Pastor’s Blog – November-December 2022 – Pastor John Chowning

The months of November and December provide an array of opportunities for special worship and fellowship experiences. It can be a very busy and exhausting time for many people as they contend with numerous gatherings and as they sometimes spend excessive amounts of money on purchasing gifts for family and friends. Some people can handle all the business and rush of the season while others can become physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. Let me take this opportunity to offer a few suggestions for your consideration as the very busy holiday season comes upon us during November and December.

First, let me suggest that our priority in approaching the “holidays” should be to give honor and praise to God for all that He has done for us in 2022 and in the past. It should be a time to inventory our blessings and to prayerfully consider the many ways we are truly blessed. The expression of thanksgiving should be manifested in our “thanksliving” in all areas of our lives. We should reflect our gratitude to God not just in words and phrases, but also in how we live our lives. Are we living lives of gratitude by serving others and giving of ourselves in Christian servant leadership?

Second, we should make certain that we take adequate time to spend with our families and perhaps a very few close friends. Many of have evaluated our holidays – especially going into December as Christmas approaches – by how many parties, meals, and gatherings we are part of during the two or three weeks leading up to Christmas. Of course, we should participate in a couple of these type gatherings, but perhaps we need to be more selective and make every effort to maximize our time with our families including our church families. When you become exhausted and frustrated and “too busy,” you really don’t have enough energy left to truly enjoy and be renewed by the “holiday spirit.”

Third, I strongly recommend careful planning and budgeting when it comes to the purchase of gifts for our families and our closest friends. It is certainly fun to see our children, especially when they are young, “open” their gifts or to see their reactions of joy and excitement on their faces when they first discover what is “under the Christmas tree” on Christmas morning. It really will not hurt your child, or grandchild, if he or she doesn’t receive everything on their Christmas list. There are many people for whom it is very difficult to find something they really need. And the greatest gift you can give them, again, is your time, attention, and love. I strongly urge people to not run up large charges on their credit cards in amounts that will require you to spend the next several months to a year to pay them off – or to have to go to the bank and take out a loan in order to cover Christmas expenses – or to buy a number of items that will require you to make multiple monthly payments over the coming year with exorbitant interest rates attached.

Four, a practice that Cathy and I have adopted, several years ago, is to donate to a Christian cause in honor of each member of our family, including our children and their spouses, and our grandchildren (and spouses of those married). We generally choose a Christian ministry organization where examples of the use of each donation can be provided to the recipient so that the family member understands where the donation has gone and what it is being used for. Each family member receives an envelope and card that shares with them what the donation in their honor has gone to support – and individually gets a picture that illustrates the use of the donation. Before any material gifts can be opened, we go around the room, beginning with the youngest to the oldest, and everyone opens the envelope and then shares what their donation will support. We have a brief discussion of the importance of giving – giving gifts to others and serving others in the name of the Christ of Christmas. Our goal is to help them understand the importance of the spirit of Christian giving and to illustrate that wee must be attentive to the needs of “the least of these.”

Five, all of us should take the opportunity during the holidays to reflect upon the meaning and application of the great gift of all time – the gift of God’s “only begotten Son” Jesus Christ, how he became the “God Man” in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, how he ministered and taught for a little over three years before he gave his life on Calvary for the redemption of our sin, how he was resurrected on the third day and appeared to many people over a period of weeks, how he ascended into heaven and sits at “the right hand of God the Father” and intercedes for us, and how he will return some day for his church! Are you prepared for his second Advent? If not, we encourage you to receive him as Savior and Lord of your life. That would be the greatest and most important thing you could ever do “during the holidays.”

Pastor’s Blog – Saloma Baptist Church – September-October 2022

As I prepare this bimonthly blog as pastor of Saloma Baptist Church, our local schools and area colleges and universities have begun the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Our congregation is also a week into what we call a “Season of Prayer for Our Schools.” Purpose of this special season of prayer is to focus attention upon the importance of education to the growth and development of our children and young people, to the preparation of the next generation of Christian servant leaders in their chosen fields of service, and to the future of our community, state, nation, and world.

At Saloma Baptist Church, we are praying for all involved with our educational institutions – parents, grandparents, and guardians; faculty members; staff members; administrators; all others involved – from the custodial staff to the bus drivers to the school resource officers who are placed in most schools for the safety and security of all to the family resource center staff who minister to students in terms of physical and social needs; and, yes, above all, we are praying for the children, youth, and young adults, as well as all ages, who are involved as learners.

Specific areas of emphasis for our prayer include: praying by name for all individuals that we know who are involved in education; praying for their safety and security during this school year; praying for the important role of parents, grandparents, and guardians in the educational process; praying for the teachers and assistant teachers who stand in the gap each and every day with the learners in their classroom; praying for the administrators who are working to make sure that every component of education is operating at optimum; praying for all the staff, as listed above, who play such crucial roles in the education enterprise; praying for the academic growth and social development of those who are students; praying for the ability of and opportunities for Christian faculty, staff, and students to share the love of Christ in word and in deed to others; praying for the many adults in the educational process who serve as mentors to their students and who, in some cases, must serve as primary advocates for students who may not be able to speak up for their own interests or who do not have parents, grandparents, or guardians who are able to provide support and advocacy. I ask you this important question – will you join us in this ongoing Season of Prayer – not just during the next month or few weeks, but throughout the academic year and into the future. Most students spend more time with their teachers and educators than they do in active interaction (not counting the time they are sleeping) with any other group of people during the average school week. And we should remember to pray for those college and university students who are away from home for the first time as they begin their postsecondary careers.

Saloma Baptist Church is blessed to have several people involved in the educational process within the ranks of our members and friends. We have teachers, administrators, school staff, and students of various ages, as well as parents, grandparents, and guardians. From our local public schools to Campbellsville University, SBC members are engaged in the educational process. Saloma Baptist Church has long been involved in the support of education – we have supported the local Christian school, Kentucky Christian Academy, for 30 plus years. We support and affirm those who choose to home school their children – with adequate accountability for the young person’s educational progress. We support various projects and activities for our local public schools – Project Graduation, backpacks via the Family Resource Centers, joining with other churches in the community a few years ago to help provide a package of school supplies for the year for every student in the Campbellsville and Taylor County school systems, Fellowship of Christian Athletes projects, our local city police department’s outreach to the schools, and honoring our graduates annually at various levels of educational completion. There is no contradiction between the Christian faith and the cause of educational attainment. And a part of the mission of the local church is to be an advocate for the engagement of Christians in all sectors of the educational process including public schools and for the welfare of all children and young people.

Let me close with an important thought. It is fashionable in many political and social circles to blame public schools for all the social and moral woes of our culture. This really is not a valid charge in my opinion. While there are always situations in the educational process that we, at any point in time, might be concerned about, the truth is that our schools in general do a very good job in educating our children and young people. Many of those issues that we criticize the public schools for are areas that involve shortcomings of the home and the church. Let me repeat that for the importance of emphasis: We blame the public schools in particular, the educational system in general, for problems and issues that are largely caused by the failures and shortcomings of the family and, yes, even the church. Perhaps in a later blog, I will delve into this in a more detailed manner. But the decline of the other basic institutions of our culture cannot singly be overcome by the educational institutions. Take some time and consider that point.

I am thankful for our schools, educators, students, parents, and guardians, and all those who accept a calling to be involved in the education of the next generation of servant leaders. God bless you and keep you.

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!