One Pastor's Perspective

Sunday, October 7, 2007

How Great is OUR Faithfulness?

By the way, anyone heard from the mayor of Atlantic City???

(I came across this several years ago. I am sorry that I do not remember the source, but it is NOT ME)

A committed church has parking problems; a dead church doesn’t.
A committed church has lots of “noisy” children and young people; a dead church is fairly quiet.
A committed church often changes the way things are done; a dead church doesn’t.
A committed church often asks for more program and mission money; a dead church tries to keep plenty of money in the treasury.
A committed church asks people to open up and risk involvement; a dead church plays it safe and never risks.
A committed church sees challenges and opportunities; a dead church sees problems and dangers.
A committed church apologizes, forgives, and seeks forgiveness; a dead church never makes mistakes.
A committed church uses its tradition and facilities to serve people; a dead church uses people to preserve facilities and traditions.
A committed church believes in God’s future and “lets go” with faith; a dead church believes in the past and “holds on.”
A committed church dares to dream great dreams for God’s kingdom; a dead church has nightmares.

Which will WE be???

Sermon from September 30:

Building Blocks: A Big House

That is the quote of the day, given to me by Jim Crooks (pastor at Southside Baptist) in the Y this morning. We were talking about church stuff, specifically about the building program they just completed. He told me that was a saying someone else told him . . . I busted out laughing and he left me to contemplate it. It was very relevant to our discussion, and seems more and more relevant to where I am every minute I think about it!!

How often does the middle child in ME take control when dealing with a difficult issue and try to make sure that EVERYONE is happy. Nothing wrong with that . . . I think it demonstrates the attitude of Christ. But Jesus did not dance with the delicate issues of life . . . He faced them head-on and honestly. (No wonder Tommy Dowling says most baptist churches would be trying to run Him off if He were their pastor, too!)

Bottom line: I’m just tired of dancing . . . It might not earn me any brownie points, but what are they good for, anyway?? Aunt Esther’s favorite biblical quote was “The truth shall set YOU free!” I think she is right . . .

So, how about it?? Join me in this one . . . A little less dancin’ (after all, we ARE baptists) and a little more dealin’ with the truth!!!

A confession: I am the world’s worst about encouraging others. Like most men, I can do it when it is obviously needed . . . But, as far as just doing it off the cuff, nope. I try, but I really have to force myself. It is not that I don’t believe people need it or deserve it. It just doesn’t cross my mind until it is almost too late.

That does not mix well in a volunteer organization, where the only “pay” is a thank-you or a pat on the back. There are times when all of us are down and need a lift. One of the disciplines I am working on is the ability to recognize that and do something about it. There ARE indicators. We just have to be looking for them.

There are many volunteer positions at Ebenezer, and some will REALLY tax you emotionally and mentally. And, if you are in one of those roles, know that I pray for you . . . I might not say it enough, but I appreciate you. And, God would not have put you there if He didn’t know you can do it. And He will give you what you need to finish the job . . . Not because I blogged it, but because He promised it over and over in His word.

Just watch and see . . .

It used to really upset me that we do not have 250 people coming to church on Sunday nights . . . Friends of mine have stared me in the eyes and said “I will NOT come. Sunday evenings are my family time.” Maybe I have mellowed a little, and now Sunday evenings are very enjoyable to me.

Last week we asked the question, “Is Ebenezer relevant to the world around us?” We specifically explored what it means to be IN the world, and not OF the world. This week, we discussed what it means to be God’s voice in a world that desperately needs Him. I thought it would be particularly clever to tie that in with the Carillon Bell dedication, and then the HARD DRIVE CRASHED ON THE BRAND NEW COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS THE BRAND NEW BELLS. No dedication last night, but it sure brought out a bunch of people that don’t normally come on a Sunday night. I was accused of using the bells as a gimmick. I assure you that we really intended to start those bells, the hard drive really did crash, and I was really SICK about the entire thing.

Even in spite of that happening, last night was still cool . . .

Yep, thats me . . . Fired up. Mad. Tired of it. I guess, if you were there this morning, you know what I am talking about. Why in the world would we ever take what God is doing for granted??

Specifically, I am tired of some of the attitudes about our Weekday program. Our weekday program is solid, is reaching children for Christ, and shame on anyone for thinking it is a bother. It is awesome and I am glad we do it. We have done it for over 40 years now. I meet people often who attended EBC weekday and are now in adulthood, many of whom are sending their kids to EBC weekday. I could tell you it is a great service to the community, it is a great PR thing, or ten other excuses for why we should support it and keep it.

BUT HERE THIS: There is ONE reason I believe in it and ONE ONLY . . . CHILDREN ARE HEARING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST because of our weekday. And, it might be the only opportunity they have to hear it.

So, why don’t we all just love it and pray for it??

Thanks to our Video Production Department (Kerry Floyd, Media Source One), we have a little experiment. Check this link out of streaming video from last Sunday’s sermon:

http://link17.streamhoster.com/?u=ms1video&p=%2FEBC+Message.wmv&odaid=5711&prog=true

Brett will be 38 in October, and he is the hottest quarterback in the NFL right now. (When I say HOT, I mean it in the GUY way — Completing passes, reading defenses, really in the zone. THAT disclaimer is for Krissy and anyone else who will read this and think I mean good looking.)

But, he is an old man, right?? (I am 41, so I can say it that way) That is the way of thinking around the league and in the press, and Brett is making them eat those words. And, Justin McAlpin is PROUD.

Could the Packers win it all this year?? If all of the NFL teams had to redraft EVERYONE today, would Brett be the first QB to go?? ONLY if the team with the first pick wants to win . . .

What makes Ebenezer EBENEZER?? For almost 230 years, Ebenezer has not only existed, but made a difference in Florence. Why?? Certainly God put this church where it is, called different men and women to be a part of it, and laid a solid foundation for much to be built upon. Millions of times I have reminded you that Ebenezer is not an address or a set of buildings, but PEOPLE. People make Ebenezer what it is . . . (there is more — keep reading)

Will we continue? Will we reach the next generation?? Will we squander the resources God has given us and die right here??

The answers to all of these questions lie in our commitment, our pursuit of RELEVANCE. Will we be relevant? Will we relate to the community around us? Will we reach out to those who don’t know Christ of ALL GENERATIONS??

Well, will we? We Ebenezerites have to answer that one on our own . . .

What makes Ebenezer what it is?? SPECIFICALLY, PEOPLE who are FOLLOWING GOD!!! What brought this great church to this place? FOLLOWING GOD! Will we do it???

As for me and my house . . . well, you know the rest! How about you?