Remember when I made the committment to read and report on the book, "Spin-Off Churches"? Yeah, well, I kind of gave up on it due to my ridiculously hectic schedule and the need to sharpen my iron in the scriptures.
I did find some good ideas in the book, such as multi-housing ministry and Set-Free Churches, but that's a whole other story altogether.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Letting your opposition define you
Rush Limbaugh has been blasting the Republican Party since the 2008 election for not sticking to their values and letting the Democrats define them.
While no one can accuse Baptists of not sticking to their values, there are some misconceptions going around that people are saying about us.
1. Baptist believe baptism completes salvation - This is completely false. Baptists believe baptism is the first act of discipleship, and pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins according to the scripture. Whether you have, or have not been baptized has no bearing on your salvation.
2. Baptists are Calvinistic - While there are some (a few of which are well-known) Baptist who subscribe to Calvinistic doctrine (TULIP), the fact is that five-point calvinism is not in our doctrinal statements, and actually runs contrary to many of our teachings. Baptists do believe in predestination, but predestination is by the foreknowledge of God, so it is nothing to be afraid of, neither does it come close to calvinism.
3. Baptists believe they are the only ones going to heaven - Nope. Except for a very small minority, Baptists by and large believe a person is going to heaven once they are saved (have repented of their sin and trusted Jesus as Savior.)
What are some misconceptions you have heard about Baptists?
While no one can accuse Baptists of not sticking to their values, there are some misconceptions going around that people are saying about us.
1. Baptist believe baptism completes salvation - This is completely false. Baptists believe baptism is the first act of discipleship, and pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins according to the scripture. Whether you have, or have not been baptized has no bearing on your salvation.
2. Baptists are Calvinistic - While there are some (a few of which are well-known) Baptist who subscribe to Calvinistic doctrine (TULIP), the fact is that five-point calvinism is not in our doctrinal statements, and actually runs contrary to many of our teachings. Baptists do believe in predestination, but predestination is by the foreknowledge of God, so it is nothing to be afraid of, neither does it come close to calvinism.
3. Baptists believe they are the only ones going to heaven - Nope. Except for a very small minority, Baptists by and large believe a person is going to heaven once they are saved (have repented of their sin and trusted Jesus as Savior.)
What are some misconceptions you have heard about Baptists?
Great Mission Rally today
I never cease to be amazed and encouraged by the wonderful fellowship and preaching that is to be enjoyed at the mission rallies of the Southwest Association of Missionary Baptist Churches. Beacon Baptist Church in San Angelo, TX, did a knock-out job of hosting this one. Bro. Spencer brought a good message, and the mission reports were second to none.
I am looking forward to going to 58th Ave in Amarillo in April, and can barely wait to host the July rally in Brownwood.
Great day brothers and sisters. Can't wait to do it again.
I am looking forward to going to 58th Ave in Amarillo in April, and can barely wait to host the July rally in Brownwood.
Great day brothers and sisters. Can't wait to do it again.
We are not called to be conservative or progressive
In the circles in which I run, the label "conservative" keeps being applied to various churches and individuals.
Examples include:
"That is a good, conservative church."
"He is a good, conservative preacher."
"That school teaches good, biblical, conservative doctrine."
Others I have known relish in being labeled as progressive. Examples include:
"I am theologically conservative, but I am progressive where methods are concerned."
"We need more progressive approaches to ministry to reach people in this post-modern age."
I am confident that the men that I run with are good, God fearing men who want to see God's will accomplished. However, hearing the words "conservative" and "progressive" has gotten me to thinking.
God has not called us to be conservative, or progressive. He has called us to go and make disciples, to baptize those disciples, and to teach those disciples true doctrine. We are supposed to be doctrinally sound and not deviate from the Bible's teachings.
Still, it amazes me how some brethren insist on being conservative just for the sake of being conservative, or progressive just for the sake of being progressive. I remember holding a youth rally one time, where the "program" was a skit I put together. Following the "program" I was approached and told, "Y'all sure do things 'interestingly' at this church." (Apparently, youth rally "programs" are to be sermons preached by ordained ministers.)
Progressives can be just as annoying, though. I know of a couple of preachers who have caused problems in their churches by insisting on changing from hymns to praise choruses. One even insisted on adding a praise band to lead services. While it is preposterous to claim that only traditional hymns qualify as true worship, it is just as preposterous to claim that God is more pleased with praise choruses, because they are more "spiritual." If you can not worship God by singing "Near the Cross," "Amazing Grace," "Crown Him," "Praise Him, Praise Him," or "It is Well with My Soul," then you've got the problem, not the hymn singers. Conversely, if you think that "Lord I Lift Your Name on High," is nothing more than worldly rock & roll, then you are delusional as well.
The reason for this rant tonight is that I am tired of watching churches endure needless pain and conflict because a pastor thinks that God's calling on his life is to upset the apple cart at the church he has been called to, thinking that the addition of electric guitars and drums will magically reach people with the Gospel and cause the church to grow.
Conversely, I am tired of watching good churches and pastors be maligned because they use praise choruses or praise bands. God did not call you to program worship music, He called you to edify the saints for the ministry of the Gospel. Your obedience to that call will be what God judges you on in the end, not whether the worship songs came from a book or projection screen.
Examples include:
"That is a good, conservative church."
"He is a good, conservative preacher."
"That school teaches good, biblical, conservative doctrine."
Others I have known relish in being labeled as progressive. Examples include:
"I am theologically conservative, but I am progressive where methods are concerned."
"We need more progressive approaches to ministry to reach people in this post-modern age."
I am confident that the men that I run with are good, God fearing men who want to see God's will accomplished. However, hearing the words "conservative" and "progressive" has gotten me to thinking.
God has not called us to be conservative, or progressive. He has called us to go and make disciples, to baptize those disciples, and to teach those disciples true doctrine. We are supposed to be doctrinally sound and not deviate from the Bible's teachings.
Still, it amazes me how some brethren insist on being conservative just for the sake of being conservative, or progressive just for the sake of being progressive. I remember holding a youth rally one time, where the "program" was a skit I put together. Following the "program" I was approached and told, "Y'all sure do things 'interestingly' at this church." (Apparently, youth rally "programs" are to be sermons preached by ordained ministers.)
Progressives can be just as annoying, though. I know of a couple of preachers who have caused problems in their churches by insisting on changing from hymns to praise choruses. One even insisted on adding a praise band to lead services. While it is preposterous to claim that only traditional hymns qualify as true worship, it is just as preposterous to claim that God is more pleased with praise choruses, because they are more "spiritual." If you can not worship God by singing "Near the Cross," "Amazing Grace," "Crown Him," "Praise Him, Praise Him," or "It is Well with My Soul," then you've got the problem, not the hymn singers. Conversely, if you think that "Lord I Lift Your Name on High," is nothing more than worldly rock & roll, then you are delusional as well.
The reason for this rant tonight is that I am tired of watching churches endure needless pain and conflict because a pastor thinks that God's calling on his life is to upset the apple cart at the church he has been called to, thinking that the addition of electric guitars and drums will magically reach people with the Gospel and cause the church to grow.
Conversely, I am tired of watching good churches and pastors be maligned because they use praise choruses or praise bands. God did not call you to program worship music, He called you to edify the saints for the ministry of the Gospel. Your obedience to that call will be what God judges you on in the end, not whether the worship songs came from a book or projection screen.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Southwest Association Mission Rally
The Southwest Association of Missionary Baptist Churches will hold their quarterly mission rally with Beacon Baptist Church in San Angelo Saturday morning, January 31, at 10 am. The mens meeting and ladies auxiliary district meeting will be at 10 am, followed by lunch, then the afternoon session after lunch.
I will be bringing the devotional in the mens meeting.
I will be bringing the devotional in the mens meeting.
POST # 300!!!!
May this serve as a testament that I talk way too much!
Big weekend in store for me this week. This afternoon, I am once again filling in on the afternoon show on News/Talk 96.9 KXYL-FM in Brownwood. Mark Cope and I will go on right after Sean Hannity.
Tomorrow, I have work at KSTA, then I will head over to a church member's house for some discipleship, then fishing. Saturday will be the Southwest Assoc. Mission Rally at Beacon Baptist Church in San Angelo. Saturday afternoon, I will canvass the neighborhoods.
Sunday, I will preach the first in a series called "Extreme Makeover, Family Edition."
Monday, it's back to work.
We had a round of ice storms Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Tuesday evening, we held our youth program, then I returned to Coleman and waited out the storm at my radio station, KSTA. Wednesday morning, I spent the morning giving weather and road updates, and announcing school closings. Thanks be to God, KSTA radio suffered no real damage during the storm. Our sister stations in Brownwood had some trouble, but such is to be expected in this industry.
Big weekend in store for me this week. This afternoon, I am once again filling in on the afternoon show on News/Talk 96.9 KXYL-FM in Brownwood. Mark Cope and I will go on right after Sean Hannity.
Tomorrow, I have work at KSTA, then I will head over to a church member's house for some discipleship, then fishing. Saturday will be the Southwest Assoc. Mission Rally at Beacon Baptist Church in San Angelo. Saturday afternoon, I will canvass the neighborhoods.
Sunday, I will preach the first in a series called "Extreme Makeover, Family Edition."
Monday, it's back to work.
We had a round of ice storms Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Tuesday evening, we held our youth program, then I returned to Coleman and waited out the storm at my radio station, KSTA. Wednesday morning, I spent the morning giving weather and road updates, and announcing school closings. Thanks be to God, KSTA radio suffered no real damage during the storm. Our sister stations in Brownwood had some trouble, but such is to be expected in this industry.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Gaining traction
We had 9 in our Tuesday night youth programs, and 11 at Market Place. I'm looking forward to a good Sunday this week. Details coming up later.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Great Sunday
We had 17 in morning services as I preached on Spiritual Progression from Matthew 4:12-25, talking about how God wants us to repent of our sins and trust Christ for salvation, how He wants us to follow Jesus and be fishers of men.
We then had a fellowship lunch, then had a meeting to organize our youth programs for Tuesday evenings.
My goal of having a core group established by June is coming along nicely. The core is starting to emerge, but I won't declare "mission accomplished" on this step until the core becomes stronger, either by adding another family or two, or by attendance becoming more consistent.
Once the core group is established, we will then begin working toward "launch," which will be a highly publicized Sunday Service designed to make a huge impact on the Brownwood community. The core that helps us with launch will be responsible for bringing new families into the work and helping us become self-supporting by June 2011.
So, things are moving right along. While we are still on pace to meet the self-imposed deadlines on this new work, many in the mission, myself included, want to see us finish ahead of schedule. Thank you for your prayers and support.
We then had a fellowship lunch, then had a meeting to organize our youth programs for Tuesday evenings.
My goal of having a core group established by June is coming along nicely. The core is starting to emerge, but I won't declare "mission accomplished" on this step until the core becomes stronger, either by adding another family or two, or by attendance becoming more consistent.
Once the core group is established, we will then begin working toward "launch," which will be a highly publicized Sunday Service designed to make a huge impact on the Brownwood community. The core that helps us with launch will be responsible for bringing new families into the work and helping us become self-supporting by June 2011.
So, things are moving right along. While we are still on pace to meet the self-imposed deadlines on this new work, many in the mission, myself included, want to see us finish ahead of schedule. Thank you for your prayers and support.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Midweek report
Our Tuesday youth night at Brownwood Phase II continues to be a dissappointment as we only had five in attendance again. Market Place holds steady with 14 in attendance. Last night, I preached Divine Comfort from Isaiah 40.
I am encouraged today, because I think God will bless us with good attendance Sunday. I am working the fields today, tomorrow and Saturday in hopes of boosting attendance. As our attendance increases, so are the chances for additions. Last week, we had one first time visitor, and one repeat visitor. I really want Grace Pointe's attendance to be pushing 30 by mid-summer. That's my desire, and I'll work for it. However, God will add to His flock in His time.
I am encouraged today, because I think God will bless us with good attendance Sunday. I am working the fields today, tomorrow and Saturday in hopes of boosting attendance. As our attendance increases, so are the chances for additions. Last week, we had one first time visitor, and one repeat visitor. I really want Grace Pointe's attendance to be pushing 30 by mid-summer. That's my desire, and I'll work for it. However, God will add to His flock in His time.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday results
We had 11 in morning worship yesterday morning, with one first-time visitor. We have a regular attender who is getting really good at bringing guests.
We also collected $260 in offerings.
We also collected $260 in offerings.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Upcoming plans
Youth Bible classes continue through the end of January on Tuesday nights at the Brownwood Apts. Phase II Community Room, at which time we'll launch the Awana program.
We'll wrap up our series on the early life and ministry of Christ Jan. 25. The sermon series for February is "Extreme Home Makeover for Families." I'm considering doing the Jerusalem Priority in March.
We'll wrap up our series on the early life and ministry of Christ Jan. 25. The sermon series for February is "Extreme Home Makeover for Families." I'm considering doing the Jerusalem Priority in March.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Youth ministry walk-through
We had our first youth program tonight at Brownwood Apts. Phase II. We didn't widely publicize it because we weren't completely organized yet, plus we wanted to try out a couple of things on our own children. All that was expected to show was our core group, which got sick. So, on our first night, we only had 5 in our mid-week youth program. Watch for this number to grow in the same fashion our Sunday morning attendance did.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Good Sunday at Grace Pointe
We had 16 in morning worship today, with one first-time guest. We also collected $102 in offerings.
I preached Matthew 3:13-17, and used the occasion of Jesus being baptized by John to preach on baptism. It was a good Sunday, with good worship and fellowship. It was also nice to be back in the double digits in attendance.
I preached Matthew 3:13-17, and used the occasion of Jesus being baptized by John to preach on baptism. It was a good Sunday, with good worship and fellowship. It was also nice to be back in the double digits in attendance.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Mission: Brownwood December 2008 Report
Mission: Brownwood reflects on successful year
When 2008 began, Mission: Brownwood had no sponsoring church, minimal financial support, no contacts in the city of Brownwood. All we had was a calling from God, and a vision for a church guided by its mission to reach the lost and unchurched of Brownwood, TX, and the surrounding areas.
Through the course of 2008, God provided us with a good sponsoring church, adequate financial support and the endorsement and financial support of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. He also provided Jessica and me jobs that help our ministry in Brownwood.
In addition to His financial blessings, God blessed our VBS efforts with 43 kids and two professions of faith, brought Jeremy Moore and family into our fellowship to help us get our worship services started at the Brownwood Apts., and brought us families that we could minister to. It is our prayer that through God’s continued blessings, we’ll be able to get established and self-supporting ahead of schedule.
Rocky Springs MBC launches building fund for Mission: Brownwood
Currently, there are four church buildings on the market in Brownwood, ranging in price from $60,000 to $300,000, with all but one located on major highway frontage. While the community room where we meet fits our needs at the moment, we do anticipate outgrowing the facility within the coming year. When the time comes to move to a larger facility, it would be great to have the resources to move forward without having to take on debt. If you feel led to contribute to the Mission: Brownwood building fund, please send designated offerings to: Rocky Springs MBC, PO Box 1840, Jacksonville, TX 75766.
STATISTICS
Sunday Morning Attendance: Average – 13; High attendance – 18 (12/14/08); Low – 8 (12/28/08).
Wednesday Evenings: Average – 14; High attendance – 17 (12/17/08); Low – 12 (12/31/08)
Offerings received on the field: $1,242.47
SUPPORT: Beacon BC (San Angelo, TX) $150; Memorial MBC (Rusk, TX) $200; John Nickle ($25); Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland, TX) $50; MBA of Texas (Texas) $955.50; Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $200; Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $140; 58th Ave. MBC (Amarillo, TX) $133.22; Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50; Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50; White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100; Salmon MBC Ladies Aux (Elkhart, TX) $25; Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville, TX) $150; Quaker Ave. BC (Lubbock, TX) $100; East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) $100; Heritage BC (Tyler, TX) $100; Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant, TX) $150.17.
EXPENDITURES: Salary - $1,000; Housing $700; Outreach materials $78.93
When 2008 began, Mission: Brownwood had no sponsoring church, minimal financial support, no contacts in the city of Brownwood. All we had was a calling from God, and a vision for a church guided by its mission to reach the lost and unchurched of Brownwood, TX, and the surrounding areas.
Through the course of 2008, God provided us with a good sponsoring church, adequate financial support and the endorsement and financial support of the Missionary Baptist Association of Texas. He also provided Jessica and me jobs that help our ministry in Brownwood.
In addition to His financial blessings, God blessed our VBS efforts with 43 kids and two professions of faith, brought Jeremy Moore and family into our fellowship to help us get our worship services started at the Brownwood Apts., and brought us families that we could minister to. It is our prayer that through God’s continued blessings, we’ll be able to get established and self-supporting ahead of schedule.
Rocky Springs MBC launches building fund for Mission: Brownwood
Currently, there are four church buildings on the market in Brownwood, ranging in price from $60,000 to $300,000, with all but one located on major highway frontage. While the community room where we meet fits our needs at the moment, we do anticipate outgrowing the facility within the coming year. When the time comes to move to a larger facility, it would be great to have the resources to move forward without having to take on debt. If you feel led to contribute to the Mission: Brownwood building fund, please send designated offerings to: Rocky Springs MBC, PO Box 1840, Jacksonville, TX 75766.
STATISTICS
Sunday Morning Attendance: Average – 13; High attendance – 18 (12/14/08); Low – 8 (12/28/08).
Wednesday Evenings: Average – 14; High attendance – 17 (12/17/08); Low – 12 (12/31/08)
Offerings received on the field: $1,242.47
SUPPORT: Beacon BC (San Angelo, TX) $150; Memorial MBC (Rusk, TX) $200; John Nickle ($25); Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland, TX) $50; MBA of Texas (Texas) $955.50; Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $200; Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $140; 58th Ave. MBC (Amarillo, TX) $133.22; Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50; Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50; White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100; Salmon MBC Ladies Aux (Elkhart, TX) $25; Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville, TX) $150; Quaker Ave. BC (Lubbock, TX) $100; East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) $100; Heritage BC (Tyler, TX) $100; Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant, TX) $150.17.
EXPENDITURES: Salary - $1,000; Housing $700; Outreach materials $78.93
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Tough week
We had one family out due to illness and another out due to a family event which left us with 6 in morning services.
We are in contact with new families in hopes that some will join. Things are looking up in 2009.
We are in contact with new families in hopes that some will join. Things are looking up in 2009.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Market Place Recap
I preached on Fruits Worthy of Repentance last night before a group of 12 at the Market Place apartments. I'm looking forward to my series on the book of Isaiah which begins next Wednesday night.
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