God loves and knows each of His children intensely - the Bible says He knows the number of hair on your head, made you unique among all people and knows every word you will say before spoken. He also has a heart for the un-reached masses.  Jesus illustrated this when he looked upon a large number of people and was overwhelmed with compassion for them describing them as “harassed and helpless … sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:35-37).”  He then called upon his disciples to pray that God would send more people to help reach and care for those people he went on to describe as a field “ripe for harvest.”

As you know, our mission is “to make disciples.”  To accomplish this there are many practical things that have to work in coordination … things like good communication, prepared teachers to explain and apply God’s word, greeters creating a warm and hospitable atmosphere, musicians and sound techs facilitating worship, deacon pastors shepherding the people, safe and warm preschool classes, etc … all of these things must work for us to care for a growing number of people.

You did it! 

Yesterday was a record Sunday for Celebration Baptist Church.  With 950 joining us for worship, we had record attendance in almost every area … preschool, children, adult connection groups and in corporate worship.  But that is not the greatest news … the greatest news is that you (preschool workers, greeters, parking lot folks, sound techs, Connection Group teachers, Kid’s Rock singers, … everyone who works on Sundays to love and care for the church as a whole … you cared for 950 people with ease!  There was no heartburn, no crisis in preschool or the parking lot, … we were able to care for that many people and it was no big deal.  What does that mean for our future?

God rewards faithful service!  Part of my prayer and focus as your pastor is to lead our church to think ahead of where we are today as we ask God for a greater responsibility in the harvest field.  Yesterday you proved we are ready to handle more people than we have been caring for each week!

We must continue to think ahead.  Did you know that as our churches grows in numbers, we must grow and change the way we are structured, the way we are staffed and make decisions?  Churches of 200 must operate differently than churches of 400 … or 800 … or 1500.  In order to fulfill our mission, we must adjust before the changes are thrust upon us so we can effectively care for the people the Lord brings our way.

There are several ways we must prepare.  I will spend the next few weeks talking about these.  In short, we need to focus on:

1. Developing a common understanding of where we are going (MISSION).

2. Focusing our ministry efforts and resources (VISION).

3. Supporting our efforts with a carefully coordinated prayer ministry (PRAYER).

4. Clarifying and celebrating what matters most to us (VALUES).

5. Streamlining the way we share resources and work together (STRATEGY).

This Sunday, March 30, we launch a new sermon series on the family.  I believe that many people in our culture are at a loss when it comes to raising their children, loving their spouse and working a believable plan.  God’s word is clear on all of these subjects.  This is a golden opportunity for us to reach out in love to the many people God has place around us and address a real need in their life then tell them about Jesus.

Please join me in praying that this will be a powerful emphasis where we see many people strengthen their families, strengthen their ties to our church family and others come to faith in Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Paul