Church Strategy - Market Driven or Missional?

A couple of years ago, an ad began to appear on a regular basis in one of our local newspapers. The message heralded "The Church Downtown", a new church start in Huntington, WV. Nothing unusual about that. Even in "the city of churches", the many congregations that make up this town just aren't getting the job done. In every area there is still a large number of people who have no relationship with God through Jesus Christ, so churches still need to be planted and nurtured. The interesting thing about the ads for "The Church Downtown" was the fact that they stated it was a church "for people under 40".

Now I'll be the first to admit that people under 40 need Jesus. I am also cognizant of the fact that the 20-30 something crowd is a significant missing segment of many existing churches. I applaud the efforts to reach younger folks for Jesus in new and different ways. Without a doubt, we will never win the world to Christ unless we can present the Gospel to people in a way that is relevant to their culture - whether it be here at home or abroad.

My questions began to multiply regarding "The Church Downtown". Would I be welcome to worship there? I was well past 40 years of age at the time. Would I be turned away at the door? I would assume that the Gospel message was being proclaimed there. What part of that would be alien to me? Was it just because of the music they employed in their worship service? Isn't it possible that someone like me, who's teenage years were spent in the 60's might enjoy some of that lively music? Was it the way they dressed? I have certainly worn my share of bell bottom jeans, sandals and tie died shirts back in the day. After all, we were the original "anti-establishment generation". And of course there was the big question - when members reached their 40th birthday would they ceremoniously be shown the door?

As far as I can tell, "The Church Downtown" is no more. I have no doubt it was a sincere effort by a Godly young person to try to reach young folks in Huntington for Jesus. Certainly a noble cause. What then, made the concept so distasteful to me?

The exclusivity of it.

Just as exclusive as the heavy starched, button down, three piece black suit, patent leather shoes, KJV only crowd that often makes younger people feel so unwanted in their church services.

Same animal - different package - just as wrong.

When are we going to learn that the Church is the Body of Christ? Jesus died for all. Old and young. Rich and poor. Beautiful and ugly. Learned and illiterate. Religious or pagan. Asians, Europeans, Africans, Islanders, and Americans (north and south). Red, pink, brown, yellow, and any other hue - these are the folks He came to seek and save.

Why is it then that we must categorize our local congregations? "Please visit our church" the invitations say. We are (choose any of the following): traditional, contemporary, mainline, emergent, tolerant, fundamental, charismatic, purpose driven, kingdom focused or seeker sensitive. We're a church (chose from the following): for bikers, cowboys, skateboarders, blue collar, white collar, no collar, singles, couples, hip, dweebs, professionals, yuppies, hillbillies, street people, goths, or elitists. Our music is (choose from the following): electric, acoustic, percussive, syncopated, southern gospel, bluegrass, high church, classical, exciting, dull, rap, headbanging, contemporary, Christian rock. We baptize in a (choose one): baptistry, river, creek, swimming pool, or whirlpool bath.

"So all that is what makes us better". "We're different". "We do church the right way"

To coin an ancient Hebrew expression - "Hogwash!"

It is time that we, as the church, be reminded of the main thing. The main thing is Jesus. Knowing Him and making Him known. Not how our little group "does church". It's not my church or your church; it's HIS church. As a friend and fellow pastor recently wrote, "When did worship come to be about us? It has always been about God".

Here is my challenge for the congregtation of Westmoreland Baptist Church - and for anybody else from any other church that may be reading this blog. Let's keep it simple. Let's keep it true. Here is a formula used by my son's church in the New Orleans area. They're focusing on three areas:

• Magnifying God
• Making Disciples
• Ministering to Others.

Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 9: 19-23 - "I am not anyone’s slave. But I have become a slave to everyone, so that I can win as many people as possible. When I am with the Jews, I live like a Jew to win Jews. They are ruled by the Law of Moses, and I am not. But I live by the Law to win them. And when I am with people who are not ruled by the Law, I forget about the Law to win them. Of course, I never really forget about the law of God. In fact, I am ruled by the law of Christ. When I am with people whose faith is weak, I live as they do to win them. I do everything I can to win everyone I possibly can. I do all this for the good news, because I want to share in its blessings." (CEV)

Let's minister to every group we can. Let's reach people as they are, and where they are in the various sub-cultures around us. Let's have church services, cell groups, home Bible studies and outreach efforts and seek to bring others to Jesus. Let's spend more effort at being "Savior Sensitive" than "Seeker Sensitive" - magnifing Jesus, not marketing our church. And then on Sunday morning, let's all come together in our house of worship for celebration, adoration, contemplation, and consecration, and look like the Body of Christ.

(People over AND under 40 - welcome!)

Philippine Mission Trip, January 2008

In February, 2000 I had the privilege to make my first short term overseas mission trip to the Philippine Islands. I went as part of a five man team of Kentucky pastors who were going there to partner with some native Filipino pastors and church planters. Little did I know what an impact that two week trip would have on my life and ministry.

Lord willing, this January I will be making my seventh trip there in the past eight years. During that time I have been blessed to travel to the Philippines with a number of very special folks from West Virginia, Kentucky, Lousiana, and Virginia. Our teams have consisted of pastors, musicians, and various lay people. We have done everything there from hospital ministry to preaching in churches, jails, places of business, public schools, outdoor crusades, youth rallies, and open air meetings on basketball courts and rural country cross roads. We have done house to house evangelism, home Bible studies, shown Christian films, sponsored sports camps, and even taken part in weddings and one funeral! We have handed out hundreds of Gospel tracts, Bibles (in English and the Cebuano dialect), and have painted two newly built church buildings.

Gifts from individuals and churches back here in Kentucky and West Virginia have financed the building of two Baptist Churches in the province of Oriental Negros - one on the ouskirts of the provincial capitol city of Dumaguete, and one in the remote mountainous area of Mayapusi, Mabinay. The generous contributions of our friends here have furnished those churches with chairs, sound equipment, audio visual aids, musical instruments, Bibles, Sunday School and discipleship training literature and rice for the feeding ministry. We have been blessed to purchase two motorcycles over the years for the transportation needs of two of the national pastors. Westmoreland Baptist Church sends quarterly financial support for one of the Filipino pastors and Locust Grove Baptist Church helps support another.

Through these past 7 1/2 years we have been blessed to partner with Pastor Dominador Valdez and his wife Villa. Pastor Valdez, whom we lovingly call "Domingo" and his wife have been instrumental in planting a number of churches there on two islands over the years of their ministry. I thank God for bringing this wonderful couple and their two children, Dave and Noemi Joy into my life. Doming has become like a brother to me and I have learned much about faithfulness, love, integrity, evangelism, and Christian character from his example.

In the past few years Doming and Villa have labored to start a mission church in the mountains. The enemy has fought them all the way, but God has prevailed. Mayapusi Baptist Church has come through the fiery trials as a wonderful body of believers and a lighthouse of hope to a lost population in the mountain villages around Mabinay. Doming and Villa have been special mentors to a young couple (Joseph and Juvy Zerna) who are now faithfully serving God as Pastor and wife at the Mayapusi Baptist Church. The Lord has remarkably blessed this work.

I have no doubt that God would have used Doming, Villa, Joseph, Juvy and others to accomplish His purposes there without our help. But I am so thankful that He brought us along side of them to share our resources with them. We have been a blessing to them in their work, but they have been a much greater blessing to us. I am looking forward to seeing them again in just about five months, if it's the Lord's will. We have a number of projects I am hoping to help them with on this next trip. But it will all depend on how God supplies the need through our friends here in America. My plane ticket has already been purchased, and we are seeking for others to join us on the mission trip.

Some of our readers may be interested in volunteering to go themselves. Some may wish to help others go. Some may desire to help with the expenses of the projects we hope to do this time. For anyone who would like more information on the upcoming mission trip - feel free to contact me at pastoradkins@verizon.net .

Peace, Be Still

My grandfather, Caudle Adkins, Sr, was born 112 years ago this month. He died in August, 1959 a couple of months before my 9th birthday. He came to live with us after my grandmother died in 1955 and stayed with us a year or so. Being retired, he had time to spend with me and my little brother. That was a very special time for me. I remember him well, along with many of the lessons he taught me by his words and deeds.

Back in 1983 I wrote a little poem about one of those experiences. Hope you like it.

Peace, Be Still

There was something in a thunderstorm
That made me calm inside,
While all the other children
Would run indoors to hide.

I'd huddle up with Papaw
On his front porch in a swing;
He'd fill his pipe with "Half and Half"
And puff a smoky ring.

It seemed that as we'd squint our eyes
Against the flying spray;
The wind that whipped the tree tops
Blew our troubles far away.

"A storm's not bad", my Papaw said
With knowing smile and nod.
"It's just one way Almighty
Let's us know that He's still God".

Then he'd tell again the story
Of how Jesus calmed the sea;
And the thunder, as though with a voice,
Said, "Peace, be still" to me.

I am thankful for a Christian heritage that helped lead me to Jesus. And I am thankful for Jesus who gives peace. Not the kind of peace the world offers, but the true and lasting peace that comes from knowing that you are secure in Him. It is a peace that has carried me through some very difficult "storms" in my life.

"...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4: 7)

"The Furry Reaper"

Well this is one of the strangest stories I have seen in a long time.

Many nursing homes and hospice houses have begun to bring dogs and cats into the facility as part of the "staff". The nursing home patients seem to love to have the animals around and react well to their presence. The hospice house here in Ashland has a beautiful Labrador Retriever that roams the halls and brings a sense of "home" to the patients and staff people alike.

Well, it seems that a hospice house in Providence, Rhode Island has joined that number of care facilities employing domestic animals. However, they got more than they bargained for with Oscar the Cat.

Thursday's issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine" reports that Oscar seems to have an uncanny ability to know when patients are about to die. According to the article, when Oscar senses the impending death of a particular patient, he curls up in the bed with the patient, or silently stands vigil by their bedside. In the last twenty five deaths, Oscar has taken up his vigil within four hours of the patient's passing. He has even proven the nursing staff wrong on one case. His "gift" has proven so accurate, that when the staff of the home sees Oscar in his "death watch mode" they make their call to notify the family that their loved one's death is imminent.

Here's the link to the fascinating story. Check it out for yourself:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070725/ap_on_fe_st/death_cat

We were joking yesterday about how unpopular that particular cat must be, ("Get this cat out of my room!") but seriously, this story is a reminder that death is an appointment that God has made for each of us. In a hospice house, death is more or less imminent for every patient. But in a larger sense, all of us are drawing nearer to that final appointment each hour. Since none of us know the date or time of our appointment, (and we don't have "Oscar the Death Cat" to give it away) it behooves each of us to be ready.

There are some wise words in the only Psalm that is attributed to Moses' authorship (the 90th):

"As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away...
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Do return, O Lord; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Your servants.
O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
And the years we have seen evil."

So, being reminded of the transitory nature of our earthly lives, let us "number our days", making the most of each one, and present to God a heart of wisdom. Live each day as though it were your last, and don't be afraid even if some strange cat takes up residence at your bedside. Remember - God is in control.

"You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You."

- Isaiah 26: 3

Unlimited Partnerships

One of the websites I visit often is www.joemckeever.com . Joe is Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans. He is a veteran pastor, a cartoonist, and an all around great guy. Joe's blog is well written and always entertaining and informative.

Many of my readers know that I am always interested when the subject of Louisiana comes up anywhere. My family lived in Baton Rouge when the boys were young. I was always fascinated with "The Big Easy" and enjoyed visiting there. For the past five years our older son, Jay and his family have lived in the New Orleans area where he serves as Pastor of First Baptist Church of Westwego. I also have the privilege of serving on the Board of Trustees at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Naturally any time someone mentions the seminary or my son, I'm going to be interested!

Such a thing happened in one of Joe's latest blog posts. Naturally I want to share it with you.

Joe writes about a new project called Ulimited Partnerships, in which Jay's church is involved. It is an excellent program, put together by Bill Taylor (formerly of LifeWay) designed to connect outstanding seminary students, with churches in the New Orleans area who are trying to rebound from the big storm. Here is an excerpt from Joe's post:

"Unlimited Partnerships is 7 seminary students, sponsored by seven outstanding churches or associations across the country, working with 7 of our New Orleans area churches in education, discipleship, and evangelism, in partnership with the seminary, our association, the state convention, and even NAMB. The one-Monday-a-month gathering is attended by the students, the 7 pastors, several special guests whom Bill Taylor invites each month, a professor or two, and Freddie Arnold and myself...

Bill was impressed by some of the students' reports of their work. Here's a sample....

Bethany Hales (working with New Covenant of Harvey) conducted 4 sports camps in the largest housing project in Louisiana.....25 children have accepted Christ. The attendance in this church has gone from 30 to 55-60 and they have baptized 10 since U.P. began. The church has never had a Sunday School, but Bethany is starting one and presently training the workers.


Bill writes, "You will like this. Last week the drug lords in the area called the police and reported the church...said the church was selling imitation jewelry at a car wash. The police came...found this was not true... The policeman talked to the owner of the car wash and he let Bethany use one of the car-washing stalls. The young people and mission teams did not have to stand out in the blazing sun to give out tracts and share the good news. Can you imagine the drug lords calling the police about a young seminary student leading a group of children and students as they shared the gospel."


"Angie Baumann works with Gentilly Baptist Church. She has expertise in lawn care and is leading a group of students in planting flowers in the yards of people in her neighborhood. As Joe McKeever said, 'Can you imagine trying to write a job description where one must have an expertise in planting flowers and sod all over the community.'"


Then Bill quotes from a letter written by Dillard Wilbanks of the FBC of Dallas, Texas, who was with us last month and visited the home ministry of the FBC of Westwego where Jay Adkins is pastor.


"Per my recent visit I would say three things about Unlimited Partnerships and the New Orleans area church and NOBTS student that FBC Dallas sponsors: (1) The adult home Bible study group on Sunday afternoon with the FBC Westwego members came closest to duplicating the dynamics of that 1st century house church of any group I've experienced in my 40+ years of education ministry. The wide range of participants from new believers to the more mature added energy to the interactive study as "the light would come on" related to practical application of the Scripture being explored."


"(2) There are great dividends in matching evangelistic churches and exceptional pastors with the brightest and best of a new generation of Christian educators who are students at N.O. seminary and committed to holistic disciple making."


"(3) First Baptist Church, Dallas, invests some one million dollars annually in hands-on mission endeavors in and around the city. None of which I believe will make a greater contribution to the Kingdom and to the spiritual rebirth of a city than Unlimited Partnerships..."

Unlimited Partnerships is a great success thus far! Jay's church is benefiting from having Bobby Wood who will serve them as a Minister of Education for a year. FBC Dallas pays Bobby's salary which is an expense the Westwego church couldn't handle right now. The seminary student gets "real world" experience and the church gets the benefit of a bright, talented, and energetic young man with a heart for Christian Education.

My understanding is that if the Unlimited Partnership "pilot" concept is successful with these first seven churches, the plans are in place to expand the program to include more seminary students and more churches in "The Crescent City". God has taken the tragedy of the circumstances surrounding Hurricane Katrina and opened countless doors of ministry in New Orleans and all along the Gulf Coast. Unlimited Partnerships is one of those ministries.

Hats off to Bill Taylor for seeing the opportunity and building on it.

"It Couldn't Happen To Our Family" Or Could It?

They were the typical American family when I first met them. I had just been called to serve the church as pastor, and was going through all the new pastor activities – trying to learn names, put them with the proper faces, etc. The Bakers (not their real names) were living the American dream. The handsome husband, Dan, was starting his own business. Terry, the pretty young wife, worked in a doctor’s office and her world revolved around their two children, Ross, 12, who was artistic and musically talented, and Jennie, 11, who was beautiful, outgoing, athletic, and very popular at school.

I liked the Bakers very much. What wasn’t to like? They were part of a large extended family that was heavily involved in the church. On the surface, they were the kind of family that every pastor would like to have making up his congregation. On the surface, they seemed to have everything going for them. Everything except one trait that was missing from their spiritual lives that quickly became evident as I grew to know them. Something called faithfulness. Now, please understand that I am not talking about rule keeping and being there every time the door opened. I am speaking of a love for the Master that is reflected in all that one does. A devotion to Christ that sets Him above all priorities of life. A devotion that shows in how we offer him our time, talents, and treasures.

When the kids were younger, Dan and Terry were very active in the church. They attended regularly and were always involved in the planning and work of Vacation Bible School. Dan often drove the bus and Terry was even the volunteer director of the new Children’s Church ministry. But gradually it all began to change. Somewhere along the line, and it’s hard to say exactly where, the Baker’s priorities seemed to change. Dan began to give up a few of his jobs around the church. Occupied with his business, you understand. Soon his attendance at worship services began to lag. As leader of the family, the influence of his example was soon seen in the life of Terry. After all, she was very busy with being a working mother, and the kids’ needs had to come first. My questions began to arise about the “needs” of the kids.

Terry seemed to think that Ross and Jennie needed to be involved in everything that was available. Youth sports, cheerleading, dance class, music lessons, school activities, etc. became an all consuming force in their lives. Now don’t get me wrong. I find nothing wrong with any of these activities. Our kids were also involved in many of these things as well. I believe that God wants us to bring up well rounded children who are fit, body, mind, and spirit. Linda and I always encouraged our boys to follow their interests and to be involved in those activities. I have done my time as coach, band parent, league officer, etc, but we always impressed on our children that these things, while important, are never as important as our relationship with the God who loves us and gave His Son to purchase us forgiveness and eternal life. The Bakers didn’t seem to get it.

I counseled with Dan and Terry a number of times. I visited with them in their home (when I could catch them there) and tried to impress upon them the importance of first having a right relationship with God and setting our priorities in order after that. They said they were a little too busy, but they would still let the kids come to youth group. Soon, Ross and Jennie’s involvement in the church youth group began to fade away as well. Terry explained to me that they were just so involved in their other activities they were just too busy for church, and after all, it was important that Ross and Jennie be popular and actively involved in these other activities. The implication was that their spiritual lives just weren’t that important.

The last four years of my ministry in that church involved many times of being called to the Baker home to deal with problems that were arising in the lives of the family members. Jennie had an older boyfriend who became a real worry to Dan and Terry. Ross began to have problems in school and had even had a couple of brushes with the law. Each time, I was assured by Terry and Dan that they would get back in church when they had more time… that time just never seemed to materialize. The problem was not so much that they were not in church. That was just a symptom of the problem. That problem was that they were not where they should be spiritually, with God. They were just too busy for Him.

A number of months ago, I ran into Terry at a hospital where I was visiting an old friend and former church member. I didn’t recognize her until she spoke to me. We talked a few minutes, and I asked about the family. The story was sad. She and Dan were having problems. His business had failed and he was drinking heavily. Ross had been in and out of jail a number of times. Jennie’s life had also taken some unpleasant turns that I will not go into here. How did all this come about?

This had been the “perfect” family. Now they were perfectly miserable. They didn’t see it coming, but the law of sowing and reaping had once again proven true. Now I know that many of you are reading this article and saying, “It couldn’t happen to us!” I want you to know that it happened to the Bakers, it has happened to others, and indeed it CAN happen to us, if our priorities are not right. If business, people, activities, and things are more important to you than your personal relationship with God, and the long term spiritual welfare of your family, consider what Jesus said:“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6: 33)

A Couple of Old Poems

For many years I have dabbled in poetry. I'm no Wordsworth, or Browning, or Frost, but my attempts at rhyme and verse have helped me scratch the itch to be creative. I guess I come by it honest. My maternal grandfather was a pretty prolific poet himself. Beside his other body of work, he wrote an original poem each year for the custom Christmas cards he and Granny sent out to family and friends. In fact, he was appointed "Poet Laureate of West Virginia" by Governor Hulett Smith back in the 60's. (I'll bet you didn't even know West Virginia has a Poet Laureate!) Even though I have never been named to that lofty place of honor, I have scratched out a number of lyrics - primarily for my own enjoyment.

Two of my sentimental favorites were written for my sons. Although they have never been published and obviously have never won any awards, I want to share them with you today. The first was written in June, 1974.

Jay

Someday maybe Jay will be,

An athlete folks might pay to see;

Or may be to the Congress sent,

Or Even become President.

So devilishly handsome, he,

A movie star's what Jay might be;

But with his strong and ringing voice,

A Preacher's job may be his choice.

Say, what if Jay, a Doctor bold,

Should finally cure the common cold?

Or maybe he will follow me,

And try his hand at poetry.

Yes, I'm convinced that Jay can be,

Any thing he wants to be;

But Mom says he should wait some more,

At least until he's three or four!

Well, a couple of years later, our second son, Ben, came along. He was a pretty special guy in his own right. So, by August, 1978, in the spirit of the "Fairness Doctrine" I felt compelled to compose a verse about him as well. Here 'tis:

Benji

Little Benji's quite a guy,

With curly hair and spirits high;

A bouncy step - variety!

The spice of life for Mom and me.

He's so much like his brother, Jay,

Yet different in a special way;

Blue twinkling eyes just seem to tell,

He'll win your heart and do it well.

I guess sometimes it's hard to be,

Just two years old - not quite three;

But Benji does his best, you know,

To win the spotlight, steal the show.

Each night he greets me at the door,

Same question as the night before;

(Almost as I park the car),

"Daddy bring me candy bar?"

In quiet times I talk to God,

And tell Him that I find it odd;

That He's blessed me, spite all my sin,

With number two son, little Ben.

Both sons are in their 30's now. Both are dedicated Christians and are married to wonderful young ladies. Jay is a pastor in New Orleans and Ben is a teacher and coach in Russell, KY. Each of them have two sons of their own. (Their photos appear with me on the top of the page on the left side of this blog) Linda and I are truly blessed by the Creator to have such a wonderful family.

To say the least, I was mighty proud of those two little boys way back there in the 70's.

I still am!