Your Voice

Dear church family: A pastor’s reflection on crisis

By Pastor Nathan Sims
First Baptist Church, New Brockton

As I sit to write this letter today, so many different thoughts and questions are going through my mind.

The million-dollar question seems to be, “When will we be able to go back to church?” But two other thoughts that have consumed my mind, particularly over the past two or three days, have been what God is doing during this time and what the future life of our church will be when the coronavirus pandemic is behind us.

I have been absolutely amazed at what God has been doing during this time. For one, my heart has been blessed by our First Baptist Church, New Brockton, family.

I chose not to do the Facebook videos (devotions, Sunday services, etc.), with the exception of one on Resurrection Sunday with Pastor Kerry Mitchell of Calvary Baptist Church, Enterprise, because of the large percentage of our people who do not have internet and/or Facebook.

But as I have made my brief doorstep visit with you each week, I have been so encouraged by hearing your stories of how you have enjoyed the Bible study material provided each week and what you have learned from the material.

My heart also has been tremendously blessed by your giving.

For the most part, our tithes and offerings have stayed consistent each week.

Thank you for your faithfulness and willingness to give. At this point, all of our staff has been paid each of the weeks we have not been able to meet together, along with our other ongoing expenses. You have made this possible.

On a personal note, however, one of the ways I have spent some of my “down” time during this season has been to watch some other friends of mine on the internet and Facebook.

I have allowed my heart and soul to be fed and refreshed as I have been able to just listen and to take in some personal Bible study and preaching on my own.

The future life of our church looks bright and promising. I am convinced in my heart of hearts that God is setting us up afresh and anew for the days and years ahead.

I am already trying to imagine what our worship will be like when we gather together again. We are going to sing like we have never sung before. And think about the new opportunities we are going to have to “Touch our Neighbors” and to “Touch the Nations.”

I have absolutely no idea what these opportunities may look like, but I truly see our church family being used of God like never before to reach people with the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Stewards and donors

Right now, some churches are discovering their past strategy of depending on donors instead of building stewards is producing devastating results.

Churches who depend on donors have a get-rich-quick mentality. They depend on fundraising, including frequent mass appeals, to finance their ministry. These gifts often evaporate during difficult or crisis times.

Churches who build stewards have a get-strong-slow perspective. They teach people to give, save and spend (yes, in that order) to develop financial strength over a lifetime.

The convictions practiced as a result of stewardship development are the reason many families — across the economic strata — are weathering the current pandemic without panic. Churches full of these families are doing the same.

One benefit of a crisis is a forced re-examination of core strategies, methods and approaches — particularly the ways we manage money.

One of my hopes is churches will come out of this crisis with a renewed commitment to teaching and practicing biblical stewardship. This is time invested, not time wasted.

—Jeff Iorg (originally published by Baptist Press)

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Why has the Lord placed each of us on the Earth “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)? Why has He called you and me to live through this pandemic?

I cannot answer that, but I know the One who can. I know He has promised that in each situation He allows, He will work “for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

God allowed this shutdown amongst a generation who has nearly all but forgotten the definition of Sabbath rest; this cannot be a coincidence.

We have been forced to rest; we must decide what to do with it. His word promises again and again that spiritual rest (not the vegging out watching Netflix “rest”) will lead to restoration if we will seek Him through it, so let us be intentional with this time the Lord has given/forced upon us during this season.

God willing, this pandemic will end eventually, and we will go back to the “real world.” When this happens though, let’s continue to live a little slower, commit to a little less, find our security in our Father over our finances and seek Him above all else because all other ground is truly sinking sand.

We will all surely be glad to move on from COVID-19, but let’s take a few of the lessons about rest along with us when we do.

Alex Lewis
Birmingham, Ala.

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Letters to the Editor

I recently read that the LifeWay trustees voted to consider the sale of Ridgecrest. I was fortunate enough to serve on staff in the summer of 1964, and it changed my life. I hope and pray that this will not happen because I believe it is a place ordained by God.

Mike Thigpen
Guntersville, Ala.

The staff of TAB Media has done such a wonderful job of keeping us informed on important issues, as well as keeping positive information before us to help keep us from getting depressed during these trying times.

The content, the subject presentations and the timeliness have been superb. We have been spoiled and have come to expect that from TAB Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Davis Rash. Thank you!

I just wanted to tell you so and hopefully give you some support with upbeat feedback on the jobs you all are doing.

Bob Henderson
Tuscaloosa, Ala.

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Give yourself grace. … There was no seminary class for writing out a re-entry plan.

Chandler Vannoy
Brand manager, LifeWay Leadership

I don’t know of a person who isn’t outraged over [the killing of Ahmaud Arbery]. But check the social media posts of our African American brothers and sisters in Christ and the overall message is something different from before.

They’re asking for the help of Caucasian Christians to speak out and help put a stop to these tragedies. When you’re with others who look like you and hear something disparaging people of color, say something. At those times when their viewpoints or the weight they place on a topic like racial reconciliation is dismissed, don’t let it be.

The conclusion that a black man jogging down the middle of a street in broad daylight must be a burglary suspect doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It builds due to things said, but also things unsaid.

Scott Barkley
Editor, The Christian Index

The Church is at a crossroad. We are being pressed at every hand for a decision. Time is running out on us. Which way, Church?

Do we keep traveling down the same easy, broad path we’ve been on far too long and lose this great opportunity, not to mention our beloved land?

Or do we take another road — the road on which our Lord is traveling, the road He now beckons us to take in following Him into a world of fearful, suffering, sin-sick humanity, to embrace with love and grace those who are wandering aimlessly in this life like sheep without a shepherd?

Rob Jackson
Associate professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

Taking time to express appreciation changes the life of the recipient and gives a deep-seated joy to the giver.

David Jeremiah
Pastor and radio host

We believe God is always in control. He is with His faithful ones, and victory is always in His hands. So help us, God, to be faithful to your calling and leading and direct your servants’ steps.

Abraham Liu
Clemson, S.C.

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From the Twitterverse

@JL_Wood

Quiet time with God is necessary. While taking time to be with everyone else, make sure you don’t neglect your time to be alone with Him.

@MattMason3

Christian perfectionism is a denial of the reality of indwelling sin. Christian defeatism is a denial of the reality of the indwelling power of the Spirit. Both have disastrous effects on our lives.

@BillyGraham

“There is a great identity crisis among students today. Who am I? What is the purpose of life? Where did I come from? Where am I going? The Bible has a direct answer to this great big philosophical question.” #BillyGraham

@stevedurkac

It is not the grasp of theology that lifts a downward spiraling life, it is spiritual regeneration. It is in fixing our eyes upon the Savior and filling our heart with His assurances that we begin to change course and find focus on the upward path.

@scottdawson

The biggest flaw in ministry today is that we usually notice a person’s charisma over their core character. A person’s gifting as a speaker may intrigue your intellect and please your emotions. Only Christ’s anointing can cause the sermon to penetrate the heart.

@Kathrynclang

Avoid getting caught up in the much doing. Avoid getting tangled in the not doing. Get to where you are called to be by knowing, understanding and living your unique heartseed focus.

@DustinBenge

Sleep is a daily reminder from God that we are not God. — John Piper

@CSLewisDaily

Do not waste time bothering whether you “love” your neighbor. Act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love them.

@toddgray4

“Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.” — David Platt