Is the Church Still Relevant and

Valuable in Todays World?

With all that is going on in the news, we asked two of our young
adult members to tell us how they feel about this question. Here
is what they had to say:
This question has been posed time and time again. I believe that
although the church is an important institution in our world, it is
slowly losing its relevance.
This is a shocking, yet sad truth. I say this because the church for
many years has been a place of refuge for those who are in need
of spiritual and or physical healing. A place to make connections
with other believers, and most importantly a household of
prayer and worship. In the last decade or so, the house of God
has become a place where people look to see who has on the
latest fashion, who shouts the hardest, or who hangs out with
whom. In my opinion, church has become a social club instead of
a place where believers gather to reverence God, our
creator, and his son Jesus who died for our sins.
In Hebrews 10:25 (Gods Word Translation), the Bible states
We should not stop gathering together with other believers,
as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to
encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord
coming. In other words, the Bible is calling us to be GREATER
believers! We must choose to find innovative ways not only to
win souls for Christ, but also ways to keep souls within the body
of Christ.
Connection
The Macedonia
Quarterly Newsletter of Macedonia Baptist Church | May 2014
5.18
Womens Day
5.30
The Shot That Saved
Me Play
6.8
Mens Day
Mark Your
Calendar
Continued on page 3...
There are many issues generated when the question of relevance
is raised. The question is significantly impacted when we are
adding the church to the dialogue. Reaching a foundational
understanding and relationship between the two is affected by
numerous social, philosophical, emotional and theological
influences. Merriam Webster provides us a definition of the term
relevance. Consider the following definition for just a moment.
Relevance:
a: having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at
hand
b: affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at
issue or under discussion <relevant testimony>
c: having social relevance
While the components of this definition blended together provide
us a broad picture, the individual pieces or the individual strokes
and colors present us with stark contrasts when seen in isolation.
The question has been raised, Is the Church still relevant and
valuable in Todays World? My direct answer to this question is an
unequivocal YES. It should be and can be communicated that the
Church does have significance. The Church does demonstrate
bearing on the matters at hand and gives evidence for the
discussion that routinely takes place concerning our faith and lives.
The Church does have an undeniable significant social relevance.
The difficulty in answering this question for a few persons is found
in the fact that it is easy to get caught up in the stages while
seeking to reach a conclusion. The approach to the question may
follow a different path if an individual is looking at the Church
universal or the church local. The unique experience of Church
helps us to see the daily challenges and challenges us to confront
each stage with faith. The Church can be seen by many in this
discussion in the universal reality or seen in the specific reality of
ones own experience. Depending on your experience and your
perspective, the answer to this question can shift dramatically.
Pastor Hamlins Corner
Continued on page 5
Its back! The Macedonia Baptist
Church Newsletter is back in
circulation with outstanding
articles, helpful advice, and most
of all, information that you can
use.
While its been a long time since
the last issue, I want to let you
know that youre in for a pleasant
surprise. As the editor of
Macedonias newsletter, its my
mission to provide you with
information that you will minister
to your mind, body, and soul.
Macedonia Baptist Church is
committed to preaching and
teaching the Good News of Jesus
Christ. Its through this newsletter
ministry that we are embarking on
sharing news that will be helpful
to current members as well as
those in the community. The Bible
tells us to go out and spread the
Good News. With that being said,
this newsletter will do just that
spread the Good News.
While we are bringing back the
newsletter, I want to reassure you
the members and readers that we
are pursuing excellence. Lets face
it we serve an Excellent God and
because of who He is and what
Hes done and continues to do, we
will do our very best to represent
Jesus with every issue.
To God Be All The Glory,
La-Kia White, Editor
A Message from
the Editor
Is the Church Still Relevant Continued
We are called to love one another and to lift each other up.
With that being said, the church is not the building, IT IS US!
We have to allow God to renew our minds, change our
thoughts, and work on our inner being so that we can regain
our relevance.

April S. Archer


Speaking from experience, I believe the church is still relevant
and an integral part of my personal and spiritual growth as a
man. Christians live in a world that is forever evolving. It
is valuable to our souls to come to a place where you do
not have to feel alone (in any situation that you may be
facing).

Church is important because it transforms your life and
helps develop the spiritual tools that are needed for you to be
that person you desire to be, and the person that God has
called you to be.

Through the Word on Sunday morning, bible study,
discipleship classes, and ministry services, it strengthens your
walk with God and spiritual development. Additionally, you
gain a better understanding of your personal relationship with
God as well as others and are able to transform your life
through the workings of the Holy Spirit. I have never felt more
loved, safe, confident and encouraged in the gift God has
given me. Four years of college did not give me this
confidence. It was through love, fellowship, and service in the
ministries that helped me recognize, build and walk in the
confidence with which God had already gifted me.

Although, college educated me in the social and technical
abilities of my gift. I would say yes the church is relevant and
valuable to me, to society and to Kingdom growth.

Jamil Garner


We should love people
not only with words and
talk, but by our actions
and true caring.

1 John 3:17-18

This column will be dedicated to you the congregation. The
He Said-She Said column has been set aside for you to
submit questions regarding life issues, struggles, obstacles or
anything that you have pondered and want to get a biblical
perspective to your query. These questions will be
anonymously responded to by the Ministerial Staff and/or the
Diaconate. This column will, prayerfully, generate discussions
and dialogue among the congregation in an effort to
strengthen and uplift each other.

Please submit your questions via e-mail to
E-Messenger@mbcva.ws or you may inbox your question to
MBCs Facebook page.



Mokgoba Y. Sebudi
Tribe of Reuben
Virginia Hamilton
Tribe of Reuben
Adrian D. Spruill
Tribe of Reuben
Diane Wallace
Tribe of Reuben
Cassandra R. Wallace
Tribe of Reuben
Danielle C. Brinkley
Tribe of Joseph
Velma D. Jones
Tribe of Reuben
Savannah Sheffey-Grant
Tribe of Issachar
LaShawn K. Jones
Tribe of Issachar
Charles Albert Massiah
Tribe of Issachar
Welcome New
Members!

Pastor Hamlins Corner Continued

In an article for Relevant Magazine Brett McCracken stated, The
reasons why church is a frustrating experience are numerous. For many,
church can be hard to stomach, and the reasons why are difficult,
complex and not easy to answer. But no one said Christianity was easy,
or that being part of the Church would be a breeze. Despite the fact that
it can be enormously frustrating and maddeningly imperfect, the Church
is what followers of Christ are called to be. The Church is described in
Scripture as nothing less than the body of Christ on earth. Its not a
slight, optional activity. According to Scriptures like Romans 12:5 and
Ephesians 3:6, its the one body with many members, each an important
and crucial piece of the mission of Jesus Christ. Conversely, the reasons
why the church is such a blessing and empowering experience are
numerous. The Church is a place and house of prayer. The Church is a
place where relationships with God and others are encouraging,
empowering and uplifting. It is the place where God dwells. The Church
is not bound by brick and mortar or physical location. The Church is who
we are and the Church is what we are called to be.

Is the Church relevant? The question should not simply be debated. It
should be answered. Always remember that the people of God are the
church and not simply the building they meet in. Our society has
erroneously identified the building, where they have hung a sign over
the door assigning a name to the group who meets there, as the Church.
The answer to the question is not limited to looking outside of us. The
answer also is found when we look inside of us. But most of all, the real
answer and the most challenging step we take in seeking an honest,
significant, applicable and pertinent answer to this question is found
when we take the time to look in the mirror!
A Word of Wisdom

You cannot stay where you are and go with God. You cannot
continue doing things your way and accomplish Gods purpose in
his ways. Your thinking cannot come close to Gods thoughts.
For you to do the will of God, you must adjust your life to him, his
purposes and his ways.
Henry Blackaby




















A Challenge to the Men of Macedonia
By Dr. Alfred O. Taylor, J r.
At this time in our history, we the Men of Macedonia should feel that we must extend our ministry to include
more than giving lip service, but also becoming living role models for the youth of our church and community.
There is no subject that should concern us more than the development of Black boys into manhood. The greatest
challenge comes from those who really dont care if Black boys grow into manhood. America spends $7,222 per
child to attend Head start and approximately $19,663 per inmate to attend prison ($53.87 per day) and added
to this is an additional administrative charge of $12,442 ($768 for medical, $1,928 for Psychiatric Services, $998
for Pharmaceuticals, $748 for Dental Care or $38.04 per day). The present administration has cut Head start, a
program that has shown it is cost effective, and increases expenditures to prisons which have an atrocious record
of rehabilitation. Monies spent in Head start for two years are far less than the lifetime allocations for prison.

You cannot have an irresponsible man, if he was not also allowed to be irresponsible as a boy. It is true that our
little boys are someones future husband and father. The question then becomes Who is going to teach Black
boys good hygiene and proper grooming? Who is going to insure that Black boys will not play in their better
clothes, and will hang them up after school? When will Black boys be expected to make up their beds daily and
clean their rooms periodically? Hear me Men of Macedonia.

Who has the strength to prevent our Black boys from thinking real men dont wash dishes, mop, vacuum, dust,
sew and cook? When will Black boys be expected to take care of their siblings in preparation for the childcaring
of fatherhood? Who will teach their sons how to manage their allowance, so that they wont be like so many men
and carry a wad of money in their pocket and cannot explain its whereabouts at the end of the week or month?
Hear me Men of Macedonia.

When are they going to be taught to put their toys in one location in their room, and how to avoid breaking
them? Who is going to teach their sons to respect protocols at activities, and to be punctual about time
commitments and class schedules? Who is going to prevent our boys from smoking cigarettes at eleven, creating
a lifetime addiction and potentially premature death? Black men often die before the first social security check.
Who is going to take Black boys for their annual medical and dental checkup? Hear me Men of Macedonia.

Lastly, who is going to teach Black boys to be committed to the liberation of Black people and to place God first in
their lives? WHO? The who is the Men of Macedonia. Unless we have a radical change in our present day
thinking, we must take responsibility for all of our present day boys who are growing up without a positive role
model in their life. Men of Macedonia, let us unite and help ours as well as other youth in The Nauck or your
respective community. Its not about us anymore, it is how we protect our future. We must stand together for
our Black boys if we want to preserve our legacy.



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Bible Quiz

What supported the stoning of Stephen, a
follower of Christ?
A. Pontius Pilate
B. Levi
C. Saul (later called Paul)
D. King Herod
***Answer: C (See Acts 7:598:1)
Macedonia Baptist Church
Dr. Leonard L. Hamlin, Sr., Pastor
3412 South 22nd Street, Arlington, VA 22204 (Sanctuary)
2229 South Shirlington Road, Arlington, VA 22206 (Office)
(703) 521-7663 (Office) (703) 521-6316 (Fax)
MBC Website: www.mbcva.ws
Facebook: www.facebook.com@MacedoniaBaptistChurcharlington,va
Twitter: www.twitter.com@mbc_arlington
After Easter
After is every Christians middle
name. In his autobiography, A Song
of Ascents, missionary E. Stanley
J ones tells of an African man who
changed his name to After
immediately following his
conversion. Because all things were
new and different and important after
he met Christ, the man wanted to
reflect that new reality in his name
as well as in his thinking.
Easter is what makes us After
Christians. After Easter, nothing in
life is ever the same again.
Church Mission:
Transforming Lives through the Discipleship of
Jesus Christ.
Church Vision:
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from
whom His whole family in heaven and on earth
derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious
riches He may strengthen you with power through
His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that
you, being rooted and established in love, may
have power, together with all the saints, to grasp
how wide and how long and high and deep is the
love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge that you may be filled to the measure
of all fullness of God.
Now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably
more than we ask or imagine, according to His
power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations, forever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3: 14-21)
Vision Statement:
Macedonia Baptist Church Disciples are Kingdom
Citizens committed to becoming the witnesses of
God through the discipleship of Jesus Christ as we
are rooted and grounded in love. We are a
Kingdom Citizens community growing in
understanding and being strengthened in Spirit
while experiencing Gods power through the Holy
Spirit and Glory in the Church.
Becoming Disciples through Commitment,
Witness, Love and Relationship.