PASTOR NEWSLETTER
JUNE 2024
School Days!
On a recent Monday morning, I spent some time with two local pastors discussing ministry and many other topics. In the course of our conversation, I mentioned a former coach with whom I worked at Geraldine for many years. As soon as his name left my lips, the doorbell rang at the church. It was the coach whom I had just named. The church’s pastor said, “That is really weird.” The coach came up to the church office, and I said hello as our minister’s meeting was drawing to a close. We immediately started discussing memories of our time working together at Geraldine. There were plenty of laughs and smiles in those few moments together.
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As a teacher and administrator, the best way to describe the beginning of a new school year was anticipation with a side dish of apprehension. How would my new classes be as opposed to last year’s group? Will the inevitable changes that happen in education be a good thing or a disaster? Those conflicting thoughts eventually had to be put away, for there were students to teach, to care for, and to get ready for the world that quickly awaits them.
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Friends, Satan will always try to put doubts and uncertainties in the forefront of our minds, no matter the time or the situation. As the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must be mindful to stay on task and fulfill our Kingdom service. The lost souls in our communities and in our circles of influence depend upon children of God being bold in their witness. May the beginning of the school year be a reminder to give our best each day!!
Upcoming Events!
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September 8: Homecoming with Anthem Edition. Fellowship meal after the service.
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September 10: Senior adult outing to Decatur for singing and lunch.
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September 15: Myers-Mallory State Missions offering ingathering. Goal is $300.
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September 20: Feeding Geraldine FB team, band, and cheerleaders. Details to come soon.
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September 22: Observance of the Lord’s Supper during the morning service.
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September 29: Wedding shower for Faith Davis from 2 to 4 p.m. in the FLC.
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
There are many college football teams that have a sign that the last thing players see before they head onto the playing field. The University of Oklahoma and Notre Dame both use the same statement on their signs. They read, “Play like a champion today!” The graphics in the tunnel at Bryant-Denny Stadium remind Alabama players to “Be a champion!” Auburn Tiger players walking out of their locker room are reminded that their family is “88,043 strong!” No matter the school or the saying, these players are being encouraged to give their best as they get ready to start the game.
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Bro. Ryan and I were having a discussion about preaching, and during the course of our texts back and forth, I shared a passage of Scripture with him from 2 Timothy 4. Bible scholars believe this letter was written during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment, which took place approximately in A.D. 66-67. The apostle was convinced that his execution was imminent, so he took time to give some final words of instruction to his beloved son in the faith.
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The words from 2 Timothy 4:1-5, I shared, could literally be put on a sign in every pastor’s office. Just as players are encouraged to “Be a champion,” the Word of God has encouragement for the man of God who shares the message for any given occasion. He is to “Preach the Word.” He is to “be ready, in season and out of season.” His message might involve both negative and positive elements. The negative elements are to convince and rebuke, which means the preacher is bold in discussing the danger of sin and folly of continuing to live a life of rebellion against the Lord. The positive elements are to exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. This means the preacher shares with people the doctrines and instructions of the Lord that will lead to repentance, forgiveness, salvation, and discipleship for the body of Christ.
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There have been false teachers in every age, and Paul warned Timothy about the time when “professing” Christians will be drawn to speakers (I hesitate to use the word preachers here) who are unwilling to preach the whole counsel of God’s Word. They instead use the Bible as a springboard for an object lesson or some pithy feel-good words that will only lead to calamity instead of truth and conviction.
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Liberty is blessed with preachers, both young and old, who understand the importance of preaching and its impact upon both the lost and the saved. My prayer is that the church continue to pray for our preachers as we strive to preach the Word, to fulfill our ministry, and to bring God honor and glory through the sharing of God’s Word.
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1 Corinthians 9:16 “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”