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Blog Archive
January 24, 2017
Terry's Thoughts
I saw the following article in a sister association newsletter recently and felt it worthy of passing on: "GOD IS DOING A NEW THING!" THE BAD NEWS: Currently thousands of U.S. churches are closing their doors each year! No one wants to become just another statistic. No one wants to hear their doctor's fatal prognosis. Yet more than 300,000 churches have been given a fatal diagnosis and will die unless they change. THE GOOD NEWS: I believe churches, including ours who might be in a difficult place, can experience breakthrough - and it begins with me and you! Are you willing to trust God to do the impossible? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to experience the power of God's work in your church? Are you willing to trust Him? Are you willing to change? Are you willing to proclaim the simple message, 2,000 years old but as relevant as this morning's news: "Life is short; death is sure; sin is the cause; and Christ is the cure?" Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us, "Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."
The above article poses powerful questions for us all to consider. I challenge each of us, as this New Year unfolds, to consider these questions and be honest with both ourselves and especially with God. Wouldn't it be amazing if we would turn to Him, confess our sins, repent of those sins, and return to His will?! I am convinced the Lord is waiting to do something amazing among us, but we must be willing to do whatever is necessary in order for His will to be accomplished in us.
Speaking of seeking and accomplishing His will for our lives, January, despite our cold beginning,was filled with renewal opportunities. Brantley's Grove celebrated its annual Bible Conference on January 17, Potecasi celebrated its third annual Men's Bible conference on January 21, and our WMU celebrated its annual Prayer Retreat with Phyllis Elvington on January 28. Each of these events were designed to remind, restore, revive, and challenge our folks in the area of evangelism. I pray all of their efforts will result in new souls welcomed into the Kingdom. As one good friend once told me many years ago, "Nothing stirs the heart of our Lord more than when His people are stirring the baptismal waters." I have attempted to live by that advice throughout my life and ministry. Let us apply this challenge to all of our ministries.
As stated in my January newsletter article I have unofficially dubbed this year's ministry goal, as we attempt to assist our churches in making "Christ Followers who Follow Christ," is to assist in "Equipping the saints to Serve." In short, all of our teams are seeking ways to serve you better with resources and training that makes a true difference. One such effort, among many, within our association is participating in an Associational Assessment scheduled for March 27 and 28. The Leadership Development Team and I are planning to conduct, along with several DOM's from across our state, this Assessment. Included in this assessment will be a scheduled time to interview each of our pastors to discover where they believe our churches are and to chat about ways we can improve how we, as an association, can serve each of your churches more efficiently. From this assessment we will make recommendations as to what might need to change within the association. I am extremely excited about this time and look forward to what might be discovered. I ask you to begin now praying for God's Will to be done and that He would reveal to us all what that Will is. I also ask that you pray we would have the courage to carry out His will even if it is hard.
Finally, remember I love you and consider serving you an honor. Nothing gives me more joy than to be allowed to help you in the task of growing in the Lord and reaching all of our communities with the gospel of Jesus.
Terry