On January 4, Terrell Suggs showed his ignorance with the following statement: “With all due respect, we don’t need God on our sidelines. Once again God had to save Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. He couldn’t even give them two drives. Seven to three?” That comment sparked a lot of debate, drew much negative attention toward Suggs, and he also lost a lot of respect that day. Hall of Fame QB, Terry Bradshaw, said this: “You can take shots at Tim, but when you go messing with God, that’s a different story. Suggs is obviously an idiot; he has no clue what he’s talking about. He better be careful; if I were him I’d be on my hands and knees tonight asking for forgiveness because that’s totally unacceptable." I've always admired Terry Bradshaw, but that day his stock rose tremendously in my book.
Here we are just a few weeks later as the Baltimore Ravens are battling for their chance to go to the Super Bowl. The Ravens have a chance to take the lead and sure-handed Lee Evans drops a ball that was already nestled in his arms for a touchdown. Then the Ravens are down by only 3 and a simple chip shot field goal will tie their chance to stay alive. A very consistent kicker pulls the kick! This isn't the Ravens team we are used to seeing.
Funny, as these mishaps occur, I've got the movie "Angels in the Outfield" playing in my head. Strange and unusual things are happening in this game. The tape rewinds and you can almost hear Terrell Suggs saying, "We can do this on our own... we don't need God on our sidelines." I wonder if after the game, he wishes he would have kept his mouth shut, because... they COULDN'T DO IT ON THEIR OWN!
As the entire Ravens team now sits at home "watching" the Super Bowl, I wonder how many of them will hear Suggs' comment about God playing back in their head and remember such things as "...God is not mocked...," "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," and "Don't tempt the Lord thy God..." Could it be that through a strange series of events surrounding Tim Tebow and Terrell Suggs, that a renewed interest in spiritual things may cause some to turn to Christ?
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Another Pro-Life Pregnancy Care Center Opens
Today was an exciting day for Dillon and for the Carolina Family Planning Centers, as another CFPC affiliate had its official ribbon cutting ceremony. The Hope House is located across the street from First Baptist Church in Dillon and has been beautifully decorated, furnished, and well equipped primarily through donations and contributions. More than 100 people showed up for the grand opening! I was honored to be the keynote speaker and convey the vision of CFPC to plant pregnancy care centers in local communities across the Carolina's. In addition, Board members and City officials also offered comments.
The vision of the Carolina Family Planning Centers is to partner with local churches and Free Medical Clinics to offer crisis intervention and assistance to women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. The women are counseled, encouraged, and informed about alternatives to abortion. The centers are based on loving people as God loves them, not judgmentalism.
For more information about the Carolina Family Planning Centers, visit their website at www.carolinafamilyplanning.org. CFPC is always in need of financial support, prayer support, and volunteer support!
The vision of the Carolina Family Planning Centers is to partner with local churches and Free Medical Clinics to offer crisis intervention and assistance to women who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy. The women are counseled, encouraged, and informed about alternatives to abortion. The centers are based on loving people as God loves them, not judgmentalism.
For more information about the Carolina Family Planning Centers, visit their website at www.carolinafamilyplanning.org. CFPC is always in need of financial support, prayer support, and volunteer support!
Emmanuel Christian School Enrolling NOW
This week, Emmanuel Christian School opened our pre-enrollment for 2012-13 to current students and EBC members. In just 4 days, we received over 190 applications! One class already has a waiting list and others are getting close. Don't wait, as seats are genuinely limited! Visit http://www.ecscrusaders.com/ for more information. Enrollment opens to the public on Feb. 1.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Vision Sunday 2012 - Giving Away the Ministry!
Last Sunday was our annual Vision Sunday. Each year, I set aside a Sunday in January to challenge the church regarding the things God would have us to do throughout the upcoming year. This year was a little different. While in other years we have talked about doing things, this year we talked about becoming the people that God wants us to be. We talked about becoming fully devoted followers, who are passionately pursuing Christ and training others to serve Him.
At EBC, we are very good at programs and events. I know we are good, because others in our area have and continue to try to replicate what we are doing. I remember one man several years ago at a Chamber meeting stating, "I'm so tired of hearing about 'how Emmanuel does it' in our church Board meetings." Another lady, who is not even affiliated with EBC said, "What Emmanuel has done has been so effective that another church in town trying to do the same things, but without the same success." Just this week, a pastor from another city told me, "We want to be in our city what Emmanuel is in Hartsville." I was humbled by these statements, but also proud to hear others acknowledging that our people do "things" well.
This year, we don't want to focus on the things. Instead, we want to focus on developing leaders and training others to do ministry. One of my goals this year is to give away the ministry. I confessed to our members that I've allowed myself to be drawn into the "stuff" that keeps pastors busy, but also keeps the prayer time and pulpit from being strong. You'll remember the disciples felt the same pull in Mark 6 and it led to the selection of deacons. The disciples appointed the Deacons to take care of the tasks assigned them, so the disciples could focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word. Our goal at EBC this year is to recruit a lay-leader and a team of volunteers for every ministry in our church! Those teams will meet monthly to plan, prepare, and pray for the ministry God has given them.
On Sunday night, we met with our ministry leaders to continue our vision discussion and strategy to accomplish it. People seemed very excited and one lady shouted out, "He finally got it." Yes... I finally got it. I realized that I can't do it all myself. Our church is growing, my opportunities and circle of influence are increasing, and I either have to release some things or our ministry will be stifled. To steal a quote from the corporate world, "I can't work on the business, while I'm working in the business." This same thing rings true for each of our pastors, so our goal this year is to "give away the ministry" by equipping the saints. Funny, it sounds similar to what Jethro told Moses, Paul told the Ephesians, etc. Maybe I really finally got it, and if so... God is getting ready to do some really BIG things!
At EBC, we are very good at programs and events. I know we are good, because others in our area have and continue to try to replicate what we are doing. I remember one man several years ago at a Chamber meeting stating, "I'm so tired of hearing about 'how Emmanuel does it' in our church Board meetings." Another lady, who is not even affiliated with EBC said, "What Emmanuel has done has been so effective that another church in town trying to do the same things, but without the same success." Just this week, a pastor from another city told me, "We want to be in our city what Emmanuel is in Hartsville." I was humbled by these statements, but also proud to hear others acknowledging that our people do "things" well.
This year, we don't want to focus on the things. Instead, we want to focus on developing leaders and training others to do ministry. One of my goals this year is to give away the ministry. I confessed to our members that I've allowed myself to be drawn into the "stuff" that keeps pastors busy, but also keeps the prayer time and pulpit from being strong. You'll remember the disciples felt the same pull in Mark 6 and it led to the selection of deacons. The disciples appointed the Deacons to take care of the tasks assigned them, so the disciples could focus on prayer and the ministry of the Word. Our goal at EBC this year is to recruit a lay-leader and a team of volunteers for every ministry in our church! Those teams will meet monthly to plan, prepare, and pray for the ministry God has given them.
On Sunday night, we met with our ministry leaders to continue our vision discussion and strategy to accomplish it. People seemed very excited and one lady shouted out, "He finally got it." Yes... I finally got it. I realized that I can't do it all myself. Our church is growing, my opportunities and circle of influence are increasing, and I either have to release some things or our ministry will be stifled. To steal a quote from the corporate world, "I can't work on the business, while I'm working in the business." This same thing rings true for each of our pastors, so our goal this year is to "give away the ministry" by equipping the saints. Funny, it sounds similar to what Jethro told Moses, Paul told the Ephesians, etc. Maybe I really finally got it, and if so... God is getting ready to do some really BIG things!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Great start to a 2012
God is already blessing EBC in 2012. Since January 1, we have seen 1 saved in our services, 1 saved in AWANA, 1 saved in our Christian School, 3 baptized, 7 new members, a strong Sunday attendance, and a good reception to our new Sunday night format. It's good to see people making spiritual resolutions and engaging in ministry!
Dr. Ron Long with Luther Rice University and Seminary was our guest on January 8. He preached about things in the church that he never thought he would live to see. It all boiled down to a numbers driven mentality and the void of true spirituality even among church leaders. He challenged us to be real, to be committed, and to be faithful. That evening, he spoke to our men and gave a missional challenge to be an inclusive church. He warned against racial prejudice and religious prejudice; encouraging our men not to draw lines based on skin color or denominational tags. Dr. Long has a heart for missions and has been instrumental in training national pastors around the world.
Dr. Ron Long has been a dear friend and one of the men whose counsel led to our acceptance of the call to become the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church. For more information about Luther Rice University and Seminary, visit www.lru.edu.
Dr. Ron Long with Luther Rice University and Seminary was our guest on January 8. He preached about things in the church that he never thought he would live to see. It all boiled down to a numbers driven mentality and the void of true spirituality even among church leaders. He challenged us to be real, to be committed, and to be faithful. That evening, he spoke to our men and gave a missional challenge to be an inclusive church. He warned against racial prejudice and religious prejudice; encouraging our men not to draw lines based on skin color or denominational tags. Dr. Long has a heart for missions and has been instrumental in training national pastors around the world.
Dr. Ron Long has been a dear friend and one of the men whose counsel led to our acceptance of the call to become the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church. For more information about Luther Rice University and Seminary, visit www.lru.edu.
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Sports fans can teach the Church about unity
My wife and I ate at Longhorn's in Florence last night, along with 5-6 other families from Hartsville that we saw there. During our meal, a man at the table next to us yelled out "Hey Buddy" as he waved his hat in the air and pointed. He was pointing to the Green Bay Packer logo on his hat and yelling to another man wearing a Packer's hat. They waved, gave each other the thumbs-up, and smiled.
After my initial response of that was REALLY rude to yell out like that in a restaurant, I was enamoured with the unity that being on a team brings. These two men didn't even know each other, but pulling for the same team got them excited. Carolina fans celebrated together and Clemson fans had a joint time of mourning following their recent Bowl games. My fellow Dolphans and "U" fans have grieved together for quite some time, but we still faithfully follow. In fact, I remember meeting my first Dolphan in Hartsville, SC. As the new pastor at EBC, I was invited to the Williamson' home for fish stew (a new experience). As I walked in, I saw a man wearing a Miami Dolphin jacket. Well... I immediately went over and introduced myself and had an instant bond with Jim Irby! How about that... a Dolphin fan in Hartsville!
As my wife and I discussed the Packer fan's elated outburst last night, it dawned on me that those on the same team should be pulling together and enjoying a sense of unity. So, why is it that those on God's team focus on their differences and try to divide the team? Could it be that the Church of Jesus Christ could learn a lesson from the fans of various sports and teams? Shouldn't our loyalty to our Savior cause us to put our differences aside and pull together? I truly believe it should.
I look forward to the day that someone yells out in a restaurant, "Hey Buddy" and points to a cross on his hat. Wouldn't it be something if several people immediately jumped up, waved at each other, gave a thumbs-up, and smiled! Hey... maybe we could practice such a response at church tomorrow.
After my initial response of that was REALLY rude to yell out like that in a restaurant, I was enamoured with the unity that being on a team brings. These two men didn't even know each other, but pulling for the same team got them excited. Carolina fans celebrated together and Clemson fans had a joint time of mourning following their recent Bowl games. My fellow Dolphans and "U" fans have grieved together for quite some time, but we still faithfully follow. In fact, I remember meeting my first Dolphan in Hartsville, SC. As the new pastor at EBC, I was invited to the Williamson' home for fish stew (a new experience). As I walked in, I saw a man wearing a Miami Dolphin jacket. Well... I immediately went over and introduced myself and had an instant bond with Jim Irby! How about that... a Dolphin fan in Hartsville!
As my wife and I discussed the Packer fan's elated outburst last night, it dawned on me that those on the same team should be pulling together and enjoying a sense of unity. So, why is it that those on God's team focus on their differences and try to divide the team? Could it be that the Church of Jesus Christ could learn a lesson from the fans of various sports and teams? Shouldn't our loyalty to our Savior cause us to put our differences aside and pull together? I truly believe it should.
I look forward to the day that someone yells out in a restaurant, "Hey Buddy" and points to a cross on his hat. Wouldn't it be something if several people immediately jumped up, waved at each other, gave a thumbs-up, and smiled! Hey... maybe we could practice such a response at church tomorrow.
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