24th Anniversary Thoughts

Last Sunday we celebrated the twenty-fourth anniversary of the first public worship service of what we would come to know as "Towne View Baptist Church." As with most anniversaries we took time to remember:

• "Hall of Fame" leaders like Monroe Swilley (pastor/baptist leader), Bob Franklin (director of missions), and Bob Eubanks (layman/baptist benefactor)
• generous, supportive churches like First Baptist Church of Marietta and First Baptist Church of Rome
• those who provided leadership and direction through successive moves from the motel to the shopping center to the school, to the trailers, to the building, and now to Lockhart
• God, who above all, has been faithful through all the twists and turns of the journey

In my sermon I sought to make the case that along the way:

• we have been a mission church- the result of another's mission
• we have been a mission-minded church- giving our money so that others could be missionaries
• we have been a mission-supporting church- encouraging and sending members to "do" missions as an expression of their Christian faith
• we now face the challenge of being a "missional church-" creating an environment where members see themselves as missionaries in their communities of work and leisure and where as a church we see all that we do as a part of God's mission for us.

Anniversaries are a time to look back (where have we been?) with gratitude and look forward (where do we go from here?) with hope.

A Moving Experience

"Where did this come from?"
"Oh, that's where that was!"
"Gosh, the kids were young then."
"I hadn't thought about them for a while."
"Why did we keep that?"
"Where are we going to put this?"
"This room looks so much bigger now!"
"Do you remember when..."

These are some of the thoughts I've heard expressed from others- and myself- over the course of our moving the last week or so. It is truly amazing what you can find when you move.  I have a friend who says everyone should move every ten years.  As I settle into my fifth office while pastor at Towne View I'm not so sure!

As book cases were removed, cabinets come down, and carpets pulled-up you can see what the church "was made of." A concrete floor, 2x4 studs, drywall, and steel reveal construction materials- but don't really show "what the church was made of."

It was in the energy of members young and old, the smiles over quick lunch, the laughter generated by well-told stories, the sweat of heavy-lifting, the wistful smiles of memories, the expressions or gratitude for God's faithfulness, the hope-filled glances to the future... this is what our church is "made of."

Confessions of a Pastor

One of my favorite aspects of this calling is the opportunity to plan and lead worship.  Jonnia, Chris, and I approach worship planning with the genuine desire to create a service that will honor God and help people experience God. Many others assist in making this possible- accompanists, choir members, sound and graphics coordinators, ushers, and extended session volunteers- by sharing their gifts and time.

Unfortunately, planning and leading worship can make it difficult for me to actually worship. I am constantly aware of "all the moving parts."  As I scan the crowd I making mental notes of who's present... and who's missing.  My attention is drawn to last minute notes handed in the hallways or distracted by a look of concern on the face of a worshiper.  For me to get "lost in worship" can mean missing my cue!

But, this last week, in a darkened gym on the Third Sunday of Advent, I worshiped. My moment came as we sang a song we don't often sing.  The words of the song were moving, but I've sung them scores of times over the years.  This time it wasn't the words or the music that led me to worship... it was the voices. With each successive stanza I found myself blinking away a tear and my voice faltering as we united our voices with the voices of the ancient church and the prophets of old to sing, "Rejoice!"

It was as if together we sensed the promise of advent, the promise of  joy was ours. No matter the challenges, no matter how great the disappointments, no matter how crazy things seemed, we, as God's people could "rejoice!"  And I worshiped the One we call Emmanuel, Dayspring, Wisdom, and the Desire of nations.

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Best-laid plans

This weekend we welcome Chris Robertson to our staff as our Minister of Students and Outreach.  I am confident that Chris and Katie will quickly feel at home as they share their gifts with us.

In preparing/clearing/cleaning-out his new office I stopped to look at the marker board I had commandeered late last summer.  A quick review reminded me of what was "on my plate" as we entered the fourth quarter of 2011:

• plans for an adult mission trip to New Orleans
• plans for the senior adult trip to Blue Ridge
• notes about our directions for our Site Planning Committee
• sermon plans for the next Sunday and on through advent
• Minister of Music and Minister of Youth search committees
• calendaring for budget development, deacon election, and nominating committee

What was missing from my planning in August 2011? No mention of land sale/ purchase, relocation, building committee, meeting with architect, or transition committee!

God has plans we can't see... or maybe just a wicked sense of humor!

Big News?

Southern Baptists have been in the news again recently.  Nothing new there. Though this time, the SBC was seen in a positive light, maybe that is news in itself!

Rev. Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, has been elected as the first African-American to serve as president of the SBC. For a denomination birthed in the slavery controversy, this is good news.

Sunday, as I looked across our gathering I was reminded of what we sometimes take for granted. Our church family is a grand mosaic of ages, colors, languages, and backgrounds. Those distinctions have not hindered anyone from serving in leadership as ministers, deacons, or ministry leaders--- we even allow men to teach in Vacation Bible School!  

It's nice to be in a church where leadership is gift-based... where men and women; black, white, and brown, younger and older; single or married can lead in worship and serve in ministry. That's not big news around here... but it's Good News!

In Praise of Vacation Bible School

It's a little, no, make that a lot, quiet around the church this afternoon. We have completed four days of Vacation Bible School, are wrapping-up plans for Family Night, and are readying the finishing touches for Friday.  This week I have been reminded again of the importance of VBS.

It is obviously an important week for the 150+ children who have participated.  They've heard Bible stories, built friendships, sang some great songs, experienced the joy of creating, and consumed lots and lots of snacks.  Seeds have been planted that will nourish their souls for a lifetime. My prayers is that their families will encourage this growth in the days ahead.

This has been an important week for our church.  We have stretched our facilities and people resources to their limits.  Each day we have had over 225 children and workers in the building.  I am impressed by workers of all ages who have committed their time and energy to providing a great experience for their students. Along the way they have discovered new gifts... and some new, sore muscles!

It has also been an important week for me.  I have enjoyed my time on the floor with 15 four year-olds- though it is getting a bit more difficult to get up!  I am blessed and fortunate to be called pastor by a church that so generously invests its gifts in service to children and our community.

I remember that many of my earliest memories of church, God, and the Bible were shaped in Vacation Bible School.  In VBS I learned the stories of how God loved people and how that love was expressed through people. For many of us participation in Vacation Bible School is a trip down memory lane... that winds-up on the highway to the future!

Thank God for unanswered prayers

No, I'm not singing country songs this morning!

I am, however, processing last night's business meeting.  Now when a pastor is "processing" a business meeting it can mean he's re-playing, parsing comments, and maybe just stewing over things.  But this morning I have a smile on my face and a glad spot in my heart!

As Trey left last spring we went through a process of discernment to figure-out how to handle ministry leadership.  Our Personnel Committee ably guided us through times of congregational conversation, information assimilation, and focused prayer.  The process led us to a search for a full-time Minister of Music and Education and a part-time Minister of Youth.

The respective search committees prayed, processed resumes, prayed, interviewed candidates, and prayed some more.  Along the way we discovered that matching job description, minister, and our church wasn't working-out as we had planned.  God provided another plan.

We shifted our youth minister search to a full-time position involving expanded responsibilities with college-aged young adults and outreach.  I cannot convey how excited I am that God has led Chris Robertson to join our ministry team and provide leadership in these areas!  God did answer our prayers- just not in the way we anticipated.

Last night we affirmed Jonnia Smith to serve as our Minister of Music on a part-time, interim basis.  After looking all over the country we found the right minister here at home.  Again, God did answer our prayers- just not in the way we anticipated.

As I "process" last night's meeting I am ever more confident that God will lead us faithfully into the future.  And I am thanking God for unanswered prayers.

Repeating Myself

Over the last couple of days I have noticed that I am repeating myself. Now I am used to the pained look from my children of "do we have to hear this story again?" This is something different- different audiences, different conversations, different circumstances- just the same recurring theme. Some may already be thinking, "here he goes again!"

My thought? What a wonderfully gifted, talented, caring, and diverse group of people God has brought together in Towne View Baptist Church! I have told this story while impressed with the efforts of those who contributed to our Holy Week worship experiences. I repeated this line while being amazed at the diligence and knowledge that members have brought to the work of key committees. I shared this impression as I observed the energy and enthusiasm that made our Easter Eggstravaganza such a special occasion for so many families.

Our job as ministers is to enlist, equip, and encourage. We enlist successfully when we help people find the right opportunity to put their gifts into service. We equip as we provide the training and resources necessary to help people do what God has called them to do. We encourage through prayer and affirmation (public and private)as people use their God-given gifts, enhanced by God-provided resources, to accomplish their God-directed task.

Its a good story... worth repeating!

Thankful for "the one"

The "buzz" after Sunday's vote on the motion to sell and relocate was "do you know who the one 'no' vote was?" In the very positive affirmation of a 122-1 vote, that "one" really stands-out.

Me, I'm thankful for the "one." It means the process worked and the way we choose to do church was affirmed. All along the way on this issue we have encouraged our members to pray, participate in discussions, and seek God's direction. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited by the outcome, and feel that the will of the congregation was clearly expressed. But, I am glad that one person felt the freedom to express themselves in a different way.

Congregational church polity (governance) is based on the idea of the priesthood of all believers: we all have equal access to God and all are equally accountable to God. The outgrowth of this bedrock baptist understanding of the Christian life is that everyone has a voice- and a vote- in the life of our church. We choose not to follow a model where entities outside our church have authority over the affairs of our congregation; nor do we have have small group of leaders who make decisions on behalf of the congregation; nor does the pastor have executive authority.

Congregational decision-making can be messy and time-consuming but ultimately it makes each member responsible for participation in the process and to prayerfully seek to gain an understanding of God's leadership. This week I am thanking God for the hard work of our Real Estate Committee (Scott Conti, Jerry Jansen, and Jim Smith); for the partcipation, discussion, and good questions of our membership through the process; and for the "one," who reminds us all that we have a voice and a vote.

Looking into the future

This Sunday is an important day in the life of our fellowship. Actions we take in this gathering will say a great deal about our future.

Yes, we'll be voting on the recommendation from our Real Estate Committee to sell our current location and purchase land just up the road for a new church site. This will be the first step of many to come in the process of relocation.

We will also be sharing in a time of parent-child dedication for the Miller and VanHentenryck families. When I hold those boys I will catch of glimpse of our shared future.

At the appropriate time we will receive the offering. I know we do this every week- but each time we give we express our commitment to the future of our church and its mission.

My sermon this week, "His Message-Our Mission," will come from Mark 1:9-15. My prayerful goal is to clearly set before us the challenge of the future.

And, as is our custom, we will offer a time of response. This will allow each of us present to consider our future participation in God's plan.

As our song of dismissal we have chosen "In His Time." What a thoughtful, beautiful prayer to have in our hearts... as we step into the future.

Change of View

I've always liked the worship space in our church. I like it's openness and especially the windows. I enjoy the light the windows welcome and the views that they provide.

While nursing a cup of coffee this morning I looked towards the windows and was confronted with the change in decor we incorporate during Advent. Instead of the sights of green shrubs, blue skies(okay, they're gray today!, and passing cars I was greeted by the rich purple, gold, and blue images of shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and, of course, Jesus. Two years ago Trey took an idea, improved on it, and Chuck Smith's production team transformed that idea into our beautiful window inserts.

The window inserts shield our view of the outside while forcing us to focus our attention on the nativity. Not a bad idea for this time of year!

Our inserts remind us that Advent is a time to change what we see... how we see... and ultimately, Who we see.

October has been quite a month for our part of the family of God.

The month began with ten of our folks traveling to New Orleans to support the work of Global Maritime Ministries. We assisted GMM with their annual fundraising banquet/silent auction and fed and built friendships with seafarers at the center. We also managed to find time for lots of laughter, plenty of good seafood, and a visit to the National Worl War II Museum.

Later in the month two of our older adult Sunday School classes combined forces to prepare a meal and serve about 75 guests at MUST Ministries.

Last Thursday 28 of us traveled to Blue Ridge to enjoy the fall scenery, grab some apples, and enjoy food and fellowship. This was our largest group ever for this outing!

Saturday night 45... or was it 48? youth and friends enjoyed a night at
Cagle's Dairy Farm as we wandered in the corn maze and enjoyed the hayride and bonfire.

Last night's Fall Family Fun Fair was a huge success. Around 200-225 children and families enjoyed a great night of activities and food.

Now, none of these "successes" change the facts that our giving is substantially below budget needs, attendance has been so-so in October, and we have critical leadership needs to be filled. But they do remind me that-
*real fellowship occurs as we share life in service
*others may do things "bigger" but not necessarily "better" and "glitz" can't hold a candle to "genuine"
*we have a tremdous collection of talented and energetic people who love serving
*I love being called "pastor" by this family of faith!

Glad to be Home!

Even though I was in the office last week I have felt a little out of touch and disconnected by being away the last two Sundays. I was "in church," just not in "my church."

On the first Sunday we were in New Orleans with our adult mission trip. We had to change Sunday plans when the cruise ship was dry-docked and the center closed for the day. We were blessed to share baptism, the Lord's Supper, and a wonderful worship service with First Baptist Church. I confess (and Priscilla will attest) that it isn't easy for me not to squirm when I am in a pew!

Yesterday I was "in the pulpit" as I preached for the 130th anniversary service of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in Rome GA. I served this church as Associate Pastor/Minister of Youth & Children for two years before going to seminary. FABC is the church that ordained me thirty years ago and is also the church where Priscilla and I were married. It was a bittersweet trip down memory lane as we visited with friends from days past and missed those who had died, moved, or for various reasons moved to other churches in the community.

It was good to be away but is good to be back and will be even better when I can worship with "my church" this Sunday. We don't have the size, facilities, or other resources of First Baptist Church of New Orleans. We don't have the history and heritage of Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in Rome. What we do have is an incredibly gifted and loving collection of families in our family, motivated with a desire to serve, and blessed by a faithful God.

I can't wait for Sunday!

Feeling a Bit Older

I am feeling a bit older this morning.No, I didn't overdo in the yard or stay-up too late watching the Braves. It's all those college students!

Last night our church hosted the "Kick-off Cook-out" for the Baptist Collegiate Ministry of Kennesaw State and Southern Polytechnic. There were a hundred or so college students who consumed large quantities of hot dogs & hamburgers, played mixer games, and were exposed to the programs and ministries of BCM. They look younger every year and their energy and enthusiasm is amazing.

I felt a bit older because seeing these students took me on a trip down memory lane to my college days. I was active in the Baptist Stduent Union (as it was known back in the day) during my time at Shorter and was campus president my senior year. I didn't know it then but BSU provided a leadership development process that would shape the rest of my ministry. Our advisor, Dr. Joe Baskin, was a patient mentor and guide who remains a friend to this day. Priscilla also served as Shorter's BSU president her senior year.

I am grateful that Dave Stewart faithfully shares his gifts with KSU and SPSU students as Baptist Campus Minister. I encourage you to pray for Dave and Judy as they serve in our church and minister to the college community.

We had a nice contingent of Towne View folk here to prepare, cook, serve, and welcome. I appreciate our Missions Committee for their leadership and other members who pitched-in.

Come to think of it- maybe I'm not feeling so much older after all. The zeal of college students is contagious, the example of faithful servants is encouraging, and the generous spirit of our church is a blessing. Let's go- just maybe not quite so hard, quite so fast, or quite so late!!

Weddings as Family Events

I know it seems obvious to say that weddings are family events. Saturday's wedding of John Todd and Kristina McDougall reminded me of just how big families can be!

It was great to meet members of John's family- Connecticut Yankees who wouldn't miss the opportunity to show John their love and support.

Over the years we have had opportunity to meet several members of Kristina's family- her parents, Ken and Carleen, worship with us while not in Brazil and her sisters have joined us for special events along the way. Most of Kristina's extended family are involved in missions and ministry and many partners in those ministries shared in the celebration.

The "family" grew, though, as I watched our church family in action. John, Kristina, and Alexa are part of us and the Towne View family shared generously in helping make the day special. We could all leave with the sense of love, excitement, and pride for this new family- part of our family!

Camp Wherry by the Numbers

There are a number of ways to "measure" an event- here's Camp Wherry "by the numbers:

48 participants
18 children in Vacation Bible School each afternoon
562 man-hours of work (including painting, cleaning, mowing, weed eating, sidewalk installation,and speed bump removal)
75 guests from the community at the Block Party
1 trip to urgent care
72 craft activities completed
?? hours of sleep (not nearly enough!)
45 children at water day
1-5 degree high temperature (with three days over 100 degrees)

To "fuel this effort" we consumed:
30 pounds of sugar
75 gallons of tea, lemon aid, and kool-aid
14 gallons of milk
10 gallons of orange juice
18 dozen eggs
240 sausage balls
28 pounds of ground beef, chicken, and sausage
18 dozen servings of home-made cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and brownies

Seeds have been planted in the residents of this community and in the lives of our youth... pray as the Spirit brings this work to fruition!

Changing the Landscape

Work has begun in earnest on the the University Club on Frey student housing development. With plans to open in August 2012 the developers anticipate about 450 students will occupy the townhouse-style facility.

Right now, things are a mess- a noisy, dusty, active mess. Heavy equipment is in and out, trees are down and gone, and they haven't even started moving dirt, yet... other than the swirling red-clay dust. It takes a lot of work to build something new and the landscape has to change for us to see beyond familiar surroundings to a new view of the future.

With all of this going on around us there is much work going on in our church as well. This work is just as active, almost as noisy, and also involves kicking-up some dust.

Our mission team to Bulgaria is back and our Builders for Christ will soon be on their way to Utah. Ben Gribble is already in Cambodia. Plans are well underway for our youth mission trip to Camp Wherry in Smyrna TN and for our children's camp at Centri-kid in Norman Park GA.

Daniel Rice is on-the-go as our summer youth ministry assistant. He's off to a great start working on plans for Camp Wherry, supervising Vacation Bible School recreation, Sunday/Tuesday/Wednesday youth events, and other opportunities for our youth. I am grateful the Lord led Daniel our way and invite you to pray for him and support him in whatever ways possible.

Oh yes- it's the week before Vacation Bible School- need I say more? Enrollment is approaching 140 children- which means we'll probably have at least 150 participants. I encourage your prayers for these children, their families, and for our witness to the community. Pray also for our VBS director, Melanie Connell, and for all of our volunteers.

Pray for me- I am trying something new in my approach to preaching for the summer. This summer I will be preaching through the book of 1Peter. I haven't done this type of exposition in a while so I would appreciate your prayers. You can help me by reading through 1Peter regularly- you could read one chapter a day each week through the summer to "prime your pump" as we explore God's word together.

A Grateful Good-bye

This week find ourselves saying good-bye to Trey and Jen Lyon after nine years of service on our ministry staff. I approach this task with a range of emotions: sadness to see a friend and partner-in-ministry depart; excitement over their new ministry opportunity; a bit of pride over Trey's development and growth; but mostly, a sense of gratitude.

I am grateful for the gifts and abilities that Trey shared so generously with our church and community. He is a great teacher and faithful guide for our youth. His technology skills have enhanced our worship, outreach, communication abilities, and general operations as a church.

I am grateful for his passion and commitment to mission and missions. Trey made a decision that even "fun" activities should have a mission component. Our youth have grown to understand that service is a significant component of faith. Our annual mission trip to work with Community Servants- at what we now call "Camp Wherry"- is a week that our youth look forward to, that the leaders of the mission look forward to our coming, and even better- the folks of that housing community eagerly anticipate! From orphans in Bulgaria to the homeless in Atlanta to the needy in our own community- Trey has helped us see and minister to the needs of others. We have a generation of youth and young adults who see life, faith, and service differently because of Trey's influence.

I am grateful for a fellow minister from a different generation, who "thinks younger" than me. For nine years Trey has been a valued sounding board, engaging conversationalist- about current events and church history, and creative worship planner. Because of Trey I am much less insecure about right-clicking on my mouse!

I am grateful for Jen and Gabe. Too often we overlook a minister's spouse. Gifted in her own right, Jen has shared generously with our children's choirs, as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School volunteer, worship leader, counselor and friend to youth and adults.

I am grateful that Trey and Jen have remained open to God's leadership in their future ministry. They are following what they sense to be God's direction to leave a "safe" place of ministry to take the risk of stepping into a much-less secure future. They have found their security not in established buildings, budgets, or bureaucracy but in the assurance of God's calling and provision.

Thank-you God for Trey and Jen: for who they are, for what they've done, and for the exciting future you have in store for them.

The Kingdom Beyond Our Corner

We are privileged to be a part of a local community of faith that gathers for worship, discipleship, and fellowship at a strategic intersection in Kennesaw, Georgia. From this location we regularly scatter to share the Good News in word and action-- mission and ministry, if you will.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was a good reminder that we are a part of Kingdom-work far beyond our little corner in Kennesaw:

During the day we hosted a regional training event for Stonecroft Ministries. Delores Burkett has been a local leader in Stonecroft for a number of years. Perhaps best know for its Christian Women's Clubs, Stonecroft is focused on ministry and evangelism with women. website: www.stonecroft.org

Over supper our Bulgaria Mission team members met to review plans for their upcoming trip. Hyacinth Crooks, Teresa Denmark and Lorraine Roote (joined by Tom & Lorraine's daughter, Patti) will be serving with missionaries Paul & Judy Ridgway as they prepare for the opening of the Training and Transition Center in Borovtsi. website: www.bulgarianchild.org

Our prayer service time was blessed by a presentation about opportunities for service in Rwanda. Linda Cox (Mark Trimble's cousin)and her family shared of work among children and refugees that was both heart-wrenching and encouraging. You can find out more about the work and ways to support through the following websites:
www.theyhadtorun.com
www.onehundreddays.org
www.millionkidmovement.org

Most Sundays at least one of our scripture readings is a text from the common lectionary- which means that it is being read in worship services around the world. Yesterday's events remind us of opportunities to partner with others for service and evangelism. Let's be faithful... on our corner... and across His kingdom.

Little Things

My Dad always said it was "the little things" that made a business successful. It's "the little things" that make a big difference at church as well.

Week by week I am blessed... and many others are as well- by folks who:

-help guests find a seat
-bring in extra seats when needed
-seek out guests to greet and make welcome
-clean-out the coffee pots
-cross the generational divide to speak to a fellow worshiper
-take out the trash
-jump in to help when an activity is short-handed
-put a little extra in the offering- just because
-offer a smile to a squirmy child
-clean a counter-top or wash a coffee cup (even if the mess wasn't theirs!)
-ask "how are you, today?" and really mean it

Most of the time these "little things" are done without asking!

Help me out- what "little things" done by big-hearted people have I missed?