Tuesday, March 09, 2010
The time is soon coming to announce the projects which will be the focus of our 2010 Foundations for the Future offering. The Facilities Design Team (FDT) and I would like to ask for your prayers as we make the final plans.
Since God has blessed us with so many new members over the past year, I would like to briefly review how this offering works. Several years ago we adopted a specific plan for funding the upgrade and expansion of our facilities. We review this process annually...
Monday, March 08, 2010
How to Love the People in Your Church 1 John 4:7-11
“If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
We define true love by the
• Creator of love
• Cost of love
• Character of love
• Consequences of love
The Creator of Love “God IS love”
God’s love
• Focused outward
• manifested
• sent ...
Friday, March 05, 2010
I asked Drew to prepare a report about MOVE Weekend and here it is.....
MOVE…this simple word holds so much power and action. Recently the student ministry here at First experienced our first Move Weekend, formally known as DNOW. In all my years in ministry with students this weekend will stand out to me. I was humbled as I watched God MOVE in the lives of our students. As we kicked off the weekend on Thursday night, Carter Morris, our speaker, and Jared Wood, worship leader,...
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Today, Pastor Dick Avey and I met, along with the pastors of our partnering churches, with Norm Duncan - the Pastor of True Life Church in Wichata, Kansas. As you know, we are partnering with three other Arkansas churches to help Norm plant the True Life Church. Nomr shared his vision with FBC during our missions emphasis in November. Today we were meeting with him to coordinate plans for a number of mission trips for FBC and our partner churches.
We are partnering alongside...
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
In this week's edition of the Arkansas Baptist Convention's weekly newspaper , The Arkansas Baptist News, FBC's Children's Ministry was ranked in the top 10 in baptisms for Arkansas churches that average over 500 in Sunday School. FBC ranked sixth in children's baptisms with 31 last year. That is quite a testimony to the efforts of our Children's Ministry staff led by PAstor Ron Pierce. It is also a testimony of the dedication and hard work of hundreds of volunteers serving in every...
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
LAst night was a wonderful ending to the 2010 Upward Basketball season. The worship center was filled with families, and most importantly children. During the festivities, FBC's Upward program received an incredible honor. Cabot's Mayor Eddie Joe Williams presented Pastor Ron with an official declaration from the office of the Mayor declaring March 1, 2010 Upward Basketball Day. The declaration was given in honor of the siginificant impact the preogram has ahd on the community. He specifically...
Friday, February 26, 2010
Genesis Lab has been a dynamic addition to FBC's ministry strategy. It has significantly empowered our growth, appeal to families with children, aided us in baptizing more children, and many other areas of FBC ministry. It also sets FBC apart as Genesis Lab is our own invention and can only be found here at FBC. Virtually every child who enters Genesis Lab is taken up with the energy and teaching tools that are unique to Genesis Lab.
What if we could take Genesis Lab to them? Whether...
Friday, February 26, 2010
There is a strong encouragement amongst both church growth strategists and leaders in our Southern Baptist Convention towards church planting. New churches baptize at a faster rate than older, established churches. Additionally, there are many areas that simply do not have enough churches to truly impact that particular area. One of those types of ares is the inner city, usually because the needs of the area are so great that it takes a significant amount of resources to help people move into...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
On Sunday, we saw how God has designed the church to work by working through you. We talked about the strength of the church when the members come with a vision and passion for impacting people until they grow "to the full measure of the stature of Christ." Sunday I shared some visionary ideas I have had for FBC, but I would like to hear from you - after all that's why I am here - "to equip the saints [you] for the work of the ministry to the building of the body of Christ."
What...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Last week, we studied fasting in our First Look bible studies and Life groups. Most of our classes had great discussions about the experience of fasting. I have had a umber of people ask me about how to get started. Here are a few helpful pointers from my experience. First, start with a 24 hour fast. I have found the best time to do that is from supper to supper. Eat a small, healthy supper and then begin your fast. By the time you wake up, you are hungry and can feel the desire to eat. Thus,...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I hope everyone is enjoying some wonderful family time during the breaks caused by the ice and snow. It is fun to build snow men, make snow cream, snuggle by the fire, or play hours of non-stop Uno. Please enjoy this time with your family. Do not forget, however, that this is a great time for you to get alone with the Lord. The hectic pace of life is one of the major obstacles to deepening our walk with Jesus. Here is a prefect opportunity to spend some time alone with the Lord.
...
Thursday, February 04, 2010
I have asked the members of our FBC that traveled to Guatemala in January to report on the results of their mission trip. I know you will be interested to read this testimony from Dick Avey, who led the team.
What an awesome God we serve! And what a joy it was to join Him in the work He did in San Bernardino, Guatemala, January 9 – 16, 2010. Alisa Spann, Susan Garoutte, and myself joined 8 other folks from Caroline Baptist Association in working along side of members of Mission...
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Here is a link to the blog for Dr. Albert mohler, President of Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. It is powerful and moving and I thought it worthy of your time: www.AlbertMohler.com/blog/
Please read the article entitled Adopted for life...and in death.
Always remember that Jesus adopted you for life and loved you at the cost of His. May God bless you my friends.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The following is a request from the Arkansas Baptist Convention for health professionals who can join mission trips to Haiti as part of the recovery effort. I know we have alot of medical professionals here at FBC so I wanted to pass on the details for those of you who might want to serve. This is an email from one of our friends at the Baptist building - Bob Fielding:
Hello Pastors, Staff, Missions Folks, Prayer Warriors
By now you know that there are NO IMB missionaries...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
As you know, we have begun the first of our Life@First studies - Devotional Life. Today I want you to know that I have been praying this week for all of you as you renew your commitment to a daily time alone with the Lord. It is my prayer for you that you will feel the presence of the Lord in a tangible way in your life today and that you will clearly hear His voice.
Here is a simple but very wonderful aid for you. Sunday morning I gave you a number of practical tips for your...
Thursday, January 14, 2010
I am working on Sunday morning's message this afternoon. This Sunady morning will be the first message of our year long theme Life@First. For the first series, we will focus on Devotional Life. The more I study and the pray about beginning this series, the more I am becoming excited about 2010 here at FBC. I truly believe we are going to see God do some amazing things in our body. I am believing that our emphasis on the christian life will be a catalyst for God to work.
The...
Monday, November 30, 2009
This morning I chose to log onto the site for the Manhattan Declaration and sign my name to the document. If you are not aware of this important document, then you need to go to manhattandeclaration.org. This is a statement written by numerous leaders of the evangelical christian church, along with Roman Catholic leaders as well, to address with the significant movement in our culture to take us once and for all away from our Judeo-chrisitan heritage. It is also a call to action for christians...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
After the parenting series, I’ve gotten some questions from several of you regarding blended families. Here are some sites that I believe will be helpful……..
http://www.loveandlogic.com/
http://www.drleman.com/store/parenting-books/step-parenting-101/prod_38.html http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/parenting_roles/blended_families.aspx http://www.shopfamilylife.com/smart-stepfamily.html
Friday, October 09, 2009
10 Things Every Pastor Wants Parents To Know
(but is afraid to say)
#1 You are responsible for spiritual training
Ephesians 6:1-4
Deuteronomy 11
Psalms 78
Purpose of Parenting
To train my child to know and love the Lord Jesus in such a way that he or she walks with Jesus as an adult
#2 You must train your...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Biblical Principles for Disciplining Your Child - Hebrews 12:4-11
Purpose of Parenting
To train my child to know and love the Lord Jesus in such a way that he or she walks with Jesus as an adult
Principle 1
Discipline is a natural and necessary part of spiritual growth
Principle 2
Discipline as a part of training your child and spiritual discipline are direct parallels
Principle 3
Discipline is a positive...
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thank you congregation for a wonderful service today. FBC is a wonderful place to preach and you are a wonderful congregation. You give us the freedom to preach the Bible. Even when we are louder than eloquent, you have the ability to listen and glean the real message from the scripture. Thank you for the privilege of being your pastor.
I explained in the sermon today that I would break out the 4 principles on this blog for you so you would not have to try to write everything. Here are...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Gentlemen,
I am looking forward to spending the evening with you tonight during the first night of Men's Fraternity. I am excited to get to spend some time with just the fellas. Talking guy talk. Focusing on guy stuff.
This is a great study. I have taught this study before and I love it. Every man should have an opportunity to go through this study. If you have not taken it before, you will enjoy it I promise. If you have, I can promise you will still learn something about yourself...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Christ’s Love is the Foundation for Any Home Ephesians 5
Purpose of Parenting
To train my child to know and love the Lord Jesus in such a way that he or she walks with Jesus as an adult.
Why is that such a key?
Jesus said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his own [child’s] soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)
Josh McDowell
The Last Generation
...
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
In an effort to enhance your worship experience and to grow from the Bible teaching we have each week, we have created a binder for sermon notes. We have an initial run of 100 binders available starting this week. They will be available for $5.00 in the Commons area.
Notetaking is a valuable tool which enhances your spiritual growth and worship experience. It has been well-said that the strongest mind is still weaker than the weakest ink. By coming prepared to take notes, you are...
Friday, September 04, 2009
Just thought I'd pass along these points of interest along to you.
What it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18
“spirit filled” means to walk relationally with God so closely that He reveals Himself in your life.
Bible Study = relationship time
Observation - “what does the passage SAY?”
Interpretation - “what does the passage MEAN?”
Application - “what does the ...
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
This is an important question for everyone in their personal walk with Jesus because we were created to worship Him with our lives. It is also an important question for the church at large because it is a source of conflict, debate, challenge, and even a place of innovation. It is an important question for FBC because we have two different styles of worship and are about to embark on a third service, which will be different by the nature of the service and its setting.
So what...
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
The Fall has begun and a praise the Lord! is definitely in order. We do not talk alot about numbers at FBC because we are not here for numbers,but for individual families. However, when you collect as many families as we have it is wonderful to stop and thank the Lord for how many families He is allowing us to touch.
Sunday August 23 was promotion Sunday. We had 950 in bible study(Sunday School). Sunday August 30 we had 900. Praise the Lord!
These are incredible numbers....
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
2 Timothy 2:15 states very clearly "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
If God were to show up today as your supervisor and inspect your Bible work, how would that go? Pretend He stands over your shoulder to watch you take a chapter from the Bible and study it - how would He grade you?
Let me ask you another way: God calls you and says, "Greg, tomorrow we are on to work through...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Promotion weekend was wonderful! I hope you and your family had an opportunity to enjoy some part of the family weekend this past weekend.
Friday night at the Travelers game was great fun and we had a chance to fellowship. I met a lot of new families and visitors and it was great to get together. Saturday morning was fun to be with the fellas at the trap shoot. We had a great crowd and fantastic bar-b-q!
Saturday evening and then again on Sunday morning our Youth got the...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
This Sunday evening we have an incredible ministry opportunity for you - join the FBC family as we come together to prayer walk each school campus that we touch in our ministry. We began this last year and hope to make it more than a church tradition. We hope to make it a church passion!
In Colossians 4:2-4, Paul strongly admonishes the church to "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying for us, that God would open to us a door for the...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
This Sunday we looked together at John 3:16 and saw how powerfully Jesus communicated God’s love to a man named Nicodemus. In the midst of their theological discussion together, Jesus pointedly told Nicodemus that God SO loved him, and the rest of the world’s people, that God gave Jesus to be the full and exact payment for sin.
It is so important to be reminded that God’s love is powerful. It is God’s love that draws people to Him. In fact, we know that at some...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Here are the steps for e-giving.
On the website click on the “resources” tab on the far right, it will bring up “giving” and go to the First Baptist Church e-giving page. The first time you will set-up a user name and password and sign the Authorization Agreement. You then click the “Go to My Organization’s E-giving Transaction Page” and proceed along the steps for making a transaction. There is a place for both General Budget giving and Foundations for the Future...
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Hello Church Family: These are exciting days as we approach the Fall. The smells of paint and carpet glue are in the air. Please take a moment to check out the progress of the on-going projects as you come to church this weekend. By next Sunday, the adult education wing will look completely different. It has been a joy to work with our Facilities Design Team and our lay teams that have worked on the various aspects of this project. We are blessed as a church to have some wonderfully gifted...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Hello FBC!
There is so much going on these days at First Baptist Church. It is truly exciting! In fact, there is so much going on that it is difficult to keep track of it all. That is why we have started this new blog - to stay in contact as much as possible.
Over the coming weeks, we will use our website to communicate much more effectively as a church family. I will post a blog every week in order to talk to you about what is happening at church and to praise the Lord for the...
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