January 2012

December 5, 1982 - Our first Sunday

Mary and I are beginning our thirtieth year at LMBC in 2012 and we are more excited about the future than at any other time in our ministry. We believe that God has uniquely positioned our congregation to make a significant impact for His Kingdom in the coming years.

Rarely does a pastor stay at his first church for his entire ministry. It’s not uncommon for pastors to move several times before settling into the place where they ultimately serve out their calling. However, when we came to LMBC Mary and I had full intentions of spending the remaining portion of our lives in this place, if God so willed. We would have followed Him anywhere, but it has been His sovereign plan to leave us here...and we’re glad about it!

I’m looking now at plans for the next fifteen years of our ministry that will continue to help our church reach new people, as well as care for the community of faith He has given us. I want to finish well in the place I have invested the majority of my life, should God be pleased to allow me to live that long. One of the great challenges I see before me is how to prepare our church so that LMBC will be ready to call the next generation pastor when my ministry ends. And, I want to do my part in training that generation so they can take this ministry into the middle/late part of the 21st century with the blessing of God on their lives.

But, if you really want to know about some of my dreams for the immediate future, here are just a few: I want to make a lasting spiritual difference in people’s lives and in the community where I serve. I want to see the message, “Jesus saves,” taken to those that have never heard His name. I want to see believers find that following Jesus is the only way to real meaning and purpose in life. I want to see married couples find the fullness God intended for their relationships. I want to see children and young people excited about turning the world upside down for Christ. I want to see our “prodigals” return to the Father that loves them. I want to see people far from God’s Kingdom brought into the family of God. I want to see people excitedly being baptized as they profess their faith in the Savior. I want to see men and women answer His call to vocational ministry from our fellowship. I want to be on the cutting edge of the things God is doing in this world and not wait ten/twenty years for it to reach us in the smaller cities. I want our church to bless our community and be missed by them, if we were suddenly gone. I want to take people deeper in their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and farther than they’ve ever been in their relationship with Jesus Christ. And, I can go on like this...

When you add to these things some of the projects I believe should be in our future you can see that God has a great work yet to be done here. I pray we will make significant progress toward some of these areas that I’ve long felt are important to our future: 1. A children’s auditorium/activity area (first floor) & choir room (second floor) to be added to the rear of our existing Worship Center. 2. The construction of a multi-level adult/children facility that includes a full-fledged coffee shop/banquet room and Children’s play area. (I’d love to see this coffee shop and play area open to our community during the week.) 3. Upgrade to HD quality TV equipment so we can stay relevant and continue reaching others through the Daily Walk outreach. There is probably no other single ministry of our church that has a more far-reaching impact on our local community than our Daily Walk TV program. 4. Purchase adjacent property when it becomes available so we can have the needed space to continue growing. 5. Grow our international missions program not just in quantity of missionaries, but in quality of support.

Well, you get the idea... I have lots of things rambling around in my head about the future and I’m regularly placing them before the Lord in prayer. Not everything I envision for our church comes to pass. Sometimes God shows us a better way to accomplish His work than what I initially envisioned myself. That’s OK with me! But, I’m not going to sit back and just revel in the spoils of His past blessings. I want to see Him do even greater things than I ever imagined in my own heart and mind.

Of one thing I’m certain: no matter what else we may do in 2012 and the coming years, we must continue to stay focused on JESUS. This ministry, as well as our individual lives must become increasingly more Christocentric. The writer of Hebrews put it this way, “...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith...” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB) Nothing good or of lasting value can ever be accomplished if we lose our focus on Him.

In many ways our church has evolved over the years as we’ve grown together in ministry. But, the changes have been mostly about style or methods...not substance. And, what has driven these changes has been my desire to bring our church more closely into alignment with Scriptural teachings. Some of the things I thought I understood when I began my ministry have become clearer as my study of His Word has grown fuller and deeper. With experience and maturity comes adjustments, if you intend on calling yourself a follower of Jesus. To stubbornly say, “I haven’t changed in the last thirty years” is basically to acknowledge your own failure to grow in your relationship with Christ and your understanding of His Word. No one denies that change for change’s sake is not good, but change driven by the Scripture is always good and right!

A few years ago as the New Year dawned I brought a message entitled, “We Haven’t Changed!” In that message I outlined the core doctrines of the faith I believed when I came to the church at the end of 1982 and affirmed in that sermon that I still hold fast to these same truths. Nothing has changed on that front and I strongly affirm the same fundamentals today. However, I’m not afraid to admit that in other areas of my ministry I have changed and it’s brought me closer to Jesus and our church closer to the New Testament pattern of ministry. Is there more of that kind of change in our future? Probably! And, the reason I say that is because I am committed to letting the Scripture take us wherever it leads us and not try to impose on it our own preconceived agenda or traditions. To me, that’s part of what it means to stay focused on Jesus.

I need your prayers and your help to move in the direction God is calling us. Everything we need He will provide as we trust and obey. I don’t have thirty more years left for “day to day” pastoral ministry, but of the years I do have left, I am going to serve them out pressing forward.

There is much work to be accomplished and God wants each of us to be His vessel through which He can accomplish His work! What part will you play in the future of LMBC?

Social Media Addiction

My dad's Ham Radio equipment. I still have the microphone.

I'm a total tech-gadget geek...not that I own that many gadgets, mind you. I just love reading about them and seeing the innovative advancements that "simplify our lives." Whenever I see someone I know with a new gadget I always want them to demonstrate some of the fascinating things it can do. I really like seeing it in action! I know...that sounds crazy to some people, but everybody needs a hobby and this is one of mine.

I learned this penchant for electronic gadgetry from my dad when I was just a kid. From before I was born he was involved in electronic communication through his Ham Radios. In the basement of our home on Miriam Lane in Decatur, GA, he had set up a small studio of equipment that he used for broadcasting a signal to connect with people in the states and in many foreign countries. It always fascinated me that we could sit in our modest house and be talking to someone that lived a world away from me.

Although the basement was unfinished, one of the block walls near his radio equipment was completely “wallpapered” with QSL cards from places all over the world. Not only was his radio equipment used for personal enjoyment, it also served as a tool for helping people during times of tragedy/crisis by relaying information to appropriate authorities. He ran "phone patches" for missionaries to talk with their families in the states. He made friends that to their dying days stayed in contact with one another. And, when you add his small 2 meter & 6 meter radios, he was as well connected in his generation as I am in mine.  

I'll never forget the Saturdays he and I spent together at Hamfests at Stone Mountain State Park and other places around the Atlanta area. Most of what they talked about at these all day events I didn't really understand, but it's part of the reason I love technology today. My dad introduced me to electronics and created an interest in me for it that I enjoy till this day. Though I never earned my Ham Radio license (something I think he'd have loved me to do), it was my dad that introduced me to my first computer and insisted that I learn to use it.

Now you can understand better my interest in things that some people consider to be nothing more than a necessary nuisance.

Social Media Addiction

One of the "advancements" that intrigues me is this whole phenomena dealing with social media. There is hardly a day that passes that I don't post a few messages and take some time to read what people are talking about online. It's similar to what my dad did by way of his Ham Radios, only much simpler and less technical to use. Everyday I connect with friends from around the states and around the world. Social media and the Internet is today's equivalent of my dad's Ham Radio. It's a tool, it's a toy, it's total fun...SOME DAYS!

But, we also have to remember that social media (computers, technology, Ham Radios, cell phones, texting, etc.) can become addictive. How many times a day do you check Facebook, Twitter, Google+, your cell phone, etc.? Probably more than you realize!

I read an honest confession by a pastor who is battling with his addiction to social media. Listen to his transparent assessment of the struggle.

“A little over a month ago I was with a group of about ten people or so in a restaurant where we had gathered to celebrate and reflect on the end of a pretty intense season of ministry we had just completed.  We had seen God do some amazing things and had more than enough reasons to be excited about the evening.

“We got our menus, spoke with each other about the options in front of us and then chatted about what we preferred and then placed our order with the waiter.

“After the waiter was gone I pulled out my cell phone.  Please understand, no one had texted me.  No one had called me.  I did not have any voice messages from earlier in the day.  Why did I pull out my cell phone then?  Simple…I needed to check Twitter.

“As I did this something told me to stop and listen…and when I did I heard no conversations taking place at the table.  No laughing.  No celebration.  No recalling what the Lord had done.  Then I looked up and discovered why…

“EVERY SINGLE PERSON AT THE TABLE WAS LOOKING DOWN AT THEIR CELL PHONE!

“Doing what, I have no idea…probably twitter, facebook or whatever…but what stood out to me in a very convicting way was that ALL of us were neglecting being connected with the people who were right in front of us and were engaging in something else that, for some reason we all considered to be more important.

“...Here I was with a group of friends that I should be enjoying life with and instead I was obsessed with an online perception that I somehow felt was more important than the relationships that were right in front of me.

“Thoughts began to flood my mind of other times I had done the same…

--The times I had been on the couch with [my wife], and instead of engaging her in conversation I am seeing how many people re-tweeted me.

--The times that [my daughter] had been trying to get my attention and instead I was trying to see how many “likes” that [my] Facebook page had.

--The times that I had been in a room FULL of people and opportunities to engage in conversations that mattered, but instead I was more obsessed with clearing another level of Angry Birds.

“...I realized that I was neglecting real community, real people who were right in front of me [emphasis mine] and instead engaging in relationships online that were superficial at best and achieving “high scores” on games that had absolutely zero significant value.

“Honestly, if I found out today that I had 30 days to live my obsessions would not become how many twitter followers I could gain, how many times I could dominate “words with friends” or even having to check who had written on my Facebook wall in the past 15 minutes.  It would be people, REAL people and REAL relationships that would be important to me. [emphasis mine]”

It’s very easy to get caught up being “connected” to people online while ignoring the ones who have chosen to spend “real time” with you. When you’re neglecting those that are present with you by carrying on a texting conversation with someone that isn’t with you (and it’s not an emergency), it may indicate an addiction in your life.

Please hear me...there is nothing wrong with technology and the opportunities to connect with people online. It just has to be kept in perspective and you have to place the greater value on the "real" relationships in your life...not the virtual ones.

In Defense of Christ

Dr. Steve Tardy has written a new book entitled, "In Defense of Christ" and I want to recommend it to you as a tool to strengthen your spiritual life in the face of so many and varied attacks on Christianity.

There is a devious effort afoot to undermine the Christian faith and all believers must be prepared to "earnestly contend for the faith."

I have known Steve and his family for many years and have watched the Lord at work in his life. He is passionate about his faith and his commitment to the truth of God's Word. His medical background, along with his theological training uniquely qualifies him to address apologetic issues that confront Christians in our post-modern world.

In a succinct and thoroughly scriptural fashion Steve introduces you to "other faiths" and prepares you to confront their theological errors with God's truth.

We simply cannot compromise the truth of God's Word or the Christ that is central to Christianity.

Steve writes, "...it is important to remember there is no neutrality in scripture. Christ Himself said, 'He that is not with me is against me...' (Matthew 12:30) In denying Christ we defame and denigrate Holy Scripture and become cowards for not standing for our belief in Jesus Christ as Lord..."

You can get your copy of his new book from Guiding Light Christian Store in Barboursville, WV, (304) 302-6441 or by contacting Dr. Tardy directly.

Dr. Tardy will be signing books at Guiding Light Christian Store on December 10th, from 2-4 p.m. This is your opportunity to meet Dr. Tardy personally and to get your own personalized copy of his book.

Guiding Light Christian Store
2010 Thundering Herd Dr
Barboursville, WV 25504
(304) 302-6441

Gifts for Jesus

Did you know that if statistics hold true again this year that after Christmas there will be nearly a million unwanted presents that will be sold on eBay...including some that will still be in their original gift wrapping?

Look at a few of the after Christmas sale items from last year:

• An easy-to-knit scarf kit, described by the seller as "a lovely idea but I cannot knit and really don't have time to learn."
• A Simpson’s cuckoo clock, girl's lilac boots, and a pair of Red Monkey jeans.
• One lady in London was selling a pair of Prada shoes given to her by her brother. She said, "I hate them. They’re old-fashioned court shoes, a style I'd never wear."
• Another man wrote about a gift he was selling, "Re-homing a present [don’t you just love how we say things to make them sound better] means it will find a new owner who will really appreciate it."

Now, to be frank with you, some of the things on eBay’s list make me wonder more about the gift-giver than the gift-seller. But, we all know that there are going to be some items we give (and get) this Christmas that will never see the light of day.

Let’s be totally honest with ourselves for a moment. If we received absolutely nothing this Christmas, except for a grateful heart for the things we already possess, most of us would be just fine. I’m not suggesting that you stop your gift-giving or that you forget those important people in your life. I’m just saying that most of us have all we need even if we don’t get any gifts this holiday season.

But, there is one person on our Christmas list that we should never forget and that’s the One whose birthday we are celebrating.

Let me ask you an unusual question. When you celebrate your birthday, who receives the presents, you or the guests who are celebrating with you? And, if someone was upset about not receiving a gift at your birthday party you’d probably just tell them, “It’s not your birthday we’re celebrating anyway!”

So, what do you give the “Person” (Jesus) who has everything? You give Him exactly what He asks for all year long...to make Him known to the ends of the earth.

This year you can give a gift to Jesus for His birthday by giving to our “Gifts for Jesus Offering” on Sunday, December 18. Every dime of the offering goes to making Jesus known to our Tri-State and beyond through our Daily Walk TV ministry.

There’s a special Christmas offering envelope for this purpose that is among your regular offering envelopes you received in your mail for December (LMBC members). If you didn’t get one of these envelopes or you need a replacement you will find additional Christmas envelopes in all of the entrances of the church.

If you're not a member of LMBC and want to give to this special offering to help us take His love by way of our TV broadcast to more than 40 counties in WV, OH, and KY, then you can do so by sending your gift to 5385 W. Pea Ridge Road, Huntington, WV, 25705. Be sure to mark your gift for this specific purpose ("Gifts for Jesus Offering") in the memo portion of your check.

Please join us this year in making sure that the One whose birth we celebrate isn’t the One who is forgotten on His birthday.

I promise...no one will ever re-gift their new life they discover in Christ because you helped us take Jesus’ love to them.