Church Health and Church Growth

I recently read an article about Church Health and Church Growth. The title of the article: Church Growth is okay, but Church Health is What Matters. By the way, this was written by a pastor who has both church growth and amazing church health.

Paul says in Ephesians 4:16 “As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing.” (NLT) Notice it is Gods will for the Body to grow and to be healthy, not one or the other. Healthy bodies grow. You don’t have to force a healthy child to grow. Just put them in a stable environment and feed them properly and they will grow and grow. Churches, connection groups and individual Christians will grow spiritually if they are spiritually healthy. That is God’s will and plan.

At JIBC, we believe it is God’s will for every church, every Connection Group and every follower of Jesus to grow spiritually and to be spiritually healthy. How do we do that? We grow warmer through fellowship; we grow deeper through discipleship; we grown broader though ministry; we grow larger through outreach and evangelism and we grow stronger through worship. We strive to keep the five purposes of the church in balance: Fellowship, Discipleship, Service, Outreach and Worship. Which one is most important? They all are! The reality is that every Church and every Connection Group is driven by something: personalities, traditions, leaders, money, fear, etc. The goal is to be driven by the purposes of God as revealed over and over in His Holy Word. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) give a clear picture of Gods desire for His people. I am praying that JIBC will forever seek to be balanced in what drives us. It is not Church Growth or Church Health…it is both!

See you Sunday, good Lord willing, as we resume our teaching series in 1 John: That They May Know.

Pastor Tom

A POWERFUL SUNDAY PLANNED

This Monday, May 28 is Memorial Day. That means this weekend is Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day, a Federal Holiday held the last Monday of May, is a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces. To some it is associated with the beginning of summer and Labor Day marks the end of summer. Let us hope that Memorial Day is much more than a day off. Since before the Civil War, people were observing some form of Memorial Day. In some parts of the country it is called Decoration Day. We still have friends who will go to the family cemetery to pay respects to their loved ones, particularly those who died while serving the country. They use the day to clean the grave site, to decorate with flags and flowers and to gather for family reunions. In this type of setting it is easy to see how traditions and gratitude are passed down from generation to generation. On Veterans Day we give a well deserved thank you to all who have served and are currently serving. On Memorial Day, we recognize those who gave all in service. Make sure you and your families take time to reflect and remember: Freedom is not free.

This Sunday we will have another type of “Memorial Day” recognition as we observe the Lord’s Supper. We do this, after all, in remembrance of Him. Every time we observe the Lords Supper, we are remembering that our spiritual freedom was not free. It cost the Father His only begotten Son. It cost Jesus his life and His life blood. It cost Mother Mary her son. It is indeed a day to remember. It is a very appropriate time to combine these two “Memorial” events. Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for another. Jesus not only said these words, He lived them. The Bread and the Wine are taken in remembrance of the Good News of What God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

This Sunday we will also recognize those who are graduating. If your favorite graduate is not present Sunday, please know that we still rejoice with you and your family. Well done. Our prayers are with you all as you enter the next stage of your spiritual journeys.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

JAMES ISLAND OUTREACH

I wanted to give our church family the wonderful update on the James Island Outreach. Very soon JIO will be moving from the current site at our sister church, Bethany United Methodist. The Outreach will be in the new location on 1872-C Camp Road at St James Church. Construction and preparation work is still ongoing but they are coming close to the end! The new location will make it possible to serve many more people is a more spacious environment. Our community gives thanks to Bethany United Methodist Church for the many years they housed this ministry. Well done. James Island Outreach has been given the designation of a “Wellness Pantry”. This is kind of a big deal. There are thousands of food pantries across the nation but only 23 have received this designation so far. The goal is not just to give them food but to give them choices in healthy food and healthy eating ideas. Another wonderful expansion for the ministry.

So, how can we help now? Four ways I would like to suggest. First, keep buying and bringing the jelly. Whenever you see it on sale, buy, buy, and buy. We have been designated as the jelly church. Of course you could bring any non-perishable food item. Any food that is donated saves money that can be used to meet other needs. Second, do you have any of the reusable, woven grocery tote bags you could donate? This is a bigger need now since the clients will be able to “go shopping” at the food bank and select food items. I just love this creative idea. If you want to hit a homerun, bring your jelly donations in a reusable bag! Third, consider volunteering with your Connection Group. Susan Warren will be delighted to help your Connection Group find a way to get involved with any of the ministries we support: James Island Outreach, Lowcountry Orphan Relief, Lowcountry Pregnancy, Florence Crittenton, etc. Whatever mission we are doing, we can do it better together. BTW, I think they still have some construction and cleanup needs for those with that particular skill set. Fourth, pray for JIO as they search for the new Director. This will be an important decision that can affect the future in a wonderfully positive way. Add them to your prayer list.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing. This Sunday’s teaching will be from 1 John 1:5-2:2. The Joy of knowing you are forgiven. Our memory verse is 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Pastor Tom

CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE

I know it seems like yesterday that we announced Daring Faith: Renovating Believers and Renovating Buildings. Phase I was the roofing of the entire building. We had not replaced the shingles since 1990, after Hugo. Completed! Let me here you say amen. Phase II was the protection of the buildings, property and people. For most of us, the curve at Maybank and Wappoo just does not seem that difficult. If you add speed, night time and alcohol/drugs then it can be a horrific curve. We cannot do anything about the speed and D.U.I., but we could do something about the lighting and the protection. Each of the “boxes” has a concrete post planted into the ground designed to slow a vehicle down considerably before it gets very far on JIBC property. The lighting is necessary because almost 100% of the wrecks have been after midnight and before daybreak. The landscaping and signage were much needed. Our teams worked hard to make sure we had almost everything in place before Resurrection Sunday (Easter). We are grateful for their extra hard work. So, let’s celebrate that the first part of Phase II is completed…and paid for. Yes, we have put shingles on all the buildings and completed the extensive protection and landscaping project and have paid for it all. God is good and our church family and friends have been faithful and generous.

Now, the second part of Phase II is in the planning. We are applying for permits, ordering the elevator (doesn’t it sound cool to say that?) and working on the next timeline. At this point, here is the next order of events. First, we will have a ribbon cutting/prayer of dedication for the beginning of the new entrance. The new entrance will be on the Plymouth Avenue side of the building. That is also where the Elevator will be installed. We will most likely have the new entrance finished and in use before we start on the elevator. The elevators are made in China and apparently there is only one elevator inspector for the entire state of South Carolina. We will plan on ribbon cuttings when we start and dedication services when we finish. As soon as we know starting dates, we will warn you…I mean let you know…construction is about to begin.

I do not want us to miss the wonderful blessing of God. By His grace He has led our church family and friends to give generously above their tithes and offerings that we may be good stewards of His buildings. And because so many are giving on the front end of Daring Faith, we do not have to borrow money or pay interest. The blessing is doubled. To God be the glory.

Pastor Tom

WELCOME FRANKIE GILMORE

For the past year and a half Frankie Gilmore has been serving as our Youth Ministry Intern/Student Campus Ministry Director. During this time Pastor Sean trained and mentored Frankie as an intern. Under Sean’s supervision, much of the youth ministry had been turned over to Frankie’s leadership. Frankie has also been serving as Pastor Marty’s assistant in the Worship ministry. Therefore, it was easy to fully recommend Frankie to take on the new position as full time Youth Pastor. It worked out as if it was the perfect timing of God: we already had in place a qualified servant ready to step in.

Let me tell you a little about Frankie. He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Worship Leadership. He has a very strong background in bands and ensembles. Frankie’s peers recognize him as a leader, extremely organized, Gospel centered, artistic and creative. Since 2012 he has worked at Moe’s Southwest Grill in Summerville. The last three years he worked there as Shift Manager. Frankie is engaged to Jen Colburn. They make a most beautiful and wonderfully talented couple. You see Jen playing and singing in the praise band each Sunday. She also serves with Frankie and Marty in the Youth “Surge” ministry. Frankie and Jen have already been a blessing to our church family and the ministry here at JIBC. I look forward to working with Frankie and seeing how our Father will use him to equip JIBC to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken generation.

Two caveats to my introduction. First, Frankie is not Sean. God already has a Sean. Frankie is Frankie: saved by grace, blessed by God, talented in more ways than we can count. Sean brought almost 25 years of experience to the table. Frankie is just beginning his full time journey. Frankie learned from one of the best, so he has a great start. Second, Frankie is primarily focused on Youth Ministry. While he may deal with those infamous “other duties as assigned”, his primary mission is to lead JIBC to join God’s work to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken generation of youth. He is not the Connection Pastor or All Star Pastor. He is the Youth Pastor who will, as all of us do, help out when appropriate. Susan Warren will supervise Joanne Brown in Children’s Ministry and Marie Smith in Awana. It is our plan that Frankie will continue as our Full Time Youth Pastor even when, Lord willing, we fill Pastor Sean’s position as “Family Pastor/Associate Pastor”. The new position and title has yet to be determined. To God be the glory, great things He is doing!

Pastor Tom

Farewell

Pastor Sean came to me a few weeks ago to announce that he felt led to start a new church on Johns Island. When he came to share his decision I had mixed emotions. First, Sean has been a good friend and faithful servant during his five years here at JIBC. He is creative and highly energetic. Second, it had been our hope that Pastor Sean would be at my retirement, the next successor here at James Island Baptist. I had developed a four part, four year plan of succession believing Sean would help provide a smooth transition when the time came for my retirement.

Sean shared that he and Audra had prayed extensively about this new adventure. He felt like the Lord was leading him in a different direction. After hearing his plans, I agree with his decision. I very much appreciate his honest assessment, insight and concern for the ministry and mission of JIBC.
We have enjoyed and benefited from Sean’s ministry here at JIBC. He is gifted in so many ways and his sweet family has been a joy to us all. We will certainly miss them all. The good news is they are staying right here on James Island and ministering just across the bridge.

The Elders and I put together a plan that would recognize Sean’s years of service at JIBC and bless the new work he feels called to start. We are trying to be more in the sending business and less in the ending business. We believe James Island Baptist should affirm Sean’s calling with our prayer and our support. To that end, our leadership team has committed to pray and has approved supporting Sean with four full month’s salary as he begins his new church plant. In addition, when the new work is up and running, we have a $5,000 support check to donate. We believe this generous parting gift will help Sean and his family as they transition out of James Island Baptist into the work where God has called them.

Although Sean’s new work will be officially independent of JIBC, our friendship will continue and we hope there might be opportunities to partner in the future for the sake of God’s Kingdom. I have every confidence that God will continue to lead and bless JIBC just as He will Sean and his family. This may be a surprise to us but I do not believe it was a surprise to our Heavenly Father. To God be the glory.

Imagine how the Church at Antioch, Acts 13, must have felt when they commissioned and sent out the Apostle Paul AND Barnabas as missionaries. They were sending out the greatest theologian the church had known, the man God used to write half of the New Testament and his good buddy Barnabas, the most encouraging guy many of them had ever known. The end result…the Gospel continued to go around the world! May it be so again, in Jesus Name.

Pastor Tom

EXPERIENCING GOD

I am so enjoying teaching Experiencing God on Wednesday evenings. It is one of the major influencers in my growth as a follower of Jesus. When the opportunity comes around to take Experiencing God, I hope you will give serious consideration. It is a commitment and you reap the reward of making such a big commitment. One of the teachings I would share today concerns doing God’s will. It always costs to do God’s will. Sometimes it costs you and sometimes it costs those around you. When Jesus went to the cross it obviously cost him. It also cost his mother as she watched her son die such a cruel death. It cost his followers who felt like their dreams just died on the cross with Jesus. In Acts 13 the church at Antioch were led by the Holy Spirit to send out Barnabas and Saul (the Apostle Paul as he is called later). Imagine giving up the man God chose to write half of the New Testament. In addition, they gave up the man known as the Encourager. It cost to send out/give up two of the greatest leaders the church had ever known. It did not just cost Barnabas and Saul…it also cost the church. Someone else would pick up their responsibilities; others would feel like they were abandoned when they needed Barnabas and Saul the most. It always costs to do God’s will…it just costs more not to. Paul went on to be perhaps the greatest missionary who ever lived.

I could go on and on about the wonderful principles taught in Experiencing God. If you have taken it before, you know what I am talking about. If you have not…I hope you will sign up for the next course!

A LITTLE BIT OF AFTERGLOW

Praise the Lord for a wonderful Holy Week “This Changes Everything”. The Children’s musical was precious and wonderfully attended. Blessings were received all around. Marty and the Praise Team were outstanding at the Good Friday Worship service. It was a very meaningful worship experience. And then of course…Resurrection Sunday. The Worship Center was packed from top to bottom. Many of our members gave up their seats so others could sit. You make a pastor so happy. Thank you all. We baptized three adults and had inspiring music. What a day of rejoicing.

See you Sunday, another Sunday when we celebrate His resurrection! Every day we worship on the Lord’s Day/Sunday, we are recognizing the resurrection!

Pastor Tom