Category Archives: Uncategorized

Oct 11 2011
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Christian life, Church, ministry, Uncategorized, vision

EBC News!

What’s been happening as the disciples of Christ gather at
Emmanuel Baptist Church in Macclenny Florida?

2011 Missions Conference Highlights!

EBC had a missions conference on October 2-4! This was a great time where we focused on our mission: the Great Commission.  According to Matthew 28:19-20 our mission is to help more people know Jesus and make Him known. This begins in our church, continues as we go and spread the Gospel of Christ in our community, country, and the regions beyond!  Having a missions conference helps us do exactly that! Our theme was building bridges…reaching more for Christ!  Here are some highlights:

  • God blessed us with great preaching from Dr. Shoemaker!
  • We had live Skype calls with 2 of our missionaries: one in Durbin
    Africa, and one in Togo Africa! Awesome!
  • We had great special music by our praise team!
  • The conference was well attended!

Prayerfully our missions conference goal will be reached as well: total participation!  Our desire is to have every member and regular attender commit to give an offering to faith promise missions each week.

Another Ministry Team Formed!

I’m excited that our church has formed another ministry team! The Kids team is now official. Our church’s motto is “Together we can do it.” Our vision is to see our church become a church of ministry teams, doing the work of the ministry together one team per ministry. Why? So we can fulfill our mission best:  All that is involved in helping more people know Jesus and make Him known. God has given our church a group of ladies that are gifted and who love God and kids!  We are excited to see how God will use our unified efforts to reach more kids for Christ in the days ahead!  We are planning an exciting kids activity and practicing for the Christmas musical! Thank you kids team for your efforts!

What’s happening next?

We have a new exciting sermon series beginning Sunday 10/16!  I am excited to start a new series called, “Extreme Spiritual Makeovers: Home edition.” This is a sermon series designed to speak to every family, helping us grow healthy families that know God and experience His presence, healing, and blessing!

God has been recharging our church family on Wednesday nights from 7-8:15 p.m!  Our October adult recharge begins on the 10/12.  Pastor Greg Peters, lead pastor of Parkview Baptist Church, in Palm Coast Florida will be our guest speaker.  Our recharge theme is “Leading with Love!”  He will be kicking off his teaching series with this lesson from God’s Word:  “Loving myself First—Really?”

EBC’s Wednesday Recharge has relevant ministries for all ages to include adults, the Resistance student ministry, the Kids Zone, and a nursery.  God has truly recharged our church family, helping us grow healthier in spirit and in number.

We are also very excited to launch our very first website!  Yes I know—pretty interesting having a blog, facebook page, and a twitter account but no website.  Well it’s a long story and has been quite a project, but we are almost there!  I really believe this new website is going to have a great impact on our church family and attract more guests in the days ahead. Our brand new website is going to help us interact, engage, converse, unite, and be informed all online!

As more disciples gather at EBC to worship God and serve Him it is clear that God is working in great ways and our future is getting brighter and brighter!

How’s your church life been lately?  How’s your life been touched by the ministries at EBC or your local church? Start the conversation by leaving your comment!

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Sep 11 2011
2 Comments
Church, ministry, Uncategorized, vision

EBC News!

A “church” is a local assembly of disciples of Jesus Christ who gather to worship Him and accomplish His work.  A local church is active, lively, growing, and life giving.  So what’s been happening as the disciples of Christ gather at Emmanuel Baptist Church?

Sunday Worship!

Last Sunday was Labor Day weekend.  Labor Day weekend is known throughout the church community as a “low” attendance day.  Well at EBC we had almost 100!  But the fact is we did have several regular families out—some sick and some travelling and we still had a very strong Sunday (we are averaging close to 100).  God is growing our church!  God continues to bring new families to worship with us.  There are several families that have been attending that I believe could be members soon.  Our worship experience has also grown too.  The music continues to add life to the church and our pointed sermon series have been helpful and life changing!  This Sunday I’m continuing the series, “The secret to seeking and finding.”  Sermon number 2 will be, “Finding hope in times of difficulty.”

Wednesday Recharge!

We started a new Wednesday night worship service at EBC in August.  God has blessed!  We now have active ministries for all ages to include adults, the Resistance youth ministry, the Kids Zone, and a nursery.  Since starting this exciting fresh new ministry we have seen the attendance double going from 30 to about 65!  The awesome thing is everyone who comes is learning how to know Jesus and make Him known and really getting spiritually recharged!  Our theme for September is “Healing from life’s hurts.”  This Wednesday I’ll be teaching on this subject: “Healing from Inferiority.”

What’s happening next?

We will be trusting God to do great things in the days ahead.  Coming up October 2-4 our church is having something real exciting:  a mission’s conference!  Our very own Dr. Charles Shoemaker will be our key note speaker, who will inspire and instruct us to have a greater impact for Christ in our community and beyond!  This is awesome because we have not had a mission’s conference in years. Plus fulfilling our Lord’s Great Commission to make disciples is our mission.

Well, as the disciples of Christ continue to gather at EBC one thing is certain:  God is at work and we are excited to follow Him into the future.

How’s your church life been lately?  Have you been blessed and encouraged by the happenings at EBC or your local church? Start the conversation by leaving your comment!

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Sep 02 2011
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Christian life, Church, Uncategorized

What are you afraid of?

What not to Fear!

What are you afraid of—what do you fear? When I say fear I don’t mean that you are scared like being scared of the dark! I’m talking about things in your life that bother you—things in your life that bring conviction as a Christian because of your reverence and respect for God.  Because you are sensitive and aware of God’s presence in your life you pay careful attention to love, follow, and obey Him and His Word!  If you sin, living contrary to God’s Word and ways you are convicted, bothered, and downright captivated by the fact that you have displeased Him and have strained your relationship with Him.  It’s healthy and good to be sensitive to the things of God and His working in your life. Knowing what to fear and what not to fear will give us great freedom and confidence in our daily walk with Jesus—to know Him, please Him and do His will!  Paul the Apostle is a great example of someone who feared some things as a Christian, but notice first what he didn’t fear.

Paul did not fear losing his salvation in Christ!  2 Tim 1:12 says, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”  Paul knew that salvation is of the Lord!  His soul was safe and secure in God’s eternal care.

Paul did not fear trials or persecution!  2 Tim 1:6-9 says, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”  Paul knew that no matter what came his way God was not only for  him, God was with him and would be his strength during trials.

Paul also did not fear that his needs would not be met!  Remember what he told the church at Philippi in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Time and time again God proved himself faithful in providing his daily needs.

Paul did not even fear the criticism of others!  Paul said in Col 3:23-24, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”  Paul knew that people would have differing opinions about him and God. The opinion that mattered most to Paul was God’s opinion.

What should we fear as Christians? 

Paul the Apostle did not fear many things because of His close relationship with God!  But what did Paul fear in his Christian life? What bothered him and what should bother us?  What should we be sensitive about?

Paul Feared to sin!  Sin is deceiving. It can trick us into giving into temptation.   It can control us.  Sin is also destructive.  Paul said in first Timothy 1:19, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:”  When we let sin take control it can weaken our faith so much so that it shipwrecks us!  It can destroy us, leaving us on the sidelines of our Christian experience instead of in the game and making a  difference for Christ. And worse still sin breaks our fellowship and hurts our relationship with God.  Does it bother you when you sin—are you troubled that your relationship with God is not right?

Paul also feared that He wasn’t bringing enough glory to God with his life!  How often do you even think about bringing glory to God with your life—pleasing Him in all you do?  Do you daily seek to demonstrate and communicate God’s value and worth?  Paul said in first Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”  Here are some good questions that will help us bring more glory to God:  Can I praise God for what I am about ready to say?  Can I praise God for what I am about ready to do?

Paul also feared that he would become a castaway!  First Corinthians 9:26-27 says a castaway is something that is not approved, does not stand the test, and is unfit! Paul was sensitive about pleasing God with his life–doing right.  This perspective motivated him to maintain a testimony for Jesus Christ. The Christian life is a race.  And while we run this race and serve Christ people are watching (family, friends, lost people).  Paul was concerned that his life and his race would be approving unto his Lord and an example for others!  Does it bother you to think that things you may do or not do might be displeasing to God and a poor testimony to others?

Paul also feared that People around him would be lost eternally! Paul had a healthy respect for the souls of men.  As Paul walked this earth serving Christ he passed by people every day.  It bothered him that some of those people would die and spend eternity in a Godless hell!  He said in Romans 10:1, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”  He cared deeply for his fellow people!  He wanted to see them know Jesus as Savior and Lord.  It bothered him so much that he said he would have given up his own salvation if they would receive it (Romans 9:1-3).   How much does it bother you to know that some of your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are lost, without Jesus, and on their way to hell?  Is there a healthy fear that motivates you to pray for them and share Christ with them?

What do you fear as a Christian?  Be the first to join the conversation by leaving your comment!

 

 

 

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Aug 22 2011
1 Comment
Church, ministry, Uncategorized, vision

EBC is Getting Recharged!

Not the Same ole same ole!

It’s been said, “If you do the same thing you have always done and expect a different or better result that’s called insanity!” God is doing some awesome things to recharge our church family at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Macclenny Florida!  On August 3, 2011 we started a brand new Wednesday night program for the entire family.  We wanted it to be Christ honoring and life-giving.  We wanted Wednesday Recharge to give the tired weary saints a supernatural shot in the arm.  Through specific and fervent prayer, and intentional and strategic ministry planning God is using Wednesday Recharge to accomplish these goals!

Recharge who?

For our adult recharge we have Bible teaching on a specific topic that relates to most Christians and young people.  For our August recharge we are privileged to have my father-in-law Dr. Charles Shoemaker with us.  Each Wednesday in August he is teaching on the subject of marriage enrichment.  Although his topic is for married couples the principles apply to all relationships.  It’s been awesome to say the least. Our youth team was pumped about launching an awesome new Student ministry called “The Resistance!” Their motto is “Following God…resisting the world!”   We had the youth building remodeled, repainted, and recharged!  The students at EBC love it and are excited about it!  We made some cool invite cards too so they can spread the word to their friends.  We also launched a new kids program called the Kids Zone!  Although we offered something on Wednesday night for our kids we needed to charge it up a little.  And that’s exactly what happened!  God has blessed us with some great leaders and workers who love children and want to help them know Jesus more in a fun environment.  The kids are loving the Kids Zone!

Recharged Indeed!

God has enormously blessed our new Wednesday Recharge so far!  God has recharged our attendance.  It’s awesome to see so many new faces on Wednesday night worship.  Several young couples came and brought their kids and students.  The first night God blessed us with 77 in attendance.  The next week we had 78.  This past week we had almost 70.  We were averaging about 35 on Wednesday nights.  Now that God has helped us have something exciting and relevant for the entire family our numbers have increased significantly!

We recharged our appearance.  We did much more than just decide to offer something on Wednesday night for everyone.  Much prayer and planning went into it as well.  Besides starting new ministries we also had some cool logos and signs made!  My bro-in-law, Dennis Schaffer, who happens to be a pilot and a pastor, also does some graphic designing on the side. He did excellent work designing the logos for the Resistance and the Kids Zone.   Along with the awesome logos that were designed we had some sharp directional signs made for both the Resistance youth ministry and the Kids Zone.  The signs we hung in the church not only look incredible they make a foundational statement as well:  quality is important!  We want to communicate a spirit of excellence in all we do.  How we take care of our appearance speaks volumes.  When our facilities are neat, tidy, and attractive, when our facilities are well maintained it shows how much we care and that we appreciate what God has given us.

God has also recharged our spirit.  When a church starts something new with the goal of fulfilling their purpose, mission, and vision better than ever before there is much to be excited about!  Because of the time and efforts of those on the Maintenance team (Men of Acts), the youth team, and kids team the foundation has been laid for effective ministry for the whole family on Wednesday nights!  With all of the activity and excitement one thing is abundantly clear:  God is working at Emmanuel Baptist Church!  We have life!  There is something going on of a spiritual nature.  And as a matter of fact there is.  God through His Word and His people is getting Emmanuel Baptist Church recharged.

How has God recharged you and your family at EBC?  Or what has your church done to recharge you and your family through the ministries and services they offer?

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Aug 07 2011
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My Twitter Conversation with an Atheist: Part 2

Got Proof?

My twitter conversation with the “Atheist community” turned out to be a pretty exciting opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  After sifting through several tweets from several atheists I noticed that one atheist in particular seemed to be responding often and with interest and logical and realistic questions.  Then I got a great idea:  continue my twitter conversation about the existence of God with him.  So we sent several tweets back and forth.  He told me that he had read the Bible through and he still chose to believe that God did not exist.  He told me that he did not believe there was any real “proof” that any God exists.  You see that is the Atheist’s go to statement. They say, “If you can prove that God exists than I will believe.”  Not true. The atheist has already made up his or her mind that they will live life as if God/Jesus does not exist.  The problem is not proof, but a rebellious attitude toward a holy and loving God. The decision to be an atheist, although a bad one does not negate the reality that there is a God. The tweets continued and actually this one atheist in particular got me on to “Twitlonger” which allows you to type unlimited text instead of 140 characters a normal tweet allows.  After praying and seeking God’s mind on how to respond I pointed this one atheist to the Scriptures in Romans 1:19-20 where it says, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shewed it unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”  Creation, that is everything we see gives great proof that there is a God a being greater, stronger, and wiser than us humans.  Humans are the most intelligent of God’s creations—at least some are.  He also stated the simple response that it takes more faith to believe that there is no God than to believe there is a God!  As a matter of fact it is very logical to a thinking person.  Genesis 1:1 simply states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth!” The things we see every day in our world and universe point to a real and personal God!  Denying this fact is like saying I don’t believe that I live on planet Earth. Look around man, at all the beautiful creation, people–your breathing air and not floating around etc.  There is no doubt that you are on planet Earth.  Denying this fact does not change the truth that you are living on Earth.  I’m not trying to be rude but God’s Word says in Psalms 14:1a, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.”  No one wants to be a fool:  a stupid fellow.  I did not share this verse with this atheist as I was trying to speak the truth in love.  But the fact is out of love I would want someone to tell me if I was stupid in an area of my life as serious as where my faith rests and where my eternal destination is determined!

Twitter Conclusion

After sharing the 2 illustrations above concerning God’s existence it did not make much head way.  Truthfully it did not seem to make any sense or difference in this atheist’s life.  But he kept in touch and continued our conversation via twitter. Then he sent me a message that really captured my
attention.  He said in order for me to believe you need to give me some empirical evidence that will clearly demonstrate my Biblical theory.  Basically you need to show me some tangible real life evidence that I can see and test that God exists! His message was a great challenge.  Below was my last tweet I shared with him.  As I wrote it and sent it I prayed that God would enlighten his eyes to the truth and that he would place faith in the One true God and Savior Jesus Christ!

@earnric if you are lkg for evidence by experience & observation then I got it for you: me! You will know God/Jesus exists when you place faith & trust in Him and His Word–the Bible! You cannot and will not find any other evidence that tops a changed life. Anyone who has heard the “Gospel”—the good news that Jesus came to earth died on the cross for your sins & mine then rose again that whoever believes in Him—exercises faith in Him will have their sins forgiven, will become a child of God (will know God) and will recv eternal life as promised by Jesus—live in heaven one day w/ Him forever instead of hell. Believe this, and pray recvg God’s gift of eternal life and you will have your experiential evidence. I know God exists because I put His word to the test and placed my faith in Him—believed that Jesus sacrifice was enough to forgive my sin & give me what He promised-to know Him etc. Just cause you read the bible through doesn’t mean much. It’s when you exercise (faith) in what the Bible says that there is power.  It makes you wise unto salvation. You will
then know & experience God when you place your faith in Him!

Have you had a similar conversation with someone God put in your path?  Someone who needed Jesus? What interesting ways has God allowed you to get the Gospel out to those who do not believe? Start the conversation by leaving your comment!

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Jul 24 2011
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My Twitter Conversation with an Atheist!

Conversation Starter

Had some seriously raw dialogue with some “Atheists” a while back and thought it would be an interesting post!  I actually was just tweeting about how God had allowed me to minister to a dying man in a hospital and received a very surprising response.  I was on my way to visit a member of our church who was sick and in the hospital.  As I arrived ready to minister I found myself walking  aimlessly through the hospital kinda lost (it’s so easy to get turned around). God, however, was doing the aiming! While trying to find the sick member’s room a man walking in the hall saw that I had my bible and a badge so he stopped me and made a serious request.  He asked if I would go and pray with his dying brother.  He didn’t know how much time he had left and wanted to be sure He had everything settled with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I agreed to make the visit.  I went into the sick man’s room and introduced myself.  He was in much pain, but was alert enough to have a  conversation.  During our visit I had the great honor of talking to him about Jesus and how he could be sure he knew he was on his way to heaven through faith in Him.  The man wanted to pray and pray he did.  I believe he already knew Christ but was praying for assurance of his salvation.  After he prayed his face lit up a little and he thanked me for coming by.  Well after that great moment of being used of God to share the Gospel of Christ I wrote a tweet about the experience.  And I shared how God in His divine way led me to a dying man and that after our visit this man had assurance that he was on his way to heaven regardless if he recovered from his illness or not.

Tweet! Tweet!

Well a few days later I noticed that someone had sent me a tweet (messages through twitter)  responding to the tweet I sent about the dying man.  Actually I received a few tweets from different
folks all who were “atheists.”  You see atheists choose not to believe that God exists.  They choose to reject the truth of God’s Word and decide to just ignore Him and live life their own way.  One man’s
twitter name was “Good without God.”  His message basically asked, “Isn’t that what hospitals are for?”  “And if he had died before you got there then what?” Another atheist asked, “How can you say that this man had received salvation from God and could know that he would go to heaven?  How do you know?”   All these questions caught me by surprise, but then the light went on!  This was just what I was praying for: an opportunity to share the truth about the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him!

Seizing Opportunities!

Well I responded to this atheist by sending another twitter message and before I knew it an entire community of atheists was sending me tweets.  While some atheists just questioned my faith in Christ and the existence of God others made statements that were downright vulgar and vicious.  One
atheist tweeted to his atheist followers, “check out @mikeramondetta this out to be good!”  Well good did come as a result, good with God of course!

Next week’s post will include my conversation with one atheist in particular and how God used our twitter conversation to communicate the Gospel of Christ to him.

Maybe you have had a similar situation. What interesting ways has God allowed you to get the Gospel out to those who do not believe? Start the conversation by leaving your comment!

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Jul 01 2011
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When Vision Becomes a Reality!

What is vision anyway?

I am a visual person!  I can get easily distracted or impressed by what I see.  Vision is an essential element of a person’s life, family, and it’s especially vital in a local church!  Vision is a seeing word.  I like and can relate to author Aubrey Malphur’s definition of vision: vision is the clear and challenging picture of the future of our church as it can and must be.  Vision is possible and vision is also urgent—it must be!  In order for our church to not just survive but thrive we must have a vision.  Proverbs says that without vision the people perish.  I believe the opposite is also true:  a church—group of believers in Christ WITH a vision will flourish! A church with a great commission Christ centered vision will flourish and become all that God wants them to be and do all that God wants them to do in their community and beyond!

Where does a vision come from?

Vision is the picture of the future of what our church will become!  Time and time again we can see in the Scriptures that vision comes from God Himself.  God spoke to Joshua in Joshua chapter 1 and relayed the vision for His people to him.  Then Joshua cast that vision to the people—they in turn caught the vision and they together fulfilled the vision!  Habakkuk is another good example.  In Habakkuk chapter 2 he met with God in his “watch”.  He prayed, seeking God’s face and God’s direction. God then responded challenging Habakkuk to write down and share the vision He had given to him.  Habakkuk then was to cast the vision to the people so they could catch it, run with it, spread it around, and fulfill the vision together!  I was never so excited when God through prayer and studying His Word revealed to me the vision for our church!  The pastor that is serious about knowing, fulfilling, and leading his people to do the impossible for Christ in their community and beyond is ready to receive a God sized vision!  After much prayer and worship and even some fasting God revealed to me the vision.  Now a vision is not just something exciting and needful for the church to accomplish. Vision is specific!  God will show you specific things, whether they are goals or objectives that must be done so the church can accomplish its mission best.  Now let me say that our mission is the same as what all Bible believing Christ following churches should be pursuing: make disciples of Christ the best way possible.  Our mission is to help people become fully functioning followers of Christ in our church, community, and beyond.  My responsibility as the pastor is to lead our church in fulfilling our mission!  To lead our church to know Christ and make Him known!  Now that means that the vision will consist of specific things we will do and become so we can fulfill that mission better than ever before!

What is our vision?

As I began to write down the vision for my life and ministry I discovered this vision was for our church to fulfill! After writing out the vision for our church’s future I have to say that I was extremely excited.  When God gives you a vision it will propel you forward with passion and help you lead others to make that vision a reality! Here is the vision that God revealed to me for our church to fulfill.  Our vision is to improve the quality of ministry by building a church of ministry teams!  That was it—team ministry!  There is no I in team!  The pastor cannot do it alone!  Together we can do it!  God gave me this great verse in Philippians 1:27, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

On February 13th I cast the vision to our church!  Our business meeting turned into a vision night service!  It was a great night.  God really worked, blessed, and moved in our hearts.  Our church has gone through a lot in the last several years.  Our church has seen several pastors come and go in a short amount of time.  In the process we have had some members come and go too.  But now God in His divine intervention has given us a vision to fulfill! A vision that will enable us to fulfill our mission in our community and beyond better than ever before so we will become the church God wants us to be!

How is our vision becoming a reality?

Now it’s great to have received a vision from God and His Word! It is very exciting to cast that vision to the people.  But let me tell ya there is nothing like it when God’s people start catching the vision and you actually see the vision becoming a reality in the church!  Right now God is allowing our church to  build 6 ministry teams.  So far we have a:

  • Leadership team
  • Music and media team
  • Outreach team
  • Hospitality team
  • Youth team
  • Maintenance team (Men of Acts)

Now these teams are still forming and developing.  Each one still needs work and more team  members!  But God is putting them together and it’s awesome to see!  The good news is that God has just started building these ministry teams.  Soon we will have a kid’s team, a mission’s team, and many more!

How can I get involved?

I am so glad and excited for all of the members of Emmanuel Baptist church who have decided to be a team player and join a ministry team!  The good news is that there is an opening for you to be on a ministry team too.  Are you on a ministry team?  What areas of interest and experience do you have?  How has God gifted you to help us fulfill our mission of making disciples of Christ at Emmanuel Baptist Church?  Just let me know you are interested in serving on a team and I will help you get plugged in. The future of Emmanuel Baptist Church is bright and will be exciting.  But our vision will continue becoming a reality as more and more people get involved and become a part of a ministry
team!

Since your arrival at Emmanuel Baptist church how has God used you to help us fulfill our mission and vision?  What team have you joined or what team would you like to  join?  If you’re a member of another church how has God used you or your church to form ministry teams to fulfill the mission and vision of the church?

Start the conversation by leaving your comments!

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Jun 18 2011
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Getting Organized!

REALITY CHECK

Getting organized comes natural for some people but is a real challenge for many others—like me!  I am a people person by nature.  I have been known to get things done “in a pinch” and known as a “fly by the seat of your pants” kinda guy.  But personality and “winging” it can only take you so far.  In order to go up I’ve learned you have got to grow up.  What I mean is that in order to be more effective in life we have to work hard and learn skills and disciplines that do not come to us naturally!

MAN TO MAN TALK

I had been out of the Air Force for a couple years.  I was now a sophomore in college (way back in 2000).  God was using me in His service.  I had been leading a singles Sunday school class while going to college, singing in a quartet, working over 30 hours a week and so on.  But one day I was talking to my father-in-law about life and he told me directly, “You are doing great, but you are not going to excel, grow, or go to the next level as a leader unless you get organized!”  You cannot go up unless you grow up.  I had been cruising through life winging it just fine until now.  He was absolutely right.  here was no way I was going to be able to grow as a leader—know the way, go the way, and show the way for
others if I did not step it up and decide to grow.  Since that day I have graduated from college and have a Bachelor’s and master’s degree, been a church planter, and am currently a pastor of an existing church in Macclenny Florida.  And guess what?  I am still working hard at getting organized.

PROGRESS

Being the pastor of a church is exciting and also challenging in many ways.  I am currently the only pastoral staff member of a church of about 100.  The great challenge for me is determining what the MOST important tasks are to accomplish.  There is always sermon and lesson preparation to do, visits, etc that must be done.  But what about all of the other stuff?  There are many “little things” that get
placed on my desk, told to me in passing, sent to me via e-mail, or snailmail.  Plus there is of course  ministry structure building that needs to be done: mission, vision, and strategy communication and implementation.  And then there is leader and worker training and development that must be done too.  So what’s the answer?  Get organized!  My personal motto is “Simplify…Everything!”  Getting organized has helped me do that!  Doing things like developing a simple master “To Do” list and a  weekly “To Do” list for all of those “extra” tasks has helped greatly.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

I have read some good books like “Organizing Your Day” by Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims.  Great
book!  From this book, other resources, and just life experience I have found some simple yet effective and efficient ideas:

1.  Write down all tasks on a master to do list.

Don’t put non-negotiables on there—things you have to do each week, but all other tasks that have been piling up or neglected.

2.  Transfer tasks from the “Master” list to a “Weekly Do to” list.

I found one onlinethat I modified.  My list has 4 sections:  to do, to go, to call, and to write.  Could also add a to read section.

3.  Prioritize your tasks and then transfer them on your weekly to do list.

As you get them done simply check them off for completion.  At the end of the week review your master and weekly to do list and make a new fresh weekly to do list for the following week my nephew is only 10, yes just 10 years old and is pretty organized.  I shared my new way to get organized and he thought it was awesome and had me e-mail him the list.  Since then he has modified it and is using it now!  He wants to be as organized as his Papa who I believe coined the phrase,“Organize or Agonize!” Although getting organized is a lifelong pursuit it can be done with some smart work, and good old blood, sweat, and tears!  Getting someone more organized than you are to help is also a great idea too.  My lovely and able wife Emily is that person.  I may bounce off some ideas to her and she will make some very helpful suggestions.  She is awesome and truly a gift from God.  But don’t wait until you pull your hair out or it turns gray to start getting organized.  Start now.  A few simple steps and you will be on your way.

Are you an organized person?  Do you have some systems in place or good ideas to get things done effectively and efficiently?  Be the first to start the conversation by leaving your comment!

Jun 08 2011
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Uncategorized

What’s Happening?

What an awesome week God gave us here at Emmanuel!  Here are just some of the things that have been going on:

  • Pastor and family were out of town!
  • Preacher Bill Mosley filled in for Wednesday night worship and did a great job—thanks!
  • Adult Sunday school class was full!  Enjoyed the refreshments as always—yum!
  • We had a great day of worship on Sunday!
  • Praise team did great adding life to the service!
  • The morning message worked in hearts and lives! One man said, “I needed that message—have a lot of stuff going on in my life.”
  • Heard a great testimony about how a man in our church led a lady to Jesus!  Awesome! Way to go!
  • We had a great evening service as we honored our 2011 graduates!
  • Congrats to Erica Kinghorn, Devin Alford, and Darren Gray!  I am very proud of you!
  • I preached a message directed to them called, “Making the Most of Your Life!”
  • We then had a wonderful fellowship with lots of great food…and fellowship!
  • The decorations were fitting, the food was outstanding, and conversations were connecting!
  • I enjoyed it very much as I know others did as well!
  • After the food we went out and played some church volleyball—very fun!
  • We have some great volleyball players in our church!

A little plug for volleyball!  The summer church volleyball season begins this Friday! We have about 3 teams from our church that will be playing!  Last year we did awesome! Our teams played well, demonstrated a great Christian testimony, and some almost won the championship! Let’s get out there and play well, be safe, and represent Jesus and our church well by having a great testimony, and being faithful to come and worship during our church services! If you don’t play come out and support your church and root us on!

How did God work in your life this past week at Emmanuel? Start the conversation by leaving your comment! Continue reading →

May 27 2011
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My Secret Fishing Hole!

I was excited that my in-laws were in town.  I was more excited my nephew and I were going to go fishing.  We weren’t going to fish in just any place.  We were going to my secret fishing hole!  So we got up pretty early the next morning, loaded up the car, and headed out.  We first had to stop and get some worms so we did.  I had bought bait from this store several times before.  Then we headed to the secret fishing hole.  The place is actually located right across from our house in the local park—about a ten minute drive.  We drove into the park down the windy dirt road until we got to the river.  We then drove down a 4 wheeler road (a road not fit for cars) along the river to get closer to my secret hole.  This road had some seriously rough terrain.  Not a road for my trusty Malibu, but it did just fine.  After driving down this rough road a while I decided that the Malibu had enough and parked (pretty impressive for a family sedan).  So we parked, got our stuff, and began the hike.  You must be thinking this must be some fishing hole to have to go through all of this!  Yes indeed!  Well after hiking down the 4 wheeler road a while we headed into the thick woods.  These woods were not just filled with trees either!  They were filled with thorns, briers, bushes, and all kinds of other brush.  My nephew said, “It’s so thick in here we should have brought a machete”!  As we went into the woods I made sure to make some land marks so we would not get lost.  It’s pretty easy to get turned around in there!  Well after about 30 minutes of hiking we got to the edge of the woods and I’m thinking, “We’re finally getting close.”  As we got out of the woods and into the clearing I discovered that we we’re indeed lost!  I had been to my secret fishing hole several times before.  I have never gotten lost on the way to the hole!  Well as we walked on the dirt road believe it or not we came right smack dab back to the exact place where we started!  We had made one great big circle.  I could not believe it!  My fishing hole was so secret that we couldn’t even  find it!  We made our way back to the car and rested a while.  Then we proceeded back to the hunt for my secret fishing hole.  Well praise the Lord we eventually did find it.  As we got down to the river I  took the worms out and was preparing to bait the hooks when I discovered something very upsetting:  there was not one single worm in the container!  Our trip went from bad to worse.  Well we of course had to adapt our fishing tactics or go fishless.  We ended up using some lures, caught some fish along the way, and had a great time!

Life sometimes can take us for a loop too!  We think we have things under control, and we know where we are going.  We think to ourselves, “I’ve been here before”, but before you know it you get turned  around, you lose your way, and get plumb lost.  What a horrible feeling to be lost.  Spiritually speaking every one of us is born lost.  What I mean by that is we are all born into the world with the great need for God to help us find our way back to Him!  Because of sin we are born separated from God.  But there is hope for us to find our way back!

Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law; To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

Because of God’s love He made a way for us to know Him, be guided by Him, and be with Him in heaven when this life is over.  That “Way” to knowing God is through His Son Jesus!  Right at the perfect time Jesus came from heaven to this earth, was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and  rose again so whoever believes and receives Him as their Savior will have their sins forgiven, have a  relationship with the One true God, and one day live forever in heaven with Him!

If you try to get there on your own, like when we got lost on our fishing trip, you will just go in a big circle and find yourself right back where you started from.  Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” You can know for sure you are on the right path to God and heaven by receiving God’s gift of salvation through Jesus His Son.  And the good news is unlike my  secret fishing hole, everyone is invited to heaven and it’s easy to find.  The question is will you accept the truth from God’s Word and receive it by faith.  If you know that God is speaking to your heart about receiving His gift of salvation pray a prayer to God like this,“God I know that I am a sinner, and I believe Jesus is the Savior, and that He came and died on the cross for my sins and rose again so I could know you.  Please forgive my sins and save my soul.  I now receive your gift of salvation amen.”

Do you feel lost in this world?  Do you know God, and do you know that you are going to heaven one day?  I pray today will be the day of your salvation!  And if you do know Him what’s your story?  How did God come into your life and guide you back to Himself through His Son Jesus?

Start the conversation by leaving your comment!

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