Bugs in the Baptistry

The other day, I took a long drive through the country side.  Along my journey, I passed a little country church.  My thoughts began to take me back to the early days of ministry when I was asked to preach revival services there. As a rookie preacher, I remember walking into the auditorium and noting that sometime in the past, it had been expanded to accomodate growth.  The expansion was no longer needed as only around 40 souls would attend nightly, most of whom were life-long members.  As I walked around the stage mentally preparing myself, I glanced toward the baptistery.  It, too, had seen its better days.  A dead spider, a few dead bugs, and dust were all that had been in it in months, if not years.  As the mostly elderly group of saints began to arrive, my heart sank knowing that in the not-so-distant future this special place would close its doors.  Why? Why couldn't God step in and do something?  Why should the church have to compete with malls, movie theaters, and country clubs?  Do people not love Jesus enough to take one measly little hour of their lives and come to worship?  Then I remembered what Jesus had said.  HE had said it in HIS Word... "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  If the gates of hell can't destroy a church, what or who can?  I will tell you who can destroy a church quicker than anyone -God.  The permissive will of God may very well allow a church to close if that body of believers is not carrying out His work.  In Matthew 28, we are told to "Go and make disciples."  We aren't told to hold a revival service in the fall, Homecoming in the spring, or even a Christmas cantata.  We are told to "make discliples."  If a church isn't growing, what good is it to God? You may say, "Well, it fills me up and satisfies my needs."  If you aren't "making disciples," then, obviously, it's not doing anything for you either and you need to attend a Christ-centered church where you will be about His work. 

Back to the little church.... At one time, she was a powerhouse and that addition was full.  She had a great pastor who was willing to do anything and everything to lead members in bringing the people to faith in Jesus Christ.  People came to church because it was exciting.  People came to see what great thing God was going to do today or to hear what He has done in someone's life the past week.  But now, she sits empty.  Children's laughter doesn't interrupt the message,  because young couples no longer attend.   People don't come to see exciting things because nothing exciting is happening in the lives of the remnant.  Sure, they have a good pastor.  He believes and preaches the Word, even though his beliefs are slightly askew of the original context and meaning.  He has a good heart and his plan of salvation is right on.  What's keeping the baptistery dusty and the pews unfilled at this church then? Answer, the people, and no matter what, they aren't budging.  They are stuck in the early 1900s, waiting.  What are they waiting for? They are waiting for more people to come.  They are hoping and sometimes praying that more will come listen to their outdated music and irrelevant messages.  They are wishing someone would accept the invitation, run down the aisle, grab the preacher's hand and confess their sins on the altar while the third verse of "Just As I Am" is sang over and over.  But they never come.  No one comes and says, "I heard y'all had some great hymn singing here!"  No one accepts the invitation and "Just As I Am" is cut short. No one comes.  No one comes because the Bible doesn't say "Stay and I will bring disciples." It says, "Go and (you) make disciples." The church of today must leave the pews and hit the streets.  We must build relationships with ungodly people just like Jesus did.  We must change our services to reflect society.  We must preach relevant messages to the masses, not about rules and regulations but about grace and mercy.  About how Christ died and arose to set us free!  Sure, we lucked out in years' past and people "came" to church, but that was then, this is now.  We have to take Jesus to them.  And if your church isn't a happy and exciting place, they aren't coming back. If we aren't profiting spiritually for God, why shouldn't He shut the doors?  "Go and make disciples." This is not a new concept or cutting-edge ministry tactic, it's gospel, plain and simple.  It's basic evangelism, and It works!

Stop Going To Church...

Stop Going to Church!

WHAT?!  I cant believe a preacher just told me that!  What kind of heretic is he?!  I've been going to church all my life!  Been carryin' this big ol' black leather King James-only Version Bible every Sunday!  I have been going to Sunday school since I was an embryo in my mothers womb and I have the pins to prove it!  I have been sanctified, edified, holified, baptized, immortalized, crucified, dignified, and mortified in this here church house!  My granddaddy was a deacon.  My momma was the church clerk.  My great uncle was the treasurer.  My daddy was the song leader and I have been riding this here pine pew since before you were born!  So don't tell me to stop going to church, mister!
Yep.  That's right.  I said it, but hear me out:  STOP GOING TO CHURCH .START BEING THE CHURCH!  Christians spend too much time going to church and not enough time being the church.   Think about that and let it sink in for a few minutes.  If you are an active church member, how often do you go to church?   Now, I am in NO WAY advocating that you stop attending church.  God expects us to meet with other believers to engage in corporate worship (Hebrews 10:25).  After the resurrection of Christ, the disciples began meeting on the first day of the week; however, a believer should attend church any time his/her church decides to meet.  Allow me to begin by defining the term, church, because I am afraid many people have the wrong idea of what church means as we use the word very loosely.  We go to church (meaning a worship service); we sit in a church (meaning a building); and, we are part of a church family (meaning a local group of Christians).  In the Bible we find the word church with two different meanings.  It can mean all believers in the world united as one or the more common biblical definition: a local body of believers, such as the church at Antioch, the church at Ephesus, the church at Corinth, etc.  Either way, God has given believers a special responsibility that is to be carried out only by the church.    In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age (New King James Version).  That's it plain and simple -MAKE DISCIPLES.  Now the challenge:  How can we make disciples if we just go to church?  Let me ask you a question:  When was the last time an unbeliever wandered into one of your worship services, sat down, and became a disciple?  It doesn't happen that way.  The reality today is the same as it was 2000 years ago. Unbelievers don't come to church, therefore we must GO to them.  We must realize that God isn't lost, people are lost.  Stop going to church, and start being the church.  The problem here is that most of us think that because we get out of bed on Sunday morning, get ready, and sit through an hour-long grueling sermon, then God owes us something.  God doesn't owe us anything, because he has given us everything!  We meet with other believers to worship and serve Him.  We attend worship on Sunday morning to get our spiritual tanks full so we can BE the church during the week.  Get involved in Gods work!  Volunteer at the Mission House, help build a Habitat for Humanity house, help a neighbor in need, go visit a lonely widow, offer a listening ear for someone going through a tragedy, teach a Bible study at the jail, or whatever God tells you to do!  BE THE CHURCH!  If you will do these things while sharing Gods love, people will begin to thirst for God and you will have to opportunity share Gods saving grace.  For too long we have sit in our pews whining about declining church attendance and the wickedness of the world.  Stop complaining and start doing.  Get out of your comfort zone and do something for God!  Together, we can change the world one disciple at a time.  STOP GOING TO CHURCH! BE THE CHURCH!

MY WAY!

Isaiah 55:7-8 says, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD, 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts'" (New King James Version).  There are several insights to these verses.  Even though believers are to be conforming to Jesus Christ everyday, we are still sinners.  Since we are sinners, we do not have the mind of God completely (we are a work in progress).  God tells us bluntly that we don't think the same and we don't act the same.  He continues by telling us that His ways are "higher" than ours -that is, they are better.  If that is the case, then why do we trust our own thinking?  SELF-CENTEREDNESS.  Our society has become one that looks out for ME.  "I" obviously is the most important letter of the alphabet.  We want to be in control of our lives and we don't want ANYONE telling us what to do.  Here's the problem if you are a Christian:  you are not independent!  As believers, we are to be dependent on Him and trust His voice.  We are to be in a state of prayer constantly -before any decision, great or small.  WHY?  Because His ways are best.  And I wouldn't have it any other way!

The Greatest Little Church in the World...

Today, I left my position of pastor at New Vision Baptist Church in Mayfield, KY.  It was a bittersweet day of worship, celebration, and sadness.  The church has watched me grow as a minister of the gospel over the past 9 years.  They have raised my children and saw me through the darkest days of my life.  I haven't been gone 12 hours and I miss them like crazy!  In times like these, we question God.  We wonder why he would ask us to leave something we love so much!  It's also in times like these that we must TRUST God and know that he ALWAYS has a plan.  Folks have continually asked "Where will you go?"  Like Abraham, I'm not sure -I just know it was time to leave and God will show us the way.  God is preparing another man to lead the flock at NVBC.  A man who will bring fresh ideas, energy, and new life to a group of believers with more potential than they will ever realize.  I will miss my little flock dearly and pray they unite during this time and keep their focus on God's kingdom while searching for their next leader.  My final words to the church were those of our Lord Jesus Christ in John 15:17, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER...."

Yep, I read a chick book

Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer


Being a guy, I was a little hesitant to read this book; however, after reading the back cover I thought I would give it a try.  After all, one of the main characters, Thad McKane, is a lawman like myself.  The story is about a girl (Sadie) who was raised in a Christian home who must find work far away to support her family after her step-father becomes gravely ill.  Her cousin helps her find job in the town of Goldtree, Kansas, where a rookie sheriff has recently arrived to fight alleged illegal activity.  Sadie also finds her dream of becoming a singer in Goldtree and the sheriff is drawn not only to her beauty and singing but her Christian character as well.  After discovering that Sadie is a suspect in an underground crime, Sheriff McKane is torn between love and duty.  Although the book is very predictable, Thad's inner struggles kept me interested.  The book also teaches forgiveness and the importance of maintaining one's integrity.  Bottom line: Guys, don't judge a book by it's cover.  Even though this seems like a "chick book," it contains the suspense and action we like as well.

The Coalition To Ban Coalitions...

Hank Williams, Jr. once sang a song entitled, "The Coalition To Ban Coalitions."  Although recently ol' Bocephus and I parted ways over differing political ideologies and a few terrible songs, I do agree that we have too many groups "ag'in" things.  This is especially true for churches.  A Facebook friend posted the other day, "Wouldn't it be nice to be known for what we are for, rather than what we are against?"  I couldn't agree more.  We spend hours in the pulpit condemning sexual immorality, gambling, abortion, drug abuse, divorce, etc, yet we hardly reach out to those suffering from the effects of those very sins.

Recently, a well known baptist pastor headed up the opposition to expanded gambling legislation in Kentucky.  In one of his Facebook posts he said, "Everyone who comes to _____ ______ Church for help with gambling addiction will receive the cell phone number to every senator that voted for it."  Call me liberal, but that's a little too far right for me.  Call me a realist, but gambling exists, legally or illegally.  The message I infer is they would rather insult legislators than help people with inevitable addictions.

Do we need to stand up for what we believe in? Absolutely, but I have never believed blowing up an abortion clinic or threatening an abortion doctor was the answer to the question:  WWJD?  Nor is name-calling or saying you will "reveal that senator's sins to the world."  Last I checked, that is Jesus' job, not ours.  I'm sorry, Pastor York, but this pastor here doesn't see opposing expanded gambling as "spiritual warfare."  To me, "spiritual warfare" is battling Satan over the souls of God's creation, not battling the legislature over public policy.

One More Day...

"I just want one more day."  I remember my grandfather, J.B. Morris, speaking those words after my grandmother, Pauline, moved into the advanced stages of Alzheimer's and was experiencing mini-strokes that left her barely responsive and clueless to her surroundings.  This was not the woman I grew up calling "Granny." For years, I had watched my grandmother hustle and bustle around the house answering his beckon call.  His sweet tea glass was never empty and he never missed a meal. Life had been busy.  As a farmer, he was up at dawn and down at dark, but now things where different. He had stopped farming after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and over the past few years I had watched him pay back every favor she had ever performed for him.  It wasn't until he found her in the yard at 3 am one morning that he was convinced she had to be placed in a nursing home, but there was a catch, "If she's going, I'm going with her,"  I remember him saying. Granddaddy would often tell us that he prayed that God would let him live one day longer than Granny so he could take care of her until He called her home.  The final years of their life together was the closing scene in one of the greatest love stories ever told.  During WWII, J.B. wanted to serve his country like many young American men his age.  When he went to enlist at the recruiter's office, he was turned away due to an issue with his eyes.  Searching for work, he headed to Evansville, IN where he found a job with Servel, Inc, an appliance company turned government manufacturer during WWII.  J.B.'s duties at Servel consisted of delivering parts to the lines that built the American fighter planes the dominated that European and Asian skies.  It was on a delivery that he met a young woman named Pauline Hagan from Hancock County, KY, dubbed a "Rosie the Riveter," she riveted wings to fighter planes.  Later in life J.B. would tell friends and family how his parts inventory was low because Pauline kept asking for extra rivets just to see him coming on his delivery scooter.  After several weeks of carpooling to work with 4 co-workers, Granddaddy said it was a dark night as he pulled away from the local burger joint that he realized how beautiful Pauline was as she waved goodbye to him in the window.  They began spending more time together after work, and in August 1944, they were married in a little baptist church in Evansville.  After the war, he brought her back home to Hickman County farm life where they raised three children and six grandchildren, instilling in them the Christian morals and values that kept them together for nearly 64 years.  Granddaddy's prayer of "one more day" was never answered, but God knows best.  He passed away on January 22, 2008 after complications from a heart attack.  I can suspect that it only took him three months of harassing and begging the Lord in heaven to hurry up and bring his wife home too.  On April 28, 2008, I received the call that Granny had left this temporary world for her permanent home.  Most people would cry, but I didn't.  I just smiled because I knew where she was and that my Granddaddy was at the gates waiting for her.