Encourage: Advancing the Gospel
We encourage one another to advance the Gospel. With that sentence, I am stating the purpose of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma as we gather together for our annual business meeting. We are a partnership, a fellowship of churches working to spur one another on in the Lord’s work. The Lord’s work is the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul employs the idea of the advancement of the Good News of Jesus. “Now I want...
Encourage: Share your time, Nov. 12-13
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21). Amen. The apostle Paul wrote his letters in Greek, including the powerful prayer that closes the third chapter of Ephesians. Every word of the letter is in Greek except for one word, “Amen.” He...
Encourage: Prayerful voting
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Oklahomans have the opportunity to vote on many key issues. From candidates for various statewide offices to the state legislature to state questions, the 2018 midterm elections promise to be consequential. The significance of this moment should remind Christians of our opportunity—our duty—to exercise the right to vote. The right to vote was earned by the sacrifices of many men and women who came before us. This...
Encourage: Appreciating pastors
Since 1992, October has been designated as Pastor Appreciation Month. I graduated from seminary that year and began my fourth year of ministry as the pastor of a local church. I confess that this annual month of appreciation embarrassed me at first. I thought, lots of people have difficult jobs so why do pastors need a special dose of appreciation and encouragement? It seemed to me like we pastors were in need of coddling. Honestly,...
Encourage: What giving is
Everywhere I traveled this fall across Oklahoma, in churches big and small, I have discovered Oklahoma Baptists faithfully giving to the Edna McMillan State Missions Offering. I saw posters tacked on the bulletin boards, inserts tucked into worship folders and envelopes in the pews. I heard Women’s Missionary Union leaders challenging the church to give, pastors taking up the offering and promotional videos playing to explain the work...
Encourage: What I pray for our churches
Let me give you an idea of my preaching schedule for the months of September and October: Sentinel, First; Altus, First; Seminole, Indian Nations; Boise City, First; Guymon, First; Ramona, First; Ada, Morris Memorial; Skiatook, First; Red Oak, First; and Hinton, First. I have or will also preach for several associational meetings: Muskogee, Cimarron, Panhandle, Atoka-Coal, Pottawatomie-Lincoln, Enon, Northwestern, Central and Cherokee...
