As the weekend begins the house is quiet. All of our Christmas company has returned to North Alabama. Bennett is in Mobile working and Rachel is back at the bank. Liz and I are getting ready for Sunday and then the New Years Day celebration. Next up is 2008. 

New Year resolutions will begin to pop up in the next few days. I encourage you to read the Bible through in the coming year. That is always a good thing. It is a great habit to have. You might try a different translation for your reading this year. That can keep things fresh and give you a new perspective. 

The news of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto was tragic news from Pakistan. Terrorism is something our generation will live with for years to come. The war on terror will not be short lived. The 2008 presidential election will soon take center stage in America. This will be a most important choice and we must be much in prayer about this issue. 

As we wrap up the year at Olive this Sunday, I will be delivering a message to challenge the church toward being a place of faith and vision. We must not rest on what has been done. With more than 80% of Southern Baptist Convention churches plateaued or declining, we must stay in touch with the Father to be all we are called to be. Almost 4000 churches close their doors each year in America. We must always have our doors open but that is not enough. There must be life when people enter the faith family meeting place. Pray for me Sunday as I exhort Olive not to commit the sin of the Nicolaitans. 

As the sun dawns on the day on which we celebrate the Birth of our Savior, I am a grateful man for my salvation. In Jesus we have the hope of eternal life, whom God, Who cannot lie, promised long ages ago. Joy to the world for the Lord has come!

Today Liz and I wish each of you a joyous Christmas. We have all of our family in town for the celebration. Christmas changes as we grow older and generations come behind us, but there are fond memories. My mother-in-law told us this week of 1939 and the first Christmas lights she ever saw. Electricity had just come to rural North Alabama and her father had one string of lights on the house. Never will I forget metal Tonka trucks under the tree in 1960. A full football suit came to me and all of my cousins around 1965. One year a shiny new bike was waiting under the tree. Almost ten years ago we gave Rachel a used truck, and I think I was more excited than she was. Christmas is full of memories. Most are made with families and giving. But things fade quickly and we realize that people are the most important. Mom, dad, wife, son, daughter and others are what make the season. Hug someone today and let them know of your love.

The Christmas services at Olive were glorious this year. Sunday the 23rd and the Christmas Eve gatherings on the 24th were heart warming. King Jesus was exalted and we His people were encouraged. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Pastor Ted Traylor

The concept of a Great Commission Resurgence is being written about more and more in Southern Baptist circles. I see the phrase popping up from time to time. I heard it first from Dr. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary. While I am not sure where the wording came from, I like it. We have had the Conservative Resurgence where we fought the battle for the Bible. Now we must take the message of the Bible to the world. However, it will take more than believing the Bible to cause a surge in great commission activity in our convention. Here are some other things that must gain our attention.

1. A Great Commission Resurgence must be preceded with the fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of those that are going to witness to the lost. Acts 1:8 tells us we must first be filled and then we will be God’s witnesses all over the globe. While leadership is important, the filling of the Holy Spirit is essential. The emphasis in the past 20 years has been that everything rises and falls on leadership. With all the leadership conferences we have held our baptismal numbers are falling, not rising. Leaders must get back to total abandonment to God. Desperate dependence on God’s sufficiency alone is needed for what ails us.

2. A Great Commission Resurgence will include ministry evangelism. This is a great tool for established churches to use in order to touch the community around them. Matthew 25 tells us what to do and why we do it. Feeding, clothing, housing and visiting the needy are right. Jesus told us this. He also said it would be a part of the final exam.

3. A Great Commission Resurgence will include church planting. It is a proven fact that new churches are the ones that reach the most people. Our world needs more churches. With over 300 million people now in America, we need new church plants. The large population centers in our cities provide fertile soil for this work. Established churches must plant new ones. This is a must.

4. A Great Commission Resurgence calls for cooperation. When Southern Baptists rallied for Bible truth people who did not agree on all Bible applications still came together in support of a common cause. Today we must once again put aside arguing over some local church issues and work together to reach the world with the Gospel. This is a delicate balance and not a simple matter. Nonetheless, taking a risk to touch the world is called for in this area.

At Olive we are one church. We are seeking to shine the light of the Gospel in our areas of influence simultaneously in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. I am glad we are not alone. Many others are shining this light alongside us.  They do not all do church as we do or even speak the language we speak. Nevertheless, they proclaim the Gospel we proclaim and we are co-laborers together in the Great Commission Resurgence. May God raise up thousands of churches to turn us back toward the mission field. The harvest is abundant but the workers are lacking.

Dear God, revive us for the cause of the Gospel!

Pastor Ted Traylor

As you pray today I ask that you call Dr. Keith Thomas’ name to the Father. Keith is pastor of Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile. He was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He is in Houston this morning at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center having surgery. It is scheduled for 8 a.m. Keith and Karen have been dear friends to Liz and me since seminary days in Texas. I ask you to join me in intercession for him and his healing.

On Wednesday evening of this week I am meeting with the 2020 Implementation Team. We have big-time decisions to consider. Pray for us as we convene at 7 p.m. The ministry village is first priority for us. That is what came from the 2020 Vision Plan. We will also have the privilege of dealing with other important items and issues that have surfaced. Truly, God has a plan and we are discovering His revelation.

Over lunch on Monday, Chairman Steve Harrod had a burdened heart. He said to me, “Pastor, we must get this right.” We understand the next generation will be forced to deal with choices we make. If we get it right the journey will be one of victory. If we miss God then a big price will be paid now and in years to come. I rejoice to have great lay leadership at Olive. Together we will get it right and get it done!

Don’t forget we have one service the next two Sundays at 10 a.m. It will be exciting to hunt parking and seating. Come early and stay late. Church will be wonderful!

Pastor Ted Traylor

On November 11, 2008 we will go to the polls to elect several officials. Election of a new President will be on the ballot. There will also be an amendment on the ballot concerning marriage in Florida. It is sometimes known as the Gay Marriage Ban amendment. You can learn more about it at www.florida4marriage.org.

This topic will be a hot one in our state. I encourage all voters to get informed and then get out the vote. Florida Baptists have been on the leading edge of this petition drive to get this issue to the ballot. This is needed legislation to protect marriage in years to come. 

Pastor Ted Traylor  

In 1918 missions leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention named our annual international missions in honor of Lottie Moon. After all she was the one that encouraged us to have an offering. Miss Moon went to China as a missionary in 1873 at the age of 32. She had spent Civil War days close to home and taught school in Kentucky and Virginia. Then God moved her heart to go and spend her life for the Gospel in China. She remained single after turning down a marriage proposal. It became her habit to write home to Southern Baptists asking for funding so the work could continue and expand. After 39 years of service she died on December 24, 1912 while in route home on a ship. Her memory and example encourages us to give to missions so others can go.

Harland Cason is a young man out of our church that now lives in Texas. He has been a church planter as well as a teacher of theology. A few days ago he sent me a book entitled, Theirs Is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America. I read it on the plane to Romania. It tells the story of Robert Lupton. Several years ago Robert moved to Atlanta and planted his life as a missionary to the inner-city dwellers. Do not read this book unless you are prepared to face some tough issues in your own walk and obedience to Jesus. It gave me much to think about as we seek to minister in Pensacola in a new and fresh way.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Our team has finished our teaching assignments in Romania. We are en route home. Last night I was in Vienna and the lights were magnificent. They really know how to do a Christmas celebration. It put me in the spirit of the season.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I spent eight hours with masters level theology students at Emanuel University.

I also spoke in Chapel to the entire school on Wednesday. There is a wonderful spirit on campus. As we invest in this work we are helping prepare an army of servants and preachers who will touch the world. It is an honor to be a trustee at such a place.

The internet can be a blessing or a curse. Many of the students and other believers I have met here watch and listen to sermons on our website. I remind you that your gifts make this possible. Please remain faithful with your giving as we approach the end of the year.

Yesterday our folks had the opportunity to minister in Pensacola to a unique group of people. We provided a seafood meal for the crew of workers who are completing the I-10 Escambia Bay bridge. I heard that all went well and many were blessed both as givers and receivers. Thank you to all those who made this ministry event possible.

I am looking forward to Sunday and beginning the sermon series “Christmas Anointing.” In addition, I can’t wait to hear the Christmas musical, Two From Galilee, that will be presented by our choir and orchestra this weekend. Join me in praying for a great day Sunday. Lord willing I will be home with at least one eye open!

Pastor Ted Traylor

Robert, Stan and I arrived this past Saturday. I preached to over 3,000 on Sunday morning at Emanuel Baptist Church. They baptized 32 in that service.

That evening we drove two hours to Arad where I preached at Love Baptist Church. It was a glorious service where my good friend, Onesimus, is the pastor. About 400 were in attendance.

On Monday the three of us started teaching at Emanuel University. I spent four hours with second-year students in pastoral ministry. On Tuesday and Wednesday I will be with master level students teaching a preaching course.

These are good days. Please pray for the school at Emanuel. The winter has been very cold and the heating bills are enormous. Challenges abound, but God is faithful. Thanks for allowing me to be away working in this vital ministry area. Your investment is important to this work. I will report more to you on Friday’s blog.

I heard you had a great day with my friend Dr. Ed Stetzer. I look forward to being back at Olive on Sunday.

Pastor Ted Traylor