How-To Tuesday - The Preparation

Sorry for the tardiness of this post. My normal busy Tuesday schedule was exacerbated by vehicle issues, sales meetings, and dealings with the banking industry. On a side note, we had 16 in Awana last night, with almost all of them being new people.

Acts 13:1-3

1Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

3Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

I notice three things from this passage. (1) The church was ministering to the Lord. (2) The Holy Spirit spoke to the congregation. (3) Barnabas and Saul were both called for the work.

A mission work is not to be taken lightly. In fact, most churches and pastors I know take it very seriously. They don't toy with missions. Their caution, though, has led many churches to opt out of sending missionaries to the mission field. They happily support missionaries sent out by other churches through prayers, financial support and mission trips. However, the number of sending churches in the America Baptist Association are in a small minority.

I've heard pastors say, "I'd like to send out a missionary, my church just isn't ready." I believe him. Both sending church, and missionary need to be prepared for the work they are about to embark upon. Which is why I am starting this "How-To" series way back in the preparation phase. So, following the example given to us int he book of Acts, how should a church prepare for the task of sending a missionary to the mission field.

(1) They must be serving the Lord. In Verse 2, scripture records they were "ministering to the Lord." That word minister means to serve. They were serving the Lord. How do you serve the Lord? You obey Him. How? By following the purpose He has given to the church. Jesus told His church to Go, make disciples, baptize them, and indoctrinate them. A church that is not working to reach their own community is going to be fairly useless as a sending church, because they are going to have no idea what that missionary is going through. Furthermore, a church that is not making disciples is outside of the will of God, therefore they are not listening to the Holy Spirit. If they are not listening to the Holy Spirit, they will not hear His instructions to send out missionaries.

However, history and antecdotal evidence suggests that churches who are actively engaged in winning their communities for Christ often get a burden for people in places far away from their church. These churches often wind up sending missionaries to places all over the world, and in the United States.

Now, it does happen that churches are being disobedient in the Great Commission, but decide to send a missionary anyway. Perhaps they like the missionary. Perhaps they want to be known as a "mission-minded church." Perhaps the pastor really pushes the idea and the church votes to do so to shut him up. In these situations, the missionary is sent out. He may be well-supported, he may not. He may succeed. He may not. One thing is for certain, the sending church will get no more blessing from that work than a child sponsor gets for sending 75 cents a week to Christian Children's Fund. While I do not discourage such, the blessing is in the raising of the children, not the sponsorship thereof.

If you want to see your church get active in missions, send out a missionary, and enjoy the fulness of the fruit thereof, lead them to be active in the Great Commission locally. It'll ignite your church. And don't worry about how to be active in the Great Commission. You already know how to do that, otherwise, you would not be in pastoral ministry.

(2) The Holy Spirit spoke to the church. The Spirit called the church as well as the missionaries. This came as a result of their following the Spirit through their obedience to Christ. It is important to seek God's leadership and will in regards to missions. A particular city may look like a good mission point, but if God has not called your church to reach that mission field, you have a long hard battle ahead of you. Mission work requires enough stress, sacrifice, prayer time and hard work as it is. Don't make it harder by not including God's leadership in your decision making. My advice, have the church pray for the Spirits leadership in finding a people He wants you to reach with the Gospel. He will answer. Scripture gives examples of men saying "Here I am, send me." Scripture records that God honored those requests by sending them.

(3) The missionaries were called to the work. I have heard comments like "It's easier to start a new church rather than to deal with the traditions and hang-ups of an existing church." I find this attitude disturbingly arrogant. Who are you to try to remake a church after your own image? It's not about molding the church to your idea of what a church should be. It's about you teaching the church what God wants them to do, and who He wants them to be in Christ.

Missionaries who seek to plant churches so that they can pastor a new, hip, modern congregation with all the bells and whistles without being held accountable by seasoned Missionary Baptist are in for a rude awakening when they get to the field. Mission works are not businesses. It's more than analyzing populations, demographics, psychographics, land and realty prices and setting budgets. It's about following God's call to reach people with the Gospel. God, in His foreknowledge, knows who is ready to accept the Gospel, and who can best reach that person with the Gospel. He calls people according to that need. Can I prove this in scripture? Yes. I'll save that for another post.

When dealing with prospective missionaries, the sending church needs to be satisfied that the missionary is indeed called to that field, and not following opportunities, building a name for himself, or creating his own kingdom. No need to be paranoid about this. The former is more common, in my opinion, than the latter. If a man is willing to walk away from a comfortable life, give up a career or ministry, and move onto a field without tens of thousands of dollars in the bank, he is likely called.

Missionaries should prepare themselves for the call as well. They should be obedient to Christ, both the commission He has given them through their local church, and His calling He placed on their lives. They should also devote themselves to the study of the scriptures.

God moves upon and calls the obedient. Will you be obedient? Will you answer the call?

Any and all questions may be directed to me via email, at GracePointeMBC@aol.com, or by cell phone at 325-200-8531.

Monday Mission Fields - Santa Fe, NM

We could spend months discussing possible mission points in New Mexico. There are few churches in The Land of Enchantment which associate with the American Baptist Association, most of those being missions that operate on or adjacent to the Navajo Reservation. These are great works, and the other ABA churches in New Mexico are also doing a great work. I do not intend to discount anyone, but I would like to highlight missions opportunities within the state, and the American Southwest as well.

Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico, boasting a population of approximately 72,000, with the nearest ABA churches being in either Albuquerque, or Pueblo, Colo.

Santa Fe's history dates back to Spanish colonialization. Once it was acquired by the United States as part of the treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, Santa Fe became in important stage coach/railroad stop.

Its history is well preserved, with city ordinances requiring that all downtown buildings be patterned after adobe, spanish or southwestern architecture. Santa Fe is also a hub for Arts and Culture, as well as entertainment.

Santa Fe is nearly 45 percent Hispanic, so this is another great field for the bilingual missionary. Santa Fe would also be a great gateway for opening up mission points in northern New Mexico, like Raton, Las Vegas (NM, not Nev.) and mission points along the old Route 66 (like Tucumcari, Santa Rosa and so on.)

As is the case with all New Mexico mission works, funding is available through the ABA Interstate Mission Fund, or by designated offerings.

Just a side note, I heard at the Southwest Assoc. Mission Rally this past weekend that a Texas church is indeed sending a Spanish-speaking missionary to Las Cruces, NM, and the building has already been acquired. Praise God! While I know this is not the result of last week's Mission Field Monday feature, it is great to see churches taking on mission works in the great American Southwest.

Common Sense Christianity

The worst has happened. A massive flood has engulfed your town destroying everything. You managed to get yourself and your family on the roof of your house, but the flood waters are still rising. Suddenly, a rescue chopper hovers overhead and lowers a rope with a seat for your family to grab onto and be flown to safety. Do you:

A) Wait and pray about whether or not to grab the lifeline.

B) Tell the pilot, "No thanks, I'm waiting on the Lord to save me!"

C) Do nothing, knowing that if you continue to live by faith, God will provide the right escape at the right time.

D) Load the kids up first, then your wife, then fly away to safety?

If you answered "D", you might just have common sense.

Midweek bulletin

We had 12 at Awana last night, with 5 first time guests. A couple of our core families were out for various reasons.

Beginning next Tuesday, I'll add, yet, another feature to my blog... "How-To Tuesday." Had it not been for the Macedonian Missions Conference at TBI when I was in school, I wouldn't have had a clue as to where to start in getting a mission work started. How-To Tuesday will feature observations and tips I learned the hard way, some that have been offered by those who have been there, and warnings about pitfalls that may come along the way.

Monday Mission Field - Las Cruces, NM

Situated due north of El Paso, TX, in south central New Mexico is Las Cruces, a city of 89,000 people with no Missionary Baptist Church that associates with the American Baptist Association.

Las Cruces is home to New Mexico State University (enrollment 14,000), has rich culture and heritage, and features the Whole Enchilada Festival (celebrating the world's largest enchilada), which is attended by 50,000 people annually.

Fifty-one percent of the population of Las Cruces is Hispanic. This would be another great field for a bilingual missionary.

I see Las Cruces as a potential gateway to starting missions in other southern New Mexico cities, like Alamogordo and Silver City.

Funding for a mission-work in Las Cruces is also available through the ABA Interstate Mission Fund. If the missionary has a sponsoring church, and can raise up to $600-$700 in monthly support, that missionary can qualify for full salary from the ABA. Currently, there is no state salary for New Mexico, to my knowledge. However, I think there are some New Mexico churches working to establish a state association there. If you have any information on that, please tell me.

Other associations that encompass New Mexico are the Four Corners Assoc., and the Southwest Assoc. of Missionary Baptist Churches.

Building secured

Grace Pointe has rented the church building on Hwy 84 in Brownwood and will be moving in June 1. Wanna help?

Sunday Services

We had 16 in attendance yesterday. HOORAY!

Moving Forward

With the approval of Grace Pointe mission and our sponsoring church, Rocky Springs, we will be moving forward with the lease of the church building. Current plans are to move in June 1.

Grace Pointe mission to lease building

In response to our out-growing of the community room at Phase II, Grace Pointe MBM voted to rent a vacant church building which is located on the west end of Brownwood on U.S. Highway 84, just around the corner from the apartments. Seating capacity will be close to 80, I think. It's hard to gauge when it's empty.

Anyway, the landlord agreed to a one-year lease at $600/month, with provisions that are in the contract that work to the good of both parties (I did the paperwork). I have really good feelings about this landlord, am grateful for the property he is letting us use, and appreciate his courtesy.

I will present the final contract to Grace Pointe Sunday morning, and will advise Rocky Springs of the transaction Sunday evening, as I will personally appear at the business meeting to give a report. (This is all well and scriptural and according to God's Word. It is also decent and in order.) Monday, we'll sign and make the first rent payment.

We will move into the building June 1, which gives us a place for VBS, possible revival, and a place to host the Southwest Association. It also increases our visibility, making door-to-door efforts and media advertisements more effective. It also provides facilities for Sunday school and worship services, both for adults and children.

There is work that will need to be done to the building in the way of beautification, but we can handle that. Had we rented store front space, we'd have likely been building interior walls, paid three-times the amount of rent, and had to sign a 3-5 year deal. We have to do none of that now.

Grace Pointe's offerings from the field have been in the lower $400 range. We will be utilizing some of our existing monthly support to supplement the rent and utilities until offerings/attendance increase. I expect this to be a short time.

If you would like to support this project, please mail all support to Rocky Springs MBC, PO Box 1840, Jacksonville, TX 75766. Designate it for Mission: Brownwood. Thank you for your prayers and support. It is my goal to have Grace Pointe self-supporting within two years, it is my desire to do that much sooner!

Quick Update

We have one of our regulars at Market Place going to a nursing home and several others who are being hospitalized, so we only had 11 last night. It was still a great service. We had 11 in Awana Tuesday night. I'm working on commercial lease papers today for a church building on Hwy 84 in Brownwood, and will present the final draft to Grace Pointe and Rocky Springs this weekend for approval. Thanks for your support.

Drive-bys Zero in on Target

Let's be honest, since the release of The Passion of the Christ Mel Gibson has been mostly irrelevant on the Hollywood scene. Think about it, when was the last time you heard a commercial that said, "Presenting Mel Gibson, in the movie event of the summer!" It's been a while. In terms of his acting career, Gibson's best days are behind him. That's not a slam against him, I like his movies and think he's a great actor, it's just that Hollywood doesn't think he'll sell movie tickets anymore.

So, why is the divorce of a "Hollywood has-been" dominating the news? Or better yet, why do his mugshot photos from his DUI arrest years ago still dominate the Google images searches? I'll tell you why.

Once you step out for God, once you publicly declare the Gospel, once you do anything that confronts the sinfulness of this world (which is abundantly enjoyed in Hollywood), you have a big target on your back. Stumble, and the media will pile on.

Let's compare Mel to other Hollywood stars who have DUI or similar arrests, or drinking problems. The media snickered about Paris Hilton's jail time, but then welcomed her back with open arms via Larry King when she got out. The media publicizes Lindsay Lohan's debauchery, but is rooting for her comeback on the silver screen. Then there's Britney. What more can I say? After hitting rock bottom, she was instantly elevated back to superstar status with the release of "Womanizer."

The media approach to Mel? "He's gonna get it." "His wife is going to clean him out." "She's getting his wallet." They present a pathetic Mel who is going to lose everything. There's no fanfare from the Hollywood media, nor is there any desire to see him make another blockbuster. Why? Because the Passion proclaims the Gospel so clearly that it convicts the Hollywood elite. They can't stand him, therefore any misfortune that befalls Gibson will be celebrated, and any stumbling or appearance of hypocrisy will quickly upstage Lohan's break-up with her girlfriend.

So be advised. When you stand for God, a target has been painted on your back. Don't be discouraged, though. That target is a badge of honor. It means that your ministry is making an impact, and you matter.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

Monday Mission Fields - El Paso, TX

Sitting between the Franklin Mountains and the Rio Grande River, El Paso is a major economic and cultural center for West Texas, New Mexico, and even the nation of Mexico. It's population is more than 606,000 people, and the nearest ABA churches are hours away in Roswell, NM; Hobbs, NM; Albuquerque, NM; Clovis, NM; Odessa, TX and Midland, TX.

El Paso makes my short list of mission fields I'd like to see developed due to it's seemingly limitless evangelism opportunities (with more than 600,000 people, several missionaries could go there without stepping on each other's work), it's cross cultural influence (with Anglo and Hispanic American populations) and it's access to Mexico could spearhead another foreign missions movement. In fact, many Mexican school children actually come into Texas to go to school. Many Mexican people have jobs in El Paso, some of whom are professionals. So, the opportunities to reach into Mexico can spring up any number of ways.

El Paso would be a great field for a bilingual missionary, or a missions team that could minister to the English and Spanish speaking communities. It would also be great for one who has an international vision for missions. El Paso would also be a great starting point for launching a church-planting movement in Southern New Mexico (which includes Las Cruces, population 74,000).

Drawbacks to El Paso are mainly safety related. As drug cartels ramp up violence along the border, local law enforcement has found themselves outgunned in some cases. Still, for the God-called missionary, this is a good field.

Funding for a mission work in El Paso would be relatively easy to come by. I would encourage Grace Pointe to support such a work, and with good reserves in the state and interstate missions funds, missionary salary could be obtained with the right sponsoring church and matching funds (You'll need approximately $700 for interstate, $800 for state) funds. These funds can be provided by a plurality of supporting churches.

Please pray for someone to answer the call and go to El Paso. There is no reason this field should go unevangelized.

WOW! What an Easter

We had 10 in our sunrise services at Market Place, 17 in Morning Worship at Grace Pointe. After morning services, we had an Easter Egg hunt for the kids, had a wonderful fellowship lunch, and after taking everything down, I went home and had the nap of all naps!

Right now, through the magic of internet streaming, I'm listening to The Crossing, 96.5 KYXY-HD2 from San Diego. High-Definition Radio has allowed radio stations to add additional channels to one frequency. Many A/C stations are programming Christian content on their second and third channels. This is being done by major corporations, and I'm encouraged to be hearing this. KVIL 103.7 in Dallas programs Christian music on their HD2 channel, with a format called Rise-FM. There's also a station in Denver doing the same thing.

In Brownwood, we have a good Southern Gospel station, a Christian Rock station, but when it comes to contemporary and worship music (in the style of K-Love, KLTY, KVNE or KSWP) we're lacking.

Mission: Brownwood March 2009 Report (8 Professions of Faith)

Jessica works with the Sparks class during craft time at Awana Club meetings.

8 professions of faith made during Brownwood apartment rallies

Ken and Barbara Sibley from Seeing Truth ministries visited with us in June. They brought their program before a crowd of 36 at the Market Place Apartments on March 13, before 49 at the Brownwood Housing Authority on March 14, and before 23 at Grace Pointe on March 15. Six at the housing authority made professions of faith and two made professions of faith at Grace Pointe. The two professions at Grace Pointe were made by regular attendees who have since decided to follow Christ in baptism.

Grace Pointe MBM attendance increases

Average attendance at Grace Pointe grew to 16, up from 13 in February. Tuesday youth program attendance improved to 16, up from 11 in February and Market Place attendance improved to 19, up from 14 in Februrary. Midweek attendance continues to fluctuate, but Sunday attendance is holding steady at 16-17 since the Sibleys brought their program.

Grace Pointe votes to rent vacant church property.

Actually, this decision was made April 5, so it technically wouldn’t be March report material, but I thought I’d let you know what’s developing. Currently, there is a vacant church building for rent with major highway frontage in Brownwood. Grace Pointe voted to rent the facility for $600 per month. While Grace Pointe’s offerings have not reached $600 per month yet, the difference will be made up out of regular support that is already coming in to the Mission: Brownwood Fund. We are still working on ironing out terms with the landlord.

The need for better meeting spaces is great. For the past four Sundays, we have had at least 16 people in attendance, with as many as 23, half of which are small children, meeting in a community room that is about the size of many Sunday School rooms. Needless to say, we’ve hit capacity.

Grace Pointe MBM meets in this room every Sunday and Tuesday. The children gather around the near table for their Bible lesson while the adults gather around the far table for worship services.

Thank You!!!

I’d like to thank each of you for your prayer and financial support. So far at Grace Pointe MBM in Brownwood, we have lacked nothing, and it’s due to God’s provision through your generous support.

Thank you so much for supporting this work. Please know that we are working to lead Grace Pointe to organization and financial stability as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, or would like to talk missions, feel free to call me at (325) 200-8531.
Again, thanks for your support.

The Numbers….

Attendance

Grace Pointe MBM (Sunday Mornings)

3/1 – 13
3/8 – 10
3/15 – 23
3/22 – 16
3/29 – 16

Grace Pointe MBM (Tuesday Youth)

3/3 – 16
3/17 – 18
3/24 - 11
3/31 – 18

Total Grace Pointe Offerings: $496.65

Market Place (Wednesday Evenings)

3/4 – 26
3/11 – 16
3/18 – 18
3/25 – 14

Finances

Support

Quaker Ave BC (Lubbock, TX) - $100
RidgeCrest BC (Levelland, TX) - $100
Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) - $50
White Rock MBC (Center, TX) - $100
Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) - $400
Bassett Road BC (Palestine, TX) - $75
East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) - $100
58th Ave MBC (Amarillo, TX) - $124.63
Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) - $50
Heritage BC (Missouri City, TX) - $200
MBA of Texas - $1,911
Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville, TX)
$300
Hickory Grove MBC (Newport, AR) $116.46
Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland, TX)
$100
Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant)
$186.01
Hickory Grove MBC (Newport, AR) $89.10
Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) - $40

Expenses

Salary - $1,000
Housing - $700
Insurance allowance - $211
Apartment Rallies (Pizza, promotion, Bro. Sibley, outreach) $1,000.93

New blog feature

Starting next Monday, I'll add a new feature to my blog, "Monday Mission Fields." I'll present and highlight a town in Central or West Texas, or anywhere in the American Southwest where there are no ABA churches. The goal of this feature is to encourage churches and ministers to consider doing mission work in the Southwest.

Can I get a witness?

I've been arguing on the
Landmark Baptist Discussion Site about whether we should consume alcohol, even in moderation. I am arguing against alcohol consumption. Read the discussion here, and tell me, should we be teaching moderate alcohol consumption, or should we teach abstinence from alcohol?

Grace Pointe MBM Holds 1st Business Meeting

Grace Pointe held its first business meeting today. In the meeting, it was decided to:

• Send 10% of our offerings to missions. Five percent will go to Texas state missions, and five percent will go to Texas Mission Development.
• Pay the pastor a salary of $100 per month.
• Rent a vacant church building on Hwy 84.

We're continuing to work toward organization.

Real Estate Frustrations

I can't explain it, but housing prices in Brownwood average approximately $20,000 more in Brownwood than they did back in Cherokee County, Texas. In Jacksonville, a good three-bedroom, two bath house might run you $69,000-$79,000. In Brownwood, you're looking at $89,000-$99,000. Some run as much as $105K to $125K... and these are 1,500-2,000 square foot homes. All are more than 30 years old.

To get into one of these homes, provided the bank can get the FHA loan to go through, will cost anywhere froom $8,000-$12,000 to close (down payment and closing costs included). Some of these homes have foundational cracks, the brick veneer on many of them is cracked, one of the homes even had rotting wood problems.

I think this market is inflated, but no one believes me. There is no reason these prices should be this high. There is no influx of people moving in (the rumor about Camp Bowie reopening has been proven to be just a rumor), no new-home construction, and the credit market is almost frozen. Oh, yes, credit.

Despite a solid payment history, a decent income and good references, the bank sees us as high risk. Perhaps one day I'll be able to have a 6-figure income with less than 10K/year in expenses. Maybe then, they'll see us as a viable mortgage customer. Of course, this is the same bank that wouldn't open a checking account for our mission unless we agreed to a $10/month service charge. Banking and real estate stink!

Market Place

We had 16 at Market Place last night, some of the best beans and cornbread ever, and a delicious pumpkin pie that was purchased from Owl Drug Store (Soda Fountain & Grill) in Coleman.

I preached about Palm Sunday, and how the Jews missed the point of the whole thing. We also miss the point many times.

Great Sermons

Hey preachers! What makes for a great sermon?

For me, it's whether or not the Spirit blesses it by teaching me, correcting me and even encouraging me through it. A great sermon like this comes with a strong Spiritual life by the preacher, and a receptivity from the listener.

But that's just my view. What's yours?

Quick Mission: Brownwood update

We had 18 in Awana last night... 16 in morning services last Sunday. We are looking at the possibility of renting a vacant church building, starting sometime in the summer. Grace Pointe MBM has really progressed well over the past four months... I hope it continues!