First Baptist Church Clinton Tennessee

In this case, literally!  Lydia and I would like to take this opportunity to express to you, our church family, our deep sense of blessing by the gift you have given to us of the Holy Land trip.  I am honestly still struggling for words and thoughts to unpack this gift.

Like a lot of ministers, I have a personality type that makes it difficult to receive anything.  When this gift was presented to me, I struggled and still do. Yet, I am learning that gifts are to be received with gratefulness and thanksgiving.  So from the center of our hearts…thank  you.

We will leave for our trip on June 5 and be in Israel for 15 days.  Our itinerary will take us to many of the well known destinations (Jerusalem, Nazareth, Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Capernaum, Sight of Sermon on the Mount, Bethlehem, others) plus some time with Bedouin and Jewish families to learn of their culture and history.   We will, as the song says, “walk where Jesus walked”…and Paul, and Mary, and John, and James, and Peter and…!!!!!!

We are already thinking of ways that we will be able to share with you images and experiences from the trip when we return.  It will truly be a time of celebration and discovery as we learn together about our faith.  While we are away, pastoral care will be provided by Terry and Ryan and your deacons.  They will need some additional help the week of June 11-15, Vacation Bible School, since both of them will be highly involved in leadership that week. The Personnel Committee is in the process of securing pulpit supply as you read this note.

I commit to you that I will do my best to use this time and opportunity to study, learn, reflect, listen, grow, and be renewed in spirit.  Thank you.

Keep Walking,

Stan

On Journey….

As I write these words, First Baptist Church, Clinton, is moving forward with its 
vision process. As most of you know, the vote had a few more no’s than we typically have for a vote. We have since come to discover there were several reasons for persons voting no. The Vision Coordinating Team and Personnel Committee have worked to listen to these reasons and will be paying attention to your voiced concerns. With that said, it is time to move forward together.

Lisa, Ryan, and Terry have hit the ground running! They are meeting with appropriate committees and leadership groups. They are making plans for some wonderful ministry events and activities for our church! They are engaging the ministry groups that have been reassigned to them! They are carrying out the vision you indicated God has for us. Granted, we are just in the beginning stages, but the future looks very good!

Let me ask you to help in three ways. First, pray for Lisa, Ryan, Terry, Jo, and Katrina. Knowing that you are praying for us as a staff is empowering and encouraging. Find ways to let each person know that you are praying for them. Second, pray for the ministries. Pray for the planning, the resources, and the opportunities to present Christ and to grow in Christ that these ministry events will provide. Third, allow God to grow you through one of these ministries. Member participation is the foundation of our vision. For many of these new ministries to be effective, our congregation must become involved. There will be many, many ways for you to be involved. Listen for those opportunities as they are presented and make yourself available when the time comes. The blessings you and others will receive are immeasurable!

With God’s help, we can become more and more the people God intends for us to be in this place. Through prayer, study, worship, and service, the Good News will be proclaimed. Let’s join our hearts and hands together now with God in this great adventure!

Keep Walking!

All it takes is a simple look at nature and life to realize that once a living thing stops growing, it begins to die.  Even our aging bodies keep growing.  Most of our body systems continue to replace cells, prompting some to state that fairly regularly there is a “new you.”   I am fascinated by how I can return to some of my favorite places in nature over and over, never exhausting what I see in the vistas before me.  Life is deep, and we never completely learn all there is to know about it.

Why then do we stop learning about God?  Why does it seem to be our lot as human beings that once we get to a certain understanding of God, we are comfortable stopping the learning, growing process?  I am not an art aficionado, but I am amazed at folks who will study the same painting for years and years, and in the process, often discover some nuance, new color, lighting or stroke that helps them to understand the picture more deeply.

Sunday, January 22, I suggested exposing yourself to new authors and books which would give you some new ideas about God and God’s work in the world.  As I was preparing for that sermon, I thought about the books and authors that have helped my faith and understanding of God grow.  Below I share a small list of those authors and books which I have found inspiring, encouraging, challenging, and at times, profound.

You may find that some of these books really help you.  You may not be moved at all by others. That is okay. God loves and created wondrous variety!  The point is, I hope to encourage you to expose yourself to new ideas and thoughts about God, and in so doing, be helped to grow deeper in your faith and in your walk with Him.

Keep Reading!

The Ragamuffin Gospel Brennan Manning

When We Talk About God…Let’s Be Honest R.Kirby Godsey

A Long Obedience In The Same Direction Eugene H. Peterson

Sabbath – Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight In Our Busy Lives Wayne Muller

New Seeds of Contemplation Thomas Merton

Thoughts In Solitude Thomas Merton

Shaped By God’s Heart-The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches Milfred Minatrea

These have been difficult days.  You are aware of the significant number of deaths we have had in a short period of time.  First of all, thank you for the way you have ministered to these families and this community.  I continue to have folks express to me how grateful they are for the many ways you touched and cared for them in these times.  Truly you are being the presence of God.

This period of time has also caused me to pause and think again about the ways that your life can and does touch the lives of others.  As I would sit with family and friends of those deceased, story after story were told about how the person who had died had touched their life.  In some cases it was dramatic. In other cases it was a quiet touch.

Through out the biblical story we see and hear that God has chosen to work through people in most cases.  Yes there are those exceptions when God spoke directly to an individual.  But in most instances, God chose to work through the life of another individual to guide and instruct.  Paul reminds us that the Kingdom of God on earth is made up of many parts, much like a body.  As such, each part is important and needed.  IF a pat decided not to fulfill its role, then the whole body suffers.

As we continue to follow the leadership of God in this place, it will be critical that each of us finds the place that God has prepared for us in the “body” and ask God’s help to fulfill our role.  You see, you and I never know what word or action we share will be used of God to impact a life for good.  And we never know how that impact will further the work of the Kingdom.  My prayer will be that you will find encouragement and endurance to continue sharing your gift for God…or to discover your gift and begin sharing.  It really is important!

Keep Walking!

Stan

“I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, in prison and you did what you could to comfort me.”  Matthew 25: 31-46.  This is a condensed translation of Jesus words to his disciples.  In essence, Jesus is saying that as we engage those who have needs in our community we encounter Jesus himself.  The opposite also holds true!

Thank you for the many ways in which you are engaging those with needs in our community.  Through established ministries (Community Service Center, Prayer Shawl, Nursing Home, exercise classes, …. )you are being the presence of Christ.  Our Deacon Teams are also designed to enable you to share your Spiritual gift in ministry. I want to briefly update you on three of our community ministries: food trucks, English as a Second Language, and RAM.

Many of you have participated in our food truck ministry.  It has grown far beyond my expectations (o me of little faith). Some of you have inquired about why we have stopped doing one monthly.  The main reason is that Second Harvest’s calendar is full!  They only have two trailers available each weekend and thank God that a number of other groups and organizations have “caught” on to this ministry.  September was the next available trailer for us.  I also need to let you know that the price for a trailer has gone up.  This ministry is provided through the gifts of others above their tithe.  The original cost was $500.00.  Not bad for a trailer load of food. That cost has now risen to $800.00, still not bad but a sizable increase. We have funds available to cover our September and October events, If you or a group of you feel led to provide another, just let us know and we will schedule for 2011.  Thank you for all you have done so far to help provide food for many in our community.

On Sunday nights at 5:00 p.m., a dedicated group of folks meet with our Hispanic brothers and sisters  to help them learn English.  This new ministry is providing a much needed service to our friends and their children.  Helping them to learn English is wonderful and the growing relationship s are special.  Recently the group discussed the summer months and whether a break was desired or needed.  Empathically the group let us know that this has become a significant part of their week and would love to continue!  IF you have an hour you could share, there are numerous ways to help with this ministry.  Being able to speak Spanish is not one of the requirements.  Loving people in the name of Jesus is.  Can you help?  Contact __________________________________________________.

Last, I simply want to update you on our Remote Area Medical (RAM) event scheduled for April 2011.  We have started our initial planning meetings and have had wonderful response so far.  We have overall project leaders and well as some individual area leaders.  We even have folks and organizations from the community already getting on board with us.  Information about RAM is in the office if you desire to know more.  Obviously, an event of this magnitude will take ALL of us doing some part.  But even more obvious is the need for prayer.  So I ask you to daily lift up this ministry opportunity to the Lord.  And as you pray, listen for how God directs you to participate and then let us know.  You can contact the office, Wimp Shoopman, or me to let us know of your interest.

It is my hope and prayer that as we continue to be the hands, arms, feet ,and face of Jesus in our community that relationships will be built that lead to an opportunity to share the love of God which leads to a new follower of Jesus!

Keep Walking!!!!

Stan