A New Commandment

Jesus said: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35 ESV). I preached from this passage this past Sunday, July 5. (Click here to listen.) I encouraged everyone to focus on one point of the message each day for five days. Here are the questions for personal evaluation that I gave.

Day 1 -- Do I really consider loving my brothers and sisters in Christ to be a command? How am I doing at obeying the command?

Day 2 -- Am I trying to love in my own strength, or am I allowing the Holy Spirit to fuel my love? Do I love as Jesus loves - unconditionally, sacrificially, without limits, inexhaustibly?

Day 3 -- Do I consistently possess attitudes and undertake actions that promote good for others?

Day 4 -- Are there any Christians that I don't love for any reason? Are there exceptions in my love for others?

Day 5 -- Does a watching world know that I am Jesus' disciple because of the way I love my fellow Christians?

Jesus said, If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:17 ESV).

Key Aspects of God-honoring Service

John 13 contains the account of Jesus washing His disciples' feet at the Last Supper. This past Sunday (June 28) I preached from this passage. We talked about six key aspects of God-honoring service. Toward the close of the message, I encouraged everyone to focus on one aspect each day for six days. Following are the key aspects we discussed from John 13:1-17 and some questions for personal evaluation.

Day 1 -- The motivation for service is love. (vs. 1) Ask: Is love really the motivation for my service (as opposed to guilt, selfish gain, sense of duty, pride, etc.)?

Day 2 -- Our model for service is Jesus. (vs. 3-5) Ask: Do I serve as Jesus did -- selflessly; humbly? Is any type of service beneath me?

Day 3 -- A prerequisite for service is humility. (vs. 5) Ask: Do I possess genuine, Christ-like humility? Do I truly put others ahead of myself?

Day 4 -- The scope of service includes every person. (vs. 2a, 11a) Ask: Is there anyone I refuse to serve for any reason? If so, what do I need to do to correct that?

Day 5 -- Jesus' command to serve is clear. (vs. 14-15) Ask: Do I understand and accept that service is not optional if I am to be obedient to Christ?

Day 6 -- The reward for service is blessing. (vs. 17) Ask: Does serving really make me happy? (It should.) Am I rejoicing in the blessings of service?

We are often tempted to make excuses for our lack of service. We need to remember that in reality we are offering our excuses to the Lord. When we imagine standing before Him and offering our excuses, we quickly realize how lame all those excuses are.

Where will you serve through the Lord's church this coming year? Jesus said, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." (John 13:17 ESV).

Strategic Service

Speaking of Himself, Jesus said: "...the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45 ESV). Think about it. If the King of glory, the Creator of the universe, came to this earth in the flesh in order to serve, what does that say to those of us who are His followers? It certainly tells us that we should be in the business of serving as well, doesn't it? And serving not only randomly and/or as opportunities arise, but also serving intentionally on an ongoing basis.

This coming Sunday (June 28) marks the beginning of an emphasis on Strategic Service in Petal FBC. Over the next several weeks, EVERY person who calls Petal FBC their church home will be encouraged to commit to serve on a Strategic Service Team for the next year (August '09 - July '10). What are Strategic Service Teams? Pretty much just what the name says -- they are teams of people who serve in specific ways to help us accomplish our strategy for making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Click here to find a copy of a Strategic Service Selection Form. We're asking you to prayerfully commit to serve on one of these teams from August of this year through July of next year. Specifically, we want EVERYONE (9th grade age and older who is physically able) to serve on a Sunday morning service team. Then, as you feel led, you may want to serve on other teams as well. If you're already serving and want to continue in your service area, we ask that you fill out a selection form to let us know of your desire to continue to serve in that area.

Our goal as Jesus' disciples is to be like Him; and so because Jesus focused on serving others, so should we. Where will you serve during the coming year?

New York Partnership

I want to update you on what is going on with our partnership with the Frontier Baptist Association in western New York state. (Sorry it has been so long since my last post.) In mid-April, two others from Mississippi and I enjoyed a great trip to the Buffalo area. We met some wonderful people including Mike Flannery and his wife Beverly. They were awesome hosts. Mike is the missions director for Frontier Association. The pastors and the people in the churches there obviously love Jesus, but the work is hard and the laborers are few. They are sowing the seed of the gospel on some hard soil. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in western New York. Pray that they will be encouraged and that God will continue to use them in mighty ways.

This past week I had the privilege to meet with Mike and Bev at the Baptist Building in Jackson. (They were in Jackson for Mike's re-appointment as a North American Mission Board missionary. Accompanying them on the trip was Bill Smith, a pastor from the Buffalo area.) During our meeting I felt led to commit Petal FBC to help in any way God leads with new church plants in their area of New York state. We're not sure what kind of help we may be able to provide or when, but we want to be available, again as God leads and provides.

I am extremely excited about how God may use us in this area of the world. I ask that you be in prayer as to how the Lord may involve you in this endeavor. Jesus said, "...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8 ESV). May we be faithful witnesses in Petal, in Mississippi, in Dallas, Texas, in upstate New York, in Southeast Asia, and everywhere in between.

Leavin' On a Jet Plane

On my blog post dated March 9, 2009, I talked about a trip to western New York state to investigate potential connections/partnerships with churches and/or church plants that are affiliated with the Frontier Baptist Association. Well, the time for the trip has finally arrived. I leave today with two others from Mississippi. We will fly into Buffalo and be in the surrounding area through Monday. We will attend the mid-year meeting of the Frontier Association on Saturday. On Sunday we will be speaking/preaching in various churches. I will be preaching at the First Baptist Church of Silver Creek, New York. Silver Creek is on the shore of Lake Erie, about a forty-five minute drive southwest of Buffalo. We will also spend time getting a "feel" for the area and possibly meeting with other church and association leaders.

Please be in prayer for several things related to this trip. Pray that we will be sensitive and attentive to God's leading related to connections with the New York churches. Pray that we will have God's anointing as we speak and preach over the weekend. Pray for our safety as we travel and for the safety of our loved ones while we are away. Pray for Rocky as he preaches at Petal FBC in my absence.

"Let's Do Lunch" Update

We have a date for our first First Sunday Lunch. On Sunday, May 3, our plans are to have lunch immediately following the 10:30 AM worship service. We want you to stay and eat with us. The meal won't be elaborate, but it will be better than cooking and cleaning up. There will be a cost involved and our lunch service team is in the process of figuring out all those kinds of details. We also need you to make a reservation so we will make sure everyone has food. There are several ways to reserve your spot(s). You can use a Communication Card from your Sunday bulletin and drop it in the offering basket at the close of the worship service. You can call the church office at 601.545.3198. You can email us at petalfbc@megagate.com. You can register online at our website www.petalfbc.com. There is a link on the home page. The deadline for reservations is noon on Wednesday, April 29.

Please join us for a good time of visiting with old friends and making new friends. I look forward to us doing lunch on May 3.

Let's Do Lunch

Lots of things get done "over lunch" these days. Boards of directors have their meetings over lunch. Business plans are conceived and even finalized over lunch. Old friends get together and catch up on the latest over lunch. Students get together to study for exams over lunch. People have to eat and most enjoy eating, so why not accomplish other worthwhile things over lunch? Besides, here in the South especially, eating together is a way of life!

If all these kinds of things can be accomplished over lunch, then why can't the church accomplish some its purpose over lunch? The answer is, no reason at all. In some of our discussions with folks in our church, we have talked about the need for people to be able to make connections with one another. After all, most of church life involves making and cultivating significant relationships -- first with God, and then with each other. The ultimate vehicle for connections to be made is through small groups. That being said, there seems to be the need for a sort of intermediate step. A way for people to begin to get to know some other people in a non-threatening, low-initial-commitment sort of way. What better way to do that than over lunch?!

Thus you have the birth of an idea: Sunday connection lunches (formal, catchy, fancy name to be developed later). The idea would be for people to stick around after the Sunday morning service (on a periodic basis) and do lunch together. We are already here and we have to eat somewhere. Why not use that time for ministry? (You have to admit, eating is pretty easy ministry.) Of course it would be a time to enjoy the company of friends we know well. It would also be a time to get a little bit out of our comfort zone in order to connect with some folks we may not know quite as well. I think in doing so we accomplish at least two things: 1) We help incorporate those who are newer to Petal FBC into the life of the church; and 2) we help strengthen the bond of fellowship with those we already know.

A few things will be required. We will need people who are willing to eat. (Probably not a big problem.) We will need people who are willing to serve. (If this gets off the ground, we will need a new Strategic Service Team for setup, serving, cleanup, etc.) We will need people who are willing to connect. (People who are willing to get to know some new people.)

Let us know what you think and any ideas you may have. You can comment here (no anonymous comments please), or you can email me at jspiller@megagate.com.

Is the Southern Baptist Convention dying?

I encourage you to click here to read a blog post by Michael Spencer entitled "Avoiding Death by Nostalgia: My Denomination (the SBC) Today." You obviously don't have to agree with everything that is put forth, but it is an important (and alarming) read for those of us long time Southern Baptists who would like to see the Convention thrive for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.

Sharing the Gospel

Every Christ-follower should be able to very simply tell another person how they can become a Christian. Articulating the gospel cannot be limited to preacher types and/or those with a theological education. We are all called to be salt and light, which includes being able to share God's plan of salvation when the Holy Spirit provides an opportunity.

There are many different ways to share the good news of Jesus, but whatever way you choose it should be true to Scripture (otherwise it's not the gospel, right) and not come across as rote and rehearsed. While getting the message out is urgent, we want to share it in a natural and relaxed manner.

One simple way is to use John 3:16. You probably already know it by heart and it needs little explanation. Let's break it down.

For God so loved the world... You're a part of the world, so that means God loves YOU -- He really does! He is not sitting up there just waiting to zap you. If that was His plan, He would have taken you out long ago.

...that He gave His only Son... The Bible makes it clear that all have sinned. The very best person you know has sinned. God sent Jesus, His only Son, to die for your sin. God is perfectly just so every sin has to be paid for. We either pay for it ourselves, or we allow Jesus to take our punishment for us.

...that whoever believes in Him should not perish... To believe in Jesus means to trust in Him. We turn over our lives to Him and allow Him to call all the shots. When we do that, we will not perish, which means we will not die eternally and we will not spend eternity in hell.

...but have eternal life. From the moment we trust Jesus, God comes to live inside us. He gives us what we need to live this life the very best it can be lived, and when this life is over we go to spend eternity with God in heaven.

To trust Christ you simply repent of your sin (which means to turn you back on your old way of living only for self) and put the full weight of your existence on Jesus Christ.

There's no doubt that you can do what I just did. You certainly don't have to use the exact explanations that I used. Remember, we don't save anyone. It's not our power of persuasion that will drag people over the line of faith. Salvation is of God. We are just the mouthpiece. The most important thing for us to do is to be faithful to Scripture and to genuinely love the person we're sharing with. God takes care of the rest.

When God's words flow through His people expressing His love, miracles happen! According to God's sovereignty, people who are dead in sin are made alive in Christ!

Keeping the Gospel Great

Do you ever get tired of hearing the gospel? Does its impact on your life ever grow stale? I hope not. Click here to read a reminder by John Piper regarding keeping the gospel in its rightful place in our lives.

Church Strategy

The mission of the church is the same for every local church. Jesus said that we are to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We call it the Great Commission. The strategy of a local church is how it goes about accomplishing the mission. While it should always be biblical, the strategy of each church will be at least somewhat unique.

I will be so bold as to say that, whatever the strategy is for your church, you need to know and be able and willing to communicate it to others. At Petal FBC we attempt to keep our strategy as simple as possible. We intentionally have very few programs. We want the path to be very clear. If you will remember just a few key words you will be able to talk about our strategy with ease. We think it's pretty logical.

First, there are two basic aspects of church life. We call these the church gathered and the church scattered. The church is people -- not a building, not an institution, etc. There are times when we gather together as a church and times (most of the time in fact) when we are scattered out going about our lives. We have a strategy for making disciples in both venues.

As a church gathered, we talk about worship, grow, and serve. We want to worship God. We want to grow spiritually. And we want to serve God by serving others. We have worship services on Sunday to worship the Lord together. We connect with others in small groups in order to help one another grow spiritually. (We call it "doing life together.") And we have Strategic Service Teams through which we serve one another and others on a weekly basis. Very simple.

As a church scattered, we want to be salt and light. Jesus said that His followers are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13, 14). Among their many characteristics, salt and light are both huge difference makers. So as Christ-followers, we want to make a HUGE difference for Christ wherever we find ourselves.

So if you can remember five key words (and of course you can), then you can remember what they connect to: worship -> worship services; grow -> small groups; serve -> service teams; salt and light -> difference makers. Very easy. Very simple.

Of course the point of all this is not just to come up with some words that will be easy to remember. The goal is to have increasing numbers of people actively engaged in the process of worshiping, growing, serving, and being salt and light. But the better we know the process and are able to articulate it, the more likely we will be involved.

So let's do a little self-evaluation. Let's each ask, "Am I actively engaged in my church's strategy? Am I growing in each of these areas and doing all I can to influence others to do the same?"

And the next time someone asks you a question like, "What is your church all about?" you'll have a great answer!

Witnesses...to the End of the Earth

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8 ESV)

In my last post I wrote about a potential partnership between Petal FBC and churches or new church plants in western New York state. As many of you already know, our student ministry has entered into a partnership with an area of God's work in Southeast Asia. Our goal is to be engaged in church planting efforts around the world, both close to home and far -- in our state, in North America, and overseas. We believe that is the pattern demonstrated in the New Testament. In other words, we want to be an Acts 1:8 church.

Occasionally I will hear of someone saying something like this: "Well, I believe in missions, but there are a lot of lost people right here at home. I think we need to put our focus and energies here before we try to go to the other side of the world." What we need to understand is this: taking the gospel to those here at home and to those on the other side of the world is not "either-or" -- it is "both-and." We are to be continually proclaiming Jesus "to the end of the earth." We are to make disciples of all the nations. Should we have a burning desire for people in our own community to know Jesus? Absolutely! Should we do all we can to make Jesus famous around the globe? Without question!

Wherever people live, whatever language they speak, whatever the color of their skin, people need the Lord. Let's get busy being witnesses -- to the end of the earth!

Potential Partnership Update

Back in February I wrote about the possibility of traveling to western New York state in April to investigate possible partnerships with churches and/or new church plants in the area. It now looks as if that trip is going to happen. I'll be traveling with three others: Paul Harrell, a consultant with the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board; Danny Avery, pastor of Brooksville Baptist Church and Associational Missions Director for Noxubee Association; and Johnny Sykes, Associational Missions Director for Simpson Association. We will attend a meeting of the Frontier Baptist Association on Saturday, April 18 and most likely speak in churches on Sunday, April 19. Through the entire weekend we will be visiting with the missions director of the Frontier Baptist Association regarding possible partnerships. Please pray that I will be especially sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading as to God's will for Petal FBC's involvement in this area of the world. Also pray for the other three men and our safety and the safety of our families while we are away.

Need or Want?

Would you agree that in the culture in which we live here in the US, even Christ followers have a difficult time discerning genuine needs? What I mean by that is we confuse "needs" with "wants." Not to pick on any one area, but just to mention a few examples: Do we really need cable television? I mean, really? Do we need a closet (or two or three) full of clothes, most of which we never wear? Do we need two or three or four thousand square foot houses? Do we need plush, high tech church buildings? Do we need all the food we eat? (In my case, the thirty extra pounds I carry around would have to answer "no".) Do we need newer and fancier vehicles? Do we need smart phones, or even cell phones for that matter? Of course the list could go on. Again, I'm not trying to pick on any one thing. I think I possess or desire to possess all of the above.

The normal disclaimer and/or protest at this time would be to say, "Now, of course, there really isn't anything wrong with having these things." Well, maybe not. But maybe so. Maybe possessing these kinds of things is wrong if we are neglecting to help meet the needs of those around us, especially the needs of fellow Christians. James 2:15-16 (ESV) says: If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

Acts 2:44-45 (ESV) describes life in the early church: And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. This was not communism. But it does show that these first Christians were willing to do whatever they needed to do to meet the needs of those who did not have the basic necessities of life. They held their possessions loosely. If they needed to sell them, they were willing, and I dare say, even glad to do so. Should these folks not be a model for us?

I wonder if too many of us Jesus followers who even believe in tithing think that the other 90% is for us to spend on ourselves in any way we choose. I wonder if some of us should purpose to live on half what we are living on now and use the other half in service to the Kingdom.

I don't mean to imply that it's wrong to go past our needs to possess any of our wants. But where do we cross the line of simple living to excess? God must be trying to get my attention here. What about you? What do you think?

The Next Step

In this life we will never reach maximum spiritual maturity. We will never reach 100% Christ-likeness. But that is our goal. That means that a key aspect of the Christian life is growth -- growing in Christ-likeness; becoming more and more like Jesus in how we think and in how we act.

Growth involves a series of next steps. In order to grow, through the power of the Holy Spirit we must take the next step. Then we take the next step and the next and on and on. So growth continues. So here is a question we need to ask often: What next step(s) do I need to take?

In my prayer life, what is the next step to grow deeper and closer to the Lord in prayer? In Bible study, what is the next step to gain more knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures? In service, what is the next step to serving more selflessly and more effectively? In witnessing, what is the next step to more consistently sharing the gospel with those who are missing Jesus? In worship, what is the next step to more thoroughly demonstrating praise and thanksgiving to God? In loving others, what is the next step to more purely expressing God's grace and mercy?

In every area of the Christian life, what is the next step I need to take? With God's help and the encouragement of one another, let's determine to take that step!

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church: Summary

Quote from the 9Marks website: In identifying and promoting these nine marks, we are not intending to lay down an exhaustive or authoritative list. There are other significant marks of healthy churches, like prayer and fellowship. We want to pursue those ourselves as well, and we want you to pursue them with us. But these nine are the ones we think are most neglected in most local churches today, with the most damaging ramifications. Join us in cultivating churches that reflect the character of God.

For further discussion click here to go to the 9Marks website. Let us hear your comments.

Mark #9 of a Healthy Church: Biblical Understanding of Leadership

What eighteenth-century Baptists and Presbyterians often agreed upon was that there should be a plurality of elders in each local church. This plurality of elders is not only biblical, but practical — it has the immense benefit of rounding out the pastor’s gifts to ensure the proper shepherding of God’s church.

For a discussion of this topic click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Mark #8 of a Healthy Church: Promotion of Christian Discipleship and Growth

A pervasive concern with church growth exists today – not simply with growing numbers, but with growing members. Though many Christians measure other things, the only certain observable sign of growth is a life of increasing holiness, rooted in Christian self-denial. These concepts are nearly extinct in the modern church. Recovering true discipleship for today would build the church and promote a clearer witness to the world.

For a discussion of this topic click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Mark #7 of a Healthy Church: Biblical Church Discipline

Church discipline gives parameters to church membership. The idea seems negative to people today – “didn’t our Lord forbid judging?” But if we cannot say how a Christian should not live, how can we say how he or she should live? Each local church actually has a biblical responsibility to judge the life and teaching of its leaders, and even of its members, particularly insofar as either could compromise the church’s witness to the gospel.

For a discussion of Biblical Church Discipline click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Mark #6 of a Healthy Church: Biblical Understanding of Membership

Membership should reflect a living commitment to a local church in attendance, giving, prayer and service; otherwise it is meaningless, worthless, and even dangerous. We should not allow people to keep their membership in our churches for sentimental reasons or lack of attention. To be a member is knowingly to be traveling together as aliens and strangers in this world as we head to our heavenly home.

For discussion of the Biblical Understanding of Membership click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Mark #5 of a Healthy Church: Biblical Understanding of Evangelism

How someone shares the gospel is closely related to how he understands the gospel. To present it as an additive that gives non-Christians something they naturally want (i.e. joy or peace) is to present a half-truth, which elicits false conversions. The whole truth is that our deepest need is spiritual life, and that new life only comes by repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus. We present the gospel openly, and leave the converting to God.

For discussion of the Biblical Understanding of Evangelism click here to go to the 9Marks website.

God Breaks In to Save

God does what only He can do, when and how He chooses to do it. Many of us were reminded of this awesome reality Sunday morning during our 9 AM worship service. As I was about to begin the third point of my three point sermon I noticed out of the corner of my eye someone coming toward me. As I looked I saw a young man almost to the platform. My voice had been a little scratchy, so the only thing I could think of was that he must be bringing me a cough drop or something of the sort. I wasn't sure what to do so I said something like, "Buddy, what do you need?" What he said let me know immediately this was a holy moment. He said, "I need to ask Jesus into my heart." I guess the Spirit let me know immediately that this was genuine conviction and we just needed to stop the service and welcome this young man into the Kingdom. I invited him up on the platform and he prayed to ask Christ to forgive his sin, save his soul, and be his Lord. The congregation erupted in applause as he returned to his seat.

It was one of the most unusual things that has ever happened in the middle of one of my sermons, but also probably the most awesome moment I have been a part of during one of my sermons. We somehow went on to finish the sermon, but the message had already been preached, and I certainly wasn't the one who preached it.

It was just amazing to experience God breaking into the normal routine to do the supernatural. God spoke to this young man, calling him from spiritual death to eternal life. He simply responded to that call in repentance and faith. God allowed us to be a witness to it.

Father, thank you for reminding us so vividly of Your presence. Thank you for a new soul in the Kingdom. Thank you for breaking into our routine. Please break in as often as You would like. We thank you for doing what only You can do. In Jesus' saving name, amen.

Mark #4 of a Healthy Church: Biblical Understanding of Conversion

The spiritual change each person needs is so radical, so near the root of us, that only God can do it. We need God to convert us. Conversion need not be an emotionally heated experience, but it must evidence itself in godly fruit if it is to be what the Bible regards as a true conversion.

For discussion of a Biblical Understanding of Conversion click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Mark #3 of a Healthy Church: Biblical Understanding of the Good News

The gospel is the heart of Christianity. But the good news is not that God wants to meet people's felt needs or help them develop a healthier self-image. We have sinfully rebelled against our Creator and Judge. Yet He has graciously sent His Son to die the death we deserved for our sin, and He has credited Christ's acquittal to those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. That is the good news.

For discussion of a Biblical Understanding of the Good News click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Mark #2 of a Healthy Church: Biblical Theology

Paul charges Titus to "teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Our concern should be not only with how we are taught, but with what we are taught. Biblical theology is a commitment to know the God of the Bible as He has revealed Himself in Scripture.

For discussion of Biblical Theology click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Mark #1 of a Healthy Church: Expositional Preaching

This is preaching which expounds what Scripture says in a particular passage, carefully explaining its meaning and applying it to the congregation. It is a commitment to hearing God’s Word and to recovering the centrality of it in our worship.

For more about Mark #1 - Expositional Preaching click here to go to the 9Marks website.

Note: You may not agree with everything Pastor Dever says as we go through these nine marks of healthy churches, but it's great food for thought and consideration. This material should cause us to wrestle with what we believe and why.

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church

Mark Dever is the pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. He asks the following questions: Have you ever considered what it means for a church to be healthy? Have you ever thought about how that health is nurtured and sustained? If so, have you reflected on why you answer those questions the way you do? In response to these questions Pastor Dever has written a book entitled Nine Marks of a Healthy Church and developed a ministry called 9Marks. He goes on to say: Contrary to much popular wisdom, we think that God has spoken clearly in the Bible regarding the purpose, leadership, organization, and methods of the local church. So we want to challenge you to join us in reconsidering the clarity of God's Word when it comes to the healthy growth of local congregations. We believe God designed the church to be fundamentally a display of His own glory and wisdom (Eph 3:10). And we think He has deliberately structured that display in the shape of a loving community that illustrates for a watching world the close fellowship of the Trinity and the redemption that He has accomplished for us in Christ Jesus (John 13:34-35).

Pastor Dever describes the purpose of 9Marks this way: Our goal is not simply to point out all the problems with the church; nor do we intend to suggest a fresh approach to "doing church". In fact, there is nothing really new or innovative here at all. Rather, our goal is to point the way back to healthy church life by calling attention to the timeless Biblical priorities, principles, and methods that God has ordained for the maturity of the local church - God’s work, God’s way. Whether you read as a concerned member or as a vocational pastor, we hope that what you discover here is not just a plug-and-play method, but a God-centered mindset.

I certainly want our church to be faithful in doing God's work God's way, don't you? Over the next several days (or blog posts, as a new post may not come everyday) we will take a closer look at the nine characteristics of a healthy church as described by Pastor Dever. Please feel free to read ahead by going to the 9Marks website.

Sunday Night Worship

I would like your input regarding our Sunday night services at First Baptist Petal. (If you are not an attender of FBP, please feel free to comment regarding your feelings about Sunday night worship services.) Here are a few facts in case you don't know. Our PM service is different in content from our AM services. By that I mean the songs we sing and the message that is preached on Sunday nights are different from the music and message on Sunday mornings. (Some churches now have a repeat of Sunday morning on Sunday night.) Year to date, our average attendance on Sunday night has been 34, compared to 227 on Sunday mornings. That means that roughly 15% of our Sunday morning folks show up on Sunday night. (If you'll allow me some commentary, by almost any measurement that's not a good percentage.) Time and effort are put in by the staff in preparing for Sunday night -- it's not just shoot from the hip.

What are your thoughts about this? Do you consistently attend Sunday PM worship? If so, why? If not, why not? If Sunday night is not a part of your usual schedule, are there any changes that if made would cause you to become a Sunday night participant? Is Sunday night pretty much a "dead" time for worship services? Should we designate Sunday nights as a time for small groups and family rather than coming to the church building? Do you think that a Sunday night worship service is the very best use of our time and energy? Would you say that we need to just stay the course as is?

By asking these kinds of questions I do not mean to imply that those who show up on Sunday nights are not important. Of course they (you) are. The staff is not trying to get out of work. We're pretty much wide open either way. We just want what is best and don't want to be blinded by tradition or habit. If Sunday PM worship services are what God wants (which means the very best) then let's carry on full steam ahead!

Again, you input is needed. Let me know what you think.

Loving the World

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1 John 2:15-16 (ESV)

A potentially painful, but critically important question we as Christ-followers need to ask often is, "Do I love the world?" Never before in history has there been so many temptations to worldliness. And because of the bombardment, we are susceptible to falling in love with the world.

You may have heard the song "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns. The words speak of the slippery slope toward love for the world:

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

I fear that we have become desensitized to the lure of the world and the ungodliness around us. Just think for a moment about the entertainment world. Who and what do we invite into our homes via the airwaves? What kind of language is involved? What about immorality and blatant sexuality and extreme violence? It's the world, isn't it? Most of it is certainly not of God.

Sometimes we deceive ourselves by saying things like, "Well, I can watch that stuff and it doesn't affect me." Not true according to Scripture. We need to be very careful about what we "feed" our minds and hearts. We need to "feed" our love for God and "starve" our love for the world. Philippians 4:8 (ESV) should be our guide: 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.

Partnership in the Gospel

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you...because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3, 5 ESV)

In the radically individualistic culture in which we live, we tend to forget that we need each other in order to most effectively take the gospel to the world. Going at the Great Commission alone, either as individual Christ-followers and/or individual churches, will not reach the world, nor is it what God intends. We need to partner together. If the greatest missionary ever, the apostle Paul, needed partners how much more do we!

The Missions Mobilization department of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention, under the direction and leadership of Ken Rhodes, is doing an outstanding job of helping Mississippi Baptist churches partner with churches, associations, and missionaries around the world in taking the glorious good news to the lost. The goal is for churches from our state to partner with at least one work internationally and one nationally.

With Ken's and his staff's help, the youth ministry of First Baptist Petal, led by our Student Pastor Rocky Pugh, has adopted an unreached people group in Southeast Asia and has entered into a partnership with those who are on the field trying to reach them. In April I hope to travel to a meeting of the Frontier Baptist Association in western New York state to investigate partnership possibilities in that part of the U.S.

I strongly encourage you to get involved in missions partnerships. Contact Ken for more information. Also, we invite you and your church, association, and/or group to network with First Baptist Petal in the areas of work we are currently pursuing. Please don't hesitate to contact us about this most important of all endeavors -- taking to the world the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Bible Totin'

I'm not sure if it's a trend or not. I have no scientific data. I haven't taken an official poll. But my "feeling" is (pastors get "feelings" every now and then) too many people do not bring their Bibles when they come to church events. Primarily I'm thinking about worship services. If they do bring them, it seems that too many aren't looking at them during the message time. As I read from the Scriptures I will occasionally look up at the congregation and I see far too many people looking at me and not at their Bible.

There is much to be said for putting your own eyes on the text. For one thing, simply reading along helps you remember. We forget almost all of what we hear. But when we add seeing to hearing our retention gets much better. After all, what is the message about anyway? It's about God's word.

I'm convinced this is not a minor issue. We need to be Bible totin' Christ-followers. Not just for show, but because the Bible is the very word of God. What better companion could you have with you? Get in the habit of carrying your Bible with you, especially to any and all church functions (worship services, committee meetings, small group, fellowships, etc.). I also recommend taking it with you to other places as well (like work). In the least it can be a great conversation starter.

If you're wondering about what translation, I can recommend the English Standard Version (or ESV for short). It's the version that I use to study and preach from. It's very reliable and faithful to the original manuscripts. (Remember that when the Bible was first written down it was not written in King James English.)

We Baptists claim to be "people of the Book." Let's be just that. Let's be Bible totin' folk. And even more importantly, let's be Bible believing and Bible obeying folk.

Delivered!

(God) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

(Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:13-20 (ESV)

The Need for Anchors

We need anchors. Anchors are critically important. A ship without an anchor can not only damage itself, but can do great harm to other things as well.

Our nation needs anchors. We need the anchors of freedom and fundamental faith in God. We also need anchors like our Constitution, interpreted as intended by our Founding Fathers. We need the anchors of capitalism and the free market system. Without these kinds of anchors, we drift. We drift toward moral decay. We drift toward socialism and worse. It seems we're no longer "drifting" in these directions, it's full steam ahead.

Ultimately of much greater importance, we need anchors as human beings. One foundational anchor we need is the Bible, God's holy word. When we get away from the Bible and begin to make decisions based on what we think is best, we're headed for destruction. Proverbs 16:25 (ESV) says, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. God's word is our anchor. It is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. It is truth without any mixture of error. It is God's living and active word, speaking to every situation directly or in principle.

May we keep ourselves bound to the anchor of God's word. Read it. Study it. Live by it.

Why so hard?

Last week I came to a pause in my sermon preparation and began to wonder why things have seemed so hard for me lately. Not that any really "bad" things are going on -- no health problems, family life is good, etc. But the normal day in and day out stuff that I deal with has seemed abnormally hard, unusually difficult. Things like dealing with people, church administration issues, and even basic sermon prep. It just seems like those kinds of things have taken much extra effort and have been frustrating and exhausting.

While contemplating the difficulty of the past several weeks if not months and beginning to get tired just thinking about it, a voice inside me, which I can only attribute to the Holy Spirit, gave me the answer to things seeming so hard. He said, "It's the Enemy." While many or all of you reading this may have already known the source of the problem (you're saying, "Well, duh, of course that's the source!"), I had just missed it. Of course spiritual warfare is real and something that pastors (and everyone else as well) deal with on a daily basis, but it's as if I forgot I was in a war. It took the unmistakable voice of the Lord to remind me. I am so thankful for the Reminder from heaven.

Maybe you are where I am. The pressure from Satan seems especially strong right about now. What do we need to do? Pray, of course. And make a conscious effort to daily put on our spiritual armor. Here's what the Scripture tells us:

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...

Entering an Unknown Realm

Wow! Never thought I would be out in the blogosphere. Hopefully this venture will be in some way helpful, thought provoking, uplifting, challenging, or even at times entertaining. (Not that I have the ability to say anything that would produce any of those things in readers.) The ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God and point to the Savior who saved me through His marvelous grace. May I be ever decreasing and Christ ever increasing!