DOES YOUR CHURCH GPS NEED AN UPDATE?

Updating a GPS can be simple or complicated, free or costly, beneficial or no help at all.  It all depends on the make, model and newness of your device.  Regardless, if you don’t update your device you run the risk of being uninformed and out of the loop of new roads and information that could be crucial in reaching your destination. 

A Global Positioning Device (GPS) is used to help navigate us from Point A to Point B and all destinations in between.  With satellite technology and supposed pin point accuracy signals bounce back and forth and “Walla” there it is on your device screen.

As a Great Commission Resource Center, the church needs to update their GPS often.  New ideas, new resources and proven methods are available to help God’s people implement the vision that God has given to assist them in completing that Acts 1:8 Challenge that has not changed.

Your Regional State Missionaries are available to assist you, resource you and come along beside to help you in any way you need to reach your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and even the remotest part of the earth.

 

©Harris R. Malcom

Being a Missional Christian

Being a Great Commission Christian is about letting Him live out His life through you in the everyday fabric of life.  It is being authentic as well as relational as we do life at home, work and play.  It involves persistence and sensitivity. 

It happens at the local recreation complex while watching your child’s T-ball game.  It can begin and develop over time as you relate to fellow civic club members in the ongoing activities of a particular civic club.  Whether you are into hunting, fishing, flea markets or NASCAR you are not alone.  There are other believers around, but more importantly there are also lost people who need Jesus. 

The Great Commission is about penetrating darkness.  It is about getting the Good News of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.  There is more than one way to do this, but one way is right in the middle of what we are already doing.

Jeff Iorg, in his book, “Live Like A Missionary” writes, “A missional Christian connects with people and prioritizes building relationships with unbelievers – not just being in their general vicinity and hoping for the best.”

What does all this mean? 

·         It means that we must be about having meaningful conversations about Jesus in the daily routines of life. 

·         It means staying off that smartphone sometimes to engage that person with conversations about life and the LIFEGIVER. 

·         It involves patience and persistence in planting gospel seeds, answering life questions and praying for the Spirit of God to bring conviction and conversion.

©Harris R. Malcom

I AM A ROYAL AMBASSADOR

 

As a boy growing up in a Southern Baptist Church I became a part of Royal Ambassadors. Although not the same, there are similarities to the Boy Scouts of America. As a matter of fact I served a church one time that had both a BSA Troop and Royal Ambassadors and we had young men who were members of both. I never asked the BSA to recognize the work of the R.A.'s but we did accept like kind accomplishment from BSA to R.A.'s (eg. ropes, crafts, camping, etc).

One of the first things I learned was the R.A. Motto: "We are Ambassadors for Christ."

Then there was the R.A. Pledge: "As a Royal Ambassador I will do my best to become a well-informed, responsible follower of Christ; to have a Christlike concern for all people; to learn how to carry the message of Christ around the world; to work with others in sharing Christ; and to keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body."

I was a Cub Scount had many friends who were in Boy Scouts and eventually I joined the BSA. I was extremely close to attaining to the status of "Tenderfoot" which I believe was one of the first levels. I soon dropped out because I had too much on my plate and my school work was suffering so something had to go (by the direction of my parents).

As I look back over the years scouting has had a great impact on many lives. I had the privilege of being pastor to a number of Eagle Scouts and participating in their Eagle ceremony. I have had the utmost respect for scouting. However, last week scouting decided to commit suicide. They may not know it, but that one decision killed the Boy Scouts of America.

Baptist Press recently ran an article in light of BSA's recent decision on allowing gay scouts. It is worth the read. Here is the link:http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=39606