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Blog Archive
December 30, 2019
Terry's Thoughts January 2020
Holiness, a term seldom talked about and yet is so critically important for any believer, is our theme for 2020. To live one’s life in Christian holiness is and must be a top priority of the church especially during the days we find ourselves living in. Peter admonishes us, in his first letter, to (1 Peter 1:13-16) “…. be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct: for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.” Obviously, Peter is talking to believers and reminding them, in the midst of rampant secularism, to stand out without apologizing for being one of His. If there has ever been a time when God’s people are to be holy it is now. Our world is waiting for the church to step up and share the life giving gospel with them. Without us living holy lives the task of reaching our area for Christ will be impossible. I urge you to take a look at every area, as I am, of your life and ministries to ensure we are doing all we can to measure up to His attainable holiness. To that end your associational leadership and I will be doing all we can to support you in this effort during 2020 and provide you with the best resources we can in order for Him to be glorified and your communities impacted with the Gospel through the churches within the WCBA!
As we begin a new year it is a perfect time to reflect on the church year just completed. Without detailing all of the amazing accomplishments of our churches, the lives that were forever changed, listing all of those who went home to be with their Lord, introducing the new faces that have joined us, and reminding you of those who have moved on to other ministries the descriptive word for 2019 that comes to mind is WOW!!! God was indeed good to us and will continue to be for those who surrender their lives to His will. This New Year will of course present continued and new challenges, but remember the same God who saw us through the challenges of 2019 is available to us in 2020. Therefore, do not be afraid to try something new, think outside the box, and stand for truth. Don’t be afraid to face challenges, conflict, and the seemingly insurmountable mountains that stand against us in this world. Most of all I challenge you to be the strongest force for Disciple – Making our area and this state has ever seen in 2020. I am living in joyful anticipation of what the Lord has planned for us and what He will accomplish through His people, here in the WCBA, during this New Year.
The following are some events detailed in this newsletter and on our website to remember:
- January 6 – First Ex. Board (Made up of Officers and Team leaders)/Council meetings for 2020. We begin the Ex. Board meeting at 6:00 P.M. followed by the Ex. Council meeting at 7:00 which involves all pastors and at least one representative from each church. Of course the location is here at the MRC.
- January 6 – Marks the first Pastor’s Fellowship of 2020. Please register at our website www.westchowan.org.
- January 20 – Marks the date for the first WMU leadership team meeting beginning at 6:00 P.M.
- January 25 – Beginning at 9:00 A.M. In-As-Much training, sponsored by Baptist On Mission, will be here at the MRC. It is critical that you register your church for this training at either our website www.westchowan.org or www.baptistsonmission.org.
- January 26 – Baptist Men’s Day is observed.
- January 28 – Marks the date for our annual Tax and Stewardship Seminar sponsored by Davis Blount of the BSCNC. This meeting begins at 6:30 that evening. Each year Davis updates us all on the latest tax issues, retirement issues for ministers, and best practices for church finance as well as personnel teams. PLEASE REGISTER FOR THIS MEETING at www.westchowan.org as soon as possible.
Hopefully you will be able to participate in these activities along with the many others outlined within the pages of this newsletter. Remember I love you and look forward to serving with you this year in the greatest association in the state The West Chowan Baptist Association!!
Terry