CONNECTING CHURCHES BY ASSOCIATIONS

Grace and Peace to You!

Can you imagine…we are nearly 1/12^th of our way into Two Thousand, Fourteen! I can tell right now, it won’t seem like there will be enough time to accomplish all we hope to do. Allow me to reflect on some happenings related to associational ministry in 2013, followed by some things that are on my mind for your consideration for the present.

1. A major focus, involving dozens of BMC pastors and church members from the first days of 2013, was the Presidents 2020 Commission. Great effort was applied to shape the direction of the LBC for the future. Just this week, I have been in two meetings considering the implementation of the various strategies. Once again, the associations play a critical role in the vast process of Louisiana churches connecting people to cooperative efforts.

2. If you came by the BMC, and you did…at a rate of over eleven (11) per week, you probably noticed the prayer board that lists churches without pastors. For most of the year there were many churches searching…eternally, it may have seemed…to find God’s man for their congregation. Graciously, those needs began to be filled!  Brent Romero, FBC Boyce; Kenny Moore, Carmel; Jerry Johnson, Dixie; Bill Howe, Sharp; Jerry Pounds, Baptist Temple; James Preuett, Verda; T. J. Harkness, FBC Lecompte; Brian Gunter, FBC Pollock; Lucas Lacour, Alpine; and Brad Robertson, Horseshoe Drive. Praise the Lord! Welcome new pastors, we invite you to the association ministries and activities and we encourage you to embrace any and all available resources.

3. Baptist Mission Center associations were once again on the front lines for the Crossover Evangelism events preceding the annual meeting of the LBC in Alexandria, Louisiana, this past November. The Association’s Steering Committee put together a great strategy of Block Parties and school assemblies. Block Party attendance was over 200, with numerous professions of faith and there were eleven school assemblies and three after school evangelistic Harvest Events with the Real Encounter BMX Team from Springfield, MO. In those fourteen events, over 5000 students heard a very positive message based on Christian values, and about 2000 were present to hear a clear gospel presentation. Some 200 students presented themselves for personal decisions of which almost 100 were first-time professions of faith!

4. Pan de Vida Iglesias Bautista, our associational Hispanic ministry church, began Sunday worship services in 2013. This wonderful congregation of gentle people meet on Sunday’s and Thursday’s in the Sanctuary at the BMC, for worship and Bible study, led by David and Lydia Garza.

5. Seminary Extension Classes continue to provide one of the very best values to be found in concentrated theological studies. The material is college level accredited diploma coursework. Classes meet at 6:30 p.m., every Tuesday night during the school year. The association provides certified instructors in order that participants may receive valuable training at a greatly reduced cost. Subjects offered come under the following categories: Biblical studies, Theology, Christian Education, Christian History, Missions and Ministry.

6. Your associational offices, in partnership with the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, provide licensed family counseling services through our Granberry Family Counselor. Further, a certified social worker is now available to assist any of our church families in the areas of adoption and foster care. These exciting ministries have long-lasting impact for any family that has the desire to make a difference.

7. How can pastors and churches be better involved in association ministry?  Easy, do so in prayers, attendance, and in giving. Remember, the association receives “zero” cooperative program dollars…it is the exclusive ministry of the churches in the association. Just think, if each member church would simply give 2% to their association, more local missions and ministries could be added to all that is presently being done. Right now, funds seem to be lessening. Out of 95 churches in the three associations of the Baptist Mission Center, more than half give less than 2%...many of those give less than 1%. This is our opportunity to invest in kingdom work right here in our own area. One of our pastors put it something like this: “Any person right here in central Louisiana who dies without Christ will go to the same sinners hell that a person who dies without Christ in another country would.”  And no one church can reach every person in central Louisiana. We need each other and working together we will accomplish more, very much more that we could do by working alone.

One thing each pastor can do is to attend the quarterly Executive Board meetings and bring a church member. Every member church is allotted their pastor and one other member in representing them in the Executive Board. In the upcoming Executive Board Meetings (Big Creek is March 11 at Bob B.C.; Central is April 17 at Homewood; and N. Rapides is April 10 at Pineville Park B. C.), we will discuss an important social issue that could affect any church and how we can properly respond.

Lastly, regarding support of the association, please consider adding the association to your church prayer list. This simple action would serve as a reminder that our sister churches and our cooperative efforts are truly worthy matters for our prayers.

There are many other things that happen associationally. Please drop by your Baptist Mission Center. We would be very happy to see you and to share the many opportunities that are all around Rapides and Grant Parishes.

Blessings,

Robert Daniel, Director of Missions

Baptist Mission Center

WELCOME TO 2013

Grace and Peace Be Unto Ye...and Happy  2 0 1 3 !

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2)

The Psalmist may well have lived in the kind of unsettling times such as confronts the citizenry of the USA in 2013. I might even wonder if he felt as though there were some imagery of "cliffs," fiscal or otherwise that seemed to be imminent. Even so, it is our faith in God that assures us...yay, compels us to embark on this new year with devotion and assurance!

How are you at "New Years Resolutions?" For some of us, we've lost the substance of our "resolve" within one week. Others of us may actually fulfill our plan for the new year. Probably, we can all acknowledge that such resolutions are at best a problematic venture and many are the times of failure. So what do we do about this new year before us? Make no changes, seek no improvements, set no new goals? May I suggest that the start of a new year is a perfectly good time to take stock and to consider making some changes for the better!

Perhaps you have already taken a stance against making New Years Resolutions...okay, okay, I'm not arguing with you...that is your prerogative. How about considering this from a spiritual...a relationship with the Lord perspective? Instead of promising yourself that your going to lose weight (the most common New Years Resolution), how about making a promise to God that you will take better care of His temple? A promise to God? Yes! That's It! You have a personal relationship with Him...don't you?  Then embark on this new year to improve in that relationship. Prayerfully consider the areas that have room for improvement and with all sincerity and transparency, speak to Him about those areas. You'll know what is high on the list of things that could be better...what is most important to God...and make, not a resolution to yourself, but a promise to God that you will improve. Now that's a promise you can keep!

Bible Reading                                      Christian Attitudes
Prayer Time                                         Not Giving-in to Temptation
Attending Church                                Tithing
Living the Christ Life Openly             Love and Faithfulness

Blessings,
Robert Daniel

   

A Not So Great Resolution: Dear God, my prayer for 2013 is a fat bank account and a thin body. Please don't mix these up like you did this year.   A Thought-Provoking Quote: The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes. Unless a particular man made New Year resolutions, he would make no resolutions. Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.― G.K. Chesterton

Merry Christmas

Grace and Peace to Each of You,

Consider the "Christmas Story" from John's gospel:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1, 14).

"...He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His Redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord" (BF&M 2000).

Jesus Christ is God's indescribable gift to us (2 Cor. 9:15)!

Linda and I attended our first Christmas party of the season on December 1, 2012! It was held at the beautiful Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center in Forest Hill, Louisiana. 'Twas a wondrous evening with banquet delicacies and spectacular music (by Jared Peoples) as we gathered the "Ministers and Mates" of Central Louisiana Baptist Association churches for their annual Christmas fellowship.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the evening was the drawing for a door prize of a chauffeured helicopter ride to an exotic Louisiana restaurant! Now, that was a first for me! What fun and ... what a "buzz" that provoked out there in the social media world!  

Have a great Christmas as you celebrate the true reason for the season. On behalf of the staff of the Baptist Mission Center...we wish you a very Merry Christmas!!

Blessings,
Robert

I Knew It...Sleep is Overrated?!

Grace and Peace Be Unto You,

It is good to share with you in these beautiful Autumn days, the kingdom work of the 92 Baptist churches here in central Louisiana. But before I get into some particulars, allow me to digress for a drowsy excursus.

In the Daniel household, there is an ongoing discussion about my sleep peculiarities.  Basically, I go to bed around midnight and I arise around 6:00 a.m. in the morning. I fall into the category of nearly one third of all working adults--who get six hours or fewer of sleep a night. Strange as it seems to my wife, Linda, six hours of night time sleep seems to work just fine for me. To wit: my answer to the age old question: "Are you a morning person or a night person?" is to reply: "Neither, but I do lunch time really well!" That being said, though, sleep is vitally important.

The New York Times recently published an article entitled: "Rethinking Sleep" http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/opinion/sunday/rethinking-sleep.html?_r=0, in which the notion that an eight hour block of sleep is essential is challenged. Apparently, deep sleep is more significant than the length of time one sleeps. If you sleep deeply, and you are not sleep deprived, the good news is that you may be doing just fine...regardless of whether you sleep in longer blocks of time or in shorter blocks of time. 

The Bible speaks about sleep in numerous ways. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8). We can sleep well in the peace of the Lord. Also, the Bible informs us that God does not sleep: Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4). Thus, we can pillow our heads knowing that the One who keeps His people, will be on watch at all times. Relax, Christian servant...and sleep well my friend. Then, arise and enjoy the Fall beauty of our beloved Louisiana habitat, and labor as ye ought...as unto the Lord!

Many churches, it seems, have Fall Revivals scheduled. I pray that you will take note of nearby sister churches in revival and support them with your prayers and attendance. The Central Louisiana Baptist Association Annual Meeting will be held on October 14, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. (Executive Board at 5:00 p.m.), at Baptist Temple. The North Rapides Baptist Association Annual Meeting will be held on October 21, 2012,  with a Missions Fair at 5:30 p.m., followed by the 6:30 p.m., main meeting, at Alpine First Baptist Church. Support your local association by your attendance. Prayerfully, your church will consider transferring your Sunday night service that evening, to join with other churches for a grand annual gathering to be together in worship and service.

Oh, and by the way...sleep is NOT overrated!!

Blessings,
Robert Daniel, Director of Missions
Big Creek, Central, and North Rapides Associations

Robert's Schedule:
Wednesday Prayer Breakfast, September 26: 7:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church. Bus Trip for a Prayer Drive to Bethel...bus departs the Baptist Mission Center at 6:30 a.m..
September 30: Vacation
October 7: Vacation
October 14: AM at Trinity Baptist. PM is Central Association Annual Meeting at Baptist Temple
October 21: Wilda Baptist morning service, North Rapides Association Annual Meeting at Alpine in the evening.
October 28: Wilda Baptist AM and PM services. Pastor Joey Rudisill on mission in Philippine Islands.
November 4: Wilda Baptist (see above)
November 11: AM is open, St. Claire Baptist Church, PM, for community Thanksgiving Service.
November 18: Open
November 25: Open
December 2: Open
December 9: Homewood Baptist Church Annual Homecoming Service and Dinner on the Grounds
December 16: Open
December 23: Open
December 30: Open

Note: Open dates will become visits to churches to enjoy a time of worship with congregations around the three associations.

Annual Meeting Time

Grace and Peace Be Unto You,

On Tuesday, Sept 11, 2012 (while not forgetting 911), the Big Creek Baptist Association gathered for their 141st Annual Meeting at the Verda Baptist Church. It is a tradition among Baptist churches to belong to an association, to cooperate together in multiple areas of ministry, and to assemble messengers from the member churches to conduct the official business of the association. At this annual meeting of the Big Creek Association, the obligatory reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, the report of the finances, and the adoption of the budget for the coming year were quickly but thoroughly executed. Then, reports were presented. This is an extraordinary time in such annual meetings. The messengers heard reports from associational ministries and from entities of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, such as the Executive Committee, Louisiana College, Louisiana Baptist Children's Home, and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry from a local university.
These reports, as always, included amazing examples of the wonderful ways that God touched the lives of people to bring about His kingdom work locally and across Louisiana. So, business was accomplished simultaneously with testimonies of praise and adoration. It was a reminder to us all that the business of the association (and churches) remains...ministry, evangelism, and missions...not just numbers and procedures.

Fundamentally, these meetings are not only to include times of inspiration and worship, they are to be principally focused on those features... for our Lord, Jesus Christ. In that meeting of the Big Creek Association, fifteen or more churches provided around one hundred messengers to unify voice and heart to sing the praise songs sung in corporate worship and hear the message of God's Word delivered in the Annual Sermon. Wow, what a dynamic event an annual associational meeting can be!

I encourage you to be a part of your association's annual meeting. Here in the central Louisiana area, there are two associations that have upcoming annual meetings: Central Louisiana Baptist Association gathers her messengers on October 14, 2012, seven o'clock in the evening, at the Baptist Temple Church on MacArthur Drive. North Rapides Baptist Association's annual event is on October 21, 2012, with Missions Fair at 5:30 p.m., with the meeting at 6:30 p.m., at Alpine First Baptist Church on Shreveport Highway. Do come, and see for yourself, the amazing kingdom work you participate in through your church, association, and state convention.

Blessings,
Robert Daniel, Director of Missions
Big Creek, Central, and North Rapides Associations

Robert's Sunday Schedule:
September 16: Vick Baptist and Homewood Baptist Churches
September 23: Open
September 30: Vacation
October 7: Vacation
October 14: Central Association Annual Meeting at Baptist Temple
October 21: Wilda Baptist morning service, North Rapides Association Annual Meeting at Alpine in the evening.
October 28: Wilda Baptist AM and PM services. Pastor Joey Rudisill on mission in Philippine Islands.
November 4: Wilda Baptist (see above)
November 11: AM is open, St. Claire Baptist Church, PM, for community Thanksgiving Service.
November 18: Open
November 25: Open
December 2: Open
December 9: Homewood Baptist Church Annual Homecoming Service and Dinner on the Grounds
December 16: Open
December 23: Open
December 30: Open

Note: Open dates will become visits to churches to enjoy a time of worship with congregations around the three associations.

Storm Time...Caution

Not The Biblical Patriarch...Isaac Cometh:

Grace, peace, and safety unto you all. Batten down the hatches, "Thar be a storm dead ahead!" I still want to view the inevitable hurricane season as I did...pre-Katrina. However, I do know better when I just stop and think about the possibilities. Thus, supplies are ready, fuel topped off, and flashlights at hand. I even have a few refugees from South Louisiana boarding at my house.

As to the Baptist Mission Center, we have taken appropirate precautions and have adopted the following storm hours:

Today (8/28): The BMC will be open for the day. Our Seminary Extension Classes are on schedule at the moment. Instructor, Dr. Jack West, will contact the students by 3:00 pm, if there is a change.

Wednesday (8/29): Office closed

Thursaday (8/30): Office closed

Friday (8/31): Office will be open to the public during the following hours: 9 am to 4 pm.

As always, our urgent contact numbers: 318-446-4478 (Robert), or 318-229-7096.

Blessings,
Robert Daniel

There is a protections from the storms that come...His name is Jesus: Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.  Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall (Matthew 7:24-27 NASB).

Pastor...What Does That Title Mean To You?

Grace and Peace, dear friends,

A few weeks ago, I introduced a man to speak to a group of preachers and other church leaders at an associational meeting. Years ago, my family and I were members of a church in which he was serving as the senior pastor. As I thought about the relationship that was forged between us during that time, I began to think about the rich and varied meaning of the term...pastor. I thought about what it has meant to me to be a pastor, and I thought about various things I've heard from various people trying to put their perceptions into words.

Typically, we seem to informally make a distinction between emphasizing the traits of people in the role of pastor...as in: "He is more a 'pastor' than a 'preacher'." Implying, I suppose, that the "pastor" type places more emphasis and time on ministry visits and relationship building. The "preacher" type places more emphasis on study and working on sermons. Certainly, both traits are vitally important and are biblically emphasized:

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12 NASB).

Here are some other expressions that I've seen or heard:

A pastor is someone who carefully provides spiritual nourishment for people. 

A pastor is someone who models God’s love to all people, and calls the church to live lives defined by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

A pastor of a church is someone called by god and others to be a part of a community and to minister with them toward god’s mission in the world. 

A pastor has to be everything to everyone all the time. (ha ha)

Regardless of how well we define the role, there is common agreement that the role of pastor is extremely important to the local church.

When I became a pastor, I was 44 years old and embarking into quite different territory than I could have possibly imagined. I still remember an amazing moment that was so "eye opening" that it is burned into my memory. I was just mingling among the church members and heard Mrs. Billie Faye calling out: "pastor..." and I simply thought she was trying to get her pastors attention...and it hit me...it was me she was calling "pastor!" It was an awesome moment for me to absorb, I was now a man that God and a church had called to be in the role of pastor! To quote the ancient Hebrew..."WOW!" Having held the various pastors in my life in high esteem, and now to be in that same position for others was a notion that I would hold in the greatest sense of humility and fidelity...so help me God.

I once asked on a facebook post: "What is a Director of Missions?" There were numerous replies but there was only one thing that was true of every single reply and that was that the D.O.M. was to be a "pastor to the pastors." I have that role etched into my heart and I want to hold that too, in the greatest sense of humility and fidelity...so help me God. The pastors that I serve associationally, I relate with at the most fundamental levels of the calling of God to be in that amazing role. After all, it's important.

Hey pastor, need a sermon outline? Here is a Question and Answer outline attributed to Dr. John Sullivan. With apologies to Dr. Sullivan for some personalized alterations, here it is:

Title: Is There Anything God Doesn't Know?

Text: Psalm 73:11

> God does not know a sin He does not hate

> God does not know a sinner He does not love

> God does not know a way of forgiveness outside of the Blood of Jesus.

> God does not know a better time to be saved than right now.

Work it out spiritually and search for the Scriptures that will support the points. Then, prayerfully develop the conclusion that will be needed for your audience and let God's Word speak.

Blessings,

Robert Daniel