Rumblings and Ramblings

Which ever one is elected to be our next BGCT President, I have this one request.  Could you please try to run for the 2nd year that you are eligible to hold office?  I might be coming out of left field on this one, but I think that we need some consistency in our elected officials.  I can’t help but wonder if we had president for two years if that would not help our convention.

Here is my thinking ……
1.  I think that it would help the administration of the BGCT to have a consistant voice from the body of the BGCT.  If the president is only going to serve one year, what gives the administration any reason to listen to him or  her, they will be gone in a few months.

2.  I believe that if a president could serve two years, they could get more done to help steer our convention in a more positive direction.  Consistent leadership is a key to having this take place.

3.  I believe that it would give the post of BGCT president more, what is the world I’m wanting, maybe clout within the convention.  In my opinion, the post of BGCT president has been nothing but a turnstyle for a long time.  When is the last time you can remember somone serving two terms as BGCT President?

These are my thoughts and my request to our next BGCT President.

About this time next week we should know who our next president will be for the BGCT.  I believe that this will be one of the biggest decisions we will make this year in Amarillo.  With that being said and for whatever it means to anyone else, I’m throwing my support behind David Lowrie, pastor of FBC Caynon.

I have heard David’s name quite a bit since I have moved back to the panhandle in Oct. 2003.  Every minister I have heard mention his name in this area of the state has the highest regard for him.  That in itself means a lot to me, because I trust many of these people.

I support David because I don’t believe that he has any hidden agenda.  I believe that he is in the trenches just like most of us doing his best to share Jesus Christ throughout the world.  He is the pastor of a strong church and a membership that seems to be on mission.

I support David because I believe that he will give our convention a perspective from the pew.  I believe that he will speak up for the churches to what we desire from the convention.  I believe that he will work for our interest thorugh the Executive Board and through Dallas.

Because David is a pastor, and I believe that he has a “pastor’s heart”, I believe that he can minister to the staff of BGCT who right now is hurting.  I believe that he can encourage our new “Executive Director” to work with the staff of the BGCT and to encourage them in what they do.  I realize that he will not be in Dallas a lot, but I believe that he will offer encouragement to them whether he is at Dallas or Canyon.

I know that I have not made this endorsement as eloquent as most, but it come from my heart and my head.  I hope enough of us will support David not only with our votes but with our prayers as well.

Ron Gunter has resigned as COO of the BGCT.

http://texasbaptists.wordpress.com/

I taught on Genesis 6 this evening in our Prayer Meeting/Bible Study time.  This afternoon I received this email from one of my mentors in ministry.  He gave me permission to put it on my blog.  In my opinion there is heartbreaking correlation between now and the day of Noah.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I would love to write the normal devotional that will bring positive advice to you, but today my heart is heavy.

I write this email with a very concerned heart.  I believe God has shown me what is taking place in our world today.   It appears to me, that we are rapidly approaching the day that each of us will have to take a stand about being a Christian.  What about you?  

There are many forces at work.  But, there is a physical and spiritual war going on against Christians and the values of Christ.  I believe as a result of this, in the next 10 years, many who call themselves Christian will fall to the wayside.  So NOW is the time to evaluate your heart and see if you deserve to be called by a name that associates yourself as a follower of Christ.

The forces at work are on the political, economic, social and religious areas of life that we all participate in.  But the anti-Christian forces are moving fast and I see signs that we need to be prepared for.

What brought about this concern?  First let me say, this is not an anti-Republican or anti-Democrat concern, because our citizenship is in heaven, however the forces of Satan are working in ALL areas of life on earth.   Also this is a world wide situation.

Here is what is now taking place in America

1. One state just signed a law that will affect ALL of our public text book where you can no longer refer to the family as mom and dad, but you have to refer to other lifestyles as being normal.  
2. Today, in many states marriages are being performed between 2 men or 2 women.  This is being promoted as acceptable alternative lifestyle.
3. In California, a law just went into effect where boys and girls may use either restrooms, locker rooms, and if a student says anything incorrect, could be cited for hate crime.  
4. Congress is recognizing a religious leader of a faith that is leading close to 1 Billion people to eternity without God.
5. In some states and Canada, Australia, Switzerland, pastors have been arrested for preaching against certain topics.  This has already taken place in Madison, Wisconsin;  St Petersburg, Florida; Elmira, New York; Crystal Lake, Illinois, just to name a few.
6. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arlene Elshinnawy, a 75-year-old grandmother, and Linda Beckman, a 70-year-old grandmother were arrested for sharing their faith on the public sidewalk.
7. “Christian” religious leaders are taking stands and promoting beliefs and practices that Jesus would never support.   (this includes Baptist)
8. “Christians” are berating other Christians who share their faith in Jesus as being wrong because all religious have “god” in them.
9. Major corporations, beginning 10 years ago, started indoctrination courses through their Human Resources department that goes against many of our core beliefs.  
10. We are seeing the fastest growing religion today as being Islam.
11. Technology is moving so fast that microchips are moving rapidly to being an “essential” element of life and in some countries government employees are REQUIRED to use them.   The indoctrination is taking place with the recent VISA commercials.
12. YOU probably already have a microchip card for buying products.
13. There is increased tension all over the world and is getting greater every day.
14. Churches in our area and across the nation are seeing a drastic decrease in baptisms and involvement.

I could go on, but this is the world we are living in the 21 Century.  While we cannot engage the entire world, we can look at ourselves and our church.   

ARE YOU WORTHY to be called the name CHRISTIAN which was derived from a group of people that followed a person called Christ who died for their sins?  (Antioch)   Who named them after a man called CHRIST who died for their sins!

If we cannot be faithful to God in the “good” times, what make you think we will be faithful when everything is on the line?

My heart is weary but at the same time, I have made a personal vow, commitment to God, that I AM A CHRISTIAN, A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST; I will wear that name proudly even if it means the ultimate sacrifice.  No person on earth can make me compromise the basic Gospel that Jesus came to die for me and give me life in heaven.

WILL YOU EXAMINE YOUR HEART?   WILL YOU ASK YOURSELF; Am I worthy to be called Christian?   Will you commit you and your family to being faithful?   To worship together with other believer where you will gain the strength to face anything that the future hold.

HAS ANYBODY, who does not know you, called YOU CHRISTIAN  just because they have watched the way you live your life?

BE FAITHFUL!   

TOGETHER AS A CHURCH FAMILY WE FIND STRENGTH TO STAND UP FOR JESUS! 

WE HAVE A WORLD TO LEAD TO JESUS CHRIST

WHO IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE!

The convention is fast approaching.  There has been some excellent dialogue about what is wrong and how to right the ship.  The question I have is, “Are we ready to do what it takes to try to get the ship of the BGCT going in the right direction?”

I have tried to keep up with Dr. Davis and Rev. Montoya’s blogs and their discussions, but I am worried that there will be no organization of our ideas put into action.  Here are some questions wandering around in my head full of rocks.

1.  Will there be a motion to suspend the rules so that we can vote on the administration of the BGCT?  If there is a motion will there be someone to speak for the motion other than the one presenting it?

2.  What about the NBC?  Are we going to have a motion speaking of this situation?  If so who will present it and who voice support for it?

3.  What about “the scandals”?  Since “valleygate” there has been two more scandals that I have heard of come to surface.  Is there some resolution that we can bring forth to condemn these actions and as a body of messengers ask the authorities to investigate more fully what is going on?

Right now I’m tired and when I get tired I begin get more concerned about things, Lord forgive me.  I would hate that noting be done in an organized way and that our cause look ridiculous.  I hope that I’m wrong and that we can make a strong showing in Amarillo.