05.01.07
Don’t confuse us with the ‘HYDE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH’…
…of Austin Texas. (Here is their website if you were trying to find them…www.hpbc.org) To those of you who are familiar with our church, the HYDE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH of Cincinnati Ohio, this may sound like an invented dilemma. Those who are most likely to confuse us with the aforementioned church in Austin Texas are internet users. It’s odd how even if you google Hyde Park Baptist in either Cincinnati or Austin, you will still get some hits for the other church. Idiosyncrasies of the internet!
A church you probably will never confuse us with is perhaps the largest church in our area, Crossroads community church. (Here’s their site…www.crossroadscommunity.net ) We are vastly different in size, ministry and treatment of the scriptures. Our sermons are available on our website, as are theirs, and it only takes a cursory listen to gain a perspective on our varying beliefs about the Word of God, and our treatment of God himself in respect to reverence and exaltation.
Whether you live in Austin Texas, Cincinnati Ohio or Nome Alaska, have you committed yourself to being a dedicated member of a local body of Christian believers? God’s word makes it clear that we are saved to serve, and Christ has given His church as a gift to every believer. Your spiritual gift(s) are given to you to use in serving others. I trust that you will earnestly search out a local church where you can be fed and led, and also glorify God by serving others with you time, talents and finances. (Oh yeah, we had to include money in there somewhere!)
If you are part of a true community of believers where you can serve and be ministered to by the Word of God and the Love of Christians, take a minute to thank God for His incredible gift to you. Many people are not blessed with a true family of believers. Pray for them also!
