Happy New Year! That's the greeting going around this weekend. It is a good time to examine who we are in Christ and what He would have us to do with out lives! It has been a LONG time since my last post (on any blog), so my first New Year's Resolution as it relates to "social media" is to post more often on the blogs and sites I maintain.
Not just posts, but posts "with purpose." Some of you understand that term. It is not my desire to fill up my time with useless info. Rather, I want my posts to have some value to the reader. So, whether it be an actual blog, FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or TRBA's website, it is my prayer you will find information useful that I post in 2012.
As I have thought of what to post in 2012, I have prayed and then examined what I am "hearing" from various sources in denominational life. To that end, I have determined to focus on the purpose of the association, as well as issues related to overall church health. I will be looking a LOT to Transformational Church and Transitional Pastor as I am working with both LifeWay and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in those areas. Truthfully, I think there are things we can glean to strengthen the church and impact lostness (our purpose as an association of churches).
In a conversation with a Sunday School director today we began to discuss some information we had obtained during a Josh Hunt conference several years back. In fact, I bought a book by Hunt today that reiterated the idea of "how to double your Sunday School in two years or less."
The gist of the conversation centered on the fact that the classes seemed content with where they were and had not grown in several years. Basically, we talked about the lack of evidence in many area churches (from conversations the two of us have had with other church leaders in neighboring churches from three associations) that churches want to grow.
I think that is perhaps the first thing we need to honestly look at as we begin the new year. Do we have a genuine desire to grow closer to Christ personally and to grow both spiritually and numerically in our churches. Or are we content with where we are. I would invite you to pray and search with me this simple fact over the next couple of days. After the first of the year I will examine the idea of doubling Sunday School attendance in less than two years. I am pretty confident I will address it from the standpoint of IF we REALLY want to see growth.
I have become convinced that we have all the tools we need to advance the kingdom. We have attended conference after conference. In the YEARS we have attended, there has been little kingdom advance and virtually no SUSTAINED evidence of growth in many of our churches. Yet - we have the tools sitting idly beside us as we moan about our lack of advance.
What do we have:
1. The authority of Christ who commanded that we make disciples.
2. His Word.
3. His presence to instruct, lead, guide, empower.
4. Prayer.
5. His promise to hear, answer, empower as we walk in obedience to Him.
Then we have other tools to assist. Among the ones I have emphasized in TRBA are Link2Lead, The Mapping Center, continued training of church leadership, Transformational Church, Transitional Pastor, etc. etc. etc. Over the next few weeks, expect much info to be shared. As it is shared, pray about your participation individually and as a church.
Do you want to see kingdom advance in 2012? If you do, please join me and the other TRBA staff members as we answer the call to prayer by our denominational leaders. Pray with us daily for kingdom advance. Join us on Monday, January 23rd at 7 PM for a corporate time of prayer.
Again, I wish you the best for 2012. I look forward to walking alongside you as we set out together to strengthen His church and impact the lostness of THIS generation!
Showing posts with label Cooperation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooperation. Show all posts
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, January 16, 2010
New Year/New Decade/Fresh Commitment
It is early in 2010. This is a new year, and a new decade. There are many good days ahead for the church as we commit anew to the work that God has called us to do together. Please join me in praying for our member churches and the opportunities ahead to advance the Kingdom.
I wanted to share a few goals for 2010:
1. I would like to see fellowship between the brethren (those who serve in ministry positions in our member churches) grow. I encourage you to participate as often as you can. I honestly believe our fellowship together will strengthen the church. However, my primary reason is simply that I believe WE need the fellowship of others that serve as we do. We NEED one another!
2. As always, we will be working towards better communication. We will use every effort to get the word out. We will use TellBlast, The Navigator, Mid-Stream, a revised Currents of the Tar, FaceBook, and increased sharing of the blogs. To be honest though, communication is a two-way street and we really need you to communicate what we are sharing with the members of your church.
3. It is my goal to have regular times of fasting and prayer as an association - beginning with the pastors. At our Ministers' fellowship in February, I hope to share a schedule. The Lord has convicted me that we need to gather and pray for a revival in our churches and a spiritual awakening among the people of our communities.
4. Using all the above - plus more - I hope to see the churches of the Tar River Baptist Association strengthened in 2010!!
As we pray together---fellowship together---work together, we will accomplish better the life and work that God has called us to do together as a group of churches in this association.
Naturally there are many other things I could share. Many other things I am praying for as your Associational Missionary. As always, I resolve to serve you better in 2010. If I can be of help to you in ANY way, do not hesitate to call on me.
Go ahead and mark your calendars. We have the first opportunity to fellowship together (with our entire families) on Saturday, January 23rd at 9 AM (Ephesus Church). Then, beginning February 16th we will re-group with our Monthly Ministers' Fellowship Meetings at 10 AM at the TRBA Center. Please join us as often as you can.
Over the next few weeks I will be sharing information regarding ways we will be striving to reach these goals (and more)in 2010.
I wanted to share a few goals for 2010:
1. I would like to see fellowship between the brethren (those who serve in ministry positions in our member churches) grow. I encourage you to participate as often as you can. I honestly believe our fellowship together will strengthen the church. However, my primary reason is simply that I believe WE need the fellowship of others that serve as we do. We NEED one another!
2. As always, we will be working towards better communication. We will use every effort to get the word out. We will use TellBlast, The Navigator, Mid-Stream, a revised Currents of the Tar, FaceBook, and increased sharing of the blogs. To be honest though, communication is a two-way street and we really need you to communicate what we are sharing with the members of your church.
3. It is my goal to have regular times of fasting and prayer as an association - beginning with the pastors. At our Ministers' fellowship in February, I hope to share a schedule. The Lord has convicted me that we need to gather and pray for a revival in our churches and a spiritual awakening among the people of our communities.
4. Using all the above - plus more - I hope to see the churches of the Tar River Baptist Association strengthened in 2010!!
As we pray together---fellowship together---work together, we will accomplish better the life and work that God has called us to do together as a group of churches in this association.
Naturally there are many other things I could share. Many other things I am praying for as your Associational Missionary. As always, I resolve to serve you better in 2010. If I can be of help to you in ANY way, do not hesitate to call on me.
Go ahead and mark your calendars. We have the first opportunity to fellowship together (with our entire families) on Saturday, January 23rd at 9 AM (Ephesus Church). Then, beginning February 16th we will re-group with our Monthly Ministers' Fellowship Meetings at 10 AM at the TRBA Center. Please join us as often as you can.
Over the next few weeks I will be sharing information regarding ways we will be striving to reach these goals (and more)in 2010.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Building Up The Fellowship Among Pastors
By now you have heard my views about the NEED for fellowship among those of us who serve as leaders/pastors/ministers of our member churches. I have encouraged us to fellowship together around the table, over a cup of coffee, as we partake of a meal. I truly believe this is an important part of the strengthening of the local church to become more effective in its ministry to the community. However, there are many who have yet to "fellowship" with the pastors in area chuches.
Like the church grows closer and stronger by not forsaking thee assembly, I believe the fellowship of pastors is a key element that we should not ignore. My pastor keeps addressing our congreation with a piercing question, "who is the 2 AM friend that you can call?" Truth is, we who serve in ministry often receive that call, but have no one to call. I encourage us all to become involved in fellowship with area ministers on a regular basis!
I also believe there is a real need for us to meet regularly to share information and experience training/dialogue together. I guess that would be accomplished at a "Ministers' Conference." They tell me that all throughout Baptist Life those type meetings are poorly attended. I hate that for this generation of pastors! I look back to my early years and I treasure the friendships made and support networks developed as a result of our monthly fellowship meetings and those times around the table. I enjoy the times I go off to pastors conefernces, meetings, etc. but there is a real need for us - as local pastors to build up our fellowship. Point is - we need one another! So - again, I unapologetically encourage us to get together over a cup of coffee or around a fellowship meal. And yes, I encourage us to become involved in regular Pastors/Ministers Fellowship meetings.
I hope you go ahead and place the dates on your calendar and strive to be in attendance. I honeslty believe your (and my) involvement will strengthen the churches of the Tar River Baptist Association. Please pray with me in this important matter.
In 2010 TRBA has scheduled the THIRD Tuesday of each month as our Ministers' Monthly Fellowship Meetings. We will be meeting at TRBA Center at 10 AM and conclude by 11:30 AM. We encourage you to continue fellowship after the meeting over a meal - at leasty occassionally.
It is our prayer to have meetings that share relevant information helpful to you in ministry. If you have ideas, please share with me at domtarriver@hotmail.com. Right now, we have several things planned:
Saturday, January 23rd at 9 AM - Pastors and Families Fellowship Breakfast at Ephesus. This is a different time than normal, come and join us. There is no cost, but we do ask that you register with us so we know how much to prepare. I will get more info out later, but PLEASE place this on your calendar and join us if at all possible.
Monthly Ministers' Fellowship Meetings: Beginning Tuesday, February 16th at 10 AM and continuing each THIRD Tuesday of the month. All meetings will be at TRBA Center unless otherwise noted. In the February Meeting we will share detailed information about how TRBA will be involved in "Find it Here" for the next year. Please understand, "Find it Here" is not JUST an effort to get people to church on Easter Sunday 2010, it is an intensive effort to get ALL believers sharing the Gospel and EVERY lost person in North America hearing and having an opportunity to receive that message.
Programs after February are:
March: Learning How To Lead People In A Non-Committed Culture
April: How To Become A Spiritually Healthy, Reproducing Church
May: Associational Missions Emphasis
I look forward to seeing you at these gatherings and encourage you to share ideas so that we can develop programs of interest/help to you.
God Bless!
Like the church grows closer and stronger by not forsaking thee assembly, I believe the fellowship of pastors is a key element that we should not ignore. My pastor keeps addressing our congreation with a piercing question, "who is the 2 AM friend that you can call?" Truth is, we who serve in ministry often receive that call, but have no one to call. I encourage us all to become involved in fellowship with area ministers on a regular basis!
I also believe there is a real need for us to meet regularly to share information and experience training/dialogue together. I guess that would be accomplished at a "Ministers' Conference." They tell me that all throughout Baptist Life those type meetings are poorly attended. I hate that for this generation of pastors! I look back to my early years and I treasure the friendships made and support networks developed as a result of our monthly fellowship meetings and those times around the table. I enjoy the times I go off to pastors conefernces, meetings, etc. but there is a real need for us - as local pastors to build up our fellowship. Point is - we need one another! So - again, I unapologetically encourage us to get together over a cup of coffee or around a fellowship meal. And yes, I encourage us to become involved in regular Pastors/Ministers Fellowship meetings.
I hope you go ahead and place the dates on your calendar and strive to be in attendance. I honeslty believe your (and my) involvement will strengthen the churches of the Tar River Baptist Association. Please pray with me in this important matter.
In 2010 TRBA has scheduled the THIRD Tuesday of each month as our Ministers' Monthly Fellowship Meetings. We will be meeting at TRBA Center at 10 AM and conclude by 11:30 AM. We encourage you to continue fellowship after the meeting over a meal - at leasty occassionally.
It is our prayer to have meetings that share relevant information helpful to you in ministry. If you have ideas, please share with me at domtarriver@hotmail.com. Right now, we have several things planned:
Saturday, January 23rd at 9 AM - Pastors and Families Fellowship Breakfast at Ephesus. This is a different time than normal, come and join us. There is no cost, but we do ask that you register with us so we know how much to prepare. I will get more info out later, but PLEASE place this on your calendar and join us if at all possible.
Monthly Ministers' Fellowship Meetings: Beginning Tuesday, February 16th at 10 AM and continuing each THIRD Tuesday of the month. All meetings will be at TRBA Center unless otherwise noted. In the February Meeting we will share detailed information about how TRBA will be involved in "Find it Here" for the next year. Please understand, "Find it Here" is not JUST an effort to get people to church on Easter Sunday 2010, it is an intensive effort to get ALL believers sharing the Gospel and EVERY lost person in North America hearing and having an opportunity to receive that message.
Programs after February are:
March: Learning How To Lead People In A Non-Committed Culture
April: How To Become A Spiritually Healthy, Reproducing Church
May: Associational Missions Emphasis
I look forward to seeing you at these gatherings and encourage you to share ideas so that we can develop programs of interest/help to you.
God Bless!
Friday, May 08, 2009
Bad Economy Challenges Churches but Provides Opportunities
LifeWay Research: Written by David Roach and Staff
NASHVILLE, Tenn., – Protestant churchgoers in America remain generous during difficult economic times, and their churches have increased their ministry to the needy. Despite the country being in an official recession for the past year, giving in 2008 was up an average of 4 percent over 2007 according to a survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors by LifeWay Research.
"While many sectors of the economy have taken a clear step back in the last year, Protestant churches have held their own," said Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research.
Still, more than half of pastors interviewed say that the current economy is negatively impacting their churches, but only 7 percent of Protestant pastors say the economy is "very negatively" impacting their churches. Thirty percent of pastors say the economy has had no impact on their churches.
LifeWay Research surveyed 1,000 Protestant pastors during February 2009. Respondents were asked how the economy is impacting their churches, how giving levels compare to budget, how 2008 offering totals differed from 2007, and what changes have taken place in their churches as a result of the economy.
The average church saw offerings grow by 4 percent in 2008. Growth in offerings of 10percent or more was experienced by 26 percent of churches. In contrast, 12 percent of churches saw their giving decline by 10 percent or more in 2008.
Pastors are almost as likely to report giving ahead of current budget as behind it. The largest group of churches (45 percent) report offerings since the beginning of 2008 have been about what they budgeted.* Twenty-six percent of churches are receiving more than they budgeted and 27 percent are receiving less. Two percent of pastors are not sure. Seventy-one percent of Protestant churches around the country are either meeting or exceeding their budget, according to the survey.
"While the public’s faith in almost every other type of investment has crumbled, faithful givers continue to support churches," noted Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research. "If current trends continue, the majority of churches will likely meet their budgets this year."
Making adjustments: Because of the financial crunch, 35 percent of churches held salaries for the new year at last year’s levels and 12 percent delayed construction or other large capital expenses that were planned. Still, 31 percent of churches explored starting a new ministry to help people who are disadvantaged and 37percent increased spending from the church budget to help the needy. Churches willing to meet financial needs will almost certainly find increased opportunities to do so, according to the survey. A majority (62 percent) of churches have had more people in the community request financial assistance in the last year than in previous years.
"When times are tough, the church can be at its best – being, doing and telling the good news of the Gospel," Stetzer said. "Though the church has not been hit as hard as many sectors of society, the data is showing some real challenges. Churches are having to be much more cautious with their spending."
Even within congregations, needs increased. Nearly a third (31 percent) of churches have received more requests from within the congregation for financial assistance in the last year than in previous years. Within the last year, 4 in 10 churches have had more people than normal within the congregation lose their jobs.
This last year has also brought changes in how those within congregations approach expenditures. Thirty-five percent of churches have a heightened sense of caution within their congregations about trying new things that cost money. A small number of congregations (11 percent) have seen increased reluctance to attend church functions or church-sponsored events that carry a cost or admission charge.
Among the other effects the economy has had on churches:
- Seven percent delayed hiring that was planned.
- Six percent reduced staff salaries.
- Four percent laid off one or more employees.
- Four percent reduced insurance benefits for staff.
Some pastors have made personal sacrifices to continue ministering in the slumping economy. Twenty-seven percent have paid for ministry items out of their own pockets more often than normal. That figure jumps to 34 percent among pastors whose salaries held at last year’s level and to 55 percent among pastors with reduced salaries. Only five percent have paid fewer ministry expenses out of their own pocket than normal.
In rare cases, ministers have supplemented their incomes to make ends meet. Five percent recently added a non-ministry job for more income. Five percent of pastors have asked their spouses to add a non-ministry job for more income. Three percent of pastors have sought writing or speaking opportunities that provide royalties or honoraria.
Only 1 percent of pastors have seriously considered leaving the ministry for financial reasons during the economic slowdown.
"It’s easy to hunker down with what money you have left," McConnell said. "Yet Jesus Christ told his followers that giving out of your poverty is worth far more than giving out of your surplus. Pastors are living this truth. They are choosing 5-to-1 to give more out of their own pockets, rather than less, to ministry opportunities."
*Pastors were asked to look back to a common starting point in order to compensate for various budget cycles – for this question it was the beginning of 2008
(Please note: TRBA will soon be sharing additional information for our member churches to assist people that have been hurt in this economy. If your church has ways to i is assisting members in your community, please share with us as we are getting an increasing number of calls in our office.)
NASHVILLE, Tenn., – Protestant churchgoers in America remain generous during difficult economic times, and their churches have increased their ministry to the needy. Despite the country being in an official recession for the past year, giving in 2008 was up an average of 4 percent over 2007 according to a survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors by LifeWay Research.
"While many sectors of the economy have taken a clear step back in the last year, Protestant churches have held their own," said Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research.
Still, more than half of pastors interviewed say that the current economy is negatively impacting their churches, but only 7 percent of Protestant pastors say the economy is "very negatively" impacting their churches. Thirty percent of pastors say the economy has had no impact on their churches.
LifeWay Research surveyed 1,000 Protestant pastors during February 2009. Respondents were asked how the economy is impacting their churches, how giving levels compare to budget, how 2008 offering totals differed from 2007, and what changes have taken place in their churches as a result of the economy.
The average church saw offerings grow by 4 percent in 2008. Growth in offerings of 10percent or more was experienced by 26 percent of churches. In contrast, 12 percent of churches saw their giving decline by 10 percent or more in 2008.
Pastors are almost as likely to report giving ahead of current budget as behind it. The largest group of churches (45 percent) report offerings since the beginning of 2008 have been about what they budgeted.* Twenty-six percent of churches are receiving more than they budgeted and 27 percent are receiving less. Two percent of pastors are not sure. Seventy-one percent of Protestant churches around the country are either meeting or exceeding their budget, according to the survey.
"While the public’s faith in almost every other type of investment has crumbled, faithful givers continue to support churches," noted Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research. "If current trends continue, the majority of churches will likely meet their budgets this year."
Making adjustments: Because of the financial crunch, 35 percent of churches held salaries for the new year at last year’s levels and 12 percent delayed construction or other large capital expenses that were planned. Still, 31 percent of churches explored starting a new ministry to help people who are disadvantaged and 37percent increased spending from the church budget to help the needy. Churches willing to meet financial needs will almost certainly find increased opportunities to do so, according to the survey. A majority (62 percent) of churches have had more people in the community request financial assistance in the last year than in previous years.
"When times are tough, the church can be at its best – being, doing and telling the good news of the Gospel," Stetzer said. "Though the church has not been hit as hard as many sectors of society, the data is showing some real challenges. Churches are having to be much more cautious with their spending."
Even within congregations, needs increased. Nearly a third (31 percent) of churches have received more requests from within the congregation for financial assistance in the last year than in previous years. Within the last year, 4 in 10 churches have had more people than normal within the congregation lose their jobs.
This last year has also brought changes in how those within congregations approach expenditures. Thirty-five percent of churches have a heightened sense of caution within their congregations about trying new things that cost money. A small number of congregations (11 percent) have seen increased reluctance to attend church functions or church-sponsored events that carry a cost or admission charge.
Among the other effects the economy has had on churches:
- Seven percent delayed hiring that was planned.
- Six percent reduced staff salaries.
- Four percent laid off one or more employees.
- Four percent reduced insurance benefits for staff.
Some pastors have made personal sacrifices to continue ministering in the slumping economy. Twenty-seven percent have paid for ministry items out of their own pockets more often than normal. That figure jumps to 34 percent among pastors whose salaries held at last year’s level and to 55 percent among pastors with reduced salaries. Only five percent have paid fewer ministry expenses out of their own pocket than normal.
In rare cases, ministers have supplemented their incomes to make ends meet. Five percent recently added a non-ministry job for more income. Five percent of pastors have asked their spouses to add a non-ministry job for more income. Three percent of pastors have sought writing or speaking opportunities that provide royalties or honoraria.
Only 1 percent of pastors have seriously considered leaving the ministry for financial reasons during the economic slowdown.
"It’s easy to hunker down with what money you have left," McConnell said. "Yet Jesus Christ told his followers that giving out of your poverty is worth far more than giving out of your surplus. Pastors are living this truth. They are choosing 5-to-1 to give more out of their own pockets, rather than less, to ministry opportunities."
*Pastors were asked to look back to a common starting point in order to compensate for various budget cycles – for this question it was the beginning of 2008
(Please note: TRBA will soon be sharing additional information for our member churches to assist people that have been hurt in this economy. If your church has ways to i is assisting members in your community, please share with us as we are getting an increasing number of calls in our office.)
Friday, June 29, 2007
ANY Two People SEEKING GOD Can Work Together
In a sermon preached at Ridgecrest immediately before I became a Director of Missions I heard Jimmy Draper state "Any two people genuinely seeking God can work together." His words were spoken as he preached on "The Single Priority of Christ," using the testimony of the Apostle Paul from Philippians 1: 21 (and associated verses). I took note of those words and have used it as a guide in my work as a Director of Missions/Associational Missionary.
It burdens me that we (as believers) debate and argue on so many issues and harbor such ill will toward one another as a result of past hurts. While we read and respond to this post, hundreds of people will leave this world to eternity - most without Christ. As those committed to being Great Commission/Great Commandment people (and in our positions leading countless others in that same effort), it appears to me that we should make extra effort to work together for the cause of Christ.
I believe God's Word teaches that the world will know we belong to Him by the way that we "love one another." I believe God's Word teaches that we are to do all that we can to "preserve the unity" of God's church. I believe that God's Word teaches that we are to work together as a body of believers to reach a lost world for Christ.
Draper stated that the Apostle Paul was able to state Philippians 1: 21 because he had learned to live by the SINGULAR priority of Christ. The world encourages us to "get our priorities in order." For most of my life I have shared that philosophy. Today I would tell you that I missed the mark when I proclaimed that philosophy. I should have preached prioritY and not prioriTIES. In Matthew 6: 33 Jesus taught us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" and declared that all these "things" shall be added as well. I am called of God to be like Him, therefore that should be my message as well. I must stop putting "things" ahead of Christ.
When I state my opinion on issues of importance - they are my opinions and not God's Word. When I work diligently to advance my agenda - I must work hard to insure that my agenda is in tune with God's Will for His Kingdom. When I look to my "friends" or my "enemies" and am swayed one way or the other by their comments, I must look to God's Word and meditate upon it to insure that I am not being swayed by just any "wind of doctrine" that comes my way. That's why Draper's comments hit home that day - am I genuinely seeking God for the advancement of His kingdom or am I continually ignoring God's Word and His Call upon my life for the purpose of building my kingdom?
I commend Dr. Frank Page and those who planned our SBC this year for their efforts to call us to prayer. I believe God is calling His church to repent/turn from our wicked ways and genuinely seek Him. If and when we genuinely seek God together, we will begin to genuinely reflect who He is in the way we live our lives/conduct ourselves. That's what the world around us needs to see in us - a reflection of the Living Christ that offers to those in despair the help, hope, fulfillment, deliverance, and salvation that only Christ can bring into their lives. If we are not careful we turn people away and they remain eternally lost while we are engaged in debate over that which is important to us but may not be quite as important to God.
God is inviting us to join Him in His work - to become engaged in evangelism - sharing His message so that people will hear and come unto Him; to become engaged in discipleship - walking alongside new believers and helping them in their daily walk with the Lord and being there for them when they stumble; to become engaged in fellowship - which is far more than our potluck dinners on any given day of the week in Baptist life; to become engaged in ministry - caring for the needs of one another as part of the body and caring for the needs of our neighbors as Christ would have us to be caring for the needs of our neighbors (His definition not ours); and engaged in genuine worship of the one true God - not just playing church like little children or "going through the motions" of doing church.
The question before us is "will we join Him in His Work" and will be commit to genuinely seeking God together so that we can work together to accomplish His purpose? The QBQ (Question Behind The Question) is - are we willing to lay down ourselves for the cause of Christ, pick up His Cross, and FOLLOW Him? I remain convinced - "any two people, genuinely seeking God can work together."
It burdens me that we (as believers) debate and argue on so many issues and harbor such ill will toward one another as a result of past hurts. While we read and respond to this post, hundreds of people will leave this world to eternity - most without Christ. As those committed to being Great Commission/Great Commandment people (and in our positions leading countless others in that same effort), it appears to me that we should make extra effort to work together for the cause of Christ.
I believe God's Word teaches that the world will know we belong to Him by the way that we "love one another." I believe God's Word teaches that we are to do all that we can to "preserve the unity" of God's church. I believe that God's Word teaches that we are to work together as a body of believers to reach a lost world for Christ.
Draper stated that the Apostle Paul was able to state Philippians 1: 21 because he had learned to live by the SINGULAR priority of Christ. The world encourages us to "get our priorities in order." For most of my life I have shared that philosophy. Today I would tell you that I missed the mark when I proclaimed that philosophy. I should have preached prioritY and not prioriTIES. In Matthew 6: 33 Jesus taught us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" and declared that all these "things" shall be added as well. I am called of God to be like Him, therefore that should be my message as well. I must stop putting "things" ahead of Christ.
When I state my opinion on issues of importance - they are my opinions and not God's Word. When I work diligently to advance my agenda - I must work hard to insure that my agenda is in tune with God's Will for His Kingdom. When I look to my "friends" or my "enemies" and am swayed one way or the other by their comments, I must look to God's Word and meditate upon it to insure that I am not being swayed by just any "wind of doctrine" that comes my way. That's why Draper's comments hit home that day - am I genuinely seeking God for the advancement of His kingdom or am I continually ignoring God's Word and His Call upon my life for the purpose of building my kingdom?
I commend Dr. Frank Page and those who planned our SBC this year for their efforts to call us to prayer. I believe God is calling His church to repent/turn from our wicked ways and genuinely seek Him. If and when we genuinely seek God together, we will begin to genuinely reflect who He is in the way we live our lives/conduct ourselves. That's what the world around us needs to see in us - a reflection of the Living Christ that offers to those in despair the help, hope, fulfillment, deliverance, and salvation that only Christ can bring into their lives. If we are not careful we turn people away and they remain eternally lost while we are engaged in debate over that which is important to us but may not be quite as important to God.
God is inviting us to join Him in His work - to become engaged in evangelism - sharing His message so that people will hear and come unto Him; to become engaged in discipleship - walking alongside new believers and helping them in their daily walk with the Lord and being there for them when they stumble; to become engaged in fellowship - which is far more than our potluck dinners on any given day of the week in Baptist life; to become engaged in ministry - caring for the needs of one another as part of the body and caring for the needs of our neighbors as Christ would have us to be caring for the needs of our neighbors (His definition not ours); and engaged in genuine worship of the one true God - not just playing church like little children or "going through the motions" of doing church.
The question before us is "will we join Him in His Work" and will be commit to genuinely seeking God together so that we can work together to accomplish His purpose? The QBQ (Question Behind The Question) is - are we willing to lay down ourselves for the cause of Christ, pick up His Cross, and FOLLOW Him? I remain convinced - "any two people, genuinely seeking God can work together."
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