Pastor’s Blog
Church Family
September 15th, 2023
J. Fields
Church family, as most of you know by now, I will soon be leaving Central Christian Church as
your Associate Pastor. These past several years have been remarkable, I have ignited some old
friendships and many new ones, those relationships will forever be in my heart, and our
friendship will not change.
Some may not understand why I’m leaving; they may wonder if something happened or if
everything is okay, the quick answer is everything is great! Central Christian is a healthy and
wonderful church, God is truly moving here, leaders are being produced, deeper relationships
with Jesus Christ are happening, and the Holy Spirit is moving.
This new opportunity for me and my family is exciting but a little bittersweet. Pastor Chris is a
true blessing; He gave me a chance when many others probably wouldn’t have. He poured life
into me, walked beside me, gave me feedback, became a close friend, and even would steal some
of my food when we would have lunch; yes, he likes to eat people’s food! HaHaHa
I must now walk in this new season that God has been preparing me for. When I look back, I can
now see that each of you was part of God’s amazing plan and for that I’m grateful. I pray for
blessings over Central Christian Church, I know that HUGE things are in store for each of you.
Remember, if there’s anything you may ever need, please reach out anytime.
To the elders, staff, volunteers, congregation, and especially Pastor Chris, thank you from the
bottom of my heart, I love you and I cannot wait to do ministry with you all in some way once
again.
Colossians 3:15-17
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And
be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in
all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to
God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through him.
Blessings!
Jason Fields
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Detoxify Pt. 2
September 1st, 2023
C. Hayden
Last month we talked about having a toxic atmosphere in an organization and how it is fueled by
toxic behaviors. This month, we want to talk about why people are often toxic and what we can
and should do about it as believer’s in Christ. Why are people toxic? Dr. Gregory Jantz, from the
Renewing Life Center, says that it is usually one or a combination of five different factors
including:
They enjoy it – Some people just like poking at people and stirring up conflict. It is
funny to them to be contrary and they relish in making others uncomfortable. While
they can be funny at first, their behavior gets old and they become toxic. Does not
matter the issue, they occupy the other side of it.
They learned it from their family or others in their life growing up – We often pick up on
behavioral cues from our family, friends or others when growing up. We adopt
behavior from those we were around in our youth whether for good or for bad.
They benefit in some way – Some use toxicity as a tool to get what they want. The
squeaky wheel gets all the grease so to speak. Often, their behavior elicits a
response that gives them an advantage. Often toxic behavior backfires and
gives the person the opposite result.
They never emerged from their emotional adolescence – Their emotional immaturity
comes out in ways that is like what a child would do. They crave attention so, like a
child, act out to get it.
They are compensating from underlying mental and/or emotional issues – Some, if not
many of us, have an emotional or mental issue that manifests itself in ways that may
be offensive to others.
So what is our responsibility when encountering toxic behavior? First, we need to follow the
scriptures as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
Rather than opposing the toxic person with wrath, try loving them and striving to be long-
suffering with joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, kindness. We need to remember that sometimes,
we can be difficult. As God has given us grace, we need to give grace (2 Cor. 9:6-8). Second, set
healthy boundaries. While we need to love all people, we should not allow others to continually
abuse us. Let them know that toxic elements need to stop. What type of boundary depends on
the situation, but give them no place to stifle your joy. Finally, seek guidance from God and a
Godly friend. Make sure you are seeing the situation right. If you are seeing a real problem,
difficult decisions may need to be made. Whether to limit your contact or have no contact at all
may be necessary. Remember Psalm 1:1-3 and Rom 13:10, “Blessed is the one who does not
walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit with mockers, but whose
delight is in the law of the Lord…” “Love does no harm to your neighbor. Love fulfills the law.”
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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True Love
8-15-2023
J. Fields
Recently I preached a message on the Ten Commandments and their relevance for today,
at the end of the message I read what Jesus had to say in Matthew 22; 36 “Teacher, which is the
most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love
the L ORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ [ e ] 38 This is the first and
greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.’ [ f ] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two
commandments.” When Jesus speaks, we should never take it lightly especially when He tells us
how important this commandment is.
Every week people are walking into the church that are going through a whole slew of
things, let’s be honest, life can be ruthless. I want to hear people say, wow, I was hurting but
when I walked into the church, I was loved by so many people that my wound was healed.
There’s not one single person who has it all figured out, everyone one of us is a work in
progress. In reality, the church is for the broken, the lonely, the hungry, the poor, the rich, the
joyful, the sick, the sinner, the mature, the healed… This list could go on and on. We all need
Jesus, none of us have arrived yet.
We are called to love God, we do this through surrendering ourselves to Him, by reading
His Word, through prayer, and by just being “real” with Him. The same is true when loving on
people; people just want realness, people who are searching for a relationship with Christ, maybe
they feel “stuck”, or maybe they just want to go deeper in His Word, they want real true
authentic love, this can and must start through us, the believers. Share the Word of Jesus, love on
someone, maybe just smile at someone, or better yet live out Jesus in all you do.
Love God and Love People
Be Blessed,
Jason
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Detoxify
8-1-2023
C. Hayden
Our immediate culture, environment, and those around us have a significant influence on how we feel, the way we engage one another, and our state of joy or lack thereof. When those we work with, worship with, live with, and/or play with exude behaviors that are often toxic, those same behaviors can drain the life out of a person, causing them to want to be anywhere else other then the place they are. When we see people move away from us, regardless of the setting, it could be a sign that toxic poison exists. I’m not talking about physical chemical poison. I am referring to the emotional poison that exists when the atmosphere of an environment becomes void
of the fruit of the Spirit and polluted with selfishness, hate, unnecessary anger, manipulation, controlling, gaslighting, intimidation, untruths/lies, self-absorption, constant drama queen or crisis king, deception, snarky- ness, untoward humor, gossip/backbiting, complaining,
argumentativeness, jealousy, envy, and the like. These behaviors create an atmosphere that is toxic to those around them. And we all have fallen into the trap of behaving in a manner like this.
But when it becomes commonplace or the usual modas operandi of a person or organizations culture, it is TOXIC! It is poisonous! And no one wants to be anywhere close to poisonous toxicity.
Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.”
Now let’s do an exercise. Let us read through that list of the Spirit’s fruit 3 or 4 times. Do you here the words that God is speaking to you. If you have it memorized, close your eyes and repeat the words. Do these scriptures describe the environment you are currently in? Does the culture and
atmosphere where you live exude the fruit of the Spirit? Do you give off a vibe that causes others to feel and sense these qualities? Or would your environment or example be described by many as toxic?
Ephesians 4:29-32 says, “(29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good
for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit…(31) Let all
bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (32) And be kind to one
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you.”
Now if you are a generally toxic person, you may not realize you are being toxic or may not care. But God sees are communication, and it matters to Him. Toxicity in an organization will absolutely kill it. Whether in a Church or in a person’s home, we should always be displaying the fruit of the Spirit, not the poison that originates with the devil and is so destructive in the
world. Toxic behavior repels people. The fruit of the Spirit, will draw them.
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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Do You Hear Him?
7-15-2023
J. Fields
Recently Pastor Greg Laurie whom the movie Jesus Revolution was based, held his annual crusade in California, there were thousands in attendance and hundreds of salvations and re-dedications during the two-day crusade. Along with some powerful preaching of the Word, there was some dynamic worship by some of the world’s most recognized musicians such as Chris Tomlin and Michael W. Smith. Even though our world is a mess it was refreshing to see so many people on fire for a mighty move of God!
I’ve been reading and listening about the craziness going on in the world, let’s just be “real”, there’s no pastor, no politician, nor any domination that can fix it, what the world needs is a true encounter with Jesus. Over the past several months many of us watched the Jesus Revolution movie, there have been revivals breaking out throughout college campuses, church attendance is creeping back up; people are looking for authenticity — No more church as usual where we come in and sing 3 songs, hear a 15-minute message and then leave until next Sunday, people want the presence of God, they want a church who doesn’t mind “getting dirty”.
Folks, I don’t know about you but I don’t want to play church, the reason I’ve enjoyed CCC is that Pastor Chris brings truth, the “church” is hungry for going deeper, our elders and leadership are “all-in”, let me ask this…What could happen right here in little ole Huntington if 75% of every church attendee stood up and declared that it’s time to take our city back, it’s time to start living once again as One Nation under God, it’s time to open our doors as a hospital for the hurting, can you imagine the incredible move of God that will sweep our Nation.
We are the church, if we want to see “real” change it starts with us. God is moving here at CCC, and we are just starting to see a bit of His goodness. God is truly on the move. If you are interested in getting involved, we have numerous small groups meeting, Bible studies taking place, men’s and women’s ministries, and many areas where we need servants. There are many ways you can go deeper, wherever you are called make sure to get ready because God is taking us deeper into His presence.
John 10:27 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Blessings,
Pastor Jason
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When Things Are Going Great!
7-1-2023
C. Hayden
It has been a great month for Central Christian Church as we have been filled to the brim with new and
wonderful Spirit-filled events. The renovated sanctuary has been opened and the worship has been “stellar.” That
reminds me of our “Stellar” Vacation Bible School which was a stellar success as many people volunteered to
minister to a great group of young attendees. The renovated sanctuary opened to several new baptisms the first
Sunday, 2 new baby dedications the second Sunday, requests for new member inductions, a wonderful Father’s
Day celebration, and a growing Church. These are all physical
manifestations of our Father God working, God the Holy Spirit moving,
and the presence of God the Son among His Church. So let’s
celebrate! Thank You Lord Jesus!
Even when seeing God do great things in our midst, we need to
always remain cognizant of how much the devil hates seeing the
Church walk in victory. The Epistle of 1 Peter, chapter 5:8, Amplified
version, says this, “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be
vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams
around like a roaring lion [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize
upon and devour.” Satan is always waiting and watching, looking to find a crack in the Churches’ armor that he
might exploit, utilizing our lack of vigilance to his advantage. It is in good times that we often take our eyes off the
Lord and on to ourselves, forgetting that it is our wonderful God who blesses us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
With this in mind, we should continue to expect to see God at work, bringing people to Christ, growing
them up in the Lord’s glorious liberty, and training the body of Christ for His purposes. And this we will always
celebrate. At the same time, Satan likes to catch God’s people off guard as he did the nation of Israel who lost their
spiritual fervor after receiving the blessing. So let us continue to put on the armor of guard as instructed in Ephesians
6, knowing that we still are at war with principalities, powers and the rulers of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual wicked forces in heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12). Continue in God’s Word and in prayer.
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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Join Team Jesus!
6-15-2023
J. Fields
Wow, the past few weeks have been active here at the church; we have been busy between
moving back into the sanctuary, moving up Sunday, baptisms, graduations, VBS, and child
dedication. While we have all been busy it’s been a good busy, we’ve been doing ministry.
Anytime you see people getting baptized, parents dedicating their children, or you see people at
the altar praying, you know that God is moving.
God is truly at work here at Central Christian Church, but we must ponder how we can stay on
the right track, especially when the world is going in a different direction. The thing I’m
comfortable with is that we have a great leadership team in place, between Pastor Chris and our
Elders, they have the best interests of CCC and most importantly Jesus Christ in mind. Aren’t
you glad that we worship at a church that is striving every day to become more spiritually
mature, a church that understands that the Word of God is active, alive, and still for today, and a
church that will not bow down to any man other than God Almighty, that’s our church!
My challenge for each of us is to stay rooted in the Bible, understanding that the Word never
changes and neither does God. If we will continue to stay faithful (and not sway in the way of
our world) He will continually bless and protect us. Every day pray for our nation, our leaders,
our community, our church, and one another, and speak the name of Jesus over every situation.
We live in a fallen and sinful world so unfortunately bad things at times do happen but don’t be
alarmed, God has you covered.
Church family, keep using your voice, keep standing for the truth, and in everything stay faithful
to the Lord. We aren’t done, God is on the move and I am so pumped that part of Him moving is
happening right here at CCC. I don’t know about you but I’m excited to see what God does
next. Central Christian Church is God’s church both now and forever, let’s stay united, let’s push
through and preserve, and let’s stand on the promises of God, if we stay obedient, He will in
return continue to move in our lives.
John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do;
and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Blessings,
Jason
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When is Enough — Enough?
6/1/2023
C. Hayden
There comes a time when enough is enough. We are Christians because God so loved the world that
God sacrificed His only begotten Son Jesus to redeem us from the curse of the law which came about
due to the disobedience of mankind. But we are Christians in this world to be witnesses of God’s grace,
draw others into a relationship with Christ, encourage one another to good works, and be a light in an
ever-increasingly dark and immoral world. John 17:14-15 informs
us that we are living in this world, but we are not to be a part of
this world, not a part of its values. And the worlds values seem to
be increasing in separating itself from any semblance of caring for
God’s values.
Now I know many believers love to shop at Target, and I
am not calling for a boycott of the store. However, the business
world needs to start getting a clue of how aggressively anti-Christian
some companies are becoming to those who believe in Biblical values.
This past week, the retail giant “Target”, has just introduced a line of
“Transgender Wear” for their customers. The clothing company is
the brainchild of an avowed Satanist and trans-activist named
simply “Erik.” Now if Target would like to provide this product for adults who are transgender, that is
their choice. But much of the clothing “targets” (pun intended) to small children and toddlers with pro-
transgender messages (Although Target denies it is for kids). And as if this wasn’t enough, the London-
based company providing these fashion statements include satanic references with messages such as,
“Satan Respects Pronouns” as well as other satanic images and references to the devil.
You might say to me, “Well Pastor, the USA is a free country. They have a right to promote what
they want to promote, or think might sell.” And I would agree with you. But we as Christians, we not
only have the right, but also an obligation to speak out when we see major players in this world do
things that want to normalize immoral and dangerous messaging to our children, as well as adults. In
their attempt for inclusion, they exclude Bible believers, confirming the sinful direction and Godless,
spiraling downward, immoral curve our society is taking us.
As Ephesians 5:8-11 tells us,” ‘For you were
once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in
all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them .’”
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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Forgiven!!!
5-15-2023
J. Fields
During my last sermon “The Bible Tells Me So” I brought up a lot of highly talked about
subjects that are facing Christians, some of the topics are hard to discuss however, they are
important. We’ve all made mistakes in life, I know I’ve made plenty. Mistakes are all part of
the journey of life, while the goal is to learn from our mistakes, we should also strive to not
repeat them.
Some people in life like to remind us of our current and past faults, as Christians when
we do make a mistake the nice thing is we serve a God who is full of mercy and grace. But…
What about those mistakes we willingly make, you know, those things we continually do even
though we know it goes against Scripture? See there’s a difference, some things we do are by
complete accident while others are purposely done, regardless if it’s on purpose or accident,
because of the ultimate payment made by Jesus Christ we can be forgiven.
There are a lot of people, many of whom we know very well, or better yet it may be us,
who are continually living in bondage, sin, depression, or despair because they “think” that their
current or past mistakes and sins keep them from ever become free. I’m here today to let you
know that your sin is not too big for God, it doesn’t matter what you are going through or what
you’ve done, if you are ready to walk in the freedom of life that is only found in Jesus, you can
do so today! I can picture it now; Jesus is standing with His arms wide open just waiting for you
to ask Him to forgive you, He wants you to repent of the wrong you’ve done, He wants you to
lay it all at His feet.
It doesn’t matter what’s holding you back; maybe it’s, anger, an abortion, alcohol or
drugs, pornography, gossip, hatefulness, or even depression, if you will repent God will forgive
you and wash your sins away. Can you hear that noise? Seriously listen! That’s Jesus and He’s
knocking on your door, He’s wanting to come inside and just hold you in His arms. You are not
too far gone, the freedom you’ve been praying for is available today.
Acts 3:19
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not
wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Blessings,
Jason
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Uncle Screwtape
5-1-2023
C. Hayden
C.S. Lewis penned in “The Screwtape Letters”, many imagined writings from a prominent high-level demon known
as Screwtape to his less experienced and growing junior demon named Wormwood. These letters attempt to
inform his struggling nephew in the ways of interacting with humans in order to bring maximum destruction in
their lives while at the same time shutting-down any interaction they may have with God (named the enemy by
Uncle Screwtape). Lewis’ work has become a Christian classic and has opened the understanding of millions of
believers to the deceptive nature and purpose of the demonic realm in our
world. I suggest every Christian buy 2 copies and give one to a friend. Anyway, I
would like to bring up one quote from the book that is very telling.
Screwtape writes this to his nephew Wormwood , “ It is funny how
mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best
work is done by keeping things out.” This is such a great line. In only 25 words,
Lewis reminds us that we are not only tempted by the things that we do
imagine, but we can be destroyed by allowing ourselves to remain ignorant of the
things God wants to reveal and train us in. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-21 we read,
“ 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is
the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the
understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has
not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did
not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”
We have become just too intelligent to believe in what the Word of God has to say to us. The world is just
too smart to believe in their need for salvation so demons go about keeping out of their mind the truth that is in
Christ’s sacrifice for mankind’s sin. Unfortunately for the Church, many “Christians” are just too intelligent to
believe in the influence that demons have in our world so Uncle Screwtape informs Wormwood to continue to
keep the truth of that information from the church goers mind lest they become informed and a threat to the
devil’s devices. Something to think about.
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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