Getting Unstuck: Momentum

The law of inertia says that, apart from an outside force acting on it, matter at rest remains at rest. That’s the extent of my recollection from college physics. But it sticks in my mind because, while a church isn’t exactly matter, something similar happens when congregations get stuck.

Just as a vehicle stuck in the mud requires dedicated effort to move it along, when a church gets stuck focused effort is required to move the church back to fruitful ministry. As stated before, you need alignment. But you also need momentum, directing the efforts of members in the direction of God’s leadership.

Scripture often describes the church’s work in terms of movement. Hebrews 12:1 calls Christians to lay aside any weights or sin and “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Ultimately, when one becomes stuck, the object is to get moving again.

So how does a stuck church reestablish momentum? The above scripture and subsequent verse, I believe, provide some direction.

First, consider what “weights” or “sin” cling to the church, bogging her down. The writer of Hebrews was careful to note both. That sin impedes Christ’s church is obvious. I would cite examples, but where would I stop? In such cases, without repentance, there is no forward progress.

But the writer also notes “weights,” which might not be sin in and of themselves, but they too hinder progress in God’s church. Examples that come to mind include clumsy organization, unclear direction or ineffective tactics. It’s possible for churches to be full of busy people whose efforts do nothing to advance gospel ministry.

What sin or weights make up the mud clinging to your congregation? How will you lay them aside?

Second, start moving. The verse says, “let us run with endurance…” More than that, it says, “run… the race that is set before us.” Here’s the great news! The author and perfecter of our faith has marked out our course. For His joy he has set out the way for His church to go. I believe scripture spells it out in the Great Commission. So it’s not enough to just get moving, as in “just do something.” We need to move in the right direction.

For a church that’s stuck I believe momentum begins with one or two simple ministry projects to show God remains at work through His people. Perhaps it’s a new disciple making small group, or a community mission project drawing Christians to apply what God’s doing though them outside the church walls.

It only takes a few simple victories to show movement toward God’s greater call. Then, as movement begins and more people engage, leaders can pick up the pace.

Celebrate each victory with testimonies to the church about persons touched. And remember, if you are in a small church it only takes a few small victories regain momentum. How do you judge the victories? By how they fit “the race that is set before us.”

Finally, stay focused on Jesus Himself. Strategy is important as a tool for accomplishing God’s purpose in your setting. But the greater truth to remember is that strategy is nothing if it is not tied to the mission of Christ. When you remember that it’s all about loving and serving and honoring the One who endured the cross and sits now at the Father’s right hand, that’s when you keep the momentum.

After all, it’s ALL about Him.

Blessings,

Jim

Getting Unstuck: Three Areas for Alignment

Several years ago, the men of the church where I was pastor took a two-day canoe trip. Having enjoyed the experience the previous year, I invited my best friend along to enjoy the relaxing beauty of the river as my paddling partner. But this trip wasn’t as relaxing as the one before. I won’t go into details about what happened, except to say that our fellow travelers tagged our canoe “Titanic” before the first day was over.

So what happened? Well, I had been on only one real canoe trip before, which was one more than my friend. Working together on when to paddle, on which side either of us would paddle, and where to aim our canoe heading into rapids were problems for us. In other words, we lacked alignment. We didn’t take care to see that our actions worked together in a way that would safely carry our canoe downstream.

Something similar happens with churches. When the different aspects of ministry do not fit together for the church to fulfill it’s God given mission, the church gets stuck. At worst it’s the ecclesiastical version of Titanic.

You can assess and correct the alignment in your church by looking at three areas.

The first is alignment of your church ministry activities with the purpose of God. As noted in a previous post, God’s purpose for the New Testament church can be summarized in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. How do your activities line up with this purpose? What would an outsider assume the purpose of your church was based only on the fruit of your ministry?

I’ve known churches whose stated purpose was making disciples, but their unspoken priority was the comfort of certain members. They claimed to want new believers in the church, but would drive them away when those new believers challenged their preferences. Another was in a community where 85% of the households spoke Spanish as their first language, yet they refused to offer ministry in Spanish. Such congregations will remain stuck until they repent and seek realignment.

The second area for alignment feeds the first, alignment among the leadership (staff and key lay leaders) and the congregation. If I asked “What is most important in your church?”, would the members’ answers resemble those of the leadership? How do you see leaders and other members working for the same goals? Do you see evidence they are not?

Misalignment here is common among stuck churches. The pastor, staff, and key leaders often discern God’s purpose, and the tactics for it’s fulfillment, ahead of others. That’s why they are leaders. The great challenge of church revitalization is bringing the remaining congregation into alignment with the leadership vision. And there are no quick fixes for this one. The answer here is genuine, biblical disciple making, by which the Lord brings His people together.

By the way, you need not wait for the church to reach perfect alignment before moving forward to God’s purpose. The high school coach doesn’t wait for all the kids to play at a top level before starting the game. He plays the varsity, while continuing to develop the JV. In the same way, pastors, while you should never abandon the sheep, engage with those who are ready. Always disciple to shepherd God’s people to His purpose.

The third important area for alignment is that among the staff, or in single-staff congregations among the pastor and key ministry leaders. Few things derail a church’s ministry like discord among senior leadership. Do the words and actions of staff show mutual support for the work of colleagues? Do staff members speak with one heart and voice before the church, or do they cast doubt on one another?

Pastors, staff, read this carefully. Each one of you has a unique call of God that has been affirmed by the congregation you serve. But God has placed you together in the same boat. You can’t just paddle at your own discretion. You must paddle together. Pastors, you are in the overall steering position. You owe your team the clearest direction for the float and support necessary to fulfill their role. Staff, you each have your place and your oar. You owe your pastor and colleagues your honest feedback about the conditions of the float and your best effort to paddle at your position. But, especially before the church body, you paddle as a team, united in your common commitment to the Lord, to His church, and to one another. And by all means never paddle against each other.

One final word on alignment. It’s not a one-time thing. Alignment is a state that we must strive to build and keep. This world will present everything possible to break the alignment among God’s people, knowing that dissonance frustrates ministry. So, embrace it, prioritize it, and give serious effort to it, for the purposes of God.

Bro. Jim

For part four of this series, click here.

Getting Unstuck: Alignment

Last week I wrote about the tendency for churches to get stuck. Much like your truck might get stuck in the sand, congregations become stuck in the sense that they are not moving toward the ministry outcomes that scripture calls them to.

When do churches get stuck? Tony Morgan, with the Unstuck Group, says a leading factor is the loss of alignment. This can be a misalignment with church activities and the mission, or between the leadership and members, and often it occurs among the staff and/or other key leaders.

Now you might ask, “Where does scripture call the church to alignment?” Substitute alignment with the synonym unity, and I think you’ll see it. There’s Ephesians 4:11-16, calling pastors to equip the saints “until we all reach unity in the faith.” Then there’s Philippians 2, and Phil. 3:15. Scripture even gives us an example of a misaligned church. Read 1st and 2nd Corinthians.

How do churches loose alignment and find themselves stuck? Well, people don’t just show up one Sunday to declare, “Let’s depart from God’s mission today.” It’s more subtle than this.

Sometimes over time they drift off their path. One day, when I was a teenager, I was at the beach with a group of friends. After a full day in the sun we loaded into my car for the trip home. I drove without problems a few hundred feet. Then, as I approached the turn to exit the beach, forward progress stopped and my rear tires spit out a plume of sand. I was stuck. When I started, I was careful to drive where I knew the sand bore other traffic. But at the turn, I wasn’t paying attention. I drifted into the softer, unpacked sand. A friendly man with his Jeep towed us out, after about thirty minutes of fruitless effort to move the car with my friends.

This can happen with churches. They run for a while, with all ministries working together and bearing fruit. Then, over time, they drift into habits that impeded fruitfulness for the Lord. They’re stuck.

Other times conditions change but the church fails to adjust. When driving Interstate 10 one must stay attuned to changing conditions brought by construction, collisions, and weather. When visiting my dad in Houston, I often take 10. But when the conditions turn 10 into a parking lot, I follow a different path that I know will lead to my destination.

Again, this happens with churches. Please understand, your task or destination, making disciples for the glory of Christ, does not change. But sometimes a change in conditions brings a need to adjust the route for reaching said destination. Miss the opportunity, and you may find yourself stuck.

When churches are stuck it takes more than a Jeep to pull them out. It takes a dedicated effort to reestablish alignment. To move my car, I needed to align my destination (home) with the best path for reaching it (the highway). To reach the highway we needed to align my car with the Jeep and our efforts to push from the rear with the packed sand that would bear our weight.

Stuck churches should work through a similar process. This involves clearly communicating what scripture says about the church’s mission, then working to see that everything the church does serves this mission.

Next week we’ll consider three crucial areas for alignment within your congregation. But as I draw this post to a close, let me ask you to consider three questions. First, is the congregation where you serve or worship stuck? Second, what do you see that supports your impression? Third, what adjustments can you make now to strengthen alignment between the church’s ministry and the mission?

If you would like to discuss this further, write your comments below or shoot me an email.

Blessings!

Bro. Jim

For part three of this series, click here.

Getting Unstuck

Stuck. It’s when you can’t seem to move in any direction. Most have experienced it in their vehicles, getting stuck in the sand at Galveston or in the mud out in the country. Many feel stuck in their personal or professional lives.

But stuck is also the situation many churches find themselves in. Some are stuck in patterns of disfunction, conflict or misguided priorities. Others find themselves stuck in the ruts of past success, unable to adapt to a new ministry environment. Lately I find myself stuck in the multitude of situations requiring attention and the numerous possibilities for each.

Stuckness, if I may invent a word, is so common among churches and ministry leaders that consultant Tony Morgan branded his consulting practice The Unstuck Group. Tony senses a profound calling to help congregations get unstuck. It’s a call I certainly identify with.

So, how does a church become unstuck? That’s what we’ll explore in the next several posts. For now, let’s understand that God created His church for His purpose. There’s a mission, something beside mere existence, which the Lord seeks to accomplish. We Baptists usually summarize it in two quotes from Jesus, the Great Commandment of Matthew 22:37-40 and Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.

When a church does not display a supreme love for the Lord… when a church does not move their members to demonstrate Christ’s love to others around them… when it does not make disciples for Jesus Christ… it’s stuck. And when you’re stuck, it’s time to recognize it, confess it, and prepare to do whatever God in His word calls us to.

Faithfulness to our Lord and His purpose for His church, that’s what it means to be unstuck.

I’ll share more next time.

Bro. Jim

For part two of this series, click here.

Missing Your Shot yet Surrounded by Targets

My dad, an avid outdoorsman, hunted for meat. Though my step-mom had a nice buck mounted in the living room, dad hadn’t a single mount. Trophies didn’t interest him as much as a full deep freeze and having game always ready for the grill. As a result, they each had very different hunting approaches.

Merla Dean, my step-mom, would take her place on the stand. She would overlook the numerous doe along the way, any other critters that might come along, and even a buck or two if they weren’t just right. Only when she found something that bettered her last kill would she take her shot. Dad was convinced she was so selective because she didn’t like cleaning the deer once she shot it. Whatever her reason, she was selective, harvesting only a couple of deer back then.

Dad, on the other hand, if he had room in the freezer, would take doe, bucks, pigs, or whatever crossed his sightline. Let me pause here to say, if you hunt, hunt legally. Follow the game laws! But dad was a man of his time. I was very young then, so I can’t say what really happened. Let’s just say that dad never returned from a hunt without something, he was always hunting, and we always had meat.

What does this have to do with your church?

I believe one reason churches, and for that matter individual Christians, struggle with evangelism is that they share Christ like my step-mom hunted. They have a narrow vision of what they are hunting for, usually well behaved people who look like them, enjoy their kind of music, vote the same way, and don’t mind the funky casserole at the potluck. It’s a bonus when unbelievers ask few or no questions. Like my step-mom, they don’t want to get into anything too messy. And so they may pray for someone to witness to, but with few soft targets, there’s little to any harvest.

I wonder if we’d be more fruitful for Christ if we were like my dad, taking our shot with the gospel with whomever the Lord brings into our circle. Don’t misunderstand, this isn’t about quick, “all or nothing” gospel presentations. It’s about engaging those God brings near us as if their presence in our lives is not an accident. Lost people are often messy, with whatever brand of sin they bear. But that messiness, when touched by the witness of a godly Christ follower, is often what the Spirit uses to bring conviction. Perhaps the reason these people are in your circle is so they may encounter the gospel through you.

So, don’t miss your shot when you are surrounded by targets.

Until next time…

Bro. Jim

Are You in the Library or the Lab?

Do you enjoy a good library? I do. I love learning. One advantage to self awareness is that I don’t know half as much as I think I know nor enough of what I should. Libraries, whether the old brick and mortar kinds or the virtual ones, provide venues for expanded understanding about a wide range of subjects. They fill some of the gaps between what I know and what I should know. And so, I could spend hours in a good library, as I’m sure could many of you.

But what profit is there in learning if we don’t do anything with it? I suppose there is benefit to learning for learning’s sake. And certainly there is blessing in learning from scripture simply for the joy and worship in it.

But knowledge often carries a purpose. For example, if I spend hours in the library reading books on plumbing, I create an expectation that, the next time my sink leaks, I should do something about it. And as medical knowledge increases, physicians learn new procedures that they then must apply to their patients. In the same way, when we learn something, from scripture study, the conferences we attend, or the references we draw from, the information we now have brings with it the responsibility for application.

This brings us to the lab. Laboratories are places where knowledge is applied. Learners expand their knowledge of a given field, then move to the lab where they act upon what they have learned, doing things differently, and hopefully better than before.

So, we have libraries and labs. Libraries allow us to gain knowledge. Labs allow us to practice it. My question for you is, in which of these two do you spend most of your time?

It’s possible to spend it all in the library, studying the latest volumes, viewing a preferred webinar, listening to a favorite pod cast. But some people learn wonderful truths and wisdom from these and other sources, yet fail to do anything with what they’ve learned. Then they ask why nothing changes.

It’s also possible to run to the lab, to the practical world around us, yet not give time to study. With the excuse, “I’d rather not be so heavenly minded that I’m no earthly good,” they focus on doing. I was joking above, but really I have never met anyone who knows everything they need to know. Not about scripture, life, and certainly not the local church. The best practice is always informed by dedicated learning.

So how do we balance our time between the library and the lab? Allow me to share a couple of suggestions, confessing that many of you exemplify both far better than I.

First, be a scholar. I don’t mean you should enroll in a degree necessarily. But make learning a personal priority. Since most of you reading are pastors and ministry leaders, I will assume you know the value of Bible study. Beyond that, set aside time and develop a plan for personal learning.

I like to break this into two broad categories, learning that enables ministry and learning for personal interest. The latter includes spiritual matter along with some non-spiritual content. For each I’ve selected a few sources, particularly podcasts, blogs, and conferences to keep me current on the larger trends. Then through these I discover books, journals and other sources for deeper study. However you do it, be a life-long learner.

Second, remember you are a practitioner. So, when a principle learned strikes a chord, or when it relates closely to your ministry, ask the follow-up question: “What does this mean for me and the church I serve?” Then, at the risk of quoting the old Nike slogan, just do it.

After every conference I attend or book I read, I work through a personal list of questions as a guide for application. By this I am able to keep content fresh, drawing the most from what I’ve learned before I lose it among life and work routines.

The Great Commission calls us to “…teach them to obey all that I have commanded you.” In other words, learning begets action. So, in your personal life and practice of ministry, don’t neglect the library. Just make sure you make it to the lab.

What are you doing to balance the two and make the most of what you’ve learned? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Blessings!

Bro. Jim

Now the Work Begins

Disciple Makers University for 2021 is past. Over 140 persons attended this year’s event through which Dr. Don Whitney taught us how to practice the two most important personal spiritual disciplines, bible intake and prayer. The attendance includes 20 persons joining the sessions in Spanish led by Alfredo Ballesta. I’d like to thank all who helped prepare this year’s event, including Dr. Whitney, Bro. Alfredo, Bro. Joe Worley and the people of FBC Groves, Bro. Dustin Guidry, and GTBN Communications Assistant Lizz Jelsma.

But now the work begins. Let me explain.

Just three days before DMU began I returned from a meeting in Atlanta, hosted by the North American Mission Board, on the subject of church revitalization and replanting. There I heard some startling statistics. Did you know that, depending on whose research you read, from 60 to 80 percent of evangelical churches are in plateau or decline? Only 15% are healthy and multiplying, while another 15-20% are at risk of closure in the next three to five years. As we heard story after story of churches at risk of closing, I couldn’t help but think of churches across GTBN whose stories sound disturbingly similar.

Please don’t misunderstand me. We serve a sovereign God whose church will triumph for His glory to the end. But which local congregations take part, I can’t say. What I do know is that all through scripture God works through His people to accomplish His purposes, and those people - His church - He calls to obey Him in faith. And so the apostle James says, “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin,” (James 4:17). This remains true.

I’ve pondered this and prayed over it for years. Churches die. New churches are planted. And some congregations experience a revitalization from the Lord to carry on their ministry from one generation to the next. The difference in the former and latter isn’t some revolutionary new program or great gifted pastor. The difference, I believe, is always rooted in the church and her leaders honing in on those core Christian disciplines God uses to shape His church for His purpose. Everything else grows from there.

So, if we hope the congregations we love will take part in God’s work today, we should take care and impart these crucial spiritual exercises to those we serve in the faith. Practice them yourselves. Pass them to your children and families. Instruct the church. And share them with your sister churches.

A movement of disciple making begins with disciples. And the life of a disciple rests on the disciplines of Bible intake and prayer.

If you missed DMU, or you would like to share what you learned with others, Lizz will soon have the recordings edited and posted on the GTBN resource hub. Several pastors have indicated their availability to share these messages with sister congregations. However you do it, let’s not miss the opportunity to shore up the foundation for church revitalization across our mission field.

Blessings,

Jim

Disciple Makers University

Greetings all,

I don’t have a lot to say this week. But before you gasp in disbelief, I do want to remind you about next week’s Disciple Makers University at First Baptist Church in Groves, Mar. 19-20. Our guest, Dr. Don Whitney, is a leader among Southern Baptists in the subject of spiritual formation. The issues he will address, our prayers and Bible intake, are foundational disciplines for growth as disciples for Jesus Christ.

The schedule is Friday, 6-9; Saturday, 8:30 to noon. My prayer is that, as we present ourselves to the Lord by these means, He will shape us into the likeness of His son, that the fruit thereof will bring Him great glory and joy.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

Everyone Needs a Butt

Rick Erwin is one of my heroes. Near June of this year he will retire after serving for 33 years as pastor for Port Arthur’s Procter Baptist Church, faithfully shepherding this church through a generation of social change, multiple hurricanes, and floods. Along the way Rick saw many people profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ through believers’ baptism, discipling them as he cared for their families. Such faithfulness for the long haul is inspiring for anyone, but especially for those of us serving in ministry.

What fuels such endurance? Certainly a deep, abiding faith in the Lord is crucial. But Rick has a quality that, fueled by his faith, I believe the Lord has used to great effect. It’s his gentle humor, a humor that allows him to focus on what really matters while not becoming too distracted by the “small stuff.”

Let me explain. Early in my ministry here with GTBN I visited Rick at the church. Sitting across from his desk, I couldn’t help but be distracted by one of many wildlife mounts on his wall. Rick’s quite the outdoorsman, with deer, turkey, and other critters stuffed throughout his study. But this one in particular, a bobcat, stood out. Only, it wasn’t the whole bobcat; it was the back end.

After an hour during which we had a wonderful visit, full of laughter, I had to inquire. I said, “Rick, I can’t help but notice your bobcat over here. What’s that about?” With a straight face he said, “Oh, that’s my butt.”

Seeing my puzzled look he explained, “Jim, have you ever had someone come in to you very upset, only what they were so worked up over was not nearly as significant or irreconcilable as they think it is?” I answered, “Sure, often.” “Well,” he replied, “when that happens to me I look over there and think to myself, ‘It’s a butt.’ Then I listen to them and help them however I can.”

At that moment Rick joined my list of heroes, for he was able to brush things off with humor and yet not dismiss the person with whom he was visiting.

Since that visit I’ve come to the conclusion that everyone needs a butt, a gentle reminder that not every issue is the end of the world and that humor takes the edge off of many problems.

I’ll miss Bro. Rick as he will soon move to be closer to family. In the last two years, the Network has seen several long tenured pastors retire, and each has blessed us. Their testimonies remind us to persevere in faithfulness to the glory of our Lord. They also remind us, if we don’t have one, to get a butt. Because Rick’s taking his.

Blessings,

Bro. Jim

COVID 19 Update: Governor's Executive Order GA 34

As most of you know by now, Governor Abbott yesterday released Executive Order GA 34 which largely rescinds policies intended to prevent the spread of COVID 19, most notably the requirement to wear face coverings in public places and certain capacity limits for businesses. This order takes effect March 10th, 2021.

Since, throughout the pandemic, the Governor has insisted that churches are free to make their own decisions regarding protocols for sanitation and safety, the order has no real effect upon congregations in Texas. Please keep in mind, the order is not a declaration that the pandemic is over and that churches need not continue mitigation efforts.

So, what do you and your congregation need to know?

1. After midnight March 10th, there is no longer a requirement to wear face coverings in public places.

2. People and businesses, including your church, are strongly encouraged to continue using good faith efforts toward social distancing and sanitation so as to mitigate the spread of COVID 19. Recommended actions are found online at www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus.

3. The order expressly states, “Individuals are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth whenever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person not of the same household.”

4. While face coverings are no longer required in public places by the state, businesses (including your church) are free to require or request face coverings for persons entering the facility. As has been the case for months, each church must continue making decisions on this point that are right for your church. If you continue asking worshipers to wear masks, please make sure you clearly communicate it.

5. Likewise, churches and other businesses may maintain social distancing and occupancy limits that they believe are helpful. Just communicate it clearly so people know what to do.

6. Finally, should there be another peak in COVID 19 hospitalizations, with infected persons occupying more than 15% of available hospital beds, local county judges may impose preventative measures, but those cannot include limits to worship service attendance.

Conclusions

Many will see GA 34 as a sign to toss away their masks and return to their pre-COVID normal. As much as I would love to do just that, the order says otherwise, asking everyone to continue taking good faith efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID 19.

Just as you have throughout the pandemic, each church needs to assess their situation and take what steps they believe best for their ministry. Most churches have plenty of room to continue maintaining a 6’ distance between families in worship. If you do not, whatever accommodations you have taken to date should likely remain in place. Likewise, if your members feel strongly toward wearing masks, continue the practice. And don’t put away the hand sanitizer and disinfectant yet.

Finally, please remember that many people have not yet returned to indoor worship gatherings because they have health issues which a COVID 19 infection might complicate. It’s likely that, with the mask order rescinded, they may be more cautious about getting out. As you encourage the resumption of worship attendance, please extend grace toward these individuals.

If I can help you with this, or anything else, please contact me. As with hurricanes, humidity, and mosquitoes, we’re in this together.

Blessings!

Bro. Jim

GTBN Update

For weeks you’ve been reading my thoughts concerning the missional direction of GTBN. “We help the church make disciples today.” But what are we doing, now, today, to accomplish this? Let me share with you just a few of the projects currently in motion. I’ll describe them as they fall within our strategic framework, the PLAN.

 P - Church Planting

The two new churches planted in 2020, Providence Church Beaumont and Brighter Day Ministries in Port Arthur, continue their progress. Providence recently completed the renovation of their facility. While we continue supporting these works, we are also working with several GTBN congregations to assist two struggling churches to re-plant themselves. The result, we pray, is a new bilingual Spanish-English congregation near Fletcher Elementary School in Beaumont.

L - Leadership

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Leadership Luncheons that launched in January. If not, you can view the videos at the GTBN YouTube channel. In addition to this and my ongoing work as “pastor to pastors”, GTBN’s investment in our leaders includes coaching and consultation, and a new Pastors’ Sabbatical Initiative that you can read about here. The latter comes in recognition of a simple truth, one I am often reminded of by one of our church planters, that healthy pastors lead healthy churches. Finally, Bro. Alfredo Ballesta and I are working toward a process for equipping pastors, church planters, and lay leaders for our Spanish speaking congregations. We look forward to the fruit of this endeavor.

A- Awakening

Efforts to revitalize, resource, and strengthen existing churches include continued assistance with pastor-search training, conflict resolution, church health and community assessment, and ministry development. Here we help churches remove impediments and develop pathways for healthy disciple making. And, of course, the upcoming Disciple Makers University is our signature event to this end.

N - Networking

This “catch all” category includes our missional work with Cross Media in Israel and Southern Baptists of Belize as we engage disciple making efforts in these places. It also involves our cooperative effort with East Texas Baptist Encampment for camps and with the Hot Hearts team. Next up is an effort to engage our local prisons. Working with Bill Glass Ministries, with several key congregations already committed, we hope the Lord works through GTBN to foster a disciple making movement within these units.

Conclusion

Now this is a just snap shot. Each activity described above serves a purpose toward the larger vision.

Of course the greatest thing we do is simply relate together. Our greatest assets are the people and churches that comprise GTBN. Through this partnership, we leverage the abilities of each congregation for the blessing of all. We help one another, sharpen each other, and move each other in fulfillment of the Great Commission.

The author of Hebrews says to “Stir up one another to love and good works…” (Heb. 10:24). This ultimately is what our fellowship is about. May God receive much glory as we stand faithful to the task.

Bro. Jim

Grammarly | Teaching Technoid Reviews

Guest post by Jon Brinlee

Tech Junkie or Not?

I am a self-proclaimed Tech Junkie! I love technology and all that it has offered me in ministry and life. I also understand that many view it as a necessary evil. Truth be told, technology can be used for either good purposes or bad. I think we often see the negative in technological advancement and that tends to overshadow the positives. This is going to be a multi-part series of articles highlighting some applications that are beneficial for use in ministry. Some of these will enhance your sermon prep, some your ability to communicate, some to keep you on track and task and some will help you financially.

The first tool I want to review for you is one I have been using for some time now. It is available on all platforms (Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS). It’s called Grammarly. It takes the spell check to the next level and gives you some grammar help as well. If you’re like me this is a huge need.

The interface is fairly simple; it will integrate with your keyboard on your mobile/tablet devices. For desktop applications, you can write in the app directly, or you can cut and paste your text into it to check. Grammarly is free software with paid add-ons. The free version I believe is sufficient. But for those who want the book quality readability, you can upgrade to the premium platform and take your writing/ communication to the next level. I am actually using this app to write this article. It can be used within emails and even texts on your mobile devices. Again, I use this app daily. So, believe me when I say this will be one of the best apps you can download.

The Teaching Technoid is a series by guest writer Jon Brinlee. If you would like to suggest an app for review or if you have any questions about this or any other app you can email him at ja4slovenia@gmail.com.

We Help the Church Make Disciples Today (Part 4)

Concluding a series of posts on the ministry direction for GTBN, let’s consider that last word in the title above, “today”. “We help the church make disciples today.” What’s that about?

I forget how old I’m getting. I have to work at remembering that two of our three children have never known dial phones, life without the Internet, or a day when texting wasn’t their first option for communication. Nor do they remember a time when the norms and values of society generally aligned with those of Christians. Boomers, those who pre-date them, and perhaps the eldest Gen-X’ers do, often describing that era as “the good ol’ days.”

In hindsight, I hope we can all agree that the good ol’ days were not nearly as good as we thought. Sin ran amuck then as surely as it does today. But when most people considered the Judeo-Christian ethic foundational for society and church as a generally positive influence, the work of ministry might not have been easy, but it was comfortable. Since even unbelievers valued much of what Christianity offered, attractional events like VBS, revivals, and “front door” experiences drew many into the church, where they would hear and respond to the gospel.

That was a different time. Don’t misunderstand me. The gospel remains the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. But the culture in which we now carry the gospel is not as welcoming. Not only do the people we’re called to reach no longer share our moral base, they consider it problematic.

For example, Dr. Jim Denison, cultural apologist and Chief Vision Officer of the Denison Forum, explained in this post how the contemporary culture actively opposes Evangelicals whose biblical convictions keep us from endorsing LGBTQ behavior. It’s no longer sufficient to say we disagree and let everyone do what he believes is right. Increasingly, in an age of multiple ideals and value systems, the one system that must be expunged from society is the one that insists God’s way, as historically understood through scripture, is the right way.

Now, this isn’t really news. But here’s the problem. Many Christians act like they still hold cultural favor, or at least, if they just hold their course and remain faithful, the good ol’ days will return. Some trust in politics, hoping that a shift back to the right will restore public favor, paving the way for fruitful ministry. I don’t see this happening.

I’m not a prophet, so don’t go fetch a stone if I am wrong. I pray, and even ache for spiritual awakening, but I see no sign of it coming soon, nor do I see the soul searching and repentance among Christians historically conducive to such. What I do see is as world very much like that of Jesus’ first disciples. And I feel compelled to help our churches practice biblical ministry tactics to engage the secular communities around us today, as opposed to the bible-belt society of yesterday. That’s my mission as your missionary.

Yesterday, the goal in most churches was to disciple Christians so that they love the Lord, live morally upright lives, give regularly, and occasionally serve in one or more church based ministries. Today our goal must be discipling people so deeply rooted in their love for Jesus Christ that they withstand the constant onslaught of secular attack, maintain their faith at the cost of reputation, job, and maybe even life, and extend a winsome witness even to those who attack them.

There is so much to unpack here. Like you, I find myself digging more deeply into scripture and learning from trusted colleagues all I can to be faithful a steward of the opportunity God has given us. Even with what I described here, I see a great day ahead for the church of Jesus Christ. The question is what role we will play in this movement. He wrote it for another context, but Michael W. Smith’s words hold true, “This is our time.” This is the age God has placed us to serve Him. Let’s be faithful and make disciples today.

Bro. Jim

We Help the Church Make Disciples Today (Part 3)

This post continues a series concerning the ministry focus of GTBN.

I have myopia and astigmatism, which is a fancy way to say I wear bifocals. Without my glasses, most everything more than 12 inches away is a blur. But with my glasses, in the right prescription, what’s before me is crystal clear.

The statement, “We help the church make disciples today,” works similarly. It helps us to clearly see what the work of our fellowship is all about, the Great Commission.

The preachers reading know the text, Matt. 28:19, and that the imperative verb here translates the phrase “make disciples.” Everything else modifies the making of disciples, the going, the baptizing, and the teaching. Making disciples of Jesus Christ stands at the heart of this text so central to Baptist identify.

You’ve heard this before, so why does it bear repeating? Why is it so important that GTBN should focus our efforts here. Let me suggest a few reasons.

First, it is the command of Christ. I love the fellowship with my church family. Authentic fellowship is one function of local congregations. But Jesus didn’t command us to have our socials. He commanded us to make disciples.

Second, many churches struggle making disciples. I need not quote the statistics. Just consider the number of churches you see that are in decline. Many reasons account for this, such as an internal focus, lack of any game plan, or disconnect with the community. Some find themselves fully aware of Christ’s call but lost in a sea of possibilities that they know not where to begin.

Third, over the years many of us have misunderstood the command to make disciples. We’ve done this in two ways.

Sometimes we divorce evangelism from discipleship, placing all the emphasis on the conversion side of the gospel. The growing of believers becomes a secondary step, and in the minds of some an optional one. A pastor once told me, “The day the SBC started its decline was when we prioritized discipleship.” I can’t disagree more with this statement. But, even it if were true, if disciples are not developed to fruitfulness, who then carries the gospel forward?

With this divorce comes the idea that disciple making is strictly about growing Christians. As a result, many discipleship approaches assume one’s embrace of foundational spiritual truths as they seek to carry Christians deeper into the scripture. Spiritual depth is wonderful, but I know too many so busy digging deeply that they never deploy into the world as His witnesses.

Gateway Seminary president Jeff Iorg has said that one of the great missteps of Southern Baptists is that we’ve defined disciple making as making weak Christians strong when we should have defined it as leading non-Christians to become faithful, growing, serving Christ followers. I believe Jeff has a point.

Finally, it’s important for GTBN to focus on disciple making because any issue in church life you can imagine is best addressed this way. Our strategy identifies four priorities: church planting, leadership, awakening / revitalization, and networking (missional connections). How do we raise planters for new churches? We make disciples. How will we cultivate new ministry leaders, the next generation of pastors, and godly members who support their leaders? We make disciples. What about awakening and church revitalization? You guessed it. And networking, how do we build partnerships to develop pastors in Belize, field crews for disaster relief, or teams to engage our prisons? Yup, we make disciples.

I love our pastors, taking my job as pastor to pastors seriously. But I see no better way for us together to glorify Christ than a focused effort to this end: we help the church - your church and the 99 others in the GTBN family- to make disciples today.

Think about it. I’ll share more soon.

Jim

We Help the Church Make Disciples Today (Part 2)

Last week I introduced you to a statement that reflects my understanding of our mission as a family of churches, “We help the church make disciples today.” It’s a smoother way to express our official mission statement, “GTBN acts as a catalyst coming alongside of churches to help them fulfill the great commission in Southeast Texas and beyond.” Tell me, doesn’t the former roll more easily off the tongue? There’s no change in substance, but I hope you see a sharper focus.

But what does this mean? Let’s look today at the opening clause, “We help the church…” These four words reflect the heart of our relationship.

As I’ve shared before, scripture assigns ministry to the local church, like yours. And GTBN is certainly not a replacement for the church. But the scripture also shows autonomous and independent churches cooperating toward the Lord’s greater mission, most clearly in the councils and the support of and participation with Paul’s missionary efforts.

This biblical spirit of cooperative mission stands as the foundation for our partnership through GTBN. We help one another in the mission to which God has called us.

I’ll share about how we help in future posts. My point today is to stress the significance of this partnership.

I liken it to a family. Last October, like many of you, my household evacuated in advance of hurricane Laura. We first checked that our kids and their families were going to be safe, soon agreeing that we would all evacuate together. Next, we examined where to go, with offers from family and friends scattered across Texas. We eventually drove west, staying with my mother-in-law. In each case, family connections facilitated our actions.

Upon our return, the Baptist family kicked into gear. GTBN personnel began assessing needs, partnering with convention Disaster Relief units to marshal resources wherever needed. Soon the churches of GTBN had teams serving both their communities and each other. Those who could crossed over to help our neighbors in Louisiana. Similar patterns played out for Delta, COVID 19, and before with Imelda and Harvey. In each, our familiar connections facilitated ministry.

But it’s not just about disasters. Across the board, the greatest asset we have as a network of churches are the people from these same churches, sharing their wisdom, gifts, and effort to the glory of Christ. Like family, we’re here for each other.

If you follow me on Facebook, you know the hashtag I use for posts related to GTBN ministry, #bettertogether. It’s not unique. In fact an association a few counties to the west uses the same, as do others (though I believe GTBN started first, even before I moved here). But the tag makes a point: we are better together, stronger even, when we stand with others who share our convictions and calling.

That’s what “We help the church” is all about.

More to come.

Bro. Jim

We Help the Church Make Disciples Today

Can you feel the uncertainty? Culturally, politically, and with COVID still a thing even physically, it’s like we’re sailing through a storm that will not let up. As I work with churches through GTBN, I know the difficulties and frustration such disorder has brought. Like you, we’ve had to pivot multiple times, adjusting to changing situations. We do so, as do you, because this is the day for which God has made us.

How do we find our way forward amidst constant change? It’s starts with clarity. Bryan Rose of Auxano recently shared in an email, “A strong sense of who you are, and what you are called to do, becomes rudder and sail as the waves of chaos roll past.”

This has certainly proven true for me. While the chaos of 2020 was difficult, I’ve come to see it as a gift. I believe the Lord used COVID 19 and two hurricanes, among other things, to drive me to His word and reaffirm my identity in Him. Along the way He gave me a sharper vision of what we are called to be as a network of churches. Today, more than ever, I believe God called me to be a coach and equipper for those who serve the church. And GTBN? We help the church to make disciples today.

I’ll share more in future posts and videos about what this means. What I hope you see today is that, as uncertain as this age is, the God who made the world has designed and gifted you for it. He gave Jesus to die for our sin, that we would be His body today. So don’t flee the chaos. Rather dig into God’s word and remember who you are - and who the church is - in Him. He has a plan. His promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age,” still stands.

Follow Him, today.

Bro. Jim

With a Heavy Heart but a Sure Direction

One week into 2021 and we wish 2020 would return. That’s how it seems anyway, with the current peak in COVID 19 along with complete deterioration of political discourse in America. I can’t speak for you, but today my heart is heavy. All matters considered, there is much to be concerned with across the nation and in our churches. But today I’m heavy in heartbreak while light on answers.

As Christians how do we find a way through this chaos? Mass media certainly doesn’t help. Today people of all worldviews construct custom information channels to receive only that which reinforces preestablished conclusions. Neither does social theory, which like tinker toys can be assembled to underscore one’s preferred outcome rather than reveal constructive solutions. Nor will an obsession with politics help. While most politicians are well intended, they tend to be driven by a need to be liked in their tribe leaving them unlikely to resolve many issues to the public’s mutual satisfaction.

No, as Christians we must look more deeply. We find our way through this chaotic world through our relationship with Christ as revealed in the scripture. Scripture reminds us that this world, including the good ol USA, is temporary. It explains that, as Christ followers, our citizenship is in heaven, and our allegiance is first and foremost to the Lord and Savior. Biblical revelation causes us to yearn for our eternal home while realizing God keeps us here for His purpose.

So, while I may not see a path for resolving the disorder of these days, in God’s word I find my next step. I must follow Jesus. More than that, despite whatever occurs around me, I must live like Jesus (1 John 2:6).

This call and the associated confidence eases my heavy heart so that, even if I don’t yet have every answer, I know who determines my path. And so do you.

Follow Jesus, all the time, in every way.

Happy New Year!

Bro. Jim

God Remains at Work

It has been 30 years since Henry Blackaby wrote the Bible study, Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God. I discovered it about two years later, while pastor in my first church after seminary. Struggling with how to lead our fellowship to engage our local mission field, as opposed to merely servicing the saints, and really with being more than mere cultural Christians, God used this study to show me His pattern for accomplishing His will through the church. It wasn't about me doing the best I could with the tools He's given. It was about us - the body of Christ - walking in relationship with Him, watching for indications of His activity, then joining in His work.

Notice the focus, not me but Him. God is at work to redeem a people unto Himself, and those He redeems He works through that others too may know redemption. But it's all about Jesus.

Now most of you reading this are seasoned Christians, many of you preachers, so nothing I have written here is new to you. But I believe it's good to remember that, while our obedience to Christ is clearly important, the advance of God's kingdom does not rest on us, or our great skill and accomplishments. It's about a Holy God at work though His church.

Much has changed in the world since Henry's first edition rolled off the press, but God remains at work. Walk closely with Him and He will continue that work through you and your church.

Be Thankful! Yes, Even in 2020!

It doesn't take long on social media for you to catch one of the many memes describing the challenges of 2020. One of my favorites accompanies this post, “If 2020 were a potluck.”

This has definitely been a year to remember, a particular mix of familiar (tropical storms) and unfamiliar (COVID) trials complicating the regular issues everyone must work through. But it's also a year in which our Lord has revealed Himself as He's led His people through each and every turn. And for that I am grateful, as should you be.

For some, giving thanks in the midst of the trial means little more than a wishful hope that God's blessing might return. But these persons err by equating His blessing with life running smoothly to their satisfaction.

Others use the words of thanksgiving, but only the words. They fail to notice God's handiwork throughout their situation.

But for the disciple of Jesus Christ, thanksgiving is the recognition that God's grace abounds and that all we have and all we are belong to Him. From this perspective 2020 is just another season through which we faithfully follow Him that he may reveal Himself through us.

May you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, full of genuine praise for the Lord who loves us, who leads us, and, most of all, who gave His life that we might live. As David prayed, "I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."

Bro. Jim

If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes

So I knew this pastor in northeast Texas named Jack. Jack had served his church faithfully for several years. Unfortunately these were not the most fruitful in this congregation’s history. Despite Jack’s biblical preaching and faithful leadership, the church was in decline. Since Jack began serving ten years prior, the church lost just over half of its worshippers, mostly among the young and older working age adults, and had gone several years without any baptisms.

Eventually the church brought in a consultant, in the hope of developing a plan for revitalization. The consultant and his team surveyed remaining members, along with a few of those who had left, and observed several services and ministry events. Finally they presented their report to the congregation.

The report began with some positive points before noting two areas of concern. First, everything from the music to the décor and scheduling indicated it was a great place for senior citizens, but there was no clear way for younger families to connect. As the consultant noted, “You don’t progress out of the young adult Bible class until retirement.”

The second concern was an appearance that the church was more interested in the satisfaction of the members than engagement with unbelievers. With this observation no one disagreed.

The consultant’s report concluded with a list of general recommendations of how the church might resolve these issues, which Jack in turn brought to the church council. He asked, “What are we willing to change to make our church more welcoming to younger families and to become more outwardly focused?” Nobody said a word. Jack offered a few suggestions, but with each suggestion, someone would say how they loved this aspect of their church, or how impossible such a change would be.

Eventually the church did nothing, at least nothing different from what they had been doing. And nothing changed. Today Jack is no longer pastor, and this church counts its final days.

And the moral of my story: If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Blessings,

Jim