Pastor’s Blog – July-August 2022

I certainly pray that all who take time to read this blog for July-August 2022 are doing well and living in the full joy and peace of a saving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. That is certainly our heartfelt prayer for all people with whom we have contact as we seek to bring the Great Commitment to our community and throughout the world. We live in an age when the mission of the church is increasingly compromised by other forces. While we are certainly called to do all we can to improve the conditions of this world, our core mission is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to bear upon a lost and sinful world. Each of us, individually and collectively as a church family, must take inventory of how we are working to fulfill the true mission of the church. Are we living for Jesus Christ? Are we good stewards of our time, talents, and resources as we invest in the mission of the church? Do we share the Good News with those around us in both word and in deed? Are we concerned about the spiritual, as well as the physical and emotional, welfare and health of those we know? Are we willing to support missions beyond our own church, neighborhood, and community by investing financial resources, engaging in regular prayer for missions and those following the Lord’s leadership into missions work, and advocating for the cause of missions in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8b)?

 Yes, we must heed the call to carry out the Great Commission. The Great Commission must be coupled with the following of the Great Commandment. In Mark 12:30, Jesus stated that we are to: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Then he expanded this commandment by adding: “Love your neighbor as yourself! There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:31). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated this imperative: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Jesus presented the love commandment, in its totality including the love of enemies, as an absolute requisite of the Christian faith. 

If we do not carry out the Great Commission in the spirit of love as required in the Great Commandment, our work will not fulfill its full potential as Jesus intends. How can we effectively share the Gospel to bring the masses into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, if our image is one of being self-righteous, judgmental, negative, prejudiced toward those who are not like us, and being known for what we are against rather than what we are for. If we show no love and compassion for those who are less fortunate, how can we effectively witness for Jesus? If we treat the “least of these” (Matthew 25) with indifference and even cruelty, do we really have any credibility if we espouse to be Christ followers? If we are racist and mistreat our fellow human beings as second- or third-class citizens because of their race or ethnicity or language, are we really showing that in Jesus Christ we are all one and the same? If we fail to practice the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our everyday living, then our Christian witness is of questionable effectiveness. 

In Galatians 3:26-28, we read these important words that should guide us in our relations with other people: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you all one in Christ Jesus.” Here is the bottom line, my friends – we either believe these words or we do not! As we seek to carry out the Great Commission, let us be certain that we do so as we follow the Great Commandment and that we heed the words in Galatians 3:26-28. There is no other acceptable path if we are to carry out the mission of the church in the 21st century. 

Pastor’s Blog – May-June 2022

Since preparing my last pastoral bimonthly blog, there have been several events globally as well as important dates and observances coming up during the months of May and June. Therefore, I want to share a few thoughts on several items in this column. I pray that you will find it of interest and applicable in your own Christian walk. Here are those items on my mind – not in any particular order:  

• Ukraine: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has captured our attention and brought more unity to the west European alliances, of which our country is a part, than at any point since the end of the Cold War in the 1990’s. The atrocities and genocide that are going on in Ukraine should concern all people who are of our faith and who love freedom and liberty. The spirit and determination of the Ukrainian people, in the face of great odds against them, should inspire us all. The work of our fellow Baptists, including the faithfulness of those Baptists and other Christians in Ukraine, is an example for us to follow. May we continue to pray for Ukraine, as well as for the people of Russia, for the leaders of all the nations involved, and that peace will prevail resulting in the continuation of Ukraine as a democratic country and one where the rights of all people are observed.

• Nigeria: We should not forget the plight of Christians and others in Nigeria, and other parts of Africa and the world, who are undergoing great persecution and violence because of their Christian faith by radical Islamists and other extremists and governmental dictates – and the violence is not limited to just Christians although they are the most persecuted by terrorist attacks, kidnapping of young girls and young men, and interference with the right of many to practice their faith in a safe and open manner. May we continue to pray for the church in Nigeria and for any other faiths and groups who are being persecuted and attacked.

• Persecuted Church: Persecution against Christians, as well as other faiths in some cases, continues across the world. In Russia, it is the Russian Orthodox Church and the Putin government that limits the freedom of other faiths, including non-Russian Orthodox groups to proselytize. In China, the persecution against the Christian church, as well as against Moslem Uighurs in Xinjiang, is increasing. In India, Hindu nationalists are attacking Christians and Moslem minorities. In Cuba Christian churches, including Baptists, are denied full freedom of religion. In North Korea all religions, including Christianity, are severely restricted and persecuted because Kim Jong Un, the dictator, and his predecessors (his father and grandfather) are considered divine beings. The list goes on where human beings, created in the image of God, are being denied the right to worship their God. And in some cases, they live in fear for their lives.

• Pandemic: We are grateful that the pandemic seems to be about over – at least in our state and region. Except for medical offices and hospitals, most COVID-19 protections have been lifted as mandatory and are followed now as voluntary. That is our position at Saloma Baptist Church. We want our people to feel comfortable if they choose to continue wearing masks, and we are continuing to generally restrain from hugging and such. COVID-19 will likely be with us from this point forward – as evidenced by the general state of crisis in China where major cities are completely shut down – much more onerous being taken than anything we have experienced in our country even at the height of COVID-19. We should stay aware of the virus, pray for those families who have lost loved ones to the virus (nearly one million Americans and 130 Taylor Countians at last report). We are emerging from the depths of a once in a century global pandemic, and we should thanks to God for seeing us through to a “new normal.” Things will not be the same – but there are opportunities resulting. Thanks be to God for seeing us through the pandemic.

• Our Families and Homes: The months of May and June bring attention to the importance of Christian parenting, families, and homes. May 8 is Mother’s Day followed by Father’s Day on June 19. Both days remind us of the importance of parenting in 2022 and beyond. This is also a time when we celebrate our graduates at various levels – especially those leaving high school and college. They are entering into new periods of life and new adventures, increased independence, and responsibility, making decisions that impact them for the rest of their lives, and hopefully carrying Jesus with them in all situations and circumstances. Join us during these two months to pray specifically for our parents, children and youth, graduates, and all who are impacting the lives of others in the church and community. From the traditional two parent family to those who are single parent households to those grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, we give God praise for your commitment to God and family as we join in praying for and ministering to the family. God bless you.

• The Lost/Unchurches/Nones: As in all periods, we should be mindful of, concerned for, engaged with, and compassionate to those who are without Jesus Christ in their lives, for those who do not attend church and perhaps have fallen away from the church, and the increasing numbers of “nones” in our society. The “nones” are “those Americans who do not identify with any religion” (as defined by Pew). According to Pew Research Center in a study in December 2021, about 3 in 10 American adults now self-identify as religiously unaffiliated – a number that has nearly doubled since 2007. In-person attendance has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels in most all congregations – although the numbers that are participating in worship via virtual means has increased the total number of people being reached by many congregations including ours. All of this is to point out that the church in 2022 and beyond faces many challenges while the numbers of unchurched and nonaffiliated increases. We need to pray to God about this and seek opportunities to engage with those who are unchurched and unaffiliated with church. It takes more than just door-to-door solicitation or single invitations to come worship. We must engage with people beyond the four walls of the church facilities, and do as Jesus did, and that is to go where people are, accept them as they are, and share the love of Jesus in word and in deed. May we be in prayer about this in 2022.

These are a few of the important topics and issues that are on my heart as I write this blog. Please join us me prayer and commitment to action on these and other important matters that Saloma Baptist Church faces as do all the churches of the faith. Amen.

Pastor's Blog - March-April 2022

The months of March and April are a very interesting and important period in the course of our lives. March brings with it a wide variety of weather patterns from the cold wind and snow of winter to the flower blossoms and warmer weather of spring. April brings with it a full array of the colors of creation as grass and trees begin to green and numerous flowering plans burst forth. We can experience all kinds of weather and days during these two months.

March and April also bring about our annual Season of Lent as part of the "Christian Year" traditions. We Baptists, as part of our free-church tradition, have historically not observed Lent because we felt it was too "high church" and not specifically mentioned in the Bible. In so doing we have missed an important part of our faith tradition - and in recent years, Baptists have begun to emphasize the Season of Lent as a rich and meaningful experience that places emphasis on the passion and preparation of Jesus for his mission of providing for our salvation by his crucifixion and death - and ultimately of course, his resurrection.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year is March 2, and continues for 40 days through what is called Holly Saturday, which is on Saturday, April 16.Easter Sunday in 2022 is on April 17. Other key days during Lent include Palm Sunday (April 10), Maundy Thursday (April 14), and Good Friday (April 15).

Lent is a time for the church, and families in the church, that can be helpful just as Advent helps prepare us for Christmas. Lent provides us with a time to strengthen our spiritual disciplines rather than focusing on the world's emphasis on Easter baskets, the Easter Bunny, and egg hunts. By discussing and studying about what Jesus experienced during this time of year more than 2,000 years ago, it can help bring about enhanced meaning of Easter and what the sacrifice of Jesus means for our salvation. Families can spend time in study, prayer, and discussion on the true meaning of this season of the year which culminates on Easter Sunday with our celebration of the Risen Christ!

As we have done in past years, we are providing devotional guides - free of charge - to our members for Lent and Easter study. The guides is titled The Wondrous Cross - Reflections on Christ's Sacrifice Drawn from the Songs and Hymns of Easter." As stated on page 3 in the introduction of the study, "The songs of the Cross give form and voice to the resounding response of our souls. As we sing them, consider them, and pray them, these songs help us enter into the meaning of Christ's sacrifice...Each article in this devotional resource draws upon a piece of music to reflect on Jesus' death and resurrection - to wrestle with difficult questions, to meditate upon key moments in Christ's passion, to delve into the mystery of salvation, and to celebrate Jesus' victory over sin and death."

We invite you to join us in this season of repentance, contemplation, study, prayer, and preparation as we once again contemplate the meaning of the passion, death, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ...and then as we prepare to celebrate and live as believers in the Risen Lord - the power of the resurrection!

Pastor’s Blog - January-February 2022

It is hard to realize that the new year of 2022 has arrived. In many ways, it seems like it was only yesterday that we were celebrating the new year of 2021. The past year was a consequential time in several aspects.

We sought to return to some semblance of normalcy - perhaps the so-called new normal - while contending with a winter surge in early 2021 of COVID-19 followed by a late summer and fall surge brought about by the Delta variant of the virus. And as the year ended, we faced another potential surge resulting from the continued Delta variant and the new Omicron variant. One step forward - two steps backward? In many ways, that seems at times to be what we are experiencing with the COVID-19 virus.

On December 11, we experienced the historic level tornado devastation here in Taylor County as well as several counties in western Kentucky. Labeled as the worst tornado activity to ever hit Kentucky, our friends and neighbors suffered substantial losses of homes and property. Some 76 people across Kentucky were killed along with one local person. A positive outcome from the tornadoes has been the outpouring of donation of items and money and the generosity and compassion of Christian believers.

The year 2021 also brought heightened levels of tension in our country. The January 6 insurrection, racial and ethnic tensions, political instability, divisive and vitriolic political rhetoric, increased numbers of people turning their backs on the church and becoming part of the growing “nones”, random shootings and violence, our life expectancy decreasing 1.8 years, record numbers of drug overdose deaths, etc. - on goes the list of concerns our country is facing - and we many of these situations are expanding.

So what lies ahead in 2022? How should we as believers in Jesus Christ handle these challenges? What can we do individually and collectively to address the challenges and opportunities we face in our community? Are these conditions a sign of the Lord’s imminent return - a sign of the times? These are among the many questions that come to mind as we move forward in 2022.

It goes without saying that only God knows in detail what lies ahead. As believers, we are called to place our trust in the Lord and to be remind that His grace is sufficient in all times. He will see us through to a victorious end. No matter what comes our way, God will take care of us. We are His people, and we have both abundant and eternal life in Jesus Christ. We must live as victorious people in 2022 and be about His missions and ministries.

Here are some words for us to live by in 2022: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Amen.

Pastor’s Blog – November-December 2021

The months of November and December are generally a very busy and relatively hectic season of the year with the series of holidays on the calendar. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic at least, the few weeks from Thanksgiving through New Year’s are extremely busy and full of events, lots of fun and fellowship, lots of good food, and a special sense of warmth and good will. During 2020 of course, this season was dampened by the pandemic – and the uncertainty of things will probably have some impacts on this year’s activities during the upcoming holiday season.

 Regardless of what we face in 2021, as individuals or as a community and country, there are some aspects of the upcoming season that we should all keep in mind. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, complicated economic times (low employment, shortage of labor to fill open jobs, supply chain delays, inflationary pressures, etc.), political divisions and unrest, spiraling rates of violence, widespread hatred and prejudice toward people who are different from us, and on goes the list of challenges, we are still very much a blessed people. We have much for which to be thankful for in this season of 2021. Let me point out the facts of these blessings – and I note that this blog will by no means cite all the blessings that we have received.

Let me name a few of these blessings:

• God has saved us by His grace through our choice to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. He accomplished this by the substitutionary death of His “only begotten Son,” Jesus Christ, on the Cross at Calvary and by His resurrection power. In that instant of our salvation experience, we have received His gift of His Holy Spirit who is with us and indwelling in us at all times. Praise God.

• God has blessed us with our spouses, our children, our grandchildren, and, yes, some even have been blessed by the birth of great-grandchildren. Next to our love of God and being a follower of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, we are to love our spouses and families who are great blessings indeed.

• God has given us the ability to get an education, to work and make a living, to live in a good community where we have good friends and neighbors. He has generally given us good health although we all have, or will, encounter those times in our lives when we will encounter illnesses and challenges along the road of life.

• God has blessed us with good friends and colleagues along the way. I have been most blessed by having had the opportunity to have a number of very close and very good friends.

• God has blessed us to be a part of a very loving and compassionate church family known as Saloma Baptist Church. I am most thankful for this church family.

• God has blessed us with the call to be “salt of the earth” (preservative) and “light of the world” (by which we demonstrate the transforming power of Jesus Christ by our words, deeds, actions, attitudes, etc.).

I think you get the point. Regardless of the circumstances of the pandemic and the times in which we live, we have much to be thankful for as the Thanksgiving and Christmas season approaches. Above all, we should remember with thankful hearts and with words and songs of praise and wonder, that God sent His Son to earth to be born in a lowly manger in an inconsequential place called Bethlehem, born to peasant parents, living the life of a carpenter’s son, to become the Savior and Lord of the world by His sacrificial death death at Calvary and His glorious resurrection from the dead, His ascension into heaven where He sits and intercedes for us right now with God the Father, and His gift of the Holy Spirit to be with us and in us! Praise be to God!