Mother's Day Q&A #4: Marriage Redemption
- by Element Christian Church
After our panel discussion on Mother's Day, Pam, Amanda, and Jessa hung around to answer some extra questions that were texted in to us.
After our panel discussion on Mother's Day, Pam, Amanda, and Jessa hung around to answer some extra questions that were texted in to us.
After our panel discussion on Mother's Day, Pam, Amanda, and Jessa hung around to answer some extra questions that were texted in to us.
After our panel discussion on Mother's Day, Pam, Amanda, and Jessa hung around to answer some extra questions that were texted in to us.
After our panel discussion on Mother's Day, Pam, Amanda, and Jessa hung around to answer some extra questions that were texted in to us.
In Northern Santa Barbara County, many children must be removed from their homes each week and placed into the care of Child Welfare Services for their safety. Sometimes it is temporary, and sometimes it is permanent. In all cases, there is not much time to take any items from home they may need or want.
When they remove a child from a home they often don’t have anything in which to place the child’s belongings, if they even have time to get any. Whatever items they can take quickly may go into a black trash bag. A black trash bag should never be a child’s suitcase.
In order to make this a better experience for the children, GoBags Santa Maria is purchasing bags and collecting personal care items for these children – we hope to collect and assemble approximately 600 bags, 200 for each age group: Baby, School age and Teen.
Social Services workers have told us that they would rather carry a stack of 20 GoBags in their trunk for the children than use the black garbage bags. The Social Workers could then grab a gallon-sized zip loc bag filled with personal items appropriate for the age of the child they were picking up that day. They have compiled a “wish list” of items they know children need and want - Click here to download.
You can drop off your donations at Element on Sunday mornings or at the Stuff the Bag event on May 11th at Element.
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Last Sunday was our Baptisms, and we had 20 people baptized! If you didn't make it, or missed reading the stories, this weeks blog is simply a link to them. Please read them, be excited for them, and always stand amazed at the goodness of our great God.
Learn more about Baptisms here.
Click here to view the entire Five Year Info-graphic
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Easter ServicesSaturday, 6pm (Nursery Care Only)Sunday: 8:15, 9:30 & 11:00am (Full Children's Programs)
You are invited this Easter to Element Christian Church as we look at the Theology of Easter.
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Good FridayFriday, March 30th at 11:00PM, Childcare is not available
This service is designed for those who already believe in the atoning work of Christ, and is simply a reminder of the humbleness we should live in as we remember the sacrifice that our Great God gave as He suffered and died for us.
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Are you smarter than an eKid!? Take the memory challenge! Memorize the following verses. If you can memorize them all, you’ll get the prize! Yes, that’s right, bragging rights over your 5 year old -- Good job you! Memorize the verses this month, and recite them (from memory) to your gc leader or at the Welcome Center! Download the verses here.
Last Sunday was our Labor Day BBQ and Baptisms. If you didn't make it, or missed reading the stories, this weeks blog is simply a link to them. Please read them, be excited for them, and always stand amazed at the goodness of our great God.
I would like to know if you believe that young children (like age 4) can be brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ? What are your thoughts on it? My family and I are currently attending a church that believes that it is very rare and that it is too hard to tell if a child really gets what is happening. My family and I are under the belief that it is possible and that we need to teach them about what Jesus did for us and about the free gift of salvation He is giving to us through the shedding of His blood. I would really appreciate your opinion on this subject matter.
Answer:
Elements position is that all children are unique.
We have had parents who have expressed that their 4 your old(s) want to be baptized. We meet with the parents and the child to ascertain if they understand what they are committing to (some we have said yes, and some we have said no). I, personally, have a friend who was 4 when they started to follow Jesus and they are one of the most amazing people I know.
While we too find it is rare that a very young child fully understands Christ and His atoning work, it is not impossible. We also believe that, in the end, you as a parent will be the best judge of that, as you live with your child every day. It is also one of the reasons we meet with the parents in the process of baptism.
I think you will know if your child "gets it." That it is more than just words regurgitated from a teacher or class...but an actual love for Christ deep in their soul. Besides, I think the gospel is perfectly suited for young hearts and minds and we should be teaching and telling them about Jesus even when they are in the womb (reading theology and scripture to the growing belly). We tell them they have a mother and father who love them, but also a great God, who calls himself Father as well and sent His son as our great propitiation.
Jonathan, one of our Elders added this as well.
Lauren, our 5 1/2 year old is saved, I have no doubt. She has even begun the sanctification process and has inquired on her own initiative about Baptism. The need for salvation is, for some reason, not that big of a mystery to a child. A child that is shown both love and discipline on a regular basis by their parents can readily understand the love and discipline God gives to believers.
Lauren knew that she was a sinner because she did wrong things. She believes in God, because Jennifer and I don't talk about God like he is make believe, but talk to Him, and about Him, as if he is tangible and in the room. She knows mommy and daddy have a relationship through prayer with God, so she is naturally inclined to pray. She hears us regularly acknowledge God's provision of our family resources and income.
She knows that God created her and saved her mommy and daddy. When she realized that sin prevents you from being with God, and by extension her mommy and daddy in heaven, she wanted to fix that problem. She knows that Jesus fixed that problem and so she believes in Him and trusts His sacrifice. To hear her explain her salvation in her own words; would leave you with no doubt of its validity. She was four years old when she "accepted" Christ, after watching a children's movie that depicted Christ ministry, death and resurrection.
In the midst of such an oppressive city, there is a group of Christians working to show there is a better way...A better way to live, and to survive. They are revealing Jesus to the people of Pattaya by building relationships and equipping them with skills for a better way to provide for their families.
Founded in 1999, the Tamar Center is located in the midst of Pattaya directly helping these women get off the streets and out of that lifestyle. Their goal is to give them new job skills so they don’t have to rely on prostitution for income. They are given courses in card-making and English. They are taught skills in a hair salon or in a bakery or other income-earning activities. Most importantly, thousands of women have been given the opportunity to see Christ’s love through the women who are there to help them.
Continue reading on page 5 of Element Dispatch
OUR MISSION: To Glorify God by teaching and living out the Scriptures, transforming community into Gospel Community, and planting churches.