I am in the "studio" this Sunday morning - except it is Saturday and I'm going to confused all week. I got up early like I do on Sunday, got dressed up like I do on Sunday (as all respectable pastors do!), came into the church to finalize my sermon and preach it, like I do on Sunday. This time, though, it will be in an empty worship center with cameras and microphones. We recorded the music on Wednesday and are adding my sermon today. We decided to go with prerecorded rather than streaming our services - for us, that just worked better. COVID-19 hasn't hit here yet but everything is closed and … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Forum: How’s It Going, Televangelists?
WELL, WE FINALLY DID IT [Mark Terry]
We finally did it; we canceled our Sunday school and worship service for this Sunday. This was a difficult decision for our staff, especially us old guys. Our senior pastor is 69, and I (the teaching pastor) am 70. We were reluctant, really resistant, to cancel services. We have not had a reported case of COVID-19 in our county, so the crisis, while certainly real, did not seem immanent to us. We wanted to keep worshiping as long as we possibly could. When we became aware of the virus, we discussed our response as a staff. From the beginning we felt torn between continuing to worship, as … [Read more...] about WELL, WE FINALLY DID IT [Mark Terry]
Scriptures and Prayers for Uncertain Times
A reminder of God's greatness: Say among the nations: "The Lord reigns. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. He judges the peoples fairly." Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and all that fills it resound. ~ Psalm 96:10-11 Father, you are the great, awesome, and mighty God. You reign over all creation. The whole earth is yours. Nothing happens that is beyond your control. Nothing surprises you or catches you off guard. Father, we are weak. We are prone to fear. We don't see everything as you see. Help us to remember your strength. Help us to trust … [Read more...] about Scriptures and Prayers for Uncertain Times
If Your Local Church Disappeared Would You Notice?
I have heard a similar question asked to gauge our missional impact on our community. If your local church suddenly disappeared would the community notice? Would they feel the impact of you leaving? If the answer to that is “no” then it likely won’t be long until you actually do close the doors to your church. But I’d like to frame the question a little bit differently. If your local church disappeared would you notice. On one level this question is rather absurd. Of course, you’d notice if the place you go on Sunday’s was no longer open to you. You would most certainly notice. But I’m … [Read more...] about If Your Local Church Disappeared Would You Notice?
BREAKING USELESS INFO: Hunkered down in my survival domicile…watching stuff.
I know one guy who has an actual survival bunker - underground with a year's supply of food and water. I don't think he has made the transition yet. I know a couple of people who have been big on accumulating guns and ammo, like dozens of guns and thousands of rounds of ammo. If it comes to that, I don't think one old dude and his wife will be able to stave off the Visigoths. Yeah, it's those reckless, licentious, insouciant, and senseless spring breakers partying in big groups at beaches that will move this thing along. Come to think of it, if I could have afforded it, I would have done … [Read more...] about BREAKING USELESS INFO: Hunkered down in my survival domicile…watching stuff.
BREAKING USEFUL INFO: Lifeway Generosity
No, I'm not just praising Lifeway as being generous. Rather, this information from Lifeway's Lifeway Generosity unit about free setups for online giving as a COVID-19 response and help for the church. Follow the tweet to get the info. Multiple threads in this tweet. Pastors & Churches trying to figure out online giving...@LifeWay has just offered their online giving services w/no setup or monthly fees! Check info below! ???? Thanks @BenMandrell for helping churches & church plants!https://t.co/VEkmAxvp7m — Doug Hixson (@doughixson) March 18, … [Read more...] about BREAKING USEFUL INFO: Lifeway Generosity
I had the flu, and compared to this coronavirus it’s… (or: a plea for wisdom and a defense of social distancing)
A few weeks ago, I had the flu. For sixteen years, I have faithfully received flu shots and every year they worked until this year. By best recollection, I hadn't had the flu in at least 20 years. It was miserable. I hated it. I had forgotten how much worse it is than a cold. Thankfully, I was diagnosed in the window to get an anti-viral medication that helped me get over the flu faster. In a week, I returned to life as normal. I say this, because in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have seen several people on social media make light of the situation. They talk about how many more people … [Read more...] about I had the flu, and compared to this coronavirus it’s… (or: a plea for wisdom and a defense of social distancing)
A once in a lifetime opportunity for churches?
Well, one hopes that anything like the current COVID-19 crisis is to be encountered only once in a lifetime. Never has so much happened so soon that affects churches. The World Trade Center attack, Shuttle disasters, JFK/MLK/RFK assassinations, Pearl Harbor, and other singular events didn't impact the Sunday-to-Sunday existence of churches as has the virus. I don't recall what churches did during the flu epidemic a century ago. I'm immune in a number of ways. Not being an active pastor there are no church decisions to be made or leadership to be asserted. I don't have to be concerned … [Read more...] about A once in a lifetime opportunity for churches?
Book Recommendation: The Money Challenge
God designed us not to be hoarders, but conduits thorough which his generosity flows.[1] Generosity is part of the heart of Christianity. God overflows with generosity toward us through Jesus, as he replaces our debt of sin with the infinite wealth of his righteousness. As God is generous to us, so a heart moved by the love and grace of Jesus longs to be generous toward others. The problem is, many things often hinder us from being as generous as we want to be. If you feel like you struggle with finances or that your money controls your life more than you control it, then The Money … [Read more...] about Book Recommendation: The Money Challenge
No church services means revenues will be lower
There was a state convention staff guy who liked to tell churches that they could count on a certain percentage offering loss per inch of snow. The only reason churches I pastored ever cancelled services was because of snow and here in the south it only takes a little snow to create considerable chaos. Once in South Carolina we had two snow Sundays consecutively, no services for three weeks. State convention guys like to throw out figures because it helps them convince pastors and churches that they are doing useful things. Here in Georgia the governor has declared an emergency and has … [Read more...] about No church services means revenues will be lower