To any church biblical teaching is vital in order for it to be healthy. Upholding God’s Word is the most important thing a church should do. God’s Word is still relevant for the 21st Century. Unfortunately many churches and mainline denominations have took the “low road” when it comes to the truthfulness of Scripture. Indeed this trend has filtered down to certain world leaders and to the culture in which we live. We are living in a world where it is the politically correct thing to do and the socially acceptable “badge of honor” to tout evolution as the genesis of life and Christianity as a way to salvation or heaven.
No doubt about it the line has been drawn in the sand for the battle of the souls of men. Biblical teaching will be the bedrock of this church plant. We believe biblical teaching to be the truth and understanding that the Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God; meaning that it is without error and does not contradict itself. It contains the answers for all of our problems today. So….when we read that God created the earth in six days and rested on the 7th in Genesis chapter 1 that is exactly what we believe to have happened. In John 14:6 where Jesus claims, “I am the Way…” this means that the path to Heaven is very narrow and the road to hell is as wide as the ocean.
Biblical teaching should be based on the inerrancy of Scripture and not the rationalization of post-modern thinking. Our church plant will utilize the method of small group Bible studies in two phases. The first phase will be a group of 8-12 comprising of married couples or single adults. The intention is simple…to teach Scripture and address the issues and concerns that may be facing the group members. The second phase will be smaller groups of three. Theses groups will be of the same gender and serve the purpose of being accountability groups. In both groups biblical teaching will be pivotal as we invest in the lives of people. We believe that investing in people’s lives with God’s Word is a powerful way to see lives changed for the glory of Christ.
Because He lives
Jeremy
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Mission Part 1: God Centered Worship
If you have seen the Living Christmas Tree produced each year by Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville, then you are familiar with the Heaven scene at the end of the production. This scene is probably my favorite for many reasons. As I watched this scene over the weekend I noticed that as "Jesus" approached the stage to take His seat upon the heavenly throne, everyone was watching Him. All eyes were fixed upon the King of kings in adoration and worship. This is exactly what worship is all about, not just in Heaven but in our churches as well.
In our church plant we are seeking to change lives through worship. This is something that can only be done when the worshippers have their eyes fixed on Jesus. In too many churches the focus of a worship service is not on the Lord. The focus might be on a soloist, music director, choir member, or even the worship style. Churches have gone to contemporary services and traditional services and in the process have put labels on worship. I advocate biblical worship services. By this the focus is not on style but on the Savior. I think we are caught up too much in music preferences, instrument preferences, carpet preferences, hymnal preferences, etc. and in the process we miss the power of Jesus in our congregations.
I believe that true biblical worship can only take place in the life of a believer of Jesus Christ. This is because worship is much more than just one hour on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle of glorifying God with our actions and words. However every church should have a corporate worship service in which believers and non-believers are present. Worship in a corporate setting should include the lifting up of God's Word. Yes the preaching of the Word is still needed and relevant to us today. I am also reminded of the biblical example of when the children of Israel returning from exile heard Ezra read aloud the law of God and how they were struck to the heart by its power, Scripture reading is important!
Another element is prayer. I remember services as a child where prayer was a pivotal part of the service. Imagine a worship service that is totally committed to the power of prayer. Sevier Heights has a service that they call the "House of Prayer." This is a part of worship and it can have a powerful effect on the lives of those who participate. A church that prays during its services and prior to its services will see lives changed! Worship is also orderly and Spirit led. I would encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 14 for more on this aspect of worship. We know that God is orderly and so is the Spirit's leading. Worship services should be structured but not to the point in which they remove the focus and power of the Lord. However I have found that they usually go together. Coincidence? Not a chance....
Because He lives,
Jeremy
In our church plant we are seeking to change lives through worship. This is something that can only be done when the worshippers have their eyes fixed on Jesus. In too many churches the focus of a worship service is not on the Lord. The focus might be on a soloist, music director, choir member, or even the worship style. Churches have gone to contemporary services and traditional services and in the process have put labels on worship. I advocate biblical worship services. By this the focus is not on style but on the Savior. I think we are caught up too much in music preferences, instrument preferences, carpet preferences, hymnal preferences, etc. and in the process we miss the power of Jesus in our congregations.
I believe that true biblical worship can only take place in the life of a believer of Jesus Christ. This is because worship is much more than just one hour on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle of glorifying God with our actions and words. However every church should have a corporate worship service in which believers and non-believers are present. Worship in a corporate setting should include the lifting up of God's Word. Yes the preaching of the Word is still needed and relevant to us today. I am also reminded of the biblical example of when the children of Israel returning from exile heard Ezra read aloud the law of God and how they were struck to the heart by its power, Scripture reading is important!
Another element is prayer. I remember services as a child where prayer was a pivotal part of the service. Imagine a worship service that is totally committed to the power of prayer. Sevier Heights has a service that they call the "House of Prayer." This is a part of worship and it can have a powerful effect on the lives of those who participate. A church that prays during its services and prior to its services will see lives changed! Worship is also orderly and Spirit led. I would encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 14 for more on this aspect of worship. We know that God is orderly and so is the Spirit's leading. Worship services should be structured but not to the point in which they remove the focus and power of the Lord. However I have found that they usually go together. Coincidence? Not a chance....
Because He lives,
Jeremy
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Trip to Westview Baptist Church
Sunday I had the opportunity to travel to Chattanooga and visit Westview Baptist. Westivew was my first congregation of service in 2003. Rachel and Isaac were not able to go so it kinda felt like the old days. During my time at Westview I traveled twice a week (at least) on Wednesday and Sunday down I-75. The drive never got on my nerves. I was serving the Lord and doing His will for my life, so how could it get old?
The purpose for going to Westview was to discuss how the church could help Rachel and I with the church start. I am very excited to be able to work with this church again. Awesome congregation and leadership. Westview is very structured and everything it does is based upon Scripture. However....there was a little surprise on Sunday morning. Sterling Jetton the pastor of Westview (and the pastor I served with during my time there) is beginning his 10th anniversary at the church. I was asked to share some thoughts about what Sterling has meant to me personally, which I gladly agreed to do.
Simply put, Sterling took me in and became my mentor. It was a time in my life when I had accepted the call into ministry but had no guidance. I was simply trying to figure things out for myself, thinking that this was how it should be. However Sterling taught me the importance of mentoring others in the faith of Jesus Christ. It established a driving conviction in my heart to mentor (especially young men in the ministry) those under my care.
What I am most proud of during my time at the church is that we established ministries based upon the proper and correct teaching of God's Word. In our youth ministry, the foundation was not silly games, retreats, conferences, mission trips, lock ins, or movie nights. It all started with God's Word. I knew that Sterling and I would work well together because this was his interest also. The activities we did flowed from the teaching of the Bible. The students grabbed hold of the idea and exploded. It's very comforting to be able to go back and see many new faces and know that the Lord used me to help get things going.
Back to Sterling for just a second....I have many cherished memories with him and his family. I literally hung out with them on many weekends and Sundays. I also had a chance to spend valuable time with the Millions' when I was away from the church. Great solid family for Jesus! Connally is a blast! Both families made me feel right at home. It was a very special time in my life. I will always treasure the conversations I had with Sterling, the times we went visiting, and of course eating lunch. I am thankful he allowed me to be a part of his family.
Now we press on toward the future...more to come later this week.
Because He lives
Jeremy
The purpose for going to Westview was to discuss how the church could help Rachel and I with the church start. I am very excited to be able to work with this church again. Awesome congregation and leadership. Westview is very structured and everything it does is based upon Scripture. However....there was a little surprise on Sunday morning. Sterling Jetton the pastor of Westview (and the pastor I served with during my time there) is beginning his 10th anniversary at the church. I was asked to share some thoughts about what Sterling has meant to me personally, which I gladly agreed to do.
Simply put, Sterling took me in and became my mentor. It was a time in my life when I had accepted the call into ministry but had no guidance. I was simply trying to figure things out for myself, thinking that this was how it should be. However Sterling taught me the importance of mentoring others in the faith of Jesus Christ. It established a driving conviction in my heart to mentor (especially young men in the ministry) those under my care.
What I am most proud of during my time at the church is that we established ministries based upon the proper and correct teaching of God's Word. In our youth ministry, the foundation was not silly games, retreats, conferences, mission trips, lock ins, or movie nights. It all started with God's Word. I knew that Sterling and I would work well together because this was his interest also. The activities we did flowed from the teaching of the Bible. The students grabbed hold of the idea and exploded. It's very comforting to be able to go back and see many new faces and know that the Lord used me to help get things going.
Back to Sterling for just a second....I have many cherished memories with him and his family. I literally hung out with them on many weekends and Sundays. I also had a chance to spend valuable time with the Millions' when I was away from the church. Great solid family for Jesus! Connally is a blast! Both families made me feel right at home. It was a very special time in my life. I will always treasure the conversations I had with Sterling, the times we went visiting, and of course eating lunch. I am thankful he allowed me to be a part of his family.
Now we press on toward the future...more to come later this week.
Because He lives
Jeremy
Thursday, December 10, 2009
A New Ministry
Waiting on God is not easy. Hard to believe that I have been out of seminary for two years! In that time God has placed a desire upon my heart to pastor and for Rachel to be a pastor's wife. As is usually the case, the Lord will take you down a path that you do not expect. Thus at this time we are in the process of doing a church start. Definitely not what I imagined myself doing while attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
We are still in the beginning part of the process but process is being made. We have completed all of our on-line tests that determine our spiritual gifts, personality, and church planting qualities. We have also been through a 3.5-4 hour interview with a "Behavioral Assessor" that was appointed to us by the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Dewayne thanks for the uplifting and encouraging experience!
After Christmas we will be beginning to outline our strategy to birth the church. In the meantime we have been informing friends and family about what we are doing and asking for your prayers. Have you ever considered being a part of something new, exciting, different, and powerful? Are you looking for a church home? If so....I encourage you to talk to me. Stay tuned, more information will be posted in the following days.
Because He lives
Jeremy
We are still in the beginning part of the process but process is being made. We have completed all of our on-line tests that determine our spiritual gifts, personality, and church planting qualities. We have also been through a 3.5-4 hour interview with a "Behavioral Assessor" that was appointed to us by the Tennessee Baptist Convention. Dewayne thanks for the uplifting and encouraging experience!
After Christmas we will be beginning to outline our strategy to birth the church. In the meantime we have been informing friends and family about what we are doing and asking for your prayers. Have you ever considered being a part of something new, exciting, different, and powerful? Are you looking for a church home? If so....I encourage you to talk to me. Stay tuned, more information will be posted in the following days.
Because He lives
Jeremy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
