I have done some thinking and evaluating since hearing the numbers on the baptisms in the SBC. We are at the lowest total in sixty years. And yet we have more churches than ever before.
We have a disconnect.
I realize we have a huge spiritual problem. We do need revival. Awakening is the answer to much that ails us. However, even with a move of the Lord among us, we need some development.
As I looked at Olive and other churches I had something hit me. When was the last time I read a tweet, Facebook post or an announcement about soul-winning training? I am having a hard time remembering. I see much about defending the faith and financial peace. It seems the army of the Lord has gone into a mind set of defense rather than offense. I have some work do.
We must train a generation to be hot-hearted soul winners. He that wins souls is wise. I fear we have become a church fearful of being offensive with the Cross.
Pastor Ted Traylor
Today we concluded Vacation Bible School at Olive . It was a great week. The day ended with a baptismal service. Appreciate all the hard work our volunteers put into making this a marvelous week!
This afternoon I went to lunch downtown with some friends. I asked if they would drive by Mt. Zion Bible Church with me. I had recently heard of the church and their publications ministry. When I walked in I saw a copy of Free Grace Broadcaster. As a young preacher someone placed my name on the mailing list of this quarterly journal of Christ-centered sermons and articles. I had no idea is published in Pensacola. I have only been here twenty years!
The Chapel Library printing ministry publishes and sends literature all over the world. I was impressed with what I saw today. The people I met were kind and gracious to us. I was glad to meet some Gospel friends with a heart to get out the message. I realize many churches and ministries have different methods and convictions. However, when the Gospel is sent out I like it. For the Word will not return empty.
Have a great weekend. Look forward to seeing many of you on Sunday.
VBS at Olive is off to a great start.
Continue to pray for the teachers and students. Thursday is always a big day as I share the Gospel and give an invitation. Ask the Lord to draw boys and girls to Himself.
Liz and I returned home from the Southern Baptist Convention on Thursday afternoon. Thanks to NAMB President Dr. Kevin Ezell giving her his upgrade, Liz flew in first class from Phoenix to Atlanta. Love those SBC servant leaders!
I have a few reflections on the Arizona meeting of Southern Baptists. It was the smallest gathering of our messengers in fifty years with just less than 5000 registered.
World missions dominated the meeting. We were challenged to embrace an unreached people group and go after them as the Lord opens doors. We were also challenged to be a church planting church. That fits into the New York City work we are doing now. And we were challenged to raise our CP giving by 1%. As messengers left the meeting, there was a buzz in the air about a new day for missions. We now have work to do.
The one thing I heard very little about was spiritual awakening. It was mentioned but it did not rise to center stage. During the Great Commission Resurgence focus, the only thing I heard everyone agree on was the need for revival and repentance among our people. It seems we have moved the work of our hands ahead of the work of God’s Spirit. The need of the hour is brokenness, cleansing, repentance and then true vision comes. It is my opinion that a time of Solemn Assembly should be planned for New Orleans in 2012. That will not be the case, as it was not put forth at this convention.
Southern Baptists are on a downward slide. Baptisms are at a sixty year low. We need a mighty breakthrough of the Spirit of Almighty God. Without it we will have business as usual for another year.
Pastor Ted Traylor
Greetings from Phoenix, Arizona. The annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention convenes today. Pray for President Bryant Wright as he leads the sessions. The pastors conference concluded last night with a call to missions and church planting from Rick Warren. These have been good days. However, Southern Baptists need to awaken to the massive need before us. The world needs the Gospel. We must GO and proclaim!
For the past ten years we have seen a downward trend in baptisms. Last year we hit a sixty year low. This decline should cause us to put aside differences and stress the Gospel. That is the reason this great denomination was formed in 1845. It is time for a returning to our roots. With new leaders in place I am hopeful we will make a turn and see a rise in disciple making.
This afternoon I have the joy of praying over NAMB President Kevin Ezell as he prepares to address Southern Baptists for the first time. That comes at 4:45 AZ time. You can watch on line the streaming of the sessions at www.sbc.net.
Pastor Ted Traylor
This week LifeWay Christian Resources released the statistical report on Southern Baptists from 2009. It was not a good picture. Baptisms are at their lowest point in 60 years. Here are some of the numbers.
While the numbers do show the convention of churches on a decline in the current year, our overall snapshot for the past decade is a picture of plateau or stagnation. We are hovering at the same place year after year. Our model of ministry is not keeping up with the changing culture. It is fast paced and we are walking slowly. We do have churches that are growing, reaching and making disciples. Yet, we have thousands of churches that are not baptizing anyone. I mean zero. And many others are just trading members with other churches.
This report should break the heart of every Southern Baptist. It should have us on our faces, crying out for awakening. It should have us asking God for our old men to dream dreams and our young men to have visions. We need freshness. We need repentance. We need revival.
Pastor Ted Traylor
For years New York City schools have allowed their buildings to be utilized by other organizations when the facilities are not being used by the school. Church plants in New York have found this to be a good partnership. School buildings have been rented by churches for several years.
Now a federal court has said no more. A school board is free to close its doors to churches. The rational is the separation of church and state has been breached. The court says since Muslims and Jews cannot use the facilities, it appears a Christian church is being established on state grounds. The Muslims would meet on Friday and Jews on Saturday when the buildings are not available due to school functions.
So the state war against the church roars on. Never mind that these churches pay rent and often provide upgrades to the facilities. The church in America finds itself increasingly at odds with its own government. A radical unbelieving element of America cares not for the church and hopes she will go away. However, the church is here to stay. Believers may be forced to meet elsewhere but they will remain.
As we seek to plant a church in New York, I ask you to pray for the churches there. Ask the Lord to provide for their needs. Ask God for revival in the city. Intercede that this biased law will be overturned.
Pastor Ted Traylor
For many today is the day! For others is has already hit or is coming quickly. I always hear from students this time of year. They have a smile on their face and a jump in their step. And those are just the teachers! The kids have come to a time of achievement. Another grade is gone and they are on to the next. Those graduating will have a wide range of emotions. This is a great week for students.
Some thirty-nine years ago I was in the Pisgah High School Class of 1972. It was hot in that gym. We had a prayer and no one monitored it. The valedictorian and salutatorian gave speeches. No stood over them to see if they used the word Jesus. Mrs. Cooley did watch to make sure each person was dressed as they should be in the right color clothes. It was a great night as we walked into the future.
I have stayed in touch with a few of the people in that class. But most of us departed and would not see each other until reunions or the invention of Facebook. But we made great memories. There was structure. We had rules to go by. Parents were involved. Most teachers kept a wooden paddle in the desk drawer. And yes-they used it. Those were good days for me. I still smile about much of it.
On this last day of school I am grateful for those who made an impact on my life in education. Remember to be a positive force for students throughout each year. They need it every day, not just the last one.
Pastor Ted Traylor
