The people wanted a King. Well, they got a king, but after Samuel's farewell address. They realized the awesome God they served, and the tremendous character of Samuel, who served God’s people so well. Sometimes we clamor for change, but don’t recognize the gift God has already given us.

http://www.cgmfinc.com/-ministry-blog/word-and-comment-9-21-15

Enjoyed a nice and relaxing three days off.

Spent time in Illinois with Adam and friends at Christ Community Church. The fellowship was grand, and I needed some down time as well. Adam had a lot of fun being himself, and services at Christ Community were blest of God.

I really like NPR and On Point with Tom Ashbrook, it has become one of my favorite shows to listen to. It is so well produced and crosses all political views. Very fair and extremely well done.

This particular broadcast on climate change and Exxon's research on it was truly eye opening.

https://soundcloud.com/onpointradio/exxon-researched-climate-change-science-decades-ago

September Ministry News
Sept. 18th, 2015

The year is sure moving along quickly, and the fresh fall breeze is in the air. I know many of us didn't want the summer to end, but the fact that school has started has certainly reminded us of new schedules for us all. With calendars changing, and kids working on homework at night, etc... That has not gone without notice for us here at CGMF, and we are hoping that many of you are enjoying some of the changes that have transpired.

Some of our fellowship's changes we hope you are enjoying starting this month.

1. New geographical realignment in fellowship groups. With less travel, and less group rotation. Allowing Shepherd Leaders to move about, and you not having to do so quarterly.
2. Added or revised courses of discipleship. Our founding pastor worked hard with our Shepherd Leaders to enhance or redevelop some of our courses of study, even the design of its presentation. It is our prayer this has been refreshing to many of you.
3. " Bible Come To Life Dramas " once a month. Here we are going to be dealing with " LIFE Challenges ", and our first drama was on " Building My Bethel ". It was about the vital importance of developing your own personal altar. Here we saw the reflection of some Old Testament Characters come alive. I think we all had a real experience with God after this drama. The presence of God, and the effect of this presentation spoke for itself.
( Unfortunately for now this can only available in the Omaha Fellowship area. All are welcome though. )

There will be more new developments as the year unfolds, but we are thankful for what Jesus is doing in our midst. Please pray for our transitional staff, as there has been a variety of leadership changes, as Pastor Vossen takes upon new challenges at FBC and his personal ministry.

By the way, many of you have been asking for the cd of the message by Dr. Vossen on " Get UP! God's Not Finished Yet. " It is being edited and will be made available shortly. Call the office or send us note if you'd like a copy.

Please be in prayer as God continues to unveil to us His will and purposes. Be blest in your Neighborhood Fellowship Groups, and let us all pray for the Whole Body of Christ, as we enter into this final chapter of 2015.

In Grace and Love,

David And Laurie McNeil ( Transitional Ministry Coordinators )

I know many of you will be travelling and I am hoping you all will be safe. Personally, I will be going to some " progressive dinners " and enjoying some fun with friends from the church. We will be going to various homes over the weekend for fellowship, fun, etc...

Enjoy yourselves tremendously this last holiday weekend before fall comes upon us.

FOCUS BIBLE COLLEGE

formerly Full Gospel Restoration Bible College

Dr. Patrick Vossen, President

Lucerne Plaza

100 W. Lucerne Circle

Suite 200 Orlando FL 32801

1 (870) 330-0240 http://focusbiblecollege.org

Friends of FBC,

Because of circumstances beyond our control. We will only be able to utilize our focusbiblecollege.org web domain for the time being.

It has come to our attention that the folks hosting our .com site cannot provide that service any longer, and we will not be able to utilize, or claim that domain address for the time being.

I pray this will not be a hindrance to you. I know I have had a couple of students who have contacted me about the confusion. Please be advised we will rectify this when we can, but for now we are fully capable of handling our college website through Weebly.com and have no problem with our current domain service at focusbiblecollege.org.

We are always working toward excellence here at FBC, and will be enlarging our offerings of courses, opportunities and service to our students in the days ahead. This is a temporary hiccup in the scope of what all God is doing in our midst. We are working to provide a fresh vision and outline for the future, that I know you will be excited about as well. Thank you all for your patience with this issue, and make sure to use the focusbiblecollege.org address in the future.

Blessings and Grace to all,

Dr. Patrick Vossen

It’s August already? Well, the summer is ending soon, but so much has been accomplished. However, none of our efforts could have been undertaken without the voluntary efforts of so many people. I tell you we have found some hidden talent in a few really remarkable people. Thanks so much for revealing the gifts God has placed in many of you. Gifts of hospitality, music, teaching, art, etc.., it was awesome! Thanks CGMF members and friends for your stalwart efforts. For we had so many Shepherd Leaders and regular volunteers on vacation, and we needed all hands on deck. Great work guys and gals.

In September we will be rotating some folks in various Shepherd Groups where possible geographically where necessary. In addition to our regular discipleship changes, with advancement and growth of our family in Christ. This is always necessary, plus with the loss of many folks to three pioneering works. More experienced teachers and ministers are fewer to be had. Bear with us in this transitionary period.

Here is the breakdown for the upcoming quarter of studies, vision and plan.

Our adults will be studying a new quarterly series from the Book of Mark, in addition to our Authentic Christian Man or Woman series. Pastor Vossen will also be teaching again a yearly Revised Lectionary of Studies from the Word in his group and a new Advanced Covenant Theological Training Curriculum which will begin for Bible Students and Ministers in October. Other churches have asked to be a part of that ministry, so be in prayer as it is developing quickly.

Teens will be embarking on a new series called God, Me And My Crazy World. It is designed to help teens in handling their preparation toward adulthood, and having a balanced set of values. It also will assist them in keeping steady in their relationship in Christ despite the confusion at times in this ever changing world.

12 and under will be starting a courses designed for their age group. Broken into three year age cycles of four. With Foundations of Faith And Other Religions, Living the Life of Christ, with an additional kids version of Covenant Worldview broken down for younger students, which is being adapted from Pastor Vossen’s study to Adults.

For new converts or young Christians there will be The Foundations Course, The Shepherd Series and Covenant Worldview, along with Living the Life of Christ broken into 4 quarters. We believe after much prayer and consideration these courses within our Discipleship program led by its Shepherd Leaders will have profound results.

Our vision is divesting a bit. With less Shepherd Neighborhood Groups planned and more home missions planting in the future. This is coming about as many of our ministers have been with CGMF for years, and now are ready to proceed toward their next level of development and calling in Christ. Also, leadership has found the geographical differences have been hard to organize between North Platte to Omaha. Change and flexibility is inevitable, so pray as we adapt to the hand God has given us to play for His Kingdom.

Pastor is teaching some and overseeing, but is not involved much in day to day operations. He has other ministry work, and has a vision for expansion of Focus Bible College, as well a possible new work of his own ( Lord, does the man realize he’s getting old. Oops, sorry pastor. We all love you. ). Skip and Mary are also finding they are not able to do what they have as coordinators, so it’s up to all of us to lift them up, and take up the mantle of the Lord. Let’s do so with joy in anticipation of God’s best in the year to come.

Church Shopping, Or The Flavor Of The Month.

7/12/2015

By Dr. Patrick Vossen,

President, Focus Bible College, Orlando, FL.

In his sermon, “The Best Donation (No. 2,334),” C.H.Spurgeon says:

 “. . .the Church is faulty, but that is no excuse for your not joining it, if you are the Lord’s. Nor need your own faults keep you back, for the Church is not an institution for perfect people, but a sanctuary for sinners saved by Grace, who, though they are saved, are still sinners and need all the help they can derive from the sympathy and guidance of their fellow Believers.”

In our day there is more church hopping than ever before for many people are fickle and critical when it comes to the church they attend. Each brings their own choices and many times not allowing for the Holy Spirit's guidance at all. They look for the best bible teacher, or the best music, or the nicest youth program, not thinking about God's will in this whole equation. How they fit into becoming a part of God's church is not even considered.

We need to understand God's Program. What He envisions, and how He wants us to grow up in the full stature of Christ's love. I know when I was out of bible college, I had a perception where I wanted to be.  But the Holy Spirit turned it all around. I also look back on places I should have stayed in my life, but instead moved on to quickly. Hey, we are not perfect, but we are working toward being Christ's perfected ones. Gaining His guidance and wise counsel will surely help us on this journey of faith and help us to grow up into the working body of Christ.

We all like big churches and lots of great music. However most megachurches don't have the mentoring mechanisms needed for spiritual growth. They have a form, but many times lack the substance. They have a shadow of what we need but not the full measure. Then there is the other extreme, the small church. That church can certainly be a place of growth and mentoring, but without the cultural experiences that larger church formats which gives us the vision of what the body has to share.

With all this in mind, we need to say “Quit being so finicky!”  Find the place God wants you be planted in, then learn to take what God is teaching you and balance it with the fellowship parameter given by the REST OF THE BODY. Let the Body function how it is supposed to, giving strength, revelation and hope to each member. Small, Big or mid-range, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that we get planted and grow up in the fullness of Christ.

We can complain of shortcomings or the lack of something.  It’s too easy. Let us instead seek to minister to our fellow believers in Christ and support ours and neighboring pastors without prejudice, or expecting anything in return, giving what wisdom and assistance we are graced with.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are all in this together! We are the Body of Christ. Do what you can, where you are with what God gives you.  Remember that it is quality that matters NOT quantity!  Start by leading someone to Christ, mentor and train elders, equip one another in the gospel work. Do the whole Gospel work, and quit trying to increase the number of rumps in pews.

Some pastors need to get out of their comfort zones. Go beyond the normal fellowship pattern and become a mentor to a pastor of a completely different Christian preference. Let's start being the Body of Christ and empowering one another in God's grace. Let's show the world we have certainly been with Jesus. They will know us by our Love and commitment one to another. Break down the walls, free yourself from the chains and let's serve one another in Love.

Been reading and studying the life of Dr. King of late and Malcolm X, and am going through some of their messages. The message of Dr. King and his method and message so blesses my soul. Yet, I respect both of their service in a time of change in the 60's, which is still in many ways still going on today.

This message on " But If Not " truly teaches you the difference between faith based on " if " versus one that says " through ". Its an excellent sermon.

Link To Dr. King Jr's Message.

https://youtu.be/pOjpaIO2seY