Midweek Check-in (April 2, 2025)

Good afternoon, church family!

It’s that time again! A midweek check-in with an update from your pastor.

This morning I had the distinct privilege to meet with about 30 other pastors from around town – pastors from various churches and denominations – who were all united in seeking God’s will for the entire city of Wichita!

One thing that is important in these gatherings: unity. We are called to be unified in Christ several times throughout scripture. But sometimes unity doesn’t always happen.

The church in Corinth was plagued with division. Paul wrote to them:

“…don’t be divided into rival groups. Instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose.”

1 Corinthians 1:10b

Paul wrote similar messages to other churches:

“Complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other.”

Philippians 2:2

“So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up.”

Romans 14:19

“As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other. And over all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

Colossians 3:13b-14

Sensing a theme? Apparently, a lack of unity was a problem in the early church, but it was also essential. And that’s why it was so refreshing to gather with a bunch of pastors – all who love Jesus – and find common ground and unity this morning.

Here’s the dirty little secret: all of us pastors didn’t agree on everything. I’m sure if we had dug down into the depths of theology, biblical study and Christian doctrine, we would have found some differences – there may have even been a certain Broncos fan there (gasp!). Did you know that disagreements and differences are true for individual churches as well? Individual believers – even ones in the same church – sometimes have disagreements.

But wait! What about unity??? We are supposed to be united in Christ, so how can we allow ourselves to disagree? Shouldn’t we agree on everything? Can I sit down and pray with a pastor who believes differently than me on, say, the doctrine of atonement?

Well, I did. And I’d do it again. Here’s where, I think, we find the difference between unity and uniformity. Unity describes agreement in the essential beliefs – Christ is Lord! We all agree on the essentials. Uniformity is different. Uniformity demands that everyone in the room look like you, smell like you, has the exact same opinions as you.

I think uniformity is dangerous to the church. If we try to make the church embrace uniformity in things like race, ethnicity, gender or politics – we have a problem. Here’s the problem: we’re one day going to stand in the presence of the Lord in eternal glory and when we look around we’re going to see a very diverse group of people – people from every tribe, nation and tongue!

A group diverse in appearance, background and thought is not only acceptable, I think it’s healthy AND it matches what we will see at the throne of God one day. I think, as churches, we need to be better in this area. That’s why I was glad to meet with a diverse group of pastors this morning, especially as we united under the banner of Christ is Lord.

Today, I’m thankful for the unity of our church, and the diversity of our church. We need to improve in both, but I’m glad we have a heavenly example:

 After this I looked, and there was a great crowd that no one could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands. They cried out with a loud voice:

“Victory belongs to our God

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:9-10

Your pastor,

Billy Byler

CHURCH ELECTIONS: Our annual church elections will take place this Sunday, April 6 to elect new leaders for our church board and delegates to represent our church at the 2025 Kansas District Assembly and NMI Convention. Only church members are eligible to vote.

FAMILY PICNIC & EGG HUNT

We need all hands on deck for Saturday, April 12 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for our Family Picnic and Egg Hunt right on our church lawn! All are invited for a free lunch, games, crafts and egg hunt. Lunch includes burgers on the grill provided by a generous donation from Creekstone Farms in Ark City, KS. If you have signed up to bring something, we would really appreciate it if you brought it this Sunday, so we can have all the supplies accounted for and prepared.

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Before Easter, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and the turmoil and division leading up to the crucifixion. Join us April 18 at 6:30 p.m. to hear the Word read aloud and experience the darkness of Good Friday. This will bring proper context and set the stage for the hope and celebration of Easter Sunday.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

New this year – let’s celebrate our Risen Lord and Savior at daybreak with a special Easter Sunrise Communion Service outside by the church pond starting at 6:45 a.m. The sunrise will be at 6:48 that morning, and if you have never experienced an Easter sunrise, I encourage you to bring a lawn chair or blanket and join us at the water’s edge for a one-of-a-kind Easter experience.

EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE

The celebration culminates in our Easter Sunday worship service starting at 10:30 a.m. in our sanctuary! Let’s worship Jesus and celebrate His resurrection in song, scripture and preaching of His Word.

BAPTISM: We have several who are interested in baptism, and we are planning a Baptism Sunday in the weeks after Easter. If you would like to know more about how you can experience the grace and joy of baptism, please contact Pastor Billy.

SAVE THE DATE FOR VBS 2025: This summer we’re inviting all kids to Trust Jesus in a Wild World with TRUE NORTH – our Vacation Bible School that will run each evening June 18-20. Be on the lookout for more information as we draw closer to the summer. We’ll have a volunteers’ meeting on May 18.

JUST FOR FUN

Hey, you read Pastor Billy's midweek check-in all the way to the end! As a reward, check out these crazy stories I came across recently:

All the experts agree – the best way to relocate an endangered rhinoceros is – when it’s asleep … and attached to a helicopter … and upside-down.

A bird watcher took a photo of an orange snowy owl. The only problem is that there’s no such thing as an orange snowy owl. So now scientists are trying to figure out how this snowy owl got orange.

For 300 years only a handful of women from the same family have had the skill to create the “threads of God” – the world’s rarest pasta.