Power or Empower

The New Testament Church was most powerful when it functioned with a healthy fear of God. As I prepared to preach on the subject “the fear of God”, the Holy Spirit taught me this truth on a deeper level as I examined New Testament passages that spoke of Jesus’ disciples during his earthly ministry and the church in His ascended ministry. I learned that the disciples were more frightened after Jesus calmed the storm than before He calmed the storm. As a result, God’s power was manifest, His name was glorified, and the disciples were more empowered for ministry.

Fear fell on the church after the incident with Annanias and Saphira. Here were two church members who saw fit to lie to the Holy Spirit. God manifested His power by ending their lives. The Bible says that fear gripped the church. As a result the church was more empowered for ministry than before.

The moral of the story is this, the more we acknowledge the power of God, the more we are empowered in ministry. Personally I have entered a time in ministry when I am more aware of my dependence upon the Holy Spirit in preaching than ever before. Sure I can say a few words in my own power. To be empowered to preach with what the old timers called unction from the Holy Spirit requires a healthy fear of God. We are more powerful when God is recognized as more powerful. In order for God to be seen as more powerful in our own circles, we must see ourselves as less powerful. As John the Baptist said, "I must decrease, He must increase." In order to gain life one must first lose life.

Missions Southern Bapitst Style

Almost one year ago I bought the first motorcycle I had ridden in over 20 years. The attention given to a bike has opened up numerous opportunities to share Jesus with people I had never met. This makes me appreciate more Southern Baptist who take Christ to the culture. Check out this article on Baptist Press that describes what is happening this week at Sturgis.

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=26214

Crossroad for BGCT Baptists

The opportunity for the BGCT to find new vision and chart a course for the future is coming into full swing this year. Charles Wade has announced his retirement from the executive director’s position effective early in 2008 and for the first time in 20 years a candidate for president of the convention is coming forth to challenge the status quo nomination. This will truly be a year of decision for this group of Texas Baptist.

Charles Wade’s reign as executive director has been controversial in many respects including the departure of hundred’s of churches to the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. During his watch the organizational structure has undergone renewal, giving plans have been revamped, money was temporarily limited to Southern Baptist Seminaries, funds were increased to two seminaries started by Texas Baptist universities, financial improprieties were discovered in dealing with church planting operations, and baptisms have fallen from 69000 in 1999 to just over 41000 in 2006. Dr. Wade was the choice of Texas Baptist Committed and has been an active supporter of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship since its inception. His sharp vocal disagreements with the leadership of the SBC have resulted in a deteriorating relationship between the SBC and the BGCT. The BGCT has an opportunity to hire an executive director who will spend energy on invigorating evangelism across the convention and renewed cooperation with the SBC. While the state convention has drifted from its cooperation with the SBC, reports indicate that as many as 70% of the churches that remain in the BGCT cooperate with the national convention. There is opportunity for a new direction.

Two candidates have been announced in the running for this year’s election of a convention president. Joy Fenner has been announced and is the Texas Baptist Committed candidate. She represents the status quo in BGCT politics and leadership circles. She has been actively involved in missions around the world and the inner workings of the BGCT leadership. David Lowrie will also be nominated this year. David represents a voice in the BGCT that has largely been overlooked for the last 20 years. His church continues support for both the BGCT and the SBC. He says it is time for a move back toward the center. David represents a new wind in the BGCT. There is an opportunity for a new direction.

Will the BGCT hire an executive director that will keep it on the same path or will it seek new vision and direction with a renewed emphasis on evangelism? Will the BGCT elect a status quo president or a president that will encourage renewed cooperation and fresh vision? The answers to these questions hold the future of the BGCT. We will know by January.