If you have been in worship over the past several weeks you are probably getting tired of hearing me talk about “connection points” and small groups. Well for the sake of those of you who have perhaps been on vacation, been really busy, or perhaps have just been playing for a few weeks, months or years, let me fill you in a bit.
In the past seven years I have had the privilege of serving as pastor, we have seen many people come to First Baptist. Many of those have joined and have become very active in the life of the ministries of the church. Other have not joined but have become involved. Others joined or did not join and found the back door just as easily as they found the front door. That has troubled me for a while now. How do we do a better job of making people feel welcome and get them plugged in when they come to our church? I have really been concerned that we have become complacent and comfortable and at times flat lazy in doing ministry. IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!
I am convinced that for us to continue to grow we must find ways for us to connect on a smaller level. I love the concept of small groups (LIFE groups). They are groups of 8-10 who meet on a regular basis to fellowship, eat, disciple, and do ministry together. IF there are over 350 in worship on a Sunday morning it is easy for someone to fall through the cracks, but if they are involved in a group of 8-10 they will be missed. Hopefully someone in the group will notice and contact them.
I also am in the process of developing a visitors luncheon every other month following morning worship where we can invite all our guests from the previous two months to enjoy a meal and have an informative question and answer time with the pastor and staff about the ministries of the church. (Some of you who have been here a while might want to join us for this)!!
What I am getting at is this: If we are going to continue to be effective in ministering to our community we cannot be comfortable. We must continue to seek new ways of doing ministry and connecting with people. We must grow smaller as we get bigger!
On a completely different note, the summer is in full swing! Things are going great. We just finished up a fantastic Vacation Bible School week (way to go Dorothy and your helpers!!!). On July 4th we have 46 youth heading to Highland Lakes Baptist Encampment on Lake Travis in Austin for youth camp, and later this month we have 62 heading to pre-teen camp at Latham Springs. Please continue to pray for God to do mighty things among our students this summer!
This past month Shelly and I have been in Grandview for 12 years. It has been a wonderful time and it has been amazing to see God work among His people. I look forward to what he has in store for us in the days to come. Let’s all put on our seat belts and get ready for the ride! Be praying for your staff and for one another as we get about HIS business!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
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June 26 Sermon
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June 26 Sermon
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Word of the Week
Vacation Bible School! Vacation Bible School! Three words that send all ages into different kinds of feelings! For the children, it is euphoria! Singing, Bible stories, recreation, crafts, snacks…. It is like heaven on earth! For some adults just the sound of the three words makes them tired.
It doesn’t matter what feeling you get when you hear the words, “Vacation Bible School.” What matters is that an incredible number of children have come to know Jesus personally because of the efforts of teachers and adults during the week of VBS! I hope you plan on inviting children you know (and even bringing them if they need a ride) and on coming yourself each evening starting tonight at 6:00 until 8:30 for an amazing Big Apple Adventure!
See ya there!
It doesn’t matter what feeling you get when you hear the words, “Vacation Bible School.” What matters is that an incredible number of children have come to know Jesus personally because of the efforts of teachers and adults during the week of VBS! I hope you plan on inviting children you know (and even bringing them if they need a ride) and on coming yourself each evening starting tonight at 6:00 until 8:30 for an amazing Big Apple Adventure!
See ya there!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
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June 19 Sermon
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June 19 Sermon
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Word of the Week
Happy Father’s Day!!!! I have been a really big fan of Father’s Day for about 7 years now! Yes, I have a father and yes I would always make sure he felt special and loved on Father’s Day, but it is a whole different deal now that I am a father! It has gone to a new level!
It is the same way in our Christian faith. We become a Christian and don’t really know a whole lot about what that means, but as we grow in our faith it should be going to a whole new level!!! I challenge you today to go to that next level in your faith and in your relationship with your Heavenly Father!
I hope you have a great week!
It is the same way in our Christian faith. We become a Christian and don’t really know a whole lot about what that means, but as we grow in our faith it should be going to a whole new level!!! I challenge you today to go to that next level in your faith and in your relationship with your Heavenly Father!
I hope you have a great week!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
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June 12 Sermon
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June 12 Sermon
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Saturday, June 11, 2011
Word of the Week
I love to work in my yard! There are times though that I don’t want to get out and mow. Shelly will say, “If you don’t want to mow, then don’t fertilize and water!” If I don’t water and fertilize, the grass won’t grow!!!
The same concept is true with the church. If we don’t want to grow spiritually or numerically then we don’t need to water or fertilize. In other words if we want to be stagnant and not make an impact on our community then we can sit back and do nothing, or we can choose to spread the Word of God like fertilizer, share the living water, and be ready to work! I choose work. How about you?
I hope you have a great week!
The same concept is true with the church. If we don’t want to grow spiritually or numerically then we don’t need to water or fertilize. In other words if we want to be stagnant and not make an impact on our community then we can sit back and do nothing, or we can choose to spread the Word of God like fertilizer, share the living water, and be ready to work! I choose work. How about you?
I hope you have a great week!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
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June 5 Sermon
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June 5 Sermon
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Word of the Week
When I was six my brother and I made pancakes for my mom on Mother’s Day. We were very proud of ourselves for showing love to our mom on her special day. As my mom took the first bite of her pancakes, the look on her face was amazing!!! It was not a good amazing. We had made a terrible mistake . . . did you know there is a difference between baking powder and baking soda??? Yep . . . you guessed it. We used baking soda!
I tell you this great story to remind you that during the summer months it is easy to take a Sunday off from church, but I hope you realize that you are an important ingredient to what goes on around here! If you are missing then we are all missing out on something. I hope you will be committed through the summer months!
I hope you have a great week!
I tell you this great story to remind you that during the summer months it is easy to take a Sunday off from church, but I hope you realize that you are an important ingredient to what goes on around here! If you are missing then we are all missing out on something. I hope you will be committed through the summer months!
I hope you have a great week!
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