What Do We Do When Life Feels Like Vapor?
A raw and honest look at Ecclesiastes and why Jesus is the only lasting answer to a world that feels like vapor.

Paul Durbin • Lead Pastor
September 20, 2026

8 Minute Read

OVERVIEW 👀

Greg Seymour kicks off a series through Ecclesiastes by unpacking the Hebrew word hevel—often translated "meaningless," but really closer to vapor, smoke, or breath. Life is real and tangible, yet it slips through our fingers just as quickly as it comes. Greg walks us through the teacher's thought experiments on pleasure, wealth, and wisdom, and honestly shares his own year of wrestling with the hevel of his dad's rapid decline into dementia. In the end, Greg points us to Jesus—the bread of life and living water—who steps into our brokenness and is the only true fulfillment for the deepest longings of our hearts.

179 | What Do We Do When Life Feels Like Vapor?

Greg Seymour kicks off a series through Ecclesiastes by unpacking the Hebrew word hevel—often translated "meaningless," but really closer to vapor, smoke, or breath. Life is real and tangible, yet it slips through our fingers just as quickly as it comes. Greg walks us through the teacher's thought experiments on pleasure, wealth, and wisdom, and honestly shares his own year of wrestling with the hevel of his dad's rapid decline into dementia. In the end, Greg points us to Jesus—the bread of life and living water—who steps into our brokenness and is the only true fulfillment for the deepest longings of our hearts.

Greg Seymour • 9/20/2026

TIPS 📌

  • For the greatest impact, invite a few others to go through this study guide with you.
  • You don't need to do every section and question—use what fits your group or season.
  • Let the Spirit highlight where to slow down and engage.

ICEBREAKER(S) 🧊

If you had Solomon-level money for one weekend, what's the most ridiculous thing you'd spend it on?

BIBLE PASSAGE(S) 📖

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 (NIV)

1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
3 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?
4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.
8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
11 No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.
12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!
14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
15 What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I said to myself, "Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."
17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (NIV)

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.
11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 (NIV)

24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

John 6:35 (NIV)

35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

OBSERVATION 🔎

  1. What repeated words, phrases, or images do you notice in Ecclesiastes 1? What effect does the repetition have on you as you read?
  2. In Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, what does the teacher pursue, and what does he conclude about it? What surprises you about his conclusion?
  3. In John 6:35, what does Jesus claim about himself, and how does that connect (or contrast) with what the teacher observes in Ecclesiastes?

APPLICATION 👋

  1. What are the "under the sun" things you've been chasing lately, hoping they'll finally satisfy you? Think about your time, money, energy, and daydreams—what keeps rising to the top?
  2. Greg described hevel as vapor: real and tangible, but slipping through your fingers. Where have you experienced that in your own life? Sometimes saying it out loud helps us loosen our grip on it.
  3. Have you ever fallen into the trap of treating your walk with God like a bargain—"if I do X, God will do Y"? What did that reveal about what you were actually trusting in?
  4. When hevel shows up in your life, how do you tend to respond—anger, apathy, blame, or trust? Greg was honest about wrestling with anger and apathy this past year, and it's worth asking where we land.
  5. Greg shared about his dad's dementia and how it feels "so hevel." Is there a situation in your life right now that feels unfair, enigmatic, or like it goes against how the world ought to work? Sometimes just naming it in community is the first step toward healing.
  6. Jesus calls himself the bread of life and living water. What would it look like this week to actually feed on him instead of the things you usually run to for comfort? Get practical—what habit, rhythm, or moment could shift?
  7. What's one area where you need to stop trying to straighten what's crooked on your own and instead trust that God is still good and still working? This isn't about giving up—it's about surrendering.

LIVE ON BELAY 🏔️

  • Reach out to someone you know who's walking through a hevel season—a diagnosis, a loss, a confusing chapter. Don't try to fix it. Just show up, listen, and remind them they're not alone.
  • Pick one "under the sun" pursuit you've been chasing too hard and intentionally loosen your grip this week. Give away money, say no to an extra work project, or take a Sabbath from the thing you've been idolizing.
  • Share a meal with someone and let it be a small act of worship. Thank God for the food, enjoy the people, and practice receiving joy as a gift instead of chasing it as a goal.
  • Write a short note or send a text to someone whose life has quietly influenced yours—a mentor, a parent, an old friend. Push back against the reality that "no one remembers" by remembering out loud.
  • Invite someone who's wrestling with big questions about meaning, suffering, or God to read Ecclesiastes with you over coffee. It's only 12 chapters and it meets people where they actually are.

PRAYER 🙏

  • Thank God for stepping into the hevel of human existence through Jesus, and ask him to help you truly rest in that today.
  • Confess any way you've been chasing wind—pleasure, wealth, wisdom, or approval—and ask God to reorder your desires around him.
  • Bring the hevel of your own life honestly to God: the losses, the enigmas, the "this isn't how it's supposed to be." Ask him for grace to trust even when you can't see.
  • Pray for someone you know who is suffering right now, that they would sense God's presence and be met by his people.
  • Ask God to make you the kind of person who feeds on Jesus daily—the bread of life and living water—so you have something real to offer a hurting world.

WORSHIP 🙌


OUTLINE 📝

Big Idea: Life under the sun is hevel—vapor and enigma—but Jesus steps into the brokenness and becomes the only lasting fulfillment for our deepest longings.

Understanding Hevel
  • Not "meaningless"—more like vapor, smoke, breath
  • Real and tangible, but slips through your fingers
  • An enigma—things that don't work the way we think they should
  • First used as Abel's name in Genesis 4
Life Under the Sun
  • Generations come and go, nothing new
  • Even wise people are eventually forgotten
  • What is crooked cannot be straightened
The Teacher's Thought Experiments
  • Pleasure and hedonism—chasing the wind
  • Wealth—never enough, and you leave it behind
  • Wisdom—better than folly, but death still comes
The Trap of Using God as a Means to an End
  • Our walk with God isn't a bargain
  • What do we do when the hevel comes?
  • Greg's honest wrestle with his dad's dementia
Where Ecclesiastes Leaves Us, the Gospel Picks Us Up
  • Jesus is the bread of life and living water
  • He steps into human suffering, not around it
  • He makes crooked things straight

Takeaway: When everything under the sun proves to be vapor, Jesus is the one thing worth holding onto—because he's holding onto you.

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From this Author: Paul Durbin
September 26, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
When Life Doesn't Add Up
Sometimes life just doesn't add up. The healthy person gets sick. The generous person gets overlooked. The kid who did everything right ends up hurting. Ecclesiastes has a word for that: hevel. Hevel is not just vapor, but an enigma. A puzzle. The stubborn reality that the world doesn't always work the way we think it should. Here's what I love about the Bible: it doesn't pretend. It doesn't tell us to slap a smile on our confusion or spiritualize away our grief. It hands us a whole book—Ecclesiastes—that basically says, "Yeah. Some of this is really hard. Some of it won't be figured out this side of eternity." And yet. The same Bible tells us that God didn't stay at a distance from all that hevel. He stepped into it. Jesus entered the human story—the suffering, the injustice, the tears at gravesides—and carried it all the way to a cross. He knows what it feels like when things aren't right. And he's the only one who can actually make what's crooked straight. So if you're in a season where the math isn't working, you're in good company. You don't have to force it to make sense before you can bring it to God. Just bring it. He can handle your questions. He's already in the middle of your mess.hevel

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

Currently Reading
September 20, 2026 • 8 Minute Read
What Do We Do When Life Feels Like Vapor?
OVERVIEW 👀 Greg Seymour kicks off a series through Ecclesiastes by unpacking the Hebrew word hevel—often translated "meaningless," but really closer to vapor, smoke, or breath. Life is real and tangible, yet it slips through our fingers just as quickly as it comes. Greg walks us through the teacher's thought experiments on pleasure, wealth, and wisdom, and honestly shares his own year of wrestling with the hevel of his dad's rapid decline into dementia. In the end, Greg points us to Jesus—the bread of life and living water—who steps into our brokenness and is the only true fulfillment for the deepest longings of our hearts.vapor TIPS 📌 For the greatest impact, invite a few others to go through this study guide with you. You don't need to do every section and question—use what fits your group or season. Let the Spirit highlight where to slow down and engage. ICEBREAKER(S) 🧊 If you had Solomon-level money for one weekend, what's the most ridiculous thing you'd spend it on? BIBLE PASSAGE(S) 📖 Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 (NIV) 1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: 2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." 3 What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. 7 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again. 8 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. 11 No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them. 12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. 16 I said to myself, "Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (NIV) 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. 11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 (NIV) 24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. John 6:35 (NIV) 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." OBSERVATION 🔎 What repeated words, phrases, or images do you notice in Ecclesiastes 1? What effect does the repetition have on you as you read? In Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, what does the teacher pursue, and what does he conclude about it? What surprises you about his conclusion? In John 6:35, what does Jesus claim about himself, and how does that connect (or contrast) with what the teacher observes in Ecclesiastes? APPLICATION 👋 What are the "under the sun" things you've been chasing lately, hoping they'll finally satisfy you? Think about your time, money, energy, and daydreams—what keeps rising to the top? Greg described hevel as vapor: real and tangible, but slipping through your fingers. Where have you experienced that in your own life? Sometimes saying it out loud helps us loosen our grip on it. Have you ever fallen into the trap of treating your walk with God like a bargain—"if I do X, God will do Y"? What did that reveal about what you were actually trusting in? When hevel shows up in your life, how do you tend to respond—anger, apathy, blame, or trust? Greg was honest about wrestling with anger and apathy this past year, and it's worth asking where we land. Greg shared about his dad's dementia and how it feels "so hevel." Is there a situation in your life right now that feels unfair, enigmatic, or like it goes against how the world ought to work? Sometimes just naming it in community is the first step toward healing. Jesus calls himself the bread of life and living water. What would it look like this week to actually feed on him instead of the things you usually run to for comfort? Get practical—what habit, rhythm, or moment could shift? What's one area where you need to stop trying to straighten what's crooked on your own and instead trust that God is still good and still working? This isn't about giving up—it's about surrendering. LIVE ON BELAY 🏔️ Reach out to someone you know who's walking through a hevel season—a diagnosis, a loss, a confusing chapter. Don't try to fix it. Just show up, listen, and remind them they're not alone. Pick one "under the sun" pursuit you've been chasing too hard and intentionally loosen your grip this week. Give away money, say no to an extra work project, or take a Sabbath from the thing you've been idolizing. Share a meal with someone and let it be a small act of worship. Thank God for the food, enjoy the people, and practice receiving joy as a gift instead of chasing it as a goal. Write a short note or send a text to someone whose life has quietly influenced yours—a mentor, a parent, an old friend. Push back against the reality that "no one remembers" by remembering out loud. Invite someone who's wrestling with big questions about meaning, suffering, or God to read Ecclesiastes with you over coffee. It's only 12 chapters and it meets people where they actually are. PRAYER 🙏 Thank God for stepping into the hevel of human existence through Jesus, and ask him to help you truly rest in that today. Confess any way you've been chasing wind—pleasure, wealth, wisdom, or approval—and ask God to reorder your desires around him. Bring the hevel of your own life honestly to God: the losses, the enigmas, the "this isn't how it's supposed to be." Ask him for grace to trust even when you can't see. Pray for someone you know who is suffering right now, that they would sense God's presence and be met by his people. Ask God to make you the kind of person who feeds on Jesus daily—the bread of life and living water—so you have something real to offer a hurting world. WORSHIP 🙌 OUTLINE 📝 Big Idea: Life under the sun is hevel—vapor and enigma—but Jesus steps into the brokenness and becomes the only lasting fulfillment for our deepest longings. Understanding Hevel Not "meaningless"—more like vapor, smoke, breath Real and tangible, but slips through your fingers An enigma—things that don't work the way we think they should First used as Abel's name in Genesis 4 Life Under the Sun Generations come and go, nothing new Even wise people are eventually forgotten What is crooked cannot be straightened The Teacher's Thought Experiments Pleasure and hedonism—chasing the wind Wealth—never enough, and you leave it behind Wisdom—better than folly, but death still comes The Trap of Using God as a Means to an End Our walk with God isn't a bargain What do we do when the hevel comes? Greg's honest wrestle with his dad's dementia Where Ecclesiastes Leaves Us, the Gospel Picks Us Up Jesus is the bread of life and living water He steps into human suffering, not around it He makes crooked things straight Takeaway: When everything under the sun proves to be vapor, Jesus is the one thing worth holding onto—because he's holding onto you.

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 19, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
What Is a Christian Mentor?
We weren't meant to follow Jesus alone. From the very beginning, God designed the Christian life to be walked together. Jesus did it with the Twelve. Paul did it with Timothy. Elizabeth did it with Mary. Over and over in Scripture, we see the same pattern: someone a little further down the road walking alongside someone a little earlier in the journey. That's the heart of Christian mentoring — and it usually starts with one person: a mentor. So What Is a Christian Mentor, Exactly? A Christian mentor is a more mature believer who intentionally invests in the spiritual growth of another. They're not a counselor. Not a therapist. Not a teacher. And definitely not someone with all the answers. They're simply this: a trusted friend who helps you take your next step with Jesus. A good mentor might help you: Grow in prayer, Scripture, and other spiritual disciplines Work through a hard season with wisdom and perspective Discover and use your spiritual gifts Navigate big decisions — vocation, relationships, family Break patterns that keep you stuck Grow in Christlike character The goal isn't information. It's transformation. Why It Matters Left to ourselves, we tend to drift. We settle. We get stuck in the same patterns and wonder why nothing changes. A mentor changes that. They notice what we miss. They ask the questions we'd rather avoid. They cheer us on when we want to quit. And they remind us of who we are in Christ when we forget. Proverbs puts it plainly: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). You were never meant to grow alone. And you don't have to. Your Next Step At Belay, we're in the early stages of building a mentoring ministry — and we'd love to know if this is something you'd want to be part of. In the meantime, we're happy to connect you 1:1 with someone who can walk with you now. If you're interested — even just curious — reach out to leadership.

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 17, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Advisory Board Member
Overview Advisory Board Members help steward the life and health of Belay — managing the church's internal business, supporting the Pastor, and helping shape a community where people belong, believe, become, and belay. You're a Good Fit If… You're a mature follower of Jesus with a track record of Christian character (Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:1-10) You love Belay and want to see it thrive You're wise, prayerful, and can hold things in confidence You're willing to speak honestly and listen well You're a Belay Partner in good standing Time Commitment About 2 hours per month for the board meeting, plus occasional emails, WhatsApp threads, and prayer in between. Terms are 3 years, with a max of three consecutive terms (per Belay's Provisional Bylaws). Responsibilities The word BOARD captures the heart of the role: B — Business Help manage the internal business affairs of the church, acting as trustees. O — Operation Approve teams or committees as necessary to accomplish the mission of Belay, all operating under the supervision of the Advisory Board and Pastor. A — Advisory Serve as a sounding board to the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the spiritual life of the church. R — Review Recommend individuals to pursue Partnership, review Partnership applications, welcome qualified applicants, and help oversee the Partnership roster as needed. D — Deacon Aid the church and its leadership in the spirit of Acts 6:1–6 — serving so the Pastor can focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word. What Success Looks Like The Pastor feels supported, the church stays healthy and mission-focused, and decisions are made with prayer, wisdom, and unity. Belay keeps growing as a space to belong, believe, become, and belay. Equipment / Tools Needed Smartphone or computer WhatsApp (for team communication) Email Ministry Alignments For those who serve on the Advisory Board at Belay, we ask for strong and substantial agreement in seven key areas. Please read about them here:alignment

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 16, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Partnership Agreement
Ready to Partner? If you’re ready to partner with Belay, please read the following and then complete partnership agreement below. What is a Belay Partner? A Belay Partner is a follower of Jesus who makes a formal commitment to Belay—to personally invest in its vision, actively engage in the life of the church, prayerfully support its leadership, and willingly share in both its responsibilities and blessings. As a candidate for Partnership at Belay Church, I affirm that I have turned to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21) and am growing in the fruit thereof (Galatians 5:19–25). I have been water baptized, am eighteen (18) years of age or older, have substantial agreement with Belay’s statements of faith, and agree to be governed by its Bylaws. Furthermore, I commit to fulfill to the following Partnership Responsibilities: Pray: I will pray regularly for the church, its leadership, its people, and its ministries (Ephesians 6:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12). Assemble: I will assemble regularly with the church—attending officially scheduled worship services, contributing to life-giving fellowship, and engaging in corporate worship (Hebrews 10:24–25). Resource: I will resource the church financially through the faithful giving of a generous portion of my tithes and offerings (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–15). Take Initiative: I will take initiative to serve the ministry of the church—discovering, growing, and using my abilities and spiritual gifts to bless others (Acts 1:8; Romans 12:3–8; 1 Peter 4:10). Nurture Unity: I will nurture and protect the health and unity of the church by seeking reconciliation and resolving conflict according to the biblical model (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 1:10). Embody: I will familiarize myself with, actively support, and personally embody the church’s vision, mission, values, and beliefs (Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2). Respond Positively: I will respond positively to all partnership responsibilities detailed above and in the Belay bylaws, and remain willing to help meet needs and serve as opportunities arise (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Acts 6:1–7). Therefore, I humbly request that my Partnership Agreement be considered by the Board, and that my name be added to the official Partnership roster of Belay Church.Complete the Agreementpartnership

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 16, 2026 • 7 Minute Read
Provisional Belay Bylaws
ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this church, (hereinafter referred to as “church,” “this church,” or “the church”), is Belay Church, of the city of Boulder, county of Boulder, state of Colorado. ARTICLE II. PURPOSE AND PREROGATIVES The purpose of this church shall be to: Encourage and promote the evangelization of the world. Establish and maintain the worship of God. Provide a basis of fellowship among fellow believers. Encourage and promote the spiritual growth and discipleship of believers. Serve the needs of the local community as feasible in any biblically aligned manner and respond to human need with ministries of service and compassion. Own, hold in trust, use, sell, convey, mortgage, lease, or otherwise acquire or dispose of such property (real or chattel) as may be needed for accomplishing the mission of the church. To have a partnership (membership) established by the church and the Rocky Mountain Ministry Network (hereinafter referred to as RMMN). ARTICLE III. PRINCIPLES FOR FELLOWSHIP This church shall as nearly as possible represent the body of Christ as described in the New Testament, recognizing the principles inherent in that body as also inherent in this fellowship, particularly the principles of unity, fellowship, cooperation, and equality. ARTICLE IV. STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS This church accepts the Bible as our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice and accepts The General Council of the Assemblies of God (hereinafter referred to as AGUSA) Statement of Fundamental Truths. The full statement is available at https://ag.org/Beliefs/Statement-of-Fundamental-Truths. ARTICLE V. CORPORATE MANAGEMENT Section 1. Governance This assembly shall be affiliated with The RMMN. Partners may be accepted into the local church. The Superintendent/Network Pastor, acting as President and Chairman, Network Secretary-Treasurer, acting as Legal Secretary, Sectional Presbyter, Sectional Committeemen, together with the Pastor, shall comprise the Official Church Board (hereinafter referred to as OCB). If there are partners in the church who qualify according to the Scriptures as a Deacon, they may be appointed by the OCB to serve as an Advisory Board (hereinafter referred to as AB), the Pastor serving as the chairperson of the AB. The Pastor shall be appointed by the Network Presbytery, upon the recommendation of local Sectional Presbyter, and shall be appointed for an indefinite period of time. The Pastor shall be the spiritual overseer of the Assembly, providing for the care, nurture, and discipleship of the congregation. He/She shall direct the business affairs and administration of the church. The church ministry leadership shall be appointed and supervised by the Pastor. He/She shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. All action taken under the Provisional Bylaws shall be subject to review and approval of the Network Presbytery. An annual evaluation of the Pastor shall be conducted under the auspices of the OCB. Other church leaders and ministries may be evaluated by the OCB at its discretion. Section 2. Advisory Board This church shall have an Advisory Board. Composition. The AB shall consist of at minimum 2 Members, not including the chairperson. Qualifications. AB Members shall be men or women of mature Christian experience and knowledge, and shall meet the leadership requirements described in Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 3. Selection. Members of the AB shall be selected and appointed by the Pastor. Terms of Office. Members of the AB shall serve for a period of three years and shall serve no more than three consecutive terms followed by a required minimum one year period prior to reappointment to the AB. Responsibilities: AB Members shall perform the following responsibilities: Business. The AB shall manage the internal business affairs of the church, acting as trustees. Operation. The AB is authorized to appoint teams or committees as necessary to accomplish the mission of the church, with all such groups operating under the supervision of the AB and Lead Pastor. Advisory. The AB shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Pastor in all matters pertaining to the spiritual life of the church. Review. The AB shall recommend individuals to pursue partnership, review partnership applications, make decisions regarding the reception of qualified applicants into church Partnership, and oversee the removal of Partners from the Partnership roster as needed. Deacon. Individual AB Members, with the exception of the Pastor, may also be referred to as deacons and shall bear the responsibility of aiding the church and its leadership in the manner and spirit described in Acts 6:2–6. Conflicts of Interest: AB Members shall not be members of the paid pastoral staff. However, consideration may be given to credentialed Assemblies of God ministers who are also Partners of the church and not paid staff. AB Member’s term of service shall not overlap that of any relative (by blood, marriage, or adoption) serving on the AB or church staff. ARTICLE VI. FINANCES Whereas the Scriptures clearly state “the workman is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7; I Timothy 5:18), the church shall accept the responsibility of faithfully supporting its ministries with their tithes and offerings. An equitable financial arrangement for the Pastor shall be reached at the time of appointment, and reviewed annually under the supervision of the Superintendent/Network Pastor, Network Secretary-Treasurer or their designated agent. The church shall endeavor to support various missionaries and projects approved by the RMMN and AGUSA World and US Missions departments. The Pastor shall call a meeting of the church at least once a year, and he/she or someone instructed by him/her, shall give a financial report. All church funds shall be properly accounted for in the local church financial records. The Provisional Bylaws shall be made available to the congregation at this annual meeting. The Pastor shall ensure that financial reports are submitted according to RMMN requirements. The church shall abide by a financial plan. The OCB shall approve the financial plan and any revisions. The purchase or sale of property as well as any indebtedness shall be brought to the RMMN for their consideration and approval. ARTICLE VII. DISCIPLINE When general dissatisfaction arises in the church, a business meeting may be called by the Superintendent/Network Pastor. Discipline of partners shall be the responsibility of the Lead Pastor and Sectional Presbyter under the direction of the OCB. The partner has the right of appeal to the Network Executive Presbytery. If at any time the Pastor wishes to leave the church, he/she shall resign to the OCB. In the event a pastor has serious charges preferred against him/her, or his/her ministry ceases to be effective, the Network Presbytery may terminate his/her appointment. ARTICLE VIII. SUPERVISION This church shall function under the authority of the RMMN Presbytery Board. Direct supervision shall be carried out by the Superintendent/Network Pastor, Network Secretary-Treasurer or their designated agent. Construction or remodeling of church facilities shall be under the supervision of the RMMN. ARTICLE IX. PROPERTIES All properties shall be secured to The RMMN. ARTICLE X. DEFINITIONS AND OBJECTIVES Section 1. Definitions General Council Affiliated Church. A General Council affiliated church is a fully autonomous congregation within the AGUSA that meets the requirements for self-governance under the AGUSA Constitution and Bylaws. Such a church governs its own affairs—including pastoral selection, property ownership, and ministry decisions—while remaining accountable to the broader Fellowship for doctrinal unity and cooperative mission. To qualify, a congregation must maintain at least twenty voting members, a credentialed lead pastor, a demonstrated record of self-sustaining ministry, and faithful adherence to AG doctrine and polity. District Affiliated Church. A District affiliated church is a congregation that has not yet attained full self-governance and therefore remains under the oversight and care of the RMMN. It is typically led by a pastor appointed or approved by the RMMN, often assisted by a provisional advisory board, with key matters—such as pastoral placement, property transactions, major expenditures, and affiliation changes—subject to District approval. This status is generally transitional, providing support to newer or developing congregations as they grow toward the qualifications for General Council affiliation. Section 2. Objectives The Pastor, with the help of the AB, will develop the church to a place of maturity where it may be organized into a General Council affiliated church. ARTICLE XI. REPRESENTATION The church has the privilege of sending one accredited delegate to the RMMN Council and sectional elections.

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 11, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Worship Team Member
Overview Worship team members help create meaningful worship moments at select services and events using their musical gifts alongside others. You're a Good Fit If… You have solid musical skill on your instrument or voice (see Musical Qualifications below) You're a team player who blends well with others You're growing in your own walk with Jesus and want worship to flow from that You're reliable — quick to respond, prepared, and on time Time Commitment About 2–3 hours on your assigned Sunday (arrival, rehearsal, service) personal practice during the week. Commitment is by semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Musical Qualifications Instrumentalists: Can keep your instrument in tune, play in multiple keys, keep time, and blend well with others on the team. Vocalists: Can sing on pitch, harmonize, keep rhythm, listen well, and blend with others on the team. Responsibilities Respond: Reply to volunteer requests quickly in the Worship Tools Planning app. Song Prep: Practice your assigned songs—know the lyrics, keys, and arrangements. Rehearse on your own and with the team. Spiritual Prep: Stay connected to Christ and keep growing in your faith, so you can lead from a place of genuine devotion. Cooperate: Work well with fellow musicians, singers, and techs. Respect and support each other. What Success Looks Like The team sounds unified The congregation is drawn into worship Jesus — not the music — is the main thing. You show up prepared, present, and ready to serve. Equipment Needed Smartphone, tablet, or computer Worship Tools Planning app Worship Tools Charts app (Optional) Your instrument Ministry Alignments For those involved in worship ministry at Belay, we ask for strong and substantial agreement in seven key areas. Please read about them here:alignment

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 11, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Ministry Alignments
Our Aim For those involved in ministry at Belay, we aim for strong and substantial agreement in seven key areas. These areas of alignment exist to protect our unity, maintain biblical integrity, and ensure a healthy ministry culture at Belay. I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought (1 Cor. 1:10, NIV). 1. Belief Alignment We affirm and uphold ten core doctrines of the Christian faith as revealed in Holy Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16–17):10 Essential Topics 2. Mission Alignment We align with Belay's Vision, Mission, and Values (Habakkuk 2:2):Vision, Mission, & Values 3. Lifestyle Alignment We commit to living in a way (both in person and online) that reflects our relationship with Christ. Our lives are marked by the following qualities that spell out LIFESTYLE: Love. We reflect Christ's love with compassion, grace, and respect for everyone — refraining from gossip, slander, profanity, and divisive language (John 13:34–35; Ephesians 4:29–32). Integrity. We live lives of consistent, humble integrity that are above reproach (1 Timothy 6:11–16). Faithfulness. We're faithful to attend weekend worship and committed to life together as a Belay family. (Hebrews 10:19–25; Acts 2:42). Eagerness to Learn. We're humble and teachable, open to correction, and accountable to godly authority (Proverbs 12:1; James 4:6). Sexual Purity. We honor God with our bodies, saving sex for marriage, steer clear of pornography, don't live together before we're married, and dress modestly rather than provocatively. (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5; 1 Peter 3:3–4). Truth. We're rooted in God's Word and committed to biblical truth without compromise (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Yielded to Christ. As we yield to Christ, our speech, habits, relationships, and online presence are transformed. We refrain from gambling, tobacco, illegal or recreational drugs, and drunkenness, living as a new creation in Christ (Galatians 5:19–26; Ephesians 5:15–20). Learning Christ. We grow in our relationship with Jesus through a consistent, personal devotional life marked by various spiritual disciplines: prayer, worship, Bible reading, fasting, etc. (Luke 5:16; Psalm 1:1–3, Ephesians 4:17–24). Engaged in Mission. We live on mission (on belay) every day, because we have a deep desire to see people follow Jesus, and grow in their relationship with Him. (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 10:43–45). Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1–2, NIV). 4. Stance Alignment We hold the following stances: Human Identity. We believe that God creates each person with an immutable biological sex—male or female—that reflects the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26–27; Matthew 19:4). Marriage and Sexuality. We believe that God designed marriage to be a unique, covenantal relationship joining one man and one woman in a single, exclusive, lifelong union. We believe sexual intimacy is a good gift from God and is intended only within that union (1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Romans 1:24–27). Sanctity of Life. We believe that all human life is sacred and endowed by God with inherent dignity. Therefore, human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception to natural death (Psalm 139:13–16; Jeremiah 1:5). Women in Ministry. We believe God calls and equips both women and men to serve, lead, and teach in the church according to their gifts. We affirm an egalitarian view of church leadership, where women may serve in any role consistent with their calling and character (Galatians 3:28). 5. Culture Alignment We commit to creating a culture that protects our witness, strengthens our unity, and reflects Christ to those we serve. Our convictions include: Alcohol-Free Environments. To protect those who may struggle with addiction, we commit to fostering alcohol-free environments at all church-related gatherings and events. Even if it’s on our “own time,” we refrain from posting images or content on social media that depict the consumption or promotion of alcohol (Romans 14:13-15; Matthew 22:37-40). Racial Unity & Biblical Identity. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and share equal worth and dignity. Any ideology that elevates race or ethnicity above identity in Christ is contrary to Scripture (Colossians 3:11; Ephesians 2:14–18). Reconciliation & Forgiveness. When disagreements arise, we commit to working them out according to Jesus's teachings—going directly to the person, speaking with humility, and extending the same forgiveness we've received in Christ (Matthew 5:23–26; Matthew 18:15–35). 6. Role Alignment We understand that ministry roles are not permanent assignments and that occasional adjustments help us stay aligned with changing ministry needs. If leadership believes a role change would be best, they will communicate with transparency and grace about the transition (Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 4:11–13). Likewise, if we feel led to step away from a role or pursue something different, we simply reach out to leadership for a conversation, and they graciously release us to pursue our next step (1 Peter 4:10–11). 7. Accountability Alignment We remain open to ongoing development and feedback from Belay leadership. If questions or concerns arise regarding these alignments, we contact leadership for clarification and guidance. If we no longer have strong and substantial agreement with the above alignments, we work together with Belay leadership to prayerfully determine next steps. Furthermore, if Belay leadership has reason to believe we no longer walk in strong and substantial agreement with these alignments, they will reach out and work with us to prayerfully determine next steps.playbook

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 11, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Worship Team Leader
Overview Worship Team Leaders are responsible for organizing their team, selecting songs, and leading the musical portion of the service on their assigned Sundays. You're a Good Fit If… You're a capable musician who can clearly lead others in song You can plan ahead, communicate well, and rally a team You're rooted in your walk with Jesus and want to lead others into worship of Him You handle logistics without losing the heart of why we gather Time Commitment About 2-3 hours on your assigned Sunday (arrival, rehearsal, service, teardown), 2–3 hours of prep during the week (team communication, song selection, personal practice). Commitment is by semester (Fall, Spring, Summer). Responsibilities In addition to the responsibilities of a Worship Team Member, the Worship Leader also has the following responsibilities: Pre-Service Build your team (vocals, instruments, percussion, etc.) Choose your songs (see song selection below) Post your set by Saturday 9am If you need sheet music printed, request by Saturday 9am (but try and get it printed on your own) Day of Service Arrive at or before Sunday 9am to give room for setup, rehearsal, and prayer. End rehearsal and setup before 9:35am. Pray with your team. Lead the singing (you should be the clear leader) Keep worship to 20-25 minutes (usually 4-5 songs) Post-Service Ensure all equipment and cords are put away (others can and may help, but it’s you and your team’s responsibility) Song Selection The most important things about song selection are: Biblically sound. Is the song Biblically and theologically true? Singable. Is it in a key people can sing? Is the melody easy to follow? Understandable. Is the song overly poetic to the point that it’s hard to follow? If so, does it need to be briefly explained before it’s sung? If the songs meet the above criteria, and you’re allowing the Spirit lead you as you select, then go for it. Optionally, you can also align the songs with the message being preached, or with the corresponding weekly anchor: 1st Sunday: Belong 2nd Sunday: Believe 3rd Sunday: Become 4th Sunday: Belay What Success Looks Like The team feels led, prepared, and cared for Transitions between songs are smooth and unhurried The congregation is drawn into genuine worship — not just singing along Jesus, not the music or the musicians, is the main thing Setup and teardown happen smoothly Equipment Needed See equipment needed of a Worship Team Member. General Information Use Worship Tools Planning for organizing your teams and songs Basic items (stands, mics, etc) will be setup, but be prepared to rearrange or add additional cords, stands, etc. If you can't lead on your scheduled day, try switching with one of the worship leaders Do not ask anyone to lead who is not a Worship Team Leader. Ministry Alignments For those involved in worship ministry at Belay, we ask for strong and substantial agreement in seven key areas. Please read about them here:alignment

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 10, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Pre-Sermon
The host's responsibility during the pre-sermon moment of the worship service is to help transition from the break time to making a few announcements, and then praying for the speaker before they preach. Getting Ready As the countdown timer concludes, the screen will count from ten to zero, and then present an "Announcements" screen. Be up front before this happens, and use the microphone to call people back to their seats. Generally speaking, there are 3 elements to this Pre-Sermon point of the service: 1. Welcome Back Welcome everyone back by saying something like: "Welcome back everyone, please take a seat." "Let's come on back everyone, it's time to get started." "It's so great seeing everyone have such a great time talking! Let's come on back and get started." 2. Announcements When it comes to announcements, we want to keep it simple. Here are a few do's and don'ts: Don't: Give an information dump (resist providing every single detail: dates, times, locations, etc.). Do more than 3 announcements (any more than 3, and no one will remember any of it). Announce something that only affects a few (if only a couple people need to know ... they can be told in person). Do: Tell a story. Rather than giving every detail, tell a story related to the announcement. Remember: inspiration over information. Direct people to where they can go for details—which is usually the pair of feet in the bottom right-hand corner of our website. This is where next steps live. Announcement Examples: First Friday Feast: Our First Friday Feast is coming up! I remember the first time I joined, I wasn't sure what to bring, or if I should even invite anyone. I ended up just bringing a bag of chips and showing up on my own. I was amazed how good of a time I had! The food was amazing, and I had so many interesting conversations. I ended up inviting my co-worker to the next one, and I even brought a dessert I'd been wanting to try. You can get all the details for the next feast by going to our website and clicking the little pair of bare feet. Once there, you'll see a "Join Us for Dinner" button. Click that for the details. Alpha Course: Our next Alpha course starts in a few weeks! I was reluctant to attend my first time. I thought maybe it was for "really advanced Christians." Turns out, it's more about really good food, great conversation, and giving space to check Christianity out. The talks were amazing, and I'm looking forward to being part of it again. If you're interested, you know where to go. Find the little feet icon on our website, click "Try Alpha," and you'll get all the details for our next course. 3. Prayer for Speaker Pray for clarity, focus, spiritual power, and listener reception. Your prayer might sound something like this: Heavenly Father, we lift up _____ as he (or she) prepares to open Your Word and teach us. I pray that You would grant him clarity of mind and holy boldness to speak Your truth to us in love. Protect his heart and mind from any distractions, fear of man, or discouragement of any kind. Prepare the soil of our hearts, too! Let Your Word take root and transform us, and lead us in how to apply what we hear today. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.host

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 10, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Midpoint | 1st Sunday
Belong Anchor The following is a sample Midpoint script for the service host for the 1st Sunday of the month (to emphasize our Belong Anchor). Sample Script (Direct) Please have a seat for a few moments … (Introduce) Today is the 1st Sunday of the month … (Emphasize) …and on the 1st Sunday, we like to emphasize our BELONG anchor. For us, the word BELONG means: We are a hospitable community that loves others as God loves us—full of grace and truth. We do a few things to highlight our Belong anchor. First, we receive the Lord's Supper together—which we'll do later in the service, just after the message from _________________. It’s a powerful reminder of God's love toward us, because He set the table with His own flesh and blood. Second, we like to mention our name tags! If you don’t have one yet, you’re welcome to make one for yourself. We have blank tags and markers ... Third, we like to pray a blessing over everyone having a birthday this month. If your birthday is this month, would you raise your hand? It looks like we have quite a few! What day is your birthday? (asked of each one) Let's pray for each of those celebrating a birthday this month. (Prayer) Heavenly Father, we thank You for (mention each name if you’e able), and the unique gift they are to our church. As they celebrate another year, we ask for Your abundant blessings to rest on them. Guide their steps, fill their days with purpose, give them wisdom beyond their years, and strength for every challenge they face. Most of all, Lord, may they experience the grace and truth of Your unconditional love, both today and always. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. [No need to sing, as we’ll probably do that with cake after service] (Release) We're going to take a short break now. If you need a restroom, there's one in the hall to your left. There's also time to grab another cup of coffee and a snack if you'd like. We'll be back in a few minutes.Host

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

September 10, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Opening
The main responsibility on the host for the service opening is to help the congregation move into a time of corporate worship. They may have struggled to just show up at church! Maybe they’ve just spent a few minutes reconnecting with friends, getting a little breakfast, and perhaps they’re not quite present “in the moment” yet—but are instead thinking about everything “on their plate.” You have the opportunity to help them shift their focus from all of that — to a place of worship. As you plan what to say, please include these five elements: 1. Greet Start by greeting everyone with something like: “Good Morning, Belay!” or “Good Morning, Church!” or “Happy Sunday, everyone!” etc ... 2. Direct Let people know that we are going to worship through song together with something like: “Let’s stand as we prepare to worship together” or “Let’s stand and as we enter into a time of worshipping together” or “Let’s stand together” or “Let’s stand and focus our hearts and minds on what is true” etc ... 3. Lead In Share something uplifting with the group: a scripture, a song lyric, or a combination of both: Scripture “There's a passage I'd like to read as we begin ...” or “I want us to be reminded of these words from (Bible book name)” or “As we stand, I’d like us to be reminded of (Bible Passage)” Lyric “We're going to be singing (name of song), and I love this lyric that says ...” or “We’re singing one of my favorites today. My favorite lyric is ...” or “One of the lyrics we’ll be singing is _____, and here’s why that line is so meaningful to me...” etc. Combination “We're going to be signing a lyric in a few moments, and it reminds me of this Bible verse ...” “I love this line from (song name), because it’s taken directly from (Bible passage)” ... 4. Share Share why you selected the lyric or passage (or both). What encouraging thought does it prompt you to speak to the congregation? 5. Pray Pray a short prayer that connects to the encouragement you just gave. End your prayer with a clear, "In Jesus name, Amen." This “amen” will let the worship leader know you've completed the introduction and are handing over the service to them. Example (Greet) Good morning, Belay! (Direct) Let's stand … (Lead In) … and as we enter into our time of worship together, I want us to be reminded of these words from Peter. He says this in 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (Share) God has called us to be His people—and even more, His special possession. What a thought! Through the blood of Jesus, He bought us for Himself so that we would declare His praises. So let's do that together, shall we? Let’s begin with prayer. (Pray) Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us out of darkness and into Your light. Thank You for making us Your people, a royal priesthood, bought by the blood of Jesus. We didn't earn it, but You gave it freely. As we worship, let our voices and hearts proclaim Your excellencies. You alone are worthy. In Jesus' name, Amen.Host

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor