Fall Family Night is Sunday, Sept. 29

Fall Family Night is coming up on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and we’re getting ready for a fun night to gather, eat, and have fellowship with one another! Please click the button below to RSVP at so that we make sure to have enough food for everyone!

Worship Night is Tuesday, Sept. 24

Our monthly Worship Night is on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 6:00 PM in the chapel. This is a 30-minute, full-band, casual service meant to give you a midweek uplift and reset. Come for some encouragement, music, and fellowship! Questions? Contact moriah@woodmontcc.org

Intro to Woodmont is Sunday, Oct. 6

If you’re new to Woodmont, then we want to see you at our next Intro to Woodmont luncheon on Sunday, Oct. 6, at noon in the boardroom! This is a chance to meet with Clay and some of our leaders to learn more about Woodmont and if God is calling you to make this your church home. Lunch is served and you are warmly invited! Childcare is available with an RSVP

to tammy@woodmontcc.org.

Teacher, writer, and pastor John Mark Comer recently published a fascinating book titled Practicing the Way. His basic claim is that many people in our culture are Christians, but a much lower percentage of those Christians are actually serious about being disciples, or apprentices, of Jesus. He says, “Apprenticeship to Jesus – following Jesus – is a whole life process of being with Jesus for the purpose of becoming like him and carrying on his work in the world. It’s a lifelong journey in which we gradually learn to say and do the kinds of things Jesus said and did as we apprentice under him in every facet of our lives.” Comer is identifying the greatest challenge for Christians in the Western world. Simply professing belief in Christ is not enough if it doesn’t lead to significant life change.

Making this transition from simply being a Christian to becoming a serious disciple is not easy. Many view their faith as something that is important to have. Perhaps they believe in God, go to church, appreciate Jesus, and try to treat other people well with hopes to go to heaven one day when they die. What Comer is proposing is a transformational way of living that dives deep into the teachings of Jesus and asks, “What does he require of me? What do I need to change? What might I have to give up?” According to Comer, “The problem is, in the West, we have created a cultural milieu where you can be a Christian but not an apprentice of Jesus. Much preaching of the gospel today does not call people to a life of discipleship. Following Jesus is seen as optional – a post-conversion “second track” for those who want to go further.” Many will convert, perhaps get baptized, and then think they have checked the box.

Make no mistake, Jesus’ teachings are anything but easy. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself, yes. But love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, turn the other cheek, forgive seventy times seven, reach out to the marginalized. These teachings up the game and many honestly wonder if it is possible. Does it occur to many of today’s Christians that they could or should go deeper? That they could be more committed and transformed but that will require serious time and commitment. Faith formation and spiritual growth are not easy or automatic. Life throws too many obstacles our way on a regular basis. But to experience the “fullness of life” that Jesus talked about, we have to be willing to do the work. This involves prayer, worship, reflecting on scripture, serving others, community building, peace making, and ongoing self-denial. It is a far cry from the consumer mindset that many Christians often have. It is a completely new way of living and being.

Comer argues that we are underestimating what Jesus means by salvation. In his words:

• Salvation is less about getting you into heaven and more about getting heaven into you.   
• It’s not just about Jesus becoming like us but us becoming like him.
• It’s less of a transaction and more of a transformation.
• It’s not just about what he has done for us but also about what he has done in us if we apprentice under him.
• It is about being a person who not only is loved by God but also is pervaded by the love of God.
• It’s not just accepting the merit of his death but also receiving the power of his resurrection.
• It’s not just about you and me as individuals but also about the formation of a whole new humanity and the healing of the cosmos itself.

Are Western Christians up for this bold challenge? Only time will tell.  

Tailgate Sunday

Sunday, Sept. 15 • Photos by Erin Douglas

This Sunday, Sept. 22

Clay Stauffer

"Being Humble"

Luke 18:9-14 & Philippians 2:1-8

Our schedule this Sunday is:

• 8:30 AM – Continental breakfast in the gym
• 9:30 AM – Informal service in the sanctuary
• 9:40 AM – The Bridge service in the chapel
• 10:00 AM – Middle School service in the youth lounge
• 11:00 AM – Traditional service in the sanctuary
• 4:00 PM – Youth group in the chapel

Samar Ali at Woodmont tomorrow

This Wednesday, Sept. 18, we are welcoming Samar Ali, Research Professor at Vanderbilt University, to speak on “Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, & America’s Involvement in the World” for part two of our faith and values series.

Our remaining dates in this series are:

Wednesday, Sept. 25 – Dr. John Sides & Dr. John Geer, Political Science Professors at Vanderbilt University – “Civility, American Politics, & the 2024 Election”

Wednesday, Oct. 2 – Senator Bill Frist, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader – “Life After the Senate: Priorities that Matter to All Americans”

Wednesday, Oct. 9 – Rev. Jay Hutchens, Dr. Clay Stauffer, Dr. Rubel Shelly, & Dr. Mike Glenn – “Being Christian in an Election Year”

"Faith, Values" & the Public Square" with Jim Nantz

 Wednesday, Sept. 11

Our Christian faith reminds us of how important we are to God, and how each of us matters immensely to God. Our concerns are His concerns. God loves us so much that the Bible says “Even the hairs on your head are numbered.” (Matthew 10:30) It’s been said that even if you were the only one in the entire world, Jesus would still go to the cross for you.

People flocked to Jesus because they felt he cared for them, He listened to their concerns, he understood them. Little children loved being with Jesus because they could feel how much he loved them, how important they were to Him. He even said, “Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

Jesus taught his followers to “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Mark 12:31) He said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12) And the night before He was crucified, Jesus told his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

But compare this to the way the world (and often many of us) treat each other today. You’re talking to someone when all of a sudden they pull out their phone and check a text message. It’s like they are saying, “It might be something more important than you.” Or, you’re at a party and the person you’re talking to is looking over your shoulder as if they were looking for someone more important than you.

Can you imagine talking to God in prayer and you’re getting ready to say, “Lord, I’m ready to turn my life over to you”... when all of a sudden the Lord says, “Hold on a minute. I’ve got another prayer coming in.” Or maybe you try to dial up the Lord in prayer and you get a busy signal, or you’re put on hold. God would NEVER treat us like that, yet we treat others in that way.

Cell phones and texting have not only greatly damaged our ability to speak directly and openly to one another, but also the ability to look each other straight in the eye when we are talking. I wonder what Jesus would say about cell phones?

The way to find meaning, joy, fulfillment, and purpose in life is to treat others as important to you. In fact, the Bible even says we should treat others as more important than we are. (Philippians 2:3) Do you love others the way Jesus loves us?

When I graduated from college, I met Dr. Frank Rose, President of the University of Alabama. His son was a fraternity brother of mine. I was talking with Dr. Rose one-on-one. He was one of the greatest persons I have ever known. And I was just a little greenhorn college graduate, wet behind the ears. (After all, I had been water skiing with his son.) But Dr. Rose gave me his full, undivided attention. He made me feel like I was the most important person in the world and the only person he cared about. I’ve never forgotten how that affected me. And, since then, I have tried to treat every person I come into contact with in the same way. What a difference the world would be if we all treated each other that way!

Points of View Class - new time, new materials Sept. 22

The Points of View Sunday School class is now meeting at 10:45 AM in Room 105. This is a thoughtful, lively class with an emphasis on great discussion and deep respect for the perspectives of all in attendance. The group also laughs a lot!

Starting on Sept. 22, Points of View will do a four-week series on different aspects of forgiveness from Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations. To learn more, contact Randy Smith at randallwsmith13@gmail.com.

G.E.M.S. Sept 24

Farrell Mason, Minister of Pastoral Care at Woodmont, will be speaking at our next G.E.M.S. luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 11:30 AM in Room 200. Farrell always has an inspirational message to share and you won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear what she has to say, including the story behind her latest book.

Farrell holds a Master of Art Business degree from Sotheby’s, London, and a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University. The author of SoulFull, Pocket Cathedral, Alma Gloria, The Olive Tree, and The Angel and the Raven, she also writes a weekly spiritual blog, Bread and Honey, where you can enjoy spiritual reflections, recipes, quotes, sermons, articles, meditations, and book reviews, all meant to inspire and nourish the soul.

Farrell is a mother of six and has raised over $100,000 to bring awareness and funding for kids with cancer. Proceeds from all her writing and speaking engagements go to pediatric cancer research.

Lunch is $10 with an RSVP to jan@woodmontcc.org.

Questions about G.E.M.S.? Contact edithh.johnston@gmail.com or genemregen@gmail.com.

Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition at CWF Oct. 1

Our next CWF (Christian Women's Fellowship) meeting will feature Monti Herring of the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition (N.A.H.T.) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 11:00 AM in the chapel.

NAHT is on the front lines, rescuing women and children who are actively being trafficked and struggling with substance abuse. Each rescue is unique and is approached with intention by their rescue team. While headquartered in Nashville, NAHT makes rescues across the nation through incredible partnerships. All rescues are survivor-informed and survivor-led when appropriate.

RSVP for lunch by calling the church office at (615) 297-8563.

This Sunday, Emmie Thomas will share about Woodmont's upcoming trips to Guatemala in March 2025 (family trip) and July 2025 (youth trip) with full details available at tables in the Gathering Hall and Chapel Atrium. Click the button below to read an article on Unbound's website about the tremendous impact our church is having in that country.

An awareness trip to Guatemala led Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville to a 15-year partnership with Unbound that has helped hundreds of families who were living in poverty transform their lives while forging friendships that span generations...

Woodmont Men's Retreat at Rockmont

Need a break from this crazy world to strengthen yourself as a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, friend, boss, co-worker... man? Join us for a 4-day, 3-night, midweek retreat to disconnect from the demands of life and reconnect with what matters.

We live in one of the most connected yet disconnected cultures in human history. We experience challenges in balancing relationships, marriages, parenting, friendships, work, and our sense of purpose. We often forget to take the necessary time to rest, reflect, have fun, and nurture our heart and soul. This is an invitation for that time. Are you feeling the call to rest and adventure?

Retreat Rockmont is a place where, instead of you serving others, we are serving you, free of expectations or rigid schedules. A place where you can take a breath and be, enjoy the freedom to design your day your way.

There are a limited number of spots available for each session. We are looking to get 6-24 men for each session from Woodmont to go. If you co-host a group of 6 you get half price. A host of 12 men gets their retreat free.

For information, visit retreatrockmont.com. Available dates are Sept. 30 - Oct. 3 and Nov. 4 - Nov. 7. For more details or to register, call or text Tom Woodard at (615) 598-1797.

Clay on Engage Church Network podcast

Clay recently appeared on Mike Glenn's podcast to discuss "Ministry Fatigue and What Covid Taught Us About the Local Church." Click the button below to tune in!

Church calendar

Sunday, Sept. 22

9:00 AM Grace Notes Rehearsal, Kids' Commons

9:30 AM 21st Century Class, Boardroom

9:30 AM Disciples Class, Room 105

10:30 AM Young Professionals Sunday School, Campbell West

10:45 AM The Life Class, Bay Room

10:45 AM Reflections Class, Room 200

10:45 AM Connection Class, Room 100

10:45 AM Points of View Class, Room 105

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

4:00 PM Youth Group, Carpenter Chapel

Monday, Sept. 23

3:00 PM "Geezers" Group, Boardroom

5:45 PM Spiritual Gifts & Strengths Class, Room 105

6:30 PM Leadership Woodmont, Campbell West

Tuesday, Sept. 24

11:30 AM G.E.M.S. Luncheon, Room 200

6:00 PM Worship Night, Carpenter Chapel

6:30 PM Alateen (ages 12-19), South Hall

6:30 PM Parents Al-Anon Group, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall 

Wednesday, Sept. 25

6:00 AM Roy Stauffer’s Men’s Group, Room 105

7:00 AM Clay Stauffer’s Men’s Group, Boardroom

8:00 AM Men’s Bible Study, Room 105

5:30 PM Wednesday Fellowship Dinner, Drowota Hall

6:00 PM GriefShare, Campbell West

6:00 PM DivorceCare, The Bary Room

6:15 PM Dr. John Sides & Dr. John Geer "Faith, Values, & the Public Square," Carpenter Chapel

6:15 PM Disciples Women's Bible Study, Room 200

6:30 PM Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary

Thursday, Sept. 26

10:00 AM Sit & Stitch, Gathering Hall

1:00 PM Mahjong Group, Gathering Hall

5:30 PM Handbells Rehearsal, Choir Room

6:30 PM Andra Moran Virtual Vespers, Zoom

6:30 PM Nar-Anon, Room 105

8:00 PM AA Meeting, South Hall 

Friday, Sept. 27

3:00 PM Pickleball, Drowota Hall

Saturday, Sept. 28

10:00 AM Al-Anon, Drowota Hall