The H.U.D.

1. I never read anything in the Bible about a H.U.D.!

   Hello!  I'm glad to see that you didn't get stuck on the first page of our web site.  Now, I want to share with you a little more about the general information ideas I cued up on the "Welcome Page".  And just in case I haven't said it enough, Welcome!

   A H.U.D. is a "Heads Up Display".  It is the first information or intelligence a pilot gets when he looks at his monitors.

   We want the "cookies on the table".  We don't want to hide the "goodies" in a web vault where they are hard to find.

   First, I want to give you some grief descriptions of our ministry, then an invitation to learn even more.  This might be called and introduction to all things Open Arms.

2. What to expect the first time you visit Open Arms.

   I assure you it will be "church as usual".  Just not church the way you usually see it.

   Apple computer coined an acronym (You'll find we like to use them to keep as "secret passwords". Only they are not secret.)  It was, "WYSIWYG", or "What You See Is What You Get".

   We are very, "WYSIWYG".  "WYSIWYG" Church as defined by Open Arms means that we do church the same way we do the rest of our lives.  No pretend, no acting, just real life.

   We dress the same, act the same and worship the same as we do anywhere else.  What good is dressing, talking and acting differently than you do the rest of the week on Sundays?   Jesus lived His faith and He  taught His disciples to do the same.

   Our worship is from our hearts so don't expect a dry, stale, formal, lifeless package ordered service here.  As a matter of fact I don't normally call it a "service", I prefer to call it a celebration.

   We clap and raise our hands if we feel like it.  That is the point, we worship the Lord based on two principles.  First, whatever we do we try to do it the Bible way.  Second, we want to fulfill the "Great Commandment" in our worship.  It goes something like this.  "Love the Lord with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength".

   Worship is "Job One".  The Bible teaches that God is actually seeking those who are worshippers.  He demands those who worship Him do it in "Spirit and Truth".  These two very important principles are at the very core of our encounters with a Holy God.

3. Do they let just anybody into this place?

   Yep!  But if you're gonna stay your going to have to keep the peace.

   If you are interested in becoming a member (and who wouldn't, such fine people and all) there is a little more to it.

   We welcome any and everyone who knows Christ, or better who Christ knows to become members in our "forever family" at Open Arms.

   I have developed a workshop to prepare people for church membership.  We make sure that each member understands salvation and has personally received Jesus into their lives.  We call it (Remember I said I liked acronyms) A.C.T.S. level 1.  "Accelerated Christian Training Seminar level 1".

   We cover the importance or Baptism and the Lord's Supper.  Then, I share our church's Beliefs and Vision as well as explain our relationship to other churches.

   This way if you become a member of Open Arms you will know who we are, what we believe, where we are going as well as our plan for getting there.

4. That's cool, I'm saved but how do I go about learning the basics?

   I just happen to have another class specifically designed to meet that need.  Acronyms again, A.C.T.S. level 2.  "Accelerated Christian Training Seminar level 2".

   In A.C.T.S. 2 I teach the "habits" that are necessary to a believer to have a strong and stable foundation for their Christian lives.  I emphasis the word "habits" because that is exactly what you want to be able to respond automatically to these primary Christian principles.

   The session include, "How to Read the Bible",  "How to Develop a Prayer Life", "Learning to Fellowship with God's People" and "Becoming a Good Steward of the Things of God".

5. What are the opportunities for me to get involved and do something?

   Wow!  "Great minds think alike".  It just so happens that I have another workshop for that very purpose.

   We call it, A.C.T.S. level 3.  "Accelerated Christian Training Seminar level 3".  It's all about finding your S.H.A.P.E. for ministry.  The word ministry in the Bible is the same word and "to serve" or "service".

   God's Word says that we have all been given gifts to use for the good of the whole "Body of Christ".  You are included.  The Lord has purposed you for something special.  You can make a real difference and you can do it at Open Arms.

   In this seminar you will learn what your "Spiritual Gifts" are, where your heart is, what you are able to do, as well as how your personality and experiences have brought you to this place for a purpose.

   Please, go on the H.U.D. 2 from a further briefing on all thing Open Arms....