There is a challenge facing the church today...

It is not a new challenge, but one that has plagued the church for centuries. The typical lay person occupying the pew on any given Sunday morning, Sunday night, or Wednesday night has no clear idea whether they are being taught or preached what is scripturally correct.

The cause for this situation? The person on the pew is not familiar with Scripture! They do not read and study the bible in a serious way. Sadly, most professing Christians have never read the Bible through completely. Even worse, a lot of preachers who stand in pulpits to preach and teach the Word have never read through the Bible completely! This is a sad commentary on the clergy and one that needs to be addressed in a serious manner. How can clergy challenge their congregation members to do something they do not take seriously themselves?

Dr. Charles Stanley said: "Wood is to fire what the Bible is to the Christian Life." All of us know what will happen to a fire if we stop putting wood on it - it will quit burning. In order to keep a fire burning, we must keep adding wood. In order to keep growing and become mature Christians, we must keep reading and studying God's Word!

It is our mission to grow the Kingdom of God...

... to call attention to the need for individual responsibility and the need for personal Bible study;
... to change lives through dedicated Bible reading and study;
... to spread that life-changing experience from person to person;
... to generate a renewed interest in Bible readng and study in church laity and clergy,
... to raise an army of Bible-reading and Bible-study warriors who are not only inspired but also equipped to go into the community and spread the Word more effectively.

What the Bible says...

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16)

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

From Rev. Allen...

I have been a local pastor in the Wilmington District (NC) of the United Methodist Church since 1992. I have served three congregations. Early in my ministry, I decided that if I was going to preach the Bible, I was going to study the Bible (the entire Bible - not just what I was going to preach on Sunday.) I committed myself to read through the Bible at least one time each year in addition to my study for sermon preparation. After seventeen years of adhering to this practice, I can safely say that nothing has changed my my life as much as making that commitment and sticking to it.

To help discipline with this study, I further committed to take each Bible I had read cover to cover and give it to a family member as a Christmas gift. I ask the person receiving the gift to continue the practice. Since beginning this tradition, each year around Christmas time the family will start asking one another who they believe will recieve the Bible that Christmas.

I have had recipients return to me and tell me they have read through the bible and plan to give it to grandchildren on their graduation. Others tell me they have read the Bible through and enjoyed it so much they've started reading through it again. Others keep me posted on their progress.

I thank God for their faithfulness and I invite you to join me in this mission. You can do this by taking the Bible Reading Pledge and becoming a partner in this all-important ministry. I promise you that reading the Bible will change your life. You cannot read the Bible in a faithful manner and remain the same as you were!