Is it possible that the word “ecclesia" or "ekklesia” is used to identify individuals with a particular group who embrace a particular mission, but that the success of the mission is generally determined by what happens while the church is disassembled?
Please post your comments if this makes sense or if it doesn't share why.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A Plan That Works!
I’m tearing apart the ideology most common to my affiliated work. Our focus has been shifted to maintaining an organization instead of obeying the commands of Christ. I know this is going to blow some out of the water, but Jesus never said, “Go start churches.” Jesus never suggested the sinner’s prayer. He never invited someone to church for all we know. His words were/are clear, “Make disciples of all nations” or “Teach all nations.” Church buildings are not holy or sacred in the eyes of God-it is the body/life of the believer that is to be holy and set apart for God. Our mission has become too much about being a true church instead of being true followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ. Call it a play on words, I call it a mixed up mission!
My point is simple, the spiritual growth of a “church” is generally defined by how well all the members participate in the organization instead of how they live (7) seven days a week. Who cares if everyone brings a bible to church-do they read it when they are not on the church property? Who cares if they show up on Sunday night-are they spending quality/spiritual time with their families during the week? Who cares if Darrel knows how to pray publicly-does he pray in his closet? Who cares how big the church is-are the people lifting up holy (clean) hands to God? Who cares that Jim hasn’t missed a service his entire life-has he ever made a disciple?
Yes, the church is the byproduct of making disciples, but are we going about things the wrong way or even backwards? We need to redefine our priorities!
1. Salvation comes by someone putting their confidence completely in Jesus after hearing the gospel. It is a personal decision of the heart expressed by calling out to the Lord. John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13
2.Genuine faith initiates a desire to follow. John 10:27, James 2
3. Fellow disciples hold the responsibility of mentoring the ones embracing Christ by faith. Acts 9:19, 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Each person of faith is to be baptized for the sole purpose of obeying Christ and NOT to join a church. Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:13-17 (yes I know it’s a requisite to being in the body of a local church)
5. The first thing a new disciple should learn to do is to reproduce themselves by making new disciples. If this is not learned nothing else matters. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8
6. After one begins to reproduce themselves the process of learning varies in subjects ONE at a time beginning with loving God, then loving others, and everything that falls under those two categories such as prayer, giving, and good works pertaining to others. Matthew 22:37-40, James 2
7. Discipleship takes place through a variety of avenues like one on one mentorship, small group Bible studies/prayer groups, and yes even congregational worship meetings. All of which could take place at different locations (not purchased or set apart for worship).
If the above principles are used in dependence upon the Jesus who commissioned the “church” visible results of life change will be frequent! To make disciples is to add or even multiply to the body. A church that is not making disciples dies!
My point is simple, the spiritual growth of a “church” is generally defined by how well all the members participate in the organization instead of how they live (7) seven days a week. Who cares if everyone brings a bible to church-do they read it when they are not on the church property? Who cares if they show up on Sunday night-are they spending quality/spiritual time with their families during the week? Who cares if Darrel knows how to pray publicly-does he pray in his closet? Who cares how big the church is-are the people lifting up holy (clean) hands to God? Who cares that Jim hasn’t missed a service his entire life-has he ever made a disciple?
Yes, the church is the byproduct of making disciples, but are we going about things the wrong way or even backwards? We need to redefine our priorities!
1. Salvation comes by someone putting their confidence completely in Jesus after hearing the gospel. It is a personal decision of the heart expressed by calling out to the Lord. John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13
2.Genuine faith initiates a desire to follow. John 10:27, James 2
3. Fellow disciples hold the responsibility of mentoring the ones embracing Christ by faith. Acts 9:19, 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Each person of faith is to be baptized for the sole purpose of obeying Christ and NOT to join a church. Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:13-17 (yes I know it’s a requisite to being in the body of a local church)
5. The first thing a new disciple should learn to do is to reproduce themselves by making new disciples. If this is not learned nothing else matters. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8
6. After one begins to reproduce themselves the process of learning varies in subjects ONE at a time beginning with loving God, then loving others, and everything that falls under those two categories such as prayer, giving, and good works pertaining to others. Matthew 22:37-40, James 2
7. Discipleship takes place through a variety of avenues like one on one mentorship, small group Bible studies/prayer groups, and yes even congregational worship meetings. All of which could take place at different locations (not purchased or set apart for worship).
If the above principles are used in dependence upon the Jesus who commissioned the “church” visible results of life change will be frequent! To make disciples is to add or even multiply to the body. A church that is not making disciples dies!
I am changing!
My desire is to become more like Jesus every second of every day. I am far from arriving and won't completely until He appears at His return, but I'm trying. I John 3:2-3 makes clear that Jesus is pure, but we must continually purify ourselves like Him. This is the difference in us and Him-He is perfectly pure and we are not. I don't need anyone to tell me I'm not perfectly pure (i get it), but I am changing!
God is helping me...
1. Become a better husband and father
2. Become a better pastor and leader
3. Become a better witness
4. Become more passionate about Him and His work in general
5. Become a better listener
6. Become less judgmental
7. Become more merciful
8. Become willing to admit my faults
9. Become more understanding and tolerant
10. Become more willing to please Him than anyone else
11. Be patient
12. Be kind
13. Be a peacemaker
The areas I really need to work on are...
1. How I come across in conversations and being misunderstood
2. My attitude toward good people doing nothing for God
3. Humility especially at home and around my extended family
4. Using words that might not be wrong or all that bad, but portray a negative attitude Example: "Look at that ugly car." or "What's wrong with that idiot?"
5. Spending quality time with my kids
6. Picking up after myself for my wife's sake
7. Reading my bible more
8. Spending more time in prayer
9. Having a balanced ministry in my current church setting
10. Not allowing preconceived positions I hold to keep me from seeing from other points of view
11. Becoming a better communicator
12. Teaching less for more
13. Choosing my battles
14. Living at peace with everyone-Romans 12:18
15. For some reason I don't get along with a lot of pastors and preachers. I commonly say, "I don't like preachers."
Lord, help me to keep changing!
God is helping me...
1. Become a better husband and father
2. Become a better pastor and leader
3. Become a better witness
4. Become more passionate about Him and His work in general
5. Become a better listener
6. Become less judgmental
7. Become more merciful
8. Become willing to admit my faults
9. Become more understanding and tolerant
10. Become more willing to please Him than anyone else
11. Be patient
12. Be kind
13. Be a peacemaker
The areas I really need to work on are...
1. How I come across in conversations and being misunderstood
2. My attitude toward good people doing nothing for God
3. Humility especially at home and around my extended family
4. Using words that might not be wrong or all that bad, but portray a negative attitude Example: "Look at that ugly car." or "What's wrong with that idiot?"
5. Spending quality time with my kids
6. Picking up after myself for my wife's sake
7. Reading my bible more
8. Spending more time in prayer
9. Having a balanced ministry in my current church setting
10. Not allowing preconceived positions I hold to keep me from seeing from other points of view
11. Becoming a better communicator
12. Teaching less for more
13. Choosing my battles
14. Living at peace with everyone-Romans 12:18
15. For some reason I don't get along with a lot of pastors and preachers. I commonly say, "I don't like preachers."
Lord, help me to keep changing!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Crossing All Racial Boundries!
Eunice and Chris were saved tonight in their home. Mercedes was saved two weeks ago during Sunday night live and God blessed me with the opportunity to lead her mother and brother to the Lord tonight. When they get baptized it will be the second black family I have baptized at TBC. Thank you Jesus!
The Refuge
If I were to start a church today and probably will later, I would/will call it The Refuge. I have thought about this a lot and think it's the perfect name. A church is made up of saved baptized believers who encourage one another to live for Jesus-who is our REFUGE-therefore with Jesus as our Refuge and believers commanded to meet together to encourage/exhort one another what better name! Also, it is a name that calls to the unbeliever to come and find refuge in Christ.A church is a place where sinners come together to learn how to live a better way. No one is perfect, but needs guidance. I can hear it now... "What church do you go to? Dude, I go to Refuge, its awesome, you ought to come and check it out! Everyone is normal, even the pastor, and there aren't a bunch of people staring at you because you aren't dressed like them."
If your church isn't open to sinners then you better leave!
Is your church a place of Refuge?
Monday, November 26, 2007
Great Thoughts On CPM's (Church Planting Movements)
The following post was written by church planter David Watson...
God began to teach me through many failures that I had to focus on making Disciples of Christ, not followers of my church or denomination, and teach them to obey all the commands of Jesus, not my church/denominational doctrines or traditions. And this is what led to the breakthrough that has resulted in more than 40,000 churches among a people who were once considered unreachable.
Many people use the term “CPM” to describe or justify what they are doing. But, on closer examination, I find that many groups who use this term are simply applying it to what they have always done. CPM is not a method! It is an observation of results. In my experience, and this is what I teach, CPM is the result of obedience-based discipleship that sees disciples reproducing disciples, leaders reproducing leaders, and churches reproducing churches. If this is not happening, it is not CPM.
True CPM methodology is about being disciplined in education, training, and mentoring to obey all the commands of Jesus, regardless of consequences. The results are not quick. They only appear to be quick because of exponential growth. When one is truly engaged in the process that leads to observable CPM, then one is spending years investing in leaders. The typical investment timeline is two to four years. But, because of the replication process due to obedience to make disciples and teach them to obey, in this same two to four years, as many as five more leaders, who are also developing more leaders, will emerge. Each leader is investing two to four years in other leaders who invest two to four years in other leaders, and so on. The apparent result is explosive growth that does not seem to take much time and energy. But appearances are misleading.CPM is extremely time and energy intensive. Leaders invest a major portion of their time in equipping other leaders. Churches invest in starting more groups that will become churches as they obey the teachings of Christ and begin to fulfill the nature and functions of church, which means they teach others to do the same.
There were no visible or measureable results the first four years of my ministry among a very resistant unreached people group. My mission was ready to discipline me for failure to do my job. But during those years I was equipping five leaders. These five leaders began to equip twenty-five more leaders, who in turned equipped hundreds of other leaders.A few churches became more churches as leaders were equipped and trained to obey all the commands of Christ. More churches became hundreds of churches as the leadership equipping process continued. Every leader has years invested in him or her by other leaders. Nothing is quick. It only appears to be quick because more and more leaders are being produced in obedience to the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
So, CPM rapid multiplication really isn’t. We go slow in order to appear to go fast. We invest extensively in one in order to reach and train many. Our goal is to add at least two new leaders to our mentoring process each year, and equip the new leaders to do the same every year. As leaders multiply, churches grow and multiply.If you really want to have CPM anywhere in the world, invest in teaching, training and mentoring leaders to obey all the commands of Christ. If you want to evaluate a so-called CPM, examine the discipleship and leadership equipping process. Real and lasting CPMs invest heavily in leadership and training. CPM is a result, not a cause.
God began to teach me through many failures that I had to focus on making Disciples of Christ, not followers of my church or denomination, and teach them to obey all the commands of Jesus, not my church/denominational doctrines or traditions. And this is what led to the breakthrough that has resulted in more than 40,000 churches among a people who were once considered unreachable.
Many people use the term “CPM” to describe or justify what they are doing. But, on closer examination, I find that many groups who use this term are simply applying it to what they have always done. CPM is not a method! It is an observation of results. In my experience, and this is what I teach, CPM is the result of obedience-based discipleship that sees disciples reproducing disciples, leaders reproducing leaders, and churches reproducing churches. If this is not happening, it is not CPM.
True CPM methodology is about being disciplined in education, training, and mentoring to obey all the commands of Jesus, regardless of consequences. The results are not quick. They only appear to be quick because of exponential growth. When one is truly engaged in the process that leads to observable CPM, then one is spending years investing in leaders. The typical investment timeline is two to four years. But, because of the replication process due to obedience to make disciples and teach them to obey, in this same two to four years, as many as five more leaders, who are also developing more leaders, will emerge. Each leader is investing two to four years in other leaders who invest two to four years in other leaders, and so on. The apparent result is explosive growth that does not seem to take much time and energy. But appearances are misleading.CPM is extremely time and energy intensive. Leaders invest a major portion of their time in equipping other leaders. Churches invest in starting more groups that will become churches as they obey the teachings of Christ and begin to fulfill the nature and functions of church, which means they teach others to do the same.
There were no visible or measureable results the first four years of my ministry among a very resistant unreached people group. My mission was ready to discipline me for failure to do my job. But during those years I was equipping five leaders. These five leaders began to equip twenty-five more leaders, who in turned equipped hundreds of other leaders.A few churches became more churches as leaders were equipped and trained to obey all the commands of Christ. More churches became hundreds of churches as the leadership equipping process continued. Every leader has years invested in him or her by other leaders. Nothing is quick. It only appears to be quick because more and more leaders are being produced in obedience to the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
So, CPM rapid multiplication really isn’t. We go slow in order to appear to go fast. We invest extensively in one in order to reach and train many. Our goal is to add at least two new leaders to our mentoring process each year, and equip the new leaders to do the same every year. As leaders multiply, churches grow and multiply.If you really want to have CPM anywhere in the world, invest in teaching, training and mentoring leaders to obey all the commands of Christ. If you want to evaluate a so-called CPM, examine the discipleship and leadership equipping process. Real and lasting CPMs invest heavily in leadership and training. CPM is a result, not a cause.
C H A N G E
In the month of January we will be kicking off a new ministry called "CHANGE." It will be a monthly outreach to students in our area. Local churches that are ready for change are also invited to participate. The ministry will feature a band, drama, media, and relevant biblical messages to students. The current monthly youth meeting we participate in does not work to make disciples of the younger generation. WE NEED TO CHANGE!
The Purpose of "Real Life"
I call my blog “Real Life” because that is what I want to enjoy while on this globe. Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.” The best way to determine how to experience this kind of life in any particular circumstance is to ask the question, “What would Jesus Do?”
We need to ask this question as pastors, husbands, fathers, and church members, etc. Women need to ask this question as leaders, wives, mothers, and church members, etc. What Jesus would do in most cases is much different than the way we respond to life circumstances. The only way to know what Jesus would do is to study His life in the Gospels and draw close to him in a personal relationship in the here and now!
The things that I write on my blog are not to please a particular person or group of friends. The ones that know me personally know my heart and vision. I am my own person and desire to live in the perfect will of God. This is a struggle and very difficult at times, but it is what I am striving for. If I write something that encourages or challenges someone to live a “Real Life” in Christ, great! If not, maybe someone else will write something to help me to experience this very thing.
The following are things that constantly challenge me to be more like Jesus and not exclusively associated with a particular group...
1. The postmodern culture in which we live has believed the lie that there is no absolute truth. Overall people don’t read the Bible, but they conclude with such an ignorant position. The answer to this problem from many seems to be, “Well, just go to Hell then.”
2. The church of Satan meets regularly to pray for families and churches to be destroyed, and most Christian churches spend very little time praying for families and churches to succeed!
3. Over 150,000 people die every day and most of them go to Hell, who cares?
4. The ABA is caught up in traditionalism and cannot see beyond their model of what a church is supposed to look like.
5. There are churches that teach the right doctrine but don’t understand their light stopped shinning years ago.
6. Pastors and people who think their perspective is the only one that makes sense.
7. People that give name tags and cut you off because you question or challenge a certain way of thinking. In my opinion they are closely connected to the mentality of the Pharisees.
8. People that claim to be followers of Christ, but their attitude is far from the Spirit of Christ. Gal 5:22-23
9. On the other hand, some are so frustrated that they are willing to go with anything that comes along. They jump on a train and have no clue of the destination. A short time later they get on another train and go back to where they came from. Books and magazines shape their minds and mission instead of the word of God.
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Would he take a balanced approach to life and ministry based on Scripture? The more I study the scriptures the more I realize we have been taught to take certain positions that Jesus would not have taken. I write to challenge these positions.
How does the following passage apply to the mentality of the ABA and doctrinal statement number (1) one? Mark 9:38-41
How does the following passage apply to the fact that many churches are not reaching people because of their traditions? Matthew 15:1-9
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Keep It Real In Christ!
We need to ask this question as pastors, husbands, fathers, and church members, etc. Women need to ask this question as leaders, wives, mothers, and church members, etc. What Jesus would do in most cases is much different than the way we respond to life circumstances. The only way to know what Jesus would do is to study His life in the Gospels and draw close to him in a personal relationship in the here and now!
The things that I write on my blog are not to please a particular person or group of friends. The ones that know me personally know my heart and vision. I am my own person and desire to live in the perfect will of God. This is a struggle and very difficult at times, but it is what I am striving for. If I write something that encourages or challenges someone to live a “Real Life” in Christ, great! If not, maybe someone else will write something to help me to experience this very thing.
The following are things that constantly challenge me to be more like Jesus and not exclusively associated with a particular group...
1. The postmodern culture in which we live has believed the lie that there is no absolute truth. Overall people don’t read the Bible, but they conclude with such an ignorant position. The answer to this problem from many seems to be, “Well, just go to Hell then.”
2. The church of Satan meets regularly to pray for families and churches to be destroyed, and most Christian churches spend very little time praying for families and churches to succeed!
3. Over 150,000 people die every day and most of them go to Hell, who cares?
4. The ABA is caught up in traditionalism and cannot see beyond their model of what a church is supposed to look like.
5. There are churches that teach the right doctrine but don’t understand their light stopped shinning years ago.
6. Pastors and people who think their perspective is the only one that makes sense.
7. People that give name tags and cut you off because you question or challenge a certain way of thinking. In my opinion they are closely connected to the mentality of the Pharisees.
8. People that claim to be followers of Christ, but their attitude is far from the Spirit of Christ. Gal 5:22-23
9. On the other hand, some are so frustrated that they are willing to go with anything that comes along. They jump on a train and have no clue of the destination. A short time later they get on another train and go back to where they came from. Books and magazines shape their minds and mission instead of the word of God.
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? Would he take a balanced approach to life and ministry based on Scripture? The more I study the scriptures the more I realize we have been taught to take certain positions that Jesus would not have taken. I write to challenge these positions.
How does the following passage apply to the mentality of the ABA and doctrinal statement number (1) one? Mark 9:38-41
How does the following passage apply to the fact that many churches are not reaching people because of their traditions? Matthew 15:1-9
“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Keep It Real In Christ!
Monday Morning Download
- It’s cold, rainy, and sick season. I am the last in the family to get a sore throat and sinus cold.
- Last week we had a record attendance of 95 in Sunday School.
- Yesterday we had 70 in morning worship attendance. That was a little different, but services were good!
- Alison, a 12 year old girl we pick up on the van was saved!
- We kicked off the evening with a little hangout time at 5PM. Cathy surprised us with chicken and dumplings!
- Josh Stacy came and shared his burden for Ft. Myers, Lee County, Florida. He is looking for a sending church and our people seemed to be very interested! We will be taking the next steps in pursuing God in this great opportunity.
Christmas is just around the corner and my family is going skiing in New Mexico. We will finish up our trip in Chihuahua, Mexico with Margarita’s family. I am actually excited about going (this time)! - I need to make some phone calls and follow up visits that I have neglected lately.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
The Spirit of Christmas
Although I know Jesus wasn’t born on the date we celebrate His birth, I still enjoy the Christmas season! Some get technical then in turn become negative and miss out on all the excitement, but not me. I look at Christmas as a great time to teach my kids about our wonderful Savior. It’s a time to encourage people to go deeper in their walk with God. This Christmas I am challenging TBC to fall deeper in love with Jesus. The first message is titled, “The Spirit of Christmas.”
You can’t fall deeper in love with Jesus or really enjoy the Christmas season without the Spirit of Christmas! We use this phrase to talk about the attitude and atmosphere during the holiday season, but I’m talking about something much more exciting than that!
Text: Luke 1:26-35
-The Christmas Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God. The Christmas Spirit has been around for Eternity. The Christmas Spirit is part of the Trinity. This Spirit unquestionably points men to Jesus (the real meaning of Christmas). One of His man purposes is to convict sinners of their need for Jesus. This Christmas people’s lives will be changed because of the Spirit of Christmas. I John 5:7, John 15:26
-The Christmas Spirit showed up in the womb of Mary. Without the Spirit of Christmas Jesus would not have been born and our sins would not have been dealt with! Our majestic God supernaturally placed our majestic Jesus in the womb of Mary! Luke 1:35, 2 Peter 1:16
-The Christmas Spirit shows itself in the life of all believers. Through the words and actions of believers the Holy Spirit manifest fruits like LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. The Christmas Spirit is the opposite of the spirit of Scrooge. Galatians 5:22
-The Christmas Spirit has an opponent. The god of this world loves to impose on the Christmas season. He hates the Spirit of Christmas and everyone who enjoys the real meaning of Christmas. One day he himself will claim to be the Christ. Satan loves to distort and replace the true meaning of Christmas. 2 Thessalonians 2:4
Jesus is the reason for the season!
You can’t fall deeper in love with Jesus or really enjoy the Christmas season without the Spirit of Christmas! We use this phrase to talk about the attitude and atmosphere during the holiday season, but I’m talking about something much more exciting than that!
Text: Luke 1:26-35
-The Christmas Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God. The Christmas Spirit has been around for Eternity. The Christmas Spirit is part of the Trinity. This Spirit unquestionably points men to Jesus (the real meaning of Christmas). One of His man purposes is to convict sinners of their need for Jesus. This Christmas people’s lives will be changed because of the Spirit of Christmas. I John 5:7, John 15:26
-The Christmas Spirit showed up in the womb of Mary. Without the Spirit of Christmas Jesus would not have been born and our sins would not have been dealt with! Our majestic God supernaturally placed our majestic Jesus in the womb of Mary! Luke 1:35, 2 Peter 1:16
-The Christmas Spirit shows itself in the life of all believers. Through the words and actions of believers the Holy Spirit manifest fruits like LOVE, JOY, and PEACE. The Christmas Spirit is the opposite of the spirit of Scrooge. Galatians 5:22
-The Christmas Spirit has an opponent. The god of this world loves to impose on the Christmas season. He hates the Spirit of Christmas and everyone who enjoys the real meaning of Christmas. One day he himself will claim to be the Christ. Satan loves to distort and replace the true meaning of Christmas. 2 Thessalonians 2:4
Jesus is the reason for the season!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
10 Questions Every Christian Should Be Able To Answer
I found this video that illustrates the mindset of the majority. They are questions that we should all be aware of and consistent when answering them. It is evident that Satan has been winning the battle to confuse people concerning miracles and all kinds of other teachings in the world of Christianity. The reason I post this video is for information purposes in order to reach the rational thinker.
BTW
I am also thankful that Mason and Chelsey were baptized Sunday! They are getting married in December as soldout followers of Christ!
Happy Thanksgiving!
To all the blog world-HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
My sister is in from Alaska and we are having dinner in Little Rock at mom and dad's house. We are taking the four wheeler and going to have FUN FUN FUN (until it gets taken away by mom)! Can't wait to eat mom's green bean casarole.
"in every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." I Thess. 5:18
I don't know what I would do without my Savior, Margarita, Daniel, Anna, Mom and Dad, Leslie, Scotty, Justin, and all the rest of the family! I am so thankful for all of them and the great church that God has allowed me to be a part of.
My sister is in from Alaska and we are having dinner in Little Rock at mom and dad's house. We are taking the four wheeler and going to have FUN FUN FUN (until it gets taken away by mom)! Can't wait to eat mom's green bean casarole.
"in every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." I Thess. 5:18
I don't know what I would do without my Savior, Margarita, Daniel, Anna, Mom and Dad, Leslie, Scotty, Justin, and all the rest of the family! I am so thankful for all of them and the great church that God has allowed me to be a part of.
Trained Minds
Is your mind trained to look at something from a certain perspective? Does it automatically travel in a certain direction depending on the issue? Is it trained in such a way that you might not be able to see from another angle? How long have you viewed things the same way? Is there another way? Is there truth and reason in the other way? Could there be truth and reason on both sides?
The people we assoicate with has much to do with the direction and perspective of our minds. We join groups because we like the friendship and the overall ideology, atmosphere, and attitude of that particular group. Before long we find ourserlves adopting everything about the group and denying the right to think for ourselves. The longer we are a part of a certain group the more difficult it becomes to seperate ourselves from certain things about the group. Eventually its hard to make your own decisions because the group might not like what you say or do and then, well, its just to much trouble to be different.
Is it ok to be different? Is it ok to think for yourself? Can you still be a part of the group without being attacked because you might not agree with every thing about the group?
One of the most dangerous things we face with the younger generation is establishing new precedents and traditions and calling them, "THE ONLY WAY." I personally want to be very careful about being dogmatic and sure about things that are not fundamental issues in the scriptures. Otherwise I will cause the same problems I see now for future generations.
When it comes to ministry and reaching people if you are leading poeple to Christ and they are following Christ, living by faith, learning to keep His commands, and the fundamentals of the Christian Faith then you are doing your job. What ever method or style you choose if it works I don't have problem with it. There is more than one way to do things!
The people we assoicate with has much to do with the direction and perspective of our minds. We join groups because we like the friendship and the overall ideology, atmosphere, and attitude of that particular group. Before long we find ourserlves adopting everything about the group and denying the right to think for ourselves. The longer we are a part of a certain group the more difficult it becomes to seperate ourselves from certain things about the group. Eventually its hard to make your own decisions because the group might not like what you say or do and then, well, its just to much trouble to be different.
Is it ok to be different? Is it ok to think for yourself? Can you still be a part of the group without being attacked because you might not agree with every thing about the group?
One of the most dangerous things we face with the younger generation is establishing new precedents and traditions and calling them, "THE ONLY WAY." I personally want to be very careful about being dogmatic and sure about things that are not fundamental issues in the scriptures. Otherwise I will cause the same problems I see now for future generations.
When it comes to ministry and reaching people if you are leading poeple to Christ and they are following Christ, living by faith, learning to keep His commands, and the fundamentals of the Christian Faith then you are doing your job. What ever method or style you choose if it works I don't have problem with it. There is more than one way to do things!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Go Make Disciples
James makes clear that godly works prove a genuine faith. A person that says "I have faith" but does not have fruits of righteousness to follow is still in darkness with the wrong kind of faith. Faith without works is dead! (James 2)
In my last post I mentioned the ABC and ABCD versions (plan of salvation) to make the point that salvation is not about saying a little pray to make you feel better about yourself. To be clear I do not present either one of the two versions when sharing the gospel. My concern is that we leave people thinking they can pray a little prayer and thats it (have a good day-see you later). Would Jesus tell someone to pray a prayer and not take the time after they did to tell them what's next? Do we spend 3 minutes with people and think we have fulfilled the commission? I know there are times when we don't have time to go any further with someone, but we need to be conscious not to give people the wrong idea. In Acts people who believed immediatly followed and were baptized. Not baptized to complete their salvation, but because they understood by the preaching, it was about a commitment to Christ. Look at the message Peter preached in (Acts 2:38).
I believe that there are saved people who were never discipled living in the world that will be in Heaven for eternity. However I am very concerned that many have been given a simple rehersed presentation of the gospel, forced to pray a little prayer, but they will spend eternity in Hell because they believed in vain. (I Cor 15 1-2)
Genuine faith is embracing Jesus as God and the only means to save our sin sick souls from such a wicked condition. Repentance is so connected to faith that when one puts their confidence (trust) in Jesus for salvation it is only because they have changed their mind, and as urged by the Holy Spirit desire to surrender their life to the Lord. (Luke 13:3)
Let's make followers of Christ! Isn't that the commission? Matthew 28:18-20
"Go make disciples"
In my last post I mentioned the ABC and ABCD versions (plan of salvation) to make the point that salvation is not about saying a little pray to make you feel better about yourself. To be clear I do not present either one of the two versions when sharing the gospel. My concern is that we leave people thinking they can pray a little prayer and thats it (have a good day-see you later). Would Jesus tell someone to pray a prayer and not take the time after they did to tell them what's next? Do we spend 3 minutes with people and think we have fulfilled the commission? I know there are times when we don't have time to go any further with someone, but we need to be conscious not to give people the wrong idea. In Acts people who believed immediatly followed and were baptized. Not baptized to complete their salvation, but because they understood by the preaching, it was about a commitment to Christ. Look at the message Peter preached in (Acts 2:38).
I believe that there are saved people who were never discipled living in the world that will be in Heaven for eternity. However I am very concerned that many have been given a simple rehersed presentation of the gospel, forced to pray a little prayer, but they will spend eternity in Hell because they believed in vain. (I Cor 15 1-2)
Genuine faith is embracing Jesus as God and the only means to save our sin sick souls from such a wicked condition. Repentance is so connected to faith that when one puts their confidence (trust) in Jesus for salvation it is only because they have changed their mind, and as urged by the Holy Spirit desire to surrender their life to the Lord. (Luke 13:3)
Let's make followers of Christ! Isn't that the commission? Matthew 28:18-20
"Go make disciples"
Sunday, November 18, 2007
THE GOSPEL STILL WORKS!
If you have a problem with growing churches (church growth mentality) you might not want to read this post!
There are great churches in the ABA, but there are also dead churches in the ABA. Some guys argue that their church is doing just fine the way they are. My question is, "If that is the case, what do you preach about?" Oh, I forgot "contend for the faith, Jesus is coming soon, the world is going to Hell but we are safe."
The fact of the matter is my church isn't doing just fine. We need to be doing more! We are certainly not the ideal church, but we want to become one. We are to be salt and light in this dark world.
There is no excuse for why churches are closing their doors. Its not that they don't have the right leaders, because its not about men. It's not about me and its not about you. For anyone that wants to call me "Mr. Holier than Thou", allow me to help you. I am a NOBODY. I don't want to be anybody. I don't say, "hey look what I'm doing." I'm not perfect, thats right, I sin all the time. I am a rotten dirty sinner that got saved by Jesus who is convicted by the Holy Spirit about reaching this lost world!
People are not getting saved in Bald Knob because of me. We preach a message that is provisionally universal, vicarious in nature, and must be applied to the wicked heart of man. We preach that Jesus died for all men everywhere, but you must "GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS" not just pray a little prayer in vain. We preach the ABCD version not the ABC version.
A-ADMIT you are a sinner
B-BELIEVE (trust) in the Lord Jesus
C-CONFESS with your mouth-call on Jesus
D-Become a DISCIPLE of Christ-Jesus called men to follow!
I have a problem! My problem is when men make excuses for why people are not being saved and why their churches are not growing in numbers. Numbers are real people, and every person that dies without Jesus really does go to Hell. Its not about whose got the biggest church-its about those precious souls who are lost without a shepherd. The fact is every church that is obeying the great commission should be reaching new people all the time. If door knocking doesn't seem to work, do that and something else!!!! How about motivating your church to reach their friends and neighbors and take advantage of using special services throughout the year to do so! Train your people to reach the lost and stop trying to do it yourself. In the last few weeks here at BK it has been church members that have brought their friends or have led them to the Lord in their places of employment. Again, its not about me!
I was accused by a pastor recently who said I have a problem. My problem seems to be what I believe. I am a heretic for the following reasons (this list wont be 21 statements long).
1. I believe the same Holy Spirit still works to change lives today. God is still on the throne in 2007! The gospel still works! Jesus saves!
2. Lost people are interested in the gospel and are searching for truth. They are being saved and discipled all over the world!
3. Churches can grow without compromising the truth!
4. Churches have become cold, comfortable, pridful, and seemingly uninterested in seeing lost people saved. Their traditions have caused them to have a form of godliness without experiencing the power of godliness. They deny there is such power today!
5. Churches can practice discipline and still grow in number. We have recently removed a deacon from our church for unfaithfulness. We took action in love and restored a young lady who had a baby out of wedlock this past year.
6. Numbers are important because numbers represent real people! Its not about pride or having a big church, but about people experiening the wonderful works of God.
Read the following with a squeaky voice holding your nose to get it the way i'm writing it.
"You have a problem. You care about lost people. That means you think you are somebody. Only time will tell about your kind."
Give me a break!
There are great churches in the ABA, but there are also dead churches in the ABA. Some guys argue that their church is doing just fine the way they are. My question is, "If that is the case, what do you preach about?" Oh, I forgot "contend for the faith, Jesus is coming soon, the world is going to Hell but we are safe."
The fact of the matter is my church isn't doing just fine. We need to be doing more! We are certainly not the ideal church, but we want to become one. We are to be salt and light in this dark world.
There is no excuse for why churches are closing their doors. Its not that they don't have the right leaders, because its not about men. It's not about me and its not about you. For anyone that wants to call me "Mr. Holier than Thou", allow me to help you. I am a NOBODY. I don't want to be anybody. I don't say, "hey look what I'm doing." I'm not perfect, thats right, I sin all the time. I am a rotten dirty sinner that got saved by Jesus who is convicted by the Holy Spirit about reaching this lost world!
People are not getting saved in Bald Knob because of me. We preach a message that is provisionally universal, vicarious in nature, and must be applied to the wicked heart of man. We preach that Jesus died for all men everywhere, but you must "GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS" not just pray a little prayer in vain. We preach the ABCD version not the ABC version.
A-ADMIT you are a sinner
B-BELIEVE (trust) in the Lord Jesus
C-CONFESS with your mouth-call on Jesus
D-Become a DISCIPLE of Christ-Jesus called men to follow!
I have a problem! My problem is when men make excuses for why people are not being saved and why their churches are not growing in numbers. Numbers are real people, and every person that dies without Jesus really does go to Hell. Its not about whose got the biggest church-its about those precious souls who are lost without a shepherd. The fact is every church that is obeying the great commission should be reaching new people all the time. If door knocking doesn't seem to work, do that and something else!!!! How about motivating your church to reach their friends and neighbors and take advantage of using special services throughout the year to do so! Train your people to reach the lost and stop trying to do it yourself. In the last few weeks here at BK it has been church members that have brought their friends or have led them to the Lord in their places of employment. Again, its not about me!
I was accused by a pastor recently who said I have a problem. My problem seems to be what I believe. I am a heretic for the following reasons (this list wont be 21 statements long).
1. I believe the same Holy Spirit still works to change lives today. God is still on the throne in 2007! The gospel still works! Jesus saves!
2. Lost people are interested in the gospel and are searching for truth. They are being saved and discipled all over the world!
3. Churches can grow without compromising the truth!
4. Churches have become cold, comfortable, pridful, and seemingly uninterested in seeing lost people saved. Their traditions have caused them to have a form of godliness without experiencing the power of godliness. They deny there is such power today!
5. Churches can practice discipline and still grow in number. We have recently removed a deacon from our church for unfaithfulness. We took action in love and restored a young lady who had a baby out of wedlock this past year.
6. Numbers are important because numbers represent real people! Its not about pride or having a big church, but about people experiening the wonderful works of God.
Read the following with a squeaky voice holding your nose to get it the way i'm writing it.
"You have a problem. You care about lost people. That means you think you are somebody. Only time will tell about your kind."
Give me a break!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Revolution
There are people that have a problem with the idea of a REVOLUTION in the ABA. Every meeting I go to indivuals stand up and say the most unbiblical junk I've ever heard, and it seems atleast half of those in attendance agree with what was said. I think to myself, "What is wrong with these people?" The crazy thing is that most of them claim to be men of God. We no doubt need a revolution in the churches of the ABA!
To have a problem with change is to suggest that God is pleased and everything is just fine and dandy. A small amount of time in prayer will lead one to understand the need for change! Are pastors and churches praying? Our churches have a form of godliness but are not experiencing the power of God.
To claim that it is the younger generation pushing change is a false premise. There are many older men that see these huge problems and desire to make changes to keep our churches from taking their last breath. Instead of attacking the younger generation you might look at the ages of some of the kings that were placed in power by God. Look at the references to Saul after he became older and arogant with pride compared to his younger days. How old was David when God annointed Him? Young people have a tendancy to trust God more than knowledge they have obtained over a long period of time. Human knowledge and common sense is not what God is looking for. He is looking for humility and faith. Its time we start listening to God instead of other voices and even our heritage!
NO ONE IS SUGGESTING CHANGING ANYTHING ABOUT THE BIBLE SO DONT MAKE THAT THE ISSUE!
To have a problem with change is to suggest that God is pleased and everything is just fine and dandy. A small amount of time in prayer will lead one to understand the need for change! Are pastors and churches praying? Our churches have a form of godliness but are not experiencing the power of God.
To claim that it is the younger generation pushing change is a false premise. There are many older men that see these huge problems and desire to make changes to keep our churches from taking their last breath. Instead of attacking the younger generation you might look at the ages of some of the kings that were placed in power by God. Look at the references to Saul after he became older and arogant with pride compared to his younger days. How old was David when God annointed Him? Young people have a tendancy to trust God more than knowledge they have obtained over a long period of time. Human knowledge and common sense is not what God is looking for. He is looking for humility and faith. Its time we start listening to God instead of other voices and even our heritage!
NO ONE IS SUGGESTING CHANGING ANYTHING ABOUT THE BIBLE SO DONT MAKE THAT THE ISSUE!
Culturally Relevant
The following is an attempt to address an ignorant understanding of being culturally relevant in a dialog I had on a recent forum.
There are several words or statements you used that may have been directed toward me so I am going to attempt to make sure you understand correctly what has been said.
You said: 1. "I hear a lot of talk about being relevant."
You wrote this statement as if it is a bad thing to be relevant. You write as if being relevant means not preaching the Bible. This is an ignorant understanding of what it means to be relevant. One def. of "relevant": having significant and demonstrable bearing on facts or issues To me to be relevant in the context of church and preaching means to preach the Bible and make the right application to the ones listening. I preach through books of the Bible usually, therefore being relevant to the audience is very important. If I have children or teenagers in the audience and I never make an application or address their age group in my messages I am failing in meeting their needs. If you were chosen to speak to a group of senior citizens and you decided to preach on "Sexual Abstinence" besides being stupid it would be irrelevant! We need to make proper application to particular audiences. If you were to preach "all things work together for good...(you know the verse)" and not break down "ALL" into different areas and issues you would be very general and miss the opportunity to meet relevant needs in your congregation. We need to be relevant in our preaching!
You said: 2. "bend the Word to culture"
I never said anything about bending the Word to a particular culture. I believe the Bible was written and is applicable to every culuture. However there are things that change in different cultures that we must understand and adapt to. There are different tools that can be used for ministry depending on the culture. For example-How many pastors had cell phones 50 years ago? How many churches had vans 100 years ago? How many churches had pianos and organs 1500years ago? We better get some harps and get rid of some stuff in our churches if we are not going to use anything not mentioned in the Bible.Is it wrong to use electricity? Is it wrong to have heating and air? Is it wrong to use media equipment like projectors and microphones? Is it wrong to have a kitchen? Is it wrong to have toys in the nursury? What kind of toys should we have in the nursury? Should we get rid of electronic toys and go back to marbles? What should the dress code be? Would Jesus wear a suit and tie? (NO, but the pharisees did!) Should we use guitars or pianos? What about language? Should we use Old English in our preaching or modern terminology? I can hear it now, "Thou shouldest not forget to take thy Son with thee tomorrow." If you go to Mexico and preach in English without an interpreter you are not being culturally relevant! All of these kinds of things have to do with culture to name a few.
You said: 3. "Why do we need to change our preaching and methods?
"First, no one said we need to change our preaching of the truth. Second, if you think that the church at Jerusalem met at 9:45, had Sunday School, then opened with a prayer to begin the worship service, sang two songs (with a piano), had another prayer then received the offering, then sung two more songs (with a piano), had preaching, and ended at 12 noon, you have been brainwashed. This is a method used by many today, but it was not the method of the first church. There are many different times that could be chosen to meet, different locations/houses/buildings, different ways to arrange the order of a service, different instruments could be used in a service, and things could be added to or taken away if needed. Sunday school could be used or home bible studies could take the place of Sunday School. Do you have to have a pulpit? Do you have to have a steeple? These are all examples of using different methods and preferences in the church. Your mold and order is not the only method or even the most effective. I cannot understand why some people do not get this stuff!!!! No one is talking about getting rid of preaching and the Bible. If you think changing the way we do church is the "falling away" I don't know what to tell you. I'm probably wasting my time.
You said: 4. "Hey, if you don't like the way we do things, we have free association, which means you are free to leave."
The association has a doctrinal statement not a list of rules and regulations, times, and methods churches must submit to in order to associate with the ABA. There are many churches in this association that use different methods, meet at different times, and still believe the 21 statements of faith (they could be shortened if some of them where lumped together and you want to add more?). This association is not based on "What we do" but what we believe!
LAST THING- I do not believe that all traditions are bad. However when a tradition (if not founded in scripture by example) becomes the only way to do something and you insist on this tradition that may be out of date-you have not fallen away but you do fall into the category of teaching the doctrines of men as the doctrines of God. Be careful!
There are several words or statements you used that may have been directed toward me so I am going to attempt to make sure you understand correctly what has been said.
You said: 1. "I hear a lot of talk about being relevant."
You wrote this statement as if it is a bad thing to be relevant. You write as if being relevant means not preaching the Bible. This is an ignorant understanding of what it means to be relevant. One def. of "relevant": having significant and demonstrable bearing on facts or issues To me to be relevant in the context of church and preaching means to preach the Bible and make the right application to the ones listening. I preach through books of the Bible usually, therefore being relevant to the audience is very important. If I have children or teenagers in the audience and I never make an application or address their age group in my messages I am failing in meeting their needs. If you were chosen to speak to a group of senior citizens and you decided to preach on "Sexual Abstinence" besides being stupid it would be irrelevant! We need to make proper application to particular audiences. If you were to preach "all things work together for good...(you know the verse)" and not break down "ALL" into different areas and issues you would be very general and miss the opportunity to meet relevant needs in your congregation. We need to be relevant in our preaching!
You said: 2. "bend the Word to culture"
I never said anything about bending the Word to a particular culture. I believe the Bible was written and is applicable to every culuture. However there are things that change in different cultures that we must understand and adapt to. There are different tools that can be used for ministry depending on the culture. For example-How many pastors had cell phones 50 years ago? How many churches had vans 100 years ago? How many churches had pianos and organs 1500years ago? We better get some harps and get rid of some stuff in our churches if we are not going to use anything not mentioned in the Bible.Is it wrong to use electricity? Is it wrong to have heating and air? Is it wrong to use media equipment like projectors and microphones? Is it wrong to have a kitchen? Is it wrong to have toys in the nursury? What kind of toys should we have in the nursury? Should we get rid of electronic toys and go back to marbles? What should the dress code be? Would Jesus wear a suit and tie? (NO, but the pharisees did!) Should we use guitars or pianos? What about language? Should we use Old English in our preaching or modern terminology? I can hear it now, "Thou shouldest not forget to take thy Son with thee tomorrow." If you go to Mexico and preach in English without an interpreter you are not being culturally relevant! All of these kinds of things have to do with culture to name a few.
You said: 3. "Why do we need to change our preaching and methods?
"First, no one said we need to change our preaching of the truth. Second, if you think that the church at Jerusalem met at 9:45, had Sunday School, then opened with a prayer to begin the worship service, sang two songs (with a piano), had another prayer then received the offering, then sung two more songs (with a piano), had preaching, and ended at 12 noon, you have been brainwashed. This is a method used by many today, but it was not the method of the first church. There are many different times that could be chosen to meet, different locations/houses/buildings, different ways to arrange the order of a service, different instruments could be used in a service, and things could be added to or taken away if needed. Sunday school could be used or home bible studies could take the place of Sunday School. Do you have to have a pulpit? Do you have to have a steeple? These are all examples of using different methods and preferences in the church. Your mold and order is not the only method or even the most effective. I cannot understand why some people do not get this stuff!!!! No one is talking about getting rid of preaching and the Bible. If you think changing the way we do church is the "falling away" I don't know what to tell you. I'm probably wasting my time.
You said: 4. "Hey, if you don't like the way we do things, we have free association, which means you are free to leave."
The association has a doctrinal statement not a list of rules and regulations, times, and methods churches must submit to in order to associate with the ABA. There are many churches in this association that use different methods, meet at different times, and still believe the 21 statements of faith (they could be shortened if some of them where lumped together and you want to add more?). This association is not based on "What we do" but what we believe!
LAST THING- I do not believe that all traditions are bad. However when a tradition (if not founded in scripture by example) becomes the only way to do something and you insist on this tradition that may be out of date-you have not fallen away but you do fall into the category of teaching the doctrines of men as the doctrines of God. Be careful!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Devotion
This morning I was reading Ps. 116 and really enjoyed it. One verse really caught my attention.
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." v.15
We look at death from a negative perspective most of the time. God looks at it much differently-I'll let the passage speak for itself.
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." v.15
We look at death from a negative perspective most of the time. God looks at it much differently-I'll let the passage speak for itself.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Special Evangelism Pools
The following list are special focus days coming to TBC in the next few months. Also included in the list are brief ideas that I have for those days.
Thanksgiving Praise- music, testimony, and message will be centered around thanksgiving.
Celebrating Christmas- duh
Second Coming Sunday- duh
Miracle Day- music, drama, and message will be centered around miracles Jesus performed and the application will be about the supernatural power that God has to change lives! Needed to clarify this one.
Creation Vs. Evolution- Athiest/Creationist debate, drama, and message will all be centered around the God of Creation.
Any other ideas?
Thanksgiving Praise- music, testimony, and message will be centered around thanksgiving.
Celebrating Christmas- duh
Second Coming Sunday- duh
Miracle Day- music, drama, and message will be centered around miracles Jesus performed and the application will be about the supernatural power that God has to change lives! Needed to clarify this one.
Creation Vs. Evolution- Athiest/Creationist debate, drama, and message will all be centered around the God of Creation.
Any other ideas?
2 More Names Written Down!
Mason and Chelsey were saved today! Mason has attended our church for a few weeks, and Chelsey came for the first time last Sunday. I wish I knew how to load an audio file on here so you could here a phone message from Chelsey before she got saved (i have the media file in my computer-going to use it for a special message before response time)!
While we were in Memphis taking care of immigration stuff-TBC was still functioning!!! Mason recently starting working with Tommy (recently surrendered to the ministry) and it was Tommy that helped them both close the deal.
I am pumped about what God is doing in our church. We have been praying for music leadership and Mason is amazing on the guitar. Our people won't mind the lip ring either! BTW- Mason was at our men's group tonight!
Pray for Dustin, Shana, Mason, and Chelsey to get baptized.
Monday, November 12, 2007
An Overview Of Last Night's Message
I Sam. 15 - God gave King Saul a specific command. He sent him on a "mission". He disobeyed the direct command, but for some reason claimed he was obedient. In his conversation with Samuel, he blamed the people for HIS sin as if he was not in charge. He lied about why they did not completely destroy everything (the command)-he said it was for God, but it was really for themselves. Proof it was all about him is in the fact that he established a monument of himself after defeating King Agag. The fact of the matter is God isn't interested in partial obedience to His commands! Samuel told Saul God had regreted annointing him as King and removed His blessing from Saul's reign. Saul continued to reign as king, but without God's blessings!
This is an Old Testament Example for the Church!
- God has sent us on a mission and given us the command to go.
- We claim we are obedient, but are we really?
- We say we do what we do for God, but it seems to be more about us.
- How many times has God said of pastors and churches, "I regret having established this particular ministry."?
- How many churches continue on without God's blessing? Maybe they say the right things, but neglect to do what they say. Can you have the right doctrinal statement and still loose your candle stick?
- Churches are closing their doors because they are not obeying the command to "GO ON MISSION WITH GOD".
- If you think you are going to reach this postmodern world by holding on tight to your building and your pulpit, with your Sunday School book under your arm in your Bible, telling people to dress up in "church clothes" and conform to a particular denomination you are as crazy as Saul was.
- Don't tell me you are obeying the commands and God is pleased-He's no more pleased with you than He was with Saul!
WHY SOME CHURCHES DO NOT GROW-
- Leaders discourage growth because they are afriad of loosing their power or being overshawdowed.
- Pastors and members are set in their ways and unwilling to make cultural changes in their model of "church".
- Pastors and churches are more concerned with what they like and being comfortable than lives being changed.
- Pastors are not honest with their churches and are afraid to take a risk.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE ON MISSION WITH GOD?
- Eyes That See A Genuine View of God- He's Big!
- Ears That Hear The Voice of God- He speaks!
- A Heart's Desire To Please God- Only Him!
- A Mind That Leads To Action- Obey Him!
- A Mouth That Speaks About God- He's Good!
- Lips That Whisper Prayers To God- He's listening!
Samuel took a sword and sliced up King Agag like Saul was supossed to have done. Somebody had to complete the task! Will you be the one? I want to be a Samuel not a Saul!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Thursday, November 08, 2007
DA-VISION-EMR2
Dear TBC,
I want to thank you for allowing me to serve as your pastor. You are a great church with a great heart. My family and I have enjoyed this first year. We have seen many souls saved and baptized and several new members join our fellowship. I enjoy hearing you talk about how well things seem to be going!
I am very thankful for each person that works hard to make things happen around here. As your pastor I want to encourage you to stay focused and on guard for the sake of the cause of Christ. Keep unity as one of your priority goals. Always remember that this ministry is not about one person or a certain group of people, but all of us are in it together.
One of the dangers in church life is to see a few souls saved and numbers increasing and be satisfied with such small results. We should be thankful, but not satisfied. This is one of the reasons some churches keep growing and others stop or eventually decline. We must all continue to work hard to reach and touch people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The key to accomplishing this goal is for each member to minister in every day life.
I want to challenge every member including children and teenagers to reach 2 people between now and November 2008. Each member should pray for them, invite them, and when they trust Christ help disciple them and assimilate them into the church. It is not enough to bring someone to church one time, we must make a continued effort to minister to them. If you will do your part God will bless TBC incredibly!
To those of you who are not yet members of TBC please consider following through and connecting yourself with this great church. There is a special connection between the membership in a local church enabled by the Spirit of God. We love you and are glad you have chosen to participate in our worship services, why not become a part of the family?!
I want to thank you for allowing me to serve as your pastor. You are a great church with a great heart. My family and I have enjoyed this first year. We have seen many souls saved and baptized and several new members join our fellowship. I enjoy hearing you talk about how well things seem to be going!
I am very thankful for each person that works hard to make things happen around here. As your pastor I want to encourage you to stay focused and on guard for the sake of the cause of Christ. Keep unity as one of your priority goals. Always remember that this ministry is not about one person or a certain group of people, but all of us are in it together.
One of the dangers in church life is to see a few souls saved and numbers increasing and be satisfied with such small results. We should be thankful, but not satisfied. This is one of the reasons some churches keep growing and others stop or eventually decline. We must all continue to work hard to reach and touch people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The key to accomplishing this goal is for each member to minister in every day life.
I want to challenge every member including children and teenagers to reach 2 people between now and November 2008. Each member should pray for them, invite them, and when they trust Christ help disciple them and assimilate them into the church. It is not enough to bring someone to church one time, we must make a continued effort to minister to them. If you will do your part God will bless TBC incredibly!
To those of you who are not yet members of TBC please consider following through and connecting yourself with this great church. There is a special connection between the membership in a local church enabled by the Spirit of God. We love you and are glad you have chosen to participate in our worship services, why not become a part of the family?!
The Downside of Time
According to I John 2:8 we are on the downside of time, "darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining."
There was never a darker day than when Jesus was crucified on Mt. Morriah. Evil reigned and Satan struck the heal of the seed of the woman (Jesus). Darkness has existed with powerful results from the beginning of time, but 3 days after Jesus was placed in the grave light began to shine as He came forth ALIVE! That light is shining in the world today and soon the word darkness will not even exist in our vocabulary. We are on the downside of time! Jesus is coming back soon and He will regin and rule as King of Kings. Yes, there is a short period of time when Satan will be unleashed again, but then He will be cast into the lake of fire to be tortured day and night forever!
1. We need to be reflectors of THE LIGHT.
2. We need to help “whosoever” find THE LIGHT.
3. We need to promote THE LIGHT in every message, lesson, or conversation we engage in.
People who are still in darkness are blind and do not know where they are going. They are hopeless and lonely and in need of some LIGHT to shine in their darkness. I John 2:11
"He came to tell people the truth about the Light so that through him all people could hear about the Light and believe. John was not the Light, but he came to tell people the truth about the Light. The true Light that gives light to all was coming into the world!" John 1:7-9
There was never a darker day than when Jesus was crucified on Mt. Morriah. Evil reigned and Satan struck the heal of the seed of the woman (Jesus). Darkness has existed with powerful results from the beginning of time, but 3 days after Jesus was placed in the grave light began to shine as He came forth ALIVE! That light is shining in the world today and soon the word darkness will not even exist in our vocabulary. We are on the downside of time! Jesus is coming back soon and He will regin and rule as King of Kings. Yes, there is a short period of time when Satan will be unleashed again, but then He will be cast into the lake of fire to be tortured day and night forever!
1. We need to be reflectors of THE LIGHT.
2. We need to help “whosoever” find THE LIGHT.
3. We need to promote THE LIGHT in every message, lesson, or conversation we engage in.
People who are still in darkness are blind and do not know where they are going. They are hopeless and lonely and in need of some LIGHT to shine in their darkness. I John 2:11
"He came to tell people the truth about the Light so that through him all people could hear about the Light and believe. John was not the Light, but he came to tell people the truth about the Light. The true Light that gives light to all was coming into the world!" John 1:7-9
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
God Is Good!
Lately there has been some rodeo action in the ABA blog world. It has been rough, tough, straight forward, questionable, sad, and humorous at the same time. It feels like the time I was at the Catholic World Youth Conference in Toronto when 8 priest gathered around me and tried to beat me up for telling their teenagers, "You can know for sure that you're going to heaven when you die." One said, "I don't think John Paul II would like this...(BTW-he was there-I hope he read our material)". They were all dressed in their suits and thought they had it all figured out. In my opinion they were modern day pharisees (I am not calling anyone a pharisee). The same truths exist in the current situation as then:
1. It doesn't matter what "so and so" says about a particular subject.
2. God is the Judge. He is the One we should seek to please.
3. Traditions don't determine what is right and wrong (SIN)-the Bible does!
4. In the end the ones who are honest and seeking to glorify God will be used of God to win people to Christ and disciple them!
5. Politics, popular opinion, experiences, culture, traditions, heritage should never be our example for decision making.
6. Our loyalty should be to God and what He wants to do in the future not to what someone else did in the past.
"On the day I call for help, my enemies will be defeated.
I know that God is on my side." Psalm 56:9
1. It doesn't matter what "so and so" says about a particular subject.
2. God is the Judge. He is the One we should seek to please.
3. Traditions don't determine what is right and wrong (SIN)-the Bible does!
4. In the end the ones who are honest and seeking to glorify God will be used of God to win people to Christ and disciple them!
5. Politics, popular opinion, experiences, culture, traditions, heritage should never be our example for decision making.
6. Our loyalty should be to God and what He wants to do in the future not to what someone else did in the past.
"On the day I call for help, my enemies will be defeated.
I know that God is on my side." Psalm 56:9
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
I'm out!
Clearing things up/Random thouhts-
I didn't mean to sound negative concerning TBC in my last post, but although it is true there are no ideal churches (there should be), we are constantly trying to become one. We can't be satisfied with where we are!!!! If the church at Jerusalem was ideal (we use it as it was) then we can be too. TBC is a great church with a heart for God and people. No one in our church is perfect (especially the pastor), but we have some great leaders!
Being Transparent- I'm the type of person that wants everything to happen over night, but reality (man's disobedient response to God's commands) says impossible! God has been teaching me if something is going to last, it will take time and quality efforts to build it. The key is to keep Jesus (let him stay) in the boat. If He is in the boat-He can calm any storm and walk on any raging sea we might encounter!
"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good." Psalm 127:1
Signing out for now.
I didn't mean to sound negative concerning TBC in my last post, but although it is true there are no ideal churches (there should be), we are constantly trying to become one. We can't be satisfied with where we are!!!! If the church at Jerusalem was ideal (we use it as it was) then we can be too. TBC is a great church with a heart for God and people. No one in our church is perfect (especially the pastor), but we have some great leaders!
Being Transparent- I'm the type of person that wants everything to happen over night, but reality (man's disobedient response to God's commands) says impossible! God has been teaching me if something is going to last, it will take time and quality efforts to build it. The key is to keep Jesus (let him stay) in the boat. If He is in the boat-He can calm any storm and walk on any raging sea we might encounter!
"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good." Psalm 127:1
Signing out for now.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Get me out of this rut!
It has been a while, but I feel like I'm getting into a rut. Things are happening and people's lives are being changed, but I'm on auto pilot mode. I don't want to stay here so please say a prayer that Billy will wake up and smell the coffee!
One of the things that has me feeling the way I do is-the new has worn off and the honey moon is coming to an end. Preaching fourty times a week doesn't help either (please save any holier than thou comments)!
Another thing is that I have tried for months to get our very talented music inclined people together to lead worship, but for some reason it just wont happen! We have 5 very talented individuals and the leader is willing to do whatever needs to be done, but no one is moving!!!
God is blessing, but this major part of worship is missing. The people seem to be satisfied, but I'm not! It is hard to settle for less than what you have experienced in the past. Please say a prayer that God will help me to endure until (if ever) this piece of the puzzle is in place. I know that things don't happen over night, but with the talent we have there is no excuse (but TIME, and we live in Bald Knob!!!).
Another thing is we have 90 adults who regularly attend, but never enough volunteers. Some people just never seem to get it!!! To the ones that are working I remind them to pray and ask for God's strength, but they seem to be tired too! Some of the same people have to do baby nursury, toddler nursury, Sunday School, Children's church, Awana etc.
Before you give me the spill about how to fix all this understand that I am venting something that I have to get out! I believe God is going to continue to change lives in spite of my rut, my crying like a baby, and what may be a petty list of issues in His mind.
One of the things that has me feeling the way I do is-the new has worn off and the honey moon is coming to an end. Preaching fourty times a week doesn't help either (please save any holier than thou comments)!
Another thing is that I have tried for months to get our very talented music inclined people together to lead worship, but for some reason it just wont happen! We have 5 very talented individuals and the leader is willing to do whatever needs to be done, but no one is moving!!!
God is blessing, but this major part of worship is missing. The people seem to be satisfied, but I'm not! It is hard to settle for less than what you have experienced in the past. Please say a prayer that God will help me to endure until (if ever) this piece of the puzzle is in place. I know that things don't happen over night, but with the talent we have there is no excuse (but TIME, and we live in Bald Knob!!!).
Another thing is we have 90 adults who regularly attend, but never enough volunteers. Some people just never seem to get it!!! To the ones that are working I remind them to pray and ask for God's strength, but they seem to be tired too! Some of the same people have to do baby nursury, toddler nursury, Sunday School, Children's church, Awana etc.
Before you give me the spill about how to fix all this understand that I am venting something that I have to get out! I believe God is going to continue to change lives in spite of my rut, my crying like a baby, and what may be a petty list of issues in His mind.
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