Last year I re-read a book that was written in 1987 by one of my seminary professors at New Orleans, Dr. J. Terry Young. The book is titled The Church: Alive and Growing and it begins with this assessment:
There are churches of all kinds, mediocre churches, indifferent churches, “average churches,” big churches, little churches. And then there are effective churches. Nearly any church can be an effective church if it will do three things:
- Maintain a vital, faithful relationship to its head, Jesus Christ.
- Have a proper self-understanding of what the church is, and what it is to do.
- Follow sound principles of conducting its ministry.
In describing what he means by effectiveness, Young contends that “size alone is a poor measure of effectiveness.” Rather, he says, Effectiveness is…
- Doing an excellent work of ministering in the community where the church exists.
- Adequately meeting the needs the church sees within its membership and its community.
- Doing well what that church ought to be doing. (For example, using our unique strengths and our gifts.)
- Producing a steady stream of converts who are guided into maturity and led into productive service in the work of the church.
- Make a telling impact on the community surrounding the church so that it is a better place because of the presence of the church.
As we begin 2012, I am excited about life and ministry at FBC Pensacola, not because we are doing all of the above to perfection, but because we are making progress in many of these areas.
I am also excited about our emphasis on Sharing the Story. I believe that knowing the story motivates us to live the story, and living the story gives us credibility to share the story.
As we continue our joint Bible study and sermon series on “The Life and Times of Jesus,” I want to challenge each of us to do three things:
- Know the story. Participate in worship and Bible study each of the 13 weeks of our series.
- Live the story. Ask God to help you put these teachings of Jesus into practice in your daily life.
- Share the story. Engage a friend, classmate, or colleague in conversation and share with them what you are learning about Jesus and how Jesus teachings are at work within you.
First Baptist Church is a good church, a friendly church, a caring church, and welcoming church. In 2012 I am praying that God will grow us into a more effective church.
