I apologize for the delay in updating.  I’ll get better. Remember, I’m new at this “blogging” stuff.  I hope you’ve enjoyed the first two weeks of our Say What? series.  I know it’s making an impact on our staff. When I returned to the office this afternoon, there was a sign over the door in the hallway that read, “Sinners Only Beyond this Point.” That truly reminds us of who we are–but with Jesus, none of us is just another face in the crowd.  Ministry with Jesus was always very personal. Though crowds surrounded Him, He had the most incredible personal touch.  And He still does! 

As we minister as the Body of Christ, the church, it’s challenging for us to minister in that same personal way Jesus did.  The first church I served as pastor had 25 active people attending (25 living people anyway, some of them weren’t too active).  It was fairly easy to minister to them in a personal way–to talk with them, to listen to them and to invest in their lives.  As the church grew, however, it became more challenging, but no less important. 

The same is true for us  at First Baptist. We don’t want anyone here to be just another face in the crowd.  Obviously, we want everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus, because we know that He will invest in your life, and His investment will yield many dividends. We also want you to have a personal connection with the Body of Christ at First Baptist.  While we are large enough that you can’t know every face in the crowd, I do hope we are all developing personal relationships within this Body.  That’s how we grow stronger in faith and in unity, and how we stay connected as God brings more people to our fellowship.  You begin the journey by finding Christ (actually He finds you), but as you continue the journey you need to find a friend.  God never intended for you to feel all alone in the crowd.

I challenge us to take some time and personally invest in the lives of a few people–and not just people who are already followers of Christ–but invest in some who have not yet found the way, the truth and the life that is Jesus.  After all, that was and is Jesus’ own model of ministry.  While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” were eating with Him and His disciples . . . Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:15, 17) 

I’ll update again soon. Please share your thoughts and insights. You’re not just another face in the crowd, you’re an important part of the Body of Christ and our First Baptist Family.

Blessings,

pastor greg