Glory in the Cross
Posted by wagardner - 12/04/08 at 03:04:11 pmNow, dear Christian friends, if you keep to the cross of Christ you must expect to have this for your portion. The world will be crucified to you, and you will be crucified to the world. You will get the cold shoulder. Old friends will become open foes. They will begin to hate you more than they loved you before. At home your foes will be the men of your own household. You will hardly be able to do anything right. When you joined in their revels you were a fine fellow; when you could drink, and sing a lascivious song, you were a jolly good fellow; but now they rate you as a fool; they scout you as a hypocrite; and slanderously blacken your character. Let their dislike be a badge of your discipleship, and say, “Now also the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world. Whatever the world says against me for Christ’s sake is the maundering of a doomed malefactor, and what do I care for that? And, on the other hand, if I be rejected and despised, I am only taking what I always expectedmy crucifixionin my poor, humble way, after the manner of Christ himself, who was despised and rejected of men.”
The moral and the lesson of it all is this: Whatever comes of it, still glory in Christ. Go in for this, dear friends, that whether ye be in honor or in dishonor, in good report or in evil report, whether God multiply your substance and make you rich, or diminish it and make you poor, you will still glory in the cross of Christ. If you have health, and strength and vigor to work for him, or if you have to lie upon a bed of languishing and bear in patience all your heavenly Father’s will, resolve that you will still glory in the cross. Let this be the point of your glorying throughout your lives. Go down the steeps of Jordan, and go through Jordan itself, still glorying in the cross, for in the heaven of glory you will find that the blood-bought hosts celebrate the cross as the trophy of their redemption.
Charles Spurgeon
THE WRITING PROCESS
Posted by wagardner - 05/04/08 at 05:04:51 pmI was going through files on my computer and found the following. I know that I wanted it for me and thought that you might also find it helpful. I copied this on to my pocket pc somewhere along the way.
1. Prewriting
- think about it
consider who will read it & why
form ideas
discuss ideas with others
read & observe
gather & record information
brainstorm a list of words & thoughts
think about what you want to say
plan how you will say it
2. Drafting - Write it down
organize your thoughts
choose ideas & develop them
sequence what you want to say
write a first draft
have others read it & offer suggestions
3. Revising - Make it better
read what you wrote
think about what others said
rearrange words or ideas
add or take out parts
change words or ideas to better ones
complete any unfinished thoughts
replace overused or unclear words
4. Proofreading - Make it correct
make sure all sentences are complete
check spelling, capitalization, & punctuation
look for words not used correctly
mark corrections needed
have someone check your work
recopy it correctly & neatly
5. Publishing - share it with others
read it aloud to a person or group
bind it in a book
record it on tape
display it for others to see
talk it over with someone
illustrate it, perform it, or set it to music
make it a part of a personal collection of your work
By Frank Schaffer Publications 1991
10 Factors for Higher Attendance in Church Plants
Posted by wagardner - 05/04/08 at 09:04:32 amSee if you can help me work on these things at Vision Baptist.
by Ed Stetzer and Phillip Connor
(Part 3 of the Church Planting Survivability and Health Study)
Part One, Part Two, Part Four, Part Five (Full Report)
Why do some church plants experience higher attendance while others struggle to attract people? Are there commonalities among those with higher than average attendance that can be replicated in different settings? A recent study by the Center for Missional Research of twelve denominations or networks provides the answer as a resounding “yes.” With over 1,000 church plants contacted and more than 500 completed interviews, the study indicates that vibrant, growing church plants share certain characteristics.
These factors associated with higher attendance in church plants are based on the combined four-year mean (average) attendance of church plants. Many of the churches did the same things—”shared Christ,” had worship services; but when more than 100 factors were analyzed, the following ten categories proved to be the best predictors for higher worship attendance when compared to church plants at or below the average church plant attendance.
The Location Factor
Where the church plant began has an impact on its ability to grow. Church plants that begin in school facilities have some obvious benefits, such as visibility, access, parking, and classroom/worship space. Add to these the relatively low costs usually incurred, and schools can be a distinct advantage.
Longer-term—after the first year—church plants meeting in both schools and movie theaters exhibit higher attendance. They find these locations conducive to reaching people and accommodating continued growth.
The Ministry Factor
Special children’s events such as a fall festival or Easter egg hunt help church plants gain and sustain attendance. New churches with high attendance know that reaching children is one effective way to reach families. These church plants also conduct block parties as an evangelistic outreach. They use holidays or other opportunities to attract people and to be attractive to those who are already attending.
The Promotion Factor
An effective way to build attendance is to let others in the community know what’s going on in your church, what you offer, and why you’re there. Though this is important for any church, it’s critical for church plants. It helps establish your presence and purpose from the start.
High attendance church plants mail invitations to services, programs, and events. They keep community awareness high, which keeps their visitors, attendees, and members involved and informed.
The Training Factor
Church plants that experience the best attendance results provide training for new members and communicate clearly the expectation that they participate. They use this time to help new members better understand the Christian faith, know the organization and culture of the church, and learn how they can identify and use their gifts and find a place to serve.
The Expectations Factor
These church plants also require new members to sign a church covenant. They know that it’s imperative for new members to take their commitment to the church seriously as soon as they’ve committed their lives to Christ. Though some elements of the covenant may differ from one church plant to another, core beliefs, character, and conduct would not differ.
The Financial Factor
Those who attract more people are very intentional about financial stewardship. They see it as an integral part of the Christian life and necessary for personal growth. As these churches develop stewards, they also develop their church and become self-sufficient.
The planters in churches with higher attendance receive financial compensation, allowing them to focus on the church’s growth, not their own basic needs. They also receive health insurance and most of the premiums are paid for by the church plant, the sponsoring church, or the denomination.
The Staff Factor
Higher attendance churches have planters who’ve been assessed for their suitability. They also have multiple staff, facilitating steady and more sustainable growth. These staff members are part of the church plant from the beginning. Though other staff may be (and usually are) added as growth requires it, the most successful church plants do not start out under-staffed.
Another characteristic of higher attendance church plants underscores the need for adequate staffing. Their planters are full-time, not part- or half-time. All of this indicates that limiting staff limits potential for numeric growth.
The Missions Factor
It’s interesting to note that higher attendance church plants don’t just consider their own needs. They look for missional opportunities and start at least one church within three years of their own plant. This mindset generally permeates both the church plants and their daughter churches. Although it is often a step of faith to release church members to start a new church, our study seems to demonstrate that God replaces those sent out and even adds more to the number.
The Leadership Factor
Leadership is taken seriously. Church plants that experience higher attendance conduct leadership training, build their leadership base, and delegate leadership roles to church members. This is an ongoing process from the time of the plant throughout its lifetime. It’s not left to chance or to personal initiative.
The Achievement Factor
Finally, the church planters’ expectations are realized to a large degree. They have a vision of what God wants to do, and they don’t get distracted from the accomplishment of that vision. Because of this focus, they achieve greater results and find greater satisfaction.
Conclusion
Although the spiritual growth of the individual and the new church is extremely important to the Lord, numbers also matter (see 2 Peter 3:9). Most church growth texts would conclude that the preceding factors will not only grow the church numerically but spiritually as well.
Church plants—even effective ones—aren’t all the same. Some of those that were surveyed are stronger in particular factors than others. But the majority of church plants with higher than average attendance showed these ten factors in common. And what they revealed should help other church planters avoid mistakes, keep a clear focus, and build churches that make an impact on the lives of those around them.
Why–THE ANT AND THE CONTACT LENS
Posted by wagardner - 02/04/08 at 06:04:33 amA true story by Josh and Karen Zarandona
Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite
cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took a hold on the rope, and started up the face of that rock. Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda’s eye and knocked out her contact lens.
Here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her. Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn’t there.
Far from home, her sight now blurry, she was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for her lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff.
She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth. “She thought, ‘Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me.”
Finally, the group walked down the trail to the bottom. At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, “Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?”
Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it!
Brenda told me that her father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, “Lord, I don’t know why You want me to carry this thing. I can’t eat it, and it’s awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I’ll carry it for You.”
At the risk of being accused of being philosophical, I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, “God, I don’t know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it’s awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will.”
“God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
“I Have Counted The Costs of Following Christ”
Posted by wagardner - 01/04/08 at 04:04:44 pmThis wonderful material comes from here
Quoting Beeke, Spaans . . .
In the year 1554, soon after the accession of (Bloody) Mary to the throne of England, there lived a lad about nineteen years of age, an apprentice to a silk weaver. His soul had been illumined by divine grace during the controversies of the preceding reign, and he had learned to abhor the falsities of the Papal Church. When the edict requiring the people to attend [Catholic] mass was published in the name of the bigoted Queen, William’s master ordered him to comply, and to go with him to the church. But the boy replied that he dared not, for he believed that it would be a sin against God for him to countenance such idolatries. Consequently the master drove him from his house.
William walked to the home of his father at Bruntwood, and was kindly received, for his parents loved the boy, feared God, and abhorred Popery.
He sat at the door one day of his father’s cottage, poring over a well worn copy of Tyndale’s Bible, which his father had long labored to purchase, and his soul was feeding with joyous relish upon its precious truths, when a priest passed by the door. William, absorbed, did not observe him until he softly approached, looked over his shoulder and saw the hated volume. The boy started to close the book. But it was too late. The priest uttered never a word, but scowled portentously, and walked away.
That night William Hunter was thrust into a dungeon. The next day he was taken before Master Justice Brown, who questioned him closely concerning his faith. William would not lie nor would he conceal what he believed. He confessed that he was in heart and soul a Protestant, and that he dared not in conscience attend mass.
(Read more about his trial.)
He was sent back to the dungeon. His pious father and mother visited him, and encouraged him to persevere in his good confession, even to death. “I am glad my son,” said his mother, “that God has given me such a child, who can find it in his heart to lose his life for Christ’s sake. “Mother,” he replied, “for the little pain I shall suffer, which is but a short space, Christ hath promised me a crown of joy. May you not be glad of that, mother?”
Then they all kneeled together upon the hard floor of the cell, and prayed that his strength might not fail;that his faith might be victorious.
His parents, as far as they were permitted, supplied his wants and ministered to his comfort. A few of the faithful came to see him, and encouraged him to hold out faithfully to the end, and prayed to God with and for him. Others of his acquaintance came and urged him to recant his opinions, to profess or pretend submissions to the priests, and not provoke them to deal more harshly with him. But William in his turn exhorted them to come out from the abomination of Popish superstition and idolatry. The priest, too, expostulated with him, and promised and threatened but all to no purpose; he would not abandon his faith in Jesus as a sufficient and only Savior.
In a few days he was tired, and condemned to be burned to death as a heretic. They took him back to his dungeon, and after long communion with God in prayer, he lay down and slept. He dreamed that the stake was set and the [bundles of wood] piled around it at a place that had been familiar to his boyhood, at the Archery Butts, in the suburbs of town, and that he stood beside it prepared to die. And there came to him, in his dream, a robed priest, and offered him life if he would recant and become a faithful son of the Papal Church. But he thought that he was impelled to bid him to go away as a false prophet, and to exhort the people to beware of his being seduced by false doctrines. He awoke from his dream encouraged and strengthened, believing that grace would aid him to do in reality as he had done in vision.
With the morning dawn, the sheriff came and bade him prepare for the burning. And when his father had gone, the sheriff’s son approached him, and threw his arms around his neck, and wept: “William,” said he, “do not be afraid to see these men with their bows and bills, who have come to take you to the stake.” “I thank God,” said William, “I am not afraid, for I have cast my count as to what it will cost me already.”
As he passed cheerfully out of the prison, he met his father. The tears were streaming down his face, and all the man could utter, amid his choking sobs, was, “God be with thee, William, my son; God be with thee, my son.” And William answered, “God be with thee, dear father! Be of good comfort, for I hope we shall soon meet again where we will be happy.”
So they led him to the place where the stake was prepared, and he kneeled upon a [pile of wood] and read aloud from the bible the 51st Psalm. And he read the words, “The sacrifice of God is a contrite spirit, a contrite and a broken heart thou wilt not despise,” “Nay, but the translation saith, a contrite spirit.” “The translation is false,” quoth Mr. Tyrell; “ye translate books as ye list yourselves, ye heretics.” “Well, there is no great difference in the words,” said William, and continued his reading.
Then came the sheriff and said to him, “Here is a letter from the Queen, offering thee life if thou will yet recant.” “No!” said William, “God help me, I cannot recant.”
The executioner passed a chain around his body, and fastened him to the stake. “Good people, pray for me,” said William. “Pray for thee!” said a priest, “I would rather pray for a dog.” “Well you have that which you sought for: I pray God that it be not laid to your charge at the last day. I forgive you.” “Ah!” said the priest, “I ask no forgiveness from you.” “Well if God forgive you not, my blood will be required at your hands.” And then the lad raised his eyes towards heaven and prayed, “Son of God, shine upon me.” And as he spoke, the sun, over which a dark cloud had floated, suddenly burst as from a veil, and a beautifully illumined his countenance.
Then came the priest, whom he had seen in his dream, with a book in his hand to urge him to recant. But the boy, whose soul was nerved to the endurance of martyrdom, waived him away, saying — “Away, thou false prophet. Beware of these men, good people, and come away from their abomination lest ye be partakers of their plagues.” “Then,” said the priest, “as thou burnest here, so shalt thou burn in hell.” But William answered, “Nay, thou false prophet, I shall reign with Jesus in heaven.”
And while a voice in the crowd excaimed, “God have mercy on his soul,” and many voices responded, ‘Amen, amen,’ they kindled the fire and the brave Christian boy prayed, “Lord, Lord, receive my spirit;” his head fell into the smothering smoke, and his soul fled to the loving embrace of the Redeemer, who had purchased it with His own blood.
How To Have A Mission-Hearted Church In A Mission-Minded World 4
Posted by wagardner - 27/03/08 at 10:03:01 pmBy Greg Locke, Pastor of Global Vision Baptist Church
15. EMBRACE YOUR PASSION FOR MISSIONS AND DO NOT LET UP. Repetition is the key to learning, and indeed missions must be repeated often and probably in every service. People will give to what they are the most passionate about. Passion is something that drives an individual to greatness. If we desire to have a great and exciting missions program, then we must get serious about creating passionate believers. At the beginning, passion must be pushed and forced. But in a very short amount of time the momentum will be out of control and passion will ooze out of the entire congregation. Don’t let up. Don’t stop. Don’t give in to the critics. Stay strong, direct and passionate. It will work!
16. ENHANCE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ANNUAL MISSIONS CONFERENCE. It is a shame that the least effective and most unattended meeting in most churches is the mission’s conference. It is almost an afterthought in many churches and there is no real preparation before and certainly no passion during the meeting. I for one believe that the mission’s conference is the most important meeting of the entire year. The revivals are extremely important. The Bible conferences are wonderful. But the mission’s conference allows the congregation to sense the heartbeat of God and to put into practice what they have learned and gotten right about in the other meetings. It cannot be overstated that this conference needs to be first class in every way and that missionaries should leave the meeting literally begging to come back to the hosting church. Missionaries have given up their entire lives to serve behind the scenes in some remote area of the world and when they are with us for a conference they should be treated as if they were royalty. Let people know that the annual mission’s conference is not a series of fund-raising services. It is an all important time to see the world as God sees it. People will get behind the missions program in a big way if the conference is a highlight and not a burden.
17. ENLIST PEOPLE FOR MISSIONS AND TRAIN THEM WELL. It is the responsibility of the local church to see that their people are discipled and trained properly. Whether that means personal one on one or sending some off to a good Bible College, people must be trained. Most churches are far to concerned with their seating capacity, when they had better get concerned over their sending capacity. If a church is never reproducing itself in the lives of others then something is gravely wrong. It should not be our desire to just be the largest church in the area. We should be consumed with training our own and sending them to the uttermost parts of the world. It should be preached on repeatedly and when asking for volunteers, the church may be surprised as to the ones who answer the call.
18. EMPOWER YOUR MISSIONS PROGRAM THROUGH EARNEST PRAYER FOR YOUR MISSIONARIES. The Bible teaches us that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” The word “availeth” means to accomplish. If we desire a dynamic mission’s program to accomplish much for the glory of God, then we must earnestly pray. The people should often be encouraged to fervently pray for the needs of their own individual missionaries. Their names should not just be placed in a prayer bulletin and casually glanced at or mentioned from the pulpit. People must know the needs in order to feel as if they are a part of them. Our prayer services should be of New Testament proportions. We should call out the names, reveal the needs and take special time to cry out to God for what needs to be done. Once people get a taste and a glimpse of answered prayer, there will be no turning back to carnal and cold religion.
19. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE MADE A VITAL AND ACTIVE PART. There should not be one single person within the church that does not know about the great need of missions. But not only should they be aware of it. They should consistently participate in doing something about it. Every child, every senior citizen, every staff member, every volunteer and certainly every family should be told of their God given obligation to reach the world for Christ. Missions is not to be stressed to the select few in the church that seem to have money. Missions have always been carried forth by the widow’s mite more than the businessman’s millions. Let everyone know of their personal responsibility and then expect all of them to do their part. If the Pastor will go missions crazy, then so will the church. There is absolutely no exception to this rule!
20. EMBARK ON A JOURNEY TO REACH THE WORLD AS IF YOUR CHURCH IS THE ONLY ONE DOING ANYTHING AT ALL. Treat the missions program as if no other church in the world has one. Now, we understand that there are other great churches that have a heart for missions. But teach people to give to world evangelism as though the others do not exist. If we teach our people that everyone else is doing it to, then they will be glad to let them. It is our responsibility to do our part regardless of what anyone else is doing. We ought to rejoice at what others do for missions. But may we never get comfortable with what they have done. If we do, then we are already comfortable with what we have done. We will never do enough no matter what we give. Let’s roll up our sleeves and work like no one has ever done it before.
21. ENVISION HOW YOU CAN DO MORE NEXT YEAR. A wise man once said that, “If you never have goals, you will reach them every time.” A church needs to set some major goals for their missions program and then follow through with them. However, we should always be looking toward the future. Contentment is bred when we get used to what we are doing or feel too good about what we have already done. We need to press forward and dream big. What we are doing now may be good or in the eyes of some even great. But what we follow through with tomorrow should be even greater. The world is cursed with small thinkers. Those who never dream big and trust God to do miracles will never do much. And they will certainly never make a dent in world evangelization. We must plan our work and work our plan. Let us commit to doing more than we have every dreamed of doing. I trust that these principles will serve as a daily reminder to the real mission of the church. To some they will seem all too simple and to others they will seem ridiculous. But for those with a heart for missions, not merely a mindset, they will be refreshing points to ponder to overwhelmingly increase the giving as well as the spiritual temperature of a strong local church missions program. May God give us a vision bigger than ourselves.
How To Have A Mission-Hearted Church In A Mission-Minded World 3
Posted by wagardner - 27/03/08 at 10:03:11 pmby Greg Locke, Pastor of Global Vision Baptist Church
9. EMERGE AS THE LEADER AND THE CHURCH WILL FOLLOW. This point is primarily for the Pastor. It is time that Pastor’s take spiritual responsibility for their sheep and lead the way that the New Testament teaches them to. The Pastor is the “pace-setter” in the church. If the vision fails, it is because he did not sharpen his leadership. If a church is to reach out to the community and on to the world, then the Pastor MUST take full responsibility for the outcome. In every major step of faith, there is risk. A man that will never take a risk is a small thinker, and small thinkers are not men with a vision from God. The Pastor needs to take the reins under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and move forward in the area of missions if he desires the people to follow. Congregationally ruled churches are man-made and ARE NOT taught in the New Testament. Bold and Biblicalleadership is not to be confused with dictatorship. People have problems following a man that has no real sense of direction. But when they find man that fears only God and knows where he is headed, then they will follow by the multitudes and take on his vision. A Pastor does not attract who he wants. He will always attract who he is. As goes the leader, so goes the church. Lead my friend, in the area of missions, and the people will no doubt follow.
10. EXPECT PEOPLE TO MAKE COMMITMENTS AND THEN TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THEM. We have swallowed the belief that people don’t want expectations placed upon them. That is simply not true. People desire to be taught, and even more so desire the practical truth of how to apply that teaching. When it comes to giving, and in particular giving to missions, people must be made aware of the great need and then given an opportunity to respond to that need. After a commitment is made, it needs to be stressed and addressed often that God expects us to keep our word to him as well as to others. People often say, “Folks don’t always do what you expect, rather what you inspect.” If you do expect things of people, then you must inspect how they are doing in regards to their commitment. Many churches call this type of commitment to missions a Faith Promise. The church I Pastor calls it The Missions Challenge. Whatever tag one places upon it, it is certainly a Scriptural principle.
11. EXAMPLE FAITH IN YOUR OWN LIFE AS THE LEADER. The Bible gives us many examples of those who exercised great faith. The Lord understands that we need examples of those who have gone on before us in order to be motivated ourselves. If the Pastor and leadership of a church do not step out in absolute faith, then there is no reason to wonder why the congregation never does. People are people, and by very nature they must see something working in someone else’s life before they are willing to jump on board and go full force themselves. There are forty verses in Hebrews chapter eleven that show all of us just what God can do with those that truly trust Him. Faith is not forced. It has to be fed by example. If the leadership will exemplify great faith, then those who follow will naturally do the same.
12. ENLARGE THE AMOUNTS THAT ARE GIVEN PER MISSIONARY. The best philosophy for a good and rock solid missions program is not more missionaries for less money, but fewer missionaries for more money. So many churches around the country send tiny little checks to missionaries and then brag about how many missionaries they support on a monthly basis. It’s not how many you support that matters. What matters is what is being done with the money that is reaching the most amount of people. Ten, twenty-five or even fifty dollars a month in today’s economy just isn’t going to pay the expenses, much less make mission work as effective as it should be. Churches should intensely focus on a few major works and help them be all they can be for the glory of God. This would also lead to churches supporting their own sent out missionaries with full support in order that they may quickly get to the field and not waste three to five years and countless thousands of dollars on the deputation trail.
13. ENCOURAGE THE MEMBERS TO READ MISSIONS BOOKS. One of the greatest blessings that a Christian will ever experience is reading about the great trials and blessings of other faithful followers of Christ. There are volumes of missionary biographies that will enhance ones passion for missions as well as sharpen their vision for stewardship in that area. Children need to be taught to read the lives of great men and women of God. Pastors should highly encourage the congregation to read books about missions and missionaries. The church library or bookstore should be a storehouse of mission’s material for people to devour. People really do want to learn, they just need lots of “prodding” and encouragement along the way. If we expect people to get the picture, then we have got to paint it for them.
14. ERECT A CHANGE FOUNTAIN AND CALL IT A “MISSIONS WELL.” All over the world you will find fountains that are full of change because folks have been told to make a wish and throw in some coins. Why not place a change fountain in the lobby of the church and put a sign on it that reads, “Quit your wishins and give to missions.” It is a very effective way to keep the theme before the people at all times as well as adding up all the pocket change from around the house. Children will love it and before you know it, hundreds of dollars will have been thrown into the “mission well.” Besides, a nice looking fountain will greatly add to the décor of a church building.
How To Have A Mission-Hearted Church In A Mission-Minded World 2
Posted by wagardner - 25/03/08 at 02:03:57 pmBy Greg Locke, Pastor of Global Vision Baptist Church
4. EXPOSITIONALY PREACH ON MANY MISSIONS PASSAGES. The Pastor should consistently preach on missions themes throughout the Bible. If he has difficulty in finding them, he ought to reconsider his current status as a preacher. They are all over the pages of the Book. Whatever the Pastor continually emphasizes from the pulpit will become the energy and character that drives the church ahead. Dealing with mission-hearted messages once a year during the annual mission’s conference will only force people into a quick view of missions and I can promise that the conference will be the least attended of any during the year. The Great Commission and our financial responsibility to it must be preached on and thundered from the pulpit on a regular basis. People must hear, see and know before they can be expected to get heavily involved.
5. EDIFY MISSIONARIES THROUGH THE CHURCH CONGREGATION. The people of the church should be actively involved in encouraging and ministering to their missionaries. They need to be taught to communicate by phone, e-mail and especially cards and letters. When the congregation feels as if they are a part of a ministry, then and only then, will they do their part for that ministry. Don’t just send a few checks overseas and expect an overnight heart for missions. It takes work, concern, compassion and total church involvement. And on a side note: DO NOT put leftover junk in the mission’s closet and expect people to develop a love for missionaries.
6. EXALT MISSIONS ABOVE BILLS AND BUILDINGS. If the church shifts its focus from reaching the world to just staying afloat. Then, it will never reach the world and always feel as if it is barely getting by. Bills should never be the primary reason for taking up money in a church. People need to be taught to give to the vision of the church and not to the needs. Now meeting the needs will ultimately lead to fulfilling the vision. But people grow weary of giving just to keep the lights on. If missions is exalted and held high, then God will pay the bills. This is no doubt an attitude of faith, but isn’t that what Christianity is all about. If we will get busy about financing the Kingdom of God, He will surely be busy paying the bills when they come due. You will always get what you go after. And if a missions-hearted church is what you want, then missions MUST be made the primary focus of the finances.
7. EQUIP THE CHURCH WITH A GENEROUS LIFESTYLE. Generosity is not what we do; it is in essence who we are. If people are consistently taught the giving principles of the Word of God, it will change the way they do business. If a person is taught to tithe, and be benevolent with their funds, then missions is an automatic fit. If the congregation will just be boldly led down a path of daily generosity in every area of their life, then the missions program will not be forced upon them. It will be a welcome reminder of their responsibility to world-wide evangelization. As individuals, we have heard for years that you simply cannot out give God. If that be true, and it certainly is, then why not teach an entire church to believe it and practice it as a local body. Now, generosity is something that must be modeled. As the saying goes, “its better caught than taught.” True generosity is the key to unlocking the financial bondage of materialistic church members.
8. EXAMINE THROUGHLY WHERE THE MONEY GOES. It will not do a church much good just to throw the Lords’ money in any direction that they feel is a worthy cause. We must be wise in how we spend as well as how we give God’s money. Getting to know the missionaries first hand is a great way to weed out the phonies and filter the resources in the right direction. We should give money where we know that it will not only be used properly but also where it will bring forth the most fruit that may abound to our account. In order for a church to reap properly, they must at some time have sown properly. Find the best soil and sink the seed there!
How To Have A Mission-Hearted Church In A Mission-Minded World 1
Posted by wagardner - 24/03/08 at 04:03:33 amI found the following article by Greg Locke on an old blog that I think he must have just let lie stagnant but it is good and I wanted to bring it to light again. I will share it with you over the next few days. Why don’t you comment on what you learn from this. I would love to hear what you think.
My Friend, there really is a difference between someone who is mission-minded and someone who is mission-hearted. Far too often in our society churches proclaim to love missions and pretend to play an active part in financing the Great Commission.But as the old timers used to say, “The proof is in the pudding.” If one were to take a look at the budget and the books, they would find a great inconsistency of character. While on one hand churches say they truly support missions, they are forevermore spending overwhelmingly more on themselves than they actually give to the Lord’s work of missions. They may well call themselves a local church with a “mind” for missions. But they most certainly cannot say that they have a “heart” for missions. Jesus said in Mathew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your HEART be also.” It works on a personal as well as a collective level. Whatever a church spends the most of its resources on, is exactly what it loves and emphasizes the most. For many, that would be buildings, bills, banquets and bulletins. While all of these are certainly expenses, and we should make sure everything is First Class for our Lord, they are only a means to an end of getting the Gospel around the world. May we as God’s people never lose sight of the fact that the mission of the local church is local church missions. The following statements are twenty-one simple ways to make a local church mission program absolutely explode and move forward in our race to reach others for Christ. All of the points will begin with the letter “E” to provide uniformity and easy remembrance.
EMPHASIZE MISSIONS OFTEN. There are many ways to accomplish this task. Bringing in missionaries to speak and share their burden is the most effective. Indeed you have to be selective because of the great volume of missionaries available, but bringing them before the people on a regular basis will give the congregation a sense of burden and passion for others. Mention missions often in announcements and certainly in the bulletin. A good idea is too have missions’ pictures in the bulletin or on the wall if you use announcement screens. People will emphasize whatever their Pastor emphasizes. They will not be enthusiastic about missions if the Pastor isn’t. Because missions primarily deals with money, it must be dealt with biblically and regularly. Find imaginative ways to emphasize missions. It is the life blood of any thriving church. As Oswald Smith once said, “If you have a sick church, put it on a missionary diet.”
EXPOSE THE CONGREGATION TO THE FIELD. There is absolutely NO better way to give a church a heart for missions than to actually take them there. A slide show, a tearful story and a few missionary prayer cards will only go so far and only do so much. However, when people can see for themselves. When they can eat the food, smell the smell and experience involvement with the people, that is what will get the hook in their mouth. Any church of any size can save up and raise the money necessary to get their people on the field. It ought to be a staff requirement in every local church to go on a mission’s trip with the Pastor and see firsthand what the Lord is doing around the world.
EXTRAVAGANTLY GIVE TO MISSIONS AS A CHURCH. You will notice that I did not say to tip missions or just make it a simple line item in the budget. We should train folks to go over and above the Lord’s tithe and amazingly give to the work of the Lord. A church should be willing to give great volumes of its own income to missionary causes and let the people know publicly and dogmatically that it should be done that way. A church cannot proclaim to be a true New Testament church unless it is extravagant in the way it handles the giving away of financial resources. In the Book of Acts, they even sold their homes to meet the needs of others. Many hide behind the old cliché, “Well, there is a fine line between faith and foolishness.” I for one believe that the line is so fine, it is actually non-existent. A church could never over give or even come close to giving too much money away to missions. I can promise you that at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will not fret over having given too much. But many will be greatly rebuked for having given far too little. At least one Sunday a year, and preferably much more often, a church should give its entire Sunday offerings to missions. I mean every tithe, every check, all the cash and change and it should all go to a missions work. We don’t think that way because it is against nature. But it is most assuredly not against the Word of God. If a church cannot operate on faith, then it shouldn’t operate at all!
Vision Baptist Church is a Mission’s Church
CABIN CREW SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Posted by wagardner - 20/03/08 at 10:03:11 amAll too rarely, airline attendants make an effort to make the in-light “safety lecture” and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
On a Continental Flight with a very “senior” flight attendant crew, he pilot said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants.”
On landing, the stewardess said, “Please be sure to take all of your belongings. If you’re going to leave anything, please make sure it’s
something we’d like to have.”
“Thank you for flying Delta Business Express. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride.”
“In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over
your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more
than one small child, pick your favorite.”
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we’ll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and
remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Southwest Airlines.”
“Your seat cushions can be used for flotation; and, in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with
our compliments.
“As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight
attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses.”
And from the pilot during his welcome message: “Delta Airlines is pleased to have some of the best flight attendants in the industry.
Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!”
Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City: The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, “That
was quite a bump, and I know what y’all are thinking. I’m here to tell you it wasn’t the airline’s fault, it wasn’t the pilot’s fault,
it wasn’t the flight attendant’s fault .it was the asphalt.”
Another flight attendant’s comment on a less than perfect landing:”We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal.”
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which
required the first officer to stand at the door while the Passengers exited, smile, and give them a “Thanks for flying our airline.” He
said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart
comment.
Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, “Sir, do you mind if I ask you a
question?” “Why, no, Ma’am,” said the pilot. “What is it?” The little old lady said, “Did we land, or were we shot down?”
Heard on a Southwest Airline flight. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing
and if you can light ‘em, you can smoke ‘em.”
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