Who knew writing a blog would be so hard?!? Finding the time to write some thoughts down is a challenge. A challenge worth the effort however, especially if we can get some feedback and some good discussion can take place.
We just finished a three week series dedicated to the vision that I have proposed for fbc. The vision points are:
1) In the next five years, First Baptist Church will continue to grow in worship and will work to create a worship environment that is excellent, creative and visitor- friendly.
2) In the next five years, First Baptist Church will become a church that is intentionally family friendly. We will work to invite, encourage, assimilate and disciple families.
3) In the next five years, First Baptist Church will become known as a great neighbor on the northwest edge of Decatur and in Forsyth.
4) In the next five years, First Baptist Church will become an agent of ministry in the city of Decatur.
5) In the next five years, First Baptist Church will become involved in an ongoing personal relationship with a missionary, ministry, or church somewhere outside the United States.
6) In the next five years, First Baptist Church will grow in grace. We will refuse to get caught up in the culture of judgment, and we will strive to be people who follow Jesus’ pattern of acceptance, forgiveness and empowerment. We will speak the truth, and we will speak it in love.
7) In the next five years, First Baptist Church will slash the amount owed on the church mortgage by 75%.
In the next five years, the average attendance in worship at First Baptist Church will double.
Sunday’s service was dedicated to how we could accomplish the vision set before us. The theme was “cowboy up.” The term means to get ready to work, to strive, to step up and do the right thing. My fear in response to the vision laid out is that we will talk about it ad nauseum and never really get around to pursuing it. Therefore, the message was intended to call us out so that we can strive for the goal.
If anything, I wish we would have built more around the cowboy theme- maybe encouraged folks to dress western, to be a little more intentional about all the elements. Our call to worship was a great folk song, “Pokey the Rodeo Clown” and we ended with “the Great Adventure,” but I thought we could have done more.
Judi did a great job with Pokey. I have the song on vinyl but couldn’t find it on cd. We didn’t have the music for the song, so Judi spent hours listening and re-listening to the song on the turntable so she knew it by Sunday. Thank you Judi.
Hey Mike, the prelude rocked.
Praise songs were great. It was good to see Adam on the bass.
The choir song was beautiful.
Ruth Ann’s children’s sermon was “right on” Good job Ruth Ann.
The message was ok. I have had several folks make really positive comments but I thought it could have been better.
By and large, the service went well. What did you think?
This week we start the 50-day adventure. Should be great fun!
