ministry, the nursery has always been the toughest ministry to staff. That, of course, is not without reason. Let’s be honest, it is a tough ministry. You have to deal with crying babies and children who are not yet convinced that sharing is a good thing. And oh the noise from the toys! Roaring dinosaurs, baby rattles, alphabet games, and all the repeated crashing of toys hitting the ground. I’m convinced that time goes slower in the nursery than in the rest of the world. But even with all its challenges, I still love the nursery. I really do. I don’t always enjoy it, but I love this ministry. And here’s why.

First, and this is probably the most obvious, it is a way to minister directly to kids, even babies. The nursery is not baby-sitting duty. It is a gospel ministry. During this time, we have opportunities to teach kids about God and his gospel. We get to love on them in the name of Christ, which we believe helps them associate God’s gathered church with the loving fellowship of his people. Even holding babies is a chance to minister because, not only do we care for them in love, but we pray for them that God would protect them and save them. So, nursery ministry is an opportunity to minister to kids.

Second, I love it because it is a way to minister indirectly to parents. Nursery ministry allows parents the opportunity to focus their hearts and minds exclusively on the Lord in Bible Study or in the Worship service. It enables them to give their full attention to God’s Word. Even as we encourage families to worship together, the nursery helps many parents in making that transition. It is also a way to love on parents. Jesus commands us to love one another and this ministry is a way to obey Jesus’ command. We demonstrate love to parents by demonstrating love to their kids. Nursery ministry provides an opportunity to express love to parents in a tangible way. So, I also love the nursery because we get to minister to parents.

Third, I love nursery ministry because I believe Jesus would do it. Jesus’ example is one of service. He said he came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). As Lord and Teacher, he knelt down and washed feet (John 13:14:15). So, I believe that the head of the church would serve in the nursery ministry. I’m convinced that the one who said, “Let the children come to me” (Mark 10:14), would minister there. And that helps me to view the nursery in a more biblical way.

Lastly, fourth, I love the nursery ministry because it helps us as a church to fulfill our mission. This is important because I think a lot of people fail to see how nursery ministry fits into the big picture of our mission. We have a tendency to become short-sighted so that all we see is the ministry itself, or worse, the difficulty of it. But the nursery ministry is a vital piece of the puzzle. We “put the riches of God’s glory on display” by loving on kids and parents. It is one of the ways that we show hospitality to our guests, assist parents in discipling their kids, instruct kids in the gospel, and worship God by serving others. Thus, it helps us to live out the gospel and to disciple others in the gospel.

Well, these are just four reasons why I love the nursery even though it is a tough ministry. I love it because it is a ministry to kids and parents. I love it because Jesus would do it. And I love it because it helps us to fulfill our mission as a church. Even with all its challenges, I believe if we could renew our minds and see this ministry rightly, problems staffing the nursery ministry would disappear.

Don’t Focus on the Family

jaredl — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:45:09 +0000

Christians speak often of what we have been saved from and rightfully so. God has graciously rescued us from sin, Satan, and hell and we ought to revel in this truth. But it seems we do not speak as often about what we have been saved to, and this truth is equally powerful, in fact it may be more so. When we grasp what God has saved us to our daily lives will be radically changed. What I mean by “what we have been saved to” is the body of Christ, God’s people, the church. We have been united to Christ and in being united to Christ we are united to each other. God has adopted us and thus created a new family. There are many implications that flow from this truth. I would like to point out a few implications for how we are to live in our physical family in light of being united to a new family, the church.

Jesus sets an example for us. In Matthew 12:46-50 Jesus is speaking to a group of people when someone comes in to tell him that his mother and brothers are outside asking to speak with him. This is his reply,

But he replied to the man who told him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.

It is clear from Jesus’ words that, a Christian has a more important family than the one they were born into.

This may come as a jolt to some because we love our families, we spend time with them, we pray for them, we cherish little kids and loving parents. But this truth does not decrease the importance of our family rather it reveals the extraordinary importance of the new family, the church. If we love our families with the great love that we do, how much more ought we to love our heavenly family? If we are commanded to love our families in the scriptures, how much more are we commanded to love the church for which Christ shed his blood?

Am I too focused on the family?

It is one thing to agree that we can exalt our families over the church and it is another thing to know when we are doing it. I offer three suggestions:

First, once you become so enclosed in your family that your church cannot reach you when they are in need, you can be confident you are not living like Jesus. Jesus put his physical family on pause to be with his church family not the other way around. Yet often in the church today it seems that the church family is neglected for they physical.

Second, once you become so busy with family activity that you neglect worship gatherings, small group gatherings, prayer meetings, or service opportunities on a regular basis then you may be too focused on the family. Missing a gathering with the church family will happen every now and then, but if you miss so often that the church does not notice when you are gone then you might want to look at the way your family functions.

Thirdly, look at your prayer life. Surely we should storm the gates of heaven with prayers for our family. Our deep love for them compels us to plead with God for their good. But how much more should we do this for our church family? These are the brothers and sisters we will worship and live with for eternity! These are the ones with whom we have been united together in a bond thicker than blood.

What’s best for the family?

God created both the family and the church but the church serves a central role in glorifying God. Granted, the family is to glorify God as well but Christ came to die for the church, not everyone in your family tree. This is important when we think about how to structure our families. Our families were never made to be the center. Parents often speak of not making their children the center and yet often we are guilty of making the whole family center. Everything in our lives revolves around the family. I believe that what will be best for our families is to focus on Christ and his body, the church. I believe that marriages will be helped as they focus on loving the church. I believe that children will be helped as they watch their parents sacrifice to disciple others in the church and invite the body of Christ into their home. In the end, the best thing we can do for our families is focus on the church.

What’s best for the spread of the gospel?

God has called each saint to do the work of ministry, to build the body in unity, and the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 4:12). Individual Christians are to be about that task, and as we achieve that unity the world will look in at the beautiful new family called the church of God and praise him. My point is that what is best for the spread of the gospel is that Christians get to work at the ministry of building up the body of Christ. The world will know “we” are Christians by our love. The “we” in the previous sentence is not the physical family but the heavenly one. The world will look in at a loving family and boast of that family. The world will look in at a loving church and boast of God.

As a Christian, you have a more important family than the one you were born into. Your family is very important. Love your spouse; bless your children by spending quality and quantity time with them. Teach them of the glories of Christ and the importance of his beautiful bride. The best thing that you can do for your family and for the advance of the gospel is to focus on the church.

Example of Willingness to Suffer for Missions

Shawn Bergen — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:24:16 +0000

John G. Paton believed in doing missions when dying is gain. The 19th century Scottish missionary to the New Hebrides, a chain of islands in the South Pacific, was no stranger to suffering. Soon after he arrived to the islands in 1858, he buried both his wife and newborn child. He had left the ease of Europe for the hardships of the Hebrides, and he would become well acquainted with pain.

Over the next several years his life was characterized by loss and sickness, criticism from respected friends, dangers from the cannibalistic natives, and deep communion with Jesus.

Perhaps it is his fellowship with God that is most fascinating. Against the background of so much affliction, Paton walked close to Jesus. In one particular story, he hid high in a tree as a band of natives hunted him. Shots from their muskets rang out along with their yells, all the while he quietly stayed put.

He tells about it in his autobiography,

Never, in all my sorrows, did my Lord draw nearer to me, and speak more soothingly in my soul, than when the moonlight flickered among those chestnut leaves, and the night air played on my throbbing brow, as I told all my heart to Jesus. Alone, yet not alone! If it be to glorify my God, I will not grudge to spend many nights alone in such a tree, to feel again my Savior’s spiritual presence, to enjoy his consoling fellowship. (Autobiography, 200)

Paton lived many years after that night in the tree. Today, January 28, marks the anniversary of when he died in 1907 and met the Savior he knew so deeply. To help commemorate his life, we’d like to highlight John Piper’s ebook biography of John G. Paton with hopes that you find it inspiring, and even life-changing. Download the ebook for free as PDF, MOBI, or EPUB, and help us spread the word.

Thank you, God, for John G. Paton. Would that we learn from his life and so serve the gospel overseas, in our homes, and on our streets like dying is gain!

Lord, Make Us Servants and Not Entitled

Shawn Bergen — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:58:46 +0000

Providence is a young church, still in the church planting stage. We have had very few people leave our church after joining in these first 27 and a half months. More likely, we have had far more people leave their churches to attend and possibly join Providence Church. Nevertheless, the more mature our church becomes, the more applicable the following blog post will be for our elders and church members. As you read this blog post from Thom Rainer, pray that God would make us a servant-minded church. Pray He keep us from ever having an entitlement mentality.

by Tom Rainer | January 21, 2013 | thomrainer.com

Numbers of gifted persons and organizations have studied the phenomenon of the church “back door,” the metaphorical way we describe people leaving the church. And there will always be the anticipated themes of relocation or personal crises. We should recognize those issues, though we can respond to the latter more than the former.

But all the research studies of which I am aware, including my own, return to one major theme to explain the exodus of church members: a sense of some need not being filled. In other words, these members have ideas of what a local congregation should provide for them, and they leave because those provisions have not been met.

Certainly we recognize there are many legitimate claims by church members of unfulfilled expectations. It can undoubtedly be the fault of the local congregation and its leaders.

But many times, probably more than we would like to believe, a church member leaves a local body because he or she has a sense of entitlement. I would therefore suggest that the main reason people leave a church is because they have an entitlement mentality rather than a servant mentality.

Look at some of the direct quotes from exit interviews of people who left local congregations:

“The worship leader refused to listen to me about the songs and music I wanted.”
“The pastor did not feed me.”
“No one from my church visited me.”
“I was not about to support the building program they wanted.”
“I was out two weeks and no one called me.”
“They moved the times of the worship services and it messed up my schedule.”
“I told my pastor to go visit my cousin and he never did.”

Please hear me clearly. Church members should expect some level of ministry and concern. But, for a myriad of reasons beyond the scope of this one blogpost, we have turned church membership into country club membership. You pay your dues and you are entitled to certain benefits.

The biblical basis of church membership is clear in Scripture. The Apostle Paul even uses the “member” metaphor to describe what every believer should be like in a local congregation. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul describes church members not by what they should receive in a local church, but by the ministry they should give.

The solution to closing the back door, at least a major part of the solution, is therefore to move members from an entitlement mentality to a servant mentality. Of course, it is easy for me to write about it, but it is a greater challenge to effect it.

May I then offer a few steps of a more practical nature to help close the back door by changing the membership mentality? Here are five:

Inform church members. Though I do not have precise numbers, I would conjecture that more than one-half of church members do not have a biblical understanding about church membership. Providing that information in a new members’ class can move an entire congregation toward a servant mentality.
Raise the bar of expectations. We have dumbed down church membership in many congregations to where it has little meaning. Clarify expectations of members. Again, doing so in the context of a new members’ class is a great way to begin.
Mentor members. Take two or three members and begin to mentor them to become biblical church members. After a season, ask them to mentor two or three as well. Let the process grow exponentially.
Train members. Almost 100 percent of pastors agree that their role is to train and equip members. But almost three-fourths of these pastors have no plans on how they will train them (see Ephesians 4:11-13). I will address this issue more fully on my blog next Wednesday.
Encourage people to be in small groups. Those in Sunday school classes and small groups are more likely to be informed and functioning church members. In others words, there is a much greater likelihood of a member with a servant mentality to be in a small group than not.

What are you doing in your church to close the back door? What are you doing to move members from an entitlement mentality to a servant mentality?

Introducing New Partnership in Eastern Europe

Shawn Bergen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 03:28:22 +0000

After a 16-day vision trip to Eastern Europe by our pastors and Rex Durham, and a couple months of praying, we’re ready to announce Providence’s new mission partnership in Eastern Europe. Providence will be partnering with missionaries in Peja, Kosovo to bring the gospel to the unreached people of that region. More information is forthcoming, including a informational luncheon following the worship service Sunday, January 27th. In the meantime, take a moment and watch the following clips featuring missionaries to Albanian people in Kosovo and nearby neighboring countries.

The following are clips from a documentary called A Bold Advance, which is “set in the rugged regions of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro among people deeply wounded by war and brutal dictatorships. Yet here in this scarred land are those who have been changed inside-out by the power of Christ. Their faces and stories declare that the message of the Cross crushes all barriers—even those raised by mosques and minefields.” Get a glimpse of the pioneer men and women who are reaching the hard-to-reach people and loving them into the Kingdom.

Trailer – Episode 2: A Bold Advance from Frontline Missions International on Vimeo.

The following is a clip from the documentary that features missionaries in Albanian not far from where Providence will be going for many years to come.

Excerpt – Episode 2: A Bold Advance from Frontline Missions International on Vimeo.

The Story of God | Matt Papa

Shawn Bergen — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 02:13:50 +0000