On May 10, Charles Brown from the Institute for Biblical Peacemakers (biblicalpeacemakers.org) will be at our church to share a seminar. Ron Price partners with Charles Brown in the peacemaking ministry. The following is an article from Ron Price that is the first part of his Relationship CPR series. You can find the whole series at ronprice.com/category/relationship-cpr/. Enjoy!

The Greatest Virtue

Two brothers were arguing over who should get the larger of two pieces of pie. Mom told them that Jesus would want the other to have the larger piece. One brother then said to the other, “You be Jesus!” While I find that to be humorous, I am saddened that it is quite the norm for humans—both Christian and non-Christian.

We read in James 4 that quarrels and fights occur between us when we want what we don’t have, and believe we are entitled to it. While there may be times when we should stand up for our interests, I dare say that is most often not the case in healthy relationships.

Selfishness and self-centeredness lie at the root of most, if not all, conflict in families, workplaces and churches. If left unaddressed, these can lead to dismay and strife, if not the ultimate end of the relationship.

I’m happy to tell you there is a remedy, and while it is quite simple it is not necessarily easy. The remedy of which I speak is the virtue of humility. As born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we know we are to live lives of humility, but sometimes talking about it is easier than actually living it.

Many people have an incorrect view of humility. For example, humility does not mean you have to be a doormat and let people walk over you however and whenever they wish. Jesus did not do that and He, of course, is our perfect example.

Humility does not mean you should regard yourself as worthless and incapable of contributing anything of value to the world. I appreciate how C.S. Lewis put it when he said: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself. Humility is thinking of yourself less.” Do the former and you will likely engage in a brutal battle within your inner mind. Do the latter and you can expect much more peace and joy, with less strife and grief.

Humility is having an accurate assessment of who you are in relation to God and others. It’s holding a realistic and balanced view of your own importance.

Bible characters who demonstrated humility include Peter after the cross, Paul after the road to Damascus, Moses, Joseph, and just about every person you tend to admire in Scripture.

In case you have never done a study of humility in the Bible, here are some texts to help you get started: Prov. 22:4; James 4:6-10; Rom. 12: 1-4; 1 Peter 5: 5-11; Eph. 4: 1-3; Phil 2: 1-4. There are plenty more, but those texts should help to convince you that God does indeed “oppose the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

God is abundantly clear in His Word that He values humility in His children and hates pride and self-centeredness, and the two simply cannot co-exist. In terms of relationships, when both are striving to assert their rights and have their way, conflict is virtually guaranteed. In healthy relationships, when one or both practice humility and put the other’s interests above their own, conflict is virtually non-existent.

I do not recommend anyone practice humility because they feel they must. Yes, it is strongly encouraged by our Heavenly Father, but please don’t look at humility as a “have to” but more as a “get to.” When you realize all that Christ did for you by humbling Himself and taking the form of a servant (see Phil. 2:5), when you agree with Paul who determined to give up his own rights in subservience to Christ and others (see Gal. 2:20), you realize it is absolutely the best way to live.

When you live a life of true humility, it is impossible for people to push your buttons or get you upset because of something they did or did not do. Humility helps you to practice Rom. 12:18 and expand your ability to get along or live at peace with others. It also helps you to reflect the character of your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ more regularly and accurately. That alone sounds to me like a strong motivator to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Ron Price

Church Business Meeting

We have a church business meeting this Sunday, May 4, at 4pm (following the work bee!). The agenda is attached. Please read the message below from Pastor Ryan as you prepare for the meeting on Sunday.

Dear Church Family,

In a previous E-News, I mentioned that we wouldn’t be discussing any particularly sensitive topics at the upcoming May 4 Church Business Meeting. However, after receiving thoughtful feedback from members and taking time to consult with the elders, we’ve decided to include the topic of Safety Oversight on the agenda.

I’d like to share openly about something that has concerned me in our church culture. Our church has struggled to navigate disagreement in a spirit of love and respect. It would be more pleasant not to point this out, but I am convinced that it is time for us to grow in this area, and I see a desire among us for this culture change. One intent of the upcoming unity seminars is to help us grow in our ability to work together productively on points we don't entirely agree on; to be a church that acts more like Jesus.

I’ve resisted putting sensitive topics on Sunday’s agenda because of my concern that we are unprepared to address them in a healthy and constructive way. However, with some careful structure in place, I now feel that we can do this.

One piece of that structure is that the elders have prepared a recommended motion that both rescinds the Church Board Motion 4.8.10 and affirms its intent by offering a constructive path forward. Both referenced motions are listed at the end of this message.

 In our discussion of that motion, we will hold to the following rules of order:

Time Limits: Speakers will be held to a 3-minute time limit in sharing their remarks to help move business along as expeditiously and fairly as possible.

Speaking in Turn: Individuals will not speak a second (or additional) time until others wishing to speak have had the opportunity to do so. However, the chair may give a person who has already spoken the opportunity to answer a question or clarify previous remarks. Numbered queue cards will be distributed to keep the order of individuals who wish to speak.

Decorum: Everyone will be expected to speak with respect, avoid accusations, interruptions, name-calling, or demeaning words or expressions, and carefully check our own demeanor to do our part in helping this discussion be productive. 

Pastor Ryan

Recommended Motion (Recommended by the elders and will be on the May 4 Business Meeting Agenda): To rescind the Church Board motion 4.8.10 and to advise the Church Board to continue in the direction of that motion by appointing a committee to recommend how a safety oversight committee would work in our church and school.

Motion 4.810 (Approved the Church Board on April 8, 2025):

To form a standing safety and security oversight committee that develops and/or reviews all policies, procedures, and protocols, with regard to the church and school safety and security and makes recommendations to the church board for approval. This would also include approving the participants and team leadership of the church safety team, AGA greeter team, and any organized group carrying firearms on church property, and recommending them to church board for approval. This oversight committee will supersede any ad-hoc committee previously tasked to tackle safety, security, and abuse prevention issues. The church safety team will report to the oversight committee, the AGA greeter team will also report to the oversight committee via the school board. The oversight committee will report to the church board. The committee makeup must include the Palmer church pastor, AGA principal, and three other church board members who are not currently participating members of either the church safety team or the AGA greeter team.

State Fair Booth

The Alaska State Fair is fast approaching, and we will be hosting the Prayer Booth again this year.

We will be hosting a gathering on Saturday, May 3^rd at 2:00 to get feedback from last year's volunteers. Please come by and let us know what went well last year, and what ideas you have for improvements this year.

If you would like to volunteer this year, you are also welcome to come join us for this gathering.

Any questions, please contact:

Connie Smith at 907-232-4353

Don’t Come to Church on Sabbath June 7!

We want you to come to church every Sabbath, but on June 7. The facilities will be shut down that day, no worship service, no Sabbath School, no fellowship meal and no driving into our parking lot. Sounds serious! We are having our parking lot resealed and it will not be ready to be driven on. There will be barricades set up to remind us. The Lord worked out the timing on this so well because we already scheduled to have our church campout at Camp Tukuskoya that weekend, and you are invited to worship out there.

Ping Pong Table

Camp Tukuskoya is seeking the donation of a Ping Pong table; full size [5 x 9]; either new or used in excellent condition. Contact/text: David Evans, 907-841-0752

Around the AKC

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