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The Christmas Double-Clutch

6 Dec

Christmas-time is here!!!!  Hard to believe another Christmas is upon us.  From a church calendar perspective, EVERYONE who is somewhat active has A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF TO DO this month.  And it will go by like a flash!!  Will you slow down and see it for what it really is??

Even though Christmas is here, we are STILL CALLED TO BE THE CHURCH in every way!  I am appreciative for over 80 people who want to take their commitment to God to the NEXT LEVEL and really BE the church He planted us to be!  My prayer is this:  As we move ahead, we won’t lose it all in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season!

It all begins with PRAYER.  Prayer needs to be at the foundation of EVERYTHING we do, EVERY TIME we do something as individuals or as a church.  So, as we get caught up in the Christmas double-clutch, don’t forget who we are and what we are called to do!!  And PRAY about it!!

Where does it all stand??

23 Nov

God is at work.  All around you.  And He is at work all over Ebenezer!!

To date, almost 80 people have made a commitment to step up and BE THE CHURCH God intended for us to be!!  Out of 1300 members of EBC, that’s not so great … OR IS IT??  Because, with all of my heart, I believe God will light us on FIRE with only a handful of people who are willing to be obedient to Him!!  If you are one of the 80, watch for more news coming down the pipe in the next couple of days concerning what it means to be the Viral Church at Ebenezer!!!

What are we doing here??

21 Nov

I mean, really … what are we doing??  How can we ever believe that God likes the games we play with Him.  We tell Him we will be faithful, we humble ourselves before Him, but it is only for a moment.  Then, BUSINESS AS USUAL!!  Havin’ it OUR WAY!!  (Just like at Burger King!)

That has been one of the biggest problems with many churches in the US for longer than I care to tell.  We put our best clothes on, spit-shine the buckle of the Bible belt at the holy hour on Sunday morning, and never think about it again.  Until a week or two later, that is.

God is READY FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!!  And, for those who think this is a new movement, go read Acts 2!!!  It’s time the church START ACTING LIKE THE CHURCH!!!  And it is an exciting time!!!

Truth is, WE aren’t doing A THING!!  GOD IS IN CONTROL OF THIS ONE!!

Excited

18 Nov

That’s what I am!!  EXCITED!!  I am pumped that we exceeded our Operation Christmas Child goal!!  Especially in this day and time, when pundits claim all of that type of philanthropy should be decreasing, WE EXCEED OUR GOAL!!  And set what is possibly an all-time high!!

Could this be a sign that we really are going to TRUST GOD!!  And not try to take matters into our own hands!!  I sure hope so!!

Proud of you, Ebenezer!!

Spiritual Health

16 Nov

Many times over the past couple of weeks I’ve blogged, tweeted, preached, and taught about SPIRITUAL HEALTH.  God put this topic on my heart because it’s an issue at Ebenezer.  A correctable problem.

There are two facts I am sure of:

1.  The Spiritual Health of Ebenezer Baptist Church is DIRECTLY RELATED to the spiritual health of her members.  Because, after all, WE ARE THE CHURCH.  And I know there are some out there who have VERY HEALTHY spiritual lives.  And some who do not.

2.  If we work to be more SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY, God WILL address the other problems we face.  Like finances.  Like finding workers to help with ministries.  Like huge decisions that lay before us.

So, I am praying for the spiritual health of Ebenezer.  Will you join me??

Clearing things up

10 Nov

After speaking with a few folks about Sunday’s challenge, there are a few things I want to remind EBC as you consider this:

1.  DON’T BE AFRAID!!  This is not some sneaky way to get you to join a pyramid scheme!!  I’m not going to email you and tell you that you are now changing diapers in the nursery for the next three weeks!!!  This is about what God is calling YOU to do, not what I think you ought to do!!!

2.  This is NOT about ME, and it’s NOT about YOU.  It’s about God and what He wants to do with Ebenezer!!  We need to all be praying and asking for that EVERY DAY.

3.  The reason I asked you on Sunday to write it down and get it to me is that NO ONE is assumed on this one.  I hand-wrote a note and put it in the stack that I want to pursue God’s will for ME at Ebenezer.  Don’t assume that you are on this list … you will only get there with a conscious effort to be put on there!!  (Some have called, some have emailed, some have Tweeted, some told me on Facebook.  ALL of those are on the list!!  But you HAVE TO TELL ME!!)

As of this writing, we are up to about 60 folks who want to be a part of this viral movement.  A movement for us to put our HANDS AND FEET to work to build the Kingdom of God!!  Are you praying about joining us??  Let me know!!!

Something IMPORTANT happened Sunday

9 Nov

I am still praying for you, church … This past Sunday God brought a challenge to ALL OF US to step out and BE THE CHURCH.  To STOP PLAYING THE CHURCH GAME and GET IN THE GAME!!!!

At the end of this, the challenge issued to the congregation was to consider if YOU want to be part of what God is doing at Ebenezer and contact me!!   WRITE IT DOWN and hand it to me, email me, let me know if your intention is to move forward, as a church, and pursue God’s will and direction.  Pursue HIS VISION for us!!

So far, 40 people have responded.  And I am still praying!!  How about you??

Praying for this new day!!!

8 Nov

Ebenezer, I am praying for you on this new day!!  And hoping to hear from MANY OF YOU in the next few days about your intent to move forward with God and His plan for your life (and His plan for Ebenezer)!!

This morning I am still thinking about the fact that if we will work hard on our spiritual health, God will take care of everything else.  He told us in Matthew if we would seek Him first and His righteousness, everything else would be added!!  I completely believe He means it!!!

However, we did not get here overnight.  And we will not get it fixed overnight.  So as we seek INSTANT GRATIFICATION on this, we need to remember God will handle it in His timing!!

So I sit here in my den praying for you and our church on this new day!!  I hope you will join me in praying for it, too!

At the end of the day …

7 Nov

If you were unable to be in worship at EBC this morning, I’ve posted a link to the sermon.  I really think you will want to sit down and watch it.  All the way through.  There is something special at the end, but you will only get it if you watch the entire thing!!

The link is:
http://www.truthcasting.com/player.aspx#showChannel=100000030

Another random thought I had after deacon’s meeting tonight:

If we will focus on the SPIRITUAL HEALTH of our church the money will take care of itself.  If we will work on what really matters, GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THE MONEY!!  Test Him and see!!!

I am praying for you, church.  I’ve already heard from some of you and hope to hear from many more!!

Stay classy, Florence!!!

Communicating the Vision

4 Nov

I am currently sitting in a breakout group that is honestly recapping a lot of what I’ve heard all week here. And one of the things I hear LOUD AND CLEAR is the need for effectively communicating the vision.

I’ve always been a believer in the fact that GOD sets the vision for Ebenezer Baptist Church. In fact, I believe the vision He has for us is sound and biblical. I also know everyone will not agree with this vision and some will rebel against it. But the fact remains that God is CLEAR what He wants Ebenezer Baptist Church to do … to BE.

God is clearly calling us to reach THE LOST. Those that DO NOT KNOW JESUS CHRIST as their Savior. And there are PLENTY within the reach of our arms that do not know Him. And don’t know anyone who would disagree with this vision so far … The failure we are experiencing is largely in our approach.

We’ve GOT TO MOVE BEYOND OUR IDEA THAT WE CAN JUST “BE” Ebenezer Baptist Church and expect the lost to come running to us!!! That might’ve worked 50 years ago, but it will not work today! We need to consider ourselves as MISSIONARIES and be willing to do what it takes to reach our target!! Just like Paul … to be all things to all people (as much as we are able) so that we might reach some!!

Are we willing to do that?? Even if it meant redefining how and where we worship? Are we willing to inconvenience ourselves and possibly let go of some of our preconceived notions about what should be?? This WILL require us to step out of our comfort and into the breach. Are you up to it?

IF SO, then I AM BEGGING YOU TO JOIN ME. Begin by praying about all of this and asking God WHAT HE WANTS. This is not about David Wike. This is not about ____________ (put your own name there). This is about WHAT GOD WANTS. And if it becomes about anything else, it will fail miserably.

NEXT ITEM:
Put YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION. Ed Stetzer challenged us this week with this thought:
We all know that 80 percent of the work in a church is done by 20 percent of the people, right?? That is just an accepted fact of church in the South. THAT IS A SIN!! God gave EACH OF US GIFTS and HE EXPECTS US TO USE THEM. Are you willing?

This will be a viral thing … What are you willing TO DO for the kingdom?? Help with video ministry?? Help with greeting?? Cut grass?? WHAT IS IT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO?? NOW is the time to get off the couch and FIND IT and DO IT!!! We need it desperately! PEOPLE NEED TO GET INVOLVED AND SERVE THE LORD!!

Finally (for THIS post), it is time to put our money where our mouths are … It is time to get serious about GIVING to GOD!! If every family tithed on the average income level of our area, our budget would exceed $3million dollars. Right now, we are struggling to make a $1.1 million budget and considering how we can tighten our belts for next year.

Don’t get me wrong, we NEED to be frugal and responsible in how we spend God’s money. But the shame in all of this is ministries will suffer simply because God’s people are not being faithful and giving to Him. How can you make a difference?? Good question!! ASK THE ONE WHO WILL GIVE YOU THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THAT … GOD!! Start praying about it NOW!!

If you want to catch a little more of this fire that God is lighting, COME TO WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY MORNING!!! I PROMISE YOU WON’T REGRET IT!!! In fact, I DARE YOU TO COME AND ALLOW YOUR FAITH TO BE PUSHED!!

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