Pastor Carey’s Blog

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Dear Citadel Family, I’m seeing how this blog works on our website and am hoping that this can be an increased and new way of communicating my thoughts and heart about what’s going on in the kingdom of God, Citadel of Faith and in my own head and heart as it pertains to life and ministry. I will share with you what this blog will be and what it will not. I want this to be a new, fun and different way of communicating and creating some online opportunities for community. There are more people on social media, the internet and other web based mediums than are in most of our churches! Therefore, there is an online community already in existence. The greater question is what can we do to ensure that this community is properly reached for Christ AND those who are already believers challenged to mature in their faith. This is not so much a question and answer blog. This is merely an attempt to underscore what we’re discussing in our church family and share some other thoughts, videos, pictures about God, life, ministry, Detroit and our world. May God bless you and looking forward to sharing with you!!!

Blessings, Pastor Carey

I pray that you had a blessed Thanksgiving and that you took the time to pause and thank God for the many blessings He has so graciously given to us.  As I gathered with family, each of you were on my mind and in my heart among the things which I’m most grateful.  Paul stated in Phil 1:3 that he thanked God every time he remembered the Philippians; likewise, I thank God whenever I remember you.

We have officially begun our celebration of Advent. Just as Lent is the Season preceding Easter, Advent is the season preceding Christmas, and it keeps us in a spirit of anticipation and expectation of the remembrance of Christ’s coming to the earth in human flesh and form. What a joyous time to not only reflect on that first Christmas, but to also remember when Jesus came into our human heart to make His dwelling in us and with us; indeed, Emmanuel (God with us!).  I wanted to write this letter to you to let you know how vital it is that we don’t allow the world to push us into its way of looking at this season. Over-extending ourselves financially, stressing out about all of the places to go visit for the holidays, what to wear, the dark, cold days and late nights, PILES OF SNOW and the rush to BUY, BUY, BUY and SPEND, SPEND SPEND. As your Pastor, I want to admonish you to slow down. Take a deep breath and remember that according to Philippians 3:20, our citizenship is not here, but in heaven. As we remember that, let’s not be like the world in approaching Christmas, but instead, with steady pace and joyful souls, lets prepare our hearts for remembering His glorious entrance into humanity and into our hearts.

I also want to mention the importance of our upcoming production: “Wonder”. I’ve never been so excited about something that our church has produced. The story is amazing, the visuals will be awe-inspiring and the impact: life changing.  I’m encouraging all of our membership to invite at least two people to be a part of the worship services on Sunday, December 18^th, 2011 (one week before Christmas). On that Sunday, we’re planning two services: one at 10:00am and the other at 12:30pm at Citadel.  So often, we invite family and friends to our homes, outings, and Christmas parties. And whole these gatherings are meaningful and important, we must ask how many of those events will have an eternal impact on our loved ones?  Inviting them to Wonder will make a mark in their hearts for eternity.

We are also having Worship Service on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25^th at 12noon. Our New Year’s Eve Worship Service will be Saturday, December 31^st starting at 10:00pm, and we will celebrate our first Worship Service of the New Year on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 12noon. Perspective is everything, and my prayer is that we have the proper perspective during this season. If there ever was a time that we need to remember the Lord in all that we do, it’s now. Let’s celebrate the season together as a family! And from our home to yours, Nancy, Tiffany and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and blessed New Year!

Dear Citadelians,
I just wanted to see how blogging will work! I want to keep in more regular contact with you all (especially during this fast), so that you can hear my thoughts, prayers, dreams and maybe even challenges. So often in church, leaders are so removed from the real issues that everyone else goes through on a regular basis (but not really removed). This perception of being on the “MOUNTAIN” and coming down every Thursday and Sunday to meet with the people is so far from the truth. We’re really all in this together. So, let me establish what my blog will be and what it will not be.

1) It will be my thoughts (sometimes) random about where we are as a church, what we should be praying for, concerns, joys, etc.
2) It will be a place to instantly have prayers lifted for needs and concerns in the body that may not be able to wait till Sunday.

3) It will NOT be a place for me to begin to answer a lot of questions. For several reasons, I don’t want to respond to one and not be able to respond to all. So, it would be very tough to decide which e-mail or comment is greater than another. If I address a thread of concerns, questions or issues, it will be for many and not really for one.

4) It will NOT be a negative place. The Bible is clear that “whatever is pure and of a good report (if there is virtue or praise) think on these things” (Phil 4:8 my paraphrase). So, let’s keep it all positive and uplifting.

5) It will not be a place to get all the answers. It’s a place to share. Sometimes sharing does not demand an answer. It’s in the sharing that we get to KNOW each other.

I pray that Citadel will get a chance to know Harvey Carey in a deeper way as I journey through blogging with you.

Let’s see how this goes!!!

Blessings,
Pastor Carey