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I think all of you would readily agree that because of the situation in the world, our own country, our churches, and our lives, we are in need of a revival in our individual lives and our churches. “Prayer and Spiritual Awakening” has been an emphasis of our Discipleship and Prayer Teams for a number of years. That is why we have invited Manley Beasley, Jr., to share with us again this year. You will see elsewhere in the newsletter the details of the events with him September 22-25. You are invited to be with us in any or all of the sessions, but please make reservations for the morning meetings as we will have a meal. I hope that your church has already approved transferring your evening service to First Baptist Albany September 25 at 6 PM for our MBA Joint Worship Service. Please be in prayer for Manley as he comes to minister to us, for our pastors and staffs to attend these sessions, and for the Joint Worship Service. I am looking forward to our combined choir again! God met with us last year and I am sure He desires to meet us again!!
In Thom Ranier’s (President and CEO of LifeWay) blog entitled, “Ten warning signs of trouble for churches,” he gave the following list:
Church leaders should be concerned . . .
1. If the pastor does not have adequate time to be in the Word or if he chooses not to dos so.
2. If the members are spending time arguing about how money should be spent.
3. If the members are spending time arguing about how money should be spent.
4. If none or only a few of the key leaders are actively sharing their faith.
If there is no clear process of discipleship in place, just a plethora of programs and activities.
5. If corporate prayer is not a major emphasis in the church.
6. If church members are arguing about worship style or worship times.
7. If church members expect the paid staff to do most of the ministry, instead of the staff equipping the members to do the work of ministry. (“Why didn’t the pastor visit me in the hospital?”)
8. If there are ongoing disagreements about matters of the church facilities.
9. If the church has more meetings than new disciples.
10. If the leadership of the church does not have a coherent plan for what is taught in small groups and Sunday school classes.
Ranier says based on his 20 years of consulting with churches and doing research on churches, that “if at least four of these signs were present, I let the leadership know that remedial efforts were necessary.” If six or more signs were present, I expressed concern that the congregations faced serious difficulties.” What would he say about your church based on these ten signs?
Please be in prayer for the Love our Counties Evangelistic Outreach and Food Distribution September 17 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Sunnyside Baptist Church, First Baptist Leesburg, and Bryant Drive Baptist Church. Make sure that you prayer walk your schools. The suggested time is 7 PM on September 27. Also please pray for Annual Meeting, October 20, at First Baptist Sylvester. Make sure that you elect your messengers, but everyone is welcome! Mike Stone, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Bleackshear, will be preaching in the evening service. John Tarrer , Volunteer Ministries at GBC, will be bringing our Cooperative Program report in the afternoon session.
God is at work! Are you joining Him?
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