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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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
