Beginning Sunday, February 27th
A Seven-Week Central College Event On Following The Faithful
Truths from the Traditions of the Faith
Over the past 2,000 years men and women of every stratum of society have heard Jesus’ invitation to follow Him and they have responded. As a result, the Church is filled with a variety of practices and principles that the faithful have employed in their attempt to draw closer to Christ. National speaker and author Richard Foster has written extensively about these traditions and denominations, categorized them under seven headings which he referred to as "Streams": The Imitation of Christ, Incarnational, Holiness, Contemplative, Evangelical, Charismatic, and Social Justice.
Beginning February 27th and for the ensuing 40 plus days up to Easter in weekend worship services, LIFE groups, and daily devotions, podcasts, and other activities, we want to explore each of these paths that millions have traveled and be transformed by it. Discovering More is the name we have given to our quest to learn from those who have gone before us. By expanding our understanding and our experiences we hope to discover more about having and enjoying a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Week 1- Feb. 27 to March 5
Imitation of Christ
Week 2- March 6 to March 12
Incarnational
Week 3- March 13 to March 19
Holiness
Week 4- March 20 to March 26
Contemplative
Week 5- March 27 to April 2
Evangelical
Week 6- April 3 to April 9
Charismatic
Week 7- April 10 to April 16
Social/Kingdom Justice
Offerings And Expectations
What To Discover
Discovering More isn’t just a new sermon series, but it’s an opportunity to discover what each of the aforementioned streams has to offer for one and all in our personal faith journeys. To that end, Central College is pushing forward with church-wide collaborations, content, and study meant to not only deepen our walk with Jesus Christ, but also form connective tissue between all of us during this transformative time. Take a look below to see some of the offerings that are expected during Discovering More.
Worship Services
Join us each Sunday for Traditional and Contemporary services that focus each week on the Stream of focus, with a tailored messaged meant to lead you down the path of exploration and imitation of the life of Christ. Expect some surprises along the way as Pastors Malcolm, David, and Jim light the path of illumination to new ways of connecting with Christ, the church, and one another.
Join us either online or indoors during Discovering More, and click below to find more information on our services and times.
Daily Newsletter Devotionals
Each day of Discovering More you can expect to receive a daily email devotion, written by Pastors, Staff, Elders, and others. Meant to be reflections on each week’s stream, every devotion is written by folks you see every week at Central College and not only give us all a chance to see what insight we all have to offer through the study of the Word of the Lord, but an opportunity to prayer together each day as part of that study.
If you’re already receiving either the Midweek Update or Pastor Malcolm’s Friday Letter then you’re set! If not, click the button below to sign up.
Discovering Contemplation
Podcast Series
Join Pastor Malcolm each week of Discovering More for an audio journey into contemplative prayer, mindfulness, and stress reduction. Discovering Contemplation is a seven-week, short-form podcast where Pastor Malcolm will lead you through our own version of contemplative prayer based on the Lexio Divina. Discovering Contemplation is prayer with a vibe. With relaxing backing music and thoughtful reflection, we hope you’ll join us on this new audio experience.
Click below to go to our Podcasts page and find out where to subscribe and how to get hooked in. Contact Nate Rector (naterector@ccpc.us) if you need assistance.
Discovering LIFE Together
Our LIFE Group bible studies will be enhanced during Discovering More, with specially crafted and guided study material tied to each week’s Stream that will not only bring your group closer to Jesus Christ, but also form bonds within your group that will be unbreakable.
Click the buttons below to either get connected with a LIFE Group or to talk to Connections Director Nate Rector about how to get started.
Reading Lists
Discovering More: Going Deeper
The follow reading list has been curated by Pastor David Redding and the senior pastor leadership, as ways to look into each Stream from multiple perspectives and angles. For any questions feel free to contact Pastor Redding.
Imitation of Christ (Christlikeness)
Spiritual Care by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Way of Perfection by Teresa of Avilla
Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards
Speaking the Truth in Love by Ruth N. Koch and Kenneth C. Haugk
Incarnational Stream (the sacramental life)
That We May Perfectly Love Thee by Robert Benson
Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris
theworkofthepeople.com (in the “Search” box enter “eucharist”)
Holiness Stream (the virtuous life)
The Wesleyan Way: A Faith That Matters by Scott J. Jones
Wesleyan Holiness Theology by J. Kenneth Grider
Grace, Faith, and Holiness by H. Ray Dunning
Contemplative Stream (the prayer filled life)
A Guidebook to Prayer: Twenty-four Ways to Walk with God by Mary Kate Morse
The Breath of the Soul: Reflections on Prayer by Joan Chittister
The Way of the Pilgrim by Helen Bacovcin
Centering Prayer by M. Basil Pennington
Evangelical Stream (the Word-centered life)
The Holy Spirit by Dr. Billy Graham
America’s Theologian: A Recommendation of Jonathan Edwards
By Robert W. Jenson
The Reason for God by Timothy Keller
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Charismatic Stream (the Spirit-empowered life)
The Charismatic Christ by A.M. Allchin
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, chapter 13, “Celebration”
Old Time Power: A Centennial History of the International Pentecostal
Holiness Church by Vinson Synan
The Evangelical’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Charles H. Kraft
Christian Doctrine: A Pentecostal Perspective by French L. Arrington
The Social Justice Stream (the compassionate life)
Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins
Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
Generous Justice: How God’s Grace Makes Us Just by Timothy Keller
Compassionate Healer by Bill Donahue and Keri Wyatt Kent
Comforting One Another by Karen Mains
Christian Caregiving a Way of Life by Dr. Kenneth Haugk
Explaining The Streams
Imitation of Christ (Christlikeness)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The Imitation of Christ (De Imitatione Christi) follows the act of walking in the spiritual footsteps of Jesus Christ, which involves walking the waters of each of the Streams. To quote Philippians 2: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
Inspirational Stream (The Sacramental Life)
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
The Incarnational Tradition concerns itself with the relationship between spirit and matter. God is manifest to us through material means. This stream brings about thoughts of John The Baptist, wild in forest and baptizing those who came forth.
Holiness Stream (the virtuous life)
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
The Holiness Tradition is about having the character to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done and the virtue (good habits) we can rely upon to make life work.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.”
Contemplative Stream (the prayer filled life)
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The Contemplative Tradition is about the pursuit of becoming beautiful of soul through encountering God directly and intimately. This stream should have you asking, “Where can I find prayer in my weekly, daily, and even hourly life?”
Evangelical Stream (the Word-centered life)
“Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Evangelical Tradition consists of three great themes: 1) the faithful proclamation of the gospel, 2) the centrality of Scripture as our infallible authority in all matters of faith and practice, and 3) the confessional witness of the Christian community.
Charismatic Stream (the Spirit-empowered life)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Charismatic Tradition teaches us that we were created to live our lives in cooperation with another reality, namely life in and through the Spirit of God.
Pictured Right: John Wimber, American pastor, Christian author and musician. Initially ordained as a Quaker minister, he became an early, pioneering pastor of charismatic congregations,
Kingdom (Social) Justice Stream (the compassionate life)
“If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
The Social Justice Tradition is the natural conclusion to each of the other traditions, allowing the love of God to us to be the love of God through us in our relationships with people, social structures, and the earth itself.