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.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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.
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