by Dr. Frank Lewis
First Baptist Nashville adopted seven core values in 2008. They are at the core of who we are as a congregation. They state what's important to us as a church family. When someone sees our core values in print, we hope they present a compelling invitation to come join us on the journey of faith that we've been called to live at First Baptist Nashville. In the last issue of the Evangel, I wrote about two of our core values: Bowing the Heart in Worship and Bending the Knee in Prayer. In this issue I'm pleased to talk about Reaching People for Christ and Applying the Bible to Everyday Life.
Reaching People for Christ
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
At the core of our church's being, every member of this congregation must be involved in helping bring someone to Christ. This is why our church exists. It's our purpose. It's what we do.
Years ago a well-intentioned member shared that our church was a healing place for people who had been hurt in other churches. Someone else said it was a nurturing place where we nurtured the faith of people then sent them out to minister elsewhere. Another voice said FBC is a family church where multiple generations gather. While there may be some truth in all these statements, none of them find their voice in the New Testament. They are good things, but they are at best some of the bonuses of being faithful, not the objects of our faithfulness.
A church is a body of baptized believers who are doing what Christ would do in the community if He were here in person today. Christ would be seeking to save that which is lost. That was His mission two thousand years ago and it needs to be ours today.
We are a people on mission introducing Jesus to those who do not know him. Our mission is to be evident in our worship (sermon and song), in our Sunday School (each class is a connecting group where lost people can discover Christ), in our mission commitments (being engaged personally and financially to carry the message of Christ), in our campus (our location and physical plant point people to the Savior), and in all our ministries (everything we do should connect a person to Christ).
Applying the Bible to Everyday Life
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Jesus came that we might have life, not just information. A core value that emphasizes the application of biblical truth to life reminds us of the importance of reading, hearing, meditating on, and aligning our life's decisions and commitments with God's instructions found in the Bible. By doing so we avoid a lifetime of pain and sorrow resulting from poor choices made in our own strength and limited wisdom.
When you have a problem or a concern that seems to be overwhelming, you will discover that the Bible has a word of comfort that is always equal to the challenge. When you are tempted to give in or give up, the Bible brings a word of hope and encouragement pointing clearly to a better course of action. The Bible is true from beginning to end and offers the very wisdom of God to all who learn to apply its message with a trusting heart.
As a core value, biblical application is a priority in the teaching and preaching ministry of First Baptist Nashville. We will seek to live consistently with its message and communicate it faithfully in all we do.
