Current Events (12/13/23)
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Current Events
Current Events
This will actually be my message this evening.
I recently received an article that highlighted the growth of “non-denominational” churches (as opposed to the decline in “denominational” churches).
Illustration: Recent conversation with older gentleman. He’s attended the same church for years. 200’s to now 20’s.
What is a “non-denominational” church?
What is a “non-denominational” church?
The simplest answer is that a non-denominational church is any church which is not part of a larger denomination.
It’s interesting to me that some of the “reasons” given for a church being “non-denominational” are the Biblical reasons why we are an independent Baptist church.
They desire to be self-governed and answerable only to God.
Generally, non-denominational churches believe that the Bible is their sole authority that dictates every aspect of the church, with scripture shaping their beliefs and philosophies.
Illustration: Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas is considered a non-denominational church. It has a weekly, average attendance (according to one website) of 45,000 individuals.
If you visit Lakewood’s website and read their simplified, doctrinal statement, you would find that it is much in keeping with ours.
However, any idea who Lakewood’s pastor is?
Joel Olsteen, a “health, wealth, and prosperity” preacher.
Even though our doctrinal statements are “aligned” (at least what we can see online) I can tell you that South Charlotte Baptist Church, would certainly not align with the teachings and practice of Joel Olsteen and thus of Lakewood Church.
Application: One thing that I can state is the fact that “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” When you are looking for a church, you need to make sure that you do your “due diligence” before joining to make sure that the church’s doctrine truly does align with God’s Word.
This is why I have instituted our Starting Point Connection Group. I want individuals, before they join, to truly know who we are as a church. (And, I want to get to know them as well!)
I believe that churches, like Lakewood Church in Houston and “Preachers” like Joel Olsteen are also examples of 2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Which is why it is so important that I continue to give heed to 2 Timothy 4:1-2
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
This is also a perfect time to again caution all of you about the preachers, Bible teachers, etc. that you give heed to on on the internet and social media.
Now, back to the article regarding the growth of non-denominational churches……
The author offered 5 reasons for this growth in non-denominational churches.
1. Non-denominational churches tend to be more evangelistic.
For a number of possible reasons, these congregations are more intentional about reaching their communities with the gospel.
That is key. We must be intentional!
An American Dictionary of the English Language INTENTIONAL
INTEN´TIONAL, a. Intended; designed; done with design or purpose. The act was intentional, not accidental.
An American Dictionary of the English Language INTENTIONALLY
INTEN´TIONALLY, adv. By design; of purpose; not casually.
Proclaiming the Gospel; Experiencing the miracle of changed lives!
We will not fulfill our purpose and our mission if we are not intentional about it.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Soul-Winning Saturdays
Gospel tracts
Faith Promise Missions
Christmas cards to Academy families
Guest assimilation (which is what I’ll be speaking to the deacons and Connection Group leaders about this evening).
You will not participate in these activities/ministries unless you are intentional.
2. Non-denominational churches typically invest more financially in reaching their communities.
The budget of a non-denominational church will often include a higher percentage of their funds used for local evangelism.
Denominational church budgets usually allocate more funds for national denominational causes.
As an independent, Baptist church, we get to decide how God would have us use His financial resources instead of being told by a denominational office what to do with those resources.
Note: This is a good time to mention this…During this budget year (which began on July 1st) our general giving has been down, on average, when compared to last year.
I’m reminded of some of Paul’s last words to the church in Ephesus:
Acts 20:35 (KJV 1900)
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Note: This is also a good time to note our Faith Promise Missions giving.
According to the commitment cards that were/have been turned in, our Faith Promise Missions should be, this year, right at $68,000.
However, the actual giving to missions, thus far since March 1st, has been $4,716 (on average) per month. Our Faith Promise missions giving, since March, is about $8,500 less than what was committed.
What does that mean?
I’m not asking anyone to give any more than they committed (unless the Lord leads you to give more). What I’m asking is that we pray that those, who committed to give, would seek to follow through with those commitments.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
3. Non-denominational churches usually do not engage in issues of conflict to the level that denominational churches do.
A church has only a finite amount of resources of time, money, and energy.
The more that is expended on divisive issues, the less that can be expended on local outreach.
Illustration: The United Methodist Church has spent years and literally, I’m sure, millions of dollars “debating” same-sex marriage and allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to be “ministers.”
This, again, is one of the “blessings” of being an independent, Baptist Church. This local congregation, under the headship of Jesus Christ, and the leadership of a local pastor, are able to determine the “faith and practice” of this local church in accordance with God’s Word.
4. Non-denominational churches do not carry the “name” baggage that a denominational church might carry.
I think this issue can be overstated.
A church with “Baptist” or “Methodist” or “Presbyterian” in its name can still be effective and can still grow.
I praise the Lord for the name of this local church: South Charlotte Baptist Church.
Our name identifies 1) where we’re at and 2) who we are.
(The only thing that I would change - and I’m not planning on it - would be to add the word “Independent” right before “Baptist” to differentiate us from Southern Baptists.)
I do understand that our name may be a “turn off” to some in our community.
That’s why it is important that we are intentional about our outreach. We must “be” the church in our community.
The only thing that some individuals will know about South Charlotte Baptist Church is that which we tell them by way of our conduct in the community.
That’s why it is so important that we:
walk in truth as 3 John 4 states, and that we
walk as children of light as Ephesians 5:8 states.
5. Non-denominational churches tend to be newer churches that grow faster than older churches.
These non-denominational churches are newer.
These newer churches tend to focus more on local growth and evangelism.
I would agree with this assessment. There is something exciting and invigorating about being a part of something new.
Illustration: There is a church, which meets just down the road across the border in an old industrial building. The name of the church? New Beginnings.
South Charlotte Baptist Church has been around for 46 years.
How can we make sure that we don’t become stale and complacent?
The answer circles back to the original point:
We need to maintain our “intentionality” about outreach!
We need to maintain our “intentionality” about outreach!
We must keep the main thing the main thing!
But, in addition to that, we must maintain a fresh and vibrant walk and relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; And what doth the Lord require of thee, But to do justly, and to love mercy, And to walk humbly with thy God?
As George Muller wrote (and which I’ve shared with you in the past):
The point is this:
I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord.
The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord,
how I might glorify the Lord; but
how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.
However, the real “issue” which was only briefly mentioned in this article (because it wasn’t the focus of the article) is the issue of the…
“Nones”
“Nones”
30% of adults now identify as “Nones” meaning they identify as atheist, agnostic or as “nothing in general.”
But something interesting is this…43% of “Nones” still say that they believe in God or some type of “higher power.”
Our society has become more like that which Paul encountered in Athens.
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
The response to the “Nones” of 2023 should be the same as Paul’s: …him declare I unto you.
Although Declare the Gospel will not be our theme in 2024, it is still our purpose and we must continue to be intentional about it as we close out 2023 and enter into 2024!
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Praise: Mrs. Brust is at home!
Praise: Mrs. Tana Christian came through surgery successfully!
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Mrs. Karen Swicegood
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Outreach: Estates at Sugar Creek - They are putting walls up on two of the homes.
Bro Gary Norris