Flatwoods church of Christ

You are here: Home / Archives for Media

Come and See

by Leave a Comment

Sunday was a great day! It was so good to see each of you here to worship our wonderful God. It was even better to see many visitors in our midst. The fellowship, the encouragement, the singing, the studying of God’s word, the partaking of the Lord’s communion, were all such an encouragement. Invite someone this week to come to worship with you, it might surprise you who will say yes.
 
One of the greatest privileges we have as members of the Lord’s church is the opportunity to invite others to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. In a world filled with uncertainty, sin, and distraction, the church stands as a beacon of truth, love, and hope. But how will others know where to find it unless someone shows them the way? In John 1:45-46, when Philip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus, Nathanael was skeptical. Philip didn’t argue, he simply said, “Come and see.” Sometimes, the best invitation isn’t a deep theological explanation, it’s a warm, sincere invitation to come experience worship, meet God’s people, and hear the truth of the gospel preached. A simple invitation might be what God uses to change someone’s life now and for eternity.
 
 
We are commanded to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15), and while not everyone is a preacher or teacher, all of us can invite. The early church grew not only through public preaching but also through personal relationships. Acts 2:47 tells us, “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Many of those additions happened because believers were actively bringing others in to hear the gospel and learn about Christ and His church.
 
If we truly believe that the church is the body of Christ and that salvation is found in Him alone, then we should be eager to help others find their way to Him. Think of the people you interact with every week, family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors, strangers. Many of them maybe struggling, searching, or simply curious about faith. They may be waiting for someone like you to care enough to invite them. Don’t underestimate your influence. God can use your voice and your example to open a heart.
 
As a congregation, let’s encourage others, let’s celebrate visitors who come. Let us always pray as a church for growth. Paul wrote in Romans 10:14, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” But long before the preaching begins, someone has to do the inviting. This week, make it your goal to invite just one person. Extend the love, the welcome, and the truth of the Lord’s church. You never know what eternal impact a simple invitation might have.
 
Let us go out with the spirit of Philip and say to the world around us: “Come and see.”
 
God Bless
 
Todd Parsley
Minister at the Flatwoods church of Christ
 
 

Welcome Home

by Leave a Comment

What a joy it was this past Sunday to gather with you for worship to our great God. Renee and I are excited to be here and are ready to work alongside you to help in any way to grow the Kingdom in this community. As I said on Sunday it is great to be home. Life has brought us full circle to be able to be here. For those that do not already know, this is where I was raised. My memories of growing up in this church are endless. Both of the spiritual knowledge I was taught and the countless friends I have because of this wonderful congregation. It was this church that set me on the path of being a minister. I was both encouraged and given the opportunity to teach. It was here I had my first job in ministry as the Youth and Family minister.

Photo by Vitolda Klein on Unsplash

This is a new beginning, new for Renee and I and new for the Flatwoods Church of Christ! We all need to look forward and not backward. We cannot change the past or predict the future, but we can control today and with God’s help and our faithfulness to Him, He will direct our steps. A new beginning brings with it both excitement and reflection. As we step forward together, my heart is filled with hope’ and trust in the faithfulness of our God who promises to work in us and through us (Philippians 1:6). My prayer is that together we will grow in grace, deepen our love for one another, and be a light to this community. I am not here to change the message, it is eternal and unchanging, but to proclaim it with conviction, to equip the saints, and to walk beside you in truth and love.

I know that I have come back into a congregation with a rich history of faith and faithfulness. I do not take lightly the work done before my arrival, the seeds sown, the prayers lifted, and the lives touched. I hope to build on that strong foundation with God’s help. Let us move forward hand in hand, seeking the unity that Christ prayed for, and committing ourselves fully to the mission of the church: to love God, love one another, and bring souls to Christ.

I also want you to know that my door is always open. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, ask questions, share your thoughts, or simply sit down and talk. As Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (1 Thessalonians 1:2). I already give thanks for you and look forward to what God will do through us in the days ahead.

God Bless -Todd