We want to acknowledge the passing of Audrey Patterson on Jan. 9 05, a long time neighbor of the church here. It is always a sad time when a loved one passes on...Our Christmas dinner at the Golden Corral in Roanoke was enjoyed by all who attended…I am proud to announce the Community Christian Church of Christ web site is up and running again. Please visit it at www.ccccroanoke.org

I am also pleased to announce that the e-mail address should be continuing the same as before. We have gotten YAHOO to reduce the amount we were paying them per year otherwise we would have had to discontinue YAHOO. Don't hesitate to write. This is a personal e-mail address that we also use for the church…Come by and visit us on Sundays or Wednesdays.

I'd like to take this space and time to review a little. I have been called by the title "Minister" on this newsletter and other correspondence. The proper title is "Evangelist" or "Preacher." I do not go by evangelist but prefer "Preacher." The title minister could refer to anyone who does work in the church. In fact the term has been given to government officials as well. The term minister as applied to the preacher/evangelist, rightly, denotes "Minister Of The Word," as seen in Acts 6:4. That is, he is the servant of the Word of God. He is not "The Minister" as applying to "the only person responsible for work in the church." I have been admonished by my peers, recently, to make sure to clarify the term "Minister," if we use it. Please call me preacher. I am not the only "minister" in the work of this congregation and would not like to be. I am the only full time preacher here. The term "preacher" is appropriate for the job function. The term "minister" is too generic. It could mean many things. It is derived from a Latin term meaning, simply, servant. By the way we could use more ministers here at the Community Christian Church of Christ, like the minister of vacuuming and the minister of cleaning. We could even use a minister of mail sending and retrieving, among others. Right now we could use a minister of piano playing. A minister of maintenance would be good for the congregation also. What are you good at? That should be your primary ministry. Thank you for not calling me "The Pastor." Even though I am ordained as one of the elders here, I would prefer not to be called "The Pastor." Pastor is a word defining the work of an elder. He is a shepherd that is, pastor. Since most of the denominational world calls their preachers "Pastors," it would seem to follow that I also would be called pastor. Lets call Bible things by Bible names. The preacher is the "Preacher" or "Evangelist." The elder is the pastor or shepherd. Now, if I call myself a minister it is minister of the word of God. Above all do not call me "reverend." God is the only one to be called reverend, Psalms 111:9.
I have not been trained as a counselor, although I can counsel from the Word of God. I have not been trained as a chaplain although I may visit with some in hospitals or at home (if I know someone needs me to visit). I am trained in the Word of God thus a minister of the word. The preacher/evangelist is often the "Jack of All 'Spiritual' Trades," if you will. He does it all willingly to the glory to God and often without a thought of remuneration. If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to call or write.
Sermon topics have been from Romans Chapter 11 and 12 as well as some special studies with a couple of question and answer Sundays. There is a chance, coming soon, that my work schedule will allow me to go back to normal, traditional, worship times on Sunday morning. Pray I will be able to change my schedule. I would like more time on Sundays with the congregation.
Below is the last of the Babylon articles that I promised in my last newsletter. You can link to his Insights To Bible Prophecy web site through our web site.

Few cities in history have equaled the splendor and wealth of ancient Babylon. Its walls were so massive six chariots could ride abreast on top. Inside, Nebuchadnezzar built the famous Hanging Gardens, one of the ancient world's seven wonders. "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built," he boasted (Daniel 4:30). The Babylonians thought their city would last for ever (Isaiah 47:7,8). God had other plans: "Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited... but wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses