We've all heard people say, "I think Jesus was a great man. I like his teachings. I just don't believe that he was God. But that's okay, because what he said was still very good." They may also question the story of the cross and the resurrection. It's too hard to believe that a man was raised from the dead. That sounds too much like Greek mythology. But that's okay, because his teachings are still significant.

We've all heard some version of those comments. Many of us may even have said similar things at times. It sounds good, doesn't it? We believe that Jesus spoke with profound wisdom. We marvel at his faith and his ability to instantly address the root of the matter. His questions confounded his accusers. His expressions of compassion blanketed the humble and provoked the proud at the same time. So it seems like a fair statement that even if someone does not believe that Jesus was God or that he raised from the dead, there is still value in valuing his teachings.

As the apostle Paul begins to conclude his exhortations to the church at Corinth, he makes this bold statement, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Corinthians 15: 17,19.

Really? Does that make sense? There has to be value in the teachings of Jesus, even if he did not raise from the dead, right? This weekend at the Wellspring worship services we will take a look at this passage of scripture. What does it mean? How do we apply it to our lives? Is our faith futile?

Hint: What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? That is, what is the good news?

I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend...come, let us reason together.

Pastor Wesley

Entitlement. Sounds good to us. After 10 stamps on our coffee card, we're entitled to one free coffee. Who doesn't want a free coffee. A free anything! AND, we've earned it by buying the 10 previous cups. We deserve it. We're entitled to it!

We live in an entitlement culture. Just listen to our media (which reflects our cultural values). We are entitled to everything from clear skin to a pampered, all inclusive vacation at a Sandels resort in the Caribbean. Of course, those entitlements come at a cost, but that's okay because we deserve it. Entitlement has permeated our language and our perspective on everything from politics (entitlement programs), to the workplace, to our relationships. We are simply entitled.

What about our relationship with God? What about the principles of his Kingdom, his reign and rule in our lives? Does this entitlement mindset influence our perspective on our faith? Do we feel entitled to blessings? To healing? To a good and easy life?

God does say that grace is free, that Jesus came to bring us life and life abundant. He does say ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Jesus said he came to set us free. However, Jesus also said the last shall be first, and the one who loves her life will lose it, while the one who hates her life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Grace, mercy, entitlement and freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. This weekend at the Wellspring Worship Services we'll take a look at our entitlement culture and the true freedom that the Lord makes available to us through his son and in his kingdom. Join us as we continue our look at I Corinthians and bring practical instructions for the culture clash in which we live.

Teaser: Who is the object of entitlement? Who is the object of true freedom?

Our weekend worship services have been quite inspiring so far in 2011. We have embraced a new Year Verse, Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." We are humbled that God's master craftsmanship is depicted in the heart and life of us, the believer. We are challenged to step into the plans and purposes he has for us and through us.

We have expanded our vision and vocabulary: BiHOGG (Don't understand? Click here) Do you have yours yet? Keep seeking your heart and God's voice.

We have been reminded of God's faithfulness, that he will honor his promises to us. Even when all we see is mistakes, disappointments, or even failure. God can reset the playing field and call a do-over.

Wonderful. Marvelous. Amazing. But what do we do now? Sit and wait? Demand of God that he fulfill his promises? Start measuring God to see if he lives up to his word? Let's remember the other message we heard this month, that God will be our God, AND he calls us to be his people.

This Sunday we will launch an in-depth look into what it means to be "his people". Using the book of I Corinthians, we will face the real challenges of living out the kingdom of God in the midst of a fallen world around us. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth concerning this very matter. Corinth was a prosperous pagan city, and Paul's letter was clear and pointed instruction to the believers who were called to live holy and wholly different than the world around them. In some cases their Christianity was simply a veneer layered over a worldly life. In other cases they were misinterpreting and misusing their new found freedom and faith in ways that were unhealthy to them and others.

So let's get real. Let's use the practical instruction of Corinthians, apply it to our lives and life's circumstances, and truly be "his people".

Cultures Clash at Corinth: Instruction For Living the Kingdom Life in a Corrupt World. (Click here for a preview of this series.)
Teaching begins this weekend in our worship services. LifeGroups will follow along with additional study that correlates to the weekly sermons. In addition, the pastors will facilitate an open discussion time on Wednesday nights from 7-8:30PM for anyone interested in going deeper or asking questions about that week's sermon. We are providing study guides for anyone and everyone who wants them. Pick them up this weekend in the café or Welcome Center.

Masterpieces. BiHOGGs. Do-overs. These are inspiring, and we are desiring. God promises to be our God. Let's give ourselves to be his people. May his highest and best for us bring forth the highest and best in us. May his testimony continue to resound.

"Everybody, everybody wants to love. Everybody, everybody wants to be loved." Can anyone argue with that? It's a pretty broad statement yet with profound meaning. It also makes for a catchy song. But Carmax uses it as their jingle for their latest commercial. So, as the viewer I'm supposed to understand that using Carmax will fulfill my deepest desire to love and be loved.

Marketeers seem to know what the world wants. Just look at what they are selling: love, hope, joy. I guess the good news is that it's pretty clear what people desire. The question is, where are you looking for love, hope, and joy? Is your deepest love a Subaru? Is your highest joy a Pepsi? Does Tide detergent satisfied your hope?

Or should I ask, where are you finding love, hope, and joy?

Lovetc, Hopetc, & a side of Mcjoy from Wellspring Church on Vimeo.

The church is not called to make a name for itself. The church exists to build up the people (living stones) to take the Kingdom to the World. This is a preposterous goal if we view the church as an organization or even a collection of well-meaning people. However the Bible describes the church as the body of Christ, with Jesus himself as the head giving direction, wisdom, leadership, and anointing. If our mindset is to "attend church" or even "serve God by serving the church", we cut short God's call for the church to carry his transforming ministry to the world around us. We also choke the life out of the passions that the Lord has put inside of us. We have the opportunity and the God-infused giftings to be the body of Christ, alive and bringing life and hope to the people and needs around us.

This past weekend we launched a new series called Team Wellspring. Our desire is for Wellspring to be a vibrant ministry where everyone is an active participant for the purposes of God. The highlight of this series will be Team Wellspring Weekend, November 20th and 21st. When you attend any of the three Wellspring worship services that weekend you will be met with a transformed church building, offering you an interactive exploration of all the ministries and opportunities available to you. You will want to make sure you attend Wellspring that week, engage with all the displays and ministry workers, explore where you best fit and where your passions can contribute to the ministry of bringing good news to those in need. I believe Team Wellspring Weekend will be fun, informative, and even inspirational to many. I'm excited for all of you who will find where you can be an integral part of Wellspring, within the four walls or in the many ways we extend to the world around us.

Team Wellspring, come join us!

A missionary I met in India in 1999 described American Christians this way: They have huge heads – always seeking and soaking up more and more knowledge about God and the Bible. They have small hearts – despite all the knowledge there is very little love and compassion that reflects the heart of God and motivates them to care. And they have tiny feet – with little motivation to care, there is only a minimal amount of action that brings God’s love and life to the world.

As I heard this description I felt embarrassed. I knew there was plenty of truth in the simple description. However, did this accurately describe our church? Of course not! Here we were in the middle of India, ministering to those in desperate need of the hope of Jesus Christ. I wanted to believe that this description did not apply to us. We were better. We cared more. We walked the walk. But I knew the piercing truth. I am confident Wellspring cares and serves. We put heart and feet to what we believe. But, we are also a product of our culture. So, as the saying goes, if the shoe fits…

A couple years later I launched into a “redefining membership” teaching series by wearing a pair of huge red clown shoes. Wellspring was not going to have tiny feet. We had big shoes to fill and that meant we needed to grow some big feet. The bible refers to the church as the body of Christ, with Jesus being the head. He desires us to bring his hope and his kingdom to the world. If we are his body, not only do we need the feet, but each and every other part as well. Then the body of Christ can be complete, and the hope and ministry of the Lord can be accomplished.

I am excited about the body of Christ at Wellspring. So many are connected and serve in such wonderful ways. Within the church, outside the church, formally, informally, as large ministries, and as individuals the parts of the body are alive and active. At the same time, I recall the illustration of the American Christian and I think, “What parts of the body of Christ are not yet activated, not even identified, and missing the opportunity to be part of the mission of carrying the hope and love of God to others?”

It is very disheartening when I hear someone express that they've been at Wellspring for a year or two but really don’t know where or how to get connected or more involved. There are so many wonderful ministries and involved people. Yet, with about 1000 people who call Wellspring their home church, there are many more who still want to be more connected with the ministry of Wellspring.

This weekend, we will kick off a new series entitled Team Wellspring. Our desire is to lead Wellspring into an environment where each and every one can be an active part of the ministry. God has created all of us for meaning and purpose. We are not created to be an audience, to witness church. We are the church, each one active in his or her part. Remember, Wellspring is not looking for more people to build up the church. Rather, the church’s mission is to build up the people to take the Kingdom to the world around us.

We have a number of exciting things planned for this series. We invite you to join us in redefining the American Christian. Just imagine the impact of a 1000 member team, active and on-mission with the love and life of Christ. I look forward to seeing you this Saturday or Sunday as we launch Team Wellspring.

Mike McKinniss and I were sitting in the back seat of the van, bouncing from side to side as our driver was navigating the boulder-size potholes that define the Ugandan roads. Suddenly, Catherine turned around from the front seat and spoke a word from the Lord to Mike. Bulls eye! A few miles and potholes later, she turned around and zinged me. A third word was for my wife Pam, then another Mike. Each word was divinely accurate and caused Mike and I to sit up and take notice, not only of the words spoken, but also of the one speaking.

It is Wellspring's privilege to have Catherine Brown minister to us this Sunday morning, September 26th. I have known of Catherine for some time, but we first met when we ministered together in Uganda. I immediately felt a genuine connection with her personally and with her ministry. So much so that last summer Pam and I visited her in her home in the picturesque seaside village of West Kilbride, Scotland. What a delight it was to spend a couple days with her and her sweet family. Pastor Rick also had the delight of meeting her on his last trip to Uganda as well. When we had the opportunity to invite her to Wellspring on her trip through Connecticut this fall, we jumped at it. Catherine carries a wonderful blend of the joy of the Lord (often overflowing in contagious laughter!) and the power of the Lord. I personally want to encourage you to attend Wellspring this Sunday and enjoy a fresh time of worship, joy and the presence of the Lord.

To see an interview with Catherine, click here.

Also, here is a excerpt from her website:

Catherine Brown was saved at age fifteen but after only two years of following Christ, she then spent twelve long wilderness years in the world, before returning to God her Father as a prodigal at the age of twenty-nine. Catherine was rescued by Christ from the ravages of domestic violence, addiction, abuse and hopelessness and underwent a profound revival experience just before her thirtieth birthday. Her personal revival was marked by deep repentance and resulted in a transformed lifestyle with a passion for holiness, a desperate longing to see souls won for Christ and an unquenchable desire for the church to fall profoundly in love with Jesus, her Bridegroom.

Catherine operates in an impacting prophetic/apostolic gift, with a strong revival thrust on her preaching. Catherine’s passion for Christ and His kingdom is contagious. Wherever she ministers people are envisioned and mobilised. She has spent several years working with young adults and children. Since the year 2000 Catherine has facilitated several national prayer tours and conferences. Catherine has also ministered throughout the United Kingdom and overseas in churches and conferences and the Lord has graciously blessed her ministry. Catherine has had the privilege of seeing people saved, baptised, healed and delivered in the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit.