A Contract with Southern Baptists - Part 4

I began this series back before the SBC convention in June as a "What would I preach to the SBC if invited?" series. I believe that our denomination is in great need of revitalization. This series of posts seeks to answer the question, "What would revitalization in our convention emphasize?" I understand that our denomination is composed of diverse churches and diverse members. To attempt to make broad characterizations is to often miss the target. Nevertheless, this is what I think needs to be emphasized.

Baptists Must Be . . .

Based in Humility - a necessary foundation - part one

Authorized by Scripture - a necessary standard - part two

Powered by the Holy Spirit - a necessary energy - part three

Transformed by Worship - a necessary voice - Deuteronomy 6:13; 1 Chronicles 16:28-29; Nehemiah 8:5-6; Psalm 95:1-7; John 4:21-24; Romans 12:1; Revelation 4:9-11.

We have fallen into grave error by making the act of worship something that is only done on Sunday mornings for our own benefit and enjoyment. Every post I write and every comment I leave is potentially worship. Worship is the way in which I speak, the way in which I live, and the impression that I give. Worship is for God's pleasure alone and it has little to do with our desires or preferences. We have perhaps at times made the error of looking with contempt upon another's sacrifice of worship and by so doing have judged ourselves (2 Samuel 6:12-23). It is not simply style or even location--it's a matter of the heart. It is Spirit and it is Truth. Worship is an expression of love and passion toward the God who saves us. It is delight in the Lord. The voice of worship is a 24/7 call to the nations to exalt the Lord. Worship is all that we do and all that are.

Stay in School, Kids!

The following is a true story...

My two sons and I were in Fort Collins this afternoon to make a purchase at the Guitar Center with some recently acquired sixteenth birthday funds. Following the successful purchase of a "Boss MD2 Mega Distortion Pedal", we headed over to the Bible Superstore to purchase a few CD's and possibly a book or two for me. I picked up "A City Upon a Hill" by Larry Witham which is subtitled, "How Sermons Changed the Course of American History." Compare that with my oldest (the sixteen year old) son's purchase, a compilation CD from "Facedown Records" entitled "Something Worth Fighting For". You would have to hear it to understand the contrast (note his purchase at the Guitar Center). My younger son (13) purchased the new one from Reliant K, "The Bird and the Bee Side." Following our shopping spree, we were parched and decided to make a quick stop at a nearby 7-11. We each selected a 64 ounce "Double Gulp" and filled our cups (more of an industrial sized drum to be honest) and headed for the cash register. Now, this is where you will want to pay close attention. My youngest son was to pay for his own and so leave him out of the mix for the moment. My oldest son was to pay for his and mine (part of the bribe necessary to get the trip to Fort Collins and the Guitar Center). Our two drinks totalled $3.39. My son handed the clerk (male, 20-something, tall, anglo) a ten dollar bill. The clerk started to process the transaction, drew a blank look, and then cursed--something like "darn". I asked, "no change?". He answered, "I accidently entered a five instead of a ten. Now I don't know how much change to give you." Before we go on...let's recognize that the cash register showed him the wrong amount of change to give me because of his error in entering "$5" instead of "$10". To be exact, it said $1.61. Now, back to the story... A few moments passed and the clerk shouted at his nearby fellow clerk, "You're pretty smart....what's $10.00 minus $3.39?" Of, course the answer was $$6.61--exactly five dollars more than the incorrect cash register display.

The moral of the story--stay in school, kids!

Independence Day History Lesson

Let me encourage you to invest ten minutes today in learning a little bit more about our nation's heritage. Enjoy...

I met Governor Mike Huckabee...

I was able to meet and visit briefly with former Governor Mike Huckabee tonight. Tina was able to take a picture of me and the Governor except the camera was acting up and somehow I accidently erased it. Pride really does go before a fall. The conference was excellent with a strong theme of the need for Christians to be involved in the political and civic process. Those of you that know me well know that I have a great desire to not only lead my church to impact our society but I would very much like to run for office myself someday. State Representative Kevin Lundberg was at the event and it was great to see him again and visit. Representative Lundberg along with State Senator Scott Renfroe have both been on site in Windsor many times following the tornado of May 22. Both of these men have a strong Christian witness and represent northern Colorado well in Denver. Kevin Lundberg's website is here and Scott Renfroe's website is here. Our representative in Washington, Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, actually remembered me from a conversation that we had in Windsor following the tornado. Windsor is truly blessed to have such godly representation. Representative Musgrave's website is here. I walk away from the evening's sessions with a strong conviction to do all that I can to get Christians registered to vote and to encourage them to vote Christian values in the upcoming elections.

Rediscovering God in America...

My wife and I are in Denver today and tomorrow for an event hosted by the Colorado Renewal Project and the Christian Family Alliance of Colorado. It's called "Rediscovering God in America" and features:

Former Governor Mike Huckabee

Governor Rick Perry

Historian David Barton

Drs. Tim and Beverly LaHaye
Pastor Don McClure
The Honorable Bob McEwen
Dr. Mat Staver
Pastor Larry Stockstill
Dr. Laurence White
Dr. Don Wildmon

Read more here.

Tina online....

My extremely talented wife has just put her new website online. I would encourage everyone to go and take a look.

You can access the site here.

The Island Service...

What's more important than the SBC meeting in Indinapolis? The Island Service at Cornerstone this morning with 365 worshippers and 30 baptisms! I feel like Moses looking over into the promised land. Today's service was the fruit of our Childrens' Minister's vision to take VBS to a whole new level. PTL!

SBC Pastor's Conference - Sunday Evening

The 2008 Southern Baptist Convention begins this Sunday evening with the Pastor's Conference. While I will be there live and in person, you have the opportunity to participate by watching the live streaming video on the internet. The video stream will be available for free at http://www.sbc.net/. The convention is in Indianapolis and so there is a two hour time difference from Colorado.

The theme for the Pastor's Conference will be Prayer, Brokenness, Revival and Evangelism. There are three speakers on Sunday evening: Dr. Johnny Hunt at 6:35 (Indy time), Dr. Daniel Simmons at 7:15, and Dr. Tom Eliff at 8:10. There is quite a bit of music interspersed throughout the conference. It all begins at 5:30 (that's 3:30 Colorado time). I would encourage anyone who can to check out as much of the conference as possible. It will be good stuff! The emphasis of the pastor's conference on Sunday evening will be prayer.

The pastor's conference website includes the following statement concerning Sunday evening's conference: "What would happen if thousands of pastors left Sunday night with a commitment to have prayer meetings that are more than praying for the sick, but meetings where people long for God to move in their midst? The key to the church in Acts was prayer. That is not often the case in the 21st century church."

Watch the Pastor's Conference on the internet and then post a comment on my blog. We can discuss what we learned and how to make application.