Mission: Brownwood to revamp Sunday mornings

This morning, it was just my family of five for our home-based services. This approach is clearly not working the way I think it should. Sure, mission work takes time... but it appears that no one, not even those we have become good friends with, are interested in attending services in someone's home on Sunday mornings.

Therefore, in the weeks ahead, we will take steps to secure a Sunday morning meeting place, and set up a full-slate of weekly services at some of the apartment complexes. Jessica and I are still carefully planning the ministries and praying over what we should do. We'll make the announcements as soon as the plans are finalized.

Saturday Evening Post

September has been a tough month for us in Brownwood. Though the Market Place ministry has picked up steam and done very well, we seem to have lost most of our momentum at the Brownwood Housing Authority, and have struggled to get our loosely-knit core group together in one place at one time.

One thing that amazes me is that wherever Jessica and I go in the ministry, Satan always seems to have his people there ready to oppose us. You can usually tell who these people are because they are the ones who vehemently oppose you straight out of the chute... even though they don't even know you. While I will decline to mention whom we are dealing with and in what area of the ministry we are facing opposition in, I will say that we are facing opposition on the field. (I know I have sparred with some of you on occasion on this and other blogs... I am not considering you opposition. Our opposition is coming from people who are here on the field.)

Present plans are to begin another apartment ministry on Sunday mornings, move the home Bible studies to Sunday evenings, and continue at Market Place on Wednesday evenings. We are also considering Tuesday night Discovery Clubs, but the where and how have not been decided yet.

Praises include the fact that Lee is home from the hospital and feeling well, Rachel and Joshua are growing spiritually, and that God has kept our needs met. Prayer request include God's opening of doors, our wisdom to enter those doors, and our housing situation.

BTW, I just got word from the city that a new manufactured housing community is going in behind our home, and that the main entrance to this new addition will run through my front yard. This has me rather uncomfortable due to the fact that our kids like to play in the front yard. Jessica and I are reviewing the best course of action that will protect the safety of our children, and work out for the best for us, our neighbors and landlord.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

Saturday Night Fiesta at Market Place

Last Saturday, approximately 30 residents were in attendance to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Market Place apartments. We enjoyed some of the best Mexican casseroles, salsas and nachos. Have you ever had real homemade salsa... WHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

We were blessed to be a part of this celebration.

Market Place will soon become an integral part of a comprehensive apartment ministry which could span as wide as three or four complexes. We are still working out the details, but I'll keep you posted.

Market Place rolls on

We had 17 in attendance tonight at our Wednesday Services at Market Place Apartments. I preached a verse-by-verse expository message from Romans 5:1-9. Services went great!

See You at the Pole.

I remember being a freshman in high school when I first heard of See You at the Pole, a special event where on a certain day each school year, students gather around the flagpoles at school and pray. My freshman year at Jacksonville High School, many students took part.

Today, at Coleman High School, a 2A high school, 30 kids gathered for prayer, led by the youth minister at First Baptist Church and the pastor of the First United Methodist Church.

1. What is your opinion of See You at the Pole?

2. Would you encourage students to take part in See You at the Pole?

I think it would help us all to remember this...

Over the past two weeks, I have witnessed some rather unsavory behavior by a Baptist minister. While this guy is not an ABA pastor, his actions have given the name Baptists, and even worse, God's name, a black eye.

The lesson we learn from Dr. Evans is that our actions reflect our faith, God, Savior and church. Don't be guilty of blasphemy through your actions.

Prayers for Lee

Lee, who has been involved with our home Bible studies on Sunday mornings, is in the hospital. He is on our hearts and in our prayers. Please keep him in your prayers as well.

My family of five is the only group who was in attendance this morning. Jessica taught the kids on Salvation.

Mission FAQs

Any missionary on deputation will find himself answering the following questions.

1. Which translation of the Bible will you use?

2. Will your services be contemporary or traditional?

3. Will you be starting a mission or doing church planting?

4. How far away is the nearest ABA church?

5. Are you going up for associational support?

and I'd be remiss if I didn't include...

6. What do you think of Reach America?

Of course, I did deputation in the aftermath of last year's Texas state meeting, so I also got, "What do you think of Charlie Ellison?" (For what it's worth, he's in my thoughts and prayers, as are all of the South Texas brethren.)

Market Place ministry builds steam

We had 20 in attendance for our Wednesday services at the Market Place Apartments last night. I preached a message titled "Hope Against Hope" from Romans 4... focusing on how Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness... and how Abraham against hope believed in hope, that he would become the father of many nations. The application is that we should believe God... we should trust Him for salvation by our faith in Christ, and that we should trust Him to take us through life's circumstances.

The group's response was great, and several said I preached on thinigs they were dealing with at the moment. The people at Market Place need our prayers. This ministry is one of the reasons God brought me to Brownwood.

New mission brochure

I've put together a new brochure for Mission: Brownwood. I'll send you one if you let me know you want one.

Missing this meeting

Well, the Annual Messenger Meeting of the Southwest Association of Missionary Baptist Churches takes place this week, and I'm not getting to go because it happens on a weekday, and I have to work.

Almost everything in our association happens on a weekday. The Missions Conference in February happens on a Tuesday, as do the pre-associational meetings for the ABA and MBA of Texas. The ABA meeting takes a week (I understand that) and the MBA of Texas meeting falls on a Tuesday and Wednesday.

I once asked, "Why don't we do more things on Saturdays to allow bi-vocational ministers to attend?" The answer I received was "Saturday events are hard on preachers."

Okay. I see that. I'm not above taking vacation time. I'll be at the MBA of Texas pre-associational meeting on Oct. 7, and will be at the state meeting in November. I look forward to fellowshipping with you all.

New message boards added to Rocky Springs MBC Web site

My friend, sister and fellow church member Shelly Lipe, who spearheads a lot of the efforts in youth ministry at Rocky Springs MBC has come up with an awesome idea. She added a message board to the Rocky Springs Web site for church announcements, bulletings, youth activities and missions news. Check it out here.

Possible Mission: Brownwood meeting place

Jessica and I have decided to go back to Plan A in regards to a public meeting place. Those who saw my presentation during my deputation will know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, we plan on finalizing these plans Friday (which will be our next available day to meet with the property management.)

If we successfully secure this facility, we will begin having regular services in October. We've got 4 days to pray about it. Please pray with us.

Prayer requests include:

• That God provides this meeting place for us.
• That God solidifies our core group.
• That God brings those prospective core group members who are still undecided along side us to help launch this new church.
• That God gives us the opportunity to lead more souls to Christ.

Hurricane Ike has renewed our intensity toward getting this new church established. The quicker this church becomes self-supporting and missional, the quicker we can begin lending a hand to those suffering across the great State of Texas.

Making disciples vs. defending the faith

Johnny has just accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. Excited about his newfound faith following the revival, he runs out to Lifeway, finds a Bible that he likes, begins listening to Christian radio and decides that he likes the music, as well as the commentary by Dr. James Dobson, Tony Evans and Charles Stanley. He also discovers Dawson McAlister and Promisekeepers. Did I mention that Bible he bought is an NIV?

In the disciple-making process, what is your next step? Do you frantically proclaim to him that the NIV, contemporary Christian radio, Dawson McAlister and Promisekeepers are of the devil? Does NIV mean "Non-Inspired Verson?" Or do you teach and preach from the KJV, highlight what Landmarkism and what true New Testament churches are, and give him time to grow.

There are those who feel that if they haven't offended anyone or upset anybody, they haven't preached. It is true that when you preach the Gospel according to the scriptures, some will be offended that their lifestyle (of adultery, anger, theft, blasphemy and covetousness) is called sin and try to justify their actions. Others will feel convicted by the Gospel message and come to Christ. Still, others will miss the point all together.

If your goal in preaching is to root out that last bit of something in a person's life that you don't agree with, then preach against it so they'll be offended, you've missed the point. Our job as ministers is to preach the Gospel and make disciples. (Actually the church is supposed to make disciples, but much of that comes from the preaching and efforts of the pastor these days).

Some feel like they must "defend the faith" against this poor new believer who showed up with an NIV Bible. Keep in mind that "defending the faith" in the scriptures took place against people who actively perverted the Gospel of God's grace... not those who didn't know any better.

So, let's get back on track. Let our preaching and teaching be targeted toward making disciples and perfecting the saints for the ministry of the Gospel, and not targeted toward stirring controversy and strife. Remember, this great work that God has entrusted us with is not about us, but it's about Glorifying Him.

Sunday update

Mission: Brownwood suffered another down Sunday as we only had 7 in our home services this morning. Stomach bugs are continuing to go around... this time my son Joshua and I were the victoms.

We're going to expand our evangelistic efforts this week in the hopes of reaching more people. In the meantime, we are praying for a public worship facility. I feel that once we can secure one, we'll have an easier time drawing people in.

Unto them were committed the oracles of God.

"What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God."

The oracles of God are the things He said... His Word. The Jews were not saved by their religious acts, but they still had the advantage over gentiles because God committed His Word to them.

I preached last night at our Wednesday evening services at Market Place Apartments that we have the advantage as believers (most of them are professing Christians), because God has committed His Word to us... and that it builds our faith (Romans 10:17), gives us purpose (Ephesians 4) and promises us rewards in Heaven (Matthew 25).

The group of 14 found those words very encouraging.

Weekly update

We had 6 in our home services this morning. Illness claimed most of our people. We studied John 1:1-14.

Over the next few months, our teaching will line up with ABA Sunday School literature, as I believe the book of John is a great study for new Christians and those who are not in church.

New Mission: Brownwood value

I was studying my values and vision/mission statements and I noticed that there was an element missing. (Admittedly, I was told of this earlier this year, but I wasn't really listening, Thanks David!)

So, the new value is Missions.

Missions - Because the purpose of Christ's church is to spread the Gospel, the resources of the churches started by Mission: Brownwood will be used to send out missionaries, plant sister churches, and by doing so take the Gospel to those who have not received it.

Associational Season

It's September, meaning that the local associations will begin meeting in anticipation of this fall's Texas State Meeting in Henderson. (I would pick a year to go up for missions funds when we'll be in one of the largest sanctuaries in our work which is located deep in the heart of the Mt. Zion and Shelby County Associations. That place is going to be packed!)

Anyway, stage fright aside, I would like to make it to a couple of local association meetings this fall. Does anyone have any local associations to recommend? I'm kind of partial to the Old Cherokee, Tri-County and Anderson County associations myself.

Market Place Wednesday Night!

We had nine residents and my family of five for a total of 14 people at our Wednesday services at the Market Place Apartments in Brownwood last night. Market Place is a retirement community.

I preached on Romans 2:14-16, explaining that even when people don't know God's law, or His word, they set their own standard and become a law unto themselves. Notwithstanding, man can not even live up to his own law, let alone God's law, which is why we need the Gospel. (I have preached to this group twice, both times making a point to define the Gospel as I Corinthians 15:3-4). As long as they'll let me, I'll continue to preach and teach them from Romans, explaining the true doctrine of the Gospel and building them up doctrinally. After we finish Romans, we'll study how to put our faith into action.

The group at Market Place is not a church. I am unaware of their Baptismal status, and they haven't covenanted together to carry out God's work. That being said, they act like a church. They meet, vote and make decisions. (They are congregational rule... haha!)

They have decided to invite me out to hold services with them every Wednesday at 6 p.m., and have decided to discontinue the preaching services on Sunday afternoons, electing to revert back to the "Sunday Singing" format they had earlier.

Next week, we'll study from Romans 3.

I do have some speaking appointments coming up... and I'll honor those. Don't worry, I'll handle the details.

I have to praise God for all of this. Over the past few weeks, I have been struggling through an intense Spiritual battle, yet God, in his mercy and grace, has continued to build the work in Brownwood. God is awesome! Thank you!