Looking Forward to 2012

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!

Working TOGETHER To Strengthen The Church

The challenge was placed before you in a previous e-zine. First, are you burdened about the lack of impact being made by the church? Second - do you feel adequately "trained and equipped" to do the ministry God has called you to do? Third - are you among the 85% of pastors that are simply "tired of dealing with problem people?" Fourth - do you have a confidant/mentor? Fifth - do you increasingly find yourself neglecting your own spiritual life/relationship with Christ to "do the ministry of the church?"

Let me begin with the latter - "Do you increasingly find yourself neglecting your own spiritual life/relationship with Christ to "do the ministry of the church?"" If your answer is YES, then what are you going to do about it?

Second, let me deal with your having a confidant/close friend/mentor. Do you have one? I have heard the statement, "these preachers today want to be Lone Rangers." Well -- even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. Who is yoiur Tonto?

I am convinced there are things we - as pastors - must do to strengthen the churches we serve. First and foremost, WE NEED TO TAKE THE TIME TO BE STILL AND KNOW GOD BETTER! Yes - I know how hard it is. But we need to take those sabbaticals/days off. We need to take time away from the busy-ness. We need to relflect upon God; His Will for our lives; and examine IF we are being obedient to His call or disobedient in the way we are doing ministry.

I want to encourage you to DO several things:

1. FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD: Take your calendar RIGHT NOW and schedule some time to be ALONE WITH GOD---AWAY FROM THE BUSY-NESS. Determine to use that time to read/stuydy/meditate upon His Word and what He is saying to YOU as His undershepherd to His flock where you serve.

2. FELLOWSHIP WITH FAMILY: I know my wife does not deserve the neglect I give her in the name of ministry. Take some time each week to be WITH family - away from the busy-ness. Like your relationship with the Lord, you need some times of undistracted time with family.

3. FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER PASTORS: It is time to find a Tonto to travel along with us! There are WEEKLY times of fellowship that you need to make the special effort to be a part of - just to get to know your brothers in ministry in TRBA and other associations. If you are not already a part of a group, then there are groups you should "crash:"

* There is a lunch group around Zebulon that meets every Monday at noon (they meet at Wakefield Central - yes, it crossed associational lines)
* There is a breakfast group that meets at the BoJangles in Louisburg on Tuesdays around 8:30 AM.
* There is a breakfast group that meets at the BoJangles in Nashville on Wednesdays around 8:30 AM (and it too crosses associational lines).
* Dougald will be in the Ledford Center at SEBTS around 11:15 AM every third Wednesday for those that are on campus.

You are encouraged to get to know those who serve with you in this ministry God has called you to. There are a precious few of us, and we can help one another in this important work.

4. JOIN A SMALL GROUP: I will be approaching you in the weeks aheade to consider working with me on a special "project." The purpose is multi-fold: (1) to lead pastors and churches to envision God's future, (2) to lead church leaders to develop a strategy to become healthy, reproducing churches in their communitiesm, and (3)build up the fellowship among TRBA ministers (which I believe strengthens our member churches).

5. ATTEND PASTORS' CONFERENCE: In 2009 we will change our format some and will be working with Rick Hughes on a quarterly basis. In my next e-zine I will detail the dates for 2009 so you can place them on your calendar.

Again I ask, do you REALLY want to see your church THRIVE? Come join me - both in prayer and in the places mentioned above.

Is Your Church Essential (Will it be here in 2035)?

These guys that can blog daily - or those that blog as an event is happening, I can not see how they can do it. It is difficult for me to find the time. But once in a while, I do have some ideas I would like to share with you - so, then I write. Don't know if anyone reads, but I write.

Currently I am reading "The Essential Church." There was a free download (and I will put a copy on our website so you can download if you like) sent to me, but I actually got it on CD to listen as I drive from place to place. It is a revealing book about the youth of our churches "dropping out" by the age of 22, with many never coming back. I have found myself "taking note" as I visit from church to church and when I am invited to preach, I am attempting to approach things a little differently.

In the book it speaks a lot regarding the fact that 2 of every 3 young people in protestant churches leave the church between the ages of 18 - 22. The top ten reasons for their departure are listed and dealt with in the book. The role of the pastor in creating a climate of inclusiveness and relevance toward youth is dealt with in the book.

Thus far, that is what is piercing my heart. Through my years as a pastor, I was engaged with my youth. There were times that I "switched" with my youth ministers and he would teach the adults and I would teach the youth. I would drive up to their places of retreat for their worship service, etc. But I could not evaluate if I included them in my sermons.

Yes - I made a conscious effort to communicate in a "children's sermon" and shared my topics/scripture in sufficient time that my Youth Minister and Music Minister could use them when they did the children's sermon (we rotated presenting the children's sermon so we could all interact with the children). Sometimes I would even tell them to listen closely in the "adults' sermon" for the answer to a question I would ask them in the children's sermon to get them to listen closely to what I was teaching and would give out a prize to those who could give me the answer as they left the church. But I became concerned - had I made a conscious effort to communicate the Gospel truths to the youth of the church family. Did I find a unique way to so that they could make application in their lives in the days ahead. Were my illustrations relevant to them as they had to deal with the pressures upon their lives each day. I asked a couple and they said that I did. I pray they are telling me the truth and that others feel that way as well.

Certainly, we can not put a separate "sermon" in the 11 AM worship hour for every particular age group. We would have to fake it a little if we did, because we do not have all the life experiences of those in our congregations. Could you image - a children's sermon, perhaps several - one for toddlers, one for K-2, one for 3 - 5; a youth sermon - one for middle school and one for high school; a sermonette for college attendees and those who went to work straight out of high school; something for those who have chosen to remain single and something for those that have married young; parents of small children; parents of older children; empty nesters; singe agains; senior adults, etc. But perhaps we do need to look at "our delivery" and make sure we are not just speaking to one segment of the congregation.

Since reading (listening to) this book (and I am on my third time through, trying to examine the different aspects), I feel as if I am making a more conscious effort to be inclusive of all generations. At Pearce's homecoming, they forgot to announce children's church and though I had begun to preach, as the smaller children left, I tried to communicate with them. I wanted them to know that they were important to me, so I stopped and "talked" with them as they departed the sanctuary. I was also to talk with their parents about them as it related to the topic of my sermon and could refer to those children. It was evident a couple were with their grandparents, so I could have (I did not in that sermon) have included aspects relevant to 3 generations in that one sermon. When I was at Red Bud last Sunday, I took note that the youth were over to my left with the youth minister (probably the old "amen corner") and I made a conscious effort to walk over to that side and look them straight in the face and share illustrations relevant to them in making decisions in and about school, etc.

The point I am trying to make is this - "look" at your congregation. The children and youth in your church family are NOT the church of tomorrow - THEY ARE THE CHURCH OF TODAY. If you and I, as pastors, do not include them in our sermons; present the Good News of Jesus Christ in a relevant manner; relay to them God's expectations of them as Christian youth; engage them in the ministries of our churches; involve them in the worship experience of the church, then there may literally be NO church tomorrow.

Back in the early 90's I read somewhere that by the year 2035 65% of the churches in North America whose doors were open in 1990 would be closed by the year 2035. I remember 2 things about my response to that information: (1) 2035 was a LONG TIME away, and (2) there was NO WAY for that to be true. However, today I have a completely different response: (1) in 2003 NAMB reported that 48 churches a month were closing their doors in North America, (2) that 2035 is almost here and most of the people MY age will be around, (3) 92% of our churches are "plateaued" or declining, and (4) if 2 of of every 3 youth are dropping out of church by age 22. With those things being true, then it should be EXPECTED that unless things change, 65% may be a conservative number!

I encourage you to read "The Essential Church" and allow God to speak to you through their findings and suggestions.