Chapter Health
By HIRAM Villaseñor
or not, 2019 is
here! 2018 is in the
history books and we’re looking
ahead to see what this New Year has
in store for us. If you’re anything like
me, I see things that I’d like to
change in my life, my family, my
CMA chapter, etc.
Notice there is one thing that is
common in those things that I’ve
mentioned… it’s the “my.”
Here’s the thing… any change that
I want to see in the things I do, in the
things I am a part of… all starts with
“ME!”
We, as human beings, tend to see
a problem or situation we’d like to
see change, and the first thing we do
is look around and try to find who is
causing the problem. We tend to
point fingers and cast blame. I’m
sure we’ve all heard the old saying,
“Be careful when you point a finger
at someone, there are three fingers
pointing back at you!”
That’s a rather different way to
start an article on chapter health,
but I think it is a very important ele-
ment in having a healthy CMA chap-
ter.
We have talked a lot about the
four Functions of a Healthy Chapter.
Those being; Prayer, Fellowship,
Ready
Evangelism and Discipleship. I
believe those are vitally important
for having a healthy chapter, but it
has to start with an individual desire
and commitment from each mem-
ber to make those things work. Let
me share a couple of Scriptures that
we’re all familiar with, but I believe
hold the foundation of a healthy
CMA chapter.
John 13:34-35 (NLT) says this, “So
now I am giving you a new com-
mandment: Love each other. Just as I
have loved you, you should love each
other. Your love for one another will
prove to the world that you are my
disciples.”
Romans 12:10 (NLT) “Love each
other with genuine affection, and
take delight in honoring each other.”
This phrase, “love each other” is
repeated many times in the New
Testament. I could go on listing
scripture after scripture that states
this phrase. Emphasizing this is real-
ly important in our Christian walk
and in our effectiveness in bringing
change to the world around us.
Then we read in Ephesians 4:1-3
(NLT) “Therefore I, a prisoner for
serving the Lord, beg you to lead a
life worthy of your calling, for you
have been called by God. Always be
humble and gentle. Be patient with
each other, making allowance for
each other’s faults because of your
love. Make every effort to keep your-
selves united in the Spirit, binding
yourselves together with peace.”
Each of us has received a calling!
We are called to be the Light of the
World! We need to show the love our
Heavenly Father has for us by the
way we love those around us…espe-
cially our brothers and sisters in
Christ!
Let’s purpose in our hearts, that in
2019 our personal, intimate relation-
ship with God is going to be our pri-
ority. If we do that, I believe our CMA
chapter and the world around us will
be a better place! CMA
Hiram and Sharon Villaseñor
oversee the Rocky Mountain
Region as National Evangelist.