Can you believe 2009 is half over and we've moved into the seventh month of the year? Time flies when you're doing the Lord's work, doesn't it?
You can't talk about July at EFBC without talking about Vacation Bible School. One of our biggest events of the year, Bible School requires a lot of manpower as well as a lot of prayer power. This year's VBS theme is Boomerang Express: It All Comes Back To Jesus, and I believe 2009 will be the biggest Bible School EFBC has experienced in this millennium.
With our exploding numbers of children on Wednesday nights, we are expecting our Bible School enrollment to be way up this year. But with additional children comes the need for additional adults to help us work in VBS. If you've not yet signed up to work, it's never too late. We can use you and would love for you to be a part of this incredible ministry opportunity. It's a lot of work, and can be tiring, but it is totally worth it. You'll never regret investing yourself in the lives of children.
July is also the time of year when we celebrate our country's birthday. The United States of America turned 233-years-old on July the 4th. Let's never forget the courage of our founding fathers who stood up against tyranny and boldly declared that "these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."
It's because of their vision and valor that we can worship freely today as our conscience dictates. Praise God that we live in a country that guarantees freedom of religion.
Let us never take that for granted.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Nothing Is Impossible For God
Now that school is out and summer is finally here, I think this is a good time to look back and reflect on what God has done here at Eulaton over these past five months.
First, and most importantly, we've seen new members come into the church: some by baptism and some by moving their membership. And what an incredible impact these new members are making. I thank God for sending us people who are allowing Him to use them in our fellowship.
Has anyone noticed how many children and youth are coming on Wednesday nights? They've been averaging in the 50's for the last month or so, and as I write this our most recent Wednesday night saw 62 youth and children here. And that's not the only growth we've experienced over the last five months. Our Sunday School average has been climbing steadily since the end of last year. Of course it's not all about numbers, but never forget that every number is a precious soul and the more we can get here, the more we can reach for Jesus!
I've been really encouraged to see our offerings come back up. It was pretty bleak there for a while, but God has obviously worked in many hearts and people are seeing the importance of giving. Thank you church for being faithful in this area. It's unfortunate but true: without money there are many things that we just can't do. Please continue to be faithful with your tithes and offerings. I know God will bless you if you will (it's a promise from His word).
One other thing that has truly blown me away this year is how well prepared we are for Vacation Bible School. I've never been a part of a church that started preparing this early and had so much done in advance. It truly makes me proud as your pastor to see what this church has already accomplished in order to win kids for Christ. Thank you!
As we head into summer, let's not get complacent and put the ministry on cruise control. Many churches experience what is known as the "summer slump," where attendance falls and people just kind of take it easy. Let's determine that EFBC is not going to have a "summer slump" this year. Let's keep investing and inviting and see what God will do with our efforts. Let's go "over the line in 2009," and let's do it consistently during the summer months.
Impossible? Not for my God.
First, and most importantly, we've seen new members come into the church: some by baptism and some by moving their membership. And what an incredible impact these new members are making. I thank God for sending us people who are allowing Him to use them in our fellowship.
Has anyone noticed how many children and youth are coming on Wednesday nights? They've been averaging in the 50's for the last month or so, and as I write this our most recent Wednesday night saw 62 youth and children here. And that's not the only growth we've experienced over the last five months. Our Sunday School average has been climbing steadily since the end of last year. Of course it's not all about numbers, but never forget that every number is a precious soul and the more we can get here, the more we can reach for Jesus!
I've been really encouraged to see our offerings come back up. It was pretty bleak there for a while, but God has obviously worked in many hearts and people are seeing the importance of giving. Thank you church for being faithful in this area. It's unfortunate but true: without money there are many things that we just can't do. Please continue to be faithful with your tithes and offerings. I know God will bless you if you will (it's a promise from His word).
One other thing that has truly blown me away this year is how well prepared we are for Vacation Bible School. I've never been a part of a church that started preparing this early and had so much done in advance. It truly makes me proud as your pastor to see what this church has already accomplished in order to win kids for Christ. Thank you!
As we head into summer, let's not get complacent and put the ministry on cruise control. Many churches experience what is known as the "summer slump," where attendance falls and people just kind of take it easy. Let's determine that EFBC is not going to have a "summer slump" this year. Let's keep investing and inviting and see what God will do with our efforts. Let's go "over the line in 2009," and let's do it consistently during the summer months.
Impossible? Not for my God.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Change vs. More Of The Same
It’s official. The numbers are in and they don’t look good. It can now be stated emphatically that we are without a doubt in a recession. But I’m not talking about the United States economy. I’m talking about the Southern Baptist Convention.
The definition of the word recession is, “the act of withdrawing or going back.” The latest study showing that membership and baptisms continued to decline in the SBC during 2008 is proof positive that our convention is heading in the wrong direction.
But what about Eulaton First Baptist?
I was listening recently to an Internet broadcast of Christian financial counselor Dave Ramsey’s radio show, and he was taking calls from people who were declaring that they weren’t participating in the economic recession. Well, why can’t we as a church make the declaration: “We’re not going to participate in the SBC recession!”
Although I’m absolutely discouraged by the numbers showing that our convention is continuing to decline, I’m incredibly encouraged by what God is doing in our church. So yeah, I don’t think we have to participate in this spiritual recession. Let’s buck the trend. Let’s swim against the current. Let’s trust God to make our future even brighter than our past.
Ed Stetzer, President of Lifeway Research, recently wrote about the decline in our convention and compared our problems to heart patients who are incredibly sick but refuse to change their lifestyle. He points to a study showing that, “left alone, most patients choose death over change.” And that is true about many of our SBC churches. Many are so tied to “the way things used to be” and so afraid of the pain of change that they would rather die than transform.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a part of a dead or dying church. And I praise God that EFBC is alive and growing. Have we undergone changes? Absolutely. Have some of those been painful? Undoubtedly. Will there be more changes? Probably. But this past December I reached a point in my ministry where the pain of staying the same became greater than the pain of change. And since then, I’ve been a moldable piece of clay in the hands of the Master Potter.
I’ve decided to choose change over death. I hope you’ll join with me and do the same.
The definition of the word recession is, “the act of withdrawing or going back.” The latest study showing that membership and baptisms continued to decline in the SBC during 2008 is proof positive that our convention is heading in the wrong direction.
But what about Eulaton First Baptist?
I was listening recently to an Internet broadcast of Christian financial counselor Dave Ramsey’s radio show, and he was taking calls from people who were declaring that they weren’t participating in the economic recession. Well, why can’t we as a church make the declaration: “We’re not going to participate in the SBC recession!”
Although I’m absolutely discouraged by the numbers showing that our convention is continuing to decline, I’m incredibly encouraged by what God is doing in our church. So yeah, I don’t think we have to participate in this spiritual recession. Let’s buck the trend. Let’s swim against the current. Let’s trust God to make our future even brighter than our past.
Ed Stetzer, President of Lifeway Research, recently wrote about the decline in our convention and compared our problems to heart patients who are incredibly sick but refuse to change their lifestyle. He points to a study showing that, “left alone, most patients choose death over change.” And that is true about many of our SBC churches. Many are so tied to “the way things used to be” and so afraid of the pain of change that they would rather die than transform.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a part of a dead or dying church. And I praise God that EFBC is alive and growing. Have we undergone changes? Absolutely. Have some of those been painful? Undoubtedly. Will there be more changes? Probably. But this past December I reached a point in my ministry where the pain of staying the same became greater than the pain of change. And since then, I’ve been a moldable piece of clay in the hands of the Master Potter.
I’ve decided to choose change over death. I hope you’ll join with me and do the same.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Are You Ready For Sunday?
I don't know about you, but I am PUMPED for this Sunday at Eulaton! I believe we're going to see some great things happen because I believe God is going to show up in a BIG way.
There are a couple of things that I want to ask you to be doing between now and then:
1. Be praying. Pray that God will prepare the hearts of the lost that will be here to receive the message of the Gospel.
2. Be investing and inviting. This Sunday's Fun Day is a great time to really put our Invest & Invite Strategy into practice. Invest in the lives of others, and invite them to come and hear the Gospel. I'm praying that God will allow me to present the message in a way that is clear and engaging. I guarantee if you can get your "investee" here on Sunday, they are going to hear the Gospel.
Make sure your investee knows that they don't have to run out and buy some new clothes just so they can "dress up" to come to church. Let them know that at Eulaton, we believe church is about Jesus and not about a fashion show.
Make sure your investee knows that we're not going to embarrass them, have them stand up in front of everybody, or call on them to pray. Let them know that you'll be there with them and that you want them to feel at home at Eulaton.
Don't ever forget how stressful and/or scary it can be for a first-time visitor at a church, especially if that person has never been to a church service anywhere. Let's show them this Sunday that this is not about a bunch of religious stuff that has nothing to do with God. Let's show them that this is about having a relationship with Jesus.
Are you pumped yet? I hope you are. This Sunday is going to be AWESOME! Be praying. Be investing and inviting. And come expecting God to do some great things!
I'll see you Sunday morning.
There are a couple of things that I want to ask you to be doing between now and then:
1. Be praying. Pray that God will prepare the hearts of the lost that will be here to receive the message of the Gospel.
2. Be investing and inviting. This Sunday's Fun Day is a great time to really put our Invest & Invite Strategy into practice. Invest in the lives of others, and invite them to come and hear the Gospel. I'm praying that God will allow me to present the message in a way that is clear and engaging. I guarantee if you can get your "investee" here on Sunday, they are going to hear the Gospel.
Make sure your investee knows that they don't have to run out and buy some new clothes just so they can "dress up" to come to church. Let them know that at Eulaton, we believe church is about Jesus and not about a fashion show.
Make sure your investee knows that we're not going to embarrass them, have them stand up in front of everybody, or call on them to pray. Let them know that you'll be there with them and that you want them to feel at home at Eulaton.
Don't ever forget how stressful and/or scary it can be for a first-time visitor at a church, especially if that person has never been to a church service anywhere. Let's show them this Sunday that this is not about a bunch of religious stuff that has nothing to do with God. Let's show them that this is about having a relationship with Jesus.
Are you pumped yet? I hope you are. This Sunday is going to be AWESOME! Be praying. Be investing and inviting. And come expecting God to do some great things!
I'll see you Sunday morning.
Friday, March 27, 2009
He'll Do It Again
In Acts 2, you can read all about the birth of the first church and how it began with some 3000 people being saved and baptized. No kidding. That’s the number “three” with three zero’s behind it. And all this happened without the benefit of a church building, a microphone, or a copy of the New Testament. When God poured out His Spirit on the day of Pentecost, He really started the church off with a bang.
And it didn’t stop. By Acts 4, the Bible tells us that the number of the men (apparently not counting women and children) had grown to 5000. By the time you get to the end of the book of Acts, the message of the Gospel had spread out from Jerusalem and had been carried as far away as the city of Rome. Numerous churches had been planted and the world has never been the same since.
One strange thing about the book of Acts, though: It ends very abruptly. It’s almost as if Dr. Luke was writing one day and decided to put his pen down and close the book without a proper ending. Why is that? We’ll probably never know this side of heaven.
But maybe, just maybe, the reason the book of Acts ends so abruptly is because it is the only book of the Bible that has yet to be finished. Could it be that the book of Acts is still being written today and we are a part of the story? The book is titled The Acts of the Apostles, but I think it could better be titled The Acts of the Church. And the book of Acts was only the beginning of that story.
Some people look at Acts 2 and think that God would never work that way today. Some people read how God used a relatively small group of people to literally turn their world upside down (Acts 17:6) and think that God could never use them in the same way. I’ve got a Greek word for that: “baloney!” God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
So let’s all pray and ask God to bless our church like He blessed those early churches in the book of Acts. He hasn’t changed, and I believe He wants to do it again.
And it didn’t stop. By Acts 4, the Bible tells us that the number of the men (apparently not counting women and children) had grown to 5000. By the time you get to the end of the book of Acts, the message of the Gospel had spread out from Jerusalem and had been carried as far away as the city of Rome. Numerous churches had been planted and the world has never been the same since.
One strange thing about the book of Acts, though: It ends very abruptly. It’s almost as if Dr. Luke was writing one day and decided to put his pen down and close the book without a proper ending. Why is that? We’ll probably never know this side of heaven.
But maybe, just maybe, the reason the book of Acts ends so abruptly is because it is the only book of the Bible that has yet to be finished. Could it be that the book of Acts is still being written today and we are a part of the story? The book is titled The Acts of the Apostles, but I think it could better be titled The Acts of the Church. And the book of Acts was only the beginning of that story.
Some people look at Acts 2 and think that God would never work that way today. Some people read how God used a relatively small group of people to literally turn their world upside down (Acts 17:6) and think that God could never use them in the same way. I’ve got a Greek word for that: “baloney!” God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
So let’s all pray and ask God to bless our church like He blessed those early churches in the book of Acts. He hasn’t changed, and I believe He wants to do it again.
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