Well another super-church is falling on hard times following the retirement of their pastor. The pastor of FBC Daytona Beach, FL has resigned due to severe criticism of the "changes" he's made at the church since the retirement of Bobby Welch. For more go to the following link:
http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/6925.article
I've wondered what would happened to the super-churches after the founding or long-time charismatic pastor resigned, retired, or died. It is awfully hard after they're gone. There will be other carcasses in the road before it is over, I'm afraid.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Factions
I was shocked to learn this week that over 3,000 churches, both Protestant and Catholic, close each year. That's roughly 60 per week. While many close because the community around them has dwindled to nothing, there may be one factor that has helped close the doors than any other: factions. I believe factionalism is the great church killer.
Paul dealt with many issues troubling the church at Corinth, but the one that took up the most space gets to the heart of their problem of the great church killer. The church was divided between the great personalities of Paul, Cephas [Peter], Apollos, and even Jesus. It was factionalism that was at the heart of the other problems within the congregation, and the one that was potentially the most fatal.
Why is there factionalism in the church? Paul knew. Factionalism occurs when the church misunderstands the gospel, misunderstands ministry, and is plain ol' prideful.
What was Paul's prescription? It was the cross. If you read chapters 1-4 of 1 Corinthians, you are immediately struck by the emphasis upon the cross. For Paul it was simple--when a congregation's focus was upon the cross, there would be no room for factions. It is the cross that unifies a congregation. It is the cross that brings together so many personalities and backgrounds under one great purpose.
Simple isn't it? In a day when churches and denominations are divided, my prescription is the same as Paul's--focus upon the cross. Glory only in the cross. Preach only the cross. Let the cross of Christ be the rallying point and God will bind us together with one mind and one soul.
Paul dealt with many issues troubling the church at Corinth, but the one that took up the most space gets to the heart of their problem of the great church killer. The church was divided between the great personalities of Paul, Cephas [Peter], Apollos, and even Jesus. It was factionalism that was at the heart of the other problems within the congregation, and the one that was potentially the most fatal.
Why is there factionalism in the church? Paul knew. Factionalism occurs when the church misunderstands the gospel, misunderstands ministry, and is plain ol' prideful.
What was Paul's prescription? It was the cross. If you read chapters 1-4 of 1 Corinthians, you are immediately struck by the emphasis upon the cross. For Paul it was simple--when a congregation's focus was upon the cross, there would be no room for factions. It is the cross that unifies a congregation. It is the cross that brings together so many personalities and backgrounds under one great purpose.
Simple isn't it? In a day when churches and denominations are divided, my prescription is the same as Paul's--focus upon the cross. Glory only in the cross. Preach only the cross. Let the cross of Christ be the rallying point and God will bind us together with one mind and one soul.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Good One
This was given to me the other day by one of my cohorts in crime--Dr. Charlie Bass.
After having dug to a depth of 1000 meters last year, Scottish scientists found traces of cooper wire dating back 1000 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 1000 years ago.
Not to be outdone by the Scots, in the weeks that followed, English scientists dug to a depth of 2000 meters and shortly after headlines in the UK read: "English archaeologists have found traces of 2000 year old cooper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a thousand years earlier than the Scots."
One week later, Texas newspapers reported the following:
"After digging as deep as 5000 meters in West Texas, scientists have found absolutely nothing. They have therefore concluded that 5000 years ago Texas inhabitants were already using wireless technology."
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!
After having dug to a depth of 1000 meters last year, Scottish scientists found traces of cooper wire dating back 1000 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 1000 years ago.
Not to be outdone by the Scots, in the weeks that followed, English scientists dug to a depth of 2000 meters and shortly after headlines in the UK read: "English archaeologists have found traces of 2000 year old cooper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a thousand years earlier than the Scots."
One week later, Texas newspapers reported the following:
"After digging as deep as 5000 meters in West Texas, scientists have found absolutely nothing. They have therefore concluded that 5000 years ago Texas inhabitants were already using wireless technology."
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Family Pic
I thought I'd show you how short I've become. This pic was taken on Christmas Eve at my grandmother's home in Kennett, MO. Have a great day!
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Mark 5
This past Sunday was my first as interim pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Greer. We had a great day. My message was on Mark 5. If you need a quick outline, here it is:
"Who Is This Man?"
1. He is greater than the devil
2. He is greater than disease
3. He is greater than death
This passage is powerful and gives a great deal of encouragment. Also, don't miss that Mark 5 is an acted parable of salvation. Satan has control over the life of a lost man/woman; the lost person is suffering from the fatal disease of sin, but Christ is greater and can bring salvation to any person.
"Who Is This Man?"
1. He is greater than the devil
2. He is greater than disease
3. He is greater than death
This passage is powerful and gives a great deal of encouragment. Also, don't miss that Mark 5 is an acted parable of salvation. Satan has control over the life of a lost man/woman; the lost person is suffering from the fatal disease of sin, but Christ is greater and can bring salvation to any person.
Mohler
It is good news that Al Mohler is out of intensive care:
http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24730
I pray that Dr. Mohler quicly recovers and gets back into the fray soon!
http://www.bpnews.org/bpnews.asp?ID=24730
I pray that Dr. Mohler quicly recovers and gets back into the fray soon!
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