It is all about time.

I have noticed that too many Preachers are in too big of a hurry to rebuild a Church. They go into the process trying to change fifty or more years of tradition with just a few weeks or months of " this is the way it should be" messages, and some progress will be made over the short haul, but all will be lost over the long haul. A lot of times just one in opposition can destroy a years work. In the past few years I have witnessed several churches and pastors self destruct, because of moving too fast. one rule to follow. [ every one must be on board before we pull out of the station]. What do you think?

Small Churches, Should We rebuild them?

In the last three years or so I have been very interested in rebuilding small Churches. At this point in the post we need to identify what we term small churches, They are the ones which are in danger of extinction. We in the Missionary Baptist ranks have gotten so accustomed to "small" Churches that We often equate the size with "holy" and that is not the real case. The real trouble with letting Churches stay small is that it can go out of existence very fast. Case in point, In one local Association that I have researched, In the last ten years there have been five Churches closed up. The local Association has lost over four hundred in Church Membership. I would say that this is cause for alarm. I would like to hear your opinion.

Your opinion please!!!

In I Cor 14 there is much information given to us about "tongues" Many today translate tongues as other languages. if all this be true would it be correct to actually say that this section of scripture teaches the need for us to communicate clearly today? Your opinion please.

Why so long?

It has been a while since I have posted. I am not about to to bury my blog but have been limited for a couple of reasons. One was health related, two,and three. were weather related, the most devastating was a storm hit and destroyed My office and all my electronic helpers, IE computer, fax, printer, two phones,and every other electrical thing that I had. But I am back, now ready for some more"spirited" LOL, conversation. from my very own equipment. SOOOOO. let her rip.

Where were You???

Where were you.??? On 9-11-01. The memory is still etched in My mind. I was in a motel near DFW Airport. standing on the patio drinking My morning coffee, and watching the planes leave out of DFW. there was a plane taking off about every 45 seconds. Suddenly they stop ed, and I casually wondered why? My Wife and I were in Dallas that day for a business Meeting. Only a short time passed until we learned about the Trade center, and the Hi-Jacked planes and the mass destruction. We knew first hand what a major disaster this was. We also had learned several years before what such an event does to Dallas. We were there when President Kennedy was assinated. Margaret was only a block away as the President was Killed. Remembering that time We cut our Business short and prepared to leave Dallas and head for East Tex. We found the Expressways Bumper to Bumper but moving, for the next 40 Miles it was 30Mph. but no stops. We will always remember those two days in Dallas.

The way it once was

I remember doing some research several years back, in preparation for My Masters Thesis, and remembered some things I found to be rather common in the 40s and probably much earlier. A church would set the beginning date for a revival, some called them "a protracted meeting" and not set a ending date. the meeting would go until one of the Deacons would stand and make a motion to end it. Then there would be a motion to schedule a Baptism service, and motion to schedule an annual Conference. During this conference an opportunity would be given for any one to make "Acknowledgements" or be turned out of the Church. Then the "doors of the Church" would be opened to receive members. those who had been Baptized, and others who wanted to join said Church, were received. Another item was to call a pastor for the following year. All this and more was done in the annual meeting and it took all day to do it. How would You like to go through that? One good thing it only happened once a year.

First love/First work

In the Letters to the seven Churches in Rev. 2&3 the very first Church Ephesus is the only one that received the threat of loss of authority to be a Church. if that be the case then is the greatest violation against the Lord the love that has grown cold,and the desire for soul winning, our "first work" that has waned, caused the most grief to our Lord? and for this reason He is most unhappy with us ? Then by this, should We make Soul winning our top priority above everything thing We do, and put all else in line behind this? What do you think?