Pastor Vance Pitman graciously took the time to answer several questions about leadership, administration and church growth. I believe the SBCVoices audience will benefit from his words of wisdom and I hope each reader can take something back to their own church to help lead their congregation in God’s direction.

Vance Pitman is the Founding and Senior Pastor of Hope Baptist Church in Las Vegas, NV. Vance was raised in a Christian home and mentored by his father, a Southern Baptist Minister, Vance surrendered control of his life to Jesus Christ at age seventeen. At age eighteen, in response to God’s call, he relinquished his life to preach the Gospel and has vowed to serve the Lord the rest of his life. He was licensed to the Gospel ministry on December 12, 1990 and ordained to the Gospel ministry on June 22, 1994 at First Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He is serving as the president of this years SBC Pastor’s Conference.

Leadership

SBC Voices asks: How do you get people to follow when you see change that needs to happen?
Vance Pitman responds: The key to people following spiritual leadership is vision.  When God’s people understand clearly what God is doing, they will always respond positively to whatever change is asked of them.  The problem is that many times God’s people are shown our plans and not convinced of God’s activity.  If we are faithful and patient as spiritual leaders for God to clearly make His activity obvious in the life of our fellowship, His people will always respond to His activity.

SBC Voices asks: How do you promote unity among those who follow you?
Vance Pitman responds: Unity is found in moving people onto God’s agenda.  As long as we are pursuing our plans there will be division, but where there is clear evidence of God’s activity, God’s people unite.  We see it over and over in the book of Acts when the Bible says they were all together with “one mind”.  That can literally be translated “one passion”.  Meaning they had wrapped their hearts around the heart of the Father.  We must be passionate about seeking the heart of the Father and leading people to join His activity.  When this happens, there is unity.

SBC Voices asks: Do you have any key principals that you follow that you believe makes you an effective leader?
Vance Pitman responds: I’ll give you a few:

1. God’s primary call on my life is not ministry, it’s intimacy.  Every area God uses me as a leader are the overflow of my intimate fellowship with Him.
2. Wisdom always seeks counsel because my input is never enough and my perspective is always limited
3. God’s activity is always bigger than me
4. What God is doing locally is always connected to His activity globally

Administration

SBC Voices asks: How do you balance your ministry duties with administrative duties?
Vance Pitman responds: Part of the answer to this question is understanding that everything we do has kingdom impact.  Returning emails and phone calls is “spiritual activity” if I am allowing Christ to live through me even in the details of the job.  There aren’t “important” and “non-important” aspects of kingdom work. Some I may enjoy more than others, but it all has to be accomplished to be effective in God’s kingdom work.  The other part of the answer is understanding my particular unique gifts and strengths and prioritizing my schedule that I spend most of my time doing what God has gifted me to do and where I am most valuable to our church and staff team.

SBC Voices asks: What is your greatest challenge in the administrative part of your duties?
Vance Pitman responds: Mine would be that since I am very administratively inclined I sometimes have a hard time letting go of some of the administrative details.

SBC Voices asks: Do you have any advice on preventing the administrative duties from being a hindrance to ministry?
Vance Pitman responds:

Intimacy with God
Kingdom perspective on “all” work
Counsel/accountability from others
Emphasis on team ministry

Church Growth

SBCVoices asks: What are you doing (or have you done) that is leading to the most growth in your ministry?
Vance Pitman Responds: First and foremost is to establish the DNA that “growing our church” is NOT the goal.  Making disciples that results in God’s kingdom being expanded locally and globally is the goal.  When we get that right God produces growth that we cannot explain.
Second, I would say an emphasis on small groups.  Life-change happens in community
Third, is discipling people to understand that they are ALL missionaries in their home, neighborhood, workplace, and world

SBC Voices asks: Are there any changes you think you need to make to see more growth?
Vance Pitman responds: Continue to develop the groups mentality.  We do not want to be a church “with” groups, but a church “of” groups
Also to do a better job of connecting people when they visit us

SBC Voices asks: What advice would you give a young minister anxious to see growth in their ministry?
Vance Pitman responds: God’s primary call is not ministry it’s intimacy
God hasn’t called you to a church but to a city (think missionary/not pastor)
God’s activity in your church is not just about your church…it’s bigger than that. When people catch that vision it changes the church!

The Arizona Southern Baptist Convention provides sample bylaws, articles of incorporation, property deeds, and other legal documents for church plants. One of the clauses in these documents is a reverter clause which transfers all the church’s assets to the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention in the case that the church ceases to be a Southern Baptist Church. My own church has such a clause in their bylaws, but they are not nearly as strict as the current templates available.

This language is encouraged for all churches and is required for church plants to get support from the convention. I understand the Southern Baptist concern to protect their investment. I also understand the desire in the local congregation to be sure that no cult takes over the church. This clause would allow the local SBC association come in, take over the property and start a new church in that case.

However, does this language not scare you? We have seen denominations leave the orthodox faith before. Is the SBC immune from liberalism, heresy, and apostasy? Shouldn’t the local church have some protection against being kicked out of the SBC and have their assets seized by the convention?

Is a church with these sort of bylaw restrictions still truly autonomous? Looking forward to your comments…

Blessings,
Jason Smathers
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ARTICLE IX (emphasis added)

Purchase of Real Property

In the event the Church owns, or elects to purchase real property, the following covenants, conditions and restrictions shall apply to such real property:

Section 1.        The deed conveying the ownership of the real property to the Church shall contain covenants, conditions, and restrictions consistent with those set forth in sections 2-6 of this Article IX (the “CC&Rs”).  If the Church already holds title to real property, or acquires title to real property, at any time, without the CC&Rs being recorded against such title, then the Church shall immediately take action to record the CC&Rs against such title and the language of these Bylaws shall be a grant of authority for the Pastor or Chairperson of the Deacons to execute and record such CC&Rs without any further action being taken by the members of the Church.

Section 2.        Real property owned by the Church as Grantee shall be used for the benefit of the members of the Church who are determined to be in harmony with and affiliation with the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention (“ASBC”), even if the members determined to be in harmony with the ASBC shall be a minority of the membership.

Section 3.        For Church members to be in harmony with and affiliation with the ASBC requires that the messengers of the Church shall be recognized and given full voting privileges at the annual meetings of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention.

Section 4.        Should the Church messengers be denied such recognition and voting privileges by the ASBC, or in case the organic existence of the Church shall cease, or in case its house of worship or the real property owned by the Church shall be abandoned or shall cease to be used as a house or place of Southern Baptist worship by those in harmony with or affiliated with the ASBC, as above set forth, or in case same shall be sold by the Church or the title be transferred by legal process or otherwise, without the written consent of the ASBC, then in each and every such case the title to the above described property shall revert to and become vested in the (local Southern Baptist Association’s name), or its successor, to be used for a church or mission in harmony with and affiliated with the ASBC.

Section 5.        No reversion of title that might occur, as a result of the circumstances set forth in Section 4 above, shall render invalid or operate in any way against the lien of any mortgage or deed of trust given, with respect to the conveyed property, in good faith, and for value and on any such reversion (local Southern Baptist Association’s name) shall take title to the conveyed land subject to any such mortgage or deed of trust.  However, any lien of any mortgage or deed of trust given, with respect to the conveyed property, that is not in good faith and not for fair value, or that is an effort to circumvent the intent of this restrictive covenant, shall be void and of no effect.  The ASBC, or its successor, may enforce any of the covenants, conditions, and restrictions set forth herein by any appropriate action at its respective option.  At any time following the date of this document, the covenants, conditions, and restrictions contained herein may be terminated by a written agreement signed by the Church and ASBC and recorded in the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the real property is located.

Section 6.        Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions in this ARTICLE IX of the Bylaws may not be amended or repealed except by unanimous consent of the voting members of the Church at any special business meeting of the Church, after such proposal for amendment or repeal has been made available, in writing, to all Church members at the worship services taking place during at least the two (2) weeks prior to the special meeting wherein the vote will be conducted.

View the complete document templates:
Articles of Incorporation
Bylaws
Declaration of Restrictive Covenants for an existing deed
Warranty Deed

In Ergun Caner is a real ex-Muslim, I challenged the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to be wise stewards of God’s cooperative program resources and prayerfully consider if Liberty University is bringing God glory.  I did this because I assumed that the SBC of Virginia was supporting Liberty University financially.  I was wrong.  Brandon Picket, Director of Media Services for SBC of Virginia has contacted me to correct my misunderstanding of the relationship between SBC of VA and Liberty University.

Since 2000, Liberty University has been a ministry partner of SBC of VA, approved as such by the executive board.  No money is provided by the SBC of VA to Liberty University.  Liberty University operates under the authority of Thomas Road Baptist Church.  Picket informed me that the “SBCV is grateful for the ongoing relationship [they] have with this church” and that they “believe that God’s hand is on [Liberty University].”

Although the SBC of VA  is grateful for Thomas Road Baptist Church and believes God’s hand is on Liberty University, I see no indication that they support fairy tale testimonies from their leaders.  Baptist polity dictates autonomy of the local church, however SBCV maintains the right to sever ties with ministry parters that deviate from their convictions.  The SBCV has been in contact with Liberty University concerning this matter and is hoping and praying that Liberty University’s inquiry into Caner’s embellishments will result in Liberty University taking appropriate action.  I think we can all join them in this prayer.   If however this does not happen, I pray that the SBC of VA has the courage to stand for honesty and integrity when their ministry partners do not.  They have made it clear that they have options, I hope this means they intend to use them if required.

Please join me in prayer for our brother Ergun Caner, Thomas Road Baptist Church, Liberty University and the SBC of Virginia.  This is a difficult time and I pray that God gives each person the strength and faith they need to persevere.  I pray that honesty and integrity prevail and God is glorified.  I pray that God will use these men and these ministries powerfully in the time to come to bring many to faith in our Lord, Jesus.

I believe if Ergun Caner were to humble himself, repent of his sins and tell an honest testimony to the world that Christians all over would treat him as a brother and happily open their arms to him.  I can think of no better outcome and no better expression of the brotherly love we can display because He first loved us.

-Jason Smathers. * Subscribe to my blog. * Follow me on Twitter.

Read the review of Seeds Family Worship on the Witnesses Unto Me blog.  Then head on over to enter for a chance to win a free CD from the Seeds team.  Just leave a comment on the contest page to enter.

Enter by this coming Lord’s day, April 11, 2010.  Winner will be announced Monday April 12th.

Ergun Caner has been at the center of controversy recently.  Mohammad Khan, a Muslim, has launched a website called fake ex muslims.  Mohammad has used this website to point out errors and contradictions in Ergun Caner’s testimony, speeches and publications.

Last week I posted evidence on my blog that indicates Ergun Caner was born in Sweden, moved to America before his fourth birthday and has remained here ever since.  This is a contradiction to Ergun’s biography on the Liberty University website which states he immigrated to the United States in 1979.  Following the start of this controversy, Ergun’s biography was removed from his own website; clicking the BIO link continues to give a not found error as of today.

I want to be very clear that I do not endorse, condone, or share motivations with Mohammad Khan.  In fact, I emailed him today calling him to repent and urging him to trust in Jesus alone to save him from the wrath of God he deserves.  Mohammad is deceptive in his approach to Ergun Caner and Mohammad’s entire premise is false.  The blogger who writes under the pseudonym TurretinFan has posted a three part response to Mohammad’s claims. Ergun Caner is indeed a real ex-Muslim.  As my blog post shows, Ergun’s father fought in court for the right to train his children in the Islamic faith.

While disagreeing with Ergun’s Muslim critic, I also call on Ergun to explain why the exposed legal documents contradict his testimony, his speeches, and his biography.  A boy who came to America as a toddler and was trained in the Islamic faith for some time, then was saved by a mighty merciful God is a glowing testimony to God’s glory.  Why would you want to try robbing God of His glory and invent a testimony that is not your own?

I call upon Jerry Falwell, Jr, Jonathan Falwell and the Liberty University staff to hold Ergun Caner accountable for being honest.

I challenge Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia to be wise stewards of God’s cooperative program resources and prayerfully consider if Liberty University is bringing God glory.

I call Mohammad Khan to repent of his sin and put his faith in the One True God, trusting Jesus alone for salvation.

Most importantly, I call upon Ergun Caner to give God the glory in his salvation and share with the world an honest biography and testimony.

-Jason Smathers. * Subscribe to my blog. * Follow me on Twitter.

***For The Record: I, Matt Svoboda(blog editor) has contacted Ergun Caner and I told him if he could give me anything showing that Jasons accusations are false then I would immediately take the blog down.  He made a couple of points, but failed to answer about the “timeline/raised in predominantly Muslim country” questions. That being said, I believe Ergun plans to continue to respond to me.  I will not post the messages/emails because I gave him my word that I wouldnt.

In Bill Hybels’ book, Just Walk Across the Room, Hybels asks the reader to write a faith story in 100 words or less. The faith story is supposed to be used as an evangelism tool when time is short. If you only have 45 seconds to give someone a message, instead of telling them about your life, I would suggest you tell them the Gospel. The exercise is the similar to what Hybels suggests. However, instead of sharing about yourself, present the gospel, which has the power to bring men to Christ. Hybels other advice is good: Keep it short, use common language, be humble, and be clear.

I’ve written in 99 words this Gospel presentation that I can share in about 35 seconds:

It’s our purpose to glorify God, but instead we’ve violated His law. Since God is just, He must punish sin with His wrath. God’s wrath for us means eternity in hell. Jesus is perfect and lived without sin but was killed on the cross. Jesus didn’t deserve this fate, we do. He took the wrath in place of everyone who repents and believes. Repent by rejecting your sin and seeking God’s strength to stay away from it. Believe by trusting in Jesus alone to save you.  On the third day Jesus rose from the grave and is alive now.

If you have less than a minute with a person, what would you want to tell them? A personal story about your life or the Gospel? Can you share the Gospel in your words in 100 words or less? Show us your version in the comments.

Jason Smathers: blog twitter

When you have only a few words to work with, can you remain a faithful witness?

Try explaining the meaning of the cross in 140 characters or less.  The best description, as determined by voters, wins 25 copies of Pursuing God by author and SBC Pastor, Jim Elliff.  Use them for outreach in your church or personal evangelism.

Got all the details and enter by Monday February 15th on the Witnesses Unto Me blog.

Jason Smathers Blog Twitter

Today while meeting with my Pastor and Sunday School director, we observed that our church is not good at welcoming new faces. At times, people visit us and they do not feel welcome.

I suggested this is a symptom of not having a heart for the lost. When by the grace of God a lost person shows up at our church, every member should be concerned for the soul of that visitor. That concern should reveal itself in many ways, none of which result in the person feeling unwelcome.

Focusing on developing a heart for the lost is a far better focus that training people in kindness. Not only will this help make disciples of those that enter our church, but will help us have a heart for the whole world. Our hearts must be broken for the lost so that we can become a great commission church.

I’d like to open up the comments here to hear what you think a church should do help their members develop a heart for the lost.

-Jason Smathers

Jason Smathers’ blog, twitter, and Facebook.