You will want to be present on Sunday, October 14, as Hugh Sloan, chairman of the Master Plan Implementation Committee, brings a special update to the congregation of First Baptist Nashville during morning worship. The Master Plan Implementation Committee is busy with the God-sized task our church has given to them.
This committee has gathered and began to process demographic data about our surrounding neighborhood; has been part of a significant series of conversations related to the area known as South of Broadway with other city leaders in a federally funded study; and has interviewed members of our ministry staff and program leaders in an effort to discern the steps God would have our church take in developing our campus for optimum ministry effectiveness.
I know you will join me in praying for this important committee and the work they are doing on behalf of our congregation. This first update on October 14 will be informative and challenging. Together we will listen and then take it to the Lord in a special time of prayer.
In our September Business Meeting, our members present acted on a proposal from our Missions Committee to provide one year of financial assistance to Easthaven Baptist Church, Kalispell, Montana, for a salary supplement that provides for a church planter to begin a new church in Whitefish, Montana. In recent years the Tennessee Baptist Convention has encouraged a partnership with the Montana Baptist Convention for the purpose of strengthening our witness in both parts of our nation. I became acquainted with Pastor Daniel Lambert of Easthaven Baptist and began praying with him about a new church start in the Whitefish community.
It has been almost five years since Daniel showed me the beautiful property their church already owned in Whitefish. We toured the town, talked with residents who longed for a church in their community, and began sharing ideas for ways to make an impact for Christ in this resort community. I want to thank you, Church, for your generosity in making this gift possible. We look forward to meeting the new church planter one day and hearing about the people who will be reached for Christ through the ministry of this new church that you have helped start. Please pray for this new work as often as the Spirit brings it to your mind.
In a pastors’ meeting I attended recently with leaders from the North American Mission Board, we were greeted by Dr. Randy Davis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He said, “these are either our best days or our last days” as he spoke of the challenge that is ours to reach people for Christ. I think he is absolutely right. Church, these words ring true for us specifically. We will either begin to reach our neighbors, friends, and coworkers for Christ like never before and witness the renewal of the church (our best days), or we are going to witness the decline of the church in our day as we never imagined. Pray for revival and the movement of God; prepare for it in your life; pray for those you know who need Christ; invite people to join you for worship; and stay on mission with your church in the days ahead!
Blessings!
