Originally published in the May 22, 2008 issue of The Evangel.
by Dr. Frank Lewis, senior pastor
Search Committee Chairman Randy Smith gave a report to the congregation of First Baptist Nashville on Sunday morning, May 11, to keep us informed about the process of finding a new Minister of Music. Phase One in this process, a time of listening to the congregation and getting the committee trained and organized for their work, appears to be over as the committee prepares to receive and consider resumes of qualified individuals. Please continue to pray for this committee daily!
Our Children's Ministry search process is also moving forward as a group of qualified individuals has been identified as potential Children's Ministry candidates. Interviews will be taking place in the coming weeks as this committee carefully goes about its work to help First Baptist Nashville secure new leadership for our Children's and Preschool Ministry.
The Campus Development Task Force is also very busy listening and probing as interest continues to be demonstrated for potential developments on our property in conjunction with the Music City Center (Nashville's new Convention Center), our potential new neighbor. This task force has been put together to assist our church in evaluating any significant opportunities that might come to us related to the Music City Center's development. Your faithful stewardship over many years to secure land for our church's ministry has put us in an enviable position as downtown Nashville continues to experience urban renewal. It's an exciting time for us as a church, but more than this, it's a time for us to be visionary stewards of the opportunities God is giving us.
And of course, construction dust is filling the hallways. We are finally sprucing up several departments, classrooms, additional restrooms, and eventually our fellowship hall. Look for room closings and a detour or two this summer as the work continues, but be here each week with your "can do" attitude and we'll be just fine.
In all of these things I find myself doing two things. First, I am recalling the words of former pastor Dr. W. F. Powell almost daily who said, "The past is prologue, the present is unparalleled, and the future is as bright as our faith in God." That continues to describe us. Everything in the past has brought us to this point in time, and there has never been a time like the present for First Baptist Nashville. New leadership, new ministry dreams, new space, and new opportunities are coming our way all at one time. It's unparalleled. And as we are found faithful, our future continues to be bright.
The second thing I'm doing is bending my knee just a little more than I have in recent years. I don't want to take a false step. I don't want to miss something God may be trying to show me. I don't think you do either, so please join me. The transitions that may be ours in the next few months are too important for us to take for granted. Let's work like it all depends on us, but let's pray like it all depends on God.
See you Sunday!
