Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Ps. 37:5-6
In a recent article written by Thom Rainer, the author of “Simple Church”, he argues that the number one reason why church attendance is declining in America is because members attend with less frequency than they did just a few years ago. He says, “If the frequency of attendance changes, then attendance will respond accordingly. For example, if 200 members attend every week the average attendance is, obviously, 200. But if one-half of those members miss only one out of four weeks, the attendance drops to 175. Did you catch that? No members left the church. Everyone is still relatively active in the church. But attendance declined over 12 percent because half the members changed their attendance behavior slightly.”[i] In other words, our attendance at worship matters greatly.
Revitalization is the action of instilling something with new life and vitality. According to recent research conducted by the Rainer Group, 9 out of 10 (90%) churches in America need revitalization. They are either declining (finances, attendance and morale) or growing more slowly than the communities in which, they are located. In other words, most churches are losing ground in their communities.
But, in the midst of all the bad news about churches, this same study showed that some churches are growing despite the seeming overwhelming revitalization challenges. These growing churches have 6 factors in common.
“A man without a vision is a man without a future. A man without a future will always return to his past.” (P.K. Bernard)
“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law” Proverbs 29:18
Vision is the bridge between the present and the future. Without it we perish or go “unrestrained,” as the New American Standard Bible puts it. Vision gives purpose to pain. Those without vision spend their lives taking the path of least resistance as they try to avoid pain, discomfort and the unfamiliar. I remember one of my mentors saying to me, “Major, the level of sacrifice that a vision requires will determine the size of people who follow.” In other words, one’s ability to “see” one’s future will be measured by his/her willingness to endure the effort, pain and arduous work required to accomplish the feat.
As we prepare to enter a brand-new year of life, Sister Stewart and I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every member of Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church for “sharing all good things” with us in your prayers, love, friendship, encouragement, support, Christmas gifts, cards, well wishes and generous love offerings (Galatians 6:6). On Christmas day, we sat at our dining room table, thanking God for how generous, caring and loving you have been to us in 2017. You have modeled the grace and love of God towards each member of our family.
Over the last few days, I have been able to reflect over the past year and I am amazed at how much God has blessed us, as a church, to accomplish.
In 2017, by the grace of God, below are just some of the things we have been able to accomplish as pastor and people:
Baptisms and Baby dedications; Home, nursing home and hospital visits; Home dedications
Pastoral pre-marital counseling/Weddings; Counseling for Bereavements/Funerals
Participation in community outreach and tutoring services
Participation in going back to school rallies; Domestic Violence initiatives
Health awareness initiatives; NA/AA strategic partnerships; Increased security presence
Fellowship with sister churches and United Missionary Baptist Association – Ordination Supervisor
Community basketball league; Ongoing Minister Training; Installation of electronic church signage
Assisted families in need; Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway (more than 50 families); Room in the Inn outreach; Toys for Tots; Soup for our Neighbors; Community & Church cookout
Inclusion of Pastor’s Bible Study Classes; Added Christian Education Courses
Improved internal processes for governing the church
Improved ministry infrastructure and strategic operations through assigning Ministry Administrators to each ministry
Many ministry opportunities during the year for all
Some of our goals for 2018 include:
Expand parking lot; Launch new church website; Christian Education community conference
Launch Evangelism, Mentoring, Greeters and Parking Lot Ministries
Increase stewardship awareness for church attendance and giving to adequately support ministry goals
Recondition exterior of Education Building; Add exterior church and directional signage
Add Minister of Music and Executive Church Secretary; Increase church security measures
Enhance church policy and procedures to ensure operational compliance in every department and ministry
I am most grateful to you for the trust and confidence that you place in me as your pastor. I do not take it lightly or for granted and it is my great privilege to serve you. On behalf of the Stewart family, I wish you God’s peace and abundant blessings in the New Year.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.” 2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV
During World War II, it is reported that Allied bombers carried machine guns in the nose, under the belly, on top, and in the rear of the plane. It was also reported that some people believed that the planes might actually be safer, fly higher and fly faster without the extra weight associated to the guns attached to the plane. The pilots, however, thought differently. They wouldn't even consider flying and fighting without guns to shoot back and defend themselves. When you really think about it, we make the same choice when it comes to fighting our own battles. God says we don't need the guns... we can soar higher and faster with Him. For the scripture declares, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh”. 2 Cor. 10:3. The weapons our God makes available to us “….are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” 2 Cor. 10:4.
“And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” 1 Samuel 30:8
Hezekiah Walker, one of my favorite gospel artists, once wrote a song called, “Faithful Is Our God”. A portion of the lyrics says,
One morning a man received four long-distance calls before he could even get out of bed. Everybody had problems they wanted solved “right now”. He told his wife to forget about breakfast, only to discover his car wouldn't start. So he called an Uber Driver. When he got in the taxi he yelled, “Let's go!” The driver asked, “Where do you want me to take you?” He shouted, “I don't care, I've got problems everywhere!”
