Last night I had the opportunity to preach at the 5th Sunday worship service in Elba. FBCE, Westside and Elba United Methodist gathered for worship at Westside Baptist Church.
I preached on the subject of renewal, revival and awakening. There is much said about "what" the church needs to attempt so that we may experience the end of decline. I have many books that are dedicated to exploring the issues of church growth, health, renewal and revitalization.
If we desire to experience an awakening in our denomination and a revival in our churches it must begin with individuals seeking after God. We must begin to call persons to spiritual renewal and lead them to spiritual vitality. When this event occurs our churches will experience a sense of revival. From there - we can only pray that God will bring another awakening that would radically change our communities, states and nation.
The main contributing factor to the decline of churches isn't our devaluing of the Great Commision, but our lack of dependence on spiritual power. Our churches are saturated with persons that need spiritual renewal. I pray we will begin to humble ourselves and seek the face of God - 2 Chronicles 7:14. Are you praying for renewal in our churches? Or, are you fixated on what is wrong with church?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Sometimes the Moment Matters!
Today, I accompanied my father to the doctor to get the results from his recent scan. Basically we were going to find out if the cancer had spread or if the tumors had shrunk. We received good news. The tumor on his spine remained the same size. But, the tumor in his windpipe actually shrunk a bit. Praise God!
In 4 months he will have another scan and see the doctor.
On the way home I had an amazing thought impressed upon my heart. "We only have today!" I am always thinking about the future and planning for tomorrow. In a blink of an eye, our world can go from what is happening in a couple of months -t0- God, thank you for today!
I realize that my father's life is in God's hand. He is the author of life and He, and only He, will take life away. But, in a moment I was reminded that life is about the moment. Someone (Anne Cline) reminded me that we should be thankful for the manna. She also questioned why the concept of manna - God's daily provisions - is so hard for God's children to grasp.
Therefore, your life and this moment is in God's hands. His will is perfect. He will execute his plan for history.
I am grateful that I have some additional time with my father. I pray that God continues to allow him to have quantity and quality of life. He is my earthly hero. He has been a great father, provider and role model. Please continue to pray for his health. And, pray that I continue to remember the miracle of the moment and not worry about the time line for tomorrow.
In 4 months he will have another scan and see the doctor.
On the way home I had an amazing thought impressed upon my heart. "We only have today!" I am always thinking about the future and planning for tomorrow. In a blink of an eye, our world can go from what is happening in a couple of months -t0- God, thank you for today!
I realize that my father's life is in God's hand. He is the author of life and He, and only He, will take life away. But, in a moment I was reminded that life is about the moment. Someone (Anne Cline) reminded me that we should be thankful for the manna. She also questioned why the concept of manna - God's daily provisions - is so hard for God's children to grasp.
Therefore, your life and this moment is in God's hands. His will is perfect. He will execute his plan for history.
I am grateful that I have some additional time with my father. I pray that God continues to allow him to have quantity and quality of life. He is my earthly hero. He has been a great father, provider and role model. Please continue to pray for his health. And, pray that I continue to remember the miracle of the moment and not worry about the time line for tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The future of the church?
What do you believe will be the future of pastors in the SBC? Recently I found out that 53% of SBC Churches in Alabama have bi-vocational pastors. What is a bi-vocational pastor? A bi-vocational pastor is a pastor that has a secular job and pastors a church in addition to their secular responsibilities. That 53% doesn't include pastors that rely upon a pension, disability or their wife's salary. A fully funded pastor is really a recent trend. I have read it wasn't until around the 1940's that we began to have fully funded pastors. This was at the encouragement of our denomination.
There are a lot of bi-vocational pastors and ministers in ministry. The model that was used for years was farmer/pastor or teacher/pastor. Of course, there were plenty of opportunities for both as the frontier was being forged.
So, where do we find ourselves today? We find ourselves with churches that depend on a paid clergy for almost everything. We find our churches filled with fearful pastors that are unwilling to preach the Bible or lead with authority and boldness because their livelihood depends upon the local church. We find ourselves with churches that have never heard of the Eph. 4 principle of equipping the members for the work of ministry.
What next? Well, I don't have an answer. But, I believe that with a declining denomination and a need to plant more churches we are going to see a revival of bi-vocational pastors. We are going to see God raise an entire generation of business man/pastor to revive and plant new churches.
There are a lot of bi-vocational pastors and ministers in ministry. The model that was used for years was farmer/pastor or teacher/pastor. Of course, there were plenty of opportunities for both as the frontier was being forged.
So, where do we find ourselves today? We find ourselves with churches that depend on a paid clergy for almost everything. We find our churches filled with fearful pastors that are unwilling to preach the Bible or lead with authority and boldness because their livelihood depends upon the local church. We find ourselves with churches that have never heard of the Eph. 4 principle of equipping the members for the work of ministry.
What next? Well, I don't have an answer. But, I believe that with a declining denomination and a need to plant more churches we are going to see a revival of bi-vocational pastors. We are going to see God raise an entire generation of business man/pastor to revive and plant new churches.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 1
Well, I figured it was time to start sharing my thoughts. I don't have that much to share that hasn't already been thought or said. But, I bring a passionate heart to the table. I plan on sharing my thoughts on church life, ministry, theology, my family and politics. I will throw in prayer requests and church news every now and then.
So - here goes!
Where are our hearts? Where is our passion?
I am consumed with the idea of revitalization of the local church. Some are fixated on church planting and I see that as a rich and important endeavor. But, I am concerned what will happen to the local church in the next 20 years. Too many of our churches have be come "country clubs with crosses" rather than Gospel outposts. If we are ambassadors for Christ, then our churches should be embassies in foreign lands. We must understand we are "aliens" in this land and that our mission is to live as a "missionary" to our culture. We aren't to become engrossed in our culture, but we must remain in constant contact with our culture so we can be relevant and ready!
The local church is in trouble. Things are changing! We must solidify our values/mission/purpose and formulate a God given strategy to revitalize the local church. I am all for the GCR! But, I am deeply concerned about the person in the pew that sees no vision, has no purpose, and can't comprehend Kingdom purposes and principles. The local church is important! Christ is the head and it is the only biblical institution that exists. We must be serious about pouring our plans, energies, efforts, and lives into seeing the church in America become alive and fulfill its biblical purposes.
So - here goes!
Where are our hearts? Where is our passion?
I am consumed with the idea of revitalization of the local church. Some are fixated on church planting and I see that as a rich and important endeavor. But, I am concerned what will happen to the local church in the next 20 years. Too many of our churches have be come "country clubs with crosses" rather than Gospel outposts. If we are ambassadors for Christ, then our churches should be embassies in foreign lands. We must understand we are "aliens" in this land and that our mission is to live as a "missionary" to our culture. We aren't to become engrossed in our culture, but we must remain in constant contact with our culture so we can be relevant and ready!
The local church is in trouble. Things are changing! We must solidify our values/mission/purpose and formulate a God given strategy to revitalize the local church. I am all for the GCR! But, I am deeply concerned about the person in the pew that sees no vision, has no purpose, and can't comprehend Kingdom purposes and principles. The local church is important! Christ is the head and it is the only biblical institution that exists. We must be serious about pouring our plans, energies, efforts, and lives into seeing the church in America become alive and fulfill its biblical purposes.
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