Happy Thanksgiving! One of the many blessings I give thanks for in 2021 is YOU! It is a joy to serve alongside the amazing people of Northeast Oklahoma. You are doing more good than you realize! You are loved and appreciated! Dave McKellips The Quarter-Time Church Member: Five Observations by Thom S. Rainer, Founder & CEO, Church Answers If your church is typical, over one-half of your members attend one out of four weeks or less. I am convinced that the decreasing commitment of church members to their local churches is one of the greatest problems in our culture today. More than polarized politics. More than petty social media. More than the divisions related to a pandemic. You see, healthy churches are positive forces in culture and communities. They serve and love others. They unite families. They communicate the gospel, where one finds true hope and peace. But when church......

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I am so thankful for the wonderful team of pastors we have in Northeast Oklahoma. Our pastors are heroes. We have especially been appreciative of the incredible work of our pastors during this pandemic. NONE of our pastors were ever trained for, nor have they ever had to lead ministries during a pandemic. Yet, they rolled up their sleeves, innovated, learned, and creatively put into place new practices so the work of ministry could continue. I have been hearing of some of the creative ways our churches have honored pastors during the month of October. We still have one more Sunday and I would encourage you to add one more method of expressing appreciation. I would ask every layperson to approach your pastor(s) this week, look him or her in the eyes and say, “I am so glad Jesus put you here!” We give thanks for Dr. Russell Human, ......

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We thought we were emerging from the pandemic. Now we are not so sure. And the pandemic is only one of the challenges we have faced in the last 18 months. We witnessed racial injustice, riots, political division, mixed messages from politicians and scientists, and economic collapse. The truth is, there are a lot of things that we do not know, especially when it comes to the future of the church. Ed Stetzer writes, “I do know these are difficult days that have presented us with many challenges. On the flip side, I do believe these challenges come with great opportunities for ministry. How we seize these gospel opportunities will determine whether we emerge from this season in a state of survival or positioned for revival.” I love that scene in the movie Apollo 13 in which they’re trying to bring back to Earth the crippled spacecraft, and the......

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Do Your Friendships Reflect God’s Heart? by Kevin G. Harney We should follow Jesus’ example by cultivating friendships with nonbelievers. Christian community and being part of a local church are essential for a healthy life of faith. God delights when we are active in the body of Christ, his family. But too many Christians get so invested in relationships with their believing friends that they forget to develop and nurture friendships with those who have not come to experience and embrace the grace of Jesus. It is easy to circle the spiritual wagons and take a defensive attitude toward the world. Some Christians see nonbelievers as the enemy. When this attitude prevails, we tend to break off our relationships with people who are not Christians. If we do interact with nonbelievers, we tend to keep these relationships shallow and safe. This way of thinking is diametrically opposed to the......

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NEO Nazarene Missions Convention July 30 8-9am – Café Central open Snacks, donuts, coffee and other drinks will be available to purchase. 8-9am – NMI & Assembly Registration 9am – Worship Marci Marquis leading worship Rev. Samantha Chambo speaking 10am – Business Reports Election of Officers Emphasis on Prayer Awards Flags of the Nations 11:15am – Closing Session Rev. Samantha and Dr. Fili Chambo sharing Noon – Chick-fil-A Lunch Remember to bring Crisis Care Kits Chick-fil-A Catered Lunch – Friday Noon $8 in advance – Reserve Meals by July 18! RESERVE MEALS HERE Churches: Turn in your Meal Order Form this week! NEO District Assembly July 30 1-2pm – Registration 2pm – Opening Business Session Introduction of New Pastors Report of District Superintendent, Dave McKellips Elections Reports by Pastors and District Boards 6:30pm – Team Celebration and Worship Worship led by Steve Davis and Central Worship Team Message by......

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NEO Nazarene Missions Convention July 30 8-9am – Café Central open Snacks, donuts, coffee and other drinks will be available to purchase. 8-9am – NMI & Assembly Registration 9am – Worship, with Rev. Samantha Chambo speaking and Marci Marquis leading worship 10am – Reports/Election of Officers/Emphasis on Prayer/ Awards/ Flags of the Nations 11:15am – Closing session with Rev. Samantha and Dr. Fili Chambo sharing Noon – Chick-fil-A Lunch Remember to bring Crisis Care Kits Chick-fil-A Catered Lunch – Friday Noon $8 in advance – Reserve Meals by July 18! RESERVE MEALS HERE   NEO District Assembly July 30 1-2pm – Registration 2pm – Opening Business Session 6:30pm – Team Celebration and Worship July 31 8-9am – Café Central open Snacks, donuts, coffee and other drinks will be available to purchase. 9am – Continuation of Business 2pm – Ordination Service Recognition of 5 retiring ministers, along with 6 first-year......

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