6 Things I Learned at Gurus of Tech (by Josh Brown)

Two weeks ago I traveled (by car!) to Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois with a friend from church and two other men from a church in Avon Park, Florida. The purpose of the trip was to attend Gurus of Tech, a two-day conference for anyone serving in a technical, creative, or leadership role in any church. 

The Main Auditorium at Willow Creek seats over 7,000. We had an hour during the second day of the conference to explore. 

I am currently serving at Faith as a summer intern, working on things like the website and assisting with VBS, and I have been involved in our Mulitmedia Ministry for a quite a few years, focusing on whatever needs to be projected on the screen in the sanctuary. Below is a list of six things I learned or was reminded of at the conference.

1. Worship. One speaker asked the question, “Do you attend the church where you work?”. I must not let service in any ministry become an excuse for not participating in worship services or fellowshipping with other believers.
2. We are on the same team. Techs, Musicians, and Creative people don’t always think alike. These relationships take work, but they are so vital to ministry. Loyalty is key as well. As a team member of the multimedia team, I need to support anyone who is on the platform, whether that be with what is being projected or the sound that is coming through the speakers. It is my role to do what I can to help them present what they are presenting, in a way that they are not concerned with anything else and can focus. It is very important to realize and remember that we are all on the same team serving with the same purpose - to make much of God and point people to Him.
3. Perfect the basics. My first focus needs to be on the basics, even though they are usually not the fun stuff. If those are not perfected, adding more creative elements is useless. Minimizing distractions by careful and purposeful preparation is one of the most important things in multimedia ministry. We want people to remember what was taught from the Word of God and not a late microphone, a distracting presentation background, or a misspelled word.   
4. Stretch Yourself. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”. I should not just be doing the minimum required. I should be doing the best that I am capable of. I need to stretch myself even if it is not being required of me. In this case I am just referring to multimedia ministry, but this applies to every aspect of life.
5. Do Your Best. A statement was made during one of the main sessions that made a huge impact on me and I will not soon forget it. The speaker showed a picture from his church’s Christmas production, with all of its impressive lighting and staging and hours of rehearsal, and then showed a picture his four year old son had drawn and given to him. His point was no matter how much time, effort, or money we put into something – to God it looks like the drawing from the four year old. The four year old truly loved his Father and did his best to express his feelings. God wants our genuine best, whatever that may be.
6. Multimedia Team as a Community. We were challenged to show people that we care more about them than their gift or availability. It is good to get to know the people you serve alongside. It is also good to do things together that are unrelated to multimedia, like share a meal, or spend time together to fellowship. 

Mission Conference Recap & Highlights (by Stephen Simpson)

Some highlights from David Totman's Messages:

• Friday Night "Pursuing God"
• "The righteous pursue a relationship with God and enjoy its results." 
• "Can I describe my relationship with God as a 'pursuit?'"
• "The wise person chooses to 'plant' themselves near God.  The foolish person chooses the wisdom of the world and distances themselves far from God."
• The tree in Psalm 1 was planted 'intentionally' by the streams of water.  It was no accident.  
• "Being blessed is a result of choosing the right path.  There is a blessing that comes from choosing to place ourselves right next to God." 
• Sunday morning "The Power of Influence"
• "There is a lot of grey in our society today." 
• What are the major influences in my life?  We must be discerning about our sources of influence.
• The righteous person avoids sinful influences.
• The righteous person desires God's influence.
• "Is what is coming through your phone influencing you in a positive way?" 

Jeff & Becky Raymond

Jeff & Becky Raymond, Visual Communications Missionaries with ABWE

• The Raymonds help other missionaries communicate clearly and effectively with their supporters.  
• "Whatever God is asking you to do, He will give you everything you need to do it."  Becky Raymond (from the Sunday night Q & A)
• The Raymonds facilitate short-term mission assignments for professional photographers/videographers.  They will send them out to the field to help document a particular missionary or ministry. 
• Prayer Requests:
• Unsaved neighbors
• Strength to face spiritual battles
• visit their website - http://www.raymond.abwe.org/

Dan & Marsha Haynes

Dan & Marsha Haynes, Mali, FBM

• "Serving the Lord as a long-term career missionary is not a sacrifice.  It is an honor and a privilege."  Dan Haynes (from Sunday night Q & A)
• The Haynes have had a long and fruitful ministry in Mali.  
• Prayer Requests:
• With the unrest and unstable situation in Mali, the Haynes request prayer for clear direction for their future. 
• Malian Christians - That God would strengthen them during these difficult times. 

Dan & Sherri Lethers

Dan & Sherri Lethers, pre-field ministry, headed to Togo, ABWE

• Both Dan & Sherri worked at Word of Life.  It reminded me of the importance and value of summer camp.  Many individuals and saved and called into ministry at summer camp.
• Prayer Requests:
• The people of Togo
• That God would provide the resources to build the radio station in Togo
• That their family would thrive in Togo
• visit their website:  http://hoperadio.abwe.org/lethers-family

Other Highlights:

• Meeting Pastor Nouh, a persecuted Pastor from Mali - He spoke with so much passion and energy.



Pastor & Mrs. Nouh Yattara

• Spending time with Colin & Teena Ovenell, (www.beninbound.org) FBM Missionaries from Benin.  They were passing through Winter Haven on their way to their home in Washington state.  It was good to spend some face-to-face time with them and to hear about their ministry.

Colin & Teena Ovenell

2012 Mission Conference (by Jonita Barram)

The 2012 Missions Conference began Friday night. Chaplain John Murdoch opened the conference by preaching from Exodus 3 and 4. He pointed out how the shepherd’s rod Moses had in his hand (4:2) became “the rod of God” (4:20). He challenged everyone to use for God whatever He has placed in their hands. Read more about the Murdochs.

Saturday
The next day we ate breakfast with the missionaries. The delicious meal was prepared and served by men of the church and Beth Brown. Following the meal, Pastor Brock divided us into three groups, who rotated between the auditorium, the chapel, and the fellowship hall to meet with our missionaries.

Jim Blizzard and our own Jim Phillips and Sean Fielder talked about the partnership between Child Evangelism Fellowship and Faith’s FX program. All the local elementary schools that Jim Blizzard contacted about having after-school Good News Clubs turned him down. So FX busses kids from Westwood Middle School to the church as part of its ministry. Read more about Jim Blizzard.

Sunday
During the Sunday School hour, Chris and Diane Marine reported on the transition from their previous mission to Faith Baptist Mission. Read more about this transition. They also reported on their current ministry. Listen to their report.

(Chris & Diane Marine)

Sunday morning, Dr. Jim Jeffery, president of Baptist Bible College and Seminary, preached “Training Up Timothys.” He defined missions as “the extension of Christ’s redemptive mandate in this world.” He said,

“The work of the church today is to extend that message to the entire world ... If you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ and you are not in some way involved in fulfilling that mandate [Acts 1:8], then you’re totally missing what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.” Listen to “Training Up Timothys.”

(Dr. Jim Jeffery)

Sunday evening, Pastor Brock questioned the missionaries. We learned what Scripture verse or passage has most impacted each missionary’s life (the book of Romans won), what each one enjoys most about ministry (people), and the biggest discouragement faced daily in ministry (various answers). Curt Jones and John Murdoch told how God led them from the pastorate into their current ministries, and several shared stories of how they personally have seen the gospel change a life. Listen to the Q&A time.

The Kids Conference
Lisa Brock, Kelly Hill, Jennifer Taylor, Jim Taylor, Buzz Rutenbar, and Helen VanHorn led the kids conference. Kids had to follow clues that uncovered passages of Scripture and application. Buzz appeared as Detective Herlock Sholmes, and Jim as Tick Dracy. Buzz says,

“The message was that, little as the kids are, God has put something in their hands. As they grow, they should look for what that is.”

(Buzz Rutenbar aka 'Herlock Sholmes')

 Helen taught an object lesson Friday night, using 25 different styles of gloves as the objects. She pointed out that a glove has no value until someone puts it on. She encouraged the children to put themselves into the things that interest them, and use them for God.

The next day the kids enjoyed singing and skits put on by young adults, as well as their own round robin. Three classrooms were spectacularly decorated to match the missionaries’ countries. Lisa Brock taught the children about Chaplain Murdoch’s ministry, Kelly Hill talked about CEF, and Jennifer Taylor taught about China.

Pastor Brock, says the conference reached the goal of encouraging people—even kids—to use their gifts to minister the gospel in local areas and around the world.

Other Posts from the 2012 Mission Conference:

• 2012 Mission Conference Recap & Reflections (by Stephen Simpson)
• 2012 Mission Conference Report (by Jonita Barram)
• 2012 Mission Conference - Chaplain John Murdoch
• 2012 Mission Conference - Jim Blizzard & CEF

2012 Mission Conference - Jim Blizzard and CEF (by Jonita Barram)

(Jim Blizzard)

A native Floridian, Jim Blizzard is a husband and the father of two sons and a baby daughter. He grew up in a family with many generations of vocational Christian workers. He shared his session with Jim Phillips and Sean Fielder.

Jim Phillips is chairman of the local CEF committee and serves as treasurer. He told how he often cannot pay the local CEF staff on time. In spite of that, Jim Blizzard enthusiastically pursues sharing the gospel with the 167,000 children of Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.

Sean Fielder told about the partnership between CEF and FX. Since CEF cannot hold clubs in local schools, Faith Baptist’s FX and CEF have worked with Westwood Middle School to pick up children after school and bus them to the church for a club time.

Jim Blizzard told us a little about CEF in general—how its purpose is to evangelize, disciple, and establish children. Through CEF’s various clubs and outreaches, 11 million children a year hear the gospel of Christ. Schools in the Winter Haven area have declined Jim’s requests to hold Good News Clubs in their facilities, but a public school in nearby Alturas has requested a Good News Club. Jim challenged Faith members to prayerfully consider accepting this opportunity for outreach.

Jim’s heart for children and dedication to his mission are obvious. In the Q&A Sunday night, he told about leading his two young sons to salvation in Jesus Christ. They had heard the gospel repeatedly through Jim’s use of the Wordless Book. This is a tool that anyone can have “in [their] hands” and use for God’s glory—here in Polk County or around the world.

Other Posts from the 2012 Mission Conference:

• 2012 Mission Conference Recap & Reflections (by Stephen Simpson)
• 2012 Mission Conference Report (by Jonita Barram)
• 2012 Mission Conference - Chaplain John Murdoch
• 2012 Mission Conference - Jim Blizzard & CEF

2012 Mission Conference - Chaplain John Murdoch (by Jonita Barram)

(Chaplain John Murdoch)

The 2012 Annual Missions Conference began Friday night, Feb. 24, with Chaplain John Murdoch speaking. He also presented his ministry at the Saturday-morning round robin and took part in the Sunday-night question-and-answer time. So, over three days, we learned that he was a youth pastor when he joined the Civil Air Patrol (the volunteer U.S. Air Force Auxiliary). Over the years, he earned the rank of full colonel in the CAP. That’s why he is called “Col. Murdoch” and wears a colonel’s uniform.

But his ministry today goes beyond being a CAP chaplain. He is the director of the Regular Baptist Chaplaincy, a ministry of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. In his role as director, he

“ministers to the needs of Regular Baptist chaplaincy families and communicates to churches the challenges of outreach through military, institutional, and community service chaplaincy.”

Chaplain Murdoch’s sense of humor and stories make him easy to listen to. On Friday night he shared a three-point outline from Exodus 4, the text for the conference theme, “What Is That in Your Hand?” He talked about (God’s) Plan, (Moses’) Problems, and the Proclaimer. He showed us how God used what Moses had in his hand—his shepherd’s rod (vv. 2–16)—and how it became “the rod of God” to accomplish God’s plan. Chaplain Murdoch reminded us that God can use whatever we have in our hands, even something as humble as a shepherd’s rod.

During the round robin, Chaplain Murdoch explained how in the U.S. military, he is a civilian representative of a faith group (the GARBC) and is endowed by the Department of Defense with the authority of a general. But because he is really a civilian, the responsibility for his finances lies with his faith group, not with the U.S. military or government. Part of his job is to help chaplains “minister cooperatively without compromise.” In a sense, he is their pastor. His role with churches is liaison between them and the chaplains on behalf of soldiers. But John’s ministry is not limited to the military chaplaincy. He also oversees and ministers to institutional and community-service chaplains.

In addition to sharing God’s Word and his ministry, Col. Murdoch brought his wife, Hope, and he sang for us. Sunday night he sang the much-requested “God Bless the USA.” Chaplain Murdoch has a website, where you can read about his ministry.

Other Posts from the 2012 Mission Conference:

• 2012 Mission Conference Recap & Reflections (by Stephen Simpson)
• 2012 Mission Conference Report (by Jonita Barram)
• 2012 Mission Conference - Chaplain John Murdoch
• 2012 Mission Conference - Jim Blizzard & CEF

2012 Mission Conference Recap & Reflections (by Stephen Simpson)

(Diane & Chris Marine)

We recently concluded our annual Mission Conference.   Here are some quotes and highlights from the weekend.

• Chaplain John Murdoch, GARBC Chaplaincy Ministries
• "If God calls your kids to serve him, don't get in the way!"
• "When Satan brings up your past - bring up his future." - Chaplain John Murdoch
• "God hasn't asked us to be successful.  He has asked us to be faithful."
     
• Jim Blizzard, Local Director, Child Evangelism Fellowship
• There are 144,000 children under the age of 18 in Polk County.
• 81% of these children have no church affiliation
• The crime rate in Winter Haven is WAY above both the national and state averages
• 85% of those who come to Christ do so between ages 4-14. 
• "A child of 5 if properly instructed, can as readily believe and be regenerated as anyone." - Charles Spurgeon
     
• Conference Audio
• "Training Up Timothys" - by Dr. Jim Jeffery, President, Baptist Bible College & Seminary
• Missionary Report - by Chris Marine, West Africa Field Administer for FBM
• Missionary Q & A - Here are some of the questions our missionaries answered during the Q & A session.
• What Scripture has most impacted your life?
• What do you enjoy most about your ministry?
• What is the biggest discouragement that you face daily in the ministry?
• How did God move you from pastoring a church to your current ministries?
• Share a brief story where you have seen the Gospel change a life.

Other Posts from the 2012 Mission Conference:

• 2012 Mission Conference Recap & Reflections (by Stephen Simpson)
• 2012 Mission Conference Report (by Jonita Barram)
• 2012 Mission Conference - Chaplain John Murdoch
• 2012 Mission Conference - Jim Blizzard & CEF

My Random Thoughts on the 2011 Ligonier Conference (by Peter Brock)

Steve Lawson (Ligonier Ministries)

• Steve Lawson again confirmed that he is my favorite expository preacher.
• John Piper's insights into God's Word humble and convict me.
• The bookstore at the conference is wwaaaaayyyyy too tempting. That said, I did purchase the Valley of Vision on CD read by Max McLean.
• I really need to read more Jonathan Edwards.
• I love the term "narthex".
• First Baptist Church of Orlando does a great job of hosting the conference.
• Satan's attack on the holiness of God is directed through the degradation of His Word. - Lawson
• I'm planning to get the books mentioned by the Lawson, Godfrey, Ferguson and Sproul Jr. on Thursday night.
• C.S. Lewis - The Great Divorce
• John Owen - Communion with God, vol. 2
• Thomas Watson - A Body of Divinity
• Iain Murray - The Forgotten Spurgeon
• Arnold Dallimore - Biography of George Whitfield
• I need to again evaluate the foundation of my joy.
• Singing Holy, Holy, Holy on Saturday morning moved me.
• I need to read C.S. Lewis', The Weight of Glory.
• I also need to drink smaller cups of coffee before John Piper speaks.
• Found some great resources from the displays.
• The Elisha Foundation
• The Master's Academy International
• "God makes much of us by making us fellow heirs with His Son, Who owns everything." - Piper

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in love and purity.

30 Truths from the 2011 Ligonier National Conference (by Stephen Simpson)

John Piper & RC Sproul (Ligonier Ministries)

I just returned from the 2011 Ligonier National Conference.  My heart is full.  My soul has been lifted.  My brain is bursting at the seams.  Allow me to share 30 truths that I came home with.  Some of these may seem obvious.  Others may not make any sense at all.  Either way, they all made an impression on me and may prove beneficial for you.

1. Our doctrine of God informs all of our other doctrinal beliefs.  (RC Sproul)
2. Our holy God has an unholy opponent.  His attack is against the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture.  (Steve Lawson)
3. We are not free to alter or change the Word of God.  We are God's messengers - not God's editors.  (Lawson)
4. There is no good news (salvation) without bad news (sin & judgment).  (Lawson)
5. If Jesus was not fully human, then He would not be fit to be our Savior.  He would be a Super-man and not a Saving-man.  (Sinclair Ferguson)
6. Jesus died, not only for the guilt of our sins, but also for the shame of our sins.  (Ferguson)
7. Jesus is still the God-man and will continue to be so throughout all eternity.  (Ferguson)
8. "Let this cup pass from me" was a perfectly holy request of Jesus.  It would have been unholy for Jesus to have desired divine separation from Almighty God.  (Ferguson)
9. When Jesus was crying out "My God, my God, Why have you forsaken me" God was softly saying "If ever I loved thee, My Jesus 'tis now." (Ferguson)
10. The most powerful preacher in the pulpit is the Calvinist Expositor who is also an Evangelist.  (Lawson)
11. Lawson on Preaching:  Read the text.  Explain the text.  Apply the text.  Have a short porch to a long house.  (ie.  have a short introduction to a long sermon)
12. If there ever was time when there was nothing, then the only thing that would be here not is nothing. (Sproul)
13. Whatever suffering we are called to endure is for God's glory and our sanctification.  (RC Sproul Jr.)
14. God does not simply 'allow' us to suffer.  He goes 'shopping' for us and chooses what suffering we will experience.  He chooses to bless us with suffering because He has a single-minded purpose of making us more like Jesus Christ.  (Sproul Jr.)
15. The current trend is to make the church just like the world.  Instead, we should pattern our worship after the worship in heaven (Rev. 4:1-8).  (Lawson)
16. We must plumb the depths of Scripture to reach the heights of heaven.  (Lawson)
17. In today's church, we try to remove the fear of God instead of instilling it and preaching it.  (Lawson)
18. The unwasted life lives to show that Jesus is more precious than life.  (John Piper)
19. The value of God's glory is reflected in the degree to which I treasure and enjoy it.  God doesn't get any glory if I find Him boring.  (Piper)
20. Since Eden, we have all been cosmic fugitives seeking places to hide from God.  (Sproul)
21. God is only honored by our emotions when they are rooted in truth.  (from a Q & A with Sproul & Piper)
22. John Piper on Missions:  There are only 3 kinds of people - Goers, Senders, & the Disobedient.
23. More Piper on Missions:  There are no closed countries.  You can always get in - you just can't always get out.
24. Too often we think that we are pleasing God when in reality we are only pleasing ourselves.  (Robert Godfrey)
25. The holiest people on earth only have a small beginning in the obedience that God commands.  (Godfrey)
26. It is evil to not pursue joy in God. (Piper)
27. There is no perfect theology - only a perfect book.  (Piper)
28. 'Feeling' loved by God when you are not 'Savingly' loved by God is a very dangerous thing.  (Piper)
29. Our hearts are desire-factories.  (Piper)
30. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.  (Piper)

7 Reflections on the 2011 Mission Conference

Our 2011 Mission Conference has come and gone.  Here are 7 reflections I have on the conference.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed the Sunday evening Q & A session.  It was exciting to watch the interaction between the 'seasoned' missionaries and the Faith's 100 potentials.  I just wish it could have been longer.  I felt like there were so many questions left unanswered.
2. With all of the focus on Faith's 100 at this year's conference, I would like to see a future conference devoted exclusively to Faith's 100.  
3. It is difficult to listen to a presentation about Shepherds Ministries and not get emotional.  Thank God for the ministry of Shepherds.
4. Hannah Osborne's video presenting her trip to Door of Hope Orphanage in South Africa was heart-wrenching.  It is hard to fathom that there are places in the world where babies are abandoned in trash piles. 
5. I am looking forward to the future Sunday service when I will be able to hear David Nyeholt's and Hannah Wilkins's presentations.  
6. Saturday morning's breakfast was outstanding!  What a joy it will be to hold next year's Mission Conference breakfast in our new gym!!
7. The messages by Rick Piatt and Kent Craig were outstanding.  They challenged my thinking.

Are You an Overspending Under-Sacrificing Christian? (by Jonathan Reiner)

Jonathan & Jenny Reiner, J.D., Jakey, Juleah, Jillian

As I have been thinking about our Mission Conference I remembered a message from our 2006 Mission Conference that was preached by Jonathan Reiner, missionary to Brazil.  He preached a convicting message entitled Investing in Eternity:  The Overspending Under-Sacrificing Christian.  His sermon was taken from Acts 5 - the passage on Ananias and Sapphira.  You can listen to his message on our website.

There were three main points to his message:

1. Their (Ananias and Sapphira) plan to cheat God
2. Their partner in crime against God
3. Their punishment carried our by God

I challenge you to listen to the message and then ask yourself, "Am I an overspending under-sacrificing Christian?"

Missions Conference 2011

This year's Missions Conference at Faith is schedule for Feb. 25-27. In addition to Bill Stevens from Shepherds Ministries in Union Grove, WI, and John and Beabea Rogers from Evangelical Baptist Missions, the potential future of Faith's 100 will be presented throughout the weekend.

The young people involved with the Faith's 100 track are Chrissy Acree, Nathan Brock, Matthew DelValle, Cody Hancock, Dakota Hancock, David Nyeholt, Hannah Osborne, Greg Staudinger, and Hannah Wilkins. They will be involved in the Saturday morning round robin sessions.

• Hannah Osborne will report on her 6-month ministry to Door of Hope Orphanage in South Africa
• David Nyeholt will report on his trip to Niamey, Niger
• Hannah Wilkins will report on her ministry at KCAM in Glenallen, Alaska. (Last fall, Hannah wrote a report on her trip for the blog. Read it here.)

It will be a great opportunity for you to see what the Lord is doing in and through our young people.

The missionaries will also be sharing in the round robin sessions on Saturday morning as well as teaching in SS classes. All of the missionaries will be involved in a Q & A session on Sunday evening as well. Speakers at this year's conference are Dr. Rick Piatt on Friday evening and Kent Craig (with ABWE) in both of the Sunday morning services.

Why attend this year's conference?
Because God is advancing His Kingdom at Faith Baptist Church, in our country, and around the world. Each of us needs to be challenged from the Word of God and by the lives of those who serve Him daily.

Declare His Glory Among the Nations (by Matthew DelValle)

In light of our upcoming Mission Conference, February 25-27, I asked Matthew to write an article centered around our theme verse.  Read it and make plans to join us for this exciting conference!

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.” ~ Psalm 96:3-4

The Purpose of Missions
The ultimate focus of missions is not the people but the glory of God. Our desire to exalt the worth of God is the purpose of missions because God’s desire is to exalt the worth of God. The ultimate goal of God is not missions; it is worship. It is the glad-hearted praises of God’s people in response to the all-satisfying experience of God’s glory. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.”

Nothing is more ultimate in the mind of God than the glory of God because nothing is more valuable in the heart of God than the glory of God. All throughout the Bible, when the ultimate purpose is given for why God does what He does, the answer God always gives is: “For my glory.” Missions is no different.

Since the glory of God is the goal of God, and we glorify God most fully when we worship Him, worship therefore is the goal of God in missions. Worship is ultimate, not man, because God is ultimate, not man. God’s purpose in missions is for His glory and marvelous works to be proclaimed. That is His goal—to exalt the worth of His own name.

And amazingly, the glorification and exaltation of God and our enjoyment of God are unified goals. The reasoning goes like this:

• Our life’s purpose is to pursue what is best.
• It is evil for us not to pursue what is best.
• God’s purpose is to pursue what is best.
• It is evil for God not to pursue what is best.
• What is best is God in all His glory.
• Therefore, God does everything for the glory of God.
• Therefore, our purpose in life is to do everything for the glory of God.

  
This is good news. When we stand before God one day and see Him in the fullness of His glory, it is then that our joy will be complete. The Psalmist nailed it right on the head: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11). God’s glory and our fullness of joy are twin truths.

This is why the gospel message is so shareable: we are calling people to joy! “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” (Ps. 97:1). “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the people praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy!” (Ps. 67:3-4). “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, ‘God is great!’ ” (Ps. 70:4). The goal of missions is for all peoples to gladly say with worshipful tongues, “God is great!” This is the purpose of missions.

The Pattern of Missions
This purpose, however, isn’t carried out just any way. God has a specific pattern by which He will bring Himself glory. When the Bible says to declare God’s glory among the nations—or peoples, or tribes, or tongues—it has something very specific in mind. It does not mean individual people. Nor does it mean political nations or geographic regions. It means types of people. It means Anglo-Saxons and Puerto Ricans and Cherokees and Shirazi Swahilis and Tutsi South Africans and the Dinka of Sudan. There are clans, tribes, and families—otherwise known as people groups.

A people group is basically an ethnolinguistic group with a common self-identity that is shared by the various members. Or, to say it in plain English, they are their own people, and they have their own language. There are about 16,000 such known people groups in the world, and in about 6,000 of those the local church or churches are either totally absent or exist so weakly that there isn’t a self-sustaining base from which evangelism can take place.

That is why the task of missions is so necessary. Missions is the effort to cross into those cultures, learn those languages, meet those peoples, and reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is interested in saving all kinds of people, not just the people we like. All kinds of people. Therefore, the missionary focus is not on individual people but on kinds of people. This is the heart of God, and it should be ours as well.

The Promise of Missions
The purpose and pattern of missions is to “declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” (Ps. 96:3). This is a command from God Himself to us. Participating in missions is not optional. It is our duty. That is reason enough to join this holy endeavor of reaching all peoples with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But perhaps the most compelling and motivating truth to participate in missions is this unshakable promise: we cannot lose. The mission cannot fail. The blood of Christ guarantees it. Revelation 5:9 says it like this, “And they [the heavenly host] sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you [Jesus] to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’”

There are blood-bought people in every people group throughout the world. They will not be lost. Jesus never loses on His purchases. These ransomed people scattered around this globe must be gathered into one. Jesus said it Himself: “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd” (John 10:16). Christ will bring all His sheep into the fold. It will happen folks. Mark it down.

One of the fundamental differences between evangelism and missions is that evangelism can never be finished. There will always be unsaved people to whom we can speak the gospel. But missions can be finished—and it will. Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

The end of all things will not come until all the peoples of the world are reached with the gospel of Jesus Christ—not all people, but all kinds of people. It will happen; the gospel will be proclaimed to all peoples. Jesus insures it. “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20). The question for us is simply this: are we on board with Him? Are we passionate to see the gospel win and to declare God’s glory among the nations? Do we want others to taste and see that the Lord is good? (Ps. 34:8).

The Greatest Movement in History
The greatest truth we can ever know, love, and share is the good news of Jesus Christ. Our greatest privilege as the church of Christ is to engage with the King of glory in His great missionary cause. The ingathering of God’s people from every corner of the globe into one holy congregation is the greatest movement in history.

When it is all over the entire company of the redeemed will gather as one around the throne of God and sing praises forever to the Lamb who was slain on our behalf: “Worthy are you, Lamb of God. To you be all glory and blessing” (cf. Rev. 5:9-14). And then the purposes of God will be complete, as will our everlasting joy. Truly, our Lord is great and greatly to be praised!

Summer Camp at Camp Gilead, Sproul on Creation, & Desiring God's 2011 Pastor's Conference

It's time for another edition of Headlines - our monthly collection of links from around the web.
 

• Camp Gilead has posted their 'dates and rates' for Summer Camp 2011.  Check it out!
• I found it interesting to read about RC Sproul's position on Creation.  "I now hold to a literal six-day creation"
• Desiring God recently held its 2011 Pastor's Conference.  All of the sessions are available in video and audio.  What a blessing the ministry of Desiring God is!  My annual habit is to download the sermons to my ipod and then slowly work my way through them.  One highlight is always John Piper's biographical sermon.  This year he spoke about Robert Murray McCheyne.

  
Past editions of Headlines:

• Bible Reading, Frozen Baptisms, & eJournals
• Headlines - December's Links
• Headlines - November's Links
• Headlines - October's Links

Book Review - Singing and Making Music

Singing and Making Music:  Issues in Church Music Today

Paul S. Jones

P & R Publishing Company, 2006

This past summer, Pastor Brock and I went to the Ligonier National Conference in Orlando.  During the conference they setup a large bookstore and then scheduled large blocks of ‘free time’ during the day when we could browse and fight the temptation of covetousness :)

Needless to say, I succumbed to the temptation and bought a few books.  One of those books was Singing and Making Music:  Issues in Church Music Today.  I had never heard of this book, but as I picked it up and perused it, immediately my interest was piqued.  It is a book filled with essays that deal with various theological and practical issues in church music.  It is the kind of book that you can jump in and out of.  Each chapter can stand alone, allowing you the freedom to browse the table of contents and then jump right to the specific issue that you are interested in.

I need to say a word about the author.  Paul S. Jones is the Organist and Music Director at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.  Presbyterian church music is very different from GARBC church music.  There is nothing inherently wrong with this.  They have their traditions and we have ours.   It is just helpful to keep in mind that Dr. Jones writes from this perspective. 

There are total of 31 chapters/essays.  Some of the chapters that I enjoyed the most were:

• Applause:  For Whom Are You Clapping?
• Leading in Worship as Accompanist
• Authenticity in Corporate Worship Music
• Service Music:  What’s It All About?
• Hymns in Your Church
• Teaching Children Music at Church
• Music in the Small Church:  Where Do We Go From Here?

Authenticity in Worship

By far, the chapter that stuck with me long after I finished the book was the chapter on Authenticity in Worship.  This chapter stretched my thinking.  I am still wrestling with some of the arguments made by the author.  Dr. Jones argued that much of what passes for church music today is inauthentic.  “In church music, at times one encounters false performances, fake instruments, and even phony worship.”  He specifically argued against Inauthentic Performance, Inauthentic Instruments, and Inauthentic Worshipers.

• Inauthentic Performance, wrote Jones, includes the use of prerecorded music and accompaniment tracks.  He argued that this is “like hiring an agency to worship in our stead.” 
• According to Jones, Inauthentic Instruments are any non-acoustic instruments.  Some examples would include electric guitars, keyboards, electronic organs, etc. 
• Inauthentic Worshipers include you and me whenever sin reigns in our lives.  We must fight the danger of being an inauthentic worshiper every Sunday. 

Now, before we jump to any quick conclusions, Dr. Jones did admit that, due to financial constraints, his church uses an electronic organ (an inauthentic instrument).  He presented his arguments as a best case scenario which all churches should strive towards.  For example, a church without an accompanist should not just resolve itself to the use of accompaniment tracks.  While it uses accompaniment tracks, it should fervently pray for an accompanist.  It should seek to train someone from within the church to be an accompanist.  It should possibly even consider hiring an accompanist. 

This chapter forced me to evaluate my own beliefs and convictions in regards to corporate church music.  He presented arguments that I have not heard before and am still trying to process.  I was challenged to set my standards and expectations higher instead of looking for the easy or popular path.

I highly recommend this book to you.  It is a book that is easy to read.  I anticipate returning to this book from time to time.  While I don't agree (and doubt that you will either) with everything the author wrote, the vast majority of what he wrote was helpful and practical.  It is available at Westminster Bookstore or Amazon.

Reflections from the CBM National Conference (by Stephen Simpson)

Over Labor Day weekend I had the privilege of leading the congregational singing at the CBM (Children’s Bible Ministries) National Conference. The conference was held at Camp Gilead and marked the 75th anniversary of CBM. Pastor Osborne was there as well doing the preaching in all of the main sessions.

Children's Bible Ministries
CBM was started in 1935 by a man named Walter Jensen. It has grown from a small camp in Polk City, FL to encompass ministries in Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. (Click here for a listing of all of their ministries/camps)  Its ministries focus on Summer Camps, Released Time/After-school Bible clubs, and Bible Correspondence Lessons.

One of the highlights of the conference was hearing the reports from the various ministries. Time and time again we heard fascinating testimonies of God’s provision. CBM missionaries told of land, facilities, labor, and money all being graciously provided by God. It was so encouraging to see God working all across the country.

It was also staggering to consider the number of children that are ministered to by these various ministries. Thousands of children are taught the Bible each month through Released Time classes. Thousands more attend one of the summer camps each summer. Praise the Lord – many children have been saved through these ministries. 

Substitute Song Leader
The usual song leader for these National Conferences was unable to attend this year and so I was asked to ‘fill-in.’ My assignment was to lead the congregation in singing during each of the sessions. Normally, this would not be a difficult or daunting assignment. However, I had to play the piano and lead the congregation at the same time – a new experience for me.

To prepare for the conference, I selected roughly 20 or so songs and began to practice singing while playing. My thought was to have a collection of songs ready for use and then just plug them in throughout the conference as they are needed.  I made many mistakes, but I trust the Lord still used the songs to speak to the hearts of those who were there.

Here is a list of the songs we ended up singing:

• Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)
• And Can It Be?
• As Long As You Are Glorified – I sang this as a solo during one of the sessions
• Be Thou My Vision
• Great is Thy Faithfulness – Conference Theme
• How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
• How Great Thou Art
• In Christ Alone
• It is Well With My Soul
• The Power of the Cross
• The Solid Rock
• To God Be the Glory
• Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Conclusion
CBM is a unique ministry. No two ministries within CBM are exactly alike. Some are well-established. Others are just beginning. Some have large staffs. Others have just a few. The one area in which they are all alike is that God has used each ministry for His glory. May God bless CBM with another 75 years of faithful ministry.

2010 Missions Conference - Taking the Word to the World

We invite you to join us for our 2010 Missions Conference on February 26-28, 2010. Our theme, Taking the Word to the World, comes from 2 Corinthians 5:20a, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ." (ESV)

Our speakers include:

• Gil & Denise Thomas, Director of Good Soil Evangelism & Discipleship (ABWE)
• Chris & Deb Hindal, Director of International Ministries for the GARBC
• Leon Fisher, Paraclete Ministries (EBM)

Conference Schedule:

Friday, February 26th

• 7pm service - Gil Thomas
  

Saturday, February 27th

• 8am ~ Breakfast followed by round robin sessions with the missionaries

Sunday, February 28th

• 8am Service - Leon Fisher
  
• Sunday School with the Missionaries
• 10:30am Service - Chris Hindal
  
• 6pm Service - Leon Fisher
• Fellowship time with the missionaries after the evening service

Special Note: There will also be a special Kids Konference running during our Missions Conference for the children. More details to follow.