Dear Christ Church Family,

Summer is coming to a close, families are busy preparing for another school year, and Christ Church (now in our thirteenth year!) is gradually moving back to a bustling fall schedule. Where has the time gone?   

As I grow older, time seems to go faster. Is that your experience? The months and years fly by quicker than they used to. It’s a stark reminder of the brevity of life, especially in light of the foreverness of eternity. Like grass and flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, humanity withers and fades (Isa. 40:7). We are truly “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (Js 4:14). Therefore, shouldn’t we view our time on earth as exceedingly precious? Shouldn’t we redeem the time, rather than fritter it away?

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Eph. 5:15

As Christians, there are clear ways to redeem the time that the Lord has given to us. One of them is by being devoted to the worship, mission, discipleship, and fellowship of the local church (Acts 2:42; I Cor. 12:12-27). We will all have regrets in life. That is true. But devoting our time, energy, and resources to our Savior’s church will not be included among them. This fall you and your family will have ample opportunity to redeem the time through devotion to Christ and His blood-bought bride, the church.

Visitors | Friendship Sunday

During this time of year college and graduate students move into their dorms, couples and families relocate to Charleston, and young professionals transition to the area. Some of them are actively looking to visit and join a local church. Perhaps you noticed the numerous visitors last week? Personally, I did not even recognize 30% of the congregation! Now, of course, some are on vacation. But many of them are not! Let’s be sure to warmly and graciously welcome all who walk through our doors. The first impression is often a lasting one. Moreover, let me encourage you to think about who you are going to invite to worship and the fellowship meal on Friendship Sunday, August 16th, 10:30 a.m.. Our friends and neighbors need the Lord. Compelled by the love of Christ, let’s reach out to them.

Preaching | New Sermon Series on Revelation

It has been a blessing to reflect upon the nature, content, and practice of prayer in my summer sermon series — Nearness to God: Learning from the Great Prayers of the Bible. We’ve learned, and been reminded of, key aspects of prayer while unpacking the ancient prayers of Scripture. I hope that our time in God’s Word this summer will compel us all to pray more faithfully and frequently as God’s redeemed children. Personal prayer, family prayer, and congregational prayer are a great place to start. 

On Lord’s Day, September 20th, I will begin a new sermon series on the Book of Revelation. I do so with fear and trembling! Please pray for me as I prepare for this series. Also, pray for our congregation to have ears to hear Christ’s life transforming message, and eyes to behold His unspeakable glory.   

We are coming to the end of my Philippians series in our evening services — To Live Is Christ. What’s next? I am still thinking and praying about that. However, I am delighted to announce that our pastoral intern, Colton Dempsey (licensed to preach in the Lowcountry presbytery), will take on a heavier preaching load this fall. We will share preaching responsibilities in our evening services, and Colton will do an expository series through one of the minor prophets.

Giving | Christ Church Budget   

We serve a generous and giving God. In Christ, we are called to be a generous, cheerful, and giving people. “For God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Dear ones, being a cheerful giver begins with setting apart the first-fruits of your income for the Lord. You may have noticed in our bulletin that we are presently behind in our giving. This is not atypical for the summer months, as people are often busy traveling. Even so, may I encourage you to evaluate your mid-year giving data? Perhaps if you’ve fallen behind, you can get caught up. Moreover, if you are currently not in the habit of giving, let me encourage you to do so; even if it means starting out at a low percentage of your income. And remember, you can’t out-give God. He gave you His Son, the “inexpressible gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).              

Mid-Week Bible Studies, etc. | Christ-Centered Fellowship                
Are you interested in midweek fellowship at Christ Church? Do you want to grow deeper in the Word and in Christian friendships? I am pleased to announce that we have a lot taking place this fall! Please keep your eyes peeled for announcements on a weekly men’s Bible study, weekly Twenty-Somethings dinner and Bible study, bi-monthly women’s Bible studies, weekly kids’ catechism class, monthly young married’s dinner and Bible study at the Paynes, RUF ministry at the College of Charleston and The Citadel, and a day conference on parenting. In addition, Mrs. Avery Ashley, our new part-time ministry assistant, is breathing new life into our women’s ministry at Christ Church. Ladies, stay tuned for more information.

Senior Pastor | Missions

Over the past twenty-five years, as an ordained minister, I’ve tried to make it a priority to be personally involved in the work of foreign mission. From the Andes Mountains in Peru, to the Himalayan foothills in India; from Moscow’s Red Square, to Heidelberg’s Neckar River, it’s been a joy to preach Christ to the nations. During my post-graduate studies at the University of Edinburgh, Marla and I lived in Scotland for two years (2001-2003). We learned about the colossal spiritual need for missions and church planting throughout the UK and continental Europe. The need has only grown in the last twenty years.

Therefore, in concurrence with Westminster Seminary UK’s move to central Oxford this summer, I am assisting with the establishment of a church planting institute. The institute will train and equip Reformed and confessional church planters. In two weeks, Marla and I will travel to Oxford. There, I will present a vision for the institute, and lead a roundtable discussion with pastors, church planters, and leaders from seven countries. Please pray for God to bless this work. Pray that the fruit of this work will be the raising up of godly, courageous, and sacrificial men who will proclaim the gospel and plant confessional churches in an extremely secular context. Pray that I would be an encouragement to our Christ Church supported missionary / church planter Rev. Andy Young at Oxford Presbyterian Church.   After our time in Oxford, Marla and I will take some vacation time to move Hans into St. Regulus Hall, University of St. Andrews in Scotland for his semester abroad.

The Means of Grace

Christ is building His Church, and He is doing so through His appointed means of grace. Christ Church, let us never forget this. From Charleston to Delhi to Budapest, He is saving the lost through His Word, sacraments, and prayer. Yes, they are simple and ordinary means. Yes, they appear weak and unimpressive to the world, just as Christ appeared weak and unimpressive when he hung on the cross at Calvary, securing our redemption. But the Lord has chosen to use these means to unleash His gospel power to save and sanctify His elect (Rom. 1:16-17). Our confidence, therefore, is not in strategies, programs, or personalities. It’s in Christ. It’s in His cleansing blood and justifying righteousness. “Him we proclaim” (Col. 1:28). 

Therefore, members and friends of Christ Church, may we devote ourselves and our families afresh to Christ and His Church today. May we recommit ourselves to Lord’s Day observance, drinking deeply of the means of grace through the congregational prayer meeting, Sunday school, and our morning and evening worship services. May we devote ourselves anew to the mission and ministry of the church. May we continue (or start) to give sacrificially of the first-fruits of our income. May we strive for the peace, purity, and unity of the church. And with God’s love pulsating in our hearts, may we reach out to the lost, and warmly welcome newcomers who walk through our doors. Christ Church, what a joy to grow and mature in Christ together!

Your Pastor, Servant, and Friend,

Pastor Jon