Why are we having a special called business meeting?

11 Mar

Yes, a question many have asked.  I will tell you it is NOT to present a candidate for youth minister, although we are getting close to that (I think)…  But it IS related to that!!

In our search (and research) for finding the next youth pastor, we have found that Ebenezer has NOT done a good job of paying our youth minister…  Yes, with Justin we had a Cadillac but were paying him like he was a Ford Pinto.  NOT GOOD.  After confirming this fact through multiple sources (including the South Carolina Baptist Convention), we need to make some adjustments in order to find the right one!!!

Personnel went to Finance, and they agreed whole-heartedly … and THEN they found the money.  Money that was allocated for a van payment that was FINISHED in December of 2012!!!  So, the money we need to make this adjustment IS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET!!  We can make this adjustment without any impact to our weekly need!!  Isn’t it neat how God works these things out even before we realize we need them!!!

Soo … I know I haven’t answered all of the questions.  If you have any more, ask the Personnel Team:  Danny Parker, Danny Counts, Keith Pettigrew, Jumana Swindler (AKA “Ousier”), Kay Andrews, and Trudy Carter.  And be there on Sunday MORNING!!!

Today’s sermon: Making Disciples

10 Mar

Making Disciples from Ebenezer BC on Vimeo.

Two years ago … Yesterday

4 Mar

I really didn’t think about this but a couple of times yesterday, but March 3rd is the day that will always live in infamy in my life and mind … The day I broke both arms!!  The fact that I didn’t mark this day this year like I did last year tells most of the story … So far, recovery has been really good!!

I might regret writing this, but I still haven’t experienced pain like I was told I would.  The right elbow is 100% good, but it was the lesser of the two breaks.  The left elbow will not extend fully and will not rest fully, but I really don’t have pain.  I’m still limited in how I can use it and bend it, but there is no resting pain and no aching when it is cold outside or about to rain.  And I am quite thankful for that!!

It is all testimony to two big things in my life:  The healing power of God AND the fact that God DOES use even tragedies in the lives of His children to build His kingdom.  I’ve had more opportunities in the past two years because of this elbow that I would’ve never had!!  I remember laying in my hospital bed on morphine asking God over and over to use this somehow.  He has made good on that one, time and time again!!

So I am thankful that yesterday wasn’t that big of a deal for me!!  It’s just another story of God and His mighty healing power!!

Today’s sermon: Forgive

3 Mar

Politics within The Church

2 Mar

This is NOT a blog entry about Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Green Party, Tea Party, or any other political group in America.  Or maybe it is.  I saw a tweet today from a friend that started a chain of thought I need to express.  Don’t be angered by this … Think about it, and by ALL means pray about it.

We as the church SHOULD be a Theocracy.  NOT a democracy.  NOT a benevolent dictatorship.  A THEOCRACY.  Meaning we are LED BY GOD.  The governance and movement of the church SHOULD NOT be done on the feelings, opinions, or whims of ANY man or woman.  Not of ANY PASTOR.  Not of ANY DEACON.  Not of ANY OTHER LEADER.  The church should only MOVE on the “opinion” of GOD ALMIGHTY.  Period.

Therefore, when churches created the miniature political terrariums that attempt to install checks and balances between Ministers, deacons, committees, elders, boards, and any other entity, THOSE CHURCHES ARE APPROACHING THINGS IN AN UNGODLY MANNER.  If there is a lack of trust between these groups, there is a huge problem.  And somewhere ONE of these entities is trying to conduct business with their own agenda instead of seeking the holy heart of God Himself.

How do we fix this??  ALL YOU CAN DO IS SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.  And all these things will be added.  And if a church begins to do this in unity, God is glorified, His kingdom is built, and He can do great things with that body of believers.

And THAT is what I want for my church … How about YOU???

The Reality of it all

25 Feb

God has called US (the church) to share His Good News with the world.  The world STARTS next door to us and moves out.  One day, He will hold us responsible for all of the opportunities we had and how we responded…  The REALITY of it all is this:  We’d better GET BUSY.

We actually bear witness of His reality in many ways:  The words we say, the actions we do, the ethic with which we work, the way we play… THEY ALL bear witness of how REAL Christ is to US!!!  And you had better believe those that do no know Him are watching!!  They want to see if He is real to us before they will ever believe the words we say about Him!!!

So the challenge for today and for this week is this:  START SMALL.  Concentrate on one way to LIVE FOR HIM today.  Completely turn one aspect of your life over to Him, and watch what He does with it.  And I will warn you:  This is contagious!  Once you turn one area over to Him, it will be so much easier to turn the next, and the next, and before you know it you ARE a LIVING WITNESS to Him, and your life is a SPIRITUAL ACT OF WORSHIP.  Just like Paul challenged us to live in Romans 12!!!

Test this and see if it is true …

Today’s sermon: Traveling the Romans Road

24 Feb

Traveling the Romans Road from Ebenezer BC on Vimeo.

Do you care??

21 Feb

Last night in prayer meeting we were discussing I Corinthians 5 & 6.  Talking about sin..  Specifically, Paul was writing to the church in Corinth about sexual immorality and their condoning of it within the church.

The question quickly arises, “What is the right thing to do if we know we have a friend or family member engaging in sin?”  In this world of “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS,” Paul clearly shows us we have a responsibility to our friend, to the family, and to the church.  IF YOU CARE.

This is a difficult subject to consider… The world and society tells us to mind our own business.  That what someone else does is between them and God, and we have no place doing this…  So, WHY did Paul write those two chapters of I Corinthians??

We are NOT OF THIS WORLD.  If Christ is your Savior, then your nature should be like that of His.  And if you have a friend doing something destructive in his/her life, you WILL try to help them.  IF you care.

Not too long ago, a push-lawnmower did not have the safety bar that will not allow it to run unless you are holding the handlebar.  You could just crank it up and it would run as long as it had gasoline.  Remember??  Suppose you cranked such a lawnmower and had to run back into the house for a second, and came back outside to find a toddler from next door stooping to reach under that lawnmower to retrieve a ball.  IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULDN’T SAY OR DO TO STOP THAT???  Because you know the terrible damage that could cause the child.  Personally, I would yell, scream, and run to grab that child.  Because I would NEVER want to be the one who could’ve stopped such destruction and decided not to do it.

If someone I care about is doing destructive things, I’m going to try to stop it.  This is EXACTLY what Paul is challenging us to do.  In LOVE, and NOT in judgment.  If you approach such a thing with a judgmental attitude, you will most assuredly do as much damage as the sin will do.

IF YOU CARE … YOU WILL DARE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

What are YOU gonna do about it??

18 Feb

So far, 2013 has been an interesting year for me.  And not entirely in a good way.  And here I sit at my desk thinking about what a Monday usually consists of for many pastors:  Tidying up from Sunday.  Literally and figuratively.

Remembering the two air conditioning units that were not working right yesterday… Remembering some of the feedback from people that were in areas where their heat WAS working properly … A prayer request here … A reminder about surgery there … And, all the while, knowing that I am human and WILL FORGET something.

Next, who is in the hospital??  Who was in last week and needs a call??  What will happen this week??  Did I leave the iron on??

Then there are the personal items.  None that I will list here, but thinking about Dad and Mom … about my kids … about my bride …  about life.

So many details spinning around in my head.  Too many for any morning, let alone MONDAY (which is the one day on which a pastor is NEVER supposed to make a permanent decision).  Then, a verse came into my sights… One I’ve seen and quoted many times over:

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

What have I done today to SEEK HIS KINGDOM FIRST AND LET HIM HANDLE ALL OF THE DETAILS????

Good question … Think I will work on that!!

Today’s sermon: The Big Picture

17 Feb

The Big Picture from Ebenezer BC on Vimeo.

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