This past year we saw the violence in reaction to the need for changes to bring racial justice. This past week we were mortified by the violence inflicted to and in our nation’s Capitol. I’m not writing this blog about the right or wrongs of these causes and of the changes sought. I’m writing only about HOW change is sought. Of course, as followers of Jesus, we want to pursue changes that reflect the heart of God. But the “how” must be considered, as well, and the path to change must also follow the way of Jesus.
I believe that violence does not bring about real, significant, and lasting social change. Humans are tempted to think violence will bring quick change, but if it does, it is usually only short-lived. Long term change happens not by force, but by winning over hearts.
In a few days, we’ll celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He was a man of faith. He was a man with a vision for racial justice, but his “how” was unusual and rare. He sought justice through nonviolence. And he was not the first. There was Gandhi. And before him was Jesus, who transformed all of humanity through nonviolence.
Nonviolence is a clear and understandable strategy. But there’s something deep and profound that underlies a nonviolent approach to change. It is not talked about enough. It is even more rare to find. It is key to real, lasting change. The lack of this is why real change often fails to materialize. I’m talking about the foundation of nonviolence and lasting change – humility.
Jesus is the supreme example of this “how.” One of my favorite passages of scripture is found in Philippians 2:6-8. It appears in the form of a Hebrew poem or song. Jesus…
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Jesus, who is God, gave up the peace, glory, and safety of heaven to come to earth. He gave up all the privileges of heaven to come to suffer with us. He did so willingly. He came to serve us, not to be served. This was the ultimate act of humility and flowed from humility. He gave his life for us to bring us peace with God through his sacrifice. He gave us abundant life now and for eternity. Our salvation and hope are all a reality because of his humility.
He changed you and me and changed the world we live in through humble nonviolence. In our actions and in our hearts, we may choose out of humility to serve others to bring about the change that our world needs. May humility become the dominating character trait that moves us to live for others above ourselves. May we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Glen Elliott
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© 2023 Pantano Christian Church | All Rights Reserved.
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Our Sunday classes are designed to incite wonder, provoke discovery and help your child develop a passionate love for Jesus! Our curriculum is built around simple, but powerful truths, simple crafts and age-appropriate activities that meet little ones where they are at spiritually, cognitively and socially.
All Bible lessons focus around 3 basic truths:
Worship music, crafts, prizes and games
Our Sunday classes are all about digging into the Bible! Kids will be challenged in their spiritual growth through Bible lessons taught personally and through creative teaching techniques. We also incorporate upbeat worship music, as well as crafts, prizes and games that help kids remember the lesson and keep them engaged and excited to come back to church!
We want the church to be a fun and safe place to grow, develop friendships and learn about our amazing God!
All teachers and helpers must be regular attendees of Pantano Christian Church, (having attended regularly for at least 3-6 months or past church attendance is verified if new to the area), and must have a Confidential Application and Background Check on file.
For Benevolence info, please call the church office at 520.298.5395.
Personal financial coaching in available upon request at no charge. A coach will work along side of you in preparing personalized financial statements, establishing a budget, a debt-reduction plan, or whatever else in necessary to get your financial life in order. The goal is to assist you in becoming more effective stewards of the resources God has provided.
Request A CoachMyPantano Portal is our church database website. You'll need a user account to access the Compass. If you already login to MyPantano Portal (CCB) then you can ignore this step.
Sign-upThe Compass will help in your journey along the Pathway to following Jesus well. Experience spiritual transformation and growth with a spiritual assessment that will recommend personalized next steps.
Login to the compassWe're excited to work with you on your upcoming wedding, and look forward to making your day special. Our goal is to equip you for a lifetime marriage and to partner with you to have a marriage that reflects Jesus Christ. With that in mind, we have designed a pre-marriage process for couples desiring to be married by one of our pastors.
Premarital ApplicationPeer counseling is first and foremost a relationship between you and the counselor. It is a free short-term, solution-focused care in a safe and confidential environment, designed to help you move forward on your personal or family journey.
Peer Counseling Request4th- 5th
Times: 6:30 - 8 PM
Dates: January 15 - Apr 29 (No class on Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 8)
Location: Zone 45
When our eyes are set on God, we act right, think right, and live right. God created us to love Him and love others well! This Spring, our preteens will be studying practical lessons from the Bible in order to put God at the center of their lives and guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. Through games, activities, and small group discussion we will check our heart condition and discover ways to get our spiritual hearts in the best shape possible!
Kinder - 3rd Grades
Times: 6:30 - 8 PM
Dates: January 15 - Apr 29 (No class on Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 8)
Location: Rooms KZ 11-13
The sea contains many wondrous sights created by God. When we go under the sea and take a closer look, we see that the sea has much to teach us about God. Join us as we DIVE deeper into what the Bible says about who God is and how he made us!
Times: 6:30 - 8 PM
Dates: January 15 - Apr 29 (No class on Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 8)
Location: Rooms KZ 4, 5, 6
God created the Heaven and the Earth; and God created you!! He designed us to be creative and use our imagination! This Spring, our preschoolers will have fun making Feathery Friends, Mini Maracas, Crazy Creatures and much more as we learn some amazing stories from the Bible. Come join us as we color, paint, glue and draw our way through God’s amazing world!
We've complied a listing of resources from support groups to hotlines to websites to books for anyone in need of assistance/help with a particular life issue.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Tucson Area Intergroup Inc.
Main: 520.624.4183
TDD: 520.882.7422
aatucson.org
Narcotics Anonymous
Local Help Line – Available 24/7
phone: 520.881.8381
trustedservant@natucson.org
Sex Addicts Anonymous
ISO office
800.477.8191
saarecovery.org
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Our vision is to be a catalytic force to bless Southern Arizona and the world and all of our ministries are dedicated in accomplishing this vision. It is the passion and calling of our staff to carry out our vision and core values each and every day.
We are part of a group of churches often referred to as the “Independent Christian Church.” We have no formal connection to a denomination – hence the word “independent.” There are about 5,600 churches like us around the US, with more than 150 averaging over 1000 in attendance.
Mission: Loving people to Jesus & launching passionate difference makers.
Vision: is to be a catalytic force to bring God’s influence to Southern Arizona and strategic places in the world.
There is an ancient saying, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.” This reflects our heart and belief at Pantano Christian Church. We are a non-denominational church that seeks unity in Christ, based on the essential truths of Scripture while allowing for diversity, differences, and even disagreements over non-essential doctrines. Below are six statements that reflect our corporate essentials and upon which we base our unity in Christ. We all believe much more than these statements and we encourage those who are part of Pantano Christian Church to vigorously search the scriptures and discuss “non-essential” although important doctrines, while not making those views a test of fellowship. Therefore, we believe in and are committed with our whole being to…
The above statements do not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind and is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For the purpose of Pantano Christian Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, discipline, and policy our Elders are the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
The following are core beliefs that shape who we are as a church community and define how we do ministry.