Is the Church Still Relevant and Valuable in Today’s World?With all that is going on in the news, we asked two of our young adult members to tell us how they feel about this question. Here is what they had to say:

This question has been posed time and time again. I believe that although the church is an important institution in our world, it is slowly losing its relevance.

This is a shocking, yet sad truth. I say this because the church for many years has been a place of refuge for those who are in need of spiritual and or physical healing. A place to make connections with other believers, and most importantly a household of prayer and worship. In the last decade or so, the house of God has become a place where people look to see who has on the latest fashion, who shouts the hardest, or who hangs out with whom. In my opinion, church has become a social club instead of a place where believers gather to reverence God, our creator, and his son Jesus who died for our sins.

In Hebrews 10:25 (God’s Word Translation), the Bible states “…We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.” In other words, the Bible is calling us to be GREATER believers! We must choose to find innovative ways not only to win souls for Christ, but also ways to keep souls within the body of Christ.

ConnectionThe Macedonia

Quarterly Newsletter of Macedonia Baptist Church | May 2014

5.18Women’s Day

5.30“The Shot That Saved

Me” Play

6.8Men’s Day

Mark YourCalendar

Continued on page 3...

There are many issues generated when the question of relevance is raised. The question is significantly impacted when we are adding “the church” to the dialogue. Reaching a foundational understanding and relationship between the two is affected by numerous social, philosophical, emotional and theological influences. Merriam Webster provides us a definition of the term relevance. Consider the following definition for just a moment.

Relevance: a: having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand b: affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion <relevant testimony> c: having social relevance While the components of this definition blended together provide us a broad picture, the individual pieces or the individual strokes and colors present us with stark contrasts when seen in isolation.

The question has been raised, “Is the Church still relevant and valuable in Today’s World?” My direct answer to this question is an unequivocal “YES”. It should be and can be communicated that the Church does have significance. The Church does demonstrate bearing on the matters at hand and gives evidence for the discussion that routinely takes place concerning our faith and lives. The Church does have an undeniable significant social relevance.

The difficulty in answering this question for a few persons is found in the fact that it is easy to get caught up in the stages while seeking to reach a conclusion. The approach to the question may follow a different path if an individual is looking at the Church ‘universal” or the church “local”. The unique experience of Church helps us to see the daily challenges and challenges us to confront each stage with faith. The “Church” can be seen by many in this discussion in the universal reality or seen in the specific reality of one’s own experience. Depending on your experience and your perspective, the answer to this question can shift dramatically.

Pastor Hamlin’s Corner

Continued on page 5…

It’s back! The Macedonia Baptist Church Newsletter is back in circulation with outstanding articles, helpful advice, and most of all, information that you can use.

While it’s been a long time since the last issue, I want to let you know that you’re in for a pleasant surprise. As the editor of Macedonia’s newsletter, it’s my mission to provide you with information that you will minister to your mind, body, and soul.

Macedonia Baptist Church is committed to preaching and teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. It’s through this newsletter ministry that we are embarking on sharing news that will be helpful to current members as well as those in the community. The Bible tells us to go out and spread the Good News. With that being said, this newsletter will do just that – spread the Good News.

While we are bringing back the newsletter, I want to reassure you the members and readers that we are pursuing excellence. Let’s face it – we serve an Excellent God and because of who He is and what He’s done and continues to do, we will do our very best to represent Jesus with every issue.

To God Be All The Glory,

La-Kia White, Editor

A Message from the Editor

Is the Church Still Relevant Continued …

We are called to love one another and to lift each other up. With that being said, the church is not the building, IT IS US! We have to allow God to renew our minds, change our thoughts, and work on our inner being so that we can regain our relevance.

April S. Archer

Speaking from experience, I believe the church is still relevant and an integral part of my personal and spiritual growth as a man. Christians live in a world that is forever evolving. It is valuable to our souls to come to a place where you do not have to feel alone (in any situation that you may be facing). Church is important because it transforms your life and helps develop the spiritual tools that are needed for you to be that person you desire to be, and the person that God has called you to be. Through the Word on Sunday morning, bible study, discipleship classes, and ministry services, it strengthens your walk with God and spiritual development. Additionally, you gain a better understanding of your personal relationship with God as well as others and are able to transform your life through the workings of the Holy Spirit. I have never felt more loved, safe, confident and encouraged in the gift God has given me. Four years of college did not give me this confidence. It was through love, fellowship, and service in the ministries that helped me recognize, build and walk in the confidence with which God had already gifted me. Although, college educated me in the social and technical abilities of my gift. I would say yes the church is relevant and valuable to me, to society and to Kingdom growth.

Jamil Garner

…We should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions

and true caring.

1 John 3:17-18

This column will be dedicated to you – the congregation. The “He Said-She Said” column has been set aside for you to submit questions regarding life issues, struggles, obstacles or anything that you have pondered and want to get a biblical perspective to your query. These questions will be anonymously responded to by the Ministerial Staff and/or the Diaconate. This column will, prayerfully, generate discussions and dialogue among the congregation in an effort to strengthen and uplift each other. Please submit your questions via e-mail to E-Messenger@mbcva.ws or you may inbox your question to MBC’s Facebook page.

Mokgoba Y. Sebudi Tribe of Reuben

Virginia Hamilton Tribe of Reuben

Adrian D. Spruill Tribe of Reuben

Diane Wallace Tribe of Reuben

Cassandra R. Wallace Tribe of Reuben

Danielle C. Brinkley Tribe of Joseph

Velma D. Jones Tribe of Reuben

Savannah Sheffey-GrantTribe of Issachar

LaShawn K. Jones Tribe of Issachar

Charles Albert Massiah Tribe of Issachar

Welcome New Members!

Pastor Hamlin’s Corner Continued …

In an article for Relevant Magazine Brett McCracken stated, “The reasons why church is a frustrating experience are numerous. For many, church can be hard to stomach, and the reasons why are difficult, complex and not easy to answer. But no one said Christianity was easy, or that being part of the Church would be a breeze. Despite the fact that it can be enormously frustrating and maddeningly imperfect, the Church is what followers of Christ are called to be. The Church is described in Scripture as nothing less than the body of Christ on earth. It’s not a slight, optional activity. According to Scriptures like Romans 12:5 and Ephesians 3:6, it’s the one body with many members, each an important and crucial piece of the mission of Jesus Christ.” Conversely, the reasons why the church is such a blessing and empowering experience are numerous. The Church is a place and house of prayer. The Church is a place where relationships with God and others are encouraging, empowering and uplifting. It is the place where God dwells. The Church is not bound by brick and mortar or physical location. The Church is who we are and the Church is what we are called to be.

Is the Church relevant? The question should not simply be debated. It should be answered. Always remember that the people of God are the church and not simply the building they meet in. Our society has erroneously identified the building, where they have hung a sign over the door assigning a name to the group who meets there, as the Church. The answer to the question is not limited to looking outside of us. The answer also is found when we look inside of us. But most of all, the real answer and the most challenging step we take in seeking an honest, significant, applicable and pertinent answer to this question is found when we take the time to look in the mirror!

A Word of Wisdom You cannot stay where you are and go with God. You cannot continue doing things your way and accomplish God’s purpose in his ways. Your thinking cannot come close to God’s thoughts. For you to do the will of God, you must adjust your life to him, his purposes and his ways.

—Henry Blackaby

A Challenge to the Men of Macedonia By Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, Jr.

At this time in our history, we the Men of Macedonia should feel that we must extend our ministry to includemore than giving lip service, but also becoming living role models for the youth of our church and community.There is no subject that should concern us more than the development of Black boys into manhood. The greatestchallenge comes from those who really don’t care if Black boys grow into manhood. America spends $7,222 perchild to attend Head start and approximately $19,663 per inmate to “attend” prison ($53.87 per day) and addedto this is an additional administrative charge of $12,442 ($768 for medical, $1,928 for Psychiatric Services, $998for Pharmaceuticals, $748 for Dental Care or $38.04 per day). The present administration has cut Head start, aprogram that has shown it is cost effective, and increases expenditures to prisons which have an atrocious recordof rehabilitation. Monies spent in Head start for two years are far less than the lifetime allocations for prison.

“You cannot have an irresponsible man, if he was not also allowed to be irresponsible as a boy.” It is true that ourlittle boys are someone’s future husband and father. The question then becomes “Who is going to teach Blackboys good hygiene and proper grooming? Who is going to insure that Black boys will not play in their betterclothes, and will hang them up after school? When will Black boys be expected to make up their beds daily andclean their rooms periodically? Hear me Men of Macedonia.

Who has the strength to prevent our Black boys from thinking real men don’t wash dishes, mop, vacuum, dust,sew and cook? When will Black boys be expected to take care of their siblings in preparation for the child caringof fatherhood? Who will teach their sons how to manage their allowance, so that they won’t be like so many menand carry a “wad” of money in their pocket and cannot explain its whereabouts at the end of the week or month?Hear me Men of Macedonia.

When are they going to be taught to put their toys in one location in their room, and how to avoid breakingthem? Who is going to teach their sons to respect protocols at activities, and to be punctual about timecommitments and class schedules? Who is going to prevent our boys from smoking cigarettes at eleven, creatinga lifetime addiction and potentially premature death? Black men often die before the first social security check.Who is going to take Black boys for their annual medical and dental checkup? Hear me Men of Macedonia.

Lastly, who is going to teach Black boys to be committed to the liberation of Black people and to place God first intheir lives? WHO? The who is the “Men of Macedonia.” Unless we have a radical change in our present daythinking, we must take responsibility for all of our present day boys who are growing up without a positive rolemodel in their life.Men of Macedonia, let us unite and help ours as well as other youth in The Nauck or yourrespective community. It’s not about us anymore, it is how we protect our future. We must stand together forour Black boys if we want to preserve our legacy.

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Bible Quiz What supported the stoning of Stephen, a follower of Christ?

A. Pontius Pilate B. Levi C. Saul (later called Paul) D. King Herod

***Answer: C (See Acts 7:59–8:1)

Macedonia Baptist Church Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., Pastor 3412 South 22nd Street, Arlington, VA 22204 (Sanctuary) 2229 South Shirlington Road, Arlington, VA 22206 (Office) (703) 521-7663 (Office) • (703) 521-6316 (Fax) MBC Website: www.mbcva.ws

Facebook: www.facebook.com@MacedoniaBaptistChurcharlington,vaTwitter: www.twitter.com@mbc_arlington

After Easter

After is every Christian’s middle name. In his autobiography, A Song of Ascents, missionary E. Stanley Jones tells of an African man who changed his name to Afterimmediately following his conversion. Because all things were new and different and important after he met Christ, the man wanted to reflect that new reality in his name as well as in his thinking.

Easter is what makes us After Christians. After Easter, nothing in life is ever the same again.

Church Mission:“Transforming Lives through the Discipleship of

Jesus Christ.”

Church Vision:For this reason I kneel before the Father, from

whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and how long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all fullness of God.

Now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.(Ephesians 3: 14-21)

Vision Statement:Macedonia Baptist Church Disciples are Kingdom

Citizens committed to becoming the witnesses of God through the discipleship of Jesus Christ as we are rooted and grounded in love. We are a Kingdom Citizens community growing in understanding and being strengthened in Spirit while experiencing God’s power through the Holy Spirit and Glory in the Church.

“Becoming Disciples through Commitment, Witness, Love and Relationship.”