Minister to One Another (1 Peter 4:10)  Note all that apply in the past two weeks.  Have you:

• written a note of encouragement?
• checked on the well-being of a friend, church member, or neighbor?
• shared words of affirmation?
• reached out to a newcomer at church?
• invited someone to your home?
• taken a meal to someone sick or home bound?
• mentored a less mature believer?
• prayed with someone?
• planned an activity with another family or friend?
• given time or money to meet a need?
• asked, “How can I help?”

Greet One Another (Romans 16:16)

T  F   When at church, I approach and greet guests.    

T  F   I introduce new acquaintance to my friends.  

T  F   I regularly invite believers to my home.

T  F   I make an effort to remember people’s names.   

Care for One Another (1Corinthians 12:25)   

T  F   I visit or call those who are sick or shut in.

T  F   I share my resources with people in need.

T  F   I try to find out how people are really doing.

Exhort One Another (Hebrews 3:13)

T  F   I am involved in discipling another believer.

T  F   I motivate people to reach their potential.

T  F   I confront people going the wrong way.

T  F   I encourage others to obey biblical truth.

Pray for One Another (James 5:16)

T  F   I often ask people how I can pray for them.

T  F   I stop to pray with people as needs arise.

T  F   I pray regularly with my spouse and children.

T  F   I often pray privately for those facing  struggles.

These ideas for encouraging one another will help and relate to Find It Here 2011.

Taken from revive magazine, a publication of Life Action Ministries

There are 6 sites for Super Saturday: 

8-21  Lexington / 8-28  Louisville               

9-11  Williamsburg & Paducah             

9-18  Russell & Bowling Green

It is exciting to be in a state that provides such strong and encouraging training for churches and leaders.  Super Saturday leaders come from all over the state, other states, and LifeWay.  Dr. Chuck Lawless from Southern Seminary will be the large group speaker at Lexington and Louisville. 

It is a great opportunity for churches to travel together and discuss what they expect coming to the event.  When they go home,  they get to review the day, what they have learned, and what next steps they are ready to take.   If you are coming,  Thanks and God bless.  If you are still considering Super Saturday,  go to our website and sign up.  If you cannot come on that day,  who can?  One person can make the difference in your church or ministry.

Hispanic Ministry Track is at FBC, Danville on August 7th and at Cooper BC in Louisville on August 21st.

For More Information:

Registration:  $35 per person

www.kybaptist.org/supersaturday                502-489-3572 or 866-489-3572 (toll free)   supersaturday@kybaptist.org

No Childcare Provided

“I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”      (Phil. 1:6)

One pastor told me about his involvement in a mission trip to Honduras.  It was mainly a medical-dental trip to a mountain village that FBC, Laurel, Miss. has supported several years.  Seventy-four professionals, pastors, lay persons gave a week to give people an opportunity to have a new life and body.  Last year this pastor went and 75 people found Christ.  This year 378 people came to Jesus.  Everyday people came from everywhere to see a doctor or dentist.  Many times during the day, the children were separated from the adults.  The adults had a worship time where they were invited to know my Jesus.  The invitation was very definite and the question about following Jesus was given several ways so everyone would know what they were doing.  They even gave information for a card so an elementary teacher who is a Christian could try to follow-up with them.  There is no formal church on this mountain top.  Is God at work?

Several weeks ago, I was preaching at a rural church that averages nearly 200.  Before leaving, I asked someone how was their VBS that happened several weeks ago?  She said it was great and with the pool party, they had 28 children and adults accept Christ.  “Wow!  That was great!”, I said.  I not sure of all the details.  I think the pool party followed VBS and others followed Jesus at that event.  God was working!

God is moving.  He had no watch or calendar and he does not take vacations.  God is a stream or river and not a stagnant pond. Our church needs not to be an organization but an organic church that is alive, reaching, caring and loving.  Neil Cole in his book, “Organic Church” gives a great picture of going to where the people are and making a difference.  God is at work and invites us to join him.  Evidence is everywhere!

“Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

“Comeback Churches” book mentions that one of the strong comeback function is “Renewed Belief in Jesus Christ and the Mission of the Church”.  I suggest that you consider preaching a series of sermons that relate to Jesus Christ and how he connected to people.  The Gospels are full of Jesus meeting people that illustrate how we can bring people to Jesus.  Neil Cole in his book “Organic Church”, asks the question,  “Are we bringing people to Jesus or are we bringing Jesus to the people?”  Both are right.  Jesus often went to the people but at other times, people came to Jesus.   For people to have a change of heart, they must see Jesus and his love for others. (Visual Bible is a good resource to see a positive Jesus as it literally follows Matthew NIV)  Take time in sermon preparation to think of how your people can use this picture of Jesus and people in their lives.  Help them apply the love of Jesus.

Revelation 2:4 says, “Yet I hold this against you:  You have forsaken your first love.”  Many of our congregations and people have lost their first love.  Read Ronnie Sivells blog before this one “What’s Hampering the Church?”  Could it be that our people have lost their first love?  Mike Glenn in his Tuesday night meetings with young adults at Brentwood BC in Nashville uses a guided prayer to emphasize prayer before worship. (Examples are in Mike Glenn’s book “In Real Time”)  That might be a good idea for your sermon series about Jesus.  Transformation of our people must have a foundation of prayer.

Jim Cymbala, is the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY.  He says, “Here’s the reality we have to come to grips with – power cannot be taught:  it can only be received.  this is the limitation of preaching.  You can point people to Jesus.  You can tell them about the Holy Spirit.  But you cannot take the Holy Spirit and impart power to them.  Only God can do that.  The goal is to get people to God.  He alone imparts power to His people, and power comes in the answer to prayer.”  If you have not read his book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”, take time.

“God want us to come to him empty-handed, weary, and heavy laden.  Instinctively, we want to get rid of our helplessness before we come to God.  But prayer is bringing your helplessness to Jesus.  The very thing we are allergic to – our helplessness – is what makes prayer work.  It works because we are helpless.  Weakness is the channel that allows us to access grace,”  says Paul Miller. 

Many churches that I visit are talking about having a revival.  I usually ask,  “Why?”  Do we want to have a revival to reach the lost?  Do we want a revival to revive us?  There is nothing wrong with a revival but how many happen with little preparation, prayer or otherwise, and no specific purpose.  Byron Pulus says, “Revival and the practice of passionate, persistent prayer are inseparable.”  Dr. Richard Fisher tells us to read Psalm 85 to hear from God.

1. Revival is God’s gracious gift (vv. 1-3, 5-6)
2. Revival is evidence of God’s faithfulness and covenant loyalty  (vv. 1-3, 7-8)
3. Revival is based on God’s Word  (vv. 7-8)

We should be praying for our country.  Others should be joining us as we fall on our knees.  The scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 is brief and simple but gives direction.

“If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways, them will I hear from heaven

and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Prayer is the foundation to our church, life, relationships, and country.  We cannot be reminded too much!

“revive” magazine is a publication of Life Action Ministries – the summer issue is all about prayer.

 Have you read “essential church”?  Many churches want to keep and find young adults for their congregation.  Based on research conducted by LifeWay Christian Resources, the nationwide survey of more than 1000 young adults uncovered another ominous trend:  fading percentages of church attendance among young demographics.  From 50% among pre-World War II builders, the number sinks to 34%for “busters” born 1964 and ‘77, and 29% for “bridgers” (1977-94). ” These numbers have remained the same as each generation gets older.”  says, Thom Rainer.  “So we eo have a little bid of a crisis.  We’re losing our young adults.”

Importance of Small Groups  – One prescription the associate pastor of a Florida church outlined is small groups.  Whether that means cell groups, Bible studies or Sunday school, he pints out that 83% of those involved in a small group are still in church five years after joining.  Among those who only attend Sunday services, the retention rate drops to 16%.

Why They Leave 

• They simply wanted a break from church
• Left for college or had work responsibilities
• Don’t feel connected to people there
• They disagreed with the church’s stance on political or social issues
• They decided to spend more time with friends outside the church

Start by simplifying

• Simplify the path members can follow to discipleship – Ministry Blueprint:  What is your church going to do to help people become more like Christ?
• Your purpose/mission statement must be clear
• Alignment or getting everyone  on board with the same process
• Focus – Eliminating outdated committees or programs

Ed Stetzer has written a good young adult book entitled “Lost and Found”  His research team surveyed almost 200 church to search for trends and found these common characteristics:

1. Creating Deeper Community
2. Making a Difference through Service
3. Experiencing Worship
4. Leveraging Technology
5. Building Cross-Generational Relationships
6. Moving Toward Authenticity
7. Leading by Transparency
8. Leading by Team

One other excellent resource is “in real time” by Mike Glenn, pastor of Brentwood BC in Nashville area.  He decribes how his church created Kairos, a young adult worship ministry.  Kairos means “appropriate time” or “fullness of time.”  Kairos describes the right time to tell the punch line of a joke or the right time to pick a piece of fruit from the tree.  Kairos, the young adult worship experience on Tuesday night, is about creating that right moment for someone to encounter the risen Christ.  Take time to read this jouney of young adults who have reached the Nashville community.

Please don’t spuander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.  God reminds us, “I heard your call in the nick of time;  The Day you needed me, I was there to help.”  Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. 

- 2 Corinthians 6:1-2  The Message

“Summer 1954 Boones Creek opened for the first time.  In the 56 years since then, there are records for the number of campers for 42 of the 56 years in the association minutes.  The other 14 years they had camp but didn’t recored the numbers.  There were 350 – 600 campers each summer.

Salvation Decisions:  1,951, an average of 46 per year for the 42 years.  Re-dedications were almost the same numbers.

Each camp session offers a week of intense Bible study, fun and games.  There are a total of 4 weeks of association camps divided by age groups.  A different Boone’s Creek Baptist Associaion pastor serves as camp pastor each week.  They preach a sermon to the campers each night.  They were and are the pastors fortunate enough to have lead the 1,951 young people to Christ.

Young people have accepted the call to youth ministry while working as staff at the camp.  Young people have accepted the call to preach while at the camp.  The staff undergoes an intense interview process and background check before they can work with the children.  They are also trained on the Child Protectiopn Plan and the Emergency Plan.  The staff for the most part were campers at one time.”

When I was in my first church, my pastor thought every child needed to have a camping experience.  So we offered a children’s camp at Montgomery Bell State Park in TN.  It is so important to strengthen families, help children become independent, learn to get along with other children, obey leaders, and listen to God.

I’ve heard Ed Young, Jr. talk about how his mom and dad encouraged him to attend camp.  He said it had such an impact on his life and future.

Kentucky Baptist Convention sponsors two state camps.  Cedarmore Camp is at Bagdad and Jonathan Creek Camp is at Hardin   Both have conference centers.  You can find information on the KBC website.

Camp or No Camp?  And the answer is CAMP!

In the Leadership Team at Kentucky Baptist Convention, we have great, prepared, and experienced leaders who will provide conflict resolution with your congregation.  It takes time, energy, and willingness to put everything on the table and have a third party assist you in looking and listening to yourself.  It is not an easy process.  Karl Babb can assist you in this area.

Have you thought about being conflict proactive with your congregation.  Instead of reacting to conflict in the body, why not better prepare your people to handle conflict.  When I supervised other staff members, I always discussed conflict in our initial meeting.  I told them we would have conflict at some point or other so I wanted them to know how we could approach conflict with each other.  In the first 6 weeks at a church, I think the pastor should have a conflict sermon.  If you are beyond that early stage, preach a conflict sermon once every year.  It could help your people better  relate and love each other.

Most congregations and people want to use Matthew 18:15-19 as the foundation to handle conflict in the body, but I think Matthew 18:20-21 does a better job at simplifying what is needed to resolve conflict.  Forgiveness is at the heart of moving beyond conflict to unity.  Many other scriptures talk about right Christian attitudes that we need to present and shared.  The body is a family of God that needs to be transparent to the community.  They do not need to be called dysfunctional and a congregation that is always arguing. 

Three G’s for Confrontation

1. Glorify God(I Cor. 10:31)  You can glorify God even in the midst of conflict.  “How can I please and honor the Lord in this situation?”
2. Get the log out of your own eye (Matt. 7:5)  Before you confront, ask yourself if you have a critical, negative, or overly sensitive attitude that has led to unnecessary conflict.
3. Gently Restore(Gal. 6:1)  Remember to:  Pray for humility and wisdom – Plan your words carefully – Choose the right time and place – Ask for feedback form the other person and listen carefully – Recognize your limits (only God can change people)  Rom. 12:18,  2 Tim. 2:24-26  Condensed from “The Four G’s” found on www.PeaceMaker.net

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”  Phil. 2:5

Virgil Grant at Eastside BC in Richmond mentioned in an e-mail that he wanted to start 20 more small groups this summer.  That got my attention!  He has campus small groups (SS) and community small groups.  His church understands  the difference.  Virgil’s church has moved from being Attractive to being Missional and now they are moving to become Incarnational.  Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw have written a new outward focused book called:  “Quest:  Becoming the Best Church for the Community”.  Quest explains the Attractive – Missional – Incarnational process.

As I met with Bill Page at Crittenden BC, he stated four new classes that have pushed his Sunday School attendance from 100 to 120, a 20% change.  Starting new classes has not been easy but Bill has stayed committed to it.

Darrell Wilson, our KBC Sunday School director, has a blog:  Sunday School Revolutionary!   He has many entries that relate to starting new classes or units.  When our team went to Real Life Ministries in ID, we found them continually starting new small groups and they call it “branching” from John 15.

Starting – birthing – branching:  No matter what you call it, it is time to Just Do It!

Isaiah 54:2:  “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”