There's a country song that states we must stand for something because if we don't we'll fall for anything. Taking a stand, though, can be difficult.
Just ask Krystle Newquest. When she was 14 years old, Krystle decided she would not be a hypocrite regarding her stand on alcohol. Her reason was a personal one because her grandfather died as the result of alcoholism. The problem was that her softball team in Lemont, Illinois was sponsored by a local tavern. Citing her disapproval of alcohol and the effects it can have on individuals and their families, she refused to wear the jersey displaying the name of the tavern.
League officials would not allow Krystle to play wearing a jersey without the sponsor's name, nor would they let her transfer to another team. Rather than compromise her beliefs, she cheered her team on from the bench.
Such wisdom from a child! If only more adults would learn from her how to stand for what they believe in. Many Christians today are tossing aside their beliefs in order to keep from rocking the boat. Maybe if the boat were rocked more often, we would find more people willing to stand beside us.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Bible Study
For more than a hundred years, Southern Baptists have emphasized Sunday School. One hour prior to our worship service, we take time to get deeper into God's Word. Some may have the idea that this time is boring and woud rather use that time to get a little extra rest. If so, you're robbing yourself of a spiritual blessing.
In fact, I prefer to call this time Morning Bible Study because that is exactly what it is. At Lawson Baptist we have a class for everyone. We have qualified teachers who love to lead these classes.
Here is a quick explanation of what Sunday Morning Bible Study does best:
1) Reaching our community. Those who attend have the opportunity to meet with others they know in a friendly, relaxed setting.
2) Ministry within the Church family. Here, members can catch up with each others activities during the week. People can express their triumphs and concerns with each other and seek support from caring friends.
3) Discipleship. Our classes are centered on Bible study and those who attend can dig into chapters and verses to learn how they apply to one's on life.
4) Communication. Here people can understand the mission of the Church and learn what they can do to be a blessing to someone else.
Give it a try if you have never been or haven't been in a long time. You won't regret it and I promise, no homework!
In fact, I prefer to call this time Morning Bible Study because that is exactly what it is. At Lawson Baptist we have a class for everyone. We have qualified teachers who love to lead these classes.
Here is a quick explanation of what Sunday Morning Bible Study does best:
1) Reaching our community. Those who attend have the opportunity to meet with others they know in a friendly, relaxed setting.
2) Ministry within the Church family. Here, members can catch up with each others activities during the week. People can express their triumphs and concerns with each other and seek support from caring friends.
3) Discipleship. Our classes are centered on Bible study and those who attend can dig into chapters and verses to learn how they apply to one's on life.
4) Communication. Here people can understand the mission of the Church and learn what they can do to be a blessing to someone else.
Give it a try if you have never been or haven't been in a long time. You won't regret it and I promise, no homework!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Religion Test
Talk about good news/bad news. I was amazed, yet disturbed with the results of a recent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life poll. Researchers found that Americans are deeply religious folks but are not quite sure what they are religious about.
The poll indicates that those who scored highest were atheists and agnostics when questioned about religion. On average, people who took the survey, more than 3,400 Americans, answered half the questions incorrectly and many erred when questioned about their own faith.
Fifty-three percent of Protestants, for example, could not identify Martin Luther as the man who started the Protestant Reformation.
But come to think of it, is such knowledge really all that important? The most important question is, what have you done with Jesus Christ? Do you believe He is the Son of God? Do you believe He died for your sins? Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior?
Lets get those questions nailed down first. Then, if we want to move on to Survey of World Religions, we can worry about that at that time.
The poll indicates that those who scored highest were atheists and agnostics when questioned about religion. On average, people who took the survey, more than 3,400 Americans, answered half the questions incorrectly and many erred when questioned about their own faith.
Fifty-three percent of Protestants, for example, could not identify Martin Luther as the man who started the Protestant Reformation.
But come to think of it, is such knowledge really all that important? The most important question is, what have you done with Jesus Christ? Do you believe He is the Son of God? Do you believe He died for your sins? Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Savior?
Lets get those questions nailed down first. Then, if we want to move on to Survey of World Religions, we can worry about that at that time.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
New Year
Happy New Year! Yeah, I know it's not 2011 just yet but it is a new church year. The first Sunday in September is recognized as the time of new beginning as the young folks trudge back to school. At Lawson Baptist, it's time for promotion to new classes for some of the youth.
I'm excited about the new church year. We've added a new staff member. Bud Rice is our Youth Pastor. Technically, he is the Associate Pastor for Youth and Education. Many of us came to know Bud through this past softball season as he played shortstop for our team while he pastored Point of Grace Church in Strong. We are looking forward to his leadershp with the young people and welcome him and his family to LBC.
We are also putting a different emphasis on one of our Sunday School classes. Our young adults will be putting biblical principles to use in everyday life. The class will be centered on video lessons and discussions. Christian authors such as Max Lucado, John Ortberg and Beth Moore will be featured in this class which will be led by Mike Hill and Bud Rice.
I look forward to great things at Lawson in the coming year. Make it your New Church Year resolution to be in God's House every week!
I'm excited about the new church year. We've added a new staff member. Bud Rice is our Youth Pastor. Technically, he is the Associate Pastor for Youth and Education. Many of us came to know Bud through this past softball season as he played shortstop for our team while he pastored Point of Grace Church in Strong. We are looking forward to his leadershp with the young people and welcome him and his family to LBC.
We are also putting a different emphasis on one of our Sunday School classes. Our young adults will be putting biblical principles to use in everyday life. The class will be centered on video lessons and discussions. Christian authors such as Max Lucado, John Ortberg and Beth Moore will be featured in this class which will be led by Mike Hill and Bud Rice.
I look forward to great things at Lawson in the coming year. Make it your New Church Year resolution to be in God's House every week!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Church Trends
I was alarmed by a recent report in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that came from the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida. Allow me to quote the article.
"The nation's largest evangelical body (Southern Baptists) grew by about 1 million people every year between 1962 and 1977 (current membership is around 16 million). Since 2001, the growth has stalled. Baptisms have dropped. Some years, membership has dipped. Giving has started to decrease."
Not only have these numbers seen very disturbing losses, the article went on to say that doubt has entered our churches. A reliable polling firm found that most self-described evangelicals no longer believe that Jesus provides the only path to God.
These findings are very unsettling but there is some good news. While membership has declined somewhat, actual worship attendance has actually increased in the past two years. In other words, while many are not joining a church, they are coming in larger numbers to hear the Word.
Also, baptisms increased by 2.2 percent this past year.
By the way, Jesus said in John 14:6. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Let us press on to fulfill the Great Commission and win the world for Christ!
"The nation's largest evangelical body (Southern Baptists) grew by about 1 million people every year between 1962 and 1977 (current membership is around 16 million). Since 2001, the growth has stalled. Baptisms have dropped. Some years, membership has dipped. Giving has started to decrease."
Not only have these numbers seen very disturbing losses, the article went on to say that doubt has entered our churches. A reliable polling firm found that most self-described evangelicals no longer believe that Jesus provides the only path to God.
These findings are very unsettling but there is some good news. While membership has declined somewhat, actual worship attendance has actually increased in the past two years. In other words, while many are not joining a church, they are coming in larger numbers to hear the Word.
Also, baptisms increased by 2.2 percent this past year.
By the way, Jesus said in John 14:6. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Let us press on to fulfill the Great Commission and win the world for Christ!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Catching Up
Yeah, I know. It's been a long time since I've updated this space.This is a wonderful tool to communicate my thoughts with others and for months I've let that opportunity go by.The early part of the year I was busy doing basically three jobs so I used the excuse that I was too tired to sit and hammer out a few words.There is so much to discuss. Where to begin?I would be remiss if I didn't mention the tragedy of losing Samuel Morgan last month. Sam meant a lot to me and quite frankly, the wind in my sails dried up after his death. He was an encourager to me and that is something I need as a pastor. As I mentioned at his funeral, even though he was much younger than I am, Sam was my hero. He was a blessing to me, to his friends and everyone who came into contact with him and he will be greatly missed. His family remains in my prayers everyday.As I write, we are in the middle of our Vacation Bible School. Over 70 children and 30 workers have been to VBS each night. It is a joy to see these young people having fun and learning about Jesus. I pray that these precious ones will get a glimpse of the Savior and families will be changed through this event. Thank you to all who help with this effort. May God bless you for what you do!On Sunday mornings we continue with our series entitled "The Essentials." These messages focus on the basics in the Christian life. Sunday evenings we are looking at the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and on Wednesday evenings we are about to conclude our look at the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Come and be a part of it.The Voyagers will be at Lawson this Saturday evening at 7 o'clock. Come and enjoy.And a reminder...we are about to begin a new church year. Our Nominating Committee will be asking some of you to serve in the coming year. Please ask what God would have you to do before making any decisions. Find your purpose and go for it!
Monday, January 25, 2010
God Is Communicating
This month we have been focusing our Sunday messages on the Church and the role we each must embrace. With that in mind, I came across an excerpt from Charles Swindoll's book, "Living on the Ragged Edge." This is a book I read many years ago and I highly recommend it. The following speaks about not accepting the "idle" Christian life.
"I wish there were some way to announce over a loudspeaker system outside every worship gathering, 'The pew zone is for learning and listening and changing only. No parking.'
"You see why that's important? Because our favorite place to park is in a pew. Just come, sit, listen, and leave.
"So much of today's worship is dulledge stuff - meaningless words, cliches that sit like tombstones over dead ideas. God is speaking. That's the reason for the command. The living God is communicating.
"Come to terms with your lips, with your ears, as you envision yourself preparing for worship. Experiment with something different for a change. Be quite. Try silence.
"From the first strains of music to the last word of the benediction...learn to hitchhike on God's thoughts. Sometimes those thoughts come in the silence of the offertory. Sometimes they come as someone else is leading in prayer. Occasionally they come in the singing of a hymn. Draw near. Listen well, because God is communicating."
"I wish there were some way to announce over a loudspeaker system outside every worship gathering, 'The pew zone is for learning and listening and changing only. No parking.'
"You see why that's important? Because our favorite place to park is in a pew. Just come, sit, listen, and leave.
"So much of today's worship is dulledge stuff - meaningless words, cliches that sit like tombstones over dead ideas. God is speaking. That's the reason for the command. The living God is communicating.
"Come to terms with your lips, with your ears, as you envision yourself preparing for worship. Experiment with something different for a change. Be quite. Try silence.
"From the first strains of music to the last word of the benediction...learn to hitchhike on God's thoughts. Sometimes those thoughts come in the silence of the offertory. Sometimes they come as someone else is leading in prayer. Occasionally they come in the singing of a hymn. Draw near. Listen well, because God is communicating."
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Lawson Vision
Not too long ago, a local resident who is not a member of Lawson Baptist, told me that he could not imagine this community without the church. I've thought about that statement several times and I agree. It is my dream that LBC will become the focal point of this entire area. With this in mind I propose the Fivefold Lawson Vision.
1. It is the dream of a place where the hurting, the depressed, the frustrated, and the confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance, and encouragement.
2. It is the dream of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people of Lawson and all of Union County and south Arkansas.
3. It is the dream of welcoming many new members into the fellowship of our church family - loving, learning, and living in harmony together.
4. It is the dream of developing people to spiritual maturity through Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night Bible studies, youth activities, median adult events and older adult programs and giving children a headstart in learning about the love of Jesus Christ.
5. It is the dream of equipping every believer for a significant ministry by helping them discover the gifts and talents God gave them.
Scripture tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish. We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.
1. It is the dream of a place where the hurting, the depressed, the frustrated, and the confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance, and encouragement.
2. It is the dream of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people of Lawson and all of Union County and south Arkansas.
3. It is the dream of welcoming many new members into the fellowship of our church family - loving, learning, and living in harmony together.
4. It is the dream of developing people to spiritual maturity through Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night Bible studies, youth activities, median adult events and older adult programs and giving children a headstart in learning about the love of Jesus Christ.
5. It is the dream of equipping every believer for a significant ministry by helping them discover the gifts and talents God gave them.
Scripture tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish. We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
