"I walked away from Jesus many years ago.  But I found Him again when I came to Dallas Christian Women's Job Corps.  He had been waiting for me all along."  These words, spoken by a DCWJC participant during her graduation speech last Saturday, made such an impression on me that I wrote them down in my event program.  Seems like I'm meeting a lot of people lately who made "professions of faith" as children but have since turned away from God. Perhaps they experienced a traumatic event they couldn't make sense of, or maybe God Himself just didn't make sense anymore. 

Where do people find Jesus again?  This young women found Him at a Christian ministry that offered her job skills and mentoring. Some people find Him at church. Some people find Him in prison; some in hospital rooms.  Some people find Him in very ordinary places like the grocery store or office.  One ancient son found Him in a pig sty.

The DCWJC graduate's second sentence affected me the most:  "He had been waiting for me all along." When we as God's children turn from Him, He continues to wait for us.  The Holy Spirit beckons us to return to the Father.   Then, sometimes when we least expect it, we see Jesus. We realize He's been there all along.

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What happened to the Oldsmobile?   Many advertisements of 1948 portrayed the Oldsmobile¹ (This link has a short and amusing video.) as the car of the future.   The advertisements included “ futuramic” statements like “Bridging frontiers of the future the Oldsmobile of 1948 is the miracle car of tomorrow and it is here today.”   Will the Oldsmobile be the car of the future as well as the car for 1948?

In 2004 when the future became the present the Oldsmobile was fading from its dynamic 103 year past and needed an economic resuscitation for the company which produced the miracle car of 1948.  In 2004 the General Motors Chief Executive Wagoner issued this statement about the death of the Oldsmobile brand:  "Obviously this is a very difficult and painful decision–but in the current environment, there was no workable solution."²

The announcement that GM was to kill the Oldsmobile brand caught many observers off guard. “Wait, this is a mistake. That's a top brand, a household word, a quality car.  The question for business strategists is "what happened?" How did such a dominant leading car brand get sick and die?”³

Recently, my pastor, Dr. Brent Taylor preached a sermon series on the “Funeral of the American Church.”⁴ (The obituary for the American church plays within the first few minutes.)  Dr. Taylor read a fictional obituary for the American church.  Just as Chief Executive Wagoner of GM shared the painful news of ending the long manufacturing tradition of the Oldsmobile brand, my pastor was expressing the alarming news of the decline of the American church.  Were these two leaders just declaring the facts?   Did they share realistic viewpoints of the current condition and environment with no workable solution? 

Below is a demographic chart of the recent sixty year membership record for Southern Baptist churches as provided by LifeWay Resources.⁵  

The trend line in the chart provokes the response, “What happened? Will the churches of the largest evangelical organization in America get well?   Will they survive?   Is this truly the condition of the 21st century church in America?  Is there a workable solution for the churches, for my church?    What would you recommend?  

A summary of your recommendations and possible solutions will be the next blog to be posted on May 29th.

posted by  Dr. R. W. Bobby Martin

Dallas Baptist Association exists to assist our churches individually and cooperatively in fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbSnWejmgNY
2. http://www.salesvantage.com/article/view.php?w=42
3. Ibid.
4. http://resources.fbcc.org/av/2012/20120108am.mp3
5. http://rookiepastor.com//06/30/the-slow-death-of-the-american-church/

A couple of weeks ago our directors went on a retreat together to DBA’s beautiful Mt. Lebanon Encampment.  Often these are times when we have much important work to knock out.  But this time we had much more time to talk about big pictures and directions that we sense God leading.

Bob and Bobby had attended our new coaching training where they were encouraged to help their church (in our case, association) narrow down a focus from many things to one or two key directions.  “God Directed Outcomes,” they are called.

This gave us an opportunity to practice what we’ve been trying to do here more and more—“decompartmentalizing” our "spiritual" faith and our active "real-life".

In the "church world," and especially in church planting literature, it is easy to find lists, goals, how-to’s, and seven steps to this-or-that.

But as Christian leaders how do we “lean not on [our] own understanding [but] in all [our] ways acknowledge Him”? (Prov. 3:5-6, also good in the Aplified and Message versions.)

Often organizations and leaders default to planning and taking action.  Even Christian groups usually plan then act—though we may ask God’s blessing on our plan at the end.

Don’t we think that God already has a plan?  Should we not be doing more waiting on the Lord, and then moving more quickly in active obedience when He does make His direction known? Jesus’s example shows that this is far from a lazy, passive direction.  Just check out here the number of times He mentions that this is how even He lived His time on earth.

Admittedly, this takes some time and practice to figure out even as individual followers of Jesus and His Spirit.  So seeking to hear and obey as a group—and especially as a paid, working staff—is an even greater adventure.  But it's one we believe is right and worth any preliminary uncertainty.

One practical way we are already seeking to follow God in this manner is our consistent prayer that God send workers already equipped for their mission into the harvest.  (See the earlier blog entry, God's Plant(er) is Better than Mine! for more about this.)

So what are we doing?  What were the "God Directed Outcomes"? 

1. As a staff, learn to corporately practice (and model for our churches) the centrality of the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment in everything that we say, do or promote.
2. Respond fully as we are expectant that God will raise up (or prompt us to begin) important relationships with new, uninvolved or under-involved  pastors, leaders, and churches.  

Stay tuned as we—under the grace-filled guidance of God—head these directions together as a staff and with our churches!

The International Mission Board hosted a conference for North American and Canadian leaders on reaching the unreached in the urban centers.   We heard from IMB researchers and practitioners in the field. The meeting was full of insights.  Here are a few:

• In 2008, the majority of the world’s population now lives in the major urban areas.  It is projected that by 2050, 70% will live in the urban centers of the world.
• Refugees, immigrants, international students, high-powered executives with global corporations are coming to the major cities of the United States.
• There are 3,400 unengaged, unreached people groups around the world.  The U.S. and Canada have 584! 
• God’s method is multiplication which is the only way the major cities can be reached.    “1 + 1 + 1 = Your city will never be reached.”
• The number of foreign born residents is growing dramatically in the major cities of the U.S.
• We heard a testimony of a church planter in a major U.S. city who is having significant results using a strategy of combining a multi-cultural and a mono-ethnic approach.
• Researching the people groups in your mission field is essential.
• Many in our cities learn best by oral means.  Telling the stories of the Bible is an effective way to communicate God’s truth.
• We heard the testimony of a missionary in Africa who had to move back to the U.S. due to health issues.  He is now in New York City reaching African immigrants and refugees from the same people group.  God has opened doors for the gospel in Africa through these new converts in NYC.
• This missionary shared that our cities are connected to the world, are gateways to share the gospel, and we have been negligent to share the gospel to those God has sent to us.
• We can no longer think that the mission field is out there.  The mission field is also here.
• “Our rapidly urbanizing world has presented us with unprecedented strategic opportunity to impact lostness. We must seize the moment!”

Faviola and Allyson live in a mobile home park.  They don't have space on their lot to garden.  Instead, they are cultivating an 8 x 12 plot alongside their neighbors at Lawson Road Baptist Church's community garden. 

About a decade ago, the church in southeast Dallas planned to use the acreage around their building to construct a new worship facility.  But the Lord led them to use the land differently.  The church recently completed its eighth season of Glory Soccer, an inexpensive soccer league for the neighborhood kids.  Every year kids and parents become Christ-followers when they hear the Gospel during soccer practice.  Now, with the addition of the community garden, neighbors get to know each other as they work side by side to grow some of their own food.  Many of them, like Faviola who was recently baptized, are members of the church.  Others are not.  Even the RAs have a plot with some promising squash blossoms.  Pastor Harris is attempting to grow peanuts. 

The Texas Baptist Hunger Offering provided a grant for some of the start up expenses of the garden, like fencing and landscape timbers.  But the members of Lawson Road church and their neighbors have generously given to provide for the rest of the needs of the garden, including the labor and tender loving care.  Faviola says all the gardeners enjoy giving each other advice on how to grow the best vegetables.  We're praying for a great harvest this summer at Lawson Road Baptist Church, where "miracles blossom."

View more photos of Lawson Road's community garden

Twice a month I blog a Christian leadership principle or ministry idea.   This blog will be by a guest writer, Joanna Jesperson.   She is a friend, pastor's wife, mother of a preschooler and a servant of the Lord.  Enjoy Joanna's insights into Christian leadership from a mother and wife viewpoint.

Washing Dirty Feet

What are some of the most important roles or responsibilities God has given you as a woman?  Is it being a loving and supportive wife to your husband?  Is it raising your children to love and follow God?  What about your role in serving in your church?  Whatever God has given each of us to do, we have all been given an incredible opportunity to lead others in some way.  To exemplify Christ and be positively influential to those who are closest to us is a gift of grace that God has given us!  As Christian women, we have been called to be leaders in our homes, in our churches and in other arenas of our lives. 

So the big question is:  how do we display Christian leadership as we serve and love others, namely our husbands and children?  What does “leadership in the home” look like for us as women?  Could leadership look like everyday tasks like making meals or washing the dirty feet of our little ones after playing outside or sorting through the piles of laundry?  Or is leadership something more “spiritual” like praying with our children, reading Bible stories together or helping our children memorize scripture?   

The Proverbs 31 woman is a wise, attentive, and diligent leader in her home.  According to the Bible, when we properly lead in our own homes in the way God desires, we:

1. Can be trusted by our husbands (vs.11)
2. Bring our husbands good and not harm (vs.12)
3. Wake up early to meet the needs of our family (vs. 15)
4. Have the energy to work hard at our daily tasks (vs. 17)
5. See and meet the needs of our family and also in our communities, when possible         (vs. 20)
6. Show strength and grace and live in the “now,” not worrying about  tomorrow (vs. 25)
7. Speak with wise words to those around us, especially to our husbands and children (vs.26)
8. Instruct our children with kindness and love (vs. 26)
9. Keep a careful eye on the affairs of our households on a daily basis (vs. 27)
10. We put God first by fearing Him alone, which leads to respect and honor by our families    (vs. 30)

We have the incredible opportunity to leave a visible thumbprint of Jesus on the lives of our husbands and children when we work at these 10 things faithfully.  If they can see Jesus when looking in our eyes, we have truly been successful in our leadership roles and responsibilities!  This is, no doubt, a daily process of learning and growing.  We also know that while we will make mistakes along the way, thankfully God gives us the grace we need to continue striving for this goal.  Jesus’ last display of His love on this earth was washing His disciples’ dirty feet as an example for them to follow.  “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet” (John 13:14).  Jesus’ example of true humility, faithful service and deep love demonstrates to us that true servant leadership begins with a towel.  It is in the powerful action of “washing the dirty feet” of our husbands and children that we exemplify true servant leadership in our homes.    

Joanna Jesperson is the wife of Ryan Jesperson, pastor of Grace Temple Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas

posted by  Dr. R. W. Bobby Martin

Dallas Baptist Association exists to assist our churches individually and cooperatively in fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.

Recently I walked through a crowd of students on a local college campus.  My untrained ear detected at least three different languages being spoken around me.  I don't know what languages they were, but they were not English or Spanish.  As I continued walking, I looked at my watch and tracked the length of time until I heard English spoken. 90 seconds. 

How have you experienced the international flavor of Dallas?  God is bringing people from all over the world to our city, and He is calling them to faith in Jesus. Many of us need a fresh set of eyes and ears to understand how God is working around us.

To kick off DBA's week of prayer, pastors and church leaders are invited to a light lunch at the DBA office on May 14 (sorry, no momo!).  Following the lunch, many of us will load onto a van for an afternoon tour of some of the international neighborhoods of Dallas. Reserve your seat on the van!  Join us on May 14 and See the City.

Leading a church to become strong and vibrant is no easy task.   I attended a meeting in which church health, church growth, and church vitality were discussed.   Very disappointing news was presented concerning our Christian ministry in the state of Texas.   Sixty-one per cent (61%) of the Baptist churches throughout our state have declined or plateaued in worship attendance during the past five years.  This decline in attendance is an indicator of “real” problems or issues.   Could declining attendance be the tip of the iceberg?  Are there even greater issues than worship and church attendance to confront?

We must change our views and methods of discipling people in order to have empowered people and to have strong vibrant churches.   Individuals must have a passion for Christ and a sacrificial commitment.   In our churches today we must echo the same question of the first disciples found in Luke 24:32: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he (Jesus) talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  (NIV)   Each and every Christian should have a burning heart because of Christ.   Each individual must find his/her personal salvation, calling, and devoted passion for Christ.

Each week Christians gather for worship and/or Bible study.   The early church gathered also.  This is the description of the gathered church found in Acts 2:42-47:

“ ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (NIV)

How are the first century Christians depicted in Luke 24 and Acts 2?   As individuals they are described as “our hearts burning within us” and collectively they were described as “everyone was filled with awe.”  I believe these people could make a difference in their community and, in fact, they could change the spiritual destiny for many generations.  

As a leader in today’s church, are you ready to focus on making disciples with burning hearts and a sense of awe of God rather than building attendance?

posted by  Dr. R. W. Bobby Martin

Dallas Baptist Association exists to assist our churches individually and cooperatively in fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.

A teen-aged soccer player from Los Angeles, hearing the hail and the sirens, turned to me and said, "Does this happen often?"  I replied, "Welcome to Texas!"  Of course, then we discussed the weather trade off between the two states:  would we rather be in an earthquake or tornado?

Which would you choose?  If you were born and reared in Texas, likely tornadoes.  Humans have a tendency to prefer a known danger rather than risk the consequences of an unknown experience. Several times during their 40-year journey through the wilderness, the Israelites longed to be enslaved back in Eqypt.  God promised them victory in battle and a beautiful, verdant land.  But they wanted the security of the known instead of the adventure God offered.  

Have you ever resisted the call of God? Sometimes, we'd rather stay in the boat during the storms of life than get out and walk with Jesus on the water.  But the safest place to be is with Jesus, of course.  Wherever he takes you.  

Assist tornado victims

When You Think of Easter?

"When you think of the word Easter, what do you see? If you see bunnies and baskets of chocolate eggs, you are missing out on the richness of this day, considered by many Christians to be even more significant than Christmas. Easter, to Christians, is actually Resurrection Day – the anniversary of the day Jesus rose in triumph from the grave, claiming victory over death. Because He lives, so can you and I,"¹ through His grace and our simple faith in Him.  God provided the ultimate sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ for my (our) moment of grace.

I recently attended a gospel concert at Valley View Baptist Church.   One of the singers,  Joe Gordon, sang the song “A Moment of Grace” which he had written.  

"A moment of grace,
 undeserved favor, unspeakable joy, my soul found an anchor,
unmerited love and mercy that swept my soul away,
He called my name, everything changed in a moment of grace".²
 

Each of us has the opportunity to experience the Savior’s touch as He calls our name for our moment of grace.   The woman at the well, the thief on the cross, and many people experienced their personal moment of grace.   Have you experienced God’s undeserved favor, His unspeakable joy, a moment of grace?  Now can be your moment of grace!!

1.  http://www.allabouthistory.org/origin-of-the-word-easter-faq.htm
2.  http://www.ransomedonline.com/music/joe-a%20moment%20of%20grace/01-Track%201.mp3

posted by  Dr. R. W. Bobby Martin

Dallas Baptist Association exists to assist our churches individually and cooperatively in fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.