Pastor's Blog - November-December 2020

The months of November and December in the year 2020 promise to be very challenging and different than what most of us have experienced. These months feature two of the primary holidays of the year. First, we come to the annual celebration of the secular holiday of Thanksgiving - scheduled for November 26 this year. On Sunday, November 29, we move into the Advent Season when we begin our annual time of preparation for the annual celebration of the coming of the Messiah - a time of preparation and anticipation to remember his first coming as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. These four Sundays of Advent - November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20 - are part of the season of preparation leading up to the Christmas Day celebration on Friday, December 25. Then just a week later, we begin a new calendar year on Friday, January 1, 2021. In sum the next two months bring a series of significant secular and religious holidays that we have traditionally enjoyed as highlights of the year in the church, in the home, in the workplace, and throughout our culture.

 

In 2020 the next two months will be much different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health officials are already recommending that families make plans to not host annual family Thanksgiving gatherings because of the increased number of virus cases that are traced to intergenerational gatherings. This same advice is being given well in advance of the Advent and Christmas season because of the continuing widespread threat of COVID-19. This will impact not only the way we as families celebrate these holidays in our homes, but the impacts will be felt much more broadly. Businesses will not be able to host annual holiday festivities. Shopping patterns are being dramatically changed with the trends toward online shopping increasing significantly as a result of COVID-19. Many local businesses, many of whom depend on the holiday shopping season for their economic livelihood, may face very serious declines in sales because of the virus. Many people will celebrate the holidays in much smaller groups. And church celebrations of the Advent and Christmas seasons will be much different - we are already in discussion about this at Saloma Baptist Church.

 

One example of the resulting change is the way we will be doing the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree in 2020. In prior years (we have participated in this outreach ministry and mission for the past 15 years or so), we have purchased one toy and one clothing item for each of the participating children of an incarcerated parent in the state prison system. In 2020 Mrs. Karen Reynolds and I have been working with Prison Fellowship, and the Angel Tree mission project will be done virtually this year. We will not have direct contact with the children during the holiday season. Rather than our purchasing and delivering gifts, we will conduct a fundraising campaign and ask people in the church to "adopt" an Angel Tree child during the Christmas season at $40 per child. Prison Fellowship will then be responsible for getting a Walmart Card to the child's guardian in that amount along with a Bible and other Christian material promoting the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is being done this way in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Be in prayer for this, along with our other Christmas ministry and mission projects which will be further outlined and discussed during the month of November and into December.

 

So you see that Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas 2020 will be different than in prior years. We will not be able to do everything that we have previously done in prior years - such as the annual Holiday Dinner (celebrating both holidays) and Hanging of the Greens Service. Some families will not be able to have large gatherings that have been traditional at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It will be tempting to just conclude that "it just doesn't seem right...how can we get through the holidays the way things are..."

 

Let me suggest a few things to consider even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Take a moment and consider how truly blessed each of us are - even in the midst of a pandemic. Sit down, take a piece of paper, and write down all the many ways that God is blessing you and moving in your life. Look at the words of the hymn "Count Your Blessings" - and "name them one by one."

  • Compare our situation in 2020 to that of our grandparents and great grandparents - they went through World War I in 1916-1918, Spanish Flu Pandemic in 1918-1919, Great Depression from 1929 until the late 1930's, World War II from 1945-1949, etc. Say a word of prayer of thanks to God, again, on how blessed we are and how fortunate we have had it in comparison to prior generations. Quite frankly, being asked to wear a mask, or having to change our holiday activities, or maining a six feet social distance, pales in comparison to what was faced by the "greatest generation" in going through the Great Depression and fighting World War II.

  • If you are not able to gather together in large family gatherings in 2020, then take time to visit with family members via Facetime, Skype, Zoom, Teams, or other interconnecting technology. Use social media to connect. Send texts, emails, and make phone calls. While it may not be the same, God has given us multiple technologies to connect together. Let's use them in creative ways to gather as families and friends in these days.

  • As far as as our church, we are staying connected via Facebook Live streaming, weekly videos, Flocknote messaging, email list serves, Zoom, and creative use of other technologies. This year, we will be distributing an online Advent devotional guide that will have Bible studies, devotions, family studies, and extra material. It can be accessed by computer, smart phones, iPads, or other devices. Materials can also be copied.

  • During the Advent and Christmas season, we have the extraordinary opportunity to share the Good News of the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Our church will be participating in the Lottie Moon Christmas Mission Offering for International Missions, Toys for Kids financial donation, Prison Fellowship Angel Tree (see above), the WMU backpack project for local school children, and other Christmas outreach. Become involved in supporting these mission projects designed to give of ourselves in Christian love and compassion, in the name of the name of the Babe of Bethlehem, to others. Take time to share the Good News of Jesus with someone who is unsaved and unchurched during this season.

  • Choose someone in the church family or in your neighborhood who may be shut-in, or who may not have much family living locally, and make an effort to make their holiday season special. There are any number acts of Christian love and compassion that can be shared to show that they are loved - and in doing so, you are acting in the name of Jesus Christ.

I hope that my point is evident by now. While COVID-19 may change the way in which we are able to celebrate the holidays in 2020, we can make an effort to create new traditions and go the extra mile in helping others. And as we do that, we will find that our disappointments in not being able to do Thanksgiving and Christmas in the same way "we've always done them," we will discover new and fulfilling ways of putting the "eyes and ears, hands and feet of Jesus" to our faith during this very special season. That is my prayer for all of us who are a part of the extended family of Saloma Baptist Church. May God bless you in this season of the year.

Pastor’s Blog – September-October 2020

From Labor Day forward in 2020, we will find ourselves in the midst of a presidential election as well as races for the United State Senate, United House of Representatives, state legislatures, and numerous other state and local offices around the country. As is the case every four years, the presidential race will set the tone for the election cycle in general. The outcome of the presidential election generally has some impact on races down the ballot. It will be of interest to find out whether that will be the case when we wake up on Wednesday, November 4 – the day after the general election. The 2020 election cycle will be hard fought and exhausting over the next several weeks.

In case you are wondering, no, I am not going to endorse any candidate for United States President, or any other public office, in this blog, or in the context of my role as pastor of Saloma Baptist Church or as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While I have been active in politics, and even more in the advocacy and development of public policy, I have never felt it appropriate to use the position of pastor as a means of advocating for a particular candidate or a particular political party. I fully realize that others in the ministry would disagree with me on that decision that I made years ago, but it is a decision that I made early in my call to the pastoral ministry and one that I have never felt I should change. 

That does not mean that I have not personally supported candidates for public office at the local, state, and national office. As most of you are aware, I served on the staff of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for three years – early in my tenure as pastor of Saloma Baptist Church. I served as chair of the Education Transition Team for the Governor-Elect in 2003. I have been humbled to serve on a number of state, regional, and local boards and commissions. Active advocacy for certain public policies has been a part of my entire professional career. 

As a pastor, I have spoken out on a number of important issues that have a moral aspect to them, and I have not hesitated to work to influence local, state, and national officials to make decisions that are in keeping with our values as Christians. That is a part of my calling and a part of the prophetic work of ministry – including the call to speak truth to power when necessary. Sometimes, it is necessary to take a moral stand on given issues even when the moral position is not necessarily popular with the culture at large, or even with some in the church. Following the example of Jesus, we can assuredly be “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” while maintaining a positive and humble witness for our Savior and Lord.

This year’s election, unfortunately, will most likely be one of the most divisive and bitter in our modern American history. The widespread availability and use of social media gives rise to unfounded conspiracy theories that are gaining footholds in the mainstream of our political discourse, and many people increasingly choose which online media sources they will read and believe – i.e., they choose to read and believe those which reinforce their preconceived biases and ideas. Debates become little more than shouting matches, and candidates seem to choose to mouth falsehoods more than meaningful policy proposals. Personal attacks are the order of the day – and candidates’ family members are subject to vicious slanderous and libelous onslaughts.

So, this brings me to this point. What should we as believers in Jesus Christ do about all of this? First, we must be involved. Second, we must vote. Third, we should be praying for all the candidates for public office and their families. Fourth, it should be our expectation that candidates will tell the truth and that they will engage in positive campaigning. Fifth, we should let all candidates know that they cannot automatically expect our vote as Christians – just because the candidate is of a particular political party. Six, it should now be apparent to us that character does in fact matter for those whom we elect to public office. It matters in other professions – why should it not matter in public office? Seventh, a candidate should be judged by whether he or she will work to unite people, or is that candidate one that simply campaigns on the basis of dividing people and demeaning people. As Christians we are called to bring people together and to build bridges across lines that have historically divided us – we should reflect that part of our faith in the way we vote and the way we live. Eighth, we should hold our candidates for pubic office, and those who are elected, accountable to work to improve the quality of life for all people – not for just a few – no group of people should be excluded – Jesus died for all – and we should work to improve quality of life and opportunity for all.

In closing, let me offer another very important point. Much too often in American history, we have misplaced our loyalties – by apparently believing that a particular political party or ideology will bring about the Kingdom of God. Much too often, Americans have turned to elected officials with the expectation that those officials, and the particular political party they represent, will bring about the Kingdom of God. That is wrong! As Christians we are citizens of the Kingdom of God – and that citizenship cannot be abdicated to a political party or ideology – we will always be disappointed when we are guilty of placing our trust in political leaders and parties to bring about God’s Kingdom. 

The Kingdom of God is spiritual and eternal – and based on our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The kingdoms of this world are material and temporal. When November 3 comes around, vote for the candidates of your choice. Make an informed choice. Pray about your vote. But remember that you are voting for a human being to run a particular political office. May God bless you as you make important choices – and may He guide us and keep us in all things.

Pastor’s Blog - July-August 2020

The past several months have been a most interesting time - in fact, this has been an unprecedented and historical time. We are experiencing a “new normal” in many ways. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every sector and organization in ways that most of us could not have imagined as recently as early March of this year. The violent deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have resulted in a global movement to end violence against Black Americans and to end systemic racism and injustices that remain pervasive in our country and worldwide - and presents a real challenge for the church in 2020. You are well aware where I stand as a Christian, a pastor, and a citizen in terms of the absolute need to end racism and injustice, to work for racial equity and reconciliation among all people - all of whom are made in God’s image - we are Galatians 3:28 Christians: “There is no Jew nor Gentile, male nor female...in Jesus Christ.” The church cannot be silent - we must take the lead - and speak prophetically in 2020 on these matters. So you know clearly what I think - and I am thankful that our church is one that stands for reconciliation and the oneness of all people in Christ!

The new normal resulting from COVID-19 is more unclear at this time. We have experienced some of the new normal at Saloma Baptist Church as we have regathered for in person worship in late June. It was a new experience to worship wearing a mask and with people socially distanced at least six feet away in all directions. It was new to have my temperature taken as I entered into the foyer area of the church building. As the pastor of a congregation where fellowship is important and love of our Christian family is so important, it was a challenge to not shake hands and give hugs to people as they entered into the sanctuary for worship. While it was a real blessing to be back in our church building and sanctuary at 1505 West Saloma Road, Campbellsville, it was evident from the moment I walked in that things were truly different and possibly would not return to the pre-COVID-19 normal anytime soon - if ever! While we pray that the virus will not remain a significant threat for an extended period, the way we do church will not return to the “old normal.”

Dr. Bill Wilson, director of the Center for Health Churches which is a ministry of Belmont University, a very fine Christian university, in the Baptist tradition in Nashville, wrote a column titled “What will we see less of and more of in churches in the 2020s?” The article is a discussion of the post-COVID-19 impacts upon the church, and his summary is very eye-opening for those of us in the pastoral ministry. Dr. Wilson, with whom I am acquainted, first presents “what we will see less of...” Some of the key points he makes: there will continue to be a decline of full-time ministry positions (a trend that has been in process for a few decades); the tradition of engaging a majority of our church members in Sunday worship is rapidly going away; the clear boundaries for ministers between work and home/family are increasingly blurred and will increase pressure for pastors; denominational structures and employees will decline dramatically as church budgets decline; the percentage of walk-in newcomers on Sundays will decrease dramatically because more people feel unsafe in crowds; church facilities will become less important in a church’s ministry; seminary trained pastors and staff members will become a rarity; most ministers and staff will wear multiple hats and churches will have to depend more on volunteers; churches that ignore “cultural context and events of the day” will decline, and even disappear, as people seek a way to “engage their Sunday life with the reality of the life they lead Monday through Saturday.” He then presented a very interesting summary of “what we will see more of...” Some of what we see more of: major increase of part-time contract staff to meet the needs and opportunities of the 2020’s; the new norm for a thriving church will be a 7-day-a-week model of engagement of people - knowing that much of the most important work of the church occurs on days other than Sundays; home offices, fatigue, and boundary violations among clergy and their families will require more guardrails and protections; the rise of networks of advisors, consultants, and providers who may be hired will increase as denominational bodies decline and are unable to provide assistance; engaging initially with newcomers to a church will become more online and based on personal relationships - at least one person in the church will need to focus on the church’s online presence; facilities will become less and less important; the manner of doing faith formation will become more dependent on the options offered by virtual sources; local churches will become more vital in providing sound theological training - possibly in partnership with divinity schools; lay members will increasingly lead as program and ministry coordinators; and churches will be expected to allow the Gospel to speak to the challenging issues of the day such as those of racial justice and reconciliation, hunger and poverty, ministry to the lost and least, etc.

Dr. Wilson presents some very interesting thoughts on ways that our churches may change in the 2020’s. I happen to agree with much of what he has to say. The demand to have a virtual, or active online presence and involvement with social medial, will be increasingly expected if a church is to remain vibrant and relevant. We see this at Saloma Baptist Church as we have experienced a significant increase in our outreach and external ministry and mission during the COVID-19 pandemic by expanding our virtual, internet, and social media presence. We are today reaching substantially more people with the Gospel message than ever before in the history of our church. And we will have to continue these innovations and expand and refine them in the days ahead. We must stay current and relevant in the way we deliver the Gospel - the truth of the Gospel never changes - the way we deliver it changes with each generation.

Letter to the SBC Family from Pastor John

Dear SBC Church Family:

Greetings in the name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! I certainly pray you are doing well and that God is blessing you and keeping you safe in these days. Please continue to pray for our nation in these challenging and uncertain times. As we have shared in our recent services, and I have mentioned in our email updates, this is a time when we must pray for and work for racial unity and reconciliation, pray for peace and unity of our nation, speak with grace and love as the people of Jesus, and pray for our law enforcement and first responders as they deal with multiple issues and situations. Meanwhile, we must continue praying for all those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

I would like to share that we plan to have our “Re-Gathering Worship Service” in our church building and sanctuary on Sunday morning, June 28, 11:00 a.m. We will not have Sunday School-Small Groups or other services and activities for the near future. We are not speaking of reopening because the church has not closed! The church, that is the Body of Christ, has been open and highly active since mid-March. Only the church building has been closed. So, we will be Re-Gathering to worship.

We have had a Re-Gathering Team working to develop a plan that has been approved by our insurance carrier and approved by a group of around 15 church leaders (consisting of deacons, trustees, safety and security team, and administrative team members). Bro. Daron Vaughn will be coordinating the overall plan implementation and helping everyone follow the plan as closely as we can for the foreseeable future – because at this point, we do not know how long this will have to be followed. As most other churches and organizations, our plan is based on following the guidelines and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky Department of Public Health, Lake Cumberland District Health, Taylor County Emergency Services, etc.

Beginning Sunday, June 28, here are the major things that we will be asking people to follow:

If a person is sick, at risk of becoming sick, or concerned about attending services at the beginning, you are encouraged to exercise caution before returning to worship. This is particularly true for those who are in higher risk categories.

Signs will be posted that remind people to remain six feet apart, to discourage anyone from attending who may be displaying symptoms of COVID-19 from entering the building, reminding people to use basic hand washing for 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer, coughing into a tissue and disposing of the tissue into a waste basket.

Anyone who is running a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher is asked to stay at home. You are encouraged to take your temperature before coming to church. One of the ushers will have a digital thermometer (one that reads temperatures from the forehead and does not touch the skin) to take temperatures of anyone who would like to have theirs taken. Should a person have a temperature of 100 degrees or more, that person would be asked to go home.

Due to the way that COVID-19 is transmitted and the belief by health professionals that asymptomatic carriers of the virus are transmitters of the disease, we will refrain from some of our traditional practices for the foreseeable future – no handshaking, no hugging, no kissing, etc. Disposable masks will be provided at no cost to those who do not have masks.

The wearing of masks is a recommended practice by CDC and state and local health authorities, but this will be up to each person’s individual discretion. The science behind the wearing of masks is to primarily protect others from becoming infected should you be asymptomatic with COVID-19. The usher who is taking temperatures will also distribute masks to any who would like to wear one.

We will not be serving coffee, food, etc. during this period.

Greeters/ushers will be stationed at the side foyer entrance prior to the beginning of the service. The side door will be propped open. In the foyer, the offer for masks and taking of temperatures will be made. Ushers will wear masks and gloves.

An usher will accompany each family or individual to a seat in the sanctuary. Families/individuals will be seated in such a manner so that social distancing of six feet in all directions is maintained.

Bro. Daron Vaughn will work, as needed, with the usher seating the family/individual so that the social distancing is maintained.

People will be asked to remain in their seats during the service. Members and guests are encouraged to cooperate and follow the usher to the sanctuary to be seated. Stopping to visit and talk in the foyer, during this period, is discouraged in order to keep the flow of people moving and to maintain the social distancing of six feet.

Hand sanitation stations will be placed in the foyer entrance and at the “front door” area by the bathroom. People are encouraged to utilize the hand sanitation stations while entering and existing.

To avoid the handling of paper, there will be no printed bulletins, prayer lists, monthly calendars, etc. for now.

The order of worship, responsive readings, words of hymns, scripture readings, announcements, etc. will be displayed on the screen during worship services, and I will continue to send out regular emails and texts to keep the church family and friends updated.

The hymnals and Bibles have been removed from the pews for now. This is as recommended by the CDC. Why? The same principle applies to these items as to the bulletins, prayer lists, etc. The point is to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. You can certainly use your personal Bible – and, again, the words of the scripture, songs, etc. will be displayed on the screen.

At the end of the service, ushers will come to the midpoint of the sanctuary and proceed to dismiss the back half through the front door and the other half through the foyer area. The ushers will dismiss people so that social distancing is maintained while exiting. Just as with the foyer door when people are entering, both doors will be propped or held open for those exiting at the end of the service.

The upstairs bathroom will be available for use if needed. No more than one person should enter the bathroom at a time. Bathroom use should be minimized to the extent possible. The bathroom will be disinfected after each use by a member of the Re-Gathering Team after each use. The cleaning person will wear a mask and gloves.

The basement and Fellowship Hall areas will be closed during this period.

The water fountain in the bathroom will be turned off and covered.

No childcare and nursery will be provided.

The church has purchased a new iPad Pro 4th Edition and a tripod. It is our plan, at this point, to live-stream the sermon portion of the service on Facebook Live. Additional information will be forthcoming on this – it will enable those who are at home, plus those who have been joining us during this interim period out of town, to still follow us and participate in our worship. These sermons can be archived as well. I plan on still doing a weekly video to be posted on Facebook and the website as well. These two steps will be a significant step in increasing our presence in the virtual world of worship and ministry. Members of our Re-Gathering Team will be helping with this as well.

With a decision made this past week by the state, we will be able to have occupancy in the sanctuary up to 50% of our seating capacity. Prior to this decision, churches were being limited to 33% of capacity. The 33% rule presented a definite challenge for us. Why are we undergoing these measures as we re-gather for in-person worship on June 28? Because we care about one another – because we care about and love the most vulnerable among us – because COVID-19 is a real threat to the health and safety of people and it has not gone away – because God gave us the Great Commandment where He said we are to love Him “with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength…” and “we are love our neighbors as ourselves…” And because he taught us in Matthew 25 to care about the “least of these our brothers and sisters” and that as we do “unto them, we have done unto Him…” There are several documented instances in Kentucky, and around the country, where there have been COVID-19 hotspot outbreaks because of churches gathering and not following the recommended best practices and health standards.

Pray for us as we prepare for our Re-Gathering of Saloma Baptist Church on Sunday, June 28. I look forward to seeing many of you for the first time – face-to-face – since the second Sunday of March. Saloma Baptist Church has maintained a strong and ever-present witness during this pandemic – I am thankful for all that is being done, and I pray that we will move forward stronger and more committed than ever before. Please contact me anytime that you have any questions, or as we may be of assistance. The most direct ways to contact me are to call or text me on my mobile phone at 270-403-3610, or email me at jechowning@windstream.net. May God bless you and keep you in these incredibly challenging days.

In Christ,

John E. Chowning, Pastor