One small step for the church, one giant leap for Torch

It was sad news to hear this past week about the passing of Neil Armstrong. It is never easy to learn of death, but especially concerning an American hero. And what made him a hero? That he was part of something unimaginable and seemingly impossible! In fact, it's incredible to think how quickly from the onset of a Space Program being written into existence that Neil is stepping out onto the moon! It's amazing how quickly things can move forward when people rally together behind one common purpose, vision, and goal. 

This is especially true when God is involved! It's amazing to think how quickly God is moving and working in Torch. It seems like only a few weeks ago that 20-something of us met together to decide that we not only want to commit together to launching a church, but that it was legitimately possible. Probably because it WAS only a few weeks ago! Now God has dropped a virtually perfect facility in our laps! And this Sunday will be the final Sunday meeting together at my home. We will begin meeting Sunday Sept 9th in the Reception Hall adjacent to PeeWee's Place Restaurant on Anderson Rd off Buttermilk Pike. There's already a Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/events/384689574931510/

But together, we have some work to do to prepare for Sunday the 9th. First, as we discussed last Sunday, we must all be growing and committed to right living. This means more than merely avoiding sin or being a bad influence. This means that we are actively living in such a way that we are setting an example to others in our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. And we will examine 1 Timothy 6:6-19 this Sunday and learn to have a right focus, preparing ourselves to be passionate for Christ alone and ready to fight the fight of faith. 

But more practically, we need people from our launch team ready to set up and break down, host and greet visitors, work with the children, etc. This has been fun, and I mean the past few weeks have been by far the most enjoyable of my entire ministry career. But we haven't arrived at our destination. Indeed, we must become the building blocks of what is becoming a "church." Our goal and vision must expand beyond ourselves and into reaching others for Christ through Torch. If you'd like to become a part of the Sunday morning ministry machine starting Sept 9th, let me know! It's time to get to work and begin experiencing the joy only discovered on the other side of ministry. We need you!

To God be the Glory,

BJ Sanders


Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.

Leadership in the Church

It seems like every week, Torch Community Church continues to grow. Soon, we will be overflowing into my neighbor's yard! The good new is that this Wednesday night at our meeting, I have a very interesting and FREE facility opportunity to present to everyone! But for now, I enjoy meeting outside in wonderful weather in God's beautiful creation. Word is, there was a hawk hovering above our worship this week gracing us with it's majestic flight. Perhaps we shall adopt the hawk as our official mascot. haha. But I do feel as though God's presence was with us even more, gracing us with His majestic power. One person that was a part of yesterday's service sent me this very encouraging note in an e-mail, "One of the songs we sang brought me to tears and several times during your sermon, I wanted to clap, cheer or cry! I can definitely see God working though you and hopefully all of us." Move Holy Spirit, move.

We discussed leadership. The challenge is simple. We all have influence. Be intentional with it. Men...LEAD. But we all need to conduct ourselves and live in such a way to affirm Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians to "Follow me, as I follow the example of Christ." You are the church; You are to proclaim His salvation and redemption! God puts an unnatural passion/desire within you to lead. 1 Timothy 3 should qualify your ministry by evidenced of the patterns of your life. You should be competent in character, courage, and content. 

I want Torch to be accomplishing so much in Christ’s name that the men believe it’s worth dying for. I want to be man called to preach, teach, and lead with a humble heart that is so full of Conviction that it causes me to tremble. I want to passionately love my wife and children, and to lead them out of that passion. Have personal integrity and accountability. And I ultimately want to be found dead doing this. If I, if you, can follow Christ like that, then people will want to follow you because you are that guy, even if at times it unsettles them.

To God be the Glory,

 BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.

Gender Roles

What an EXCITING week for Torch Community Church. Our attendance exploded this week, with 46 in attendance counting children! And since we discussed the oh so sensitive subject of the role of women in ministry, I expect next week to be down to 20! Haha. It is great to see so many people getting excited for Torch and the positive refreshing atmosphere that we have together as a loving community. No arguing (men), no drama (ladies), just a loving and welcoming group of people trying to take the next step in their individual journey with Christ...together.

We did discuss the Biblical definitions of Manhood and Womanhood. And concluded that God has indeed created and called men to lead and women to come alongside them and to compliment them in their leadership. Women in the church need their men to take initiative and to lead. Men in the church need their women to empower and strengthen them, to support and complete them in their leadership. And together, we can look and behave much more like God than we ever could separately.

And the challenge then for all of us is to get involved in order to edify and support Torch. Be a positive! Contribute. Find a ministry, fill a need, take initiative, and then serve with passion!

See you next week and we examine Right Leadership,
BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.

Passionate People of Prayer

This past Sunday I would have to say was the most powerful and engaging worship I believe we have had so far in our short tenure of Torch Community Church. I'd like to hear from you what are some of your favorite songs/hymns for us to sing as we worship together in the coming weeks?

We learned this past week that it is our responsibility to encourage one another as we passionately minister together as people of prayer. What have you done to intentionally encourage someone this week? What areas of ministry are you most passionate about? And remember that the single greatest way you can support Torch is through prayer.

If you want to get better at prayer, become a PrayerMaster!!

This week, we will be examining our specific roles within ministry as God has created us uniquely and with a purpose. Specifically, how can we as a church bring our differences as men and women together to accomplish even greater things for God's Glory!

BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.

Loving the unlovable

This past week, the positive energy and wonderful Spirit at Torch could only be the outpouring of God's presence with us. It is very exciting to be a part of what God is working out in our community! As far as I can remember, that was the first time I have ever had a full Worship Service outside in the midst of God's creation...with a few semi's continually driving by! We were challenged to love sinners...like us...passionately and unconditionally. Like how God loved Paul, and us. Love everyone with everything within you, because as a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within.

Keep in mind what we are trying to become at Torch. Powerful, modern, Spirit-filled Worship; like for real…not just saying this. Sensitive, welcoming environment to unchurched/newly churched. An intense call/commitment for Christians to live a life of Spiritual Disciplines and ministry. An environment of authenticity and transparency…we understand we aren’t perfect and we’re not going to try and hide that…we hope you don’t feel like you need to either.

And remember to do your homework from Sunday. We all have a friend, a family member, or someone else that we are or maybe were once close to, but whose lifestyle doesn’t line up with our “Christian” standard. Think of that person in your life who you would consider the farthest away from God, as in most people would write them off from any chance to ever becoming a Christian. And then find a way to love them this week. Write them a note, Facebook message, or card expressing how you just wanted to let them know that you think they are full of incredible potential and that you are praying for them. And then, btw, pray for them. Give them a phone call and just ask them if you can take them to lunch to show them how much you enjoy their friendship and company. Do something. And then, in that moment when you are given the opportunity, let your light shine so brightly that it blinds the darkness like Christ blinding Paul on the road to Damascus. And maybe, just maybe, this week or in the coming weeks or months, the Holy Spirit will use you, a sinner, to intentionally and verbally present the Gospel and change their lives forever.

BJ Sanders

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord shines over you.
For look, darkness covers the earth,
and total darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will shine over you,
and His glory will appear over you.