Things That Friends Do Right

I am reflecting on the story of Job this week as I prepare for Sunday and as our church family ministers to several members who are dealing with unexpected challenges.  I am particularly interested in Job’s friends, and I am amazed that they did some things right and some things wrong as they responded to the multiple crises in Job’s life.

The last two weeks have been extremely unusual as members of our church family have encountered one major concern after another.  Obviously, we should strive to avoid making the same mistakes that Job’s friends made:

• Keeping your distance.
• Trying too hard.
• Saying too much.
• Staying too long.
• Hearing too little.

I am grateful that, like Job’s friends, our FBCP family does a lot of things right.  Here are some of the things I see Job’s friends and our members doing that are constructive and helpful in responding to crisis:

• Ministry of presence…being there, being available.
• Ministry of prayer…interceding.
• Ministry of encouragement…cards, notes, and hugs.
• Ministry of listening…empathetic, non-judgmental listening.
• Ministry of helping…assuming a variety of supportive tasks.

Continue to pray for the many families who have major health concerns and for those who have lost loved ones.  In addition to praying, one of the most important things we can do is to faithfully gather for worship, Bible study, and fellowship.  Our faithful gathering on Sunday enables us to strengthen our connections and deepen our faith.

This Sunday I will be sharing an encouraging message entitled “What I Learned from Job.”  Invite a friend, and let’s grow stronger together.

I am grateful for the wonderful way our church family cares for each other.

Lessons from the Wilderness

To be commanded to love God at all, let alone in the wilderness, is like being commanded to be well when we are sick, to sing for joy when we are dying of thirst, to run when our legs are broken. But this is the first and great commandment nonetheless.  Even in the wilderness—especially in the wilderness—you shall love him.

                                                            -Frederick Buechner

Have you ever felt stranded between the bondage of the past and promise of the future?  Between their departure from Herod’s labor camps and their arrival in the promised land, the children of Israel journeyed for quite some time through the wilderness.  And it was this journey that tested their loyalty and shaped their character.

This Sunday we are exploring Lessons from the Wilderness in Exodus 12:31-42. 

Do folks still have wilderness experiences in life?  Absolutely!  Individuals, communities, and nations experience seasons of adversity, doubt, unrest, and uncertainty.

You might say that our church is going through a sort of wilderness experience right now.  Of course there are lots of good things happening. Our mission involvement is strong.  We exceeded our budget goal during the past year. We have been blessed with an abundance of visitors and new friends.  We are making good progress in paying off the ROC.  Lots of new babies are on the way. And there is a great spirit of fellowship.

On the other hand, we have a lengthy prayer list.  Several members of our church family are dealing with severe health prognoses.  We have some senior saints who are “not long for this world.”  And we have many others who are dealing with unemployment, job uncertainty, marital conflicts, and various addictions. 

Wilderness experiences challenge us to deepen our prayer life, to affirm our trust in the Lord, to strengthen our loyalty to God’s church, and to follow God’s directions without detours. There are lessons we can learn in the wilderness that we cannot discover on the mountain top.

On another note, our Minister of Students, Brad Gowing, announced this week that he has accepted an invitation to join the staff team at the Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham.  Brad will conclude his time with us on November 8.  I have tremendously mixed emotions about Brad’s departure.  I am grieving over Brad’s departure. Brad has provided outstanding leadership for our students and he has been a valuable member of our staff team.  On the other hand, I know that in Brad’s deep walk with the Lord he has sensed God’s call to return to Birmingham and that this is a great opportunity for him.   Even though it is difficult for us to let them go, we will send Brad and Maile to Dawson with our blessings on their future ministry.  And we will be moving prayerfully, quickly, and intentionally to call our next Minister of Students. 

Join me in praying for our many health concerns, for Brad and Maile, and for our staff search.  Also, join me in praying that we will grow stronger and more faithful when we experience the tough terrain of the wilderness.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we worship God and encourage one another.

Welcome Laura Harrison!

I am pleased to announce that our Children’s Minister Search Team has carefully and prayerfully chosen Laura Harrison to serve as our Interim Minister of Children.  Laura, and her husband Craig, as well as their daughters, Lauren, Lindsey, and Lilly, are already faithful members of First Baptist Church.

Laura is a graduate of North Georgia College and State University.  Previously, she has served as Preschool Director at Rolling Hills Baptist Church in Buford, Georgia, and Children’s Minister at First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze.  Laura’s hobbies and interest include family fun, bicycling, water sports, reading, and calligraphy.

Our Children’s Ministry Search Team’s recommendation to call Laura was unanimously and enthusiastically approved by our Personnel Committee and our Administrative Council. In a few months, when the Children’s Ministry Search Team is ready to present a final candidate to serve as Minister of Children, that recommendation will go to the Personnel Committee and the Administrative Counsel, and finally to the congregation for a vote of affirmation. 

Laura has a great appreciation for the strong foundation established by Jean Ingram.  And she has creative ideas for continuing to build on that foundation in the future.  Join me in welcoming Laura Harrison, and praying for her as she provides spiritual leadership for our Children’s Ministry.

This Sunday morning, our Children’s Ministry will host a reception near the Children’s Welcome Center between 7:45 and 10:45.  You are invited to bring your family to meet and greet Laura on your way to or from the worship service or Sunday School. Muffins and juice will be served.

On Sunday evening at six o’clock our Singing Seniors will share their Home Concert in the sanctuary.  Our Singing Seniors will depart on Monday morning for a tour that will take them to Ridgecrest and other stops along the way as they share the good news in song.

Your faithful participation in worship and Bible study makes us a stronger church, and it makes you a stronger Christian.   Let’s be found faithful this Sunday!