Bethany Christian Church

09/03/2026

What happens when we start thinking it’s our job to save the people we’re trying to bring to Jesus?

There’s a tension in wanting to help people. We see someone hurting, struggling, or making destructive choices, and because we care about them, we want to do something. But sometimes our desire to help can quietly turn into a belief that everything depends on us.

That’s what makes the story in Luke 5 so powerful. These friends knew what they could do. They could carry their friend, remove the barriers standing in his way, and get him into the presence of Jesus. And once they had done that, they had to trust Jesus with what happened next.

The friends saw the need that was obvious, but Jesus saw the need that was deepest. Jesus has authority to forgive sins, to save, and to transform. He can do what we never could. Our job isn’t to change someone’s heart—it is to help them see the One who can.

That doesn’t mean we stop helping. We keep showing up, entering into the mess, serving, listening, praying, and creating opportunities for people to encounter Jesus. But we don’t have to carry the burden of believing that everything depends on us.

Maybe the problem isn’t that we care too much. Maybe we just haven’t learned to trust Jesus deeply enough.

We may never know everything God does with our faithfulness, and that’s okay. We are not the Savior. Jesus is.

09/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us either in person or on the livestream. We love getting to gather, worship, and share space with you all.

Whether you’ve been coming for years or listened in for the very first time, we’re so glad you were a part of it. We hope you have a restful week!

08/25/2026

Grateful for another beautiful Sunday together! Thank you to everyone who joined us at Bethany Christian Church on Sunday—whether you worshipped with us in person or connected online. Your presence, warmth, and heart for community make our church family so special. Have a blessed week ahead! 🌿✨

08/21/2026

There are some people who may never get to Jesus on their own.

In Luke 5, a paralyzed man needed more than his own faith to get him to Jesus. He needed friends who were willing to carry him, work together, and refuse to let the obstacles stand in their way.

That’s the picture of community we’re called to be.

We link arms. We carry one another. We do our part. And when someone needs help getting closer to Jesus, we don’t leave them to figure it out alone.

Because getting people to Jesus isn’t just something we do individually. It’s something we do together.

Join us this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30 AM.

08/19/2026

This past Sunday, we were reminded that following Jesus doesn’t always look neat and comfortable.

We often want to avoid the mess—the complicated people, the hard stories, the situations that make us uncomfortable. But Jesus never asked us to stay at a distance. He came into our mess, met us with grace, and calls us to do the same for others.

The story of Ananias and Saul reminds us that sometimes getting people to Jesus means reaching toward someone we might rather avoid. Sometimes it means walking with someone while Jesus changes them. And sometimes it means remembering that we’re all still a work in progress.

We don’t have to choose between truth and love. Jesus gives us both—grace and truth.

So who might God be asking you to reach toward? Who needs someone willing to walk with them?

It might get messy, but it’s worth it.

08/16/2026

Volunteers Needed! 🌊💪

We are ready to get to work, and we need volunteers!

There are homes in our community that need physical help with clearing out, cleaning up, and beginning the recovery process after the flooding. Some of this work starts tomorrow, so sign up now!

When you sign up, you’re signing up to help people throughout our community—not just BCC families. Every volunteer can make a difference for a family who is hurting and trying to put their lives back together.

📅 The work begins tomorrow morning. Take a look at the available days and sign up for whatever days you’re able to serve.

📧 You will receive a confirmation email after signing up. Feel free to send Chris or Tim a message once you sign up so we can be on the lookout for you.

IMPORTANT: When you sign up, be sure to select “Central Indiana Flood Response.” This will sign you up to serve in Madison County and the surrounding area.

👉 SIGN UP HERE:

https://ides.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/

If you have any questions, reach out to us. And please feel free to share this post—we need as many hands as possible! Not just BCC volunteers but anyone and everyone.

Register to volunteer with International Disaster Emergency Service

08/15/2026

We are partnering with IDES to provide flood relief assistance to those in our community who have been affected. If you or someone you know needs help cleaning up, removing debris, or beginning the process of rebuilding, please fill out the form below.

This assistance is available to anyone in our community who has been impacted by the flooding.

Please fill out the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfF7YOOpAeCgmMNgRH4xJW8mx5ewB-oVO-a-sDsD6SreaMe5g/viewform

We will also talk about this a little more tomorrow during our service and will be around to talk after services if there are any other questions.

We’re praying for our community, and we’re committed to helping our neighbors through this difficult time.

08/14/2026

Sometimes bringing people to Jesus gets messy.

The friends in Luke 5 didn’t let comfort, obstacles, or even a roof stand in the way of getting one person to Jesus. Their faith was willing to do whatever it took.

This Sunday, we’ll look at what happens when we’re willing to step into the mess for the sake of someone else—and discover that the places that feel messy are often the very places where Jesus meets us with grace and transformation.

Join us this Sunday at 9:00AM + 10:30AM.

08/13/2026

08/12/2026

What if God is already working around us, and the opportunity is simply to have eyes to see it?

In Luke 5, four friends saw an opportunity to get someone to Jesus, and their faith moved them to action. They couldn’t heal their friend or control the outcome. They could only be faithful with what God had placed in front of them.

We’re not called to change people. We’re called to faithfully point people to the One who can.

So this week, may we slow down enough to notice what God is already doing, have the courage to respond, and take the next faithful step. And as we begin each day, let’s pray:
“Father, help me notice what You’re already doing. Slow me down enough to see the people You’ve placed in front of me. Give me the courage to step into the opportunities You create and help me trust You with the results.”

God changes hearts. Our responsibility is faithfulness and obedience. His responsibility is the outcome.