Beginning with our Roots
by Dale on Jan.12, 2012, under Church, Discipleship
Every Baptist ought to know why he is a Baptist, and to know it from the specific command of
God’s Word. Not to have such knowledge is for our churches to be harmed in every way.
–George W. Truett, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, 1897-1944
Terry Parker Baptist Church is hosting our next Oasis Conversation at 5:00PM on Sunday, January 15th “Who Are Southern Baptists”. Pastor Howard and I have been talking about Southern Baptist distinctives for years and the conversation never grows old for we belong to a changing denomination.
This past summer we initiated the permanent addition of “Meet Southern Baptist” as a brief segment in our BodyLife
Journey Workshop. This Sunday’s conversation is an expansion of that segment and we invite you to join us. We intend to address questions regarding: “What makes us Baptist? And “Why Southern?” “What is ‘Soul Competency’ or ‘Priesthood of the Believer’?” “What is the Cooperative Program?” as well as any questions that are raised during our
conversation.
An excellent resource for our conversation can be found on the internet in a series of published articles regarding “Baptist Distinctives” at http://baptistdistinctives.org
This will provide some general background information to which we will speak more directly to the relationship of Terry Parker Baptist Church to the Arlington community
as well as to other churches within the Jacksonville Baptist Association the Florida Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention and its agencies.
Blessings!
+Dale
The Role of Pastor in Discipleship Development
by Dale on Dec.03, 2011, under Church, Discipleship, Life, Morality
It seems that the most difficult thing I’ve encountered in the past few years is in finding or creating the circumstances with which I may move individuals or the congregation along a path of missional engagement. We lay claim to a supernatural experience yet continue to exhibit rather natural responses to the circumstances in which we find ourselves; where’s the kingdom? …and the power? …and the glory?
Several of my atheist friends express disdain, even anger with Christian mores because they observe people who claim to be Christians and condemn others’ moral flaws while failing to live up to similar standards themselves. People who condemn sins for which they have little or no temptation and then fail at such basic virtues as honesty, fidelity, humility, etc. They are far too numerous and nonchalant regarding their faith for anyone to seriously believe they have any.
As we give consideration to this notion of “Discipleship Development,” perhaps it’s worth re-stating that it is in the development of certain disciplines that the Holy Spirit works in the life of a Christian; such that he, or she, becomes more like Christ Jesus. If this process is not at work, then it is questionable whether or not there is any basis for believing such a person is being transformed by the Spirit of God for the lack of ways that reflect the kingdom, as well as the power, and the glory.
