Pastor Larry Michael likes to be in the middle of the action. He believes the city of Clanton has the best location in Alabama, about 45 minutes from both Montgomery and Birmingham. His place of service, First Baptist Church, is in the middle of town. And he likes helping church members stay in the middle of ministry opportunities.
Michael said, “In times of national crisis, as the United States has today, Christians have the opportunity to be real leaders. We need to demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ and help others put their trust in Christ. That is the only real security,” he noted.
Pointing out that Christianity is a self-regulated religion, Michael said many church members look for easy ways to get by. “We have to challenge them to get involved in ministry,” he said.
The Clanton church helps its members to accept responsibility for their own missions activities.
One of the ways the church empowers members is by providing the state Baptist paper to every family. Michael said, “It is important for church members to read The Alabama Baptist. It keeps us informed about what is going on in churches across the state. And it is an invaluable link to seeing what God is doing through our denomination.
“In a day when denominational loyalty is declining, The Alabama Baptist serves as an incredible resource for reversing that trend in the local church.”
Michael noted the paper helps churches educate members about the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptist missions work and important moral issues.
“When people are well informed, they are encouraged to be better stewards and more active participants in the ministries of their church,” he said.
Clanton First Baptist also empowers its members through its new Christian Life Center, dedicated last fall.
The 26,000-square-foot building has a gymnasium, a track, a stage, 12 rooms for educational space and a fellowship hall seating 250. Once a month the church has a meal there after the morning worship service, and the youth serve the meal.
Although the church plans to employ a part-time director for the Christian Life Center, a team of 42 volunteers helps run its activities.
Michael quoted the church’s vision statement: “As a family of Christians, we seek to reach people for Christ, exercise biblical faith and practice unconditional love in accomplishing our mission for Jesus Christ.”
“God wants us to expand our vision,” he said. “My philosphy is that God wants us to use our buildings as many days as we can to be good stewards. We are trying to reach out to families in our community.”
Clanton First Baptist has begun a weekday preschool ministry. Starting out with 12, the church has 40 children enrolled for this fall.
“We are going to start a ‘Family Night at the Movies’ this fall and have recreation for others in the gynmasium at the same time,” Michael said. “We may start an after-school program,” he added.
The pastor said, “We are learners for life. We have to provide creative programs so that people can take seriously their responsibility to grow in the Christian life.”
Training begins with new Christians. Recently 11 children made decisions for Christ in connection with Vacation Bible School. The church is providing a six-week course for them to learn the fundamentals of their new faith.
The church plans to start five new adult Sunday School units this fall. “We have a lot of new people coming — 50 additions so far this year, over half by baptism,” Michael said. He uses his Palm Pilot to help him keep up with 30 families visiting the church. “I use it as a prayer list also,” he noted.
Michael is in his eighth year as pastor of the Clanton church. For the last three years on his days off he has been writing a book, Spurgeon on Leadership. He will finish it this summer.
Born in Maryland, Michael received his education at the University of Maryland and Southern Seminary. Before coming to Alabama, he served in Great Britain, Maryland, Indiana and Kentucky. He was recently elected as chairman of the Christian Life Commission for Alabama.
Michael believes it is a good discipline for pastors to communicate with their congregations in print on a regular basis. His church uses a local edition of The Alabama Baptist to deliver its weekly newsletter. Michael noted the church saves money by using a local edition.
Longtime church member Christy Glenn, who prepares the newsletter, pointed out that the local edition also saves time.
Michael said, “Our people really like having the combination of The Alabama Baptist and our church news. It comes in a nice presentation that is very user-friendly.
“People get so much mail today,” he noted. “When your news is part of The Alabama Baptist I think they are more apt to read it. I think it stands out more.”
He added, “It reinforces our connection with our denomination and serves as an educational tool for our church, especially for young adults.”
Maybe it’s just another example of how Clanton First Baptist works creatively to help its members get in the middle of ministry.
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