Communication in marriage really matters!
On this episode, Aaron & Bethany Lutz sit down with Tanner & Erin Smith to talk about the practicality of communication in marriage.
If marriage is meant to be a reflection of the gospel, how do we communicate in ways that honor our spouse and honor God?
No one is beyond hope: that is the vision behind AnchorPoint, which provides education and empowerment to parents.
On this episode, Rachel Chester talks with Debbie Simmons, founder and CEO of AnchorPoint, and Amanda Ring, Executive Director of Hope Community, about the many ways AnchorPoint comes alongside parents from prenatal care, parent education classes, financial planning, and much more, in their effort to value life and provide tangible hope for all types of families.
Summer camps at Clear Creek Community Church have a huge impact on the kids that attend and their faith journey.
Kyle Mikulan sits down with Nicole Morris and Cody Mather to talk about Creek Kids Camp and Camp Creek (Jr. high and high school), the people it takes to make camps happen, the generosity of our church, and the reason that we put such a value on going to camp.
While no two families are the same, God has a high value for family.
In this episode, Kyle Mikulan sits down with Lance Lawson to discuss why family is so important, what God tells us about family, and practical things that we can do as parents to help our kids know that we are invested in them and their devotion to Christ.
Are parents really the primary disciple-makers of their children?
How can the church come alongside families growing in faith?
In this episode, Rachel Chester talks with Lisa Carden, Creek Kids Director, Kyle Mikulan, Students Director at Clear Lake, and Yancey Arrington, Teaching Pastor, about how all parents can and should lead the way in discipling their children and how CCCC wants to partner with them.
Kyle also announces a new podcast from Clear Creek Resources: Partnering with Parents!
About 60 million children and teenagers participate in youth sports in America.
Community is often built at the ball field, so how can followers of Jesus leave a legacy at little league?
How can we be a blessing and pass on the goodness of God to the next generation as we participate?
Recently, Aaron Lutz sat down with two area little league coaches, Michael Graves and Aaron Chester, to talk about coaching from a Christian worldview.
Our faith impacts everything, including our work and family, but what does this actually look like?
How can our faith intersect with who we are and what we do all week long?
In this episode, Lance Lawson sits down with David and Emily Lantz to discuss the perils of busyness, faith in the workplace, and where we find our identity.
Our faith impacts everything, including our work and family, but what does this actually look like? How can our faith intersect with who we are and what we do all week long?
Stay at home or work outside the home?
In this episode, Rachel Chester sits down with Allison Swenson and Donya Lawson to talk about how mom’s working inside or outside the home can cause judgement, guilt, or rigidity.
I imagine that some of you may have had a first reaction just like mine:
Disciple my kids?
In the summer?
Who has time for that?
I definitely get it. We have five kids in our family, ranging in age from 8 to 16, and let me tell you, summer is busy at my house. With camps, sports, and vacations, the days and weeks can fly by. And before you know it, school is here again.
So, is it possible to see any spiritual growth in the midst of all the busyness?
After all, this is the time when our normal routines have been abandoned, and most of us aren’t going to spend hours each day reading the Bible as a family.
But what can we do?
How can we redeem this break and put it to work for the good of our children?
Here are four quick ideas:
1. Soak up some Scripture.
Maybe you’ll read the Jesus Storybook Bible together in the evenings. If you have teens, you could find a short Bible study to discuss each week over Starbucks drinks. My family loves to road-trip, and one of our favorite things is to turn on an episode (or five) of our church’s podcast for kids, Who’s in the Bible? It’s a great way to laugh and learn together.
2. Partner with Clear Creek.
I know, I know. You’re out of town more. I totally get it. But when you are in town, make being here a priority! Your kids are building friendships and developing a community of Christ-followers that will carry them through future challenges in their faith and fill those gaps that parents can’t. Ask them what they learned in Children’s Ministry. Send them to Student Ministry events. Even if it’s just kickball, those relationships really matter.
3. Pray with a purpose.
Take this opportunity to build some habits of intercessory prayer. You may typically pray together at dinnertime or bedtime, but I know it’s easy for those prayers to be focused on our families — how each child’s day has gone or the events of the week. This summer, look for ways to pray for people or groups who might not be on the radar of our normal routines. Each week, choose together! Maybe this week you’ll pray for each of our pastors by name; next week pray for Top 5 friends. Another week you might pray for local ministry organizations or nations where our partners are planting churches. Be creative! The goal is simply to reflect God’s heart and values as we come to him in prayer.
4. Model Christlikeness.
So often we think of discipleship in terms of information and habits. And those are important. But we’ve all heard it: more is caught than taught. Your kids are watching you! So take time to show love to a neighbor. Be kind to your spouse. Be patient with that relative at the family reunion (you know the one). And when you screw up, apologize. It’s not really about being a perfect example; only Jesus can do that. But when your kids see you sin, your repentance points them to the gospel. And when your kids see you suffer, your faith points them to Christ.
That’s what this is all about! Whether we’re reading the Bible, connecting at church, praying for others, or obeying God’s commands, our heart is simply to show them Jesus. Let’s do it together!
This generation of kids is inundated with images, pressure, and misinformation about sex.
They need guidance, honesty and truth – but having those conversations is intimidating, to say the least.
How can we talk to our kids about sex biblically and lovingly?
Rachel Chester discussing the importance of having these conversations with Lance Lawson, our Director of marriage and family ministries and Crystal Bruning, mother of 3 and a leader in student ministry.