In January we not only make plans for the new year but also look back to see how many of our goals were accomplished in the previous year. It is just human nature for us to want to see immediate results.
Numerical growth has taken place in a lot of Baptist churches in Alabama, and that is exciting to see. However, some churches saw little if any growth last year. They may be located in areas that are not growing but are actually declining.
Pastors and members may feel discouraged by meager results. To say the least, growth is not always evident to us over a short period of time. Sometimes we might wonder if we have been been wasting time. We need to remember that God does not command us to be “successful.” He calls on us to be faithful and leave the results to Him.
Brother Joel Farrow, the new pastor of First Baptist Church, Chalk-ville (Birmingham Association), earned a degree in agriculture and worked as a farmer for more than 10 years before the Lord called him into the ministry. Were those 10 years wasted? Not at all. Farmers learn a lot about patience, hard work and trusting in the Lord.
We spend a good bit of time talking about bigness, but when we look at things through God’s eternal perspective, we know nothing done in His name and for His glory is unimportant or unproductive.
People all around the world have been impressed by the size of -Arizona’s Grand Canyon, but few have ever heard of a slot canyon. The beauty of such a canyon, usually only a few feet wide but often several stories tall, can only be appreciated from a hike inside.
Three years ago my family went inside Lower Antelope Slot Canyon in northern Arizona. We will never forget the gracefully carved curves and beautiful colors we saw there.
God sees “inside” and honors whatever His people do for Him.
It is interesting to see the requests Alabama pastors have been making of their church members this year.
Pastor Mike McLemore asked each of the members of Lakeside Baptist Church, Hoover, to establish their own goals and objectives for the year — things they want to see accomplished in their own lives and ministry at Lakeside — and use their list as a guide to help stay focused on the priorities they set.
At Pintlala Baptist Church in Hope Hull, Pastor Gary Burton reviewed the blessings of the past year (his 28th as pastor) and suggested the following response to those blessings: “gratitude, humility, and enthusiasm for the future.”
Pastor Ken May began the new year by reminding parents at Southside Baptist Church in Troy of the extreme importance of bringing their children to Sunday School each week “and of modeling active participation in church life.”
In Enterprise, First Baptist’s -interim pastor, Bro. Frank Wells, noted the joy of having a packed sanctuary and had two practical requests: Remember to fill in to the middle of the pews so the ushers can find seats for those who come in later; secondly, use a few minutes at the end of the service to greet one another and to welcome visitors. (Wouldn’t it help if we all did that!)
What difference would it make if all of us gave just a little bit more this year? At Millbrook Baptist Church in Elmore Association, Bro. Wayne Smith said if everyone in their church gives just $5 more per week, they will be able to add another full-time staff member.
In Birmingham, South Roebuck Baptist Church’s new pastor, Bro. Harry Gulledge, enthusiastically noted that “the Lord is doing a great work, and it is all to His glory.”
Brother Gulledge said, “As wonderful as some of us might think it is now, imagine what a glorious time we will have when all the family of God here join in and undertake a deeper commitment to living for the Lord. It will absolutely blow our socks off! I can’t wait!”
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