LOSING MY RELIGION part 6: “Is There Really Only One Way?”

One of the big criticisms of the Christian message is what seems to be its EXCLUSIVITY (read: "intolerance")

Did Jesus really make a line in the sand for "insiders" and "outsiders"?

Is the idea of eternal separation from God (read: "Hell") a deal-breaker for you?

Doesn't this buck against the increasingly important cultural value of TOLERANCE?

Today we'll look at this exclusionary message of Jesus, the gift of freewill and why many may be "Losing Their Religion" over it.

What do you think is the #1 inhibitor to the Christian faith?

One could argue

it's me

and

it's you

Or maybe it's more fair to argue it's those who consistently proclaim to be followers of Jesus but whose words, actions and lives look nothing like the Christ we claim to follow.

But even then, are our collective short-comings enough to discredit the good news of Jesus? Enough to "Lose Our Religion?"

There are many things in Christianity that we can respectfully "agree to disagree" on. Many things in the Big Tent of Orthodoxy where there is room for differing interpretations. It's why we have the many denominations we do, each with its own emphases and unique calling.

You may have heard lately of many people "deconstructing" their faith.

There are probably things we SHOULD deconstruct ... baggage from our childhood; "sacred cows" and church cultural remnants that should be dispensed with.

Here's the problem;

Most of the people I know who are "deconstructing" are not

RE-constructing.

Join us for a series that wrestles with the questions of skeptics, but will challenge us to re-build a faith on the foundation of a God who is good and is pursuing you with His love.

I guarantee either you or someone you love is going through this right now (or who perhaps never identified as a Christian and may benefit from joining in on this conversation).

Today we try to honestly address some of the hang-ups, hold-outs and push back from folks who consider the Bible an obstacle to their faith.

OCTOBER 24th

You may have heard lately of many people "deconstructing" their faith.

There are probably things we SHOULD deconstruct ... baggage from our childhood; "sacred cows" and church cultural remnants that should be dispensed with.

Here's the problem;

Most of the people I know who are "deconstructing" are not RE-constructing.

Join us for a series that wrestles with the questions of skeptics, but will challenge us to re-build a faith on the foundation of a God who is good and is pursuing you with His love.

I guarantee either you or someone you love is going through this right now (or who perhaps never identified as a Christian and may benefit from joining in on this conversation).

This might be the series to invite the skeptic; the "back-slider"; the "de-churched"; the "ex-vangelical"; the agnostic... and see if there is an openness to reconstructing their faith.

Today we ask “What’s your picture or idea of God? Is it the right picture? Is it based on the true character and nature of God?

You may have heard lately of many people "deconstructing" their faith.

There are probably things we SHOULD deconstruct ... baggage from our childhood; "sacred cows" and church cultural remnants that should be dispensed with.

Here's the problem;

Most of the people I know who are "deconstructing" are not RE-constructing.

Join us for a series that wrestles with the questions of skeptics, but will challenge us to re-build a faith on the foundation of a God who is good and is pursuing you with His love.

I guarantee either you or someone you love is going through this right now (or who perhaps never identified as a Christian and may benefit from joining in on this conversation).

This might be the podcast series to send to the skeptic; the "back-slider"; the "de-churched"; the "ex-vangelical"; the agnostic... and see if there is an openness to reconstructing their faith.

In today's service we would like to add just one more step to our

COMEBACK series, as a way to re-cap, re-affirm, and even ask God to "seal" what He has revealed to us in these days.

This is a different kind of service that asks you to not spectate but actively participate.

You can participate easily via this podcast as well.

Trusting this will be a meaningful, even freeing congregational experience.

STOP SELF ISOLATING

Obviously, there are good and important reasons for "Self-isolating" in the midst of a global pandemic.

What is becoming spiritually and relationally evident though is that our non-medical self-isolating is having a deleterious effect on our souls.

Could it be that is because God has created us for community? Could it be because no matter how cliched it may sound, we truly are "better together"? Does life change and spiritual growth really happen better in smaller communities?

NAC, it's time for a comeback

If you’re new-ish to our community we’d love to welcome you personally. Let us know you’re watching by clicking here

www.newmarketalliance.ca/guest

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In the early days of this pandemic, we were desperate for information and updates. There was confusion and conflicting messages. Trustworthy and reliable news was at a premium. It wasn't too long before we weren't sure which "voices" we could trust. COVID didn't start this phenomenon but it sure seemed to accelerate it.

More than at any point in human history is the need for a true, transcendent and loving voice to break through all the static and noise.

The good news is that it's available to you!

NAC, it's time for a comeback.

If you’re new-ish to our community we’d love to welcome you personally. Let us know you’re listening by clicking here

www.newmarketalliance.ca/guest

Don’t want to miss any NAC news? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter

www.newmarketalliance.ca/updates

Sign up for our 6 week zoom seminar, HEARING GOD

https://nac.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1013342

Sign up for our 6 week small group on discovering your spiritual gifts, NETWORK

https://nac.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1011690

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021

In the early days of this pandemic especially, there was a self-preservation instinct that kicked in for many of us. Perhaps this was best illustrated by the panicked toilet paper buying.

Even if you haven't wrestled for hand sanitizer in Walmart or built a fallout shelter in your backyard, there is a real temptation to have a "selfish" attitude when Jesus asks us to have a "selfLESS" mindset... literally the attitude of a servant.

Counterintuitively though, that servant attitude may be the key to your renewed joy, fulfillment and purpose.

NAC, it's time for a comeback.