Business Person of the Year

Last month, I was approached by one of our church members who asked, "Would you mind if I nominated you for the Business Person of the Year Award?" Quite surprised, I told him that I would be honored and it would be quite a statement for any pastor to be recognized in such fashion. Not expecting anything further, I was shocked to receive that award last night at the annual banquet of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce.

Someone immediately joked about preachers only working one day per week, but I quickly guarded my 1.5 day's per week, since we still have a midweek service. Another said, "I didn't know the church was a business," to which I replied, "It was Jesus who first said that He must be about His Father's business." :-) While God has blessed our church tremendously, he has also given me opportunities to reach into our community as a Hospice Chaplain, Chairman for two new Crisis Pregnancy Centers, Board member for a faith-based initiative, serving as a Board member of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce for 5 years, and more. You see, this award had more to do with community involvement and service, than it did with just our church.

Realizing the basis of this award, I find it somewhat humorous that a pastor would be given such a prestigious award for just simply doing what ALL pastors are supposed to be doing-- getting involved, ministering to, and impacting his community! Sadly too many churches limit their pastors to holding hands and wiping the noses of members. Our church family has caught the bigger vision and allows me the privilege of ministering both internally and externally. EBC is reaching beyond our walls and impacting eternity! So, this award really belongs to our entire church! Thank you EBC for allowing me to serve and represent you. This award belongs to all of us!

Vision Sunday Revelations

Prov. 29:18 states, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." I've also heard it said that "Where there is no vision, the people will find another parrish." Vision is the ability to see what God wants to do through our church. It is our mission possible, should we choose to accept it. If we decline, we simply become another dead church satisfied with status quo.

In preparing the message for our Vision Sunday, several truths were revealed to me:

• The economy has hit us HARD! In 2008-2009, we lost 170 people due mostly to deaths, out of state relocations. That was 28% of our church and we are in a small community.
• God brought us 130 new members in the past two years and we have gained over 100 of the 170 that we lost.
• Over 200 people were saved through EBC's efforts last year!
• Our offerings have remained strong.
• God blessed us beyond what we can humanly explain. Our debt has decreased by $800,000, our missions giving has increased annually, and our school enrollment continues to grow -- even during a recession!

So, what does all of that have to do with "vision?" EVERYTHING! It was as though God said look what I've been doing while you were worrying about a few disgruntled people. (If they leave... I'll replace them.) Look what I've been doing while you've been worrying about the budget. (I've given you more than you even realized.) Look what I've been doing while you were worrying about the school enrollment. (I've been bringing new students in monthly.) Look what I (God) have been doing! Remember, it's My church and I promised to build it.

WOW! I felt as though God was telling me to go refill my squirt guns and resume my position in the assault against hell! I hadn't had that feeling in quite a while. It was as though God said, "Here's My vision... Catch it!" I caught it... He's working... and I've joined Him!

What about you? Are you ready to refill your squirt guns? God is working... let's join Him!

Are you what you claim to be?

If I stood in my garage and said I was a car, would I be one? The obvious answer is "no." If a person stands in the church and says he is a Christian, does that mean he is one? Again, "no." Claiming to be and actually being are two different things.

I regularly hear people who attend churches say they are Christians, but their lifestyle and/or habits suggest otherwise. If a group of people gathers in a sanctuary on a Sunday morning, does that make them a church? A church (ekklesia) is a called out assembly as well as the redeemed of all ages, set apart unto God, and following Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. So, again I ask, if a group of people gather in sanctuary and "say" they are a church, does that make them one? The answer is "no."

Following this line of thinking would cause us to make the deduction that every Sunday, churches are filled with people who call themselves Christians, but they are not. Billy Graham once said, "The American church is the greatest mission field in all the world." Listen to the words of Matt 7:21-23 NIV, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

As we begin this New Year, I challenge those who claim to know Christ to evaluate your walk and see if it bears witness to your claim. The Bible says in 1 John 2:44, "The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him." An honest evaluation could save your life -- for eternity!

Christmas All Year Long

In 1994, Larnelle Harris released a project entitled "Christmas All Year Long." The feature track was entitled "All Year Long" and made an impression on me that has lasted far more than a year. A few of the lines were as follow: "I stretched high to store the stockings and trim in the attic for another year. We were busily packing our Christmas away, while singing a carol we knew, when I heard my son in innocence inquire, Do we store away Jesus too?"

What a great question, "Did you store away Jesus with your Christmas decorations?" It's been two weeks since Christmas. Many have traveled, put away decorations, celebrated the New Year, and returned to jobs and school. As we return to our busy schedules, have we also returned to the way we were before Christmas? Christmas is the season of love, giving, and focusing on God's gift of love that He wrapped in Jesus. Why does that have to end with the month of December?

I suggest that for the believer, Christmas should be celebrated all year long! While we may only decorate during the month of December, we should celebrate Jesus every day throughout the year! Don't pack Him away with the decorations. Don't forget about Him until you set your nativity pieces up next year. Don't treat people differently in January than you did in December -- send cards to friends, express appreciation, let people know you care, participate in church services, point people to Jesus, and live in a way that shows God how much you appreciate His Gift -- all year long!