November 5, 2025
A Note from the Pastor
From Conversion to Transformation
The American Christian experience is marked by an interesting phenomenon. Somewhere along the way, maybe about 150-200 years ago, the standard of âsuccessâ shifted and was redefined in a very particular, and finite, way. In contrast to Biblical Christianity, American Christianity sees itself as primarily concerned with conversion rather than transformation. Conversion is what happens on the front end, and should lead us into a lifelong journey of transformation. Both happen by Grace applied through active and living Faith. But one is fast, fun, and relatively easy, while the other is gradual, sustained, and requires discipline.
The great wave of revival that swept across the burgeoning nation from the 1820âs through the 1870âs, laid the foundation for a collective identity rooted in religious commitment and fervor. It gave birth to great movements as well as many modern-day heretical cults. It interpreted what it meant to be an American through the lens of Christianity and reinterpreted what it means to be Christian. Today, the typical Protestant Christian worship service, regardless of the musical style around which it is built or whether the congregation is sitting in pews or chairs, is essentially a replication of the 19th century tent revival meeting. The goal of these traveling tent revivals was to convert the largely unbelieving population of the American frontier to Christianity. The whole show would enter a community, draw crowds for several weeks and then move on to the next crossroads or settlement. When the traveling revival moved on, the primary, if not only, model for Christianity the majority of the local inhabitants had was the tent revival itself, so weâve been repeating and imitating ever since.
Along with the Sunday morning program, weâve also increasingly inherited the aim of conversion as the primary, if not sole, purpose for our local churches. While revivals, whether traveling or otherwise, are effective and beneficial tools for bringing new believers to Christ, his church was always meant to have a broader purpose. This became obvious within days of the revivals moving on, but most congregations werenât equipped to address how exactly this community of new believers were supposed to now live. Often strict rules of conduct and moral codes were established and enforced. Such behavior modification is of course always met with mixed results. Over the last half century, we as a society have become increasingly skeptical of strict moral codes, especially when those who have set themselves up as the enforcers have been exposed as hypocritically not following them. The reaction in more recent years has been the emergence of churches that emphasize conversion without any change, deep change in being or surface level behavior. This âfunâ church thatâs all about love and acceptance may offer belonging, but little else in the way of power or meaning.
The Wesleyan Revival of the 18th century was always rooted in the mission to transform fallen, sinful human beings by the power of Christ in the Presence of the Holy Spirit into who we were originally created to be. This revival gave rise to the Methodist movement, which unfortunately calcified into an institution within a few generations, and self-silenced the call to Scriptural Holiness. Today, we are standing on the precipice of a new, fresh move of the Holy Spirit in and through the people called Methodist. Itâs a move that will shake up the status quo of church as usual. It will challenge some of us to reassess the âWhy?â of church. But it will also open the door to Godâs intended purpose of His people to us. It will extend the opportunity for victorious living that gives our lives eternal significance.
Jesus didnât come to gather a group of followers. His success was never measured by the number of followers, but by the quality and character of those he led. The impact of the Christian faith is one that has reached across the globe and will continue to spread far and wide, but it is the nature of the reach that defines it as the Kingdom of God. Who we become as a result of our conversion is the true work of the Spirit in and through us.
Operation Christmas Child
Itâs Shoebox Time Again!
Please bring back filled shoeboxes Sunday, November 16. Weâll pray over and dedicate them that day before theyâre shipped out. Thank you for helping share Christâs love in a tangible way!
Christmas in Bethlehem
Itâs that time of year again! Christmas in Bethlehem is a month away â Sunday, December 7th from 5:00-7:00 pm.
The plan this year is to set up each marketplace shop in the Fellowship Hall and the stable with live nativity/animals on the back patio.
Weâll use lots of lights inside and out, along with fire pits on the patio to create a warm, inviting atmosphere and music playing throughout for an ancient world feel.
Having the bulk of the event inside will make sure we have plenty of parking and we will not be weather dependent. We will also be able to do a good bit of the set-up ahead of time.
Like in past years, we will need several game day canopy tents. If you have any to lend out, please go ahead and bring those in ASAP! Weâll begin clearing out the room and figuring out how each tent will fit next week.
Canât make it the night of the event? You can still be part of the fun! There are plenty of ways to help make the evening a success â from donating supplies, to helping with setup, or contributing in other behind-the-scenes ways. Every bit of help makes a big difference! Use the link below to sign up and see how you can get involved.
A Note from the Pastor
From Conversion to Transformation
The American Christian experience is marked by an interesting phenomenon. Somewhere along the way, maybe about 150-200 years ago, the standard of âsuccessâ shifted and was redefined in a very particular, and finite, way. In contrast to Biblical Christianity, American Christianity sees itself as primarily concerned with conversion rather than transformation. Conversion is what happens on the front end, and should lead us into a lifelong journey of transformation. Both happen by Grace applied through active and living Faith. But one is fast, fun, and relatively easy, while the other is gradual, sustained, and requires discipline.
The great wave of revival that swept across the burgeoning nation from the 1820âs through the 1870âs, laid the foundation for a collective identity rooted in religious commitment and fervor. It gave birth to great movements as well as many modern-day heretical cults. It interpreted what it meant to be an American through the lens of Christianity and reinterpreted what it means to be Christian. Today, the typical Protestant Christian worship service, regardless of the musical style around which it is built or whether the congregation is sitting in pews or chairs, is essentially a replication of the 19th century tent revival meeting. The goal of these traveling tent revivals was to convert the largely unbelieving population of the American frontier to Christianity. The whole show would enter a community, draw crowds for several weeks and then move on to the next crossroads or settlement. When the traveling revival moved on, the primary, if not only, model for Christianity the majority of the local inhabitants had was the tent revival itself, so weâve been repeating and imitating ever since.
Along with the Sunday morning program, weâve also increasingly inherited the aim of conversion as the primary, if not sole, purpose for our local churches. While revivals, whether traveling or otherwise, are effective and beneficial tools for bringing new believers to Christ, his church was always meant to have a broader purpose. This became obvious within days of the revivals moving on, but most congregations werenât equipped to address how exactly this community of new believers were supposed to now live. Often strict rules of conduct and moral codes were established and enforced. Such behavior modification is of course always met with mixed results. Over the last half century, we as a society have become increasingly skeptical of strict moral codes, especially when those who have set themselves up as the enforcers have been exposed as hypocritically not following them. The reaction in more recent years has been the emergence of churches that emphasize conversion without any change, deep change in being or surface level behavior. This âfunâ church thatâs all about love and acceptance may offer belonging, but little else in the way of power or meaning.
The Wesleyan Revival of the 18th century was always rooted in the mission to transform fallen, sinful human beings by the power of Christ in the Presence of the Holy Spirit into who we were originally created to be. This revival gave rise to the Methodist movement, which unfortunately calcified into an institution within a few generations, and self-silenced the call to Scriptural Holiness. Today, we are standing on the precipice of a new, fresh move of the Holy Spirit in and through the people called Methodist. Itâs a move that will shake up the status quo of church as usual. It will challenge some of us to reassess the âWhy?â of church. But it will also open the door to Godâs intended purpose of His people to us. It will extend the opportunity for victorious living that gives our lives eternal significance.
Jesus didnât come to gather a group of followers. His success was never measured by the number of followers, but by the quality and character of those he led. The impact of the Christian faith is one that has reached across the globe and will continue to spread far and wide, but it is the nature of the reach that defines it as the Kingdom of God. Who we become as a result of our conversion is the true work of the Spirit in and through us.
Operation Christmas Child
Itâs Shoebox Time Again!
Please bring back filled shoeboxes Sunday, November 16. Weâll pray over and dedicate them that day before theyâre shipped out. Thank you for helping share Christâs love in a tangible way!
Christmas in Bethlehem
Itâs that time of year again! Christmas in Bethlehem is a month away â Sunday, December 7th from 5:00-7:00 pm.
The plan this year is to set up each marketplace shop in the Fellowship Hall and the stable with live nativity/animals on the back patio.
Weâll use lots of lights inside and out, along with fire pits on the patio to create a warm, inviting atmosphere and music playing throughout for an ancient world feel.
Having the bulk of the event inside will make sure we have plenty of parking and we will not be weather dependent. We will also be able to do a good bit of the set-up ahead of time.
Like in past years, we will need several game day canopy tents. If you have any to lend out, please go ahead and bring those in ASAP! Weâll begin clearing out the room and figuring out how each tent will fit next week.
Canât make it the night of the event? You can still be part of the fun! There are plenty of ways to help make the evening a success â from donating supplies, to helping with setup, or contributing in other behind-the-scenes ways. Every bit of help makes a big difference! Use the link below to sign up and see how you can get involved.
Womenâs Beach Retreat ⢠Apr 24â26, 2026
Join us for the Christ Harbor Womenâs Beach Retreat! Casey Culbreth (Grace Church, Coral Gables) returns as our worship leader and speaker. Weâll stay beachside on the Gulfârooms with two full beds, balcony, and mini-kitchen.
Register by Nov 16 at noon.
Questions? Contact Donna Colburn at 205-344-0414 or dcolburn@christharbor.org
Join us for the Christ Harbor Womenâs Beach Retreat! Casey Culbreth (Grace Church, Coral Gables) returns as our worship leader and speaker. Weâll stay beachside on the Gulfârooms with two full beds, balcony, and mini-kitchen.
Register by Nov 16 at noon.
Questions? Contact Donna Colburn at 205-344-0414 or dcolburn@christharbor.org
Adopt a Senior for Christmas
Return the wrapped gifts to Christ Harbor by November 30th
.
Youâre welcome to include Christmas cards, Bible verses, or personal notes of encouragement. The Christ Harbor Youth Group and other volunteers will deliver the gifts to the seniors.
If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Gregory at 205-391-1652.
Song List