“A Journey for the New Year”
Posted on December 25th, 2008
Pastor’s Column published in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter for January 2009)
Last September, I attended a retreat in Richmond that turned out to be a spiritual wake-up call. During that retreat, I came to realize that my work at church was close to burning me out and spiritually depleting me. I was too wrapped up in doing things for the church at the expense of being a child of God and abiding in Christ’s presence.
The leader of the retreat was Bill Moore, a congregational coach who introduced us to a process called “Pursuing Missional Faithfulness.” This process is basically a spiritual transformation journey to help church members embrace a new lifestyle with Jesus under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. When that happens, the hope is that the congregation as a whole will begin to walk with God, to discern, and to live into God’s future by being the Church and doing the work they are uniquely called to do. This is not a church-growth “program” because it is not something we just start, do for forty days, and then bring it to a close. This is a process that begins a transformation of our spiritual lives through intensive prayer so that we will not only seek experiences of God (through worship services, special programs or youth camps), but we will joyfully journey with God every day into the future that God has for us as a church.
I experienced a taste of that joy during the times of prayer at the retreat, and those times gave me a greater desire to know Christ and to forge a deeper spiritual connection with members of Farmville Baptist. I came back from the retreat excited about the possibility of Farmville Baptist embarking on this spiritual journey for the new year. Our first opportunity to learn about this will be Sunday, January 11, after morning worship. Please see the article below for more details.
As we come to Christmas, my prayer for myself and for the congregation is that not only will we experience the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christ-child on December 25, but that we will also commit to journeying with that Christ-child throughout the new year.
On the journey together, Michael
Tags: journey, renewal, spiritual transformation
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“Trusting God’s Provision in Challenging Times”
Posted on December 1st, 2008
Editor’s Note: this month’s column is written by Chuck Daniel, Chair of the Stewardship Committee of Farmville Baptist Church.
We are in challenging economic times right now and many churches, including ours, are facing a drop in financial giving. In light of this reality, the Stewardship Committee this year was faced with the task of trimming our 2009 budget down to around $250,000. As we worked the figures with the church staff, we met our goal partly through a reduction in our giving to missions. On Wednesday night, November 12, we presented the budget for discussion to the congregation.
On Thursday morning, I received the following email from Michael:
“After we got home from the budget presentation last night, I told Beth about what I heard at the BGAV meeting. On Wednesday morning, Tony Campolo preached prophetically about how during this time of economic downturn, it is a great opportunity for the church of Jesus Christ to show how we can be neighbors to the poor and the oppressed around us. Unfortunately, Campolo continued, many churches don’t take advantage of this opportunity. Instead of stepping out in faith, one of the first things that churches do is to cut from their budget their giving to missions. The budget of the church is the most obvious and public indicator of the values of the church.
Ouch! Campolo’s sermon really convicted me and it stayed with me throughout my whole drive back to Farmville. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: stewardship
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Good and Faithful Servants
Posted on November 2nd, 2008
Pastor’s Column in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter) - published November 2008
On Sunday, November 2, Farmville Baptist will have an opportunity to recognize members of the church who have made a difference in the life of our congregation. During worship that morning, the congregation will formally recognize Cecil Yeatts as a Life Deacon of Farmville Baptist Church.
But in addition to Cecil, there are also many in our congregation who have served Christ’s Church faithfully and for many years, although not as Deacons. Through the new “Good and Faithful Servant” designation, our Deacons would like to acknowledge and thank those individuals who have generously given of their time, talents, and spiritual gifts for the good of Farmville Baptist Church. Since this is the first time that this designation will be offered, there are several things to understand about this recognition. First, this designation is not intended to put some members of the congregation on a “spiritual pedestal” over others. Second, this is not a “competition,” where those receiving the recognition are “winners,” while others are “losers.” Third, there is not a set number of individuals who are guaranteed to receive this recognition at any given year. This year, five will receive this recognition. Next year, the number may be fewer.
Once again, the “Good and Faithful Servant” recognition is just one way for our church to express our heart-felt thanks and appreciation for a “job well done.” It is a way for us to thank God for the “living saints” among us. During worship on November 2, Dr. Reggie Warren, former president of the BGAV will be our guest preacher. At the end of the service, the Deacons will recognize Jack Austin, Paul Cave, Howard Ferguson, Alma Lewis, and Ruth Patteson as “Good and Faithful Servants.” After the service, we will have a covered dish luncheon to continue the celebration.
I hope you will make a special effort to attend this service and the luncheon so that you can personally express your thanks and appreciation to Cecil and to these five individuals who have given so much to make Farmville Baptist the wonderful church it is today.
Thankfully yours in Christ, Michael
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Reasons to Believe
Posted on August 27th, 2008
Pastor’s Column in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter) - published September 2008
In the months of September and October, I will be embarking on a sermon series called “Reasons to Believe.” On the Sundays when I will be preaching, I will be addressing some topics of faith that non-Christians (and even some Christians) ask, such as: “Is there a God?” “What about other religions?” “What about evil and suffering?” “Is God a killjoy?” “Are we sinners at the hands of an angry God?” and “Is God seen or unseen? Known or unknown?”
My approach to these topics will be a little different from the standard “apologetics” approach, which often tries to produce evidence that “demands” a rational verdict for the truth of Christianity. This approach assumes that we’ve got the “truth,” and therefore we can “reason” unbelievers into believing in the existence of a deity, hopefully one that bears some resemblance to the God of Jesus Christ. Apologetics used in this way can sometimes become a weapon used to target those who believe differently than we do. But I am of the belief that very few people have ever been argued into a loving and trusting relationship with anyone, much less God. I also believe that reason can take us a way, even a long way toward belief, but it is less likely to lead us all the way to staking our very lives on a loving God. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: apologetics, belief, God
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What’s In a Logo?
Posted on August 1st, 2008
Pastor’s Column in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter) - published August 2008
You might have noticed something new on the cover of our newsletter this month. We’ve added a newly designed logo of the church. As you can see in the graphic to the left, it is a lower case “f” with a “circle” in the center. The circle is broken up into three parts, each part with “arrows” on both ends that point to the other parts of the circle. I want to thank Jay Lynn for designing this logo, and I’d like to explain what this logo symbolizes.
First of all, the “f” in the logo obviously stands for the first letter in “Farmville.” The circle in the logo represents the strategic process that the church is intentionally using to help move people through the stages of spiritual growth. As you might remember, a leadership group spent last summer studying the book Simple Church. We learned that a maturing disciple of Jesus Christ is one who (at the very least) walks intimately with Christ, lives in community with others, and serves both the church and the world. As a result of that study, the group came up with three things we want to focus as a church: “Worshipping God,” “Growing Together” and “Serving Others.” We began to organize the ministries and activities of the church around these three areas-this organization is reflected by the organization of this newsletter.
The circle comes into play because we also realize that people can enter into a growing discipleship process at any of those three points. For example, the discipleship process for many people may begin in a worship setting, but for others, this process could begin with being a part of a small group or by participating in a service project. The goal, however, is not just to stay at one point, but to help our members grow in Christ by encouraging them to move to the next point and then the next-hence the arrows. We would like to encourage all members of Farmville Baptist to not only worship God, but also to grow together in community and to serve others in our community. This process is a circle, because we never “arrive”; there is always room for continual growth in all three areas.
Finally, in the middle of the logo, in the middle of the circle, is a cross, because Jesus Christ is at the center of everything that we do.
My hope is that every time we see this logo, we’ll be reminded of what we’re about as a church.
- In Christ, Michael
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Celebrate True Freedom!
Posted on July 2nd, 2008
As we approach July 4th, the idea of freedom and independence has been on my mind. We as a country and as individuals value freedom, but many in our day and age find Christianity confining and constraining, an enemy to personal freedom. This view is in part due to our modern, Western understanding of freedom as being able to “think anything we want to think, and do anything that we want to do,” without relying on an outside authority or power. So how can one with such a view come to accept Christianity and Jesus Christ?
A book that I read during my vacation was very helpful in suggesting an answer. The book is called The Reason for God, written by Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. While there is much to comment on and commend in the book, one of the things that I want to share in this column is Keller’s take on true freedom. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Grace in Gray Hairs
Posted on June 3rd, 2008
This past May I celebrated another birthday, and one of the things that I’ve noticed as I enter middle age is that gray hairs are encroaching upon my head. I try not to notice it too much, but it’s hard not to when Thea my daughter has made it a hobby to count them! When I look in the mirror and see a glistening silver strand, I am tempted to pluck it out. But then I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:31: “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.”
In a culture that worships youth, it can be hard to embrace our growing maturity in terms of chronological years. And there is nothing virtuous about growing old in and of itself. As my father-in-law frequently says, “Growing old is not for sissies!” But this proverb reminds us that there is no shame in growing old either, especially when it is accompanied by the wisdom of God.
In his book, The Book of Wisecracks: Windows of Wisdom for Living Well, Gerald Mann reflects on that proverb and contends that gray hair can be a crown of glory . . . if it comes from outliving our sins and flaws. Read the rest of this entry »
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“Celebrating New Life”
Posted on April 4th, 2008
Pastor’s Column in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter) - published April 2008
Having just experienced a wonderful Easter service last week, it got me to thinking about new life in Christ for us as a congregation. This past year, I feel that we have continued to experience a renewed vitality in the life of our church. I am grateful for your faithful attendance in worship and Bible study, and for your service in the name of Christ in the church and in our community.
I am especially grateful for the ten new members who joined the church since May of last year: Russell Chassey, Rodney, Tammy and Sarah Dunning, Lindsey Davis, John and Amanda Johnston, Jordan Miles, Cameron Patterson and Jeaninne Milne. Of those, Russell, Lindsey, John, and Jeaninne were baptized, in addition to Sandy Covington. And on Sunday, April 6, we will celebrate with Jewel Moore and her family as Jewel comes to be baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ. What an occasion for thanksgiving to God!
As we baptize Jewel, I also know of several others who are very interested in becoming members of Farmville Baptist. And so, it is with these folks in mind that we will have a New and Prospective Member Luncheon after worship on Sunday, April 13. At the luncheon, I will give a brief overview of the beliefs and ministries of Farmville Baptist and answer any questions you might have. If you have been sensing that God might be leading you to formally join in the life and ministry of Farmville Baptist, I would love to hear from you and to cordially invite you to attend this luncheon.
May God continue to bless Farmville Baptist as we continue to grow numerically and spiritually in the days ahead!
Yours in Christ, Michael
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What Now?
Posted on March 5th, 2008
Pastor’s Column in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter) - published March 2008
I had the privilege of attending the New Baptist Covenant Celebration in Atlanta at the end of January, and I was greatly inspired by the experience. It wasn’t so much because of the “big name” speakers, although they brought wonderful messages. No, it was the mere fact that I was in the same room with nine thousand other Baptists, spanning many geographic, racial, political and cultural divides, worshipping and praising God together. During those three days, I felt a spirit of unity based on our common commitment to Jesus Christ even in the midst of our diversity. It made me glad to be a part of the larger body of believers who call themselves Baptist. But after that meeting, a question remained: “What now?”
Then I returned to Farmville and found our town reeling from the fatal shootings and the car accident involving the Prides and Baxter Stegall. That Sunday afternoon, I attended a community-wide prayer vigil service at First Baptist Church on behalf of the victims. In the midst of our tragedy, I witnessed a sanctuary packed with fellow believers spanning geographic, racial, political and cultural divides, worshipping God in Christ and praying together. I felt a movement of God’s Spirit that unified us despite our deep differences. But after that meeting, a question remained: “What now?”
I’m happy to report that after the prayer vigil service, a small group of local pastors, African-American and Anglo (and one Asian!), decided to meet to plan other joint services to gather the community together. We feel that God’s Spirit is leading us first to establish trust, friendship and love among ourselves, and then to lead our congregations to do the same. I will keep you posted as plans materialize. In the meantime, pray for us pastors as we seek to join in what God is doing here in Farmville to unify us all in the love of Christ.
Yours in Christ, Michael
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Simple Gifts
Posted on January 31st, 2008
Pastor’s Column in The Informer (FBC’s Newsletter) - published February 2008
This Christmas, Beth and I were showered with many simple gifts . . . cookies, brownies, Christmas candies, etc. More recently, we were surprised with some homemade bread hanging on our doorknob one evening. And of course, right before Christmas, we were stunned to receive a love offering from the congregation, an act of generosity which was very touching.
We appreciate all these gifts and want to say “Thank you.” Your thoughtfulness and care are meaningful and encouraging.
But I don’t want to neglect to say thanks also for your everyday, simple gifts offered to our church and our community, such as:
- the simple gift of service, whether it comes in the form of teaching Sunday School, assisting with Wednesday night meals and programs, or participating in the jail ministry, just to name a few
- the simple gift of encouragement, whether in words spoken after the service, or a lovely anthem sung by a choir, or cards and notes written to someone experiencing grief
- the simple gift of your presence, in worship, at youth group meetings, or at workdays such as the set-up or clean-up for Advent decorations
- the simple gift of your smiles as you greet one another, your hugs as you comfort each other, your prayers as you lift one another up
- the simple gift of your resources, whether contributing to the budget of the church, to the needs of individuals in our community, or to support our various missions emphases
For all these gifts, simple or not, I simply say, “Thank you!”
Yours in Christ, Michael
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