Life Still happens at Christmas

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!   Growing up, my mom and sometimes dad loved to sing Christmas songs as we returned from shopping in Memphis, Jackson, or Nashville.  Christmas is my favorite time of the year.   I love the decorations and the lights.  I reserve Black Friday for decoration day. While everyone is shopping, my family is decorating.   I love the parties and food, and believe that every group or class should have a party not just at Christmas but every month.  I love the music and the programs.   But the greatest thing about Christmas is the message and hope that Christmas brings.

At Christmas, many churches participate in Advent.  Advent means anticipation. And at Christmas we remember and anticipate the Messiah’s birth.  John says that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  It is why we sing Immanuel, “God With Us.”  This simple fact gives those of us who know Christ a peace that passes all understanding, a hope in the midst of life’s storm. and the ability to deal with life’s valleys.

As I write this blog article, I am in the Critical Care Waiting Room in Jackson, TN.  My mom is in stable but critical condition.   Even before this, I was dealing with the fact that my daughter and son in law would not be able to be home for Christmas this year.  Life can rob us of the anticipation of Christmas.

It is in these times that I wish every person in TN and the United States was a member of a Sunday School Class.  Even in the midst of the lights, sounds, and parties of Christmas, Sunday School classes still call, visit, bring food and care for their members.  In Sunday School, you will find a loving group of people who will remember you and love you.

Remember: Don’t miss the anticipation of Christmas even when Life Happens.  “Joy to the World…The Lord Has Come!”

Read the Bible for Life

David Green, pastor at First Baptist Church in Greeneville, Tennessee, was asked at a conference for Sunday School leaders, “What his church was doing in the area of discipleship?”  One of the resources that they are presently using in their discipleship ministry is Read the Bible For Life.  When David was sharing, I became excited because I believe that Read the Bible for Life is one of the most significant emphasis and resources ever released by Lifeway.

This resource was written by Dr. George Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible at Union University in Jackson, TN.  Dr. Guthrie shares on his website, “Over the past two
decades I have become increasingly concerned about the state of biblical literacy in the church…biblical literacy has more to it than merely knowing Bible trivia.  For instance, it concerns reading the parts of Scripture well and understanding the “grand story” of redemptive history.”

Read the Bible for Life initiative, seeks to foster:

• an understanding of how to read the parts of Scripture well,
• a perspective on the Bible as a grand story God has written on the world,
• a grasp of the themes of Scripture that thread their way powerfully and beautifully from the beginning to the end of this book of books, and
• sound application of the Scripture to modern-day life.

The Read the Bible for Life initiative is a whole-church initiative focused on growth in biblical literacy.  As the Disciple-making Team Leader for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, I would strongly urge every church to join First Baptist Church,
Greeneville in offering Read the Bible for Life.  Consider the following actions:

1. Offer the nine-session group study (READ THE BIBLE FOR LIFE: LISTEN. UNDERSTAND. RESPOND) as a foundational experience for the whole
   church.
2. As a church, read through the Bible chronologically in a year, as the pastor preaches through the highlights of the Bible’s grand story year.

Two resources are available to encourage every member to use day-by-day  as the church reads through the Bible together: READING GOD’S STORY: A CHRONOLOGICAL DAILY BIBLE and/or A READER’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE.

Call or e-mail me at the Tennessee Baptist Convention for questions about Read the Bible for Life or strengthening your discipleship ministry.  For additional information, the Read the Bible for Life website is  www.readthebibleforlife.org.

Sunday School: A Mechanism for Outreach

 Randy Davis, Executive Director for the Tennessee Baptist Convention shares his views on Sunday School as the outreach arm of the church.  He expounds that evangelism is all about passion for the lost and ultimately about building relationships with lost people.

During the recent Sunday School Investigation Conference in Paris, Tennessee, Randy Davis,  responded to the following question:  My dad taught me that Sunday School was the outreach arm of the church but over the past 15 years, there’s seems to be a de-emphasis on the Sunday School as the outreach-evangelism arm of the church.  What have you done to keep Sunday School as a strategy for outreach and evangelism?

According to Dr. Davis, there has been a de-emphasis on evangelism so naturally, there will be a de-emphasis on outreach and evangelism in Sunday School.   If Sunday School directors, minister of education, and pastors don’t have a passion for evangelism, you will not lead your church and your Sunday School to be the evangelism, outreach arm of the church.  I love Randy’s response that Sunday School is the best mechanism to do ministry and to fellowship and to reach people for Christ.  Are you using your Sunday School to effectively reach, teach, and minister to a lost and hurting world?  

Sunday School Investigation offers breakout conferences for pastors, ministers of Education, and Sunday School Directors, Preschool, Children, Youth, and Adult leaders.  Seven more SSI:TN will be offered in September.  Each events features pastors sharing with pastors and Sunday School Directors there philosophy and solutions for growing Sunday School.  Each event  begins at 6:30 and conclude at 9:00 PM.  SSI: TN is requires no advance registration.  These conferences are available thanks to your church’s gifts to the Cooperative Program and participating associations.

Visit our web site at www.equippingu.org For each SSI conference location, a complete list of breakouts being offered, directions to the host church, and available publicity items.

Realistic Expectations for Sunday School Growth

It’s Football Time in Tennessee!  As Tennessee gets ready to play Montana, I began to think about realistic expectations for the season and for churches.  Most Tennessee fans have realistic expectations for this season.  In 2011, few are dreaming of a National Championship, but all are hoping for a decent bowl game.   My Alabama Friends though realistically are thinking about winning a National Championship in 2011. 

Every pastor and Sunday School director should be dreaming and setting goals.  What is  a realistic goal and expectation for your Sunday School attendance?   

A pastor recently asked me to speak to their Sunday School leaders.  During the session, the topic of goals came up.  One of the members declared that we should be averaging 100 in Sunday School. Now, I love that attitude and applaud this member for dreaming big.  The church at this time was averaging 75. Growing from 75 to 100 is probable, but was it realistic? I mean Tennessee could win the national championship but is it realistic? Tennessee certainly should plan and play to win every game and if they do, they would certainly be crowned national champions.  (Another blog topic?)

For the last five years, a list of the fastest growing Sunday Schools in Tennessee has been compiled.  These churches are identified as one of the top 25 fastest growing churches in the small, intermediate, medium or large church category.   In 2010, the study was based on three years from 2008-2010 and analyzed growth in attendance, growth in enrollment and total baptisms over a three year span.  The churches in the small category grew an average of 25 over a three year period.  The churches in the intermediate category grew an average of 36 in a three year period.  The churches in the Medium and Large categories grew 37 and 128 over a three year period.  (This years Medium category did not grow as much as in previous years)

Based on these numbers, was this church member’s dream of growing from an average of 75 to 100 in one year realistic?  Adding 25 was certainly possible and if accomplished, would have almost certainly placed his church as one of the fastest growing Sunday Schools this year, but was it realistic?

My philosophy of Sunday School and church growth was impacted by the late Ron Lewis.  In my first church as minister of education in Little Rock Arkansas, he led a Church Growth Conference and served  as our church’s consultant.  He stated that a church would double every 10 years if they just grew at 7.5% a year.  In other words, a church averaging 100 in Sunday School would need to average adding 7-8 new members plus replace its churn.   David Francis estimates that the average church loses 20% of its attendance every year to deaths, relocations, transfers, etc.  So for a church averaging 100 in Sunday School, they would have to discover 20 new attendees simply to maintain plus 7-8 to begin the process of doubling every 10 years.

Let’s dream big, but set realistic timetables for growth.  Unrealistic goals develop unrealistic expectations. Realistic goals  and realistic expectations provide energy and motivation.  I am sure that one day Tennessee will beat Alabama again and win a national championship, but realistically it probably will not happen in 2011.

Importance of Prospecting and Assimilation to Sunday School Growth

At Sunday School Investigation in Dyersburg, I asked Fred Ward,  pastor of First Baptist Church in Huntington, Hoyt Wilson, pastor of Chapel Hill Baptist Church in Lexingon, and Robert McBroom, pastor of Madison Baptist Church in Jackson, what steps they have done to keep their Sunday School as a growth Strategy for our church.  In this video, Fred shares that he believes constantly prospecting and a strategy for assimilation has been the key to growing his Sunday School.

The late Andy Anderson used to say that a church literately killed itself visiting if all they ever visit is chronic absentees.  Finding prospects ranks right there with finding teachers as too of the biggest obstacles Sunday School must overcome.  I would love to hear answers to these questions:  How are you finding prospects?  How are you creating a Sunday School that has members wanting to invite their friends, neighbors, family, and associates to attend?  What is your church’s strategy for assimilating prospects?  Use the comment field to respond or send me an e-mail at mmiller@tnbaptist.org. 

These three pastors simply are doing the basics.  One of the basics is Identifying and Enrolling Prospects.   For help finding prospects, call my office at the TBC.  Steve Pearson, our Sunday School Evangelism Specialist or myself would be glad to help you.

Sunday School Investigation offers breakout conferences for pastors, ministers of Education, and Sunday School Directors, Preschool, Children, Youth, and Adult leaders.  All but one event  begins at 6:30 and conclude at 9:00 PM.  In Nashville, the event will begin at 9:00 and conclude at Noon.  SSI: TN is requires no advance registration.  These conferences are available thanks to your church’s gifts to the Cooperative Program and participating associations. 

Visit our web site at www.equippingu.org For each SSI conference location, a complete list of breakouts being offered, directions to the host church, and available publicity items.

Moving Worship Attendees to Sunday School

At SSI:TN, pastors from different size churches have been enlisted to share their stories.  The evening begins with a panel discussion before the conferees break up into small group.  In Tullahoma, Randall Jackson and Larry Yarborough , pastors of Covenant Baptist Church in Brentwoodand First Baptist Church in Gallatin , were asked about moving worship attendees to Sunday School. 

Today, most people will attend the worship service prior to  going to a Sunday School or to a small group.   In this video, Larry Yarborough responds to this issue. 

Sunday School Investigation offers breakout conferences for pastors, ministers of Education, and Sunday School Directors, Preschool, Children, Youth, and Adult leaders.  All but one event  begins at 6:30 and conclude at 9:00 PM.  In Nashville, the event will begin at 9:00 and conclude at Noon.  SSI: TN is requires no advance registration.  These conferences are available thanks to your church’s gifts to the Cooperative Program and participating associations. 

Visit our web site at www.equippingu.org For each SSI conference location, a complete list of breakouts being offered, directions to the host church, and available publicity items.

Pastors Enjoying SSI: TN

Sunday School Investigation conferences started last week in Tullahoma.  Last night we completed our fifth of 25 events.   Tomorrow night, we will be at West Jackson and Saturday at Tulip Grove in Nashville. 

Last night in Dyersburg, one of the pastor encouraged me when he shared, “Thanks,  I needed that.”  In Gordonsville, I overheard another pastor proclaim, “best conference that I have attended in years. “ Now, I could have been offended, because he came to mine last year, but I was thrilled that SSI:TN seems to be resonating with these pastors and the other pastors that have attended. 

While  planning, thinking, and praying about SSI:TN, my heart was led to ask strong Sunday School pastors from churches with great track records and/or from the Fastest Growing Sunday Schools to share with the pastors and Sunday School Directors.  I have been thrilled to hear the heart of these pastors.  These pastors are sharing their hopes, dreams, and struggles. 

Last night, Hoyt Wilson, pastor of Chapel Hill Baptist Church, shared that he went there the church had 4 Sunday School rooms and 4 Sunday School Classes; now they have 18 rooms and 12 classes.  God has grown the church from 35 to 132.  Robert McBroom shared that when he went to Madison Baptist Church, the church was running 28 and today they are averaging 92 in Sunday School.   He stated, if Madison can grow, he is convinced any church can grow.  These pastors are simply working Sunday School.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from pastors of all size churches share their vision and purpose for Sunday School, how their Sunday School is organized and works to accomplish this vision, and barriers they have overcome.  

Sunday School Investigation offers breakout conferences for pastors, ministers of Education, and Sunday School Directors, Preschool, Children, Youth, and Adult leaders.  All but one event  begin at 6:30 and conclude at 9:00 PM.  In Nashville, the event will begin at 9:00 and conclude at Noon.  SSI: TN is requires no advance registration.  These conferences are available thanks to your church’s gifts to the Cooperative Program and participating associations. 

Visit our web site at www.equippingu.org. For each SSI conference location, a complete list of breakouts being offered, directions to the host church, and publicity items are available.

These pastors are proving that Sunday School still works!

Praying for a Harvest among the Military

Yesterday, a pastor called who serves a church near Fort Campbell. He shared that over the last month, the church has lost 36 members who serve in the Military, due to reassignments or deployments. These members were active leaders in the church and the church is now scrambling for teachers and in a rebuilding mode.

Having served Hilldale Baptist Church in Clarksville near Fort Campbell, I could relate to this pastor. While serving at Hilldale, I recall Operation Desert Storm during president George H.W. Bush’s term. When the 101st was deployed, signs were posted on businesses and in yards asking for prayer for the troops. The clergy were invited to the base for training so that we would be ready to assist the chaplains if called upon. With the temporary but immediate loss of ten of thousands of soldiers and many of their families, businesses were hurting. As this pastor is experiencing, the churches were forced to adjust due to loss of leaders, attendance, and with additional ministries for the military spouses and their children who remained.

As I think about the pastor call, I praised God for the impact of this church and the other churches near Fort Campbell and the other military installations in or near Tennessee. I praised God that these churches effectively reached and ministered to these soldiers and their families. While this church has lost some valuable members and is in a rebuilding phase, the Kingdom has been impacted. These former members are now scattered around the world. Who knows the impact of this church.  

Do you live near a military base? Are you praying that while these soldiers are stationed near you that you or some other Christian will impact their life and their families? Are you willing to allow these to serve in your church and to grow in their relationship with Christ? Are you getting them connected to a Sunday School Class where relationships can be formed and growth can be nurtured? Do you intentionally reach out to minister to their unique needs?

God has placed all of close to some great fields that are white unto harvest.  Let’s pray to the Lord of the Harvest, that he will send forth laborers.

Praying for Golfers in Tennessee

My boss and friend, Tim Holcomb, introduced me to the game of Golf in 2000. In my first round of golf at Falls Creek Falls State Park, my posted score was 157, although I probably swung at the ball at least 357 times. For my efforts, I received the golf flip flops (complete with spikes) for the most sand shots. It was such a humiliating and exhilarating experience.

Truthfully, I instantly loved the game and golf has become a passion. Tennessee has hundreds of golf courses. My home course is Kings Creek Golf Course in Spring Hill, Tennessee. I really enjoy the layout of this Arnold Palmer design. As a golfer, you always desire to play any and every course that you pass. Just to experience, the rub of the green and to have the thrill of conquering the unique challenges of that golf course. One day, I hope to play the Brentwood Country Club. Each day going to work, I pass one of its holes and it reminds me of my love for Golf and how really exclusive golf can be.

Exclusive…Only members and their guests are welcome. Is that how people feel when they come to your church? Only members and their guests are welcome. Is that how they feel, when they know we are Christians, but we fail to share the gospel. My theological belief is that Jesus died for everyone. Everyone has a choice to accept Jesus or reject Jesus.

I have a passion for Golf, but do I really have a burden for golfers. Do my actions demonstrate the belief that Jesus is the only way to heaven?

Jesus, give me a burden for the golfer, to listen to their story, and to have opportunities to share your story with fellow golfers. Lord, reveal ways that I can use my love for golf to bring glory to you. (And if possible, could you bless me with a hole in one?)

What’s your passion? Let’s give our passions to Christ and allow him to use them to reach our great state. Join me in praying for golfers.

Praying for Tennessee: Focus on the Counties

Tennessee is my home.  I grew up in the small West Tennessee town called Lexington. 

Henderson County Courthouse

Lexington is the county seat for Henderson County.  An 1821 act by the state of Tennessee’s legislature created Henderson County, named for Colonel James Henderson who commanded Tennessee troops at the Battle of New Orleans. He had also been on General Andrew Jackson’s staff in earlier military campaigns.

Shortly after the county’s founding, a site near its center was selected to become the county seat. It was named Lexington in honor of Lexington, Massachusetts, where the first battle of the Revolutionary War was fought. 

I became a resident of Lexington within a year after I was born, when my dad and mom moved me and my 4 brothers.  Our house was within a short walk and an even shorter bicycle ride to the city square.  One of the great things about growing up in the sixities was our parents felt safe to just let us play and explore. My friends and I played ball almost every day during the summer at the Little League park (behind my house), went to the county fair every night (behind my house), walked to church, to school.  In fact, my school was so close my dogs came up every day for recess and were waiting for me when I got out in the afternoon.  We thought nothing of riding our bikes to downtown to get an “Orange aid” (like a Lemonade only with oranges) from the local Rexall drug store and buying baseball cards at my favorite store, Ben Franklin (at the time, a smaller version of Wal Mart).  We dived into the boxes and created all kinds of forts at the local plant (behind my house). We stayed out all night playing kick the can and hide and go seek.  Lexington and Henderson County were home.  In many ways, they still are. 

Tennessee is made up 95 counties with 95 county seats. Each county and each county seat has its own history and it own unique characteristics.   I have asked God to give me a burden for Tennessee, its my home.  One of the joys of serving as a state Missionary on the Tennessee Baptist Convention has been to travel the great state of Tennessee.  I believe that I have been to all 95 counties in Tennessee.  My standard practice when coming into a county is to circle the courthouse and when weather and time permit, to stop and pray for that county, its churches, and its people.

The Bible states that “When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

Lord, give me a heart for your harvest and a burden for the thousands of people who live in the 95 counties and county seats of Tennessee.  Help me to never be too busy that I miss an opportunity to share the good news with fellow Tennesseans and those that are visiting my great state.   To proclaim to everyone the message of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world (including Tennessee and Lexington) that you gave your only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish but have everlasting life.”