Romans 13
Submit to government authorityverses 1-5
Let every soul be subject to the higher powers
for there is no power but of God
the powers that be are ordained of God
WHOSOEVER therefore resists the power
resists the ordinance of God
and they that resist shall receive
to themselves damnation
FOR rulers are not a terror to good works – BUT to the evil
Will you then not be afraid of the power?
do that which is good
and you shall have praise of the same
FOR he is the minister of God to you for good
BUT if you do that which is evil – be afraid
for he bears not the sword in vain
for he is a minister of God
a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil
WHEREFORE you must needs be subject – not only for wrath
BUT also for conscience sake
Pay your taxesverses 6-7
FOR for this cause pay you tribute also
for they are God’s ministers
attending continually upon this very thing
Render therefore to all their dues
tribute to whom tribute is due
custom to whom custom
fear to whom fear – honor to whom honor
Stay out of debtverse 8
Owe no man anything – BUT to love one another
FOR he that loves another has fulfilled the law
Love your neighborverses 9-10
FOR this – You shall not commit adultery – You shall not kill
You shall not steal – You shall not bear false witness
You shall not covet
And if there be any other commandment
it is briefly comprehended in this saying – namely
You shall love your neighbor as yourself
Love works no ill to his neighbor
THEREFORE love is the fulfilling of the law
Live decent livesverses 11-14
And that – knowing the time
that now it is high time to awake out of sleep
for now is our salvation nearer
than when we believed
THE night is far spent – the day is at hand
LET us therefore cast off the works of darkness
and LET us put on the armor of light
LET us walk honestly – as in the day
not in rioting and drunkenness
not in chambering and wantonness
not in strife and envying
BUT PUT you on the Lord Jesus Christ
and make not provision for the flesh
to fulfill the lusts thereof
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (5021 “ordained” [tasso] means appoint, to put in order, to assign a place, designate, set aside, arrange, or put in place)
DEVOTION: Paul is writing to a group of believers who were living in Rome. It was the center place of worship of the emperor. The emperor was not given to sharing worship. So the Christians were always under scrutiny by the government.
The Christians were to honor Christ first but also subject themselves to the laws of the land. They had to understand that God was the one who appointed those who were in power over the people of Rome. Most of the Emperors were anti- Christian. Some burned the Christians on light poles. Some sent them to be killed by lions.
God appoints those who are put in positions of leadership over nations. No one is able to rule without the LORD’S approval. It is hard to believe that HE allows some people to rule over nations. Many rulers treated believers badly.
Today we find that our nation is full of people in leadership who hate what the church stands for regarding many issues. They make laws that hurt Christians in their daily walk with the LORD.
Society at large is doing everything in their power to cause those who say they are believers to stop attending church on Sunday. They schedule many activities for their children that pull them out of church to be on sports teams. If the parents chose church their children can’t play on the team.
Our responsibility is to honor the LORD through our worship. However, many churches are led by pastors who don’t even open the Bible on Sunday.
Our national leader claims to be a believer and should set an example of a believer but that is not happening. God has allowed him in office. We are responsible to pray for his salvation and for his leadership. If he doesn’t honor God he has to answer for it and if we don’t honor him with our prayers we will answer for it.
Nations rise and fall on leadership. The church has to hold the course of obedience. In spite of the conditions of society in our nation we still have to pray for our president and leaders. We have the responsibility to vote even when we think our vote won’t matter. To not vote is to disobey the LORD. Our leaders will face the LORD one day. They will answer for their actions. We will answer for ours.
We need to step back and always remind ourselves that our eternity rests in the LORD. Our present is under HIS control and HE understands what is happening and HE is allowing it. It is part of HIS plan.
CHALLENGE: We need to believe that God is sovereign over our nation or not. If not we are not trusting in the LORD with our whole heart.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 6 For for this cause pay you tribute also for they are God’s ministers, attending continually on this very thing. (3011 “ministers” [leitourgos] means a person working in service of deity, servant, one who cares for another, or public servant)
DEVOTION: We are in tax season now. Every year on the 15th of April we are to mail our forms in to the government with a payment if we owe them money. Sometimes even children have to pay taxes but it is usually only the parents. It is hard on some to pay their taxes if they are living from paycheck to paycheck.
However, the LORD wants us to be good citizens. That means that we at least file our tax return or ask for an extension to get the money together to pay. God has ordained government. Government workers need a paycheck too.
We can grumble that there are too many government workers or too many people who receive welfare but that doesn’t give us a right not to pay our taxes. Those who work for the government and those who take welfare will all answer to the LORD if they are not doing things right.
Our responsibility is to pay what we owe when we owe it and the LORD will bless us for our actions. Being a good citizen is not always easy but it is something the LORD wants us to be.
CHALLENGE: If our government asks us to do something that disobeys the LORD then we have to obey the LORD at all costs.
: 8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. (3784 “owe” [opheilo] means be obligated, be in debt, to be under obligation, be obligatory in view of some moral requirement, or be indebted)
DEVOTION: We are to use the money the LORD gives us wisely. This means that we should try to stay out of debt. It is again hard for those who live paycheck to paycheck. There are many plans out there for Christians to follow.
There are enveloping plans. There are budget plans that we write out each paycheck. There are individual plans that we make up to help us spend our money wisely.
The goal of all the plans is that we don’t have too many bills at the end of the month with no money left over. In an ideal plan there is even a saving account. So at the end of the day we don’t have to go to someone and say we can’t pay them.
If our financial house is in order we can follow this verse by saying to those who have helped us that all we owe them is love.
I have had many family members and friends that have helped me over the years. I hope that I can be available to help these same individuals when they need my help financially or otherwise.
My goal is to show my love for those around me. We need to be able to say to those who need encouragement that we love them. We need to do it not only with our voice but with our actions.
Do those around us know that we love them? This should be especially true of our families and friends.
CHALLENGE: Being available is a great way to show our love at times.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (4307 “provision” [pronois] means foresight, forethought, providence, or to think ahead)
DEVOTION: Paul uses the illustration of getting dressed in the morning. Each morning we get up and change into clothes that we can wear outside of our home. Some get into suits. Some are blue collar workers who get into their jeans and t-shirt and go to work. If we went to work with the wrong clothes on – someone would say something to us.
Paul is telling the Christians that each morning they have to put on the LORD Jesus Christ. HE has to be LORD of our life each morning. That can only be done through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
What happens if we start our day dressed in the wrong clothes? If we have not put on the LORD Jesus Christ, we go out the door with the wrong clothes on.
Whose clothes are we wearing? We are wearing the clothes of the flesh. These clothes cause us to walk in the wrong direction. We are not heading to work for the LORD, we are on our way to serve ourselves. When we serve ourselves we are selfish and lazy. We go after things that the flesh desires.
This chapter tells us to obey those in authority over us because they are the ministers of God. We are to obey the commands of God. There is a list given in this chapter of those things that God considers evil or sin.
Paul wants us to put on the armor of light instead of the works of darkness. If we are to put on the armor of light then we have to give no place for the works of darkness. The battle is real. We have two natures in our once we chose to follow Christ. The old nature wants to work the works of darkness. Our new nature wants to put on the armor of light.
The choice is a daily choice in our walk with the LORD. Each day the LORD shows us new mercy. Each day the LORD gives us our daily bread. Each day we are to take up our cross and follow HIM. If we realize these things, we will not want to think about doing evil. Our flesh is weak but the Holy Spirit can give us strength to overcome our flesh. Are we depending on the LORD each day? HE promises to never leave us or forsake us. HE promises to give us strength. Praise HIS name.
CHALLENGE: Each morning, ask the LORD whose clothes you have put on.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Pay tributeverses 6, 7
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Lawverses 8-10
Commandmentsverse 9
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 1, 2, 4, 6
Ordained of Godverse 1
Ordinance of Godverse 2
Minister of Godverses 4, 6
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Lordverse 14
Jesusverse 14
Christverse 14
Lord Jesus Christverse 14
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Subject to higher powersverse 1
Government ordained of Godverse 1
Rulersverse 3
Minister of Godverses 4, 6
Revengerverse 4
Conscienceverse 5
Pay tributeverses 6, 7
Custom to whom custom is dueverse 7
Fear to whom fear is dueverse 7
Honor to whom honor is dueverse 7
Owe no man anythingverse 8
Sin Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Resist powerverse 2
Damnationverse 2
Evilverses 3, 4
Commit adulteryverse 9
Killverse 9
Stealverse 9
Bear false witnessverse 9
Covetverse 9
Not love neighborverse 9
Works of darknessverse 12
Riotingverse 13
Drunkennessverse 13
Chamberingverse 13
Wantonnessverse 13
Strifeverse 13
Envyingverse 13
Lusts of the fleshverse 14
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Subject to governmentverses 1, 5
Good worksverse 3
Praiseverse 3
Pay taxesverse 6
Owe not man anythingverse 8
Love one anotherverse 8
Love your neighborverses 9, 10
Awake out of sleepverse 11
Salvationverse 11
Believedverse 11
Put on armor of lightverse 12
Walk honestlyverse 13
Israel(Old Testament people of God)
Commandmentsverse 9
Not commit adultery
Not kill
Not steal
Not bear false witness
Not covet
Love your neighbor as yourself
Church(New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
12, 13 The line of thought closely resembles the treatment in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11. Even as darkness is symbolic of evil and sin, the light fittingly depicts those who have passed through the experience of salvation. Paul pictures the Christian as one who anticipates the day by rising early. His night clothes are the works of darkness, the deeds that belong to the old life. The garments to which he transfers, however, are unusual. They are likened to armor as in 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Evidently the purpose is to suggest that to walk through this world as children of light involves a warfare with the powers of darkness (cf. Eph 6:12, 13). Even though the day as an eschatological point has not yet arrived, the believer belongs to the day (1 Thess 5:8), anticipating by the very atmosphere of his transformed life the glory that will then be revealed (2 Cor 3:18; 4:4).
This is the basis for the plea, “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime.” The Christian is to live as though that final day had actually arrived, bringing with it the personal presence of Christ. There should be no place, then, for the conduct that characterizes unsaved people, especially in the night seasons. Paul describes this manner of life (all too common in Corinth, where he was writing) in three couplets, the first emphasizing intemperance (which sets the stage for the other two), then sexual misconduct, followed by contention and quarreling. Here we learn the double lesson that one sin leads to another and that the committing of sin does not bring rest to the spirit but rather dissatisfaction that betrays itself by finding fault with others, as though they are responsible. The sinner tries hard to find a scapegoat. (Harrison, E. F. (1976). Romans. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians (Vol. 10, p. 143). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Honestly (εὐσχημονως [euschēmonōs]). Paul is fond of the metaphor “walk” (περιπατεω [peripateō]), 33 times though not in the Pastoral Epistles. This old adverb (from εὐσχημων [euschēmōn], graceful) occurs also in 1 Thess. 4:12; 1 Cor. 14:40. The English word “honest” means honourable (Latin honor) and so decent. Wycliff translates 1 Cor. 12:31 by “unhonest,” “honesty,” “honest” for “less honourable, honour, honourable.” Not in revelling (μη κωμοις [mē kōmois]). Plural “revellings.” See on Gal. 5:21. Drunkenness (μεθαις [methais]). Plural again, “drunkennesses.” See on Gal. 5:21. In chambering (κοιταις [koitais]). Plural also. See on Rom. 9:10. Wantonness (ἀσελγειαις [aselgeiais]). Plural likewise. See on 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19. Not in strife and jealousy (μη ἐριδι και ζηλῳ [mē eridi kai zēlōi]). Singular here, but some MSS. have the plural like the previous words. Quarrelling and jealousy go with the other vices (Shedd). (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ro 13:13). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
13:13–14. In verse 13 Paul repeated his exhortation of verse 12, changing the figure from warfare to lifestyle. He charged, Let us behave decently, as in the daytime (lit., “day”). Crime, violence, and wickedness are associated with darkness and the night (John 1:5; 3:19–20; 8:12; 12:35, 46; Eph. 5:8, 11; 6:12; 1 Thes. 5:7; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:5–6; 2:9, 11). Perhaps this contrast was suggested to Paul by his phrase “deeds of darkness” (Rom. 13:12). At any rate the activities and attitudes he listed—orgies and drunkenness … sexual immorality and debauchery … dissension and jealousy (cf. Gal. 5:19–21)—are certainly “deeds of darkness.” It is interesting that Paul linked jealousy with immorality. Such actions and attitudes have no place in a Christian’s life. He belongs to “the light”; these deeds and thoughts belong to the darkness.
A Christian’s lifestyle must be pure and holy, especially in view of Christ’s approaching return (cf. Rom. 13:11–12; 1 John 3:3). The secret to living chaste lives is for Christians to clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. “put on,” Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10). At salvation they were “clothed with Christ” (Gal. 3:27), so they should conduct themselves accordingly. Also the secret includes not thinking about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature (lit., “and do not make forethought [pronoian] for the flesh [sarkos; cf. Rom. 8:3–5, 8–9, 12–13] for lusts”). For a Christian to plan out specific ways to gratify his sinful nature is wrong and out of bounds. (Witmer, J. A. (1985). Romans. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 491–492). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Paul gave several admonitions in the light of the Lord’s soon return. The first is, “Wake up!” Relate this with 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, and also Matthew 25:1–13. The second is, “Clean up!” We do not want to be found dressed in dirty garments when the Lord returns (1 John 2:28–3:3). The Christian wears the armor of light, not the deeds of darkness. He has no reason to get involved in the sinful pleasures of the world. Finally, Paul admonished, “Grow up!” (Rom. 13:14) To “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ means to become more like Him, to receive by faith all that He is for our daily living. We grow on the basis of the food we eat. This is why God warns us not to make provisions for the flesh. If we feed the flesh, we will fail; but if we feed the inner man the nourishing things of the Spirit, we will succeed.
In other words, a Christian citizen ought to be the best citizen. Christians may not always agree on politics or parties, but they can all agree on their attitude toward human government. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 558). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
13:13 Let us behave properly. By living a life pleasing to God, manifesting in our outward behavior the inner reality of a redeemed life (cf. 6:4; 8:4; Lk 1:6; Gal 5:16, 25; Eph 2:10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15; Php 1:27; 3:16, 17; Col 1:10; 2:6; 1Th 2:12; 4:1, 12; 1Pe 2:12; 1Jn 2:6; 2Jn 4, 6). carousing. Wild parties, sexual orgies, brawls, riots (cf. Gal 5:21; 1Pe 4:3). sexual promiscuity and sensuality. Sexual immorality (cf. 1Co 6:18; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1Th 4:3; 2Ti 2:22). strife and jealousy. Closely associated iniquities (cf. 1Co 3:3; 2Co 12:20; Gal 5:20; Php 1:15; 1Ti 6:4), since the former is often the result of the latter. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ro 13:13). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 13. Let us walk honestly as in the day, &c.] Being under the day of the Gospel dispensation, and the day of grace having dawned, and the day-star of spiritual light and knowledge being risen in our hearts, and we being exposed to the view of all men in broad day-light, ought not to lie down and sleep, but to arise and be active, and walk decently with the armour of light on us, as becomes the Gospel of Christ; not naked and unclothed, which would expose us and the Gospel to shame and contempt: not in rioting; the Syriac and Arabic versions read, in singing, or songs; meaning lewd ones, sung at riotous feasts and banquets, made not for refreshment, but for pleasure and debauchery, what the Romans call comessations; feasts after supper in the night season, and design all sorts of nocturnal revels: Comus, the word here used, is with the Heathens the god of feasts, perhaps the same with Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, 1 Kings 11:33. And drunkenness; which always attended such unseasonable and immoderate festivals: not in chambering; in unlawful copulations, fornication, adultery, and all the defilements of the bed: and wantonness; lasciviousness, unnatural lusts, as sodomy, &c. not in strife and envying; contention and quarrels, which are usually the consequences of luxury and uncleanness. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 557). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Genesis 43
Jacob is forced to send his youngest son, Benjamin, to Egypt.
INSIGHT
In his commentary, F. B. Meyer regards Joseph as a reflection of Christ who, when his brothers come to him in fear, has only love to bestow on them. Meyer writes:
“Very often we move forward with dread into the unknown.” In reality, our fears are groundless. “If only we realized that [God’s] love is waiting for us there.” His love requires little from us . . . just ourselves. He enables us to live a happy life when we realize the good He has for us. So, “lift up your hearts; a feast awaits you!”
(Quiet Walk)
FAITH AND REASON
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious. 1 Peter 2:7
What is the relationship between faith and reason? The best answer I can give is that faith is not a matter of reason. Some people teach that it is. They say that if only men and women would use their minds, they would be bound to become Christians; they can reason themselves into Christianity. But that is thoroughly unscriptural. They cannot because the natural man’s or woman’s reason is also fallen. Not only that, there are supernatural and miraculous elements in faith to which reason cannot attain. So true faith is not entirely a matter of reason. Indeed, I would quote to you the statement of the great Blaise Pascal, perhaps the greatest mathematician that the world has ever known and who had an evangelical conversion. He said that the supreme achievement of reason is to teach us that there is an end to reason.
So what about faith and reason? Well, faith is not mere reason, but on the other hand, neither is it contrary to reason. It is not unreasonable; it is not irrational. That is the charge that is brought against us.
“Ah,” people say, “but what you’re teaching is a kind of irrationality. You say that faith isn’t a matter of reason. Well then, is it opposed to reason?”
“No, it is not. It is not reason; neither is it contrary to reason. What is it then? It is supra-reason. It means that our reason brings us to the point where we realize that reason is not enough, and at that point we have nothing to do but submit ourselves to revelation. And that is faith. Faith is accepting this revelation.
More and more I like to think of it like this: Faith means that I deliberately shut myself down to this Book, the Bible. I refuse to philosophize. I refuse to ask certain questions. People are always asking them. They want to understand the doctrine of the Trinity. You cannot. You will never understand it. It is too great. So you accept it; and you stop asking questions.
A Thought to Ponder: Reason brings us to the point where we realize that reason is not enough, and at that point we submit ourselves to revelation.
(From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 147-148, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
We, Being Many
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Romans 12:4-5)
All too frequently in today’s Christian circles, we place certain individuals and certain gifts on a pedestal, and all too often the resulting pride is devastating. Pride may be the favorite tool of Satan. Pride was the reason Satan rebelled and lost his exalted position (Isaiah 14:13-14). He appealed to Eve’s pride in the garden (Genesis 3:6), similarly tempted Christ in the wilderness (Luke 4:6), and uses it on us today. Be warned! “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6): “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Paul, through the Holy Spirit, chose to introduce his teaching on the use of spiritual gifts and unity of the entire body with a warning against pride, admonishing “every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). His discussion on the many-membered body that follows leaves no room for pride. Nor does the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
The apostle points out that each Christian forms an equally essential part of the whole. Since we are all equal in God’s eyes, and all mutually dependent upon one another, what room is there for pride? Likewise, Paul points out that each Christian possesses an equally vital connection with Christ. Who are we to tell Christ a part of His body is less valuable than the rest? He is concerned for each one equally. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
(JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Hence it is, that Mr. Flavell, in his book called, Husbandry Spiritualized, compared young Christians to green corn, which before it is ripe shoots up very high but there is little solidity in it; whereas an old Christian is like ripe corn, it doth not lift up its head so much but then it is more weighty and fit to be cut down and put into the farmer’s barn. Young Christians are also like little rivulets. Ye know rivulets are shallow, yet make great noise. But an old Christian, he makes not much noise, he goes on sweetly like a deep river sliding into the ocean.
(p. 392-3, The Sermons of George Whitefield – Volume One)
There are principles to help us in this discussion.
First, the main goal in all relationships is to glorify God, not to get as close to sinning as possible.
Second, do not stir up love before its time.
Third, and this is where things will seem radically counter-cultural to many believers, you should treat all the Christians you are not married to as your brothers and sisters in Christ. (p.114)
Pursuing holiness in today’s cheap-date, hookup world requires tremendous courage and other-worldliness. (p. 116) (The Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung)
A church in Minnesota is asking its members older than 60 years old to worship elsewhere while the church closes to “reset” and welcome younger families.
According to the Grand Forks Herald, the Grove United Methodist Church in Cottage Grove, Minn. is closing in June and reopening in November.
A church memo to members asks that those over 60 reapply for church membership in two years.
“This is totally wrong,” said Cheryl Gackstetter. “They are discriminating against us because of our age.”
The church announced the plan in early January.
The church was founded about 30 years ago as the Peaceful Grove Church. It merged with another church, Woodbury, in 2008. Then, about seven years ago, the church said it could no longer pay for a minister for the church. Cottage Grove church then switched to lay ministry where members preach weekly sermons.
“This created a lot of independence. We kept it going,” said church founder Jim Baker. That’s why the members are so fiercely loyal, he said.
The church averages about 25 people weekly, but Rev. Dan Wetterstrom, head of the church, says the church wants to “reach new people.” They’ve asked that church members attend the Woodbury campus while the church restarts.
The Methodists’ regional Annual Conference is paying $250,000 to restart the church, including hiring a 30-year-old specialist, Jeremy Peters.
“It’s a new thing with a new mission for a new target,” said Peters, “and a new culture.”
He added that the older, core church members will not be barred from attending the Cottage Grove church.
“If they are on board with that, they are welcome to attend and engage,” said Peters.
Cheryl’s husband, William Gackstetter, said he’s still upset. He says the church has also asked them to maintain the church until it reopens— without them.
“They want us to mow the lawn and shovel the snow,” he said. “As if anyone would do that. This whole plan makes me sick. I believe it’s evil.”
(Amanda Casannova – ChristianHeadlines.com)
Joanne writes (MO): Mothers don’t give up on their kids for taking the wrong roads. They just keep praying there’s a place to turn around before it is too late.
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