This past Sunday I introduced the new, church-wide ministry “Daring Faith: The Key To Miracles”. For the next 10 weeks we will have a tremendous opportunity as a church family. So, down to basics: “What is Daring Faith: The Key To Miracles”?
1. IT IS A TIME TO BUILD SPIRITUAL MATURITY
During the next 10 weeks you will be offered many opportunities designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your love and build your character to be more and more like Jesus. We have a 40 Day Daring Faith Devotional for you to use. Together, as a church family, we will focus our study on the beautiful passages in the Bible that speak about daring faith.
“According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matthew 9:29
2. IT IS TIME TO COMPLETE OUR RENOVATIONS
On Sunday, November 19 and November 26, 2017 we will be attempting to raise just over $400,000 to complete the church wide renovation, repairs and replacements. Our Pastors, Church Staff, Elders, Finance Team, Ministry Management Team and Deacons voted unanimously to lead our church to finish the task. The Top 10 Renovations will make a significant improvement in the beauty, protection, curb appeal, care for elderly and safety of our church family and community. It is a major effort to do our best to offer the best.
“Just as you excel in everything else—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in earnestness, and in love, see that you also excel in the grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7
3. IT IS A TIME TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY
We are hoping to have as many as possible involved in Connection Groups for the 6 week study. Pastor Sean has made a commitment to help everyone he can find a group, start a group and be in a group. Here is the great draw: you can sign up for just the 6 weeks; you could do this with your own family (4 to 6 people would make a great group); you can start now or next week, it is a flexible schedule. Really, we want everyone to have the opportunity to be involved in this 6 week study. Do you have a DVD player, some pretzels and tea? You are almost the best host ever already!
“Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“…they fellowshiped from house to house.” Acts 4:46
4. IT IS TIME TO BUILD A SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING
Every year we host a free Thanksgiving Meal the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Imagine the celebration this year as we conclude 10 weeks of Daring Faith! I believe we will have great stories to tell for years to come. My prayer is that on Thanksgiving Sunday we will give thanks for what could be the largest offering in the history of our church family!
“Celebrate the Harvest Festival…by bringing a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing God has given you. Be joyful in the Lord’s presence with your family…” Deuteronomy 16:10-11
This is going to be a great 10 weeks for JIBC and Friends!
Pastor Tom
This Sunday is the introduction to the Church Wide Daring Faith campaign. We are undertaking quite a bit over the next two months. First, we are continuing all the missions and ministries that reflect the values of James Island Baptist. That is a very full schedule of making our community a better place to live by being salt and light. Second, we are attempting to raise faith and funds, over the next three years, to complete some much needed and long overdue renovations. I compare this to my daughter getting ready to sell her house. In order to sell your house, to make the best impression and to attract potential buyers, you want to make your home looks as attractive and appealing as possible. So, you focus on your curb appeal; you repair your roof; you fix any soft spots in the floor; add some fresh paint. You do whatever you need to do to make the house seem like a home.
Church renovations are kind of like that. We must care about curb appeal. Landscaping and signage are not that big of a deal to us, but to the newcomer, first impressions are lasting impressions. The roof is repaired because we had serious leaks that could be seen in the ceiling tiles. Our main hallway bathrooms have not been updated in over 40 years. The need for an elevator is becoming greater as these baby boomers start aging out! You get the picture. If I want my house and home to look good, why would I not want the House of the Lord to also look good. Some of the renovations we are hoping to make may not be of direct concern to many of us who are already active committed members. It may make all the difference in the world to potential members. We want the first impression to be a positive one…from signage, to fresh looking parking lots; from safe floors to elevators to the top!
That is one of the things that sets healthy churches apart. Why do you do what you do? Who are you doing it for? We are growing to believe that the most important member of the church is not even a member yet. When we reach them and invite them and they honor us by coming…we want to put our best foot forward. May they see our good works…our discipleship, our generous giving and our stewardship of the building and grounds…and give glory to our Father in Heaven.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Tom
Most of the time in life we do not get a chance to do it over. I have found it to be a helpful exercise in personal growth to ask the question anyway: If I could have a do over, what would I do differently. In reference to Irma, I think it is particularly helpful to ask. While Irma will not be back, we are very likely to face one of her siblings. So what, if anything, would I do differently?
First, I think we were amazingly blessed by the company and crew that put the shingles on the roof. I know the question was out there about putting this on before a hurricane. Just remember, we had multiple leaks in multiple places. We have no way of knowing how much more damage could have been done with the torrential rains. As far as I can tell, the timing of replacing the shingles was just in time. The roofing crew completely finished the Worship Center and almost all the rest of the buildings before last Sunday morning. Wow. To God be the glory and to all who made that call…thanks.
Tuesday morning, Neale and I walked our entire building and every room and only found leaks in two places. One was through a window and one is related to the metal roof in the atrium. When rain comes sideways and from the ground it will find a way inside. The Transition House also made it with no leaks or roof damage. Now, we do have a lot of limbs and debris to be cleaned up. Again, to God be the glory.
Second, the storm reminded us of the need for a Connection Group/Church Family contact plan. We will work on a more reliable way to keep everyone quickly informed and a way to find out everyone’s status. The best plan seems to be the Connection Groups. We will work on that sooner rather than later. Remember, a chain is only as good as its weakest link. Let’s stay connected.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing and the other creek don’t rise!
Pastor Tom
I am always enamored by Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s love poem “How Do I Love Thee”. It is a good read anytime. When I think of the blessings of JIBC, I usually start with her opening line: “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” So, let me share some of the reasons…not so much the ways…that I love JIBC.
First, as soon as the news about Harvey and Houston broke, we had church leaders and members asking what JIBC could do. We have some already committed to going. So, if you cannot go or cannot go just yet, what can we do? Pray. You can imagine the strain and pain of life after a hurricane. Many of us lived through Hugo and several lesser storms. So pray. Give. You can give through South Carolina Disaster Relief or you can give directly to churches on the ground just outside of the Houston area. Ron and Jill Cipriano live outside of Houston and have helped us get in contact with churches actively involved. As we know information, you will know it. Susan Warren is our contact person. By the way, we are waiting to see what Irma is doing. We might have urgent needs closer to home.
Second, I love that our JIBC family voted unanimously to move forward with Phase II of our renovations. I am glad to see the renovations but not near as glad about the way we arrive at the decisions. We had unanimous agreement among the staff, the Elders, The Finance Team, the Ministry Management Team and the Deacons. Then, with a wonderful family meeting attendance, we had unanimous support again. That is not unheard of but it is wonderful! It is one of the things I love!
I just did an interview with a student from one of our universities about community health. It was wonderful to just be able to talk almost non-stop about the way you bless our community and make it a better place to live. I love you…let me count the ways.
BTW, the roofing work has started today, Tuesday, September 5. Our belief is that it is going on in just the nick of time. Hammer on!
Pastor Tom
