Status Report

I seem to be falling off my blogging lately, hopefully you'll understand that I am working to honor my commitments to the Lord, my brethren, my employers and my family.

For those who are wondering how things are going, here are some highlights and lowlights:

• Home Bible Studies are going horribly. Attendance is non-existant. My neighbors have been experiencing health problems which has been preventing their attendance, and we have been unable to draw anyone else in. We have moved the studies to the evenings to allow for people to get up in the morning. We are also trying to bribe them with dinner, but to no avail.
• The results of home Bible studies have flustered my Sunday morning plans. The idea was to assemble a few (2 or 3, including my own) families, then launch. However, since this has not materialized, I am forced to adjust my plans. Today, I will be meeting with the manager of an apartment complex to see about having Sunday services in their community room.
• I am meeting with a prospective helper/partner next week about helping us reach the people of Brownwood.
• Market Place services seem to be rebounding, with 17 in attendance last Wednesday, with a visiting minister. Something about me leaving draws numbers.... (that's an inside joke, those who know my history with Denson Springs will get it.)
• Work is going well, but the recent downturn in the economy and the presidential race has stifled any revenue growth I thought I would bring to the table so far. If things don't get better soon, my 4th quarter revenues may actually come in behind last year's, which will be a huge embarrassment for me. Other than that, things are going well. I am planning on partnering with the Cub Scouts for a food drive utilizing the radio's airwaves to drum up support.
• I will be seeking half salary at the state meeting in Henderson in November. I look forward to seeing you and fellowshipping with you there. If anyone has any questions about my work, I am available to discuss them with you between now and then. Just call me at 325-200-8531, or email gracepointembc@aol.com. Or, you can ask me on the floor of the meeting. It's just that the latter option makes me nervous.

Mission: Brownwood has added some supporting churches over the past couple of months. I would like to welcome Bassett Road MBC of Palestine, Memory Lane MBC of Palestine and Salmon MBC of Elkhart. I enjoy a friendship with the church at Bassett Road which dates back to my days as youth director at Vanderbilt Baptist Church in Tyler, a mission co-sponsored by Bassett Road. I have enjoyed a friendship with Memory Lane since preaching there one Sunday during my second year of seminary.

Salmon MBC of Elkhart, TX will always be special to me, as that church partnered with us for Vacation Bible School and nursing home ministries when I pastored at Denson Springs MBC. I have never seen two churches that were such close friends.