If you know your Greek, you understand that the single imperative in the Great Commission is “make disciples.” No one questions the importance of discipleship to the vitality of any church. And there’s certainly no shortage of resources available to facilitate the task. Even so, most congregations today admit their struggle to effectively see people transformed into growing, serving, and reproducing followers of Jesus Christ.
With as much attention given to disciple making today, why do so many struggle with it? God has given me a unique perspective on the matter, having served as a pastor, church planter, and missionary in diverse settings, and among varied people groups. Through this journey I’ve noticed several common missteps that derail disciple making efforts.
No Clear Plan
Many congregations fail to plan for making disciples. This lack of intentionality leaves a church aware of the need, but with no defined path for meeting it.
It’s a Program
Others relegate discipling to a single program or group of programs within the church. But with other programs competing for attention, disciple making becomes ineffective and watered-down.
It’s a Course
For some discipleship is a course or series of courses to complete, as if mere completion of the class defines one as a growing disciple.
Communicating Content
Whether a course, or the pastor’s sermon, for some discipling is simply about the delivery. But lacking genuine accountability, for most the information goes in one ear and out the other.
It’s All on the Pastor / Leader
I’ve seen some churches where all the teaching is by the pastor. He teaches Sunday School and Wednesday evening, preaching Sunday morning and evening. No one else teaches, except maybe for the children. This limits the church to the pastor’s personal range. Plus, you can’t raise new teachers unless you give them opportunities to teach.
No Opportunities for Modeling and Guided Practice
In some congregations, discipling ministries communicate content, leaving members to figure on their own how to live it. Read Robert Coleman’s book, The Master Plan of Evangelism to see how Jesus did it. Or just read the gospels.
Small Groups with Little or No Direction
I’ve worked with churches who aggressively promoted their small group discipling, yet provided no direction. Left to their own, many groups pursued theological tangents disruptive to the overall congregation.
No Evaluation
Finally, I’ve seen congregations that don’t bother measuring whether their efforts actually produce biblical disciples. It they tried, many would not know what to look for. I’m concerned that much done in the name of discipleship over the past generation served more to create cultural Christians than to develop authentic disciples, men and women who love Christ more than this world, who seek Him, who pursue holiness, who worship Him wholeheartedly and serve Him sacrificially.
Conclusion
I’m sure you can think of other ways congregations struggle to make disciples. I have to admit, over the years I’ve made several of these missteps myself. But I’ve also continued to learn. As I continue to study scripture, to pursue my personal relationship with the Lord, and see the testimonies of congregations where God’s hand obviously rests, He reveals the errors and I make correction.
Now some of you are saying, “You write as if this all rests on us. But life transformation is God’s work.” I agree with you, transformation is God’s work. But the command in Matthew 28:19 indicates the church bears responsibility as the agents through whom He works.
So, what about your congregation? What if any disciple making missteps have you made? What adjustments will you make to be more faithful to His call.
Think about it. If GTBN can help you along the way, give us a shout.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
As I shared last week, October is Pastors’ Appreciation Month. For most of you, this includes maybe one or two persons. But I have over 100. Ok, not all are MY pastor. Still, as we serve together through the churches of Golden Triangle Baptist Network, they minister to me, speak truth to me, and our Lord uses them to shape me for His purpose. This ministry, plus the pleasure I have serving as a partner / encourager / coach / catalyst, blesses me. I love them, and I appreciate their ministry. This applies to my pastor, Bro. Phil Holder, and all the pastors across GTBN.
Now, consider your pastor and church staff. Think of their service for our Lord, through your church. Look up their phone, email or Facebook page. Send a text or email reminding them of your appreciation and prayers. And Sunday, ask around about how your church is recognizing your pastors’ service this month.
Blessings,
Jim
When you affirm the value of his ministry, you bless him. It’s like fresh wind filling his sails after the air’s been still.
More than three weeks after hurricane Laura made landfall, we continue discovering new damage left by the storm. We now know all GTBN congregations were affected in some way, with 8 congregations receiving major damage to the point of disrupting ministries.
Despite these wounds, churches across the Network continue their efforts serving our communities as well as those of our neighbors in Louisiana. I am aware of at least 30 GTBN congregations who have sent teams, housed teams, or gathered supplies! And fourteen have partnered with one or more Louisiana churches, helping them through the recovery. Volunteers with our SBC Disaster Relief partners are working hard on both sides of the Sabine, though they expect to wind down operations in Orange county in about a week.I maintain contact with convention Disaster Relief directors, associational leadership in Louisiana, and others, tracking especially those areas most needing assistance. So if you have yet to find your connecting point, please call.If your church has assembled a chainsaw or clean-up team and you need work sites, please use crisiscleanup.org. Contact me to set up an account. As DR units serving locally wind down their operations, all incomplete requests will be added to Crisis Cleanup, where presently more than 4000 work orders remain unclaimed.
While power is slowly being restored through the affected areas, the need for supplies remains. Pastor Sonny Hathaway and LaBelle Baptist Church have accepted responsibility as our local depot for supplies going into Louisiana. If your church has collected supplies and you need help transporting them to Louisiana, please contact Bro. Sonny at 409-728-2442 or sonnyhathaway@gmail.com.
The current list of most needed items includes:
Financial support remains a need as well. You may give directly to the Carey Baptist Association’s efforts in and around Lake Charles through this link.
Carey Baptist Association Disaster Relief Donations
Support GTBN’s ministry in both Texas and Louisiana here.
Give to the GTBN Disaster Relief Fund
Finally you may support the continued efforts of Texas Baptist Men and Southern Baptist of Texas Disaster Relief ministries through these links.
Give to TBM Disaster Relief
Give to SB Texas Disaster Relief
I am grateful for God’s continued provision through the churches of GTBN. I pray that from this effort will come many gospel conversations and souls saved. May Christ be glorified as we work together.
Bro. Jim
Despite these wounds, churches across the Network continue their efforts serving our communities as well as those of our neighbors in Louisiana. I am aware of at least 30 GTBN congregations who have sent teams, housed teams, or gathered supplies! And fourteen have partnered with one or more Louisiana churches, helping them through the recovery. Volunteers with our SBC Disaster Relief partners are working hard on both sides of the Sabine, though they expect to wind down operations in Orange county in about a week.I maintain contact with convention Disaster Relief directors, associational leadership in Louisiana, and others, tracking especially those areas most needing assistance. So if you have yet to find your connecting point, please call.If your church has assembled a chainsaw or clean-up team and you need work sites, please use crisiscleanup.org. Contact me to set up an account. As DR units serving locally wind down their operations, all incomplete requests will be added to Crisis Cleanup, where presently more than 4000 work orders remain unclaimed.
While power is slowly being restored through the affected areas, the need for supplies remains. Pastor Sonny Hathaway and LaBelle Baptist Church have accepted responsibility as our local depot for supplies going into Louisiana. If your church has collected supplies and you need help transporting them to Louisiana, please contact Bro. Sonny at 409-728-2442 or sonnyhathaway@gmail.com.
The current list of most needed items includes:
- Pet Food
- Fix-a-Flat
- Baby items, diapers, formula, baby food, and wipes
- Mosquito repellent, spray or wipes (people really love the wipes)
- Non-perishable food
- Box fans
- Water (not as highly needed as before, but welcome)
Financial support remains a need as well. You may give directly to the Carey Baptist Association’s efforts in and around Lake Charles through this link.
Support GTBN’s ministry in both Texas and Louisiana here.
Finally you may support the continued efforts of Texas Baptist Men and Southern Baptist of Texas Disaster Relief ministries through these links.
I am grateful for God’s continued provision through the churches of GTBN. I pray that from this effort will come many gospel conversations and souls saved. May Christ be glorified as we work together.
Bro. Jim
I’m often asked, “What’s the next great evangelism program?” My answer, “The first great evangelism program.” Let me explain.
I've been reading Michael Green's Evangelism in the Early Church lately. Considered by many a modern classic, Green presents an exhaustive study of early Christian writings, showing how the church progressed from a minor sub-sect of Judaism to a global movement.
One point Green makes abundantly clear is the opposition those early disciples experienced. Few messages were as out of sync with their world as the gospel. After all, to the Jews their worship of a crucified Messiah was blasphemy (Green, p. 31). To the Romans, their insistence that Jesus is Lord was treasonous. Most everyone else considered them anti-social, atheistic, and depraved (p. 29).
And yet, their message swept the world. How? The short answer is the Holy Spirit. Empowered by the Spirit, the disciples’ witness pierced hearts, drawing people to faith.
But as Green describes their witness, I’m amazed by how little it had to do with sermons preached in buildings (they likely had no buildings for the first 150 years). Rather it was the love they displayed both to one another and their neighbors, the moral clarity by which they lived, the universal appeal of their message, and the offer of reconciliation with God amidst an otherwise broken world. These qualities, so clearly evident even as the culture pressed against them, drew observers near so they too would hear and respond to Christ’s invitation (p. 123, my paraphrase).
Flash forward to the present, where I see a world very much like that of those first disciples. Contemporary society considers the gospel scandalous at best, a sign of ignorant naivety at worst.
And yet, we have the same commission as our forebears, to make disciples of all nations. How can we succeed against such extreme opposition?
We do it like they did, through faithful obedience to His call, empowered by His Spirit. Look back at those qualities evident in the early church, their love for others, moral uprightness, openness to all peoples, and closeness to the Lord. Live consistently like they lived, in sincere, faithful godliness among unbelievers, and opportunities for explaining your hope will abound. And some, prompted by the Spirit at work through you, will repent and believe.
Is there more to it. Yes, I simplify. This is, after all, a blog post, not a book. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word.” But I believe it’s your authentic godliness among unbelievers by which the Spirit draws them to listen.
In other words, the next great evangelism program is the first great evangelism program. Let’s get to it.
Bro. Jim
I've been reading Michael Green's Evangelism in the Early Church lately. Considered by many a modern classic, Green presents an exhaustive study of early Christian writings, showing how the church progressed from a minor sub-sect of Judaism to a global movement.
One point Green makes abundantly clear is the opposition those early disciples experienced. Few messages were as out of sync with their world as the gospel. After all, to the Jews their worship of a crucified Messiah was blasphemy (Green, p. 31). To the Romans, their insistence that Jesus is Lord was treasonous. Most everyone else considered them anti-social, atheistic, and depraved (p. 29).
And yet, their message swept the world. How? The short answer is the Holy Spirit. Empowered by the Spirit, the disciples’ witness pierced hearts, drawing people to faith.
But as Green describes their witness, I’m amazed by how little it had to do with sermons preached in buildings (they likely had no buildings for the first 150 years). Rather it was the love they displayed both to one another and their neighbors, the moral clarity by which they lived, the universal appeal of their message, and the offer of reconciliation with God amidst an otherwise broken world. These qualities, so clearly evident even as the culture pressed against them, drew observers near so they too would hear and respond to Christ’s invitation (p. 123, my paraphrase).
Flash forward to the present, where I see a world very much like that of those first disciples. Contemporary society considers the gospel scandalous at best, a sign of ignorant naivety at worst.
And yet, we have the same commission as our forebears, to make disciples of all nations. How can we succeed against such extreme opposition?
We do it like they did, through faithful obedience to His call, empowered by His Spirit. Look back at those qualities evident in the early church, their love for others, moral uprightness, openness to all peoples, and closeness to the Lord. Live consistently like they lived, in sincere, faithful godliness among unbelievers, and opportunities for explaining your hope will abound. And some, prompted by the Spirit at work through you, will repent and believe.
Is there more to it. Yes, I simplify. This is, after all, a blog post, not a book. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word.” But I believe it’s your authentic godliness among unbelievers by which the Spirit draws them to listen.
In other words, the next great evangelism program is the first great evangelism program. Let’s get to it.
Bro. Jim
Recovery ministry continue across southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. To date fourteen GTBN congregations have reported damage to their facilities, with six damaged significantly enough to displace ministries. Recovery plans for most are moving along, with only one congregation so far saying their needs will exceed their means.
With utilities mostly restored on the Texas side of the river, we have little need for recovery supplies. Great need remains, however, for clean-up, chainsaw, and blue tarp teams around Bridge City and Orange. GTBN uses Crisis Cleanup to manage all such projects not otherwise referred to SBC Disaster Relief units. If you would like to deploy a team and are not already registered with Crisis Cleanup, please notify us and we will send you an invitation. To request a clean-up or recovery team, call the GTBN referral line at 409-812-5638.
On the Louisiana side of the Sabine much work remains. The Louisiana Baptist Convention reports that 140 churches sustained damage from the hurricane, 38 of them severely. Forty-three pastors had damage to their homes. Dr. Bruce Baker, Director of Missions for the Carey Baptist Association, reports that some of the churches affected may not recover. He says the greatest need today is for chainsaw, clean-up and temporary roof teams.
With utilities mostly restored on the Texas side of the river, we have little need for recovery supplies. Great need remains, however, for clean-up, chainsaw, and blue tarp teams around Bridge City and Orange. GTBN uses Crisis Cleanup to manage all such projects not otherwise referred to SBC Disaster Relief units. If you would like to deploy a team and are not already registered with Crisis Cleanup, please notify us and we will send you an invitation. To request a clean-up or recovery team, call the GTBN referral line at 409-812-5638.
On the Louisiana side of the Sabine much work remains. The Louisiana Baptist Convention reports that 140 churches sustained damage from the hurricane, 38 of them severely. Forty-three pastors had damage to their homes. Dr. Bruce Baker, Director of Missions for the Carey Baptist Association, reports that some of the churches affected may not recover. He says the greatest need today is for chainsaw, clean-up and temporary roof teams.
So, how can you help?
Financial Contributions
The giving options have not changed since the last update. You may give directly to the Carey Baptist Association’s efforts in and around Lake Charles through this link.
Carey Baptist Association Disaster Relief Donations
Carey Baptist Association Disaster Relief Donations
Finally you may support the continued efforts of Texas Baptist Men and Southern Baptist of Texas Disaster Relief ministries through these links.
Give to TBM Disaster Relief
Give to SB Texas Disaster Relief
Supplies
Pastor Sonny Hathaway and LaBelle Baptist Church have accepted responsibility as our local depot for supplies going into Louisiana. If your church has collected supplies and you need help transporting them to Louisiana, please contact Bro. Sonny at 409-728-2442 or sonnyhathaway@gmail.com.
There has been some change to the list of needed supplies since my last update. The revised list includes:
Our delivery points in Louisiana include Crossroads Baptist Church in Vinton, New Hope Baptist Church in DeQuincy, and First Baptist Church in Sulphur. All would welcome the supplies and distribute them through their own and neighboring churches.
Trucks from outside of southeast Texas should deliver their supplies directly to designated sites in Louisiana.
There has been some change to the list of needed supplies since my last update. The revised list includes:
- Pet Food
- Fix-a-Flat
- Baby items, diapers, formula, baby food, and wipes
- Mosquito repellent, spray or wipes (people really love the wipes)
- Non-perishable food
- Box fans
- Water (not as highly needed as before, but welcome)
Our delivery points in Louisiana include Crossroads Baptist Church in Vinton, New Hope Baptist Church in DeQuincy, and First Baptist Church in Sulphur. All would welcome the supplies and distribute them through their own and neighboring churches.
Trucks from outside of southeast Texas should deliver their supplies directly to designated sites in Louisiana.
Volunteer
Conditions are slowly improving across southwest Louisiana, but there are only a few places for teams to stay overnight in the Lake Charles area. That said, there remains a great need for chainsaw, temporary roof, and clean-up teams. A couple of GTBN churches as well as Shepherd’s Inn have informed me of their willingness to provide lodging for teams working in either Orange county or into Louisiana. If you are coming into the area and need housing assistance, we can facilitate that connection. If you have a self-sustaining team (ie: you have made provision for your housing, meals, equipment and supplies) please contact me. I will connect you to Dr. Baker for placement and assignments. Likewise, any GTBN churches seeking day-work in the Lake Charles area can contact me for connection to Dr. Baker.
The North American Mission Board still plans to bring Send Relief volunteers here in October. As those details are announced I will pass them on. And Samaritans Purse continues their work in Louisiana as well. You may connect with them through SamaritansPurse.org.
The North American Mission Board still plans to bring Send Relief volunteers here in October. As those details are announced I will pass them on. And Samaritans Purse continues their work in Louisiana as well. You may connect with them through SamaritansPurse.org.
Church to Church
I am grateful for the positive response from churches across GTBN to our partnership efforts in Louisiana. At present three GTBN congregations have committed to extended relationships with Louisiana churches affected by hurricane Laura. Yesterday I completed a survey of all the churches we’ve been asked to assist. Tomorrow I meet with Dr. Baker for some final information. There is plenty of work for those who have asked about partnering with a Louisiana church. Please remember, as a partner you do not have to meet every need, but you may be a channel for God’s provision. Your prayers and encouragement are most valued.
Conclusion
I continue to rejoice at the Lord’s work through His church! Even amidst COVID 19 and our own losses through Laura, men and women from across GTBN are rising from the pews to serve their neighbors in Christ’s name. And as they serve they share the gospel. I’ve seen it. I’ve heard it. Like you I’ve wept with those who’ve lost everything and the comfort I had to give was that of a risen Savior.
So that’s the update. If there is a need or resource I am missing, please let me know in the comments. And remember, we’re better together!
Blessings,
Bro.Jim
So that’s the update. If there is a need or resource I am missing, please let me know in the comments. And remember, we’re better together!
Blessings,
Bro.Jim
I’ve met many pastors throughout my service to the Lord as a pastor, missionary, and associational leader. The overwhelming majority have been men of deep faith, with a sincere desire to glorify Christ. Honesty requires I acknowledge the exceptions, but by God’s grace they have been rare in my personal experience.
Events of the past several days have drawn my attention to three types of pastors worth noting. These do not represent any particular individuals I’ve encountered lately, but in visiting with pastors whose churches were most affected by hurricane Laura across GTBN and southwest Louisiana, three general categories have emerged.
The first is the pastor whose church took a hit, but remains a vital ministry hub even as they assess and overcome their own damages. The church recognizes God’s place for them in His kingdom work, and their circumstance as an opportunity to engage their neighbors with the gospel through recovery ministry. The pastor’s faithful discipleship is evident.
The second is the pastor as godly and dedicated as the first, but whose congregation appears absent in the clean-up. Many are overcome with their losses, unable to serve until their own house is in order. Others would have stepped up in their youth, but the years have caught up with them. And sometimes, even with godly, sound leadership, the sheep just do not follow. Remember Jeremiah.
The third pastor serves a congregation in an almost forgotten field. Once upon a time, when people seldom traveled far from home, the church was a vibrant center of ministry. Today the members’ children and grandchildren live and worship in town. The remaining congregation is elderly, with this the only church they have known. With little hope for growth, this pastor serves them faithfully, challenging them to continued trust and obedience towards God.
When I was in preacher school, I longed to be that first pastor, and indeed I’ve had that blessing. But I’ve also been that second and third pastor.
What I’d like you to know is that each is God’s man, shepherding the flock that He has placed around him. Each is a success, faithfully following the Lord’s leadership. His service makes our Savior smile.
Each is my mission field.
Bro. Jim
Events of the past several days have drawn my attention to three types of pastors worth noting. These do not represent any particular individuals I’ve encountered lately, but in visiting with pastors whose churches were most affected by hurricane Laura across GTBN and southwest Louisiana, three general categories have emerged.
The first is the pastor whose church took a hit, but remains a vital ministry hub even as they assess and overcome their own damages. The church recognizes God’s place for them in His kingdom work, and their circumstance as an opportunity to engage their neighbors with the gospel through recovery ministry. The pastor’s faithful discipleship is evident.
The second is the pastor as godly and dedicated as the first, but whose congregation appears absent in the clean-up. Many are overcome with their losses, unable to serve until their own house is in order. Others would have stepped up in their youth, but the years have caught up with them. And sometimes, even with godly, sound leadership, the sheep just do not follow. Remember Jeremiah.
The third pastor serves a congregation in an almost forgotten field. Once upon a time, when people seldom traveled far from home, the church was a vibrant center of ministry. Today the members’ children and grandchildren live and worship in town. The remaining congregation is elderly, with this the only church they have known. With little hope for growth, this pastor serves them faithfully, challenging them to continued trust and obedience towards God.
When I was in preacher school, I longed to be that first pastor, and indeed I’ve had that blessing. But I’ve also been that second and third pastor.
What I’d like you to know is that each is God’s man, shepherding the flock that He has placed around him. Each is a success, faithfully following the Lord’s leadership. His service makes our Savior smile.
Each is my mission field.
Bro. Jim
Thank you for your continued prayers and ministry in the aftermath of hurricane Laura. While the majority of Laura’s impact was felt in Louisiana, churches from Beaumont to Orange were affected. It’s a wonderful testimony to the Savior that the churches hardest hit are among those front and center in the response, with congregations across GTBN coming beside them to help carry the Load.
As the Network continues supporting our local churches affected by Laura, we have also reached across the Sabine to our neighbors in Louisiana. The Carey Baptist Association in Lake Charles welcomes our partnership and has asked us to take a particular focus on the communities of Vinton, Starks, and DeQuincy. If your church has already established partnerships outside of this area, we respect that and encourage your continued ministry. Please communicate those efforts with us, and we will pass that along to my counterparts there. Our goal is to foster church to church partnerships with affected congregations on both sides of the river, walking with them through the recovery process. As we know from Harvey, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
As the Network continues supporting our local churches affected by Laura, we have also reached across the Sabine to our neighbors in Louisiana. The Carey Baptist Association in Lake Charles welcomes our partnership and has asked us to take a particular focus on the communities of Vinton, Starks, and DeQuincy. If your church has already established partnerships outside of this area, we respect that and encourage your continued ministry. Please communicate those efforts with us, and we will pass that along to my counterparts there. Our goal is to foster church to church partnerships with affected congregations on both sides of the river, walking with them through the recovery process. As we know from Harvey, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
So, what can we do NOW?
Give
The financial needs are great. The Carey Baptist Association works with 70 churches across the communities most deeply affected by the storm. Gifts there will support the ongoing relief efforts to and through those churches.
Carey Baptist Association Disaster Relief Donations
While needs across the eastern end of GTBN are not as great as those in Louisiana, they remain substantial. Ten GTBN churches received major damage from the storm, with over 3000 requests for assistance recorded. To assist with these needs, you may give to the GTBN Disaster Relief fund. Funds received concurrent with our Laura response will support the relief ministries of GTBN churches, including our work in Louisiana. To give, click here.
Give to the GTBN Disaster Relief Fund
You can also give to Texas Baptist Men or Southern Baptist of Texas Disaster Relief ministries. Both are great partners with us. Here are their links.
Give to TBM Disaster Relief
Give to SB Texas Disaster Relief
While needs across the eastern end of GTBN are not as great as those in Louisiana, they remain substantial. Ten GTBN churches received major damage from the storm, with over 3000 requests for assistance recorded. To assist with these needs, you may give to the GTBN Disaster Relief fund. Funds received concurrent with our Laura response will support the relief ministries of GTBN churches, including our work in Louisiana. To give, click here.
You can also give to Texas Baptist Men or Southern Baptist of Texas Disaster Relief ministries. Both are great partners with us. Here are their links.
Supplies
Lists abound for supplies needed on the field, but the highest priorities, as communicated to us by leaders in Lake Charles, include:
Please do not collect nor deliver clothing of any kind, toys, bedding, furniture or perishable food items.
- Bottled water
- Personal hygiene items
- Non perishable foods, preferably foods that do not require cooking, like MREs
- Baby items (food, formula, diapers, wipes)
Please do not collect nor deliver clothing of any kind, toys, bedding, furniture or perishable food items.
Volunteer / Work
Conditions in the Lake Charles area remain primitive, with several areas lacking essential services. Authorities say it will be weeks until electrical service is restored over the area. Landlines are down, and cell service is slowly being restored, spotty in most areas, non-existent in others. Presently groups should not expect lodging on the Louisiana side of the Sabine. Groups that work for the day must be completely self sufficient, including gas, water, meals.
Given the ongoing recovery on our side of the river, we are not in a position for groups to stage in Orange for ministry in Louisiana. There is housing available in Port Arthur, but these groups must be otherwise self sufficient.
There remain many requests for assistance across the area hit by Laura, and multiple ways for you to engage. Southern Baptists of Texas and Texas Baptist Men are currently focused on priority 1 requests in Texas and Louisiana. If you are a trained Disaster Relief volunteer you, please deploy through your usual channels. If you are new to SBC Disaster Relief or need to re-certify, both groups offer basic “yellow hat” training online from their convention websites. Both will deploying newly trained volunteers.
GTBN is utilizing Crisis Cleanup (crisiscleanup.org) to process residential cleanup, temporary roof, or chainsaw assistance requests not otherwise assigned to SBC disaster relief crews. Pastors and select staff have received an email inviting them to log in and access requests. Completing your account through this link allows for immediate approval to view, claim, and report projects when completed. Be aware that this site includes requests received through the GTBN Disaster Referral line as well as other public sources. Needs are spread throughout the area affected by hurricane Laura.
Texas Baptist Men has a Labor Day missions project focused on Orange. Individuals or groups interested in this will find more information at the following link.
TBM Hurricane Laura Labor Day Weekend
Finally, Samaritans Purse will work with individuals or groups. Non-local volunteers must show proof of a COVID 19 negative test. Volunteers who sleep in their own beds each night may serve daily as often as they are able. They are working from multiple sites in Louisiana. This is a great option for the individual or small group unable to register with Crisis Cleanup. For more information, follow the link.
Samaritans Purse Volunteers
The North American Mission Board’s Send Relief will deploy teams out of FBC Vidor in October. We will send you more information on this as details are released.
Given the ongoing recovery on our side of the river, we are not in a position for groups to stage in Orange for ministry in Louisiana. There is housing available in Port Arthur, but these groups must be otherwise self sufficient.
There remain many requests for assistance across the area hit by Laura, and multiple ways for you to engage. Southern Baptists of Texas and Texas Baptist Men are currently focused on priority 1 requests in Texas and Louisiana. If you are a trained Disaster Relief volunteer you, please deploy through your usual channels. If you are new to SBC Disaster Relief or need to re-certify, both groups offer basic “yellow hat” training online from their convention websites. Both will deploying newly trained volunteers.
GTBN is utilizing Crisis Cleanup (crisiscleanup.org) to process residential cleanup, temporary roof, or chainsaw assistance requests not otherwise assigned to SBC disaster relief crews. Pastors and select staff have received an email inviting them to log in and access requests. Completing your account through this link allows for immediate approval to view, claim, and report projects when completed. Be aware that this site includes requests received through the GTBN Disaster Referral line as well as other public sources. Needs are spread throughout the area affected by hurricane Laura.
Texas Baptist Men has a Labor Day missions project focused on Orange. Individuals or groups interested in this will find more information at the following link.
TBM Hurricane Laura Labor Day Weekend
Finally, Samaritans Purse will work with individuals or groups. Non-local volunteers must show proof of a COVID 19 negative test. Volunteers who sleep in their own beds each night may serve daily as often as they are able. They are working from multiple sites in Louisiana. This is a great option for the individual or small group unable to register with Crisis Cleanup. For more information, follow the link.
Samaritans Purse Volunteers
The North American Mission Board’s Send Relief will deploy teams out of FBC Vidor in October. We will send you more information on this as details are released.
Church to Church
As stated above, all of us in SETX remember Harvey and how lengthy the recovery and rebuild process was. In partnership with other Harvey hit associations and our counterparts in Louisiana, we are working to establish church-to-church partnerships with the congregations most affected, both in Texas and Louisiana. With communications down across much of Louisiana and many pastors unable to live at home, I continue efforts to connect with each church in our assigned area. And the nature of these partnerships remains in discussion. While encouragement and spiritual support will naturally be part of these relationships, I expect there will also be a degree of resourcing. This may come through the partner church directly, or with the partner serving as catalyst and channel for God’s provision.
What you can do now is 1) Please let me know by email if you are already working with a church affected by hurricane Laura, 2) who and where this church is, 3) is this a long-term or short-term partnership. When I have a more complete assessment of the needs in our area of responsibility, we will advance the discussion.
If you are a church on the Texas side and believe a partnership beneficial to your recovery, please inform us. It is very important that we stand together with you as we serve our neighbors to the east.
If you have any questions, please ask. As the situation improves, many of the needs will change. I will update you as they do.
What you can do now is 1) Please let me know by email if you are already working with a church affected by hurricane Laura, 2) who and where this church is, 3) is this a long-term or short-term partnership. When I have a more complete assessment of the needs in our area of responsibility, we will advance the discussion.
If you are a church on the Texas side and believe a partnership beneficial to your recovery, please inform us. It is very important that we stand together with you as we serve our neighbors to the east.
If you have any questions, please ask. As the situation improves, many of the needs will change. I will update you as they do.
Conclusion
In the wake of Laura, God is at work among His people across the region. I hate that we’re going through this again, but I am glad that, since we are, that we’re going through it together. May God honor the ministry of His people, and may we faithfully take this opportunity to not only show His love but proclaim His gospel.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
Recovery continues southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Baptist Disaster Relief crews along with local church, business, and non-profit teams continue serving throughout our communities. As power gradually returns, people are trickling home to find damage not previously known. Consequently the requests for assistance are increasing. If you expect to have teams working this weekend, let me know. There is plenty to be done.
You can add two additional congregations to the list of damaged churches across our mission field. Templo Bautista in Beaumont sustained damage from a fallen tree. Crews are assigned to remove the tree and tarp the roof, but the church will require assistance with the restoration. Also, though Trinity Baptist in Orange is not part of the GTBN, they are family. I was informed today that a tree fell into pastor Ryan Chandler's home. He and his family are safe, and they have temporary housing. But pray for them as they work through all the details of restoring their home.
As I mentioned in the video Monday night, I met Tuesday morning with my counterpart in Lake Charles, Bruce Baker. He says the Disaster Relief infrastructure there is finally coming together. As of Tuesday, most phones (landline and cell), electric, and most other public services are still down, complication communication with the pastors. The said the greatest need now is for chainsaw / yard clean-up and temporary roof crews. These crews must be self sufficient as there is currently no local resource for receiving or housing volunteers. There is a need for meals, but he is discouraging feeding groups that come in or out. They need a feeding group that is self-sustaining and can stay for a while.
They are in the process of setting up warehouses to receive donated items. The first is up and functioning in Lake Charles. By weeks ends warehouses should be in place, with forklifts on premises, at Venton, Sulphur, and Westlake. When I have exact locations I will pass that along. Requested items include bottled water, gasoline in cans (please transport safely), diapers and wipes. As the distribution system develops and new items are added, I will share that with you.
One more note. The associations across Texas most affected by Harvey have partnered together with the Carey and Beauregard Baptist Associations to assure no church or community falls through the cracks. We hope to foster church to church partnerships, walking with them throughout the recovery. Bruce asked that GTBN take responsibility for the areas of Vinton, Starks, and DeQuency. I have already visited Vinton, connecting with two pastors Tuesday. They are hurting and welcome our partnership.
I realize that your church may already have a connection elsewhere near Lake Charles, and we certainly do not want to impede those partnerships. So, later this week you will receive a survey asking about your current level of engagement in Louisiana, and whether these are short term or long term commitments. Along with that I hope to share more information on what our partnerships in the assigned area of Calcasieu Parish might look like.
I'll have more to share as the week unfolds. Thank you for your bold witness for the savior during this time, and for your perseverance. In many ways we're still licking our own wounds as we reach out across the river. May our perseverance please the Savior.
Bro. Jim
GTBN Disaster Relief Referral Number
409-812-5638
You can add two additional congregations to the list of damaged churches across our mission field. Templo Bautista in Beaumont sustained damage from a fallen tree. Crews are assigned to remove the tree and tarp the roof, but the church will require assistance with the restoration. Also, though Trinity Baptist in Orange is not part of the GTBN, they are family. I was informed today that a tree fell into pastor Ryan Chandler's home. He and his family are safe, and they have temporary housing. But pray for them as they work through all the details of restoring their home.
As I mentioned in the video Monday night, I met Tuesday morning with my counterpart in Lake Charles, Bruce Baker. He says the Disaster Relief infrastructure there is finally coming together. As of Tuesday, most phones (landline and cell), electric, and most other public services are still down, complication communication with the pastors. The said the greatest need now is for chainsaw / yard clean-up and temporary roof crews. These crews must be self sufficient as there is currently no local resource for receiving or housing volunteers. There is a need for meals, but he is discouraging feeding groups that come in or out. They need a feeding group that is self-sustaining and can stay for a while.
They are in the process of setting up warehouses to receive donated items. The first is up and functioning in Lake Charles. By weeks ends warehouses should be in place, with forklifts on premises, at Venton, Sulphur, and Westlake. When I have exact locations I will pass that along. Requested items include bottled water, gasoline in cans (please transport safely), diapers and wipes. As the distribution system develops and new items are added, I will share that with you.
One more note. The associations across Texas most affected by Harvey have partnered together with the Carey and Beauregard Baptist Associations to assure no church or community falls through the cracks. We hope to foster church to church partnerships, walking with them throughout the recovery. Bruce asked that GTBN take responsibility for the areas of Vinton, Starks, and DeQuency. I have already visited Vinton, connecting with two pastors Tuesday. They are hurting and welcome our partnership.
I realize that your church may already have a connection elsewhere near Lake Charles, and we certainly do not want to impede those partnerships. So, later this week you will receive a survey asking about your current level of engagement in Louisiana, and whether these are short term or long term commitments. Along with that I hope to share more information on what our partnerships in the assigned area of Calcasieu Parish might look like.
I'll have more to share as the week unfolds. Thank you for your bold witness for the savior during this time, and for your perseverance. In many ways we're still licking our own wounds as we reach out across the river. May our perseverance please the Savior.
Bro. Jim
As we get deeper into our post Laura assessment and more of our neighbors return home, it has become apparent that the eastern end of our GTBN mission field experienced greater damage than initially thought. Generally speaking, SETX was spared the worst of Laura's destruction. There are exceptions. Indeed, for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed, this is as bad as Harvey. Still, overall, the impact was far less than projected and there were few injures due to the storm itself. For this we rejoice.
Please view the video above for my personal report to you. To summarize, most of the churches and ministry families across GTBN came through the storm with minimal or no damage. Damages increase to the east, so that Bridge City, and even more so Orange, had the greater impact.
Several churches across the Network were damaged, with North Orange, Orange County Cowboy, Calvary West Orange, and Liberty having significant damage to their interiors and roofs. Winfree, MacArthur Heights, First Bridge City, Labelle, have roof damage. Cove and North Orange, along with many of our neighbors have fallen trees. It's amazing how few homes were lost considering the number of trees down. If there is something I have missed, or if you need assistance with recovery in your area, please let me know.
I have a ZOOM call tomorrow with my counterparts from Texas associations most impacted by Harvey and those in Louisiana. We hope to emerge from this call with a blueprint for church to church partnerships to help our partners across the Sabine in their long term recovery. Any GTBN churches who need similar assistance moving forward need to contact me soon and we will include you in the plan. I will have more to share on this later in the week.
We continue to have TBM and SBTC Disaster Relief ministries, along with many church teams local and otherwise, serving across the area. Please continue to distribute the GTBN Disaster Response Number, 409-812-5638 to persons seeking assistance. If the job does not fit the abilities of our Disaster Relief crews, we will do our best to find the right help.
GTBN Disaster Relief Referral Number
409-812-5638
Thank you for the way you have so quickly responded to the needs of our communities and sister churches. This is great to see. May the Lord elevate His name across SETX through these efforts.If I can serve you, give me a call.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
Please view the video above for my personal report to you. To summarize, most of the churches and ministry families across GTBN came through the storm with minimal or no damage. Damages increase to the east, so that Bridge City, and even more so Orange, had the greater impact.
Several churches across the Network were damaged, with North Orange, Orange County Cowboy, Calvary West Orange, and Liberty having significant damage to their interiors and roofs. Winfree, MacArthur Heights, First Bridge City, Labelle, have roof damage. Cove and North Orange, along with many of our neighbors have fallen trees. It's amazing how few homes were lost considering the number of trees down. If there is something I have missed, or if you need assistance with recovery in your area, please let me know.
I have a ZOOM call tomorrow with my counterparts from Texas associations most impacted by Harvey and those in Louisiana. We hope to emerge from this call with a blueprint for church to church partnerships to help our partners across the Sabine in their long term recovery. Any GTBN churches who need similar assistance moving forward need to contact me soon and we will include you in the plan. I will have more to share on this later in the week.
We continue to have TBM and SBTC Disaster Relief ministries, along with many church teams local and otherwise, serving across the area. Please continue to distribute the GTBN Disaster Response Number, 409-812-5638 to persons seeking assistance. If the job does not fit the abilities of our Disaster Relief crews, we will do our best to find the right help.
Thank you for the way you have so quickly responded to the needs of our communities and sister churches. This is great to see. May the Lord elevate His name across SETX through these efforts.If I can serve you, give me a call.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
While the assessment of hurricane Laura's damage is just beginning, so far it appears our area was spared severe impact. I've heard from about 30% of our churches so far, with a few reporting minor damage to some facilities and homes and numerous fallen trees. Most have received very slight to no damage. If you (pastors and staff) have yet to check in, please check your email for our check in survey link or give us a call.
At present both state conventions will have chainsaw / recovery units working in our area. Texas Baptist Men will have units working out of North Orange Baptist Church. SBTC will have units working from Liberty Baptist in Bridge City and Calvary Church Beaumont. Teams from several churches are also serving throughout the area.
GTBN has set up a dedicated disaster referral number, 409-812-5638. Persons needing assistance with chainsaw / recovery or temporary roof repairs may call this number. We will gather their information and relay it to the closest disaster response team to their location. As you pass the number along, remind them that all SBC Disaster Relief personnel are trained and provide their services free of charge. If you are part of a team working from your church, and you come across a situation requiring heavy equipment or rigging, please pass that need on to our SBC DR units as they are equipped for such assignments.
GTBN Disaster Relief Referral Number
409-812-5638
Yesterday I spoke with my counterpart in Lake Charles, Dr. Bruce Baker. He says that they are early in their assessment, but the damage east of the Sabine is substantial. He is working to have Louisiana Disaster Relief crews deployed. Once they are and he knows where additional pockets of need are, he will let us know. He expects several congregations will need assistance over time with clean-up and recovery. Carey Baptist Association stood with us during Harvey. It will be great for us to stand with them now.
Today I will survey the damage across GTBN, beginning with Orange County and those churches I have not yet heard from. Please let us know of any assistance you require, and if you see a home that looks as if our teams could help them, pass along our referral number. Remember, all SBC Disaster Relief teams present a clear gospel message with the families they serve.
The storm is past, but you remain in my prayers.
Bro. Jim
At present both state conventions will have chainsaw / recovery units working in our area. Texas Baptist Men will have units working out of North Orange Baptist Church. SBTC will have units working from Liberty Baptist in Bridge City and Calvary Church Beaumont. Teams from several churches are also serving throughout the area.
GTBN has set up a dedicated disaster referral number, 409-812-5638. Persons needing assistance with chainsaw / recovery or temporary roof repairs may call this number. We will gather their information and relay it to the closest disaster response team to their location. As you pass the number along, remind them that all SBC Disaster Relief personnel are trained and provide their services free of charge. If you are part of a team working from your church, and you come across a situation requiring heavy equipment or rigging, please pass that need on to our SBC DR units as they are equipped for such assignments.
Yesterday I spoke with my counterpart in Lake Charles, Dr. Bruce Baker. He says that they are early in their assessment, but the damage east of the Sabine is substantial. He is working to have Louisiana Disaster Relief crews deployed. Once they are and he knows where additional pockets of need are, he will let us know. He expects several congregations will need assistance over time with clean-up and recovery. Carey Baptist Association stood with us during Harvey. It will be great for us to stand with them now.
Today I will survey the damage across GTBN, beginning with Orange County and those churches I have not yet heard from. Please let us know of any assistance you require, and if you see a home that looks as if our teams could help them, pass along our referral number. Remember, all SBC Disaster Relief teams present a clear gospel message with the families they serve.
The storm is past, but you remain in my prayers.
Bro. Jim
Pastors & Church Staff,
Here we go again, another tropical cyclone in the Gulf, and SETX is at the center of the forecast path. While it's too early to tell how seriously the storm will effect us, please know that we are monitoring the situation, ready to assist GTBN churches.
With mandatory evacuation orders in effect for much of our area, many of you will be traveling. Others are sheltering in place. Either way, please stay safe, with your faith firmly rooted in our Lord, ready to serve Him through the recovery.
I am in touch with Disaster Relief personnel from both state conventions so that any assistance needed will be quick. You can help us speed both the deployment of Disaster Relief resources and the Network's response to your needs by submitting the brief Pastor / Staff Check-In when the storm clears. Please check your email for the link or contact us directly.
As we did through the response to Imelda, the GTBN will maintain a central communications hub so you have one phone number to give members or the public for assistance. We will pass the request to the nearest disaster relief entity. This number will be activated and posted when the recovery period begins. In the meantime, please use my number for any needs you or your staff may have.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
With mandatory evacuation orders in effect for much of our area, many of you will be traveling. Others are sheltering in place. Either way, please stay safe, with your faith firmly rooted in our Lord, ready to serve Him through the recovery.
I am in touch with Disaster Relief personnel from both state conventions so that any assistance needed will be quick. You can help us speed both the deployment of Disaster Relief resources and the Network's response to your needs by submitting the brief Pastor / Staff Check-In when the storm clears. Please check your email for the link or contact us directly.
As we did through the response to Imelda, the GTBN will maintain a central communications hub so you have one phone number to give members or the public for assistance. We will pass the request to the nearest disaster relief entity. This number will be activated and posted when the recovery period begins. In the meantime, please use my number for any needs you or your staff may have.
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
The testimony of a young man, raised locally, saved, called to ministry, planting a church to God’s glory.
The fellowship of brothers in ministry, listening, sharing their wisdom, working together in common mission.
A call by one, simply expressing how you have blessed them.
Wednesday’s sunset.
A newborn’s homecoming.
Pastors gathered around the table, sharing concerns, praying for one another and their churches.
Hearing God’s word read and preached.
Gathering again with fellow believers after this spring’s worship interruption.
Hearing Christians sing together.
The Neches river on a summer day.
The privilege of sharing the gospel with an unbeliever.
Watching as scripture resonates with Christians and they grasp truth.
Serving the Lord beside people you love.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phil. 4:8 ESV
Sometimes I need a reminder. How about you?
Bro. Jim
The fellowship of brothers in ministry, listening, sharing their wisdom, working together in common mission.
A call by one, simply expressing how you have blessed them.
Wednesday’s sunset.
A newborn’s homecoming.
Pastors gathered around the table, sharing concerns, praying for one another and their churches.
Hearing God’s word read and preached.
Gathering again with fellow believers after this spring’s worship interruption.
Hearing Christians sing together.
The Neches river on a summer day.
The privilege of sharing the gospel with an unbeliever.
Watching as scripture resonates with Christians and they grasp truth.
Serving the Lord beside people you love.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phil. 4:8 ESV
Sometimes I need a reminder. How about you?
Bro. Jim
For a variety of reasons I cannot express here in detail, my heart is heavy for you. I’m thinking here especially about you pastors and ministry staff, with whom I work most closely, but also our key lay leaders. Even with great faith in our Lord’s sovereignty over affairs of the day, the weight of shepherding God’s church through this present season is significant.
So many issues conspire to divide our people at a time when unity within the body of Christ is as important as ever. This week Lifeway Research released a report indicating pastors’ growing concern over church conflict resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic. Christians, especially of the Baptist tribe, have often struggled to get along as we should, but COVID has unleashed a set of new battles. Do we meet? How seriously do we take social distancing? And then there’s dreaded face mask question. In the last week I’ve heard members of the same church describe those who wear masks as wimps and those who do not as inconsiderate, “not caring if I live or die.”
And tension from the pandemic spreads into other matters, magnifying their pressure. Our healthiest churches are nearing the time when they normally would have their plans, strategic shifts, budgets, and events all lined out for 2021. But the uncertainly about how long social distancing, gathering, and travel restrictions will remain complicates this.
Now, I’m of the opinion that if it wasn’t COVID 19, it would be something else. After all, the Lord who called us wants to display His glory, not our strategic brilliance (1 Peter 4:10-11). And there’s a reason Peter describes our adversary as a “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). God intends that your walk with Him would require faith, genuine trust in His hand upon you. You know this.
Know also, then, that I pray for you, that you would experience His hand upon you… that you would possess His wisdom to shepherd His church and your families… that you would see His provision for ministry and missions… and that you preachers would boldly proclaim God’s word. And, if I may borrow a prayer from the apostle Paul, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 15:5-6).
Blessings!
Bro. Jim
So many issues conspire to divide our people at a time when unity within the body of Christ is as important as ever. This week Lifeway Research released a report indicating pastors’ growing concern over church conflict resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic. Christians, especially of the Baptist tribe, have often struggled to get along as we should, but COVID has unleashed a set of new battles. Do we meet? How seriously do we take social distancing? And then there’s dreaded face mask question. In the last week I’ve heard members of the same church describe those who wear masks as wimps and those who do not as inconsiderate, “not caring if I live or die.”
And tension from the pandemic spreads into other matters, magnifying their pressure. Our healthiest churches are nearing the time when they normally would have their plans, strategic shifts, budgets, and events all lined out for 2021. But the uncertainly about how long social distancing, gathering, and travel restrictions will remain complicates this.
Now, I’m of the opinion that if it wasn’t COVID 19, it would be something else. After all, the Lord who called us wants to display His glory, not our strategic brilliance (1 Peter 4:10-11). And there’s a reason Peter describes our adversary as a “roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). God intends that your walk with Him would require faith, genuine trust in His hand upon you. You know this.
Know also, then, that I pray for you, that you would experience His hand upon you… that you would possess His wisdom to shepherd His church and your families… that you would see His provision for ministry and missions… and that you preachers would boldly proclaim God’s word. And, if I may borrow a prayer from the apostle Paul, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 15:5-6).
Blessings!
Bro. Jim
In the Disney cartoon Phineas and Ferb, the boys, in their effort to reunite a band, come across a retired drummer who claims he’s lost his rhythm. He says to the boys, “I ain’t got rhythm,” even as his actions demonstrate otherwise.
Musicians know the importance of rhythm when performing, but what about you? What thought do you give to setting and keeping a healthy rhythm in your life and work? I find that in ministry especially, if I don’t take time to set the rhythm, circumstances do so for me. Only then, the rhythm is no more healthy than an irregular heartbeat.
Rhythm is simply a strong, repeated pattern. Scripture demonstrates God’s ordained pattern when, after six days of creation, He rested on the seventh, blessing the day, consecrating it as holy (Gen. 2:1-3). And while the New Testament church shifted their attention to the Lord’s Day, the rhythm of work, worship, and rest remained.
How do we set and keep a healthy rhythm? I think you just do it. Establish the priorities and lock in the time. Because work and corporate worship are the easiest to schedule, mainly because the timing is set by others, I have to lock in time for rest and private worship. It’s just too easy for circumstances to crowd these out of the schedule if I don’t guard the time. Like a runner who paces himself, I try and organize my day, week, and even the month so that I can give my best to my family and the work God’s called me to, while guarding time to rest and recenter my life on Him. The point is, without dedicated attention, I can easily get off rhythm. You can, too.
So how’s your rhythm?
One more thing. When I was a cadet in the Houston Police Academy back in the ‘80’s, we had to complete a five mile run under a given time. Having never been a serious runner, I struggled with my pacing, burning all my energy in the first couple of miles, dragging myself to the end. Then a fellow cadet, himself a competitive distance runner, offered to run with me, setting the pace. He knew just the rhythm I needed to complete the run in the qualified time. With his help, I passed my PT qualification and continued my training.
My point: If you need help setting your rhythm, reach out. I’ve learned much about healthy life and ministry balance from fellow pastors. Don’t burn out when God has provided solid, grounded, wise partners who would gladly run beside you as you reach your stride.
Blessings!
Bro. Jim
Musicians know the importance of rhythm when performing, but what about you? What thought do you give to setting and keeping a healthy rhythm in your life and work? I find that in ministry especially, if I don’t take time to set the rhythm, circumstances do so for me. Only then, the rhythm is no more healthy than an irregular heartbeat.
Rhythm is simply a strong, repeated pattern. Scripture demonstrates God’s ordained pattern when, after six days of creation, He rested on the seventh, blessing the day, consecrating it as holy (Gen. 2:1-3). And while the New Testament church shifted their attention to the Lord’s Day, the rhythm of work, worship, and rest remained.
How do we set and keep a healthy rhythm? I think you just do it. Establish the priorities and lock in the time. Because work and corporate worship are the easiest to schedule, mainly because the timing is set by others, I have to lock in time for rest and private worship. It’s just too easy for circumstances to crowd these out of the schedule if I don’t guard the time. Like a runner who paces himself, I try and organize my day, week, and even the month so that I can give my best to my family and the work God’s called me to, while guarding time to rest and recenter my life on Him. The point is, without dedicated attention, I can easily get off rhythm. You can, too.
So how’s your rhythm?
One more thing. When I was a cadet in the Houston Police Academy back in the ‘80’s, we had to complete a five mile run under a given time. Having never been a serious runner, I struggled with my pacing, burning all my energy in the first couple of miles, dragging myself to the end. Then a fellow cadet, himself a competitive distance runner, offered to run with me, setting the pace. He knew just the rhythm I needed to complete the run in the qualified time. With his help, I passed my PT qualification and continued my training.
My point: If you need help setting your rhythm, reach out. I’ve learned much about healthy life and ministry balance from fellow pastors. Don’t burn out when God has provided solid, grounded, wise partners who would gladly run beside you as you reach your stride.
Blessings!
Bro. Jim
It’s been five months since the novel coronavirus emerged as an obstacle to your ministry. And now, though you may have resumed Sunday morning worship gatherings, COVID 19 continues to influence most other aspects of congregational life. Most network churches have yet to resume in-person, on-campus children’s ministry and worship attendance remains far below pre-pandemic numbers.
If your church is like most across GTBN, you have risen to the challenge using the latest technology. You livestream worship so those not yet able to return may participate remotely. Leaders for small groups, youth and children likewise rely on the tech for continued ministry engagement. I expect many of these efforts to continue, even after we emerge from the pandemic.
So, we’re five months in. How are you doing? And, have you completed your mid-course assessment yet?
“What’s that?” you ask. Follow my thought. A sailor sets his course, but as the winds and ocean currents beat on his ship, he must regularly assess his position and adjust his heading if he’s to reach the desired destination.
The same is true for your church. As COVID 19 hit, you set a course for navigating your church through this unprecedented season. Since then, executive orders gave come and gone, as have directives from the CDC, NHS, and M-O-U-S-E. So how are your ministry adjustments holding up? And what changes are necessary to fulfill God’s mission until all the orders and protocols expire? That’s what the mid-course assessment is about.
Let me suggest asking three questions. The first two originate from pastor John King at 2nd Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas, as described on the Established Church podcast available through Church Answers. The latter I’ve added.
First, consider your content. Look back at the message you have communicated through your worship services and other on-line devotionals. Are you simply supplying spiritual content, filling the void until church returns to normal? Or are you teaching God’s word to shape His people in the image of Christ for the purpose of Christ? My point is that your on-line teaching should be as directed by God’s purpose for His church as when you teach live, in living color.
Second, assess your connections. How are you connecting with the people you shepherd during this season. If your small groups are not meeting, what are you doing to strengthen the interpersonal relations between members? How are you engaging those who have yet to return to worship? Since the church remains the church gathered nor not, how are you supporting the personal bonds among people?
Third, look at your community. Since the church calendar has been scrubbed by COVOD, how has your church engaged the community to elevate Christ and serve in His name? How have you mobilized God’s people to engage their friends and neighbors in the age of social distancing?
On the latter two points, Jeff Christopherson, former Vice President with North American Mission Board and church planter, instructs his small group leaders to contact their groups regularly, asking two simple questions. First, how are you? This is the connection and pastoral care question. Second, how are your neighbors? This helps to direct their mind away from themselves to their personal mission field. I like it.
While I pray we are past the peak of the pandemic and on the path toward regular ministry rhythms, it’s likely that COVID will continue to influence day to day ministry for a while yet. Given this, a mid-course assessment and corresponding corrections will help your church in your continued service to our Lord.
Blessings!
Bro. Jim
If your church is like most across GTBN, you have risen to the challenge using the latest technology. You livestream worship so those not yet able to return may participate remotely. Leaders for small groups, youth and children likewise rely on the tech for continued ministry engagement. I expect many of these efforts to continue, even after we emerge from the pandemic.
So, we’re five months in. How are you doing? And, have you completed your mid-course assessment yet?
“What’s that?” you ask. Follow my thought. A sailor sets his course, but as the winds and ocean currents beat on his ship, he must regularly assess his position and adjust his heading if he’s to reach the desired destination.
The same is true for your church. As COVID 19 hit, you set a course for navigating your church through this unprecedented season. Since then, executive orders gave come and gone, as have directives from the CDC, NHS, and M-O-U-S-E. So how are your ministry adjustments holding up? And what changes are necessary to fulfill God’s mission until all the orders and protocols expire? That’s what the mid-course assessment is about.
Let me suggest asking three questions. The first two originate from pastor John King at 2nd Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas, as described on the Established Church podcast available through Church Answers. The latter I’ve added.
First, consider your content. Look back at the message you have communicated through your worship services and other on-line devotionals. Are you simply supplying spiritual content, filling the void until church returns to normal? Or are you teaching God’s word to shape His people in the image of Christ for the purpose of Christ? My point is that your on-line teaching should be as directed by God’s purpose for His church as when you teach live, in living color.
Second, assess your connections. How are you connecting with the people you shepherd during this season. If your small groups are not meeting, what are you doing to strengthen the interpersonal relations between members? How are you engaging those who have yet to return to worship? Since the church remains the church gathered nor not, how are you supporting the personal bonds among people?
Third, look at your community. Since the church calendar has been scrubbed by COVOD, how has your church engaged the community to elevate Christ and serve in His name? How have you mobilized God’s people to engage their friends and neighbors in the age of social distancing?
On the latter two points, Jeff Christopherson, former Vice President with North American Mission Board and church planter, instructs his small group leaders to contact their groups regularly, asking two simple questions. First, how are you? This is the connection and pastoral care question. Second, how are your neighbors? This helps to direct their mind away from themselves to their personal mission field. I like it.
While I pray we are past the peak of the pandemic and on the path toward regular ministry rhythms, it’s likely that COVID will continue to influence day to day ministry for a while yet. Given this, a mid-course assessment and corresponding corrections will help your church in your continued service to our Lord.
Blessings!
Bro. Jim
Your church is one of 100 congregations shaping the Golden Triangle Baptist Network. These churches come in all shapes and sizes, from a large, multi-campus congregation to smaller rural fellowships and everything in between. They engage at some level every people group resident in our communities.
With 100 churches, I often hear the question, “Does my church matter?” I answer with a resounding yes!
God has blessed the Network with many that we might call “foundation churches.” These historically strong congregations have helped dive the Network since the beginning. Generous with their finances as well as their leadership, their partnership enables GTBN to fulfill our role as a “catalyst, coming alongside of churches to help them fulfill the Great Commission.”
But each of our churches are important. GTBN is as sustained by the smaller congregations as by our larger churches, with many of our smaller fellowships proportionally among our strongest supporting congregations. Smaller congregations, with their lower overhead costs, actually set us up for the future should churches lose the favored tax status we currently enjoy. They reach a people who other churches are not connecting with.
Our historically African American and Hispanic congregations help us to bridge gaps hindering our gospel witness, enabling a ministry committed to seeing a healthy church for every person in every place. While new churches allow us to grow disciples among peoples we’ve been missing.
Together we engage the Great Commission, sharpening one another for ministry across SETX, collaborating to help one another through crises and disaster, and cooperating to extend the gospel beyond US boarders to places like Belize, and even Israel.
Could we do it without you? Maybe. But even so, we’re better together.
Thank you for your partnership with GTBN. As I said, your church matters!
Blessings,
Bro. Jim
When this began, many expected the warmer weather to bring a slow down to the spread of COVID 19 and some return to normalcy. Back in May this certainly looked to be the case, and yet today we are in a season of increasing disease spread and, more significantly, increased hospitalizations. Experts disagree about whether this is that second wave they have warned us about, or a rebound in the first. But then, the experts disagree about everything with COVID 19.
Where do we go from here? I recommend we remain watchful. Most congregations are taking appropriate precautions to facilitate the safe gathering for worship. A few have suspended services for a couple of weeks, due either to a high proportion of the membership being vulnerable to serious complications from COVID or confirmed exposure to the virus through their activities. A handful of congregations have yet to meet since the March.
Whatever you believe about the seriousness of this disease (and we're indeed grateful that most infections appear less serious), remember the steps you take for social distancing, cough etiquette, disinfection, and facial coverings are minor inconveniences that display care and concern for those who gather with you and your neighbors at large.
One more thing. It seems today that everyone has inside information. I was on a ZOOM call this morning with my counterparts across the state and one said he had it on high authority that the governor would announce a two-week shut down of Texas this week. On that same call another colleague told us his sources said the governor was resisting advice to that end.
There certainly is increasing chatter about a pending return to “stay-at-home” orders. So it would be helpful for your church to have a game-plan ready should such orders be issued.
With previous orders, Texas authorities clearly established that churches are essential services and would not be legally closed by such orders. But they did ask that congregations conduct remotely whatever activities they could, and exercise appropriate mitigation protocols with the rest. While it’s impossible to interpret an order that hasn’t been issued yet, I would expect the same for any future lockdown.
So, given the increased conversation concerning a return to "stay at home" orders statewide, I recommend church leaders consider now how they will proceed if they are in fact issued. I pray it will not come to that, but having your plan ready cannot hurt. As always, I will have a review of any new emergency orders when they are issued.
Jim
When was the last time you've taken a break? I don't mean a quick breather. I'm talking about a genuine period when you set aside the weight of ministry to relax, refocus, and recharge.
Those of us active in ministry often find genuine rest hard. Passion for our Lord and His call drives us to work harder than everyone else, especially when in leadership. At least, that's how we explain it. Add to this accumulated needs, the tyranny of the urgent, the particular circumstances of our ministry, and the expectations other place on us, it's understandable how some ministers find genuine rest hard to come by.
Our experience with COVID 19 has certainly exasperated this, given the necessary adjustments to our ministry mechanics. I've heard several pastors say that they have never worked harder and longer than they have since this all began. More than a few are exhausted.
Yet scripture affirms the principle of sabbath rest, and Jesus himself both modeled and taught it. In Mark 6:31, after his disciples returned from their first two-by-two mission trips, Jesus said, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while."
So, let me just say it. Pastors, staff ministers, everybody, if you haven't taken vacation recently, TAKE IT! And ditto for your regular, weekly time off. I spoke to one pastor where I formerly served who said he hadn't had vacation in at least 5 years. That's not good for him, nor for the church, and it does not honor the Lord. If Jesus thought it necessary for His disciples to take a break, we better believe that it is necessary for us.
And church, help your pastor and staff feel free to take that time away. This is not a perk of the office. Setting aside the time, budget for pulpit supply, and personnel to cover their responsibilities while they are away is part of your responsibility. And if they cannot afford to get away, bless them with the resources. Even a weekend at the beach or trip back home can bless them, refreshing them for the next season of ministry.
How you spend the time away is another conversation. What matters is that you shed the weight of ministry for a period and relax. Feast your soul on the Lord and His word, but set aside the rest. I know it's easier said than done. It can be difficult turning your mind away from that "to-do" list with its deadlines. But it will ever happen if you don't priorities the time.
So take a break. Breathe. Have fun. And remember, if I can serve you in any way I'm just a call away. Well, I will be after my break.
Blessings,
Jim