Originally published in the June 5, 2007 issue of The Evangel.
by Dr. Frank Lewis, senior pastor
It was our privilege to host the 2007 Festival of Homiletics the last week in May. Approximately 1700 preachers from a number of Christian denominations joined us for the week to hear some of the brightest and best preachers of our generation. It was a wonderful experience that turned out to be a bridge-building opportunity for us as a church. The gospel is much larger than our Baptist tent, and as preachers returned to their various churches this week, I believe they did so with encouragement and renewed energy for the serious task of communicating the gospel. To know that we played a small part in that simply by being hospitable makes me proud to be the pastor of First Baptist Nashville. While attending a meeting of the Nashville Downtown Partnership last week, I told a business leader about the Festival. He was amazed. He couldn’t believe that we got that many preachers together under our roof, to concentrate on the things that unite us. Way to go, church!
It’s time to look ahead to more ways for us to build bridges. A full calendar of events is ahead of us with mission trips, Vacation Bible School, retreats and camps, and even a few “off nights” throughout the summer for you to build relation-ships with your neighbors and friends. I hope you will use the “Sabbath Sunday Nights” this year for reconnecting with those around you, or even an occasional time to reconnect your spirit with God by resting.
On Sunday mornings this summer, I’m preaching through the Fruit of the Spirit as we look at ways we can cultivate the character of Christ in our lives. I hope you’ll join us every Sunday you are in town!
Blessings!
