Join us on the campus of Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO from May 2nd to May 5th, 2016. Our guest speakers include MAY 2-5 Tom Messer, Mark Hoover, and Jonathan Falwell. There has never been a more important time to be “All In.”

ALL IN FOR THE GOSPEL. FOR THE WORD. FOR THE CHURCH. FOR EACH OTHER. O n t h e T a b l e The next step VOL. 66 NO. 8 APRIL 2016 by Randy Harp | Editor THE NEXT STEP

s parents, we love experiencing milestones with our Achildren. We get excited the first time they roll over, sit up, crawl, and take those first steps. We begin to have Taking the next step Whether your relationship with God can be 6 mixed emotions when we drop them off for their first day of measured in days or years, there is ongoing work if kindergarten and are even more emotional as they graduate you truly desire to grow closer to Him. high school and move on to college. Then we see them begin their new lives as they get married and have their own What is the next step? children. Each of these milestones are steps in our journey So, what now? Churches, pastors, and individuals 12 called life. Although they may not be quite so sequential, have to keep growing to avoid becoming stagnant. they each require a next step. Here are seven areas of life or ministry to consider. The Christian life is very similar. At salvation you are made new, but you are not intended to stay the same. There Your next step is a lifetime of growth taken one step at a time. There is an All the information in this issue will be for nothing 30 old Chinese Proverb that says, “The journey of a thousand without application. Ponder these application miles must begin with a single step.” This issue of the Tribune exercises to kickstart your journey to the next step. is focused on how to help you take that next step, wherever you currently find yourself. Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” My prayer is we would each surrender our steps to the Lord. One of my goals as the new editor is to allow multiple contributors to share their knowledge and wisdom. I don’t COLUMNS AND DEPARTMENTS know if there are any official records, but this issue has to be close to the most contributors in a single issue. Including our regular columnists, there are over 20 different individuals 4 BBFI Leadership Perspectives who provide content from basically every aspect of ministry. 9 In the Trenches It is also great to have the daughter of a former Tribune editor as well as the co-founder of Liberty University as 21 The Right Angle contributors this month. Pastors, I encourage you to share this issue with your 22 Baptist History congregation. There are many practical features and columns Don’t miss any of the 23 Urban Current to help those in your church. I also encourage you to read Tribune’s digital offerings through this issue asking yourself, “How can I take my next on our website 25 Fellowship News step and how can I lead our church to take the next step.” www.tribune.org. You can find old articles, a digital 31 Missionary Prayer Calendar Use the “Afterwords” on page 30 as a tool to apply these page-turn version of this principles. month’s magazine, and I know I probably sound like a broken record but I want a link to sign up for the to remind you that the Baptist Bible Tribune is a ministry of Tribune Update email. the BBFI primarily funded by the support of local churches. Yes, we receive funds through advertisements and there are those who have individual subscriptions, but the vast majority of our budget is based on voluntary support. Would you consider partnering with us by contributing to our February Tribune Offering (it is never too late) or becoming a SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Individual monthly financial contributor? You can make an immediate The Baptist Bible Tribune (ISSN 0745-5836) is subscriptions are $15 per year anywhere in published monthly, except for a combined July/August donation by logging onto www.tribune.org and clicking on the U.S.; $20 per year in foreign countries. issue, by the BBFI, 720 E. Kearney, Springfield, Baptist the “Partner” button or contact our office at Missouri 65803. Periodical class postage paid at Postmaster send address changes to: Springfield, Missouri, and additional entry offices. Bible Tribune, P. O. Box 309, Springfield, Missouri (417) 831-3996. Executive Editor: Randy Harp 65801, 417-831-3996, fax 417-831-1470. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve Christ as Assistant Editor: Rob Walker By-lined opinions expressed in the Baptist Director of Office Services: Karri Joy Perry Bible Tribune are those of the authors and not I serve you. If I can ever be of service to you, please let me Email address: [email protected] necessarily those of the editorial staff or the know. Web site address: www.tribune.org Baptist Bible Fellowship.

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 3 world missions discipleship and missions

he Great Commission includes actively serving in a local church. challenged to pass on the things Tthree essential components Missionaries, those who have he has learned from Paul to — evangelism, baptism, and been discipled, must have the “faithful men, who shall be able discipleship. The cross-cultural ability to make disciples. If they to teach others also.” Here we see mindset of our missionaries have not learned how to share four generations of discipleship enables them to bring people to their faith, study their Bible, in one verse: Paul, Timothy, from the president Jesus Christ; grounding them in serve others, teach others, and faithful men, and others they what’s next? the basics of the Christian life, pray in faith, they will have no would train. This is missions — t our church we talk about how equipping those who exhibit a experience from which to draw cross-cultural discipleship. Aeveryone has a next step. New faithful desire to serve, and then while on the foreign field. They We remain committed people are invited to our Starting extending their reach with the would essentially be unable to to sending missionaries fully Point Class where we discuss what it Gospel to their own people and reproduce a growing Christian prepared, mobilized to make means to accept Christ. They are then the regions beyond. This process who can in turn disciple others. disciples in hopes they too will encouraged to take the next step and of discipleship is demonstrated Their church planting efforts one day reach follow the Lord in baptism. Others are repeatedly throughout the New would be hindered because their their own. encouraged to take that next step to Testament. members would lack the ability membership. People are encouraged This is why the BBFI insists to make disciples, grow their to take the next step by being involved on sending men and women own ministries, and equip others in one of our discipleship classes. The who exhibit these qualities and — they would remain utterly next step for many is to join a volunteer demonstrate an ability to share dependent upon the missionary. Jon Konnerup team or get into a small group. their faith with others while In 2 Timothy 2:2, Timothy is bbfi mission director Churches need a next step. Jesus laid out the next steps in Acts 1:8. He said the Holy Spirit would come and they would be witnesses. They would begin in Jerusalem. Then they were to go to Judea, then Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. The churches BBFI LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES: of the BBFI take a step toward this objective when they come alongside church planting church planters (Judea and Samaria). You don’t have to be large to plant A church can take the next step to take the Gospel to the end of the earth by ust as we think we have to churches because of their small churches, but let it not be our supporting a missionary. As God calls Jbe fully grown before we numbers. However, we must be excuse that we are too small to out leaders, our colleges help these can produce fruit, sometimes honest with ourselves and admit plant another church. Acts 12:42 emerging leaders by providing a place we think we have to be a large sometimes we just don’t want teaches that these early churches for them to take the next step and be church before we can plant to give up members to another increased and multiplied because trained and equipped for ministry. another church. Let us remember group starting a church in our they were reaching, discipling, We must constantly be looking the command for making city. Sometimes our small size and sending people out to start for our next step. The entities of our disciples and sending people allows us an excuse not to plant new churches. We can do this! Fellowship serve churches as they take out is to all churches large and another church. their next steps. By supporting the small. The book of Acts teaches Someone said a newly Mission Office, APEX church planting, us that the early church grew and planted church will win more our colleges, and the Tribune, churches multiplied extensively. How did people to Christ than any other take the next steps and expand they grow so rapidly? tool we have today. I believe this their ministries beyond their local Most of these churches to be true, not only because it is communities. were not much more than a few the Lord’s plan but because of families gathered in a home or the enthusiasm and pioneering marketplace for the purpose spirit derived from a newly of practicing and teaching formed congregation. the apostle’s doctrines. I’m We’re completely thankful afraid our small churches often for large churches and the John Gross Eddie Lyons feel inadequate to start other support they give to starting bbfi church planting (apex) bbfi president

4 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE is college the next step? bbfi he season of pomp and talents, skills, and passions? Will year, that statistic climbs to 90 contact Tcircumstance is upon us. you choose to give your life to percent. These are troubling Soon high school seniors will ministry? signs. points be wearing caps and gowns, Where will you go to At BBC, every class is taught clutching diplomas, and college? I think this may be from a Christian worldview. wondering about their next steps. the most important of these Students learn to study the Bible Baptist Bible Fellowship Int’l. bbfi.org I often talk to these young people decisions. Their college choice and discern truth. Instead of [email protected] about the five most important will influence who their friends walking away, their faith grows facebook.com/bbfi.org decisions they face. will be, prepare them for a career, deeper and they are enabled to What will you do with most likely introduce them to share that faith with the world. Mission Office Jesus Christ? Their answer will their spouse, and determine what I encourage parents and bbfimissions.com impact them for eternity. they do with Christ. pastors to challenge students to [email protected] Who will you marry? This Why do I feel every graduate consider Baptist Bible College. (417) 862-5001 choice will affect everything else should consider Christian college I encourage you facebook.com/BBFIMissions they do. as their next step? Statistics show as a student to Who will your friends be? 85 percent of Christian teens will consider BBC. It APEX (church planting) Show me your friends and I will attend a secular university. By the will change your apexnetwork.tv [email protected] show you your future. Choose end of their freshmen year, 70 life. (417) 536-8826 wisely. percent of those “Christians” will What will you choose walk away from Christ forever. Mark Milioni Baptist Bible Tribune BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE PRESIDENT as a career? What are your By the end of their sophomore tribune.org [email protected] (417) 831-3996 THE facebook.com/bbtribune Baptist Bible College gobbc.edu BBFI LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES:NEXT STEP [email protected] (800) 268-6000 BOSTON BAPTIST COLLEGE facebook.com/BaptistBibleCollege One night at the wall Boston Baptist College boston.edu ’m still trying to reclaim a North to “check in” our group, only to have to see my son, David, filling [email protected] IAmerican sleep pattern after learn that a digital confirmation in for me (while I negotiated) (888) 235-2014 our return from the Boston Study on an iPad wasn’t good enough. “leading” a line of students on a facebook/pages/Boston-Baptist-College Trip 2016. Eleven days in Israel They wanted a hard copy … or a sprint though who-knows-what- with forty students and another fax! Eventually, I ended up in the part of that ancient city! You have forty friends of our college made ticket booth, typing on a Hebrew to see a bunch of Baptist guys for weeks full of memories. But keypad, opening a Boston Baptist trying to keep yarmulkes on in there was that one night at the email account! But we did what the wind. Then, see students just Kotel, the Western Wall of the Boston does — we kept at it, 90 feet from the Holy of Holies, Temple Mount, that says so much polite but persistent, doing what and walking on the very streets about what a Boston Baptist we needed to do. that knew the feet of the Lord College study trip is. “A tour of the remains of the Jesus! Just one night on one study The Kotel offers a limited retaining wall of Herod’s Temple” trip in the course of a Boston number of private tours to might sounds like old rocks degree. But it was a Boston night excavations deep below the and typical tourist spiels, but — in Israel — and retaining wall of Herod the you would be wrong. Visualize no biblical text Great’s Temple Mount. Our reservation times changed on us about the Temple experience at the Kotel was truly at the last minute, leaving Keith will ever look the Israeli … and Boston! In Israel, McAllister running across the same to us again. almost nothing quite works like Old City of Jerusalem “faster than David Melton you expect it to. I showed up I’ve run since high school.” You boston BAPTIST COLLEGE PRESIDENT

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 5 Taking the next step

in your relationship with God By Randy Harp

everal years ago, I read Max Lucado’s we grow older does not mean we grow more not a definitive indicator of spiritual maturity. book Just Like Jesus. Lucado repeats a spiritually mature. Several obstacles can Still others connect spiritual maturity with Sstatement throughout the book that slow a person’s spiritual growth. One area achievement or academia. Again, while has stuck with me ever since — “God loves many continue to struggle with is guilt over these have value, they alone do not identify a you just the way you are, but He refuses to past failures. Even though God forgives us at mature Christ-follower. Unfortunately, many leave you that way. He wants you to be just salvation and scripture teaches our sins are in our world lack a true desire for spiritual like Jesus.” It is a simple, easy-to-understand removed as far as the east is from the west, growth. They compartmentalize their faith statement. we oftentimes still beat ourselves up over our and fulfill their religious obligations, but lack No doubt God loves each of us. Scripture past. So, if Jesus has forgiven you, who do you passion for the Lord. I heard a term “Christian is full of such expressions. It is easy to think keeps bringing up your past and causing athiest” recently, which sums up this type of talk about God’s love. It is comforting and you to feel guilty? I love Paul’s wisdom in person — someone who believes in God but reassuring. God’s love is easy to embrace. response to this very issue. In lives life as if He doesn’t exist. In other words, Unfortunately, far too often we neglect the 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, he lists several types they lack a desire to take the next step in their second half of Lucado’s statement. We are not of individuals from those who are sexually relationship with Jesus Christ. nearly as comfortable with change. It can be immoral to thieves and idolaters. In verse ten Others may not be growing in their difficult to conform our lives, not to the world, he states, “And such were some of you. But you relationship with Christ because they lack but rather to the leadership of the Holy Spirit were washed, but you were sanctified, but you the tools needed for growth. They may want and obedience to the Word of God. But God were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus to grow but just don’t know how. They have loves us far too much to leave us where He and by the Spirit of God.” A person will never never been taught. My wife’s testimony is an found us at salvation. Salvation is simply the realize the great plans God has for him or her example of this. She did not place her trust first step, albeit the most important step, in if he or she continues to carry guilt over past in Christ as her Savior until after high school. a journey that will last a lifetime. God wants failures. After her conversion, she was clearly told you to continue to take the next step in your Another obstacle to growth is that how she should dress, what type of music she relationship with Him. some people do not fully understand what should listen to, places and people she should spiritual growth is. They may connect spiritual not be around, but she was never taught obstacles to growth maturity with personal appearance. While I how to have a personal devotion. It wasn’t The challenge is that spiritual growth does do believe it is important to maintain a certain until she attended Bible college that she was not happen automatically. Simply because level of appropriate appearance, that alone is encouraged to read the Bible on her own and

6 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 Taking the next step

Many was given tools to help her grow in her own on James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and spiritual walk. In our world today, there are a not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Many variety of helpful resources in this area. Christians today only fool themselves because Christians they do not do what they know the Scriptures DEFINING SPIRITUAL MATURITY teach. When I was pastoring, I would hear, So what do I mean by spiritual maturity? I “Great message today, preacher,” or “I needed today would define it as both knowing more about that today, pastor,” or “I felt like you were God and acting more like Jesus. It is two- talking directly to me today.” I appreciated fold. You have to know it in order to act it, the support, but oftentimes wondered what only fool but knowing it is not enough on its own. I people would do with what they heard? base this definition on two primary passages of scripture. Hebrews 6:1 states, “Therefore, Catalysts for change themselves leaving the discussion of the elementary So, if God loves us just as we are, but He principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, desires for us to change, what is it that not laying again the foundation of repentance causes us to change? I believe it was Charlie because they from dead works and of faith toward God.” “Tremendous” Jones who first said, “We In other words, let’s stop going over the basic will be the same person in five years that we teachings about Christ and let’s become are today except for two things: the people do not do mature in our understanding, not needing to we meet and the books we read.” I would start again with repentance and faith. Paul add a third category — the experiences we illustrates this idea as moving from milk to encounter. Let’s take a closer look at these to meat. As much as I love a good, cold glass of see how they help us change. what they milk, I much prefer a New York strip steak Let’s first look at the books we read. I will from a prime steakhouse. As you continue to be honest, I used to hate reading. (Yes, that is take your next steps toward spiritual maturity somewhat comical with the profession I have know the you should understand the deeper meanings today.) When I was in high school, I loved of the Word of God. math and science. Upon graduation, I pursued Scriptures The second part of my definition is based an engineering degree, which included teach. April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 7 Sometimes God reading but consisted of much more math the power of God firsthand in his or her life. and science. When I enrolled at Baptist Bible shows up in Sometimes God shows up in extraordinary College I literally prayed and asked God to ways and sometimes He shows up in the give me a passion for reading. It worked. Today normal routine of life. Shortly after graduating I have a goal of reading one book per week. extraordinary from BBC, I went on my first international There is an old saying, “Today’s readers are mission trip to Costa Rica. Until then, I could tomorrow’s leaders.” I believe that. I want my probably count the number of states I had kids to be readers. I spend a lot of money on ways and visited on one hand. Our trip theme was, books for my kids. I consider it an investment. “Look beyond what you see.” Those words Obviously the most important book we could not have been more impactful as I saw should read is the Bible. We should set aside sometimes He beyond the challenges of a developing country time every day to read God’s Word. God told to see the dire spiritual need of a people I did Joshua as he was preparing to become the new shows up in not even know. God used that experience to leader of the children of Israel, “This Book of change me forever. the Law shall not depart from your mouth, I often wonder what was going through but you shall meditate in it day and night, that the normal Peter’s mind as he crawled over the side of that you may observe to do according to all that boat and walked on water toward Jesus. There is written in it. For then you will make your is no doubt that experience changed him. way prosperous, and then you will have good routine of life. Another example, which happened the day success.” In order for Joshua to be the leader before, has always fascinated me. We know he needed to be, he had to spend time reading it as the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus asked His and meditating on God’s Word. Reading God’s disciples how they were going to feed the large Word changed his life. you are going to meet someone who could multitude that followed them. Philip went Don’t misunderstand this next statement, end up radically changing your life, but you as far as to say it would take more than a half but it is also important to read other books as do have to be paying attention and you have a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each well as the Bible. Obviously the Bible is the to be prepared. An example of this is found person to have just a bite. I am not sure how most important, but you can oftentimes glean in Acts chapter eight. This was a time of great he was discovered or if he spoke up on his new insights by reading what other authors persecution for the church, but God was using own, but a small child happened to have five have learned about the Bible. They may have the persecution to expand His kingdom. An small loaves of bread and two small fish with a better grasp of the original languages or angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and told him him. This was not out of the ordinary until culture. They may have spent years pouring to leave Jerusalem and head toward Gaza. As Jesus got involved. Jesus took this small boy’s into a certain passage of scripture. The Apostle Philip began this journey he met someone offering and fed 5,000 men plus all the women Paul was an avid reader. In his valedictory in unexpectedly. He noticed a carriage on the and children who were there. Scripture does 2 Timothy 4 he requests Timothy bring him same route and the man inside the carriage not record it, but in my mind I can see how “the books, especially the parchments.” One happened to be reading from the prophet this boy’s life would be changed forever. of my most prized possessions is my library. Isaiah. The Holy Spirit prompted Philip to Maybe your experience with God is (I might not have said that a few months go toward the carriage and Philip asked the volunteering to serve in a new ministry. Maybe ago while moving boxes of books across the man if he knew what he was reading. The your experience with God is walking down country, but I do today.) If you are serious man replied he could not unless someone the street to introduce yourself to that new about becoming more like Jesus, there must explained it to him and invited Philip into neighbor. Maybe your experience with God be a commitment to spend time reading. the carriage. To make a long story short, is volunteering to serve at a local homeless People you meet are a second catalyst Philip introduced this Ethiopian eunuch to shelter. Maybe your experience is stepping out to change. The vast number of people God a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and in faith and attempting to do something so has allowed me to interact with over the even baptized him that same day. Both men big that if God doesn’t show up you will fail past 20 years has been one of my greatest experienced life-change this day. The people miserably. The experience is not the end; it blessings. From fellow students I attended you meet and the people you spend the most is simply a means to the end, which is taking college with that have become life-long time with will help you grow spiritually. that next step toward spiritual maturity. friends, to the staff and members at each The third area that helps a person God loves you — with all your warts and church I have served, to all the friends and toward spiritual maturity is the experiences scars and baggage, God loves you. But He acquaintances I have made along the way, he or she encounters. This goes back to the loves you too much to leave you where He each has impacted my life to become who I James passage of not just hearing, but doing. found you. He wants you to change, to become am today. The reality is, you never know when Everyone has the opportunity to experience just like Jesus. Don’t remain where you are.

8 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 IN THE TRENCHES Pastor THE NEXT STEP Tim Adrian Pastor | Westside Baptist Church | Hutchinson, KS

At our church, we have strategy with specific check-in, and answer questions. During the youth workers if we determine a particular family and measurable steps of assimilation. Our staff service, we ask every guest to fill out our has children who could be part of their class. After identifies and works with individuals at every connection card with contact information. If a second visit or so, our staff makes phone calls step of this process. Our first goal is to turn they are willing, we will extend to them a free to prospects in an attempt to connect them to a our neighbors into guests. And then the process coffee card worth $5.00. We know if we can’t small group or class. begins with a goal of turning a guest into a gather the right information, we have lost an Our staff hosts a meal every quarter for prospect; a prospect into an attender; an attender opportunity and thus we justify this expense. those who want to know more about our church. into a member; a member into a serving member; We also dedicate bulletin space and We bring in catered BBQ for lunch after the anda serving member into a ministry leader. Of announcement time to promote upcoming Sunday morning service. We take this time to get course evangelism, discipleship, and leadership events of interest to a new family, such as to know the people better and explain our Sunday training are woven through these various levels. summer camp and VBS. Typically a new series of school, Bible study, and small group options. We Special days are vital to us since we see an messages or a special class is publicized. Usually, introduce the staff and other leaders, we explain upturn in the number of guests. For instance, we have scheduled a special music group on one our statement of faith, and we rehearse the when it comes to Easter, we plan and calculate a of the two Sundays after Easter so that we have requirements for baptism and membership. certain amount of funds, energy, and time to that something to invite all guests back to. It is our We have found that having a process is one day. Our leadership encourages our attenders intention to show all guests that our church is crucial in bringing people down the path from to invest a minute to invite others to our special filled with possibilities for their family. first-time guest to serving member in our church. days. If we have worked our plans correctly, we Immediately after Easter, we send out cards, Our staff manages the systems we utilize to bring will see a rise in attendance of several hundred. letters, and e-mails to all guests and of course, people along in their relationship to our church. It However, all of these efforts are wasted if we are invite them to return to our church. Our real is with great joy we look over the guest list from not equally intentional on and after Easter. goal is for as many people as possible to return last year and see those who are now helping us On Easter Sunday, we recruit an expanded for a second or third visit. Those who do are with the work of the Gospel. greeting and hospitality team for each service. our real prospects and the ones we focus most They hand out worship folders, help with nursery ofour attention on. We will alert children and

Worship Ministry Jason Cross Worship Faculty | Baptist Bible College | Springfield, MO

Big weekends can be a great catalyst for in each area of your ministry, set the processes 2. PLACE THE VOLUNTEERS UNDER increasing the capacity of your volunteer pipeline. for training in place, pray, invite your people to HEALTHY LEADERSHIP You already have everyone you need in your join you in what God is doing, and watch God do The leaders you put in place will be the primary church to go to the next level an amazing work! One way to do this effectively shapers of the culture of your ministry. If you want (1 Corinthians 12:18), and sometimes all it takes in worship ministry is to host an open house. your ministry to be distinguished by character, is a little forethought to help your people reach This can work really well in getting your ministry competence, and service (nothing wrong with the next level of engagement. exposure at high impact times (like, just after throwing “fun” in there as well), then make sure Easter). A great resource for this idea can be your leaders embody those attributes. This comes 1. MAKE THE “ASK” found at www.churchleaderinsights.com (“How to from spending both team time and one-on-one Many people in your church just don’t know what Double Your Worship Team in a Day”). Enter the time with the leaders you serve. Also, don’t feel the next step is. Take time to figure that part out code “Tribune” for a discount. (CONTINUED)

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 9 IN THE TRENCHES (CONTINUED)

that you have to be the only mentor to each of your leaders. You may be better off helping them Missionary make a connection with another staff or volunteer Dwayne Wright leader or even someone from another local BBFI Missionary | Ethiopia church. Don’t be so prideful or territorial you fail to help your people take the “next step” even if Everything we do in our daily lives is completed sitting down in the plane, and taking a deep breath, you’re not the one to lead them there. one step at a time. The same is true in our here we go, walking off the plane in Ethiopia. Christian walk. Many times we look at it as one Now, looking back, we see God was working 3. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BIG PICTURE big leap. When God called us in 2008 to Ethiopia, in us each step of the way to prepare us for what Find a way to connect your volunteer roles to we looked at it as one huge leap resulting in He had in store for us living and serving here in the Gospel message. We don’t serve to earn us saying, “God there is no way we can go to Ethiopia. Even now in Ethiopia we have to slow God’s love, but we serve because Christ served Ethiopia. The cost is too high and the economy is down and remind ourselves we can’t do or go us first. Much like in Tabernacle worship in tanking. This isn’t going to work.” But that is not where God wants us to go unless we put one foot the Old Testament, someone had to facilitate what God wanted. He didn’t want us to get on a in front of the other. Don’t look at the long-term Israel’s corporate worship by preparing the plane that day and leave for Ethiopia, we weren’t goal as a huge leap. God’s not asking us to leap; Tabernacle furniture. Each act of service was an ready. We had to walk with Him over a course He is asking us to take a step. opportunity for awe, expectation and for personal of time for Him to prepare our family to live in a Peter learned this lesson thoroughly. We worship that prepared their hearts, served their post-communist third world. don’t see Peter leaping out of the boat, but we see congregation and glorified the Lord. Oftentimes we look so far ahead of what him stepping out of the boat, one foot at a time In Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why, he tells God is wanting to do that we miss the next step and placing one foot in front of the other as he an old story of two medieval brick layers who in front of us which results in us falling. Though walks towards Jesus. Shouldn’t that be the same in were asked about their jobs. The first was simply the task of moving our family of six to Ethiopia our daily lives? One foot in front of the other, one “paying the bills” while the other was “building was beyond what we could comprehend, we knew step at a time, always walking toward Jesus. Don’t a cathedral!” Perspective matters and so does God had called us. However, we were to take it get caught up on where you think you need to be constantly connecting your team to the bigger one step at a time. Each step we took moved us and miss sight of where God may guide your next picture. How you and your team serves each closer to fulfilling our call to minister in Ethiopia. step. Your next step may not be toward a week has the potential to impact eternity. What Our steps were resigning at our church, being $1 million campaign or a huge crowd at church could possibly be bigger than that? approved, selling everything, loading what was left this Sunday. He may just be asking you to step Pray for the Spirit’s power to guide you in into a van, driving to a church to present, repeat, across the street, step across your cubical, your the process and just watch what happens. Next repeat, repeat for two years, saying goodbyes, living room, step into a mud hut, and be the hands Easter could look radically different. Just watch. driving to the airport, walking on to the plane, and feet He has called you to be.

Children’s Ministry Stephanie Loderhose Kids Ministry Director | Friendship Baptist Church | Owasso, OK

We have found that many parents feel inadequate the ways we implemented the curriculum: have a game or object lesson with a spiritual truth. to properly disciple their kids. As we looked over The same Biblical lesson is taught for For example, families are taking ordinary pizza the biblical principle of discipleship, we found the every age in our church. This allows families to night and adding a spiritual truth in a fun way. This greatest influence in a child’s life will always be discuss what they learned. Basically giving families is one more way for parents to live out the Word their parent or guardian. True discipleship, first, something to spiritually talk about. of God in their home. begins with the parents living out their spiritual We implemented a devotional book for As a church, we have a responsibility to walk every day with their children. every person in our church. These devotional disciple members of our church, but we have Here was our problem, parents/guardians books are a daily devotional for each member seen a great shift in our families to take the next did not know where or how to implement true of the family. This allowed families to have step of home discipleship in order to have the discipleship in the home. We found a curriculum accountability for their daily spiritual walk. biggest spiritual impact on their kids. called D6 that seemed to be tailored to the home The D6 curriculum also provided a discipleship needs we faced. Following are some of weekly email called the “Splink” for families to

10 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 Women’s Ministry Youth Ministry Sharon Hoffman Blake Housely Women’s Ministry Director | West Division Street Baptist Church | Springfield, MO Youth Pastor | Park Crest Baptist Church | Springfield, MO

Today my house happens to be cluttered, visibly 4. Identify with women who have been What’s the next step? No really, what’s the next step? dusty, laundry piles higher than I want to admit, through your similar past pain. Let them When a student visits your youth ministry, how do you and yes, both kitchen sinks are full of last night’s know you’ve been there. Show them how God best connect with them following their visit? Give them a shenanigans. My heart could stand a little spring victoriously brought you through some tough phone call? Personal visit? Connect on social media? cleaning, as well. Below are some principles I times that you might better reflect His image (2 If I am going to be honest, I can’t give you a sure- actively apply when I know it’s time to “step up.” Corinthians 4:10). Let them know that their past fire method to connect with them. However, I do think These aren’t seven quick-and-easy steps to instant does not have to determine their future! You be it is important to evaluate the method you currently solutions for coping with ministry messes and the real-life living proof. use. Is it the most beneficial? Are you seeing results from stresses. They are, however, some ways we can the process? These are questions I asked myself when come closer to God and become a greater source 5. Get your combat boots on. Know you evaluating how we previously followed up with first-time of encouragement to the women we lead. will be under attack if you serve God in any guests. leadership capacity. If you are in ministry, you We would start by getting information from them 1. Let’s stop trying to be all things to all are in battle. Ephesians 6 tells us what to do to (address and phone number), then we would make a people. Say to your women “I will be here for keep in the fight. Be confident in your calling— personal visit. Using this approach resulted in a high you,” but remind yourself that does not mean do not let the enemy steal that from your heart. percentage of negative feedback. From my experience, 24/7. Know your own capacity in whatever season You are safe in the arms of God at all times, all this did not seem effective. I know this is a staple method of life you are in; know when it is time to call in moments, in all situations, all circumstances. He in many churches, and if you are seeing results, keep it for reinforcements. One of the biggest drawbacks wants to use your story for His glory. up. But, due to the negative feedback in our situation, I to stepping up higher is our not being a good decided to get creative with new ways to connect with steward of time and of guarding our own hearts. If 6. Rest when it is time to rest. You know our guests. we become more devoted to people than to God, when you need it. After every draining Sunday, When someone visits our student ministry small we become disasters. right? I foolishly thought I could go like the group, we connect them with a group of students to Energizer Bunny forever and never wear down. which we think they can relate. This enables four to five 2. Know when to take a stand, make After all, I’m doing the Lord’s work, right? You students to build a stronger connection with a guest. We decisions, and put your foot down. Some women know what? I was wrong. Rest for the body, then have them fill out a connection card. We ask for simply do not want to be helped, they just want mind, and soul is God’s gift to us if we will just their address and social media handles along with other a place to dump their pain. If God orders our take it. Draw aside, as Jesus did, for sweet times information as we previously had done, only now we steps, he also orders our stops! Stop trying to with your Father. utilize the information differently. We start by following help everyone. Shake off the clingy women who them on social media from our student ministry outlets. honestly don’t want help; guard that valuable time 7. Enjoy and embrace where God has If they follow back, then they receive a reminder about to pour into those who do; who sincerely will you. There are ways God has humbled you our youth ministry with every post. We have the small listen and change. and devastating events threatened to topple group personally sign a postcard which we mail to them you in ministry. There will also be times when the next day. This card gives them important information 3. We cannot serve by feelings, we God opens some exciting doors for you to such as service times, how to locate us on social media, must learn to serve through commitment and walk through that you never even dreamed to and our website. It also has a message that says, “Bring surrender. Leading in ministry robs your joy and imagine. Through it all, may I lastly encourage this card back for a free Andy’s (popular frozen custard brings on a depressive fatigue if you serve only you, to stay true to the real you. Through the joint in Springfield) gift card.” Not only does this when you feel like it or from a have-to mentality. mundane and the glamourous ministry times in encourage them to return, but it most likely will get into You may minister in a huge church with Bible this life, it does no good to spend wishing you the hands of a parent in a non‑confrontational way. studies, banquets, monthly Ladies’ Night Out, and were someone else or somewhere else. Blessed Is this the end-all method? Not at all. But, it’s what service projects galore. Instead of lamenting these is she who is content with her own capacity! we have tried in an effort to make a connection with seasons of exciting doors, growth, and equipping Whatever your next step looks like, keep students who visit our youth ministry. While I may others … embrace the exciting times when you stepping upward to the top of your present not have the exact answer for your youth ministry, I see God mightily at work. Let the joy of seeing mountaintop. You can, with God’s help. encourage you to evaluate your method. Is it the most God’s hand be your strength! It won’t always be beneficial? Are you seeing results? If not, don’t keep doing this way; there will be seasons of famine and rest the same thing expecting different results. I do know ahead. That’s the ebb and flow of ministry. getting a student to sit under the presentation of the Gospel a second time is worth every effort.

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 11 1 CONNECTING PEOPLE TO YOUR CHURCH By Shellie Dameron, Connections Director, Orchard Church, Denver, CO

aster at Orchard Church in Denver, to fill one out with their information with a “It was great! I like the time frames and ECO, is an exciting time! Last year over promise they will receive a coupon in the mail the message. Folks at the doors and entries are 2,700 attended our five services and this for a free Chick‐fil‐A sandwich. It is amazing very friendly.” year we are praying for more than 3,000. We how enticing a chicken sandwich can be. expect over 200 new families will join us to In our experience, most guests, especially “I was greeted right when I walked in, celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Many of our Millennials, do not like to be singled out, so given a tour, told about the different small families who attend regularly had their first we do not recognize them publicly during the groups, and directed to where the service was experiences at Orchard on an Easter Sunday service. On Easter, we do ask everyone who being held. Very welcoming!” and we strive to make these new guests feel attends (both members and guests) to fill the love of Christ from the moment they step out a connection card. This helps guests not “I loved it! Definitely coming again! The out of their cars until they return home. We feel singled out and allows us to get updated environment was wonderful! Everybody was so are intentional to greet, host, and follow up contact information for everyone. It also happy to be at church, so friendly.” 2 not just on Easter, but every Sunday. provides an opportunity to ask everyone to answer a question about his or her salvation. FOLLOW THROUGH FIRST IMPRESSIONS At Orchard we want to move a person from Outside are signs pointing to a tent in our FOLLOW UP first-time guest to a passionate, reproducing courtyard with a banner that says, “New Follow-up begins Monday morning when we follower of Christ. This is done by making the Here? Start Here.” At this tent are trained, send all guests a handwritten thank you note steps very close together. Someone who has outgoing volunteers who greet guests and from the pastor with the coupon. We make never set foot in a church may find signing up give them bags containing a logo cup and follow-up phone calls within the first 48 hours for small groups or discipleship intimidating. information about our church. One team and answer any questions, and send an email That is why we developed a Starting Point member shows each guest around (locations encouraging them to take the next step by Class, to give returning visitors information of restrooms, free coffee and donuts, etc), coming to our Starting Point Class. This email about the history, values, and vision of our helps them get their children checked into also contains a link to a guest survey. Anyone church, and follow up with information on class, and takes them into the auditorium to who accepted Christ is mailed a follow-up salvation and baptism. We encourage them to find a seat. The goal is for our team members booklet. Pastor personally calls the guests on get in a small group and start serving. to connect with these guests, not to just feed Thursday morning inviting them to come back. As a growing church, we have a simple them information. We ask guests to return to Church management software helps make our process to making disciples: reach, relate, the tent afterwards and give us feedback on follow-up process easier and more efficient (we reproduce. Our purpose is to make disciples their experience. We want everyone to have a use Church Community Builder). who glorify God by reaching people for Jesus, great experience from street to seat. Here are some comments from our recent relating them to other believers, and teaching Connection cards are included in each guests: them to reproduce followers of Christ. newsletter in every service and we ask guests

12 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 REACH meet it. That may mean taking a meal to fellowship with other believers, and to do the Most first-time guests come Sunday morning. someone, a hospital visit, or just giving a hug work of the ministry. The work of the ministry Therefore, at the end of every message the and prayer. We also encourage our groups is what Jesus did when He was on this earth. Gospel is presented with an opportunity to to do at least one outreach/service project He made disciples. We do not feel we have respond. a semester. Nothing builds community like made a disciple until he or she has discipled serving together. someone else. It is spiritual multiplication. RELATE We encourage everyone to join a small group. REPRODUCE Orchard Church does not believe it is We have two semesters allowing us to push Through our small groups we encourage the pastor’s or our ministry team’s job to for sign-ups twice a year and foster easy individuals to be involved in discipleship, do the work of the ministry. It is our job to multiplication of groups. We do not want pairing a grounded believer who has been equip people to do the work of the ministry people in the same group long term. In a through our training class with a new believer. (Ephesians 4:11‐13). A healthy, growing, large church it can be hard to feel connected, They meet weekly and go through a workbook. reproducing body of believers will be a light in so our small groups are more than just Bible Discipleship isn’t about the material as the community. In reality, some of our future studies. There is intentional time for talking much as it is about the relationship. Our discipled believers may be our guests this and getting to know each other. If someone threefold purpose in discipleship: to establish Easter. We want to help them as individuals to in a group has a need, we ask the small group the believer in the Word of God, to create take the next step toward that end.

2 DEVELOPING LEADERS By Keith Gillming, Pastor, Lighthouse Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO

t seems like every vocation has require- some professional development. Next Step Up diligent to present yourself approved to God, Iments for professional development except is a practical Bible conference that has been a worker who does not need to be ashamed, ministry. Many pastors have some kind of going for ten years seeking to fulfill a niche for rightly dividing the word of truth.” formal training, which is absolutely priceless Bible-believing pastors around the region. Diligence in ministry is an all-consuming for the foundation of their ministry, yet most In football, players huddle up to get task. Modern-day ministry is overwhelming. would agree our culture has changed signifi- on the same page and to take steps to win Today’s pastor must be an authority on cantly since we departed the halls of our Bible the game. We all know fans don’t pay to cultural trends in order to relate to a variety colleges and seminaries. watch the huddle, but they sure appreciate of ages, yet still stand firm. He must accept Changing national values have left many the preparation when the play strategically people where they are with the idea of of us feeling detached and out of step in our accomplishes its goal. If the quarterback helping them grow and mature, yet do it on a society. Frustration develops over how to keeps everyone out of the loop, the play will shoestring budget. relate in a post-Christian world, yet, so many fail every time. He must know the play and Bringing our folks to maturity is a never- do nothing to adapt their outreach and their disseminate it to the whole team. ending undertaking. Statistics say only 25 churches eventually become ingrown and We are leaders under construction by the percent of church members read their Bibles, marginalize their effectiveness. Lord, for the purpose of leading people from and 23 percent admit they never pray. Couple It was for that reason Lighthouse Baptist here to eternity. We will always be learning that with the fact that only five percent of Church in St. Louis created an opportunity through life experiences, and through our Christians have ever led someone to Christ, for pastors and their staff and lay-staff to gain mistakes. Second Timothy 2:15 says, “Be and we see the challenge for pastors.

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 13 “Leadership is not something you are born with; leaders are built a step at a time.”

God has always used leaders to wholeheartedly. Then he taught others what Jeff Iorg, author and president of Golden Gate accomplish His work. He used Moses to take he learned. This was key in seeing people’s Theological Seminary, have been valuable His people out of Egypt and used Nehemiah lives changed. This was key to motivating the to troubleshoot stalled ministries and help when He needed the wall around Jerusalem people to return to God and put Him at the pastors cultivate a plan to win the day. The built. We are the ones who will coordinate center of their lives. Lighthouse family has bought into this project ministries, establish small-group structures, Preaching Today says, “Leadership is by allocating $10,000 every year to invest in lift high the importance of worship, and an art, something to be learned over time these ministers and their churches. Many inspire the church to reach lost people. not simply by reading books. Leadership is return to their churches with renewed passion Jesus Christ modeled the foundation of more tribal than scientific, more weaving of and excitement about a new method to adapt leadership. It is one of character, servanthood, relationships than amassing of information.” to their church. love, sacrifice, submission, evangelism, prayer, Leadership is not something you are It is so important to continue education and spiritual growth as we yield to God’s Holy born with; leaders are built a step at a time. for your ministry. The beauty of this particular Spirit. This is a lifetime process for the leader, It’s like any construction project. You build a conference is its focus is not centered on not to mention he must have the ability and brick wall one brick at a time. The more brick helping just mega churches. Lighthouse is tools to lead others on the same path. you lay the more experienced you become. not a small church, but it is not a large church It has been rightly said, “To build a great So it is with leadership. A leader is built one either. Averaging around 350 in two services, person, keep the Great Commandment, lesson and one experience at a time. Each we share common methods for smaller and and to build a great church, keep the Great experience and lesson teaches us something larger churches, so pastors can implement Commission.” There is a personal side for the more about being a quality leader. Leaders principles that relate directly to their size of leader in his quest to be all God wants him to need to understand they are developed by ministry. be and there is also a corporate side to leading humbling adversity, humbling mistakes, and Let’s be godly and growing men seeking others to do the same. life experiences. to invest our lives with results that will last for Ezra had “the good hand of His God In our Next Step Up conference, we have all eternity for God’s glory. upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart sought to bring in several specialists to help to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and pastors develop and grow in this present-day For more information about the Next Step to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” culture. Men like Eric Geiger, of Lifeway Inc., Conference, contact Lighthouse Baptist (Ezra 7:9a-10). He was devout and studied who wrote, Simple Church, and Church at (314)291-6919.

3 SOUNDING THE CALL FOR FULL-TIME MINISTRY By John Decker, Director of Admissions, Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO

t happened at a youth camp in East Texas rider (I am from Texas!) paled in comparison an era when young men and women were Iin 1994. I remember feeling God calling to what God was calling me to do. No matter encouraged to choose full-time ministry as a me to serve Him. I thought the feeling would how hard I tried to rationalize, minimize, or career. The call to surrender it all and live for pass, but I could not shake it. I knew no other deny the call of God on my life, I could no Christ was constantly placed before the young career would satisfy my heart like serving God. longer imagine doing anything with my life people in my church. My pastor invested in My boyhood dreams of becoming a firefighter, other than serving God in full-time ministry. me and challenged me to follow God with all a veterinarian, a Navy fighter pilot, or a bull I was fortunate to have grown up in my heart. Families encouraged their children

14 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 to accept and follow the challenge God injustice, and perceived or real corporate eternity. As church leaders, we must challenge placed before them. Bible colleges were full greed/criminal behavior. them to take that next step, to surrender it all of young people excited about the call of God We as pastors, youth pastors, and church in pursuit of the “mark of the prize of the high on their lives. When I started at BBC, I was leaders have a chance to engage this culture calling in Christ Jesus.” overwhelmed by the number of people from with the greatest cause of all time — sharing It is time for us to challenge today’s all over the country who were being equipped the only truth that will make a lasting change, generation to consider full-time ministry and to go out and change the world for Christ. the Gospel of Christ! make it a viable option for them. Ask them: This is not the case today. Why is it there Barna research tells us our churches Who will step up and be the next pastor of our are not as many individuals surrendering are full of Christian Millennials who believe church? Who will be our next youth pastor? their lives in service to Christ? Has God scaled church is the place to find answers to live a Worship leader? Executive pastor? Who will back His calling? Is serving Christ no longer meaningful life. Barna also tells us 65 percent pastor our children and grandchildren? What important? of Christians under the age of 32 are in our if we started looking at our congregations When we consider how searching for the next church many churches are without leader? What if we challenged pastors and mission fields and encouraged them to seek are without missionaries, we out what God might have in see the need for Christian store for them? What if we were workers is greater than ever willing to invest in them and before. Is God still at work to send them out? If this were to raise up the next generation happen, we would see a great of leaders? What is keeping movement of God within our young people today from Fellowship. We could flood our giving their lives to ministry? country and the world with Some would say it is the new, excited, and energized Millennial generation’s fault, fellow soldiers and laborers. lacking interest in and So, how can the church commitment to the church. I engage this generation and help strongly believe it is more the them find God’s calling for their fault of our churches — we lives? Make the call to ministry are missing opportunities to a viable option for your people. reach out to this generation One way to get young people of young Christians and to excited about ministry is to challenge them with the get them involved. Set up possibility God may be calling internship programs within the them into ministry. We fail to church to help them seek and set the challenge before them find their spiritual gifts. Many that was set before us. churches are moving towards In order to reach Millennials and inspire small groups, youth groups, and worship these internship programs or vocational them to be in ministry, we must understand services. They want church leaders to help discipleships and are seeing great success. them better. Millennials and Generation them in this journey of finding God’s will Have passion about full-time ministry Z are more “cause-driven” than previous for their lives! Only one-third of Christian when communicating to your church. Pastors generations — motivated to live for a cause young adults feel called to their professions and church leaders can greatly influence greater than themselves. They want to and 48 percent think God is calling them to young people by sharing their stories of sacrifice, live out that cause, and see real different work but have not made that career surrendering to the ministry and the ways in change in society. Compassion International, change yet. It is entirely possible we have a which God has worked in their lives. along with the Barna Research Group, very large group of young adults who feel the Create a culture within your church that conducted research into Americans’ attitudes call of ministry but have not been told of or encourages and values those in full-time towards global poverty. They found 86 confronted with that possibility. ministry. Build a team spirit between your percent of people under the age of 40 believe We have an opportunity to speak into congregation and those who are sent from Christians should be playing a strong or major the lives of these young people and show your church. Put a vision before your church role in alleviating poverty. It is not hard to find them feeding the hungry is great and fighting that helps them understand the need to train Millennials today gravitating towards causes inequality is admirable, but there is nothing and send out this next generation of church such as combating human trafficking, social more important than impacting someone’s leaders.

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 15 12% Among born again Christians, which includes both evangelicals and non-evangelicals, 12% tithed in 2012, which is on par with the FOSTERING AN ATTITUDE OF GIVING average for the past decade. 4 www.barna.org By Rick Blue, Assistant to the President, Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO

y American law, I was required to feed, replaced by two commandments: sacrificial giving. Tithing was a baby step Bclothe, and educate my children, but required under the law. Sacrificial giving is a that’s not why I did it. I did it because I loved “You shall love the Lord your God with giant step of love under grace. It is no accident them. And because I loved them, I fed them all your heart, with all your soul and with it was said of those early Christians, “Great much more than what was required by law. all your mind. This is the first and great grace was upon them” (Acts 4: 33). Because I loved them, I provided far more commandment. And the second is like it: You The Apostle Paul saw it clearly when he clothing than they needed. Because I loved shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these wrote to the Corinthian Christians: them, I sacrificed and sent them to college two commandments hang all the law and the when only high school was required by law. prophets” (Matthew 22: 37-40). “But this I say, He who sows sparingly will also Because I loved them, I did far more than the reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully law required. Love always does much more Under the law of love, the feast days, the will also reap bountifully. So let each one give than law. Law says you have to, and often Sabbath, and the tithe became relics of the as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or creates a begrudging heart. Love says you get past. We are not required to keep the feasts. of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” to and creates a sacrificial heart. We are not required to rest on the Sabbath. (2 Corinthians 9: 6-7). Prior to Jesus, the Jews lived under a We are not required to tithe. We have been strict set of rules and commandments. The given the privilege of doing far more. Love It is simply a matter of the heart. The Old Testament law regulated their daily lives always does more. When the church was in majority of our churches do not have financial and their worship. They were told where to its infancy, those Christians (often recently problems, they have heart problems. It was worship, when to rest, and how much to give. saved) thought nothing of selling houses, said of the Jerusalem church, “And with Their feast days were in Jerusalem; their rest land, and possessions, and giving it joyfully. great power the apostles gave witness to the was on the Sabbath; and their giving was In today’s church, many Christians resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great designated as the tithe. are more law-type givers than grace givers. grace was upon them all.” If we are ever Under the New Covenant (Testament), The norm is giving a tithe or less. Giving going to have great power and great grace in the old law was replaced by a new law — the sacrificially is not even on the radar. It is our churches today, we have to have some law of love. The ten commandments were time for Christians to take the next step in Christians with great hearts.

5 DEVELOPING COMMUNITY WITHIN THE CHURCH By Scott Harrop

here is a cry from the human spirit that true friends and community can be a to being an involved member of the thriving Tlongs for friendship and community. But challenge. The church should be a great church community? even in light of all the “social” connectivity resource for friendships, but how can we help One challenge to true friendship is the and technology of this day and age, finding people take the next step from being a guest mobility of our culture. It is reported the

16 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 average American will move 14 times in his or her lifetime? Usually, FRIENDSHIP FEEDS THE FLOCK about the time you get to know someone and establish a friendship (or Faith may unite congregations, but friendship, it they get plugged into the ministry), they move away. Think of it this appears, sustains them. A 2004 study commissioned by way, in the next decade, almost half of your neighbors will move out Group Publishing, Inc., and administered by The Gallup and new people will move in. Organization, examined the role friendship plays in the relationships congregation members have with the rest www.barna.org TIME’S UP of their congregation and with God. The study provides Developing friendships and community takes time, energy, and effort. strong evidence that congregation members are able It requires an investment (i.e., allotting resources) in others. No doubt, to live out their faith more fully in an atmosphere that life in the 21st century is lived at a frenetic pace. Most of us struggle to fosters fellowship, rather than isolation. And friendship maintain our schedules as is, let alone if we give up some of our precious — best friendship in particular — is the tie that binds. time for the sake of others. We often don’t have the relational energy or make time to put forth the effort. CHURCH ATTENDANCE Thirty-nine percent of congregation members say BURN UNIT their best friend attends the same church, while 59% How many times have you given your heart to someone else only to say he or she does not. What does that mean for have that trust and friendship betrayed? How many times has a friend religious leaders? Maybe plenty, in terms of attendance. made a promise but didn’t come through? While Jesus walked on earth Congregation members whose best friends attend their he experienced that pain. He gathered 12 men to be his disciples and church tend to behave differently from the rest. Seventy- he poured his life into them, but one by one they let him down. They two percent of members who say their best friend is in abandoned him in his time of need and left him to face his accusers their congregation attend church at least once a week, alone. compared with 51% of those who don’t. God made us relational beings, but we are hurt relational beings. We guard our hearts for fear we might get hurt again, so we settle BELONGING AND BEST FRIENDSHIP for superficial relationships — and this includes relationships in the Eighty-four percent of those with best friends at church church. We are content to spend time talking about the weather, sports, “strongly agree” their congregation makes them feel current events, or what was on TV last night. like they belong, compared with 71% of those who do “But how do I get close to someone without the risk of getting not have a best friend at church. And 82% of those with a hurt?” The answer is, you can’t. You can keep walls up close and tight, best friend “strongly agree” that the spiritual leaders of and plenty of people choose to do just that. Whether we attend a church their congregations care for them as people, compared or work at a church, the struggle is real. Sure, you won’t get hurt, but with 67% of those without a best friend. you also won’t have the joy and the thrill of doing life with others. God created you and me to live in community! SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT God put us on this earth to love one another, care for one another, Having a best friend in one’s congregation appears cry with one another, and rejoice with one another. In spite of the to be linked to one’s individual spiritual commitment challenges, how do we do this within the church so everyone who walks as well. More than 8 in 10 (82%) of those with best in the doors has an opportunity to feel they are part of this community? friends “strongly agree” they are spiritually committed individuals; 74% “strongly agree” their faith is involved SEEK INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS in every aspect of their lives; and 69% spend time in Sustained life change occurs as we grow in a relationship with Christ. worship or prayer every day. This happens best when we seek out relationships with others who are seeking this same goal. Surround yourself with people who are seeking BOTTOM LINE God and His kingdom. Jesus chose 12 men; you and I would be wise to Sometimes the power of a personal relationship do the same. reaches beyond the bounds of the relationship itself. The relationship between best friends in a congregation GET INTO COMMUNITY seems to bind those friends more tightly to the spiritual Jesus took a relational risk with 12 men, and because of it, their lives community, strengthening their relationships with were changed and the world was changed. God intends for us to live on others. The “best friend” bond also seems to be related purpose and for His purpose, and that can be done with others, but the to members’ connection with God, as congregation choice is up to us. Whether it’s small groups, Bible classes, or whatever members with best friends in their churches express a your church offers, make sure there is a community-building spirit that deeper spirituality than those without best friends. welcomes and encourages newcomers. After all, if those guests weren’t seeking friendship and community, they wouldn’t have walked through by Albert L. Winseman, D. Min. Gallup Religion and Social Trends Editor the doors in the first place. www.gallup.com

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 17 6 STRENGTHENING OUR FELLOWSHIP By Eddie Lyons, BBFI President, Pastor, High Street Baptist Church, Springfield, MO

t is great to see a resurgence of activity and displayed in the changed lives of people in our within local cultures and contexts. Even Iinterest in the Baptist Bible Fellowship. I ministries. within a single city there should be diversity. am encouraged when I hear reports of what For the Baptist Bible Fellowship to move Our founders identified the critical doctrines is going on in some of our state fellowships. forward we must do three things. in the 20 Articles of Faith — providing purity These leaders are passionate and are working of doctrine and diversity of practice. We must together to advance the Gospel here and STRENGTHEN THE GRASSROOTS acknowledge the great diversity within our abroad. The Baptist Bible Fellowship is a network of Fellowship. Protecting the unity means we Earlier this year, I attended the California leaders who have chosen to work together for must be free to include the many different BBF meeting hosted by chairman the advancement of the Gospel. What we need churches that share our doctrine. When we do Brian Moore. We heard reports of revitalized is strong leadership at the state level who will not protect the unity and freedom, we invite churches, missionary outreaches across the bring pastors and leaders together. splintering that weakens our collective efforts. border into Mexico, and planted churches. One of the first initiatives of our When unity is not protected, pastors are not There were leaders in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, executive committee was to develop a website welcomed and are in fact pushed away. Every 7 and 60s. The camaraderie, encouragement, highlighting state fellowships. We now have pastor matters and every church is important and inspiration filled the room. The meeting in one location a picture of the grassroots in this Fellowship. wrapped up with laying hands on the church of the Baptist Bible Fellowship. We are able planters and praying for them. It was a true to see the state officers, state bylaws and CREATE A CULTURE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND INSPIRATION picture of fellowship. policies, meeting schedules, recent church Every pastor and leader needs encouragement Recently I spoke to the new chairman plants, and sent missionaries. This website and inspiration. Because of the Baptist Bible of the Massachusetts BBF, John Kerns. John provides organization, communication, and Fellowship, no pastor or leader leads alone. No recently took over leadership from interconnection among the states. We can see church planter plants alone. No missionary Kurt Rowe who served as the leader for 18 states that do not have any local fellowship, goes alone. years. They honored Rowe for his faithful implying a goal for future development. There is something encouraging about service. Their meeting included over 60 Our virtual presence signals to leaders sharing hurts, hardships, and challenges with pastors and staff members. Former BBFI we are open to their participation if they other leaders who, unlike most people in your President Linzy Slayden challenged them to agree with our 20 Articles of Faith. When we life, do understand. The shared wisdom that remain faithful to their calling. John described welcome new leaders and churches into our comes in casual conversations can be life- a great unity and cooperation between pastors Fellowship, we strengthen the grassroots. giving. who, in his words, were “old school and new I am grateful for our state officers who In my time as BBFI president, I have been school” in their philosophy. serve within this Fellowship. They are making privileged to hear the success stories within This Fellowship is important. What we a difference. our Fellowship. I sat with a pastor working to can do together is greater than any of us can revitalize a church whose numbers had been accomplish alone. Together we have planted PROTECT THE UNITY shrinking. Since the time he took over, the churches and sent missionaries around the The local church is Jesus’ plan to reach this church has doubled in attendance. I spoke world. When we come together we share world. The genius of the local church is it with a church planter who now watches stories of how the power of the Gospel is allows the Gospel to find full expression former drug addicts who have come to Christ

“When unity is not protected, pastors are not welcomed and are in fact pushed away. Every pastor matters and every church is important ...”

18 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 stand before groups and teach the Bible. I love a school to accommodate the crowds, while do so much more together than we could ever to hear the boldness and the courage of new they work to build an even bigger facility. Men do alone. church planters. Regardless of the odds, these and women are still surrendering to be career Our Fellowship has a bright future if we men are stepping out in faith. It is inspiring missionaries and, because of this Fellowship, will continue to strengthen the grassroots, to hear how growing churches built new they have raised the support they need to go. protect the unity, and create a culture of and larger buildings and now have seen the All these stories encourage and inspire, encouragement and inspiration. What we church grow even more. One church I visited and there are many of them. The Baptist Bible need are pastors, missionaries, and church started in a school and then built a building. Fellowship continues to make a difference. staff to take the next step in their commitment The church grew to the point they are back at Bound together by our love for the Gospel, we to this great Fellowship.

7 REACHING YOUR COMMUNITY By Elmer Towns, co-founder of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

ur churches are to evangelize their on every home in your neighborhood inviting put together The Family Prayer Bible three Oneighborhoods for Christ. Many your neighbors to bring their entire families years ago. The Family Prayer Bible has a Bible churches have utilized one-week evangelistic to church so their children can be blessed story for each day of the year and includes crusades, or an evangelist for a giant rally by God. Catholics have sponsored Bless the talking points, an application to life, a on Sunday. Some churches use Friend Day, Animal or Bless the Fleet services, but Jesus memory verse, and a prayer for the day. This a program for reaching unsaved family blessed the children (Mark 10:13-16). Bible is a tool for parents to daily bless their and friends. All these are strong endeavors In our day of public school shootings, children. When the families or child complete because the Great Commission commanded drug abuse, sexual crimes, anti-God teaching the year, they can email for a certificate of churches to evangelize the world in their of evolution, and extreme violence, seemingly completion. lifetime. protected by the courts, families seek hope A church in Ventura, CA, hosted a Bless What is the next step to reaching non- for their children. Jesus blessed the children, the Children day and hung an invitation Christian families in your neighborhood, giving them spiritual covering from his on every doorknob in their section of the bringing them to Christ and then disciplining heavenly Father. It’s not child baptism, nor is city. They prayed and asked God to use them in your church? Perhaps the next step is it church membership, or even getting their their outreach efforts. The church was a Bless the Children day. names on a roll. Blessing means “adding overwhelmed with families bringing all their A Bless the Children campaign is value” and your church can pray for God to children to the Sunday worship service. The designed to attract non-Christian families add spiritual protection and value to children. auditorium was packed with families; extra in your neighborhood to your church to After the blessing your church can supply chairs were brought in. The children were not win them to Christ. Most parents love their a certificate to each child with a prayer and dressed in Sunday church clothing. There was children and want the best for them. When scripture to remind them of the event. a lot of movement during the services and of your church shows genuine love to their Part of that day’s sermon should be a course babies crying. It’s no surprise, when children and takes interest in their lives, challenge to parents to add value to their children are not raised in church, they don’t barriers can be broken and people can be won children by daily Bible reading, prayer, and know how to behave in the house of God! But to Christ. discussion of God’s plan for their lives. God understands children, and smiles. Begin by getting the word out. You can do As I began to understand the great need Pastors and elders, each with their a direct mail campaign or place a door hanger for a resource in this area, I was burdened to spouse, were placed around the sanctuary

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 19 and outside in the yard and patio. The prayer Christ after they visit a church three times that is another encouragement. The greater teams of husbands and wives laid hands and they have seven touches with the church. the follow-up the greater the potential to see on the head of each child, praying for every This is called the “law of three hearings and lives changed. child by name and according to a particular seven touches.” So build into your Bless the There are many great ways of doing need. Each prayer team had a helper to Children outreach program a follow-up visit outreach in your community, but perhaps a register names for the prayer team, including to the home of each family that attends. Get Bless the Children campaign could be a great a particular prayer need for each child. The them to return the next Sunday to continue next step for your church’s outreach to families helper also filled out the certificate for each what was started with their first visit on Bless to extend God’s blessing to them. child to take home. the Children day. Then put together an email campaign to The Family Prayer Bible and Praying for Your FOLLOW-UP remind them of daily Bible reading with their Children are available at Amazon.com Research tells us people make a decision for children. Also include a phone call campaign

20 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 THE Should President Obama be able to select a replacement for Antonin Scalia in the RIGHT Q. Supreme Court?

ANGLEBIBLICAL WISDOM FOR A CONTEMPORARY WORLD By Kevin Carson

SO SHOULD PRESIDENT OBAMA The recent death of Judge Antonin First option: the President can appoint a A. APPOINT A REPLACEMENT? Scalia provides the context for greater political nominee to fill the vacancy during the Senate’s Constitutionally, yes — and some presidents upheaval throughout this election year. Many Session. If this is President Obama’s choice, have in their final year. Politically, it most Christians voiced their views on social media, the Senate then has the responsibility to give likely depends on your political party as to often according to political party lines, as to advice and consent. In other words, the Senate your answer. Likewise, nothing forces the whether President Obama should be able to must confirm the nominee before that person Senate to hold confirmation hearings in select a replacement for Judge Scalia. Both in becomes a Supreme Court Justice. this session regardless of the President’s print and on air, the majority of conversations Second option: the President can appoint choice — which has happened in the past as stems primarily from personal opinion. an individual to fill the vacancy during any well. No doubt, many of us who enjoy U.S. Senate recess this year. This person would citizenship and who also are Christians desire WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRE? immediately become a Supreme Court Justice one outcome or another, as we recognize the In reality, it says very little. Under Article II, and would remain so until the end of this stewardship of God’s grace in our lives. which concerns the position and power of the Supreme Court Session. President, Section 2, it reads: SO HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THIS WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION NOT SAY? PRESENT POLITICAL CLIMATE? [The President] He shall have Power, The Constitution is silent regarding a number Whether we agree or not with the actions of by and with the Advice and Consent of the of talking points online and in the media. the President or the Senate, our responsibility Senate, to make Treaties, provided two Many individuals prefer the President to wait stays the same. We can pray for the President thirds of the Senators present concur; and he to nominate based on ethical reasons. Some and the Senate. We can trust our God Who is shall nominate, and by and with the Advice say the Senate must immediately act upon any in control. We can participate in the American and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint nomination by the President. Others insist political process first as Christians, then as Ambassadors, other public Ministers and there must not be a vacancy as there are nine U.S. citizens. We can look forward to Jesus’ Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and seats, so there must be nine Justices. However, return. all other Officers of the United States, whose as interesting as these questions may be, these Appointments are not herein otherwise issues are political issues only, where each provided for, and which shall be established person’s personal opinion reigns. None of FOR CHRISTIANS TO PONDER by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the these issues are addressed in the Constitution. • The king’s heart is in the hand of the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they The Constitution is silent on how soon the LORD. Proverbs 21:1 • All Christians are to respect the office think proper, in the President alone, in the President must make an appointment, how of President. 1 Peter 2:17 Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. soon the Senate must hold confirmation • God is in control, even in politics. The President shall have Power to fill up hearings, and on how many Justices (ie., seats Daniel 2:21 all Vacancies that may happen during the available) must sit on the Supreme Court. • Social media use must be governed by Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions Initially, there were six Justices determined by wisdom and righteousness. Ephesians 4:29; which shall expire at the End of their next the first Judicial Act in 1789; since this time, by Colossians 4:5-6 • Christians enjoy citizenship in Heaven. Session. (Underlined for emphasis) vote of Congress the number of Justices have Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1-4 been as few as five and as many as ten. Only a • The hope of Heaven continues to build Basically, the President has two options quorum of Justices is required to do business. in every believer through the ministry according to the Constitution. of the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Kevin Carson serves as department Have a question? chair of Biblical Counseling at Baptist Submit your question to [email protected]. Due to space limitations, not all questions may be Bible College and Theological Seminary answered in print. Questions that do appear in this section will have all personal identification removed. For in Springfield, MO. He is the pastor of questions requiring answers beyond the scope of a simple Q&A forum such as this, the Tribune recommends you contact a local biblical counselor. The advice given here is not a substitute for a personal conversation Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, MO. with your local biblical counselor.

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 21 BAPTIST history By Doug Kutilek BAPTISTS IN POLAND

odern Poland is a country of 40 million souls, First Baptist Church of Gdansk was formed in 1946 Mincluding, at present, something over a million resident (celebrating 70 years of existence in February this year). Ukrainians, many being refugees from the war in Eastern Their property formerly belonged to a German congregation. Ukraine. During a recent teaching trip for International Under communism (1948-1989), the church, as with other Baptist Bible College (led by BBFI missionary Ron Minton), I Baptist congregations, endured periodic persecution from spent two weeks in Gdansk (formerly Danzig) on the shores of the dominant Roman Catholic Church and the atheistic the Baltic Sea, where the famous Solidarity labor strike against communist government, though frequently these two entities the communist government occurred in 1980 (it is easy to tell were more commonly at each other’s throats, leaving Baptists how that turned out — the Gdansk airport is named in honor alone. Or, as one man said to me, “When the dog and the cat of the strike leader Lech Walesa). A visit to the gates of the are fighting, the mice may dance.” Over its seven decades, shipyards and the memorial there was a rather emotional the church has grown, and has served as the mother church experience for me. for about half a dozen church plants. With more than 200 Someone well said that the Poles made the strategic members, it is one of Poland’s largest Baptist congregations. geographical mistake of settling between the Russians and the During the communist era, Bibles were not commonplace, Germans, both commonly bellicose. As a consequence, over but they were available to some degree, though the version the past several centuries the borders of Poland have been in used of necessity up until 1975 was an archaic, Reformation- a nearly constant state of change — sometimes expanding, era translation. A more recent translation into current Polish sometimes contracting (and even for a time completely is used today. disappearing), and at times shifting notably to the east or to the There are about 7,000 members among 90 Baptist west (this latter the present condition). As recently as World churches in Poland today (by contrast, Jehovah’s Witnesses War I, much of today’s western and northeastern Poland was claim over 100,000 adherents). Most of the churches are quite part of Germany, Gdansk being then known as Danzig (and small — less than 50 members; the work of church planting actually a German city until after World War II). With post- is ongoing. I was privileged to visit a family in a village near war relocation of populations, the vast majority of Poland’s Gdansk that is working toward beginning a new church there. residents today are ethnically and linguistically Polish. Some 40 of the churches are without pastors, in part due to After the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989-1990, the difficulty of simultaneously working a secular job and Poland re-oriented itself toward the West, joining NATO and leading a congregation, most of the churches being too small later the European Economic Community (they still have their to financially support a full-time pastor. There is a seminary in own currency, the zloty). While still much behind the more Warsaw with 50 to 60 students, so something is being done prosperous nations of Europe in per capita income, Poland to cover the pastor shortage, though it will be years before the is decidedly far ahead of Ukraine and several other nations present need is met, to say nothing about providing leaders formerly part of the Soviet bloc. for new churches. A common perception of Poland is it is among the What is needed for Baptists of Poland? Of course more most Catholic of Catholic-dominated nations. A Baptist called and trained men to lead the existing churches, and pastor informed me that while the great majority of Poles also a continuing and expanding process of church planting are Catholic by virtue of involuntary infant baptism, most in the cities and towns that have no churches yet. The pastor are very largely secularized with the Catholic Church having in Gdansk told me what is needed is persecution, a seemingly little practical importance or influence in their lives. With odd statement, though his meaning was that such opposition such a large percentage of the population being Catholic, compels believers to examine and strengthen their level of evangelism in Poland might be compared, as it was by that commitment to Christ and the spread of the Gospel. Like pastor, to evangelism in Utah, where anyone who is not part of water, Biblical Christianity, when put under pressure, expands. the dominant religion is looked upon as on the fringe, almost We, too, have a great need to be more serious about our service a non-entity. to God.

22 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 No justice, no peace

was shocked! Not by the video, but the peace,” I began to see the scriptural link between Orleans, Cleveland, Detroit, anyone? scripture staring at me days after the video truth, justice, and peace. The missing element is The party of the people. The party claiming Ihad been released. The mayor had warned truth. No truth, no justice. to champion civil rights. The party that creates the city, it would be difficult to watch. The video We’ve rejected God. We’ve thrown truth jobs. The party that creates wonderful school would show 17-year-old Laquan McDonald overboard. We want political correctness, never systems. The party of compassion. being shot by a white Chicago police officer mind the hard, cold, restrictive, fun-hating, life- Last April, Baltimore was in an uproar over 16 times. All the police reports filed after the quenching, freedom-stomping reality of truth. Freddy Grays’ death in police custody. Everybody incident said the black youth had been facing I made the following statement that in power was under fire. All in power were and moving toward the police officer with a Sunday: Democrats. Democrats who received $1.8 billion sharp object, possibly a knife. The video would from President Obama’s stimulus just a few years show the black youth walking away from the “Every now and again, the ugliness and ago. Did Sandtown become a paradise? Did officer. Also, it was revealed Laquan was killed corruption Chicago is known for around the the schools improve? Was poverty diminished? by the second bullet, though he was shot 14 world, erupts in a way that leaves the most Money does not bring truth, buy justice, or more times while he lay on the pavement. calloused among us shaking our heads and purchase peace. The heart-wrenching clip was played over holding our hearts. The Democratic machine has promoted and over on every media outlet for several days. Laquan McDonald’s death is a tragedy as and preserved housing segregation in Chicago I watched Laquan stumble after the first two surely as his life was and both are equal cause to for two generations through the federally funded shots, falling in the street. cry out to God in desperation and agony. Chicago Housing Authority. The city was outraged. No one believed the The power structure in this city has no What party runs these cities? What’s that? mayor regarding his timing of the video release. credibility in this matter. The actions of all I can’t hear you. Who votes for these people What people assumed was he delayed release involved play to our deepest suspicions and election after election? because it would have impacted his faltering greatest fears. To remove a figure head or two is Republicans, while sniffing at Democratic campaign for re-election. Nobody believed the nothing more than political expediency and does urban disaster, like Lot, got up and took their State’s Attorney’s claim that it took 400 days to nothing to bring transparency and integrity. herds to the “well-watered lands.” Their realtors prepare and file charges. As citizens we must face up to the reality block-busted, their bankers red-lined, their During this same week, I was preparing to that this is the power structure we support every landlords leeched, and their preachers preached preach “The Global Glory of God” from time we go to the polls. We keep this system in the American Dream instead of “the kingdom Isaiah 60 for World AIDS Day. In preparation, I place and functioning. of God.” Just saying. There’s enough guilt to go was reading the preceding chapter. I have read Our hearts break over Laquan’s tragic life around. Isaiah 59 many times, but with the video playing and its terrible end. Without truth, there is no chance of justice. in my head, I was jolted! We pray for the mayor and other public Peace will be elusive. I’m so glad our hope is not “The way of peace they do not know and officials to “change their minds” about how they political. There is a Redeemer! (verse 20). there is no justice in their paths. They have made do their jobs. The Bible word for changing your Jesus is truth. He is justice. He is peace. their roads crooked. No one who treads on them mind is “repent.” He is coming. Meanwhile, we will be salt, and knows peace (verse 8). We pray that the citizenry will change their light, and hope by living out truth in a desperate “Therefore justice is far from us and minds about who they allow in office. world. righteousness does not overtake us ... (verse 9). We are thankful we live in a land where we “Justice is turned back and righteousness still have choices.” No Justice No Peace, Isaiah 59 exposition, stands far away. For truth has stumbled in the C. Lyons, 2.28.16, armitagechurch.org/resources/media public squares and uprightness cannot enter” I’m sorry, (when people use this phrase (verse 14). they’re not sorry for what they’re saying, I stopped. Re-read. I read again. “Truth has they’re sorry for saying something upsetting stumbled in the street.” Laquan in the street. to someone), but when I hear “No justice, no by Charles Lyons, Pastor The political maneuvering. The deception. peace”, I ask myself “Who runs these cities?” Armitage Baptist Church, Familiar with the street chant “No justice, no Chicago, New York, Baltimore, New Chicago, Illinois [email protected]

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 23 B Rf e l l o w s h iD p n e w sH R GRADUATION HOMECOMING WEE&K May 10 – May 13, 2016

You are cordially invited as our special guest(s) to attend all of the events hosted by Louisiana Baptist University and Seminary. GRADUATION SPEAKER THURSDAY, MAY 12th 6:00 – Hamburger Cookout and Fellowship 7:00 – J.G. Tharpe “Preaching Expo” – candidates will be preaching some of the best five minutes sermons you’ll ever hear. *Events held at University location

FRIDAY, MAY 13th 8:00 – Alumni Breakfast 3:00 - Commencement Ceremony with Cajun Reception EDDIE LYONS immediately following Pastor, Highstreet Baptist Church President of Baptist Bible Fellowship International Friday’s events will be held at Summer Grove Baptist Church Springfield, Missouri located at 8924 Jewella Avenue.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

DR. HAROLD RAWLINGS DR. D.L. MOODY NELSON SEARCY DR. DAVID PATRICK DR. RICK CARTER CHUY AVILA Author and speaker President of Pastor of Journey Church Pastor of Pastor of Serves as a church planting of Ancient Bibles Arlington Baptist College in New York, founder of Eastpoint Baptist Church Bible Baptist Church strategist and catalyst in Arlington, Texas Church Leader Insights in Jacksonville, Florida in Gulfport, Mississippi for the El Paso area

Dr. Mark Crook Dr. Jerry Hopkins Dr. David Keeny Dr. Mike Landry ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS: Dr. Larry Maddox Charles Miller Dr. Steve Pettey Dr. Juan Puente Dr. William Rose Dr. Neal Weaver

24 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 20166301 Westport Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71129 318-686-2360 www.lbu.edu

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You are cordially invited as our special guest(s) to attend all of the events hosted by Louisiana Baptist University and Seminary. GRADUATION SPEAKER THURSDAY, MAY 12th The BBFI Global Fellowship Meeting took place right as this issue of the Tribune 6:00 – Hamburger Cookout and Fellowship was going to publication. Above are a few photos from opening night. A more in- 7:00 – J.G. Tharpe “Preaching Expo” – candidates will be depth report will appear in the May issue of the Tribune. preaching some of the best five minutes sermons you’ll ever hear. *Events held at University location The #1 Source for King James Version Bibles FRIDAY, MAY 13th 8:00 – Alumni Breakfast KJV Bibles Spanish Bibles Reference Books Church Supplies Gifts & Accessories 3:00 - Commencement Ceremony with Cajun Reception EDDIE LYONS KJV Sword Study Bible immediately following NAME Pastor, Highstreet Baptist Church Sure you've seen Red Letter Text before, but this unique Sword Bible has IMPRINTING Friday’s events will be held at Summer Grove Baptist Church Red Letter Text in both the Old and New Testaments! That's right, see the AVAILABLE! President of Baptist Bible Fellowship International words of God in red (Old Testament) with this traditional favorite. The large Make this gift even more special with located at 8924 Jewella Avenue. personalized imprinting. See our Springfield, Missouri type face and immense extra features make for a great purchase. Like the website for details and available styles. cover symbolizes, this Bible really is "sharper than any two-edged sword." Only $8 per line

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6301 Westport Avenue Shreveport, Louisiana 71129 318-686-2360 www.lbu.edu April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 25

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YORBA LINDA, CA crosspointe church hosts revitalization conference and ca bbf meeting

Crosspointe Church and the California Baptist Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot books such as Sticky Church and Sticky Teams Bible Fellowship hosted over 100 attendees for School of Theology, Biola University, and spoke on “Change and Innovation and the Dirty the Revitalization Conference president of the Church Growth Network, Little Secret” and leadership, based on I Peter February 15-17. Attendees were challenged spoke on organizational leadership and shared chapter five. Brian Moore, host pastor, spoke on by church leadership authors Gary McIntosh key insights. Larry Osborne, senior pastor of the topics of developing a leadership pipeline and Larry Osborne. McIntosh, professor of North Coast Church, Vista, CA, and author of and self-leadership. For more information about future Revitalization Conferences contact Crosspointe Church at (714) 777-3440.

BBFI President Eddie Lyons and BBFI Communication Director Randy Harp were special guests for the California state fellowship meeting held at Crosspointe Church in Yorba Linda. State Chairman Brian Moore shared several positive reports during the business meeting. Many church planters in the state reported growth of their churches and plans to start more churches. Steve Boshen, pastor of SPRINGFIELD, MO Ocean View Church in San Diego, reported on bbfi elections his church’s short-term mission trips to Mexico he Baptist Bible Fellowship will hold an election for the officers who and a future church plant in Tijuana. Tconstitute the Executive Committee. The following is the section of the BBFI bylaws that governs the election:

Article VI, Section 2a. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected biennially. These officers constitute the Executive Committee. The Directors will serve as the nominating committee and will present nominations at the National Fellowship by May. The ballot shall be approved in the May business meeting and made available to any pastor in attendance and qualified according to Article III (“Affiliation”) of these bylaws. Voting pastors will identify themselves on the ballot and voting will begin immediately upon distribution of the ballots. Qualified pastors not in attendance may obtain a ballot from the BBFI Mission Office. Those ballots must be submitted to the BBFI Mission Office before July 1st of the year of the election. The Executive Committee shall oversee the counting of the ballots and release the results within one week after the votes are tallied.

Nominations will be received at the meeting of the National Directors Monday during the May Fellowship Meeting. A ballot will be approved by the Directors, and it will be made available to eligible pastors in the plenary business session during the May Fellowship Meeting. Pastors attending the May meeting can cast their ballots at that time, or they may choose to mail the ballot to the BBFI Mission Office, so long as it is submitted before July 1. Likewise, pastors who are unable to attend the May meeting may request a ballot from the BBFI Mission Office and return it by mail by July 1. A copy of the complete bylaws is available electronically at www.bbfi.org on the link “About Us.”

26 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016

f e l l o w s h i p n e w s SPRINGFIELD, MO With the Lord trophies of grace comes to baptist temple beast feast

SAN ANGELO, TX More than 10,000 inches of antlers were on Mark Rounsaville and Associate, Ike Porter, this neal brillhart display January 29 for the seventh annual event is about reaching people with the Gospel. Long-time pastor Neal Brillhart, 86, passed Beast Feast sponsored by Baptist Temple in Special speaker Gary Dedmon, pastor of the away peacefully at his home February 15, 2016. Springfield, MO. The 27 monster buck replicas Diggins Baptist Church, is a noted speaker for Brillhart was born September 25, 1929, near came courtesy of Trophies of Grace, a ministry such events and often draws on his extensive Mapleton, KS. After graduating from Baptist based in Molino, FL. hunting experiences to illustrate his points. Bible College he started New Testament Baptist This year’s Beast Feast was attended by 245 In addition to sharing the Gospel, the team Church in Girard, KS. He pastored West Side hunting and fishing enthusiasts and included a at Baptist Temple encouraged guests to return Baptist Church in Emporia, KS, for 15 years catered dinner, a wild game taste contest, free for other activities, including youth camp, the before moving to San Angelo, TX, where he t-shirts, and dozens of door prizes. annual skeet shoot, and a five-part video Bible pastored Baptist Temple Church (currently For Baptist Temple, Pastor study featuring the cast of Duck Dynasty. Lifepoint Baptist Church) for 29 years. After formally retiring from the pulpit, he remained pastor emeritus and taught a Sunday school class for another 12 years. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, June, two daughters, one son, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services were held February 20, 2016, at Lifepoint Baptist Church.

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28 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 C h u r c h A d s

ALASKA MARYLAND Anchorage Baptist Temple First Baptist Church of Coconut Creek Riverdale Baptist Church North Park Baptist Church 6401 E. Northern Lights • Anchorage, AK 99504 5100 W Hillsboro Blvd., Coconut Creek, FL 33073 1177 Largo Rd • Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 4401 Theiss Rd • Humble, TX 77338 (907)333-6535 • www.ancbt.org (954)422-9611 • www.fbcocc.com (301)249-7000 • Pastor Brian C. Mentzer (281)821-2258 Pastor Jerry Prevo Pastor Adam Alley MASSACHUSETTS Cypress Creek Baptist Church ARIZONA Calvary Baptist Church Temple Baptist Church 21870 Northwest Freeway • Houston, TX 77429 Thomas Road Baptist Church 123 Thunderbird Dr • Sebastian, FL 32958 540 Manley St • West Bridgewater, MA 02379 (281)469-6089 • Pastor Carl Hughes 5735 W. Thomas Rd. • Phoenix, AZ 85031 (772)589-5047 • www.calvary-baptistchurch.com (508)583-5190 • www.templebaptist.info (623)247-5735 • Pastor Daniel Dennis Pastor Clifton Cooley Pastor Bill Smith Talley Rd. Baptist Church 3120 Talley Rd • San Antonio, TX 78253 ARKANSAS New Life Baptist Church Bridgewater Baptist Church (210)675-3154 • www.talleyroadbaptistchurch.org Trinity Baptist Church 35000 Radio Rd (at Poe St) • Leesburg, FL 34788 20 Summer St • Bridgewater, MA 02324 [email protected] • Pastor Myres Drew 204 Trinnen Lane • Berryville, AR 72616 (352)728-0004 • [email protected] www.bridgewaterbaptistchurch.info Pastor Derryl DeShields Pastor Doug Denny VIRGINIA Suncoast Baptist Church Faith Baptist Church CALIFORNIA 410 Warrington Blvd • Port Charlotte, FL 33954 NORTH CAROLINA 3768 S. Amherst Hwy • Madison Heights, VA 24572 Calvary Baptist Church of Oakhurst (941)625-8550 • www.suncoastbaptistchurch.com Northside Baptist Church (434)929-1430 • Pastor Brian Hudson At the corner of Highway 49 and Redbud (location only) Pastor Chip Keller 333 Jeremiah Blvd • Charlotte, NC 28262 (559)641-7984 • Pastor Bob Wilson (704)596-4856 • Pastor Brian Boyles Central Baptist Church Grace Bible Baptist Church 13910 Minnieville Rd • Woodbridge, VA 22193 The Baptist Tabernacle 1703 Lewis Rd • Leesburg, FL 34748 Mid-Way Baptist Church (703)583-1717 • [email protected] 1329 South Hope St. • Los Angeles, CA 90015 (352)326-5738 • www.gbbconline.com 6910 Fayetteville Rd • Raleigh, NC 27603 Pastor Brad Weniger (213)744-9999 • Pastor Dr. R. L. Hymers, Jr. Pastor George Mulford III (919)772-5864 • Pastor James L. Upchurch www.sermonsfortheworld.com - sermon manuscripts WEST VIRGINIA www.baptisttabernacle.com - church website Orlando Baptist Church Trinity Baptist Church Fellowship Baptist Church 500 S. Semoran Blvd • Orlando, FL 32807 216 Shelburne Rd • Asheville, NC 28806 Rt 60 E. at Huntington Mall • Barboursville, WV 25504 Ocean View Church (407)277-8671 • www.worldchangingchurch.com (704)254-2187 • www.tbcasheville.org (304)736-8006 • Pastor Jerry Warren 2460 Palm Ave • San Diego, CA 92154 Pastor Ralph Sexton, Jr. (619)424-7870 • www.oceanviewchurch.com Spring Hill Baptist Church INTERNATIONAL Pastor Steven Boschen 3140 Mariner Blvd. • Spring Hill, FL 34609 Central Baptist Church BELGIUM (352)683-5685 • www.springhillbc.com 6050 Plain View Hwy • Dunn, NC 28334 Grace International Baptist Church CONNECTICUT Pastor Raymond Rouse (910)892-7914 • www.cbcdunn.com Bruges, Belgium 8200 New Testament Baptist Church and School Pastor Tom Wagoner (913)871-8901 VOIP • www.gibc.be 111 Ash St • East Hartford, CT 06108 Pastor Tim J. Downs (860)290-6696 • Pastor Michael Stoddard Berean Baptist Church & Academy HAWAII 517 Glensford Dr • Fayetteville, NC 28314 DELAWARE Lanakila Baptist Church (910)868-5156 • www.bbcfnc.org Southside Baptist Church 94-1250 Waipahu St • Waipahu, HI 96797 Pastor Sean Harris Church ads are available to any 4904 S. DuPont Hwy (US 13 So) • Dover, DE 19901 (808)677-0731 • Pastor Steven C. Wygle BBFI church for $10 per issue. To (302)697-2411 • Pastor Chris Kondracki OHIO place an ad, call (417)831-3996. ILLINOIS Ashland Ave. Baptist Church First Baptist Church Sauk Trail Baptist Temple 4255 Ashland Ave • P.O. Box 86 6062 Old Shawnee Rd • Milford, DE 19963 4411 Sauk Trail • PO Box 347 • Richton Park, IL 60471 Norwood, OH 45212 (302)422-9795 • Pastor David Perdue (708)481-1490 • Pastor Bruce Humbert (513)531-3626 • Pastor Jerry E. Jones

FLORIDA IOWA First Baptist Church Palm Springs Drive Baptist Church Heartland Baptist Church 1233 US Rt. 42 • Ashland, OH 44805 601 Palm Springs Dr • Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 3504 N. Grand Ave • Ames, IA 50010 (419)289-3636 • Pastor F. R. “Butch” White (407)831-0950 • Pastor Scott Carlson (515)268-1721 • www.heartlandbaptistames.com Pastor Randy Abell OREGON Tabernacle Baptist Church Tri-City Baptist Temple 6000 West Colonial Dr • Orlando, FL 32808 KANSAS 18025 S. E. Webster Rd • Gladstone, OR 97027 (407)295-3086 • Pastor Steve Ware Millington Street Baptist Church (503)655-9326 • Pastor Ken McCormick 1304 Millington St • Winfield, KS 67156 New Testament Baptist Church (620)221-4700 • Pastor Jeff McCaskill RHODE ISLAND 2050 South Belcher Rd • Largo, FL 33771 Ocean State Baptist Church (727)536-0481 • Pastor Matt Trill Friendship Baptist Church 600 Douglas Pike • Smithfield, RI 02917 2209 E. Pawnee • Wichita, KS 67211 (401)231-1980 • Pastor Archie Emerson Trinity Bapist Church (316)263-0269 • Pastor Steve Day 800 Hammond Blvd • Jacksonville, FL 32221 TEXAS (904)786-5320 • Pastor Tom Messer KENTUCKY Central Baptist Church Florence Baptist Temple 2855 Greenhouse Rd • Houston, TX 77084 First Coast Baptist Church 1898 Florence Pk • Burlington, KY 41005 (281)492-2689 • Pastor Larry Maddox 7587 Blanding Blvd • Jacksonville, FL 32244 (859)586-6090 • Pastor Wayne G. Cox (904)777-3040 • Pastor Richard Edwards First Baptist Church of Meadowview Oak Hill Baptist Church 4346 N. Galloway Ave • Mesquite, TX 75150 Harbor Baptist Church 2135 Oak Hill Rd • Somerset, KY 42501 (214)391-7176 • Pastor Jack Alumbaugh 428 Tomoka Ave • Ormond Beach, FL 32173 (606)679-8496 • Pastor Gary Phelps (386)677-3116 • Pastor Ronald L. Todd First Baptist Church Hwy 64 • Wright City, TX 75750 (903)839-2700 • www.firstbaptistwrightcity.com Pastor Rohn M. Boone

Participation in the Baptist Bible Fellowship International is open to any Baptist pastor of a supporting Baptist church believing in and adhering to the Word of God, on the basis of the BBFI Articles of Faith. For listing on this page, a Baptist church is one that declares in legal and/or faith documents it is Baptist in doctrine and practice. A supporting church is one that financially supports BBFI missions or colleges. (Sources: Constitution and Bylaws of the BBFI and the BBFI Contact Directory)

April 2016 | Baptist Bible Tribune | 29 AfterWords

Taking your next step By Randy Harp NOTES hroughout this issue we have IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD (see page 6) Temphasized the importance of (Ephesians 4:1) taking the next step. We have attempted • Write a Bible-reading plan for the next two to make application for both the local months. church and its leadership as well as • Write the titles of two books you can read. • Write one thing you can do to step out of your for all Christ-followers in general. One comfort zone. truth I hope you have been reminded of is that you cannot stay the same. There is no neutral. The unfortunate IN PERSONAL LEADERSHIP (see page 7) reality, however, is that unless there is (Luke 2:52) an intentional strategy, we all have the What books are you reading? What are you listening to? Who are you surrounding yourself tendency to coast. with? Write a plan to grow in your personal Now that you have been reminded leadership. of this truth what is your next step? Take some time and work through each category, writing down an intentional IN PERSONAL FINANCES (see page 16) next step for you and/or your ministry. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) Write a plan to help you put God first in your Writing down your thoughts will help finances. (You might consider researching Dave to clarify exactly how God is working in Ramsey’s “7 Baby Steps”) your life.

Next Step IN DEVELOPING COMMUNITY (see page 16) (Acts 2:42) Write the name of at least one person you can spend more time with.

IN CONNECTING PEOPLE TO YOUR CHURCH (see page 12) (Hebrews 10:25) • Pastors, write a plan to help guests take their next step with your church.

IN OUTREACH (see page 19) (Mark 10:13-16) • Pastors, write a plan to connect more unchurched families to your church. (You might consider the “Bless the Children” campaign.)

IN SURRENDERING TO SERVE (see page 14) (Isaiah 6:8) • Pastors, write the name of one person in your church you believe God might be calling to full- time, vocational ministry. (Consider investing time with this person and share with them your personal call to ministry.)

IN OUR FELLOWSHIP (see page 18) Philippians 1:3-5) • Pastors, write the name of another pastor you can call and encourage this week. (You might consider a different person each week.)

30 | Baptist Bible Tribune | April 2016 MARCH 2016 PRAYER CALENDAR

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MISSIONARY CHAPLAIN MISSIONARY T.E.A.M. MISSIONARY MISSIONARY Scott & Norma Edwards LCmdr Steven & Jennifer Benefield William & Kathleen Busch Brandon & Rachel Adams Don & Delores Swearingin Portugal U.S. Navy Germany Kenya Mexico 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY Earl & Joyce Koon John & Marcia Riggs Bill & Jane Coley Bettye Lou Holske Jim & Barbie Waters Joshua & Ashley Bell Jonathan & Roberta Steffy Australia Zambia Kenya Retired Zambia England Philippines 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

WORKERS IN MISSIONARY BBFI MISSION OFFICE - SPRINGFIELD, MO MISSIONARY T.E.A.M. MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY Restricted Access Nations Ron & Vicki Letts Paul Hylton Tony Pizano Ali Alexander Elmo & Kathryn Compton Bill & Barbara Neel Australia Associate Mission Director Mexico Colombia Peru Japan 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY David & Candyce Homer Dalton & Paulette Walker Brian & Jaidy Brown Baptist Bible College Larry & Martha Stringfield Mike & Jill Ivey John & Pam Quinlan Taiwan New Zealand Mexico Springfield, MO Kenya Korea Philippines 27 28 29 30 31

MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY MISSIONARY Ron & Christine Enoch Church Planters Sam & Carita Masters Ray & Wanda Hoover Greg & Michelle Windell South Sudan Argentina Ethiopia Kenya

As is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to make shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray. Martin Luther