A Necessary Response

For a week I’ve pondered what my response should be to the blatant sin and pagan displays included in the Paris Olympic opening ceremonies. Should I be offended? Angered? Should I call for political support so that, with the force of government, we might force sin back into its closet? Should my witness consist of angry shouts of their lostness and eternal damnation? Is this what it means to preach the gospel? Should I play the victim, taking their sin as a personal offense, even equating it to persecution?

All of these responses have run through my social media feeds this week, along with a few reminding us that sinners do what sinners do. I admit, I’m in this latter camp, none of whom have shown support for the ceremonies, yet we still seem to exacerbate the anger of the former revealing not only division between Christ followers and the world, but among Christ followers themselves.

For me, this is no trivial matter. My heart is heavy. I love the church of Jesus Christ, and division among believers is serious (Jn. 17:21; 1 Cor. 1:10). But I also seek to love unbelievers, even those acting against my interest (Matt. 5:44). I’ll admit, this one is harder, but I cannot escape the words of my Savior. To love Him means I will love them. And not in words only, or in the way angry siblings might shout at one another, but love them in a way that prompts action.

As a young adult in Houston, my hometown emerged as the southern epicenter of LGBTQ+ expression. Youth ministers would pack up their vans, drive through the Montrose area along Westheimer Blvd, pointing out crowds outside the gay bars and the transgendered teens and adults on the streets. Many would shout angry words of biblical condemnation. On one occasion I watched teens in a church van tossing eggs at the patrons of a club frequented by the transgendered. Most returned to their church with a sense of superiority, discussing how much better “the Christian life” was.

But there was one. I don’t recall his name, but I do remember him buying a home along Westheimer. Every evening when the streets came to life he would come outside with water, food, and friendly conversation. While he never approved of their sin, the trust earned as he listened to their stories paved the way for his gospel witness. Learning that many came from abusive backgrounds, he provided them a safe haven, a place to detox, and more opportunity for them to discover God’s grace. He didn’t stop the area’s moral decline. Such is life in a fallen world. But his witness over time drew hundreds of broken souls from death to life. Hated by many in the community, he was often unwelcome by other Christians. Yet he remained God’s faithful witness.

Church, we can never celebrate sin! My Christian brothers and sisters ought to be unsettled by much of what those opening ceremonies portrayed, and by any celebration of sin and mockery of Lord. But anger and offense will not bring about the righteousness of God (James 1:20). That unsettled feeling reminds us this world is not our home. Hold on to it! Let the unsettledness drive you to seek the Lord deeply, obey him faithfully, and love the lost demonstrably, that our witness may draw some to the Savior.

Network Update

Greetings all!

It’s been a while since we last visited, so I thought I’d share a brief update on how the Lord is at work through our GTBN ministries. Since the start of 2024, your Network has done the following:

• Trained 175 persons from 17 churches for ministry through Sunday School / Small Groups

• Celebrated with Hot Hearts as 86 students professed faith in Christ and just under 5000 gathered to elevate Christ.

• Assisted 6 churches and 15 pastors / staff through counsel, consultation, coaching.

• Supported the final stages of construction and preparation for the Central City Replant, Alianza En Marcha, scheduled for their first service back in the Avenues before Easter.

• Supported the mission team from North End in our shared partnership with River City Church, Vancouver, WA, a new church doing much from which we can learn.

• The ReNew Team continues one revitalization consultation while preparing to launch another.

• Prepared to launch our first Leadership Pipeline Co-hort.

Coming up we look forward to the launch of Fellowship Port Arthur on Easter and regional pastors gatherings in April.

GTBN fosters connections to empower the disciple-making potential of every church. We do this by energizing leaders, clarifying pathways, and leveraging partnership. Let us know how we can serve your church!

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

We're Two Weeks Away

Pray. Please pray that the Lord would work through our team visiting the three local state prison units with the Bill Glass Behind the Walls organization.

The 2023 Day of Champions, postponed from September due to a state-wide prison lock-down, is two week away. On Friday, Dec. 15, about 170 volunteers will gather at North End Baptist Church to prepare, then on Saturday the 16th these volunteers will spend the day at one of three units, sharing the gospel with inmates. While athletes and entertainers share their stories of how Christ has impacted their lives, our volunteers will present the gospel and help launch the discipleship process for those who respond. A few of our teammates will likely visit the segregation units so inmates unable to attend the event might also hear the gospel.

But why is this a priority for GTBN? Let me suggest several reasons.

First, given the Lord’s words in Matthew 25, ministry with those in prison should never be taken lightly. While the call to proclaim Christ extends to all the world, neglect of the stranger, sick, poor, and prisoner is serious. Remember the Lord’s words, “As you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Second, there’s the practical matter of equipping Christians to share their faith. As a matter of full-disclosure, the Bill Glass organization describes themselves as an evangelism training ministry rather than a prison ministry. And there’s no better way to equip Christians for evangelism to bring them into a setting where, with coaching and support, they actually present the gospel. Having shared Christ behind the walls, many begin to do so among their friends and neighbors.

Finally, I can think of no better way to demonstrate our cooperation as a network of churches than to combine our efforts around the gospel. The local prison units represent a ministry challenge our churches share. Most of the offenders will be released some day, many into our own communities. We serve these individuals, as well as our neighbors and one another, when we join forces to make disciples within these units. It’s a great way to show we’re better together!

I look forward to celebrating with you the fruit from the weekend. In the meantime, please pray that the Lord would work through His servants, that His gospel would be clearly spoken, and that He will receive much glory from the response.

And lock in September 27-28, 2024 for the next Beaumont Day of Champions!

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

The Power of Scripture

With Veterans Day this weekend, I’ve thought often of those persons in my life who served though the military. Among them is a dear friend who is with the Lord now, Richard. I’ve shared with you about Richard before. He was the pastor at Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico. And he was proud of his service with the US Air Force. But even more, he was grateful for a journey that began while he served. It was during his time in the Air Force that Richard first read the Bible.

Richard was raised in the traditional beliefs of his people. He’d often tell me how relatives would show him a Bible and explain, “This is not a book for you. Stay away from it. It’s not our way.” And he complied.

But a fellow airman whom he befriended had a Bible and soon invited Richard to attend his study group. There, as Richard learned what scripture said, he was drawn to its message, particularly how salvation comes through God’s grace as opposed to his effort. The tradition, he explained, was all about one’s work to live in harmony with the spirits, some of whom had conflicting agendas. So the gospel was appealing to him. But, remembering the stern warnings of his family, he resisted scripture’s attraction. “It’s not our way.”

After his discharge, and years later, Richard found himself in deep personal distress. And though he hadn’t given the Lord serious consideration since he left his Air Force friend, this day God intervened. The message of scripture surfaced in his mind and he especially remembered its appeal. So, finding a Bible, he went off into the mountains alone and asked God to show him what was true. And on that mountain, having spent the day in the scriptures and praying, he became convicted of his sin, repented, and placed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Richard would go on to live with vibrant faith, becoming the first indigenous pastor of the Laguna Acoma Baptist Church until his death in 2011. But whenever he shared his conversion story, he always began by telling us of a Christ-loving fellow airman who offered him the scriptures.

Keep sharing the scriptures. It really is the power of God unto salvation!

Blessings,

Jim

For Whom Are You Grateful?

With pastor appreciation month just behind us and Thanksgiving on the horizon, I’ve given a lot of attention lately to those persons God has used shape my life. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Yes, the Holy Spirit through scripture shapes us. But the instruments for much of the shaping are the wise, godly persons He brings into our lives.

Some of these come through formal relationships, such as a favorite teacher who was there for you far beyond the expectation of the classroom. If one is blessed to have believing parents, they obviously belong here. High on my list is a man who was my immediate supervisor when I served with the North American Mission Board. Of course pastors, deacons, Sunday School teachers, and professors take up a number of slots on my personal list.

Much of the sharpening comes through informal relationships, godly friends and colleagues. I’ve been blessed by a good number of individuals who fit this category, including many of you.

Often the relationship, at least at it’s closest, is relatively brief. One of the most impactful in my life occupied a mere semester while I was a student, yet the influence continues more than 35 years later. And many have lasted, so deep that even if we had not communicated for years, when we do visit it’s as if we’ve never been apart.

I could share numerous stories of the men and women whose influence God used to shape my character, spiritual development, or ministry, but what I would like to do in this post is call to your remembrance those whom the Lord used to shape your life.

So, here’s an exercise. Make a list of those persons who you believe God used to significantly shape who you are and how you live for Him. Then pause, pray and thank God for them. If they are still living, send them an encouraging word of how they influenced your life (they might not know the significance of their influence). If they are no longer here, send a word of gratitude to their family.

If you like, share some of their stories in the comments below. As you do, consider how you might extend their influence by investing in others around you.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

P.S. Here’s my top ten, in no particular order.

Ray Batson - My father-in-law, godly example of a father, husband, and minister of the gospel.

Tony Esparza - Step-father who was really my dad, put me in a place to hear the gospel.

Sarge and O’Tulsa Placker - Church youth leaders who invested in an awkward teen and prayed through his “prodigal” stage, believing God would call him to ministry.

Karen Turnbo - Wife and faithful partner for 37+ years.

Donald Potts - Major professor in university, mentor for years after graduation.

Doug Lee - Director of missions and friend who fostered the connections leading to our service with NAMB; model for how I would serve in this role.

Stan Albright - My supervisor while a missionary in New Mexico, modeled for me how to support a team and lift up the people around me.

Byron Banta - Pastor and mentor who modeled how a pastor should love and serve God’s people.

Bill Stroud - Life-long friend since college who faithfully perseveres even when the worst happens.

Mack Chapman - Life-long friend from high school years who has always been a constant encouragement in my life, even if I don’t connect with him as much as I should.

There’s my list. What’s yours?

Make the Most of Your Outreach

When fall arrives churches turn their attention to outreach and evangelism. In fact, the GTBN event trailer gets more use from the middle to end of October than it does any other time of year. Fall festivals, Trunk or Treats, and a number of other seasonal activities fill the calendars as congregations seek connections with the people of their communities.

Now, I applaud any effort to build such connections. As the late Oscar Thompson wrote in Concentric Circles of Concern, the gospel moves through relationships. When these events are considered as bridges to new relationships, rather than ends in themselves, special outreach events serve a significant purpose.

But often Christians expend great effort and lots of money on events with little fruit to show for it.

So, how do you make the most of an outreach event? Consider these suggestions.

First, put your best effort and planning into the event. Any event you invite the public to reflects your commitment to the Lord. Our Lord deserves your best effort, and so do your neighbors.

Second, know your community and consider the needs and preferences of your neighbors above the preferences of church members. If the intent is showing neighbors you care, then truly show them you care.

Third, find a non-intrusive way to get contact information from those who attend your event. In the past guests would gladly complete a registration card for a chance to win a door prize, and sometimes just because you asked. Today people are much more guarded with their information. At an event I’ve been part of for years, we’ve set up a photo booth. We’ve taken pictures of guests with our custom backdrop, sending them later via Facebook or text message. These contacts become our basis for future connection. One thing’s sure: it takes more than a hot dog for people to give a stranger their address or phone number.

Fourth, make sure you have “floaters” on your crew. One of the most important jobs at any evangelistic event is to have Christians who are not working games or food service, but instead float between activities, meeting attendees, helping them feel welcome, listening to their stories, and responding accordingly. If it will take all your help to staff everything you have planned, cancel a couple of activities and designate those people to be floaters.

Fourth, remember the real value of such events comes through new connections. From this point, it’s essential that you not simply relax after clean-up and hope these people drift back for the next event. Take each new connection as a divine appointment from the Lord, unless proven otherwise. Seek ways to remain connected. I like to send a follow-up text saying, “Thank you for attending. I enjoyed our conversation. Perhaps we can meet for coffee sometime. In the meantime, if there is anything we can pray with you about or help with, please contact me.”

Finally, pray diligently not only for the event but for the people who attend. I believe God is sovereign, and that anyone who attended our event was there for a purpose. So I add them to my personal prayer journal, praying not only that the Lord would reveal Himself to them, but that I would discern a next step in relation with them, that I may be His instrument in their lives. For a reason I may not yet know, the Lord brought this person into my life. I seek to steward well that opportunity. I encourage you to do likewise.

BTW, this means you not merely consider them as “projects” but as people you genuinely care for. If the relationship is not real, it will not matter.

So often with events, church leaders think of the crowd. “Gather a crowd at an event, move the crowd into worship, where a few from the crowd will get saved.” I’ve found more fruit thinking of each one who’s in that crowd as a “lost sheep” or “lost coin.” If I can be an instrument of the Savior in their salvation, I get to rejoice with those in heaven over the sinner who repents.

What would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

First Things First

When speaking with church leaders about revitalization, the conversation almost always centers on tactics. “What can we do to reach people,” they ask. And there certainly are things we can do, things we ought to be doing, in order to foster an environment where unbelievers might receive the gospel. But as important as tactics are, they are empty if we don’t put first things first. Which is to remain prayerfully dependent on the Lord.

Conversion, and for that matter the entire disciple making process, is God’s work. As Christ’s body, those comprising the church are His instruments. But conviction of sin and regeneration itself are things only God can do. Prayer (genuine, sensitive, God-focused prayer, as opposed to perfunctory recitation of names and needs) allows believers to yield before the Lord and discern His activity around us. Informed by our understanding of God’s will as revealed in scripture, our discernment is sharpened. Sharpened discernment leads to better action.

I was reminded of this last week while visiting a church we partner with out west. The people of this small congregation were incredibly engaged in their community, serving and sharing with their neighbors at an extraordinary level. And our team heard some wonderful testimonies of how the Lord transformed lives through them.

But what convicted my spirit the most was the way their team prayed personally for every person they engaged. Their prayer room wall was covered with the names of people, noting the progress of each toward the gospel. As they prayed for each one, the team was able to discern their next ministry step in the relationship. And they were fruitful. Through their prayerful dependence on the Lord, He worked through their witness to save those for whom they prayed.

They put first things first. And so too should we.

Where does prayer fall in your church’s ministry plan? In what ways do you seek the Lord for the salvation of persons near you? Think about it. And if we at the GTBN can help you, please reach out.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

Step Up to the Plate

Today it’s hard to be a baseball fan, at least when you grew up rooting for the Astros, as their play this season has been frustratingly inconsistent. For every game matching the championship spark from last year, there have been others where they’ve played like an old church softball team. But they played. And even with all its variables, baseball has one absolute: you can’t win if you don’t take the field.

The same is true of our family of churches. Of course, there’s more than a game at stake. The churches of GTBN share a mission to make disciples across southeast Texas. And while I believe every local congregation has everything it needs to be faithful to the Lord today, there’s great value in our cooperative partnership.

How so?

One way is by energizing and encouraging ministry leaders. Read the blogs, posts, and periodicals dedicated to pastoral leadership and you will find numerous references to the stress pastors and staff experience. Obviously the encouragement we give to one another is vital. But more than that, not a single one of us in ministry knows or sees everything. We all have our blind spots, and we don't know what we don’t know. In this case God’s provision often comes through the colleague or congregation across the network.

Another way our cooperation brings value to churches is by helping one another to discover and take our best next steps, clarifying ministry pathways for greater fruitfulness. The challenge of post-Christendom coupled with the recent pandemic weighed heavily on all of our churches, but none so much as those congregations that were struggling beforehand. But through our interconnectedness, we are able to channel learning, coaching, and resources to help willing partners “get back into the game.”

Finally our cooperation brings value by leveraging the strength of collaboration. Whether it is through a fostering relationship wherein a stronger congregation helps a sister church for a season or the many collaborative efforts like Hot Hearts or Bill Glass Behind the Walls, we experience the reality of Ecclesiastes 4:9 that “Two are better than one because they have good return for their labor.”

What I’ve just described summarizes the GTBN strategy. There’s more in the details which you can read in the strategy document posted here. Church Planting, leadership development, replanting and revitalization are all there.

But here’s the point: It’s all about you and your church. The best that GTBN has to offer comes from our pastors, church staff, and the congregations they serve.

A ball player can think of many reasons not to take the field. “I’m in a slump… The team let me down last time… It’s no use, we’ll never win… What does it matter?” But he will never experience what the team offers until he gets into the game.

In the same way, the best way to experience the value of partnership is to engage. Step up to the plate. Help us to foster connections that empower the disciple making potential of every church.

And join us at Fellowship Baptist Church, Nederland, Texas for our annual meeting, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 6:00 PM, with dinner at 5.

I look forward to seeing you.

Jim

Bridging the Generations

The living church of Jesus Christ includes all generations. It makes sense then that, even as local churches work to intentionally reach younger persons, healthy congregational ministry will bridge the gap between persons of different ages. Now, I know of many congregations who do this with excellence. But some seem to have great difficulty, be it a youthful church plant with few elder members or the established church that lost their younger families long ago.

Why do many struggle with this?

One problem I’ve observed is control. Often in an established church, long tenured members mark their turf, those areas of ministry they control. What began as well-intentioned service for Christ evolved over time into the subject of pride. And when this happens, there’s no room for newer, younger church members to plug in.

Then there’s the opposite, those who have been hurt by the above scenario, or other church issues, who plant or join the “anti-church”. Theirs will be the church that fixes all the problems caused by the “old guard” at their former church. But in doing so they also cut themselves off from a source of wisdom God intends for His body.

Honest misunderstanding is another problem. Generational miscommunication is nothing new. In every era there’s been those older persons who looked at their children and grandchildren with bewilderment, and vice versa. But what begins as honest misunderstanding can devolve into something worse when people act towards one another based on stereotypes and assumptions rather than genuine communication.

And, finally, there are some people who are just unwilling to yield their preferences in order to build intergenerational relationships. It’s easy to sit back and expect others to accommodate us in order for us to befriend them, as if we deserve it, rather than yield in deference to them.

So how do we encourage healthy intergenerational relationships, personally but especially in the church?

In a recent podcast for Tony Morgan’s The Unstuck Group, Growing Leaders CEO Tim Elmore shared results from a series of interviews with persons representative of five living generations. Asking, “What do you want from other generations as you interact with them?”, every generation prioritized humility, respect, and curiosity. “Every generation said, ‘I would love for you to approach me with respect, curious about what I might have to offer and what I might share’.”

Sound insight, worthy of application. The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 15:2, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” When Christians of all generations defer to one another on matters of preference, unifying on gospel-essentials, walls between persons fall, making room for all generations to love and learn from one another.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

Know When to Pivot

In the game of basketball, when ball handlers don’t have a shot nor a teammate to pass to, they pivot. Keeping the ball of one foot planted on the court, they rotate on the pivot foot seeking a shot or teammate to receive the ball. Since the object of the game is to advance the ball and score, pivoting is a basic skill players learn for those possessions when they cannot do either.

While it certainly looks different in ministry, the pivot is an important skill for the local church, too. If they are not careful, churches can hold on to legacy practices that once filled a vital function but no longer help to advance Christ’s mission. Some may even hinder the mission.

For example, when Karen and I served in Nebraska, I knew a pastor whose church was planted by immigrants from Germany, with services in the German language. This held true even as successive generations spoke English. Finally, twenty years before my friend became pastor, they took the dramatic step of allowing sermons in English. But they continued singing in German. The elders of the church valued their heritage and felt the music was their connection with it. But no longer did anyone in the church actually speak the language. My friend knew they had reached a point that this particular grip on heritage was costing them opportunities for making disciples for Jesus Christ. It took time, but he led them to pivot.

My point here is not that legacy and heritage ministries are bad. When they help the church fulfill it’s purpose, they are rich testimonies to the Lord’s work through them. But when a practice or program, new or old, no longer advances the church’s mission, it’s time to seek a new path forward. I advise leaders, do so as a shepherd, not a bulldozer, and prepare for the grief that loss of favored ministries might bring. But when it’s time to pivot, then pivot.

Because there’s something worse than the loss brought on by a pivot. It’s the lost opportunity to glorify the Lord through faithful obedience to His mission.

Blessings,

.Bro. Jim

What the Resignation of a Fallen Leader Teaches Us

If you follow the Southern Baptist Convention, then you may have heard of the resignation of a key convention entity leader last month. This individual, a man who I did not know personally but had come to respect through mutual friends and colleagues, was found to have fabricated his educational credentials, falsifying his resume to include schools he either did not attend or graduate from.

By all indications, this individual has a long track record of productive ministry and was highly regarded by his associates. He’s now working to rebuild life and livelihood, another tragic reminder of the need for all of us to guard our integrity.

As I’ve pondered this situation over the past weeks, I’ve wondered what other lessons we might learn. Here’s what’s crossed my mind thus far. Please remember that I write with no first-hand knowledge of the specifics with this case.

First, integrity runs far deeper than simply avoiding the “big sins.” A pastor under criticism for his own integrity lapse once told me, “I didn’t commit adultery, preach heresy, or steal from the church.” He failed to see that integrity goes beyond avoiding these obvious sins to include how you treat others and present yourself. Be honest about who you are and what you’ve done.

Second, integrity isn’t graded on a curve. There is no spectrum of 1 to 10, where 10 is high integrity and 1 is low. So we can’t argue, as some might, “Well, he did great work. He met all the other qualifications, and the lie was so long ago. We ought to let it pass. None of us are sinless.” That last sentence is certainly true. Even the godliest among us have pockets of sin in our lives to deal with. Still, God holds those in Christian leadership to a high standard. First Timothy 3:2 says, “an overseer must be above reproach.”

We must always extend grace for those who struggle, including leaders. Not every sin is disqualifying. But consistent godliness evidenced in professional and personal transparency is essential to shepherd others. A person who has sinned, repented, accepted discipline, and resumed growth as Christ’s disciple recovers integrity. One who sins and continues to conceal it, or does not accept correction, does not.

Third, integrity forms as Christians allow the Lord to shape them through His word so that their confidence and security rests not in themselves, but the Lord’s purpose for them. Calling matters, and confidence to follow the call is a product of spiritual formation and ministry development.

I can only assume that this episode began when a minister felt compelled to embellish his education credentials in order to serve a role he sensed God’s call to. Which forces me to address this tangent: I believe that we, as Southern Baptists, have undervalued on-the-job, in-the-church training compared with formal education. Please don’t misunderstand. We ought to highly value formal ministerial training. Bible college and seminary are great. But I have seen some aspiring ministers complete multiple degrees yet struggle in their work having never really been the kind of disciple they are asking God’s people to be. On the other hand, I have a number of friends who lack diplomas but they were discipled, trained on-the-job, and mentored by godly pastors. Many were voracious readers and are among the finest pastors I know.

In the sight of God, at least, I don’t believe it matters if our preparation for service comes through formal education or informal mentoring and on-the-job training (though I favor a composite of each). It does matter that, as we seek to serve Christ’s church, we are honest about the route we’ve taken.

I pray for this brother, that he has resumed a fruitful walk with the Lord and may become again His instrument in whichever way He choses. And I pray for all of us who serve together in southeast Texas, that we would serve with a clear conscience and a desire to live honorably in every way (Heb. 13:18).

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

The Importance of Community

I received this morning the latest edition of the Unstuck Church Report. Produced by Tony Morgan’s The Unstuck Group, I find their sample size somewhat limited, but their conclusions worthy of attention. This is particularly true of their recent observation concerning small group engagement. According to their latest report, though weekly worship attendance is up 22% from the previous year, small-group participation has declined. Only 47% of church going adults and students (not the same as weekly worship attendance) engage the small group ministry of their church, down from 51% a year ago.

So, more people are attending but fewer are connecting. Let that sink in.

With the pounding worship attendance has taken through COVID, our local storms, and the ever changing attendance patterns of even the most faithful members, there’s reason to celebrate when more people gather to worship our glorious Savior. But, as significant as corporate worship is (and it significant), it is only one dimension of congregational life. Community, the relational connection that can only happen in smaller, more intimate gatherings, is equally important.

The smaller community is where the majority of pastoral ministry and prayer support occurs for church members. It’s often where members ponder the truths shared from the pulpit and consider their application. It’s definitely where meaningful discipleship happens. And it’s a great avenue for missional engagement and leader development. For many, their first pathway for service came via the small group.

In the olden days of the 1980s, they used to teach in preacher school that “Sunday School is the church organized for ministry.” Today, we might expand the statement to include home groups, cell groups, life groups, connection groups, D groups, or any label your church might choose. But the point is the same, that churches should value and strengthen small group engagement at the same level as we do worship.

Community matters. What is your church doing to strengthen small group engagement? If you need help in this area, give your partners at GTBN a call.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

Persevere Doesn't Mean What We Think

Not long ago, the Barna Group recently published the results of a survey into pastoral wellness. Their research indicated a sharp decline over the past seven years in the pastor’s self-reported levels of spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. Nearly a third of the pastors surveyed reported their emotional or spiritual exhaustion.

There’s no question that shepherding Christ’s church today is hard, challenging work. Scripture reminds us that life in a fallen world carries a degree of suffering for all God’s faithful.

Still, amidst the storms, the vast majority of Christ’s servants hold fast to His promise that His grace is enough, that they will reap a harvest if they do not give up. Perseverance is crucial, especially during those seasons when we are the most stressed.

But perseverance is not what many think it is!

The temptation for many, especially those in “the ministry”, is to view perseverance as exerting all the effort we can muster to press through challenges like a bull dozer. “Just push through until you make it to the other side. Don’t stop, just press on.”

Now, there is a certain point when one must determine to face a challenge rather than avoid it or procrastinate. But perseverance is not merely a product of effort and determination. In fact, effort or determination alone will likely further fuel exhaustion.

Perseverance, I believe, involves a variety of factors. It’s the end result of several affirmations Christians make along their way. These include:

• Assurance of the Lord’s word and His calling for your life.

• Maintenance of healthy rhythms, keeping a steady pace for spiritual development, personal and family well-being, ministry responsibility, community engagement, and sabbath. By the way, if you’re too busy to sabbath regularly, you’re too busy.

• Willingness to share the load, relying on others in Christ’s body for mutual benefit.

• Wisdom to step back and take a respite break when the pressure accumulates in one or more of these areas.

Each of these points is crucial. The assurance helps us focus on the Lord’s provision, both physical and spiritual, and His end goal for us. Healthy rhythms and sabbath allow us to serve with steady pacing, realizing we’re called to a marathon, not a sprint. The reliance on others is realization that God has placed us in community and that no one needs to face the challenge alone.

This last point, respite or sabbatical, is equally crucial, but it’s often the hardest for ministry leaders to do. Still, there will come seasons when ministers will benefit from hitting the pause button, refocusing their hearts and minds, and refreshing their strength. When they do, just as he did with Elijah, the Lord will energize His servant for continued service.

How are you doing at each of these points. If you need help with any of them, contact us at the GTBN. Remember, we’re in this together!

Bro. Jim

The Law of the Rubber Band

On occasion the whirlwind in my hyperactive mind slows down enough for me to ponder some of the simpler things in life. And so it was that, in a moment between projects this week, I found myself pondering the rubber band.

Rubber bands were at one time ubiquitous. Some of us are old enough to remember them binding our morning newspapers or bundles of mail. And while today they are not as constant a presence as they once were, they still find use in the shipping industry and office. And who can resist the playful rubber band fight?

But however they are used, a simple law governs their use. They must be stretched. Rubber bands left in their basic state accomplish nothing. It’s only when they are carefully stretched that the elastic property of the rubber becomes evident. Physicists would say that stretching the rubber band transfers energy, which the band channels when released, producing force.

Something very similar happens with people. In our natural state, nothing really changes. Change requires energy, effort… stretching.

It’s quite easy to passively sit like the rubber band. But when stretched through the teaching of God’s word, the example of godly mentors, and the active engagement of faithful leaders (“Let’s do this together,” as opposed to “Go, do this.”), the Spirit moves disciples to maturity and fruitful service for the Lord.

But the effort must be continual. Once you stop stressing the rubber band, the band returns to its original state. In the same way, when Christians stop stretching, we regress.

In 1 Thess. 4:1, Paul wrote, “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.”

Christian, pastor, church, heed the law of the rubber band. Never stop stretching for the next stage of growth and service the Lord has before you.

Bro. Jim

When Deep is a Distraction

It was after worship on an otherwise normal Sunday when Joe approached his pastor after service. Prefacing his statement with the obligatory compliment, Joe said, “Pastor, I love your preaching…” Then came the but, “but I sure wish you’d give us something deep. We need to dig deeply into the truths of God’s word. I know I need it.” Pastor Goodman smiled at the semi-regular church member, responding with a simple, “Thank you, Joe, for your encouraging feedback,” before shaking the next hand in line.

How wonderful it is when God’s people have a deep hunger for His word! Savoring the riches of scripture allows it to penetrate the crevasses of one’s soul, shaping the believer even more to the likeness of Christ.

But often the desire for depth is a distraction. In 1 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul admits, while he would like to address the Corinthian believers as spiritual, giving them some deep, meaty teaching about the Lord, he nevertheless teaches them as spiritual infants, feeding them “milk, not solid food". Why? He says, “You were not yet ready. Even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh.”

Study 1 Corinthians 3 and you quickly see that, while Paul identifies his readers as believers, their fractious behavior shows they are acting no different from lost people. And until they obeyed the most basic truths Paul had given them, they would have no capacity for the deeper truths they sought.

Christians today can easily find themselves at this same place. The quest for depth can be a distraction when it deflects our attention from the most basic teachings in scripture. Do we really love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and mind? Do we love our neighbors as ourselves, really, by our action, even those who anger us? Do we share the faith, making disciples? Are we denying self, taking up the cross and following Him wherever he leads? According to Paul, failure to follow the word we’ve received renders us unable to receive anything deeper.

When God gave us the scripture, he didn’t hide the important parts so that, if you dig deeply enough in the right place, it would change your life. He put everything you need to live faithfully for Him pretty much on the surface. He’s given you His Spirit to illuminate His word, bringing conviction of sin and His will for you. And He’s given you His church, His body, so that together His people can consider and follow His ways.

So, study God’s word! Ponder every biblical sermon you hear. Take the simple truths, meditate on them, believe what they say to believe, and obey what they say to obey. Then you will be ready to dig more deeply.

Let's Be Better Together

What does it mean when we say that though GTBN we’re “better together”?

It certainly means that we can do more together than any single congregation can do on its own. While a few larger churches have the ability themselves to plant a church or support a missionary serving overseas, most of our congregations cannot. And yet together our 100 churches plant on average one new local congregation every year while partnering with state and national conventions to plant churches across the country and around the world. A single church can send a team into the local jails, but together we can send hundreds of Christians with the gospel. Such collaborative ministry, I believe, blesses our Lord and only enhances the individual ministry of our cooperating churches.

But “better together” also means we’re stronger together. Like any other assembly, at any given time some of us are peaking while others are struggling, with the rest of us at some point in-between. Having lived at all points of this spectrum I can attest how great it was, when my church was down, to have friends help us back to our feet. Even more gratifying were those times the Lord used us to help another congregation back up. We’ve seen that here during our recent disasters, but we’re seeing it even more today as stronger churches help those who struggle find renewed fruitfulness for Christ.

“Better together” also means that we’re smarter together. No one knows everything. And we don’t know what we don’t know. But together, with an increased field of vision, different gifts, equipping and perspective, the pastors and staff of these 100 churches inform one another providing each congregation a greater vantage point for navigating the ministry challenges before them.

Now, this is my heart for GTBN. More to the point, I believe you who engage with us experience it. Can we do better? Of course. But the key for any leader or congregation to experience “better together” is to participate with us. We try with all we are to bless every GTBN church, but without you we will miss something. When you engage with us, sharing your wisdom, energy, giftedness, and even your needs and concerns, you position yourself and your church to best experience the fruit of our partnership.

Think about it! And let’s be better together.

Jim

The Danger of Unclear Expectations

The call usually goes like this: “Fix our pastor. Just don’t say anything to him about my complaint.” It’s a call I often receive, a sure signal that trouble’s afoot. Sometimes the conversation indicates some genuine deficiencies in pastoral ministry. But it might also reveal the caller’s simple disagreement over the church’s current direction or the pastors particular decision. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that “everyone’s sayin’ it” doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone is saying it.

But how does this relational rift between pastor and member (or members) develop? And how might we mend it before that semi-anonymous phone call?

In my observation these rifts don’t usually happen because of lazy, uncaring pastors or angry, hard-to-please members. They most often occur because of assumptions about expectations. Pastors and staff come to a church with a set of assumptions about their ministry and what the church should expect of them. Members likewise assume what the pastor and staff should do. And they each assume the other shares their expectations. Then, when these tacit expectations go unmet, people respond with disappointment or even anger. Of course, instead of communicating with godly intent as Christian brothers and sisters, many say nothing, choosing instead to hold in their frustration as disappointments accumulate.

I see this pattern with pastors and church members alike. Godly, well-intended pastors lead with one set of expectations. Sincere, Christ-seeking members hold a different set. And each misses the other at every step. The discomfort mounts. If nothing changes, eventually the pressure will force one or both to blow.

Now, there’s a degree to which we can’t completely avoid tacit expectations. No matter how hard I try to clarify what is expected of me and what I can expect from the GTBN, from time to time one or the other will miss something. When this happens, before anyone assumes impure motives or falling competency, I say, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you. Tell me what you expected.” I might add, “Here’s what I thought.” Then, when we know where the expectations are different, we work as a team to clarify our shared expectations and move forward.

With patience and humility, Christians should be able to have honest conversations to clarify their expectations and, with scripture as our guide, communicate mutual expectations everyone can support.

But it certainly helps when we clarify expectations at the beginning of the relationship. Don’t assume that the new pastor, youth minister, deacon, etc knows everything you expect of their service. Nor should they assume the kind of support, assistance and resourcing they can expect from you. Talk about these things and communicate them clearly. One way I encourage this with new pastors and staff is by coaching search committees to negotiate with candidates a mutual covenant specifying what each can expect from the other. Then, once approved by the congregation, should conflict arise, you can refer to it and, if necessary, adjust expectations along the way.

I wrote weeks ago about how long it is taking churches to fill vacant staff positions. If you have a godly, equipped, hard working staff member, you owe them and your church every opportunity to work through and clarify expectations before taking further action. And, if you are a pastor or staff member, I suggest the same. Doing so, I believe, will more often than not redeem the relationship, leading to fruitful ministry.

Think about it!

Jim

PS

Yes, I only mentioned scripture once. Every pastor I know says, “I take my job from the Bible.” And every church says, “We want our pastor to do what the Bible calls the pastor to do.” Yet somehow we still get cross-wise. I write this article with the tacit expectation that our knowledge of God’s word should determine our expectations for the pastor, staff, and all church members. Clarifying our understand so that we agree what it looks like in our given setting is my intent with this post.

GTBN Mid-Year Update

Time flies! It seems like only yesterday we were looking ahead to 2023, but today we are more than half-way through the year and looking forward to 2024. So, what have we done together in these six months? Allow me to share with you a snapshot of the ministry that’s occurred through our cooperation.

• We’ve seen fruitful events like Hot Hearts, Disciple Makers University, and Purpose Week, the GTBN Youth Camp. Through Hot Hearts, 430 teens confessed their faith in Christ, with another 25 doing so at Purpose Week. And DMU led to efforts strengthening disciple making in two congregations.

• We’ve encouraged pastors and staff through the weekly pastors prayer meeting, regional pastors gatherings, Leadership Luncheons, consultation and coaching.

• We’ve assisted nine congregations through their pastor search, two through revitalization consultations, and four with other matters.

• We continue supporting four new churches while consulting with two more, one all set to launch in spring of 2024.

• We are training four Hispanic pastors and their wives on Monday nights for church planting and disciple making.

• Oh, and we relocated the GTBN office to 6750 Hwy 105 in Beaumont. Please note the new mailing address, PO Box 7300, Beaumont, TX 77726.

In addition to all the above, GTBN through our staff and willing volunteers serve churches in ways that don’t nicely fit into a scorecard, much of which no one sees.

As we work through the remainder of 2023, watch for your invitation to join us for the Bill Glass Behind the Walls evangelism event and the 2023 Annual Meeting, where we’ll present the final draft of our updated strategy.

Thank you for your partnership with Golden Triangle Baptist Network. Your cooperation and faithful giving make a difference.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

Patient Faithfulness

It’s been a while since I updated you about Alianza en Marcha, the replanting of the former Central City Baptist Church. Launching last July after a season of preparation and preliminary ministry, this new congregation in Beaumont faced a major set-back when a fire consumed their facility. Since then, church planter Jose Gutierrez and his wife, Nohemi, have worked faithfully to continue ministry as they moved from one to another temporary worship sites. Still, the congregation continues to elevate Christ through pastoral ministry to the community, evangelism, and disciple making. In May they celebrated the new church’s first baptisms.

As the church concentrated on ministry, partners led by GTBN worked to secure plans and a contractor for rebuilding the facility. Now, after a frustrating six-months negotiating with city leaders regarding their requirements and permits, the church finally has the clearance to build. As of June 22, the deposit has been paid and contracts signed to construct the new home for Alianza En Marcha, returning this fellowship to the community they have prayed so long for.

Many of you have followed the story since summer of 2020, when the Central City Church asked for help due to significant decline through the recent pandemic. Since then there’s been one challenge after another. Still, the Lord’s faithfully provided a church planter with a vision for the community, partners to sustain the work through the start-up, and frequent reminders that what looks like chaos from our perspective remains tightly in His control.

As I ponder God’s faithfulness through this process, I can’t help but think how we so often seek “instant results.” We crave fast solutions requiring minimal effort. But the fruit the Lord calls us to bear doesn’t spontaneously emerge. It grows after careful seasons of cultivation, planting, watering and care. It is through patient faithfulness over time that we are able to celebrate the fruitfulness we seek. Scripture says so (Gal. 6:9).

Please continue your prayers for Pastor Gutierrez and Iglesia Bautista Alianza En Marcha. Thank you for your partnership, especially Westgate Memorial, Rosedale, Calvary and FBC Vidor. And may we see even more fruit for the Lord as we continue serving Him together.

Bro. Jim

When There is Too Much to Do

Watch any medical show on television, think Chicago Med, MASH, or countless others, and you’ve seen this trope. A mass casualty event occurs, stressing the resources of an already overworked medical staff. Drama emerges from the multiplicity of injuries, conflict over who to treat and when, and how to draw the best results from limited resources. But, since this is television, all of these issues are resolved in less than an hour, two if it’s a multi-episode arc.

Most of us in ministry don’t face an onslaught of life/death scenarios like Dr. Halstead, Hawkeye, or real medical professionals for that matter. But we can find ourselves with responsibility over multiple issues demanding our attention at the same time. These become overwhelming without a deliberate response. Procrastinate and the stress escalates as additional issues surface.

So, when there is too much to do and (seemingly) not enough time to do it, what can you do?

First, like a physician in a busy ER, triage the issues before you. While, at the moment, everyone wants you to drop what you are doing and focus on their issue, in reality some are more pressing than others. There are, I’m sure, matters requiring immediate attention. But most, while important, can wait their turn as you work through your list. Others are secondary matters which you can postpone or delegate. And there are likely a few which, honestly, shouldn’t be your problem.

How do you tell the difference? First, consider what God’s word says about these things. Then consider your strategic priorities, which I hope are derived from God’s word and your role in His church. As a good physician knows before a crisis the order in which he would treat patients, fruitful leaders know, based on their calling, which matters are their responsibility and to what degree.

Second, work to stabilize the burning issues. I use “burning” intentionally. A family may have a multitude of problems to work through, finances, family relationships, etc. But, if their house is on fire, they will never work through the rest until the fire is out. In the same way, there may be in your stack of stuff a matter or two for which delayed action exasperates an already difficult situation. Spot these and, even if you cannot quickly resolve the matter, work to at least stabilize the situation so that, over time, full resolution may come.

Third, with the fires out, look for situations that, with some focused attention, can be resolved quickly. It’s likely that there are items on your agenda that can be completed or delegated with a few conversations. In this way you clear a significant number of matters in short order, so that you can give more time to those situations of greater importance or complexity.

Finally, attend to remaining matters, one by one, in order of importance. Rarely will you park on one matter, following it to completion before beginning the next. More likely, beginning with the highest priority, you will do all you can, according to your responsibility. Bring in teammates as necessary, making sure to schedule follow-up. When you’ve made as much progress as you can with one item, set it aside, take a breath, and work on the next.

I find it helpful to review my ongoing projects daily, just as a reminder. So I’m not left stuck by partners or vendors on whom the project depends, I schedule regular follow-up contact. For most projects, if I see no progress over a two week span, I review my notes to make sure I’ve not missed anything.

I find that, with some focused attention each week, I am able to see progress in even the most complex of matters, and resolution in reasonable time. As I work through the many issues on the agenda, it does not take long before the pressure of “too much to do” is reduced and “normal” ministry pacing returns.

For me, “normal” ministry pacing is fruitful ministry to the Lord’s glory, true to my ministry role, that likewise honors my responsibilities for spiritual, family, and personal renewal. In those seasons when the projects and problems feel excessive, these steps help me maintain fruitfulness as I work back to “normal” pacing. May they prove helpful for you, as well.

Bro. Jim