How many people do you know who “used to go” to church, but just don’t anymore? If you are like most Americans, you know quite a few, or maybe you are one of them yourself. According to the book American Church in Crisis by David T. Olson, “Most Americans have been to church, and yet only 20 percent are regular attendees.” Dr. Gary L. McIntosh from the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University estimates “more than 76 million people have attended church at least once in their lifetime.” Clearly, most people who do not currently attend church did attend at one time. Many of these people—maybe even you, might be willing to try church again, given the right opportunity.

On Back to Church Sunday, churches across the country will be opening their doors and welcoming visitors to their church.

Peace Community Church is one of the thousands of churches participating.  Please join us for worship on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 10:00am.  See you there!

Do you prefer solitude over a crowd?  Are you energized by thinking and reflection?  You might be an introvert.  Rachel Starr Thomson reflects on being an introvert in the church.

An “introvert,” as defined by the Myers-Briggs personality system, is someone who is more thought-oriented than action-oriented and gets energy from time spent alone. Some people argue that Jesus may have been an introvert: He often withdrew to be alone with His Father; He related to crowds in the way a purpose-driven introvert would do (teach, reach out one-on-one, withdraw to be alone or with close friends).

While the defining characteristic of introversion is a need for alone time in order to charge our batteries, introverts share a lot of other characteristics. They are often slow to speak. They think things through. They’re artistic and sensitive. They form close, deep friendships. They’re terrible at small talk. And they don’t do well in crowds.

Read the rest or Rachel’s article  here.  (She’s not writing about Peace Community Church, but her experience is shared by introverts in many churches.)

Photo by alphadesigner

This summer we are exploring the country of the Psalms, the prayer book of God’s people.  Join us 10:00 am on Sundays.

This is a view of the south end of our campus.  See you Sunday at 10:00 AM!

John Piper answers the question: “Is Church Membership Important?”

The secret of the church is not that it is some business to be run or a show designed to catch curious onlookers. The secret of the church is that is a community. It is a place where you belong and where people know you. In other words, it is a lot like the old bar on the television show Cheers. And it helps you to live the Christian life. In the church, you will become aware of what is going on in other people’s lives and they will learn about your life. You will pray with each other and minister to needs. Christianity is not meant to be practiced in isolation.

So writes Hunter Baker.  You can read the rest of his article here.  Good stuff.

A photographic tour of devastation, recovery, and hope in Haiti. These photos, captured in one week by our denominational staff on the ground, are the product of 30+ years of working and partnering in Haiti.

View the slideshow by clicking here or on the photo.

For more information, visit www.crcna.org/Haiti

“Eastertide”  (or Season of Easter) is the period of fifty days from Easter  Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.  Eastertide  is traditionally a time when churches consider the glorious truth and implications of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This Eastertide at Peace Community Church we are exploring the Book of Revelation in a six-sermon Eastertide series.

Photo Credit

I hope this snippet will intrigue you…

When [people] first hear the gospel, they’re aware of the gap between them and God caused by sin. And they come to understand that human effort cannot bridge that gap; it can only be bridged by grace.

But over time they become aware of another gap: the gap between who I am right now and the person God wants me to become.

People think they are supposed to bridge that gap by trying harder.

You hear about someone who gets up at four o’clock in the morning to pray, and you feel guilty because you think you don’t pray enough. So you resolve to do that too, even though you’re not a morning person, even though at four in the morning you’re dazed and confused and groggy and grumpy, and no one wants to be around you at four in the morning. Even Jesus doesn’t want to be around you at four in the morning!

Read the rest of the John Ortberg’s article here.

As the season of Lent continues, we have been following Jesus through Samaritan territory in St. Luke’s “Travel Narrative’ (Luke 9:51-19:27).

For more information about our Holy Week activities, click here.