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May 2011, Our Purpose
You've got to admit...our church is full of energy and ambition! And not just internally. We are involved externally, too. For example, last month we carried out a couple of community projects, a landscaping project at G.A.Barden Elemmentary School and another at a local nursing home. In June, our church will provide Vacation Bible School for our community kids and each month during this summer an activity is planned. And all these events are happening in the middle of a vibrant and ambitious building program!
It's good to be busy providing wholesome and worthwhile church activities. But we must caution ourselves not to be so busy that we lose sight of purpose. The first purpose of a mission minded church is to bring the lost into a saving relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. The second thing is to help equip the saints to carry out the first. Everything we do as a church should be done with outreach in mind.
Legacy Milestones, a ministry that promises to reach our community one home at a time, provides a clear pathway for the church to stay on task and for parents to connect to the church while receiving encouragement and training for their families. I have recently introduced a Family Ministries Strategy to our church which includes a PowerPoint presentation explaining the Legacy Milestones ministry. Basically, Legacy Milestones focuses on seven stages of life, beginning with birth and continuing to adulthood, then the church and parents become partners in providing spiritual guidance during and in between each of these stages. It has been presented to several individuals and once to the church, but I am anxious to share it with other church members.
My plan is to implement this strategy, which includes a weekly children's ministry and family activities through the summer and fall months, shortly after the church's approval at the May church conference. In the meantime, if you would like more information about the strategy or Legacy Milestones, please don't hesitate to call the church office or email me.
PTL,
Pastor Ed
It's good to be busy providing wholesome and worthwhile church activities. But we must caution ourselves not to be so busy that we lose sight of purpose. The first purpose of a mission minded church is to bring the lost into a saving relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. The second thing is to help equip the saints to carry out the first. Everything we do as a church should be done with outreach in mind.
Legacy Milestones, a ministry that promises to reach our community one home at a time, provides a clear pathway for the church to stay on task and for parents to connect to the church while receiving encouragement and training for their families. I have recently introduced a Family Ministries Strategy to our church which includes a PowerPoint presentation explaining the Legacy Milestones ministry. Basically, Legacy Milestones focuses on seven stages of life, beginning with birth and continuing to adulthood, then the church and parents become partners in providing spiritual guidance during and in between each of these stages. It has been presented to several individuals and once to the church, but I am anxious to share it with other church members.
My plan is to implement this strategy, which includes a weekly children's ministry and family activities through the summer and fall months, shortly after the church's approval at the May church conference. In the meantime, if you would like more information about the strategy or Legacy Milestones, please don't hesitate to call the church office or email me.
PTL,
Pastor Ed
April 2011, Legacy Milestones
At the last Deacon's Family Fellowship, I presented a PowerPoint slideshow introducing a family ministries strategy called Legacy Milestones. I'd like to take this space to briefly explain this ministry. In a sentence, this "umbrella" ministry helps to align church activities and ministries under its goal to connect family, church and home. In addition, Legacy Milestones will offer a continuing pathway for families to be encouraged to grow and celebrate their faith at home while partnering with the church to learn and serve god.
Another essential part of this strategy is to better equip the parents to become the primary influencers in thier families . Legacy Milestones will provide several training opportunities throughout the year to make this happen. I also introduced a new discipleship series called Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Family that will help parents to cope with the negatives in our culture and to refocus on spiritual formation within their families. The last thing I introduced is an avenue by which children can learn and serve God. This is a WMU sponsored activity called "Children in Action".
I am excited about the possibilities that this straegy can bring to our church and community. With the Lord's help and your prayers, we can reach our family goals. I know this was brief, but if you have any questions or would like to add your comments, please don't hesitiate to contact me.
PTL,
Pastor Ed
Another essential part of this strategy is to better equip the parents to become the primary influencers in thier families . Legacy Milestones will provide several training opportunities throughout the year to make this happen. I also introduced a new discipleship series called Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Family that will help parents to cope with the negatives in our culture and to refocus on spiritual formation within their families. The last thing I introduced is an avenue by which children can learn and serve God. This is a WMU sponsored activity called "Children in Action".
I am excited about the possibilities that this straegy can bring to our church and community. With the Lord's help and your prayers, we can reach our family goals. I know this was brief, but if you have any questions or would like to add your comments, please don't hesitiate to contact me.
PTL,
Pastor Ed
March 2011, Connecting Family, Church and Home
Last month in this space, I wrote about a new book by Brian Haynes entitled, "Shift: what it takes to finally reach families today". Dr. Haynes outlined a pretty good scheme for the church to make a stronger connection to their families. As you may recall it involved two major themes; (1) a foundational Scripture, Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (called the Shema) and (2) making a church connection to seven of life's milestones.
The strategy for family ministries I have been developing includes this on-going focus defined in Haynes' book. But it is not the end. My strategy also includes discipleship and service ministries. Discipleship is an important element for parents in understanding their role to their families and their place in the world. Service, of course, is the natural outcome and desire from a grateful Christian. The strategy looks something like this:
Connecting Family, Church and Home
(Our Focus)
l
l
Shift
(Our Method)
/ \
/ \
Discipleship Service
(Top 10 Issues) (Children in Action)
(Our Tools)
The initial feedback is positive so far, but the details of this strategy will need to be more widely distributed. Please take time to visit other pages of this website for latest information on this and other events and ministries. In the meantime, will you help me pray for God to use us to Connect Families, Church and Home?
PTL,
Pastor Ed
The strategy for family ministries I have been developing includes this on-going focus defined in Haynes' book. But it is not the end. My strategy also includes discipleship and service ministries. Discipleship is an important element for parents in understanding their role to their families and their place in the world. Service, of course, is the natural outcome and desire from a grateful Christian. The strategy looks something like this:
Connecting Family, Church and Home
(Our Focus)
l
l
Shift
(Our Method)
/ \
/ \
Discipleship Service
(Top 10 Issues) (Children in Action)
(Our Tools)
The initial feedback is positive so far, but the details of this strategy will need to be more widely distributed. Please take time to visit other pages of this website for latest information on this and other events and ministries. In the meantime, will you help me pray for God to use us to Connect Families, Church and Home?
PTL,
Pastor Ed
February 2011, Shift: What it Takes to Reach Families Today
Shift is a book about getting back to basics. It's about God's design for the family. It's about how parents and the church can partner together to introduce, grow and maintain their Christ-like journey. And for the church, it's about redefining a successful ministry. Author Brian Haynes states what many are concluding today, "The church was never intended to be a substitute for the home," In other words, spiritual formation begins and continues in the home...and the church is here to help.
After a round of disturbing statistics about the state of the modern family, Haynes uses the Old Testament "Shema" (Deut. 6:4-7) to emphasize the parental role that God ordains in the spiritual upbringing of their children. Then he introduces his readers to his seven milestones. I've characterized these milestones as "opportunities for continuing spiritual development that relate to our stations of life." For example, the first milestone begins with a new look at child dedication and ends with the last milestone for adults that focuses on discipleship, obedience and service. You can learn more about these milestones by visiting www.legacymilestones.com.
My initial reaction to this book makes me think about the possibilities for partnering with families in our community and church. It would take a focused and determined effort for the implementation of these seven milestones at our church (tweaked for our situation, of course), but the payoff would be substantial...for us and for the Kingdom. Do me a favor. Before you click on another page of this website, think about how this would make a difference in our community and church, and then contact me with your comments. You can "click to review" this book on www.amazon.com (just search fo "Shift" and/or "Brian Haynes").
PTL, Pastor Ed
After a round of disturbing statistics about the state of the modern family, Haynes uses the Old Testament "Shema" (Deut. 6:4-7) to emphasize the parental role that God ordains in the spiritual upbringing of their children. Then he introduces his readers to his seven milestones. I've characterized these milestones as "opportunities for continuing spiritual development that relate to our stations of life." For example, the first milestone begins with a new look at child dedication and ends with the last milestone for adults that focuses on discipleship, obedience and service. You can learn more about these milestones by visiting www.legacymilestones.com.
My initial reaction to this book makes me think about the possibilities for partnering with families in our community and church. It would take a focused and determined effort for the implementation of these seven milestones at our church (tweaked for our situation, of course), but the payoff would be substantial...for us and for the Kingdom. Do me a favor. Before you click on another page of this website, think about how this would make a difference in our community and church, and then contact me with your comments. You can "click to review" this book on www.amazon.com (just search fo "Shift" and/or "Brian Haynes").
PTL, Pastor Ed
January 2011, Looking Forward
I'm looking forward to 2011 with great anticipation and I believe the church is too! As a Family Ministries worker, I am especially looking forward to meeting with Brian Upshaw, Church Ministries Team Leader at the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. On the 17th of January we will discuss possible strategies for the future of the Children's programs. at CPBC. This will give us a clearer picture of what programs we need to improve and which ones we need to begin.
In the meantime, I am reading a book recommended by Brian entitled "Shift"; it's authored by Brian Haynes. The book talks about how important it is to follow God's strategy for the family and ways to equip parents for spiritual leadership in the home.
Also in the meantime, I'm working on some administrative things, like putting together some written guidelines for our existing children's ministries. In addition, Protect My Ministry, our on-line resource for background investigations, has developed a six session child protection training webinar. Sessions include how to recognize if a child has been abused, how to better identify possible abusers, how to respond to children who may have been abused and how to report the possible incident. I would like to recommend to the church that all childcare volunteer workers and staff take the training a pass the end-of-course test (it's not hard, even I did well!)
So, what are looking forward to this year?
PTL,
Pastor Ed
In the meantime, I am reading a book recommended by Brian entitled "Shift"; it's authored by Brian Haynes. The book talks about how important it is to follow God's strategy for the family and ways to equip parents for spiritual leadership in the home.
Also in the meantime, I'm working on some administrative things, like putting together some written guidelines for our existing children's ministries. In addition, Protect My Ministry, our on-line resource for background investigations, has developed a six session child protection training webinar. Sessions include how to recognize if a child has been abused, how to better identify possible abusers, how to respond to children who may have been abused and how to report the possible incident. I would like to recommend to the church that all childcare volunteer workers and staff take the training a pass the end-of-course test (it's not hard, even I did well!)
So, what are looking forward to this year?
PTL,
Pastor Ed
December 2010, Christmas Shopping Getting You Down?
From the Thanksgiving holiday to Christmas Day is a period of time that has been notoriously labeled "the busiest time of the year." You have your shopping, meal planning, entertaining the guests, and attending holiday events at schools, workplaces and church. Sometimes it can become a bit overwhelming. Churches tend to realize all this busy-ness and, more often than not, end up postponing committee meetings, and other activities that aren't asolutely necessary.
Stress, fatigue and shortness of temper are prevalent during this time. For others, however, the thought of being busy doesn't bother them. In fact, they thrive on it. Maybe this is because they are convinced that there is a good reason to be busier now than the rest of the year. I think no one minds being more active than usual if there is adequate reason.
There was a song that was introduced to me (and about 1,000 others at the New York Evangelistic Convention) in the 80's entitled, "People Need the Lord." If I were allowed to augment Steve Green's lyrics, I would title it "Families Need the Lord." I believe families need the Lord now more than ever. My wife loves to shop for Christmas gifts. She tries to pick somthing special for every person on her list. Even if the gifts are put in a box and shipped far away, she hopes the person on the other end will see the love and care that she put into it. Isn't this enough reason to be unusually busy during this time?
Let's challenge ourselves to not only show and share God's unconditional love with our families, but also to remember that there is a good reason to be busy. Have a wonderful and blessed family Christmas.
Stress, fatigue and shortness of temper are prevalent during this time. For others, however, the thought of being busy doesn't bother them. In fact, they thrive on it. Maybe this is because they are convinced that there is a good reason to be busier now than the rest of the year. I think no one minds being more active than usual if there is adequate reason.
There was a song that was introduced to me (and about 1,000 others at the New York Evangelistic Convention) in the 80's entitled, "People Need the Lord." If I were allowed to augment Steve Green's lyrics, I would title it "Families Need the Lord." I believe families need the Lord now more than ever. My wife loves to shop for Christmas gifts. She tries to pick somthing special for every person on her list. Even if the gifts are put in a box and shipped far away, she hopes the person on the other end will see the love and care that she put into it. Isn't this enough reason to be unusually busy during this time?
Let's challenge ourselves to not only show and share God's unconditional love with our families, but also to remember that there is a good reason to be busy. Have a wonderful and blessed family Christmas.
November 2010, Transitioning to Family Ministries
I've been doing some reading, attending meetings, contcting some people and taking notes on my new job description as Associate Pastor for Family Ministies. And you know what? There's a lot to it! I want to do the very best I can for the church and for the Kingdom of God, so I've asked some folks to give me a hand in thinking this trough. After our Fall Festival we'll meet and get a bit more organized and then "brainstorm" some ideas for the church to churn.
In the meantime, my obligation to the PowerUP! Your Sunday School campaign continues through November 14th, which by the way, is our "High Attendance Day."" I am encouraged by the efforts of our SS classes and their attention to the campaign. Classes are reaching out to visitors and other prospects and finding some success in inviting them to Sunday School. Ebvangelistic prayers are being offered and fellowships and mission projects are being planned.
Good news: tangibly, the numbers are up. Enrollment has increased by 10 (as of this writing) and, so far, attendance has increased over last year's average by 13. The other good news is that we still have three more weeks of PowerUP! to go!
In the meantime, my obligation to the PowerUP! Your Sunday School campaign continues through November 14th, which by the way, is our "High Attendance Day."" I am encouraged by the efforts of our SS classes and their attention to the campaign. Classes are reaching out to visitors and other prospects and finding some success in inviting them to Sunday School. Ebvangelistic prayers are being offered and fellowships and mission projects are being planned.
Good news: tangibly, the numbers are up. Enrollment has increased by 10 (as of this writing) and, so far, attendance has increased over last year's average by 13. The other good news is that we still have three more weeks of PowerUP! to go!
September 2010, PowerUP!
Bob Mayfield of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma had a good idea called PowerUP! Your Sunday School. Phil Stone of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina recommended PowerUP! to "kick-start" his plan for a R.E.A.L. Sunday School Ministry. Members of Cherry Point Baptist Church approved and adopted the plan to PowerUP! for the R.E.A.L. Sunday School Ministry at the last church conference.
You may be saying, "What's up with that?" So here's the scoop: PowerUP! Your Sunday School Ministry is a 7-week plan to help churches like ours to revitalize Sunday School and become evangelistic-driven ministry organizations. To help accomplish this goal, our Sunday School workers will learn about and engage in four key Sunday School principles. SS workers will also be asked to commit to and attend weekly meetings. In addition, the pastor will emphasize a different theme each of the 7 Sundays of PowerUP! (during the worship hour) starting October 3 and finishing up on November 14. Then workers will be encouraged to attend monthly meetings as the R.E.A.L. SS ministry takes off.
But, before this all happens, the pastor has set aside Sunday, September 26, as "A Night of Revival". It will feature a potluck dinner, special music and guest revival speaker, Dr. Jack Hinton from the Atlantic Baptist Association. Please take this opportunity to invite your family and friends to the revival night and then to the Sunday School RoundUP! Day on October3.
As we share the light of God's love with our community, let's work together to make our Sunday School all that it can be!
PTL,
Ed
You may be saying, "What's up with that?" So here's the scoop: PowerUP! Your Sunday School Ministry is a 7-week plan to help churches like ours to revitalize Sunday School and become evangelistic-driven ministry organizations. To help accomplish this goal, our Sunday School workers will learn about and engage in four key Sunday School principles. SS workers will also be asked to commit to and attend weekly meetings. In addition, the pastor will emphasize a different theme each of the 7 Sundays of PowerUP! (during the worship hour) starting October 3 and finishing up on November 14. Then workers will be encouraged to attend monthly meetings as the R.E.A.L. SS ministry takes off.
But, before this all happens, the pastor has set aside Sunday, September 26, as "A Night of Revival". It will feature a potluck dinner, special music and guest revival speaker, Dr. Jack Hinton from the Atlantic Baptist Association. Please take this opportunity to invite your family and friends to the revival night and then to the Sunday School RoundUP! Day on October3.
As we share the light of God's love with our community, let's work together to make our Sunday School all that it can be!
PTL,
Ed
August 2010, Getting 99.7 MPG
I read an MSN internet article about Darin Cosgrove (right), a man who achieved 99.7 mpg in his 1998 Pontiac Firefly. He made some homemade modifications, and then entered it last year in a "green" competition at Watkins Glen, NY. Guess what? He won! He actually won over hybrids and scooters! Amazing! It's amazing because it was surprisingly easy to modify the car to enhance its mileage. All it took was determination, a bit of common sense, a couple hundred dollars and some elbow grease.
What were some of the changes? Things like restricting excessive air flow to the engine compartment, sealing gaps around the headlights, buying smooth hubcaps, adding fender skirts and a spoiler that enhances aerodynamics. Not one of these things gave the car the ability to reach 99.7 mpg, but put them all together and they did the job.
The preacher in me says that there is a sermon illustration somewhere in this story. How about this one: We can obtain our goal to become better Christians when we put together and use all the gifts God has given us. The church, OUR church, strives to offer a lot of ways to grow in Christ...starting from a basic Sunday School lesson, to working in the fields. Each activity we are involved in improves our "spiritual dynamics", wouldn't you agree?
The Scripture that kind of puts this idea in place for me is Philippians 3:12-14. Let me paraphrase: Paul is saying that, "I have not 'arrived' yet and I have a lot to learn about being a follower of Christ, but my strong ambition is to press forward, forgetting about the mistakes and lost opportunities in the past and working hard to obtain that which is ahead of me."
What are your Spiritual goals? It's not as hard to obtain them as you think...a few modifications and ba-boom, you're on your way.
What were some of the changes? Things like restricting excessive air flow to the engine compartment, sealing gaps around the headlights, buying smooth hubcaps, adding fender skirts and a spoiler that enhances aerodynamics. Not one of these things gave the car the ability to reach 99.7 mpg, but put them all together and they did the job.
The preacher in me says that there is a sermon illustration somewhere in this story. How about this one: We can obtain our goal to become better Christians when we put together and use all the gifts God has given us. The church, OUR church, strives to offer a lot of ways to grow in Christ...starting from a basic Sunday School lesson, to working in the fields. Each activity we are involved in improves our "spiritual dynamics", wouldn't you agree?
The Scripture that kind of puts this idea in place for me is Philippians 3:12-14. Let me paraphrase: Paul is saying that, "I have not 'arrived' yet and I have a lot to learn about being a follower of Christ, but my strong ambition is to press forward, forgetting about the mistakes and lost opportunities in the past and working hard to obtain that which is ahead of me."
What are your Spiritual goals? It's not as hard to obtain them as you think...a few modifications and ba-boom, you're on your way.
July 2010, Reconsider Your Vote!
It was interesting to me when I recently read an article that stated it was not unanimous when it came to ratifying the Declaration of Independence. Even though John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed it "with a great flourish" so that "King George could read it without the benefit of his spectacles", only 9 of 13 colonies actually voted in favor of it. One of the dissenting states was Pennsylvania, the other was South Carolina (New York abstained). Now I wasn't there but I would think that after a full year of negotiations with the uncompromising King George, all 13 colonies would have had their bellies full and readily voted approval for declaring their independence.
It especially surprised me that Pennsylvania, home of statesman Benjamin Franklin, also a signer of the July 4th declaration, declined to vote its official approval. Also wasn't it in Philadelphia that cheurch bells pealed and the "Providence Bell" (later renamed the "Liberty Bell") chimed amidst celebrative crowds when the proclamation was read aloud in Independece Square? Go figure!
Not everyone approved the Declaration of Independence that Jesus brought to the people either. In fact, he wasn't even welcomed in his own hometown! Some listened to his teachings with great enthusiasm and anticipation; however, some wanted to plot murder against him. Even Peter denied him in front of his accusers. I guess people like that were afraid to upset the apple cart. Christians today now know that we have been set free; not bound by sin, but empowered to "serve one another in love (Gal. 5:13)." It's not easy to choose Jesus. For some it means isolation from friends and family. And ridicule maybe? It was a hard choice, no doubt, for Pennsylvania to stand out and vote "no"; I'm guessing here, but...I bet they wished they wcould have changed their vote when it was all over and done.
I believe there are a lot of people who have thought about becoming a Christian but, for some reason, never voted "yes". At the expense of being a bit cliche, I'd like to encourage all my non-Christian readers to delare your independence and reconsider your vote. For every July 4th thereafter, you'll have another reason to ring your own bell and celbrate!
It especially surprised me that Pennsylvania, home of statesman Benjamin Franklin, also a signer of the July 4th declaration, declined to vote its official approval. Also wasn't it in Philadelphia that cheurch bells pealed and the "Providence Bell" (later renamed the "Liberty Bell") chimed amidst celebrative crowds when the proclamation was read aloud in Independece Square? Go figure!
Not everyone approved the Declaration of Independence that Jesus brought to the people either. In fact, he wasn't even welcomed in his own hometown! Some listened to his teachings with great enthusiasm and anticipation; however, some wanted to plot murder against him. Even Peter denied him in front of his accusers. I guess people like that were afraid to upset the apple cart. Christians today now know that we have been set free; not bound by sin, but empowered to "serve one another in love (Gal. 5:13)." It's not easy to choose Jesus. For some it means isolation from friends and family. And ridicule maybe? It was a hard choice, no doubt, for Pennsylvania to stand out and vote "no"; I'm guessing here, but...I bet they wished they wcould have changed their vote when it was all over and done.
I believe there are a lot of people who have thought about becoming a Christian but, for some reason, never voted "yes". At the expense of being a bit cliche, I'd like to encourage all my non-Christian readers to delare your independence and reconsider your vote. For every July 4th thereafter, you'll have another reason to ring your own bell and celbrate!
June 2010, Bike Day at Trenton
The church in trenton was packed! Many people showed up wearing jeans, tee shirts, leather vests with their colors, and Z-rags. The service was unusual, not your traitional Baptist program for sure. There was singing and there was a moving testimony from the "boogie" man. The preacher managed to get a bit of Scripture and a short message in, but mostly bowed to the main message of God's infinite love and power to change people's lives.
By now you've guessed that the above description is from the 3rd annual "Biker's Sunday" at Trention Missionary Baptist Church, Trenton, NC. When Cathy and I turned left from Rt.58 at the only stop light in Trenton, we were immediately impressed with the number of bikes lining both sides of main street in front of the church. After lining up our Sportster, registering and getting our meal tickets at the table outside the church, we entered the already crowded sanctuary and found just enough space at the end of a pew about one quarter of the way down. With my jeans, riding boots and sleeveless jean-jacket (duly decorated with pins and patches), I didn't feel uncomfortable at all; Cathy was wearing her jeans and O.D. green New Bern Harley tee shirt. Representatives from biker organizations as far away as Wilminton showed up: the CMA, Bikers for Christ, Christian Soldiers (Trenton Chapter), Ghost Riders, Faith Riders and others. Oh, and I announced that Cathy and I were there from Cherry Point Baptist Church.
The service was evangelistic. Near the end, Pastor and biker Jeff Driver (no tie this day, Brother Jeff!) led seekers in the "sinner's prayer". It was a gorgeous day, in the 80's, fortunately the fellowship hall was air conditioned and crowded with people eating Bar-B-Q chicken, potato salad and a myriad of favorite disserts. We left earlier than most to visit with nearby family, but we left with a good feeling that God was indeed a God of Grace who loved folks from all walks of life.
For the last few years, Cherry Point Baptist (contemporary service) has sponsored a Biker's Day. Last Fall we also held a less-than-typical service, but be assured, there was a clear biblical message, good fellowhip, a ride to Ft. Macon (the loooooong way!) and a hearty lunch prepared and served by the ladies and gents of our church. It was a great day! We're looking forward to our Biker's Day again this Fall. By the way, you don't have to be a Biker to attend the early service, you'll enjoy it, for sure! Stay tuned for the date.
By now you've guessed that the above description is from the 3rd annual "Biker's Sunday" at Trention Missionary Baptist Church, Trenton, NC. When Cathy and I turned left from Rt.58 at the only stop light in Trenton, we were immediately impressed with the number of bikes lining both sides of main street in front of the church. After lining up our Sportster, registering and getting our meal tickets at the table outside the church, we entered the already crowded sanctuary and found just enough space at the end of a pew about one quarter of the way down. With my jeans, riding boots and sleeveless jean-jacket (duly decorated with pins and patches), I didn't feel uncomfortable at all; Cathy was wearing her jeans and O.D. green New Bern Harley tee shirt. Representatives from biker organizations as far away as Wilminton showed up: the CMA, Bikers for Christ, Christian Soldiers (Trenton Chapter), Ghost Riders, Faith Riders and others. Oh, and I announced that Cathy and I were there from Cherry Point Baptist Church.
The service was evangelistic. Near the end, Pastor and biker Jeff Driver (no tie this day, Brother Jeff!) led seekers in the "sinner's prayer". It was a gorgeous day, in the 80's, fortunately the fellowship hall was air conditioned and crowded with people eating Bar-B-Q chicken, potato salad and a myriad of favorite disserts. We left earlier than most to visit with nearby family, but we left with a good feeling that God was indeed a God of Grace who loved folks from all walks of life.
For the last few years, Cherry Point Baptist (contemporary service) has sponsored a Biker's Day. Last Fall we also held a less-than-typical service, but be assured, there was a clear biblical message, good fellowhip, a ride to Ft. Macon (the loooooong way!) and a hearty lunch prepared and served by the ladies and gents of our church. It was a great day! We're looking forward to our Biker's Day again this Fall. By the way, you don't have to be a Biker to attend the early service, you'll enjoy it, for sure! Stay tuned for the date.
May 2010, Sunday School--Still a Great Place to Be!
It wasn't so many years ago that Sunday School was considered the "front door" to church membership and discipleship training. Now it seems that the Sunday morning worship hour has taken over that position. I guess that's why so many churches are building their new churches and renovating their sanctuaries to look more like user-friendly convention halls. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing, the change in architecture illustrates a need for churches to adapt to modernity. But where does that leave Sunday School?
Today, many churches that employ and rely on a system of small groups have effectively replaced Sunday School as their main arm for discipleship and church growth. Again, this is not a bad thing, but I believe for many churches, like ours, Sunday School can be the leader in this area. At the same time, I believe our SS ministry can use a shot in the arm. That's why I've been working with our Pastor and Sunday School Director to help revitalize our small groups (yes, I used Small Groups to describe SS, isn't that what they are?)
The first booster shot that we need is focus and attitude. The Pastor, Sunday School Director, class leaders and assistants, and mature Christian students need to be convicted and committed to organizing the ministry for growth and intentional evangelism. That's the way it used to be and that's the way it can be again.
Shortly, the Sunday School Director will be announcing a schedule to introduce to our SS leaders and others to Phil Stone's "Blueprints for Building a R.E.A.L. Sunday School Ministry". This PowerPoint presentation will help us get back to the basics that made the Sunday School Ministsry a vital part of the purpose of God's church. Stay tuned...it's all good!
Today, many churches that employ and rely on a system of small groups have effectively replaced Sunday School as their main arm for discipleship and church growth. Again, this is not a bad thing, but I believe for many churches, like ours, Sunday School can be the leader in this area. At the same time, I believe our SS ministry can use a shot in the arm. That's why I've been working with our Pastor and Sunday School Director to help revitalize our small groups (yes, I used Small Groups to describe SS, isn't that what they are?)
The first booster shot that we need is focus and attitude. The Pastor, Sunday School Director, class leaders and assistants, and mature Christian students need to be convicted and committed to organizing the ministry for growth and intentional evangelism. That's the way it used to be and that's the way it can be again.
Shortly, the Sunday School Director will be announcing a schedule to introduce to our SS leaders and others to Phil Stone's "Blueprints for Building a R.E.A.L. Sunday School Ministry". This PowerPoint presentation will help us get back to the basics that made the Sunday School Ministsry a vital part of the purpose of God's church. Stay tuned...it's all good!
April 2010, A Great Time for Evangelism
I like Ed Stetzer (left). He's a well respected and a well informed former seminary professor turned statistician, missiologist and Director of Research for the North American Mission Board of the SBC. In an Outreach magazine article (Pg.22, Jan-Feb '10) he wrote something that started me thinking: "Outreach leads to evangelism. Or, at least it should."
Churches like ours do lots of outreach things. They are very good at it and people are willing to work hard for outreach projects because there is great reward for both sides. But in his article, Ed was encouraging churches not just to do outreach only. He cited Paul's advice to Timothy: "...do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2Tim4:5). The point Ed makes is that outreach doesn't equal evangelism. Outreach is about mailings, community projects, Mothers's night out; evangelism is about a bloody cross and an empty tomb and someone to say this to people.
This Easter is a great time for evangelism. The Easter bunny notwithstanding, there are reminders everywhere that God's message for humankind came to us through the cross and empty tomb. My question is this: do you need a crash course in evangelism? Most of us do--or at the very least we need a refresher course. If your answer is yes, come see me, I have just the remedy.
In the meantime, enjoy your Easter holiday!
