I love Christmas time. I love the music, the movies, the giving and receiving of gifts, the delicious foods, the decorations, and the gatherings with family and friends. And I especially love the Christmas lights. (I confess however that I don’t enjoy putting up the lights so Lucy takes cares of most of that!) There’s a sense of hope created by all the lights shining in the darkness. That’s appropriate because Christmas is the story of how God sent his light into our sin darkened world that first Christmas. John’s gospel puts it this way: “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word wa ..read more

Later this month we will once again celebrate one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. As I pause to “count my blessings” this year I want you to know that I am grateful to God for how you continue to contribute your time, talents and treasures so that First Baptist can share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ. I know that much of what you do is done behind the scenes where few people get to witness your efforts. I understand that sometimes you wonder if what you do is worth it, or if you are actually accomplishing anything. I realize that there are many demands upon your time and ene ..read more

Two years ago, I accepted your call to serve as your Transitional Pastor for up to two years. Since then, I’ve tried to walk alongside you in the ways you requested: By preaching, teaching, working with the Transition Ministry Team and the Center for Healthy Church’s coach, and partnering in a collegial relationship with the church staff. Naturally, I found my job description expanding from time to time, as I got to know you and in response to emerging needs. Together, we’ve taken quite a journey. You’ve done the hard work of self-assessment, clarifying your congregational identity, making maj ..read more

Have you thought of what you might say, if someone asked you, “What’s good about First Baptist Church, Jefferson City? Why might it be a good church home for me?” I sometimes field such questions. Here’s a sample of the answers I give. Congregational Care FBC folk practice care-giving. The deacons and church members go to great lengths to lend their support to church members who face crises such as surgery, serious illness, drastic life changes, and the other challenges which come our way. Freedom of Thought Church members respect and encourage one another to think seriously about the Bible, J ..read more

Revitalized congregations develop new and meaningful relationships in their surrounding communities. Such congregations often find support groups enable them to minister to a wide range of needs, expand their friendship circles, and share the gospel in appropriate ways. Here’s a list of some of the support groups found in thriving congregations. Where necessary, I provide a brief description. Most of the support group names are self-explanatory.  Celebrate Recovery: A Bible and relationship-based approach to help individuals recover from life’s hurts, mend broken relationships, and deve ..read more

With the congregation’s decision to retain its facilities and grounds, our focus now turns to revitalization. Twenty-first century revitalized congregations share a number of traits. Here’s a list of some of the most important. Humility Such congregations practice humility. They learn to admit when long-standing assumptions and practices have run their course. In addition, they actively seek to learn from other congregations who have preceded them on the road to revitalization. Congregations pursuing revitalization willingly assume the role of student. Focus Revitalization requires a sharp foc ..read more

Lately, I’ve been thinking through how I respond to change. Perhaps doing so comes with aging. As I age (and believe me, I am keenly aware that I am aging!), I find I sometimes long for stability over change. I like keeping to an established schedule, eating the foods I’ve long enjoyed, sitting on my old and comfortable chair, interacting with people I already know, using computer software I’ve utilized for a long time, and serving and worshiping God in places and ways I’ve known for years. Of course, my preference for stability collides with inevitable change. Circumstances alter my schedule ..read more

How might we prepare well for Easter Sunday? We’ve been doing so throughout Lent by focusing on the words Jesus spoke from the cross. Our Lenten worship services have prompted us to reflect on the nature of Jesus’ honesty, compassion, trust in God, forgiveness, constancy, and chosen way of living as the Son of God. You and I have been invited to follow Jesus’ lead, either for the first time or as an act of personal renewal. I hope each of us has decided to do so. Now try reading the Gospel accounts of Holy Week. Read them slowly. Make notes whenever a thought crosses your mind or a feeling tou ..read more

By the time you receive this newsletter, we will be well into Lent. What might we do to maximize the impact of Lent on our lives? Many Christians choose to give up something in observance of the season: chocolate, fast food, an expensive pastime, and the like come to mind. Others decide to take up a spiritual discipline in hope of turning the discipline into a habit.  Examples include daily prayer, bible reading, doing something good for others at least once a week, fasting, and practicing silence while listening for Holy Spirit’s guidance. Some Christians opt to focus on developing the f ..read more

By the time you receive this newsletter, we will be half way through a series of presentations on “The Church and LGBTQ” (assuming winter weather cooperates!). Thank you for attending in such good numbers, and for your willingness to listen attentively as we survey a considerable number of challenging subjects. The sessions are being videoed both for the benefit of those who cannot attend and for those of us who may wish to revisit them. In the meantime, Lent is almost upon us. I invite you to participate in our Ash Wednesday service (February 22). The service will feature music, readings, a m ..read more