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In an email I received on June 28, 2010 from The Columbia Partnership eNews there was an article entitled “12 Lies Most Churches Believe” by Eddie Hammett. Here are the lies he listed:
1. Returning to the good old days is the way forward for our church.
2. Ministry is the primary responsibility of the pastor and staff.
3. Ministry is for the church members to support and pray for, but not something they are to do.
4. Care-giving for the membership is the primary mission of the church.
5. The budget of the church is for those who give not for those who do not giver or come to church.
6. Church meetings, ministries and programs are primarily to accommodate the needs and preferences of church members rather than those inactive or beyond the membership.
7. Those who are not like us should not be invited or encouraged to be among us or part of us.
8. Judging others is essential if the church is to stay pure and faithful.
9. Funding for ministry for our church comes only from the tithes and offerings of membership and guests.
10. Church members are to “judge” the unchurched.
11. As a church we are faithful if we preserve the past than create the future.
12. Adults do not want to serve.
Is your church believing any of these lies? Something to think and pray about!!!!
September is a busy month with “Love our Counties” Evangelistic Outreach and Food Distribution September 17; “Prayer and Spiritual Awakening” events with Manley Beasley September 22-24 culminating in the Joint Worship Service September 25; and Prayer Walking our Schools September 27. Please make your plans now to participate.
Annual Meeting is just around the corner—Thursday, October 20, from 4:30 – 8:30 PM with the meal at 6 PM at First Baptist Sylvester. Please elect your messengers and let Mallary know. Also please call in your meal reservations to 776-3337. Everyone is welcome to attend! We will be adopting a budget for 2012 and electing a new moderator (as per By-Laws). Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Blackshear, will be preaching for us in the 7 PM service.
As some of you have heard, despite a good month in June, we have had to take money out of our contingency funds three out of the first six months of this year to pay our bills. The Budget Team is looking at bringing our budget for 2012 more in line with receipts. Likely the yearly budget will need to be lowered by as much as $20,000! Please pray for your Budget Team as they seek God’s wisdom as to how He wants this to be done.
Even in the financial difficulties, God is definitely at work! Do you sense this? May we be ready for Him to do in us individually and in our churches what He wants to do!!! Let’s be seeking His face! |
