Can we as an association establish a church planting committee? We have the BSSC, Missionary Committee, and so on, but none of our committees are designed to promote, develop, research, or plan on how to enhance church planting/mission starting in our fellowship. It's 30 years past due and frankly, if we don't do it soon it probably won't ever be done. So now is the time to stir this pot as well.
A Church Planting Committee would not start churches or missions. They would not call pastors or missionaries. They would simply recommend strategies for the churches, missionaries, and church planters on how to plant churches/missions more effectively, taking into consideration the demographical and strategical elements needed in achieving more successful church/mission reproduction. They would help promote a church planting/mission starting vision for the fellowship by challenging our churches with goal setting and vision development.
I have no desire to start this committee, or even to sit on it. Someone would think I have an agenda. But, surely there is someone out there who would take the initiative to start this or at least introduce this much needed committee.
I wonder how long it will take to get this simple process into place and show that our churches are serious about church planting and are willing to at least appoint a committee to study it. With only 9 new churches/missions having been started since last year, I'd say we are in desperate need of something that works.
David
Friday, March 28, 2008
Time to Stir the Pot
Well, I gues it is time to stir things up again. Some may not like me bringing this up again, but here it comes...
The ABA national meeting is nearing and it is time to start thinking about a name change for our association. If we are going to be seen as a serious global player in the world of missions our name needs to reflect it. Our churches and missions around the world don't understand the narrow thinking of our brethren at home. They see our associational work as international/global and wonder why we don't get the bigger picture here at home. A name change would send a positive message to everyone and establish a global vision for the ABA. A name change can be a good thing.
All it will take for us to make the change is to tack on to the end of our present name the word "International". Now, how hard is that? Who could possibly be offended by that? What devious false heresy could we interject into our fellowship by adding "international"?
Let's get a 'grassfire' going with this idea of a name change. Maybe this year it will happen.
David
The ABA national meeting is nearing and it is time to start thinking about a name change for our association. If we are going to be seen as a serious global player in the world of missions our name needs to reflect it. Our churches and missions around the world don't understand the narrow thinking of our brethren at home. They see our associational work as international/global and wonder why we don't get the bigger picture here at home. A name change would send a positive message to everyone and establish a global vision for the ABA. A name change can be a good thing.
All it will take for us to make the change is to tack on to the end of our present name the word "International". Now, how hard is that? Who could possibly be offended by that? What devious false heresy could we interject into our fellowship by adding "international"?
Let's get a 'grassfire' going with this idea of a name change. Maybe this year it will happen.
David
Great Easter/Friend Day
For those of you following up on our Easter/Friend Day, we had an ecstatic day!
(There were over 220 present) mostly unchurched, some lost. There were two saved! Wow, our church was so encouraged and excited about all of our blessings from God. One brother came to me Sunday night and said, "Pastor we need to do this again in a couple of months!"
It's probably not a good idea to do Friend Day but once a year. I've conducted "Friend Days" for over 25 years in three different foreign countries: Canada, USA, and Mongolia. They are always successful. We always get more prospects than we can follow-up on. We always get some to come back.
The purpose of Friend Day is to create an outreach to all of our friends, inviting them for one special day. I invited the Mayor of our city, and he came! It added a lot to our overall service. Everyone participated the best they could. Some folks invited their friends and they didn't come. But that's the way it is sometimes.
This was a real jumpstart for our new church. It really motivated everyone in a positive way.
If you have never tried a Friend Day outreach. What in the world have you been waiting for? It is awesome.
David
(There were over 220 present) mostly unchurched, some lost. There were two saved! Wow, our church was so encouraged and excited about all of our blessings from God. One brother came to me Sunday night and said, "Pastor we need to do this again in a couple of months!"
It's probably not a good idea to do Friend Day but once a year. I've conducted "Friend Days" for over 25 years in three different foreign countries: Canada, USA, and Mongolia. They are always successful. We always get more prospects than we can follow-up on. We always get some to come back.
The purpose of Friend Day is to create an outreach to all of our friends, inviting them for one special day. I invited the Mayor of our city, and he came! It added a lot to our overall service. Everyone participated the best they could. Some folks invited their friends and they didn't come. But that's the way it is sometimes.
This was a real jumpstart for our new church. It really motivated everyone in a positive way.
If you have never tried a Friend Day outreach. What in the world have you been waiting for? It is awesome.
David
Saturday, March 22, 2008
EASTER is a Great Opportunity for Outreach
It's been a whole month since I blogged! I can't believe it.
So much has happened in the last four weeks: we moved from Arlington to West Columbia, just outside of Angleton. We are fairly settled in at this time. I have hit the road running with planning, working, and outreaching!
We are having a "Friend Day" during our Easter Sunday service. We are expecting God to do great things! Looking for over 200 God willing. Our people are fasting and praying for God to save souls and change lives.
I have pasted a quote from Jonathan Falwell that I thought was interesting, please read it:
"Many of those who will gather in these churches will do so out of obligation because it is Easter Sunday -- not because of their profound belief or appreciation for what Christ did on that wonderful day thousands of years ago. In some people’s opinions, this fact is discouraging. Many Christians are saddened that there are those who will show up in our houses of worship on Easter, but will not do so for many months afterwards. They feel as if these occasional attendees should be condemned for their lackadaisical approach to worship of the risen Savior.
As a pastor, I am actually encouraged by the burgeoning attendance in churches on this special day. In my opinion, this is a clear sign that there are still many people in our culture who realize their basic need for a Savior. While they may not give in to that need but a few times a year, they are still recognizing the reality of that need."
It's all about attitude. If we have a negative outlook then we can actually work against what God is trying to do. Praise God for every Easter guest and pray that God will touch them and change their lives, so they will come back. So be ready with a positive message about the most positive thing that has ever happened in the world: Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead!
David
So much has happened in the last four weeks: we moved from Arlington to West Columbia, just outside of Angleton. We are fairly settled in at this time. I have hit the road running with planning, working, and outreaching!
We are having a "Friend Day" during our Easter Sunday service. We are expecting God to do great things! Looking for over 200 God willing. Our people are fasting and praying for God to save souls and change lives.
I have pasted a quote from Jonathan Falwell that I thought was interesting, please read it:
"Many of those who will gather in these churches will do so out of obligation because it is Easter Sunday -- not because of their profound belief or appreciation for what Christ did on that wonderful day thousands of years ago. In some people’s opinions, this fact is discouraging. Many Christians are saddened that there are those who will show up in our houses of worship on Easter, but will not do so for many months afterwards. They feel as if these occasional attendees should be condemned for their lackadaisical approach to worship of the risen Savior.
As a pastor, I am actually encouraged by the burgeoning attendance in churches on this special day. In my opinion, this is a clear sign that there are still many people in our culture who realize their basic need for a Savior. While they may not give in to that need but a few times a year, they are still recognizing the reality of that need."
It's all about attitude. If we have a negative outlook then we can actually work against what God is trying to do. Praise God for every Easter guest and pray that God will touch them and change their lives, so they will come back. So be ready with a positive message about the most positive thing that has ever happened in the world: Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead!
David
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