| Pastor's Update 04.25.08 |
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 PASTOR'S UPDATE
This Sunday I will be finishing my series on Giving My Best. This series has been based on the last book in the Bible, the book of Malachi. As you read the book of Malachi you can't help but get the impression that the people of God were bored. They were giving half-hearted efforts in their worship,service, marriage and stewardship. This week I will deal with a subject that has often confused me. It is the area of stewardship. It is a difficult subject to speak on because most people assume that you are coming to the subject with an agenda. You are trying to get more money for your ministry. I have probably erred on the side of caution, not speaking on this subject as much as I should have, for the Bible has a lot to say about giving. Here are some of the things that have confused me:
1. I have heard speakers say over and over, 'God doesn't need your money, but He still wants you to give'.
2. 'Give and you will get' is another phrase I often hear from speakers, is this the proper motive?
3. Why doesn't the New Testament command tithing as clearly as the Old Testament?
I will try to address many of these questions this Sunday. Stewardship is my personal responsibility for taking care of God's property. I like the way Bill Bright sums it up in this statement:
God has placed in our trust a measure of time, a unique set of talents and sufficient treasure to carry out His will for our lives. Our task as faithful stewards is to manage those blessings to bring the maximum glory to His name.—Bill Bright
 How can we help new people feel a part of Faith? This question was posed to me by a new Christian who had a real burden for new folks at our church. I believe he has just recently went through this process and knows how difficult it is to feel a part of a local church. How can we move beyond just the shaking of hands? How can we help new folks connect with a small group and feel a part of that group? We have been very successful at getting people to visit our church and feel welcome in the initial stages but we haven't done near as well retaining these people. In church growth jargon, how can we shut the back door? Do you have any ideas? What made you feel a part of Faith? Was it the effort of one person or a group? What if each one of us could pick a new person or family and make them our mission. To help them transition from guest to family. We are still looking for a leader for the Welcome Wagon please pray that this important spot will soon be filled.
 Jack Knapp is the state representative of VAIB (Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists). He lives in Richmond with his wife and spends his time and efforts tracking legislation that would impact the local church. He will be speaking this Sunday night at 6 PM. He is a great speaker and will bringing up to the date information about how our government is impacting us as Christians and the local church.
 NOTES
- Thursday May 1 National day of prayer church open all day group prayer at noon
- Mission Team need: $4,224
- Baptism May 4
- Ken Jenkins is leaving missions to take pastorate in Appomattox
- 22 teens Sunday night at the bowling alley
- King's Brass, Franz Family and Drama Team coming soon
- Grass-cutters needed, sign up at Welcome Center
- Mike and Sue Kelly, thanks for all your help on Sunday night
- Pray for Tim Kimberline, emergency heart cath
Hope to see you Sunday!
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