Pastor, FBC Hallsville

The Big Day Has Arrived

Sunday morning will be the first time for preschoolers and children to meet in The Children's Ministry Center.  It is going to be so good.  All the furnishings are in the building for children's Sunday School and 250 new chairs arrived for the Church Activities Building.  So we will have nice, new chairs for the Fifth Sunday Fellowship Lunch.  (Yes, they are padded chairs.)  I am so looking forward to using the new buildings.  The First Baptist Family has prayed and planned and labored for this day.  Enjoy!!!

When you see Monty give him a pat on the back and a word of thanks.  Monty has invested more in the new buildings than any other staff member has invested.  In his role as Church Administrator he has attended to hundreds of details in getting the buildings completed.  He has done an outstanding job.  I am thankful that God led Monty to the First Baptist Family. 

Two-year Olds Impressed

The Children's Sunday School Classes went over to visit The Children's Ministry Center to see their new classrooms Sunday morning.  I walked over to see how things were going.  I asked several of the children how they liked their new classes.  As you would expect each child responded with an enthusiastic "I really like it."  The teachers were thrilled to be out of the portable buildings and into the new building.  Next Sunday should be an exciting time for Children's Sunday School classes.

Jan told me that when they brought the two-year olds into the new building that several of the kids simultaneously said, "Wow!"  She then told me that she wish she had had a video camera going to record that moment.  We did not get it on film but it is nonetheless inspiring to hear it in the retelling. 

I am so thankful that the day has arrived.  We are in the building.  I truly believe that the Children's Ministry Center is going to be an awesome tool for investing in children and their families.

Passing the Baton

As I watched the Olympics tonight I found it to be a disappointing evening.  Both the men's and the women's 4X400 meter race ended with both men and women dropping the baton.  This was in the qualifying rounds.  They will not make to the finals.  Watching these races I am reminded that in a race like that it does not matter how fast a team can run.  What matters is can that team pass the baton.  In both cases they failed to pass the baton.  Likewise for a church what really matters most is how well we pass the baton.  Even if we have the greatest of worship services and the best programs it will not endure unless we are able to pass on to the next generation the spiritual disciplines and spiritual truths that we have today.  In other words we must reproduce.  We must pass on to others what we have learned.  Another word for that is discipleship.  I have a book on my book shelf called Disciples are Made not Born.  That book has been around awhile.  I think I purchased the book back when I was in seminary some thirty years ago.  The truth is as relevant today as it was then.  We make disciples.  That is the command at the end of Matthew's gospel.  To go into all the world and make disciples.  How do you do that?  Over the years there have been a number of publications and programs that outline a method for making disciples.  They have all been good methods.  I guess the point is that whatever method one uses disciple making is basically pouring your life into another believer.  As we get ready to get the keys to the Children's Ministry Center on Friday I am again struck by the opportunity we have to pour our lives into kids.  They are certainly the most receptive age group.  Children are ready to hear and accept the gospel and it's demands for discipleship.  It seems to me that the best way to begin to invest in the lives of others is to get involved in ministry to children.  Pass the baton.  No matter how well we do today if we do not pass it on to the next generation what we have learned in walking with Christ then we are like the USA Olympic relay teams who had great talent but failed to win the race because they simply missed passing the baton.  Pass the baton.

The Shack

I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young.  It is one of the most thought provoking books I've read in the last few years.  I first heard about the book from another pastor and then I found out the other day that Monty had bought the book to read.  (I knew I had to get the book and read it before Monty.  Just one of those competition things.)  The writing style reminds me a lot of one of my favorite authors, Calvin Miller.  The Shack certainly challenged some of my notions about the nature of God.  The story line is fiction but the theological viewpoint is good stuff.  I will not even try to give you a synopsis because it will deprive you of the surprises in the book.  You need to be surprised.  That is a part of the book's intention is to challenge you to think through your ideas of the nature of God.  Definitely this book is a must read.  After you've read the book please drop me a line and let me know what you think.  In particular I would like to know what chapters really got your attention.  It is an enjoyable read.  Have a nice read.

VBS

Last night at VBS I gave a gospel presentation to the older children and invited them to pray to God for forgiveness and a relationship with Him.  Nine children said they prayed to invite Christ into their lives.  Six children said they were thinking about following God.  That is a big Hallelujah!  Several of those kids come from families that do not have a church home.  That means that we have a lot of follow-up and cultivation to do.  Pray for the staff and VBS leaders as we make contact with these families.

Tonight is the last night of VBS.  Everything has gone great.  It has been a very good time for the kids and the VBS workers.  The spirit of everyone has been fantastic each night of VBS.  Of course VBS could not have been as great as it has been if not for the VBS Team.  My thanks to Jan for directing the VBS and thanks to Ed for leading in assemblies.  My thanks to all the teachers, helpers, recreation leaders, and snack helpers.  Everyone did a wonderful job. 

VBS

Vacation Bible School began Sunday night.  On Sunday night there were 104 children in VBS and last night there were 123 children in attendance.  Everything is going really well.  The VBS teachers, leaders, helpers, recreation leaders, and snack helpers are doing a fantastic job.  The kids seem to be having a great time.  Mr. Ed is leading the opening assembly and doing wonderful.  The kids really respond to Ed.  Tomorrow night I will be giving a gospel presentation to the older children.  The presentation I will use is the ABC's of how to know Jesus as Savior.  Pray that God will use that time to call those children who are ready to receive Christ and that they will respond.  There are a number of children in our VBS where the family is not attending a church.  This could be an unusual opportunity to reach those families.  Pray that God will superintend over the whole VBS.