Okay, here’s the obvious question: why plant another church, doesn’t Auburndale, and Polk County already have enough churches?

More than 8 of 10 churches are either declining or growing less than their community’s population growth rate. ~ Thom Rainer, Breakout Churches, Zondervan, p. 74.

Since 1991…the number of adults who do not attend church has nearly doubled, rising from 39 million to 75 million – a 92% increase! ~ The Barna Group, May 4, 2004.

North America is the only continent in the world where Christianity isn’t growing… ~ Elmer Towns, Ed Stetzer and Warren Bird, 11 Innovations in the Local Church, Regal Books, p. 15.

The U.S. is the largest mission field in the Western Hemisphere, and the fifth largest mission field on the planet. ~ George Hunter quoted by Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches, Broadman and Holman Publishers, p.5

The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches. ~ Peter Wagner, Author and Missiologist

Church planting is essential. Without it Christianity will continue to decline in North America. ~ Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches, Broadman and Holman Publishers, p. 5.

The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for 1) the numerical growth of the body of Christ in any city, and 2) the continual corporate renewal and revival of the existing churches in a city. Nothing else – not crusades, outreach programs, para-church ministries, growing mega-churches…will have the consistent impact of dynamic, extensive church planting. This is an eyebrow raising statement. But to those who have done any study at all, it is not even controversial. ~ Tim Keller, Redeemer Church and Redeemer Church Planting Center

Most importantly ~ because we are told to take the Gospel to all people everywhere!  Paul did it and Jesus championed it.

Are you interested in being part of a movement with the potential to impact our city, our county,

our state for the kingdom of God and with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Then give us a call at 863-875-4063   or drop us an email us at brccinfo@berkleyridgecommunitychurch.org to see when our next interest meeting will be held.

Visit our web site at: www.berkleyridgecommunitychurch.org

I have been blessed to take part in a three day workshop/seminar called Impacting Your World by the IMB.  There is no doubt God is working in our world.  The sad truth is there are people coming to Christ all over our globe in the hundreds and thousands; however, right here in the USA we are stuck in the mindset of entertainment church.  People come to church to see what they can get out of it.  We have created a inward focus with all our programs and activities.  It is hard to understand why people who claim to be followers of Christ and can quote Scripture, chapter and verse, don’t seem to comprehend Matthew 28:18-20, and Acts 1:8.  Jesus gave the example to go. He not only told us to go, he commanded us to go.  We have built these protective cocoons around an inner circle and expect God to bless us for being so committed to traditions, habits, and a culture of consumerism.

There are people dying and going to hell for all eternity who are crying out to the church you knew and you didn’t tell me.  You knew Jesus and what he did for all and you didn’t tell us why?  Are we willing to stand in judgment before our Creator and say we went, we told, we took up our cross and we followed your son or are we going to stand there as the gates of hell are opened so the sounds of those groaning, crying, and screaming “you knew and you didn’t tell” can be heard by those of us who refused to go and tell.  It is time to rethink church!  Think of the millions of dollars spent every year to build buildings for our comfort and convenience and we are telling missionaries we can’t afford to send you back or tell those who are willing to go sorry we don’t have the money to send you.  Our churches are closing their doors more rapidly they we are planting new churches.  Why, I believe it’s because we have lost our first love.

As a pastor, I cannot in good conscience stand by and be the leader of an entertainment church.  It is time the church goes to the alter and say “here Lord am I send me.  All I have to offer I freely give use me as You will.”  It’s time the church lays our yes down on the alter and tell God to put it on the map.

Yesterday we sat out for our excursion from Auburndale, FL to Slidell, Louisiana.  Have you ever noticed no matter how much you plan and no matter how good your plans are something always seems to let some of the air out of your tires?  The original plan was to be packed; truck loaded, and on our way no later than 9am.  Yes, that is a late start.  The drive is normally a nine to ten hour drive with good traffic and weather.  The 9am starting time would have us arriving in Slidell around 6:30pm.  Time to get checked in to our hotel and get something to eat. The truck was loaded and we began our journey only to have to stop before we got all the way out of the driveway.  Somebody forgot something.  Ok, no big deal.  The item was retrieved and we were on our way.  We made it all the way to I-4 and highway 27 when I realized I had forgotten something.  Yes, you may write in down, I forgot something.  I turned the truck around and we headed the 30 miles back home.  Finally at 10:40 we were actually on our way.

Next stop Tallahassee.  We were able to make it all the way to Tallahassee before anyone needed a break.  We stopped for fuel, a bathroom break, and a drink. The ride was enjoyable as the traffice was moderate and the weather was awesome.  God provided clear skies and smooth roads.  Thank you Lord!  Debbie took over as the captain and pilot of the ship while I climbed into the back seat with Eddie.  Ladies in the front gents in the back.  I made a half hearted attempt at reading but was caught up in goofing off with my son.  Just before we made it to Pensacola, we decided to take a stretch break and grab a snack at a Dairy Queen.  I haven’t been to a Dairy Queen in years.  Soft served dipped cone.  Nice treat.  I took over driving again and we headed towards Mobile, Alabama eating our ice cream and enjoying our time together.

We arrived in Slidell at 8:30pm Eastern Standard Time.  Stopped at the local grocery store for a couple of items and grabbed dinner at Raising Canes Chicken.  Our posh hotel was the La Quinta Inn.  Looking forward to spending time with friends today and our soon to be college graduate tomorrow and Saturday.

This afternoon I needed to have my truck serviced, oil and filter changed, fluids checked, etc. I also wanted to have the tires rotated since I haven’t had that done in a while. I am still trying to find my way around the area having only been here 10 months. I have been getting the oil changed at one of those quick lube places. They don’t rotate tires. I began checking on alternatives. I really don’t care to go to the dealership because they tend to charge more. For some reason I felt compelled to call the local dealership for my truck and see if they could fit me in. The service rep stated they could, so with much trepidation I headed for the dealership. Upon my arrival the service representative was cordial and completed my paperwork quickly. He then directed me to the customer lounge and informed me of a smaller lounge near the sales area. The smaller lounge offered a little more privacy. I chose the smaller more intimate area planning on doing some reading. I poured myself a cup of complimentary coffee and made myself comfortable. Just as I was getting settled a salesman came in for a drink of water. We exchanged greetings. I asked how his day was going and he told me “it wasn’t”. I stated I might be able to help. His response was to ask if I was in the market to buy a car. I laughed and said no. Then he asked if I knew of anyone in the market for a car. Again I stated no but I knew someone who could help to change his day. We went back and forth exchanging one liners before he sat down. I introduced myself and began to explain that I had a friend who was able to bring about drastic change in people’s lives. He started to ask a few questions. I began to pray for this young man silently as we talked. I realized God’s devine intervention had taken in place this day. I would not have normally gone to a auto dealership for normal service. God in his wisdom had a plan for me to meet with this salesman. Not for the purpose of buying or selling a car, but so that I would be blessed by being able to share with another of God’s creations. I shared my testimony of how God had been at work in my life even before I knew it. The Holy Spirit decernment during this meeting was awesome. Here was a man who had been searching for the truth in so many places and through so many means. He had experienced the failures of people, religion, self, and so much more. I learned this young man had grown up in a Jehovah Witness home. He had been married and has been struggling with substance abuse. I also learned he was well versed on the teachings of his former religion. A deep theological discussion followed. What should have been a 30 minute oil change turned into a 90 minute witnessing opportunity. As we closed our conversation I again offered to pray for my new found friend. He declined but asked that I pray for him later. Little did he know I had been praying for him during our entire conversation. This morning during my quiet time I had asked the Lord to place someone before today I might be able to make an IMPACT on to bring glory to God. Had I not listened to the Voice instructing me to that dealership I may not have received that blessing. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ Jeremiah 7:23 (NASB)

After a pretty hectic day of counseling and meetings, I headed home to wait for my 20 year old son to come home so we could head back to church.  Eddie, my son, has been blessed with Downs Sydrome.  He arrived home at his usually time from school.  He sat down, took his shoes off and proceeded to doze off.  We had about 4o minutes before we had to leave so I let him nap for awhile.  I sat in awe of this young man as I watched his chest rise and fall with each breath he took.  I thought of the prior years of his life and how God has allowed him to see the world more like Christ than most of us.  Eddie doesn’t know socio-status, and pays little attention to race.  He is always ready with a smile and a hug.  I recall a couple of years ago when he was the manager of the high school football team.  One of the players had been injured and limped over to the bench to sit down.  I watched as Eddie rushed over to him, placed his hand on the players shoulder and began to pray over the player.  Another player was graduating later that year and entering the military.  Eddie made sure we obtained the young man’s address so Eddie could keep in contact.  Nightly after graduation Eddie would pray for the safety of that young soldier.  The times I seem upset or another family member is stressed, it is Eddie who stops and places a hand on us and prays.  Why is it we call those with special gifts from God disabled when it is us who have the disability.  We fail to take all our cares to the one who can handle them.  1 Peter 5:7 tells us to Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  We ought to take a lesson and learn to follow Peter’s advice.

As we continue down a path of unknown in the current political climate, with all the unknowns and uncertainties we may rest assured of Christ’s sufficiency.  He alone is our rock and our salvation, he alone can calm the raging seas of life.  Christ is the answer and yet we, in our human weakness tend to fail to hold on the one assurance that never fails. 

The words of Charles Spurgeon have been a comfort to me during times of turbulence in my personal life.

Remember, sinner, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee–it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that is the instrument–it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not to thy hope, but to Christ, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Christ, the author and finisher of thy faith; and if thou doest that, ten thousand devils cannot throw thee down…There is one thing which we all of us too much becloud in our preaching, though I believe we do it very unintentionally–namely, the great truth that it is not prayer, it is not faith, it is not our doings, it is not our feelings upon which we must rest, but upon Christ, and on Christ alone.  We are apt to think that we are not in a right state, that we do not feel enough, instead of remembering that our business is not with self, but Christ.  Let me beseech thee, look only to Christ; never expect delieverance from self, from ministers, or from any means of any kind apart from Christ; keep thine eye simply on Him; let his death, His agonies, His groans, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look for Him; when thou liest down at night look for Him. (The Forgotten Spugeon, Iain Murray, 42.)

Here is my attempt at putting my thoughts on the web. I pray this will be a way for me to convey my thoughts about how God is impacting my life as a pastor, husband, father, and most importantly – a follower of Christ Jesus