My friend, Bob Roberts, is pastor of the Northwood Church in Ft Worth, Texas. I have recently read a couple of his books including some of his workbook regarding church planting. Bob uses the word “glocal” to describe the work we are to be about. He emphasizes the local and global aspects of ministry working in tandem with each other. We are not to begin in Jerusalem and move to Samaria and then onward to the ends of the earth. Rather we should be engaging all of these fronts at the same time.
 
At Olive, this means we have work to do right here in our own area. Yesterday I dropped in on the ladies at the Charis House. They encourage me every time I am around them. This is a part of our local work. At the same time, we are helping plant churches in San Diego and Cleveland. This week we received word that Dr. Troy Bush is leaving our staff to join the church planting team in Baltimore. We will no doubt be doing some work in that area in the future. Simultaneously we are at work in Romania, Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and other points around the world.
 
Another aspect of this endeavor is that as Southern Baptists we are linked with other churches doing work around the globe and at home. Our Cooperative Program gifts allow us to do things with others we could never do alone. Not only are we glocal as an individual church, but we are linked with others in a faith-family relational way that allows us to reach out beyond our own capacity.
 
Olive Baptist has been blessed because God has favored us and given us a greater capability than some other churches. Some people call us a large church and “to whom much is given much is required.” We must not only do the work God has assigned to us but we must also be good encouragers of others as they join in the work. In a day when denominations are not looked upon with a positive eye, I still see being a Southern Baptist as a big plus in achieving glocal ministry.
 

Pastor Ted Traylor

A few days ago Liz and I were out for lunch. At the table just beside ours an interesting conversation was going on. Three middle-aged ladies were discussing a recent trip to a fortune teller. The serious nature of the issue was evident in their tone and excitement. We could not help being in the conversation as the tables were very close together. It was most interesting to hear the women describe what the medium had told them about their past and the future.
 
A recent ad in the Pensacola News Journal advertised a Saturday night séance. The date for the event is Saturday, October 27 and the cost to attend is $25. While the ad did not say so, some are under the impression this is a fundraiser for the Saenger Theatre. The headline in the ad calls this “Friends of the Saenger Saturday Night Séance.” It is being held at the old Civil War Soldier Museum on Palafox Sreet. Here is the description of the night’s event: “Local psychic, Sharon Renae, will host the séance designed to channel information from the other side. Is there someone who has passed on who is trying to communicate with you? Join us for a possible answer to that question. Renae’s clients cover the globe and she continues to receive warm accolades from those who visit with her. This event is not recommended for children under the age of 13.”
 
Before you run downtown and drop $25 to talk with a dead person I suggest you read Leviticus 19:31 and Acts 16:16-18. Seems every year as Halloween approaches I have questions about such activities. Be certain the demonic is alive and well in our world. If you are a follower of Jesus, such events as I have described have no place in your life.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Several people have asked me about the amount of the offering we took up for the Greater Little Rock Baptist Church this past Sunday. The counters brought me a total of $10,200 today. Thank you, church family, for trusting me and following my lead and request to help our sister church that was ripped up during the recent tornado in the downtown area. We will get the check to them this week. On Wednesday of this week, leaders at the Pensacola Bay Baptist Association are putting together some workers to help people in recovery from the storm. If you are interested you can call Stan Lewis in our office (850-476-1932) to see what you might do to be a part.

In the past few days we have found ourselves in a significant situation with Escambia County officials and code enforcement regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages within 1000 feet of a place of worship or educational facility. We are both of these. “Conditional Use” can be granted by the Board of Adjustment if certain conditions exist. There is a business owner opening a new eating establishment in the old Burger King building just south of us on Davis Highway. We stated our objections on October 17 but the board did not act. Instead they set another hearing for November. We will once again be before the board. I ask you to pray that our spokesman will be able to present our case with clarity, conviction and compassion.

Tonight I will be driving over to the First Baptist Church of Fairhope, AL, to preach. The theme for the night is “Renewing Our Passion to Reach Our Neighborhoods for Christ.” That is exactly what I was preaching about Sunday evening when we discussed Jesus: A Friend of Sinners.

I encourage you to look around for ways to reach out to your neighbors. One good way is to invite those with children to the Fall Festival this Saturday from 10a.m.-1p.m.

Pastor Ted Traylor

On Wednesday of this week Pensacola was 20 inches behind in rainfall. We are quickly catching up. Thursday morning I was at the Pensacola Bay Baptist Associational meeting. Dr. Ed Stetzer was teaching in the morning session when I received a message on my phone. (Yes, I had it on vibrate during the seminar.) Word was a tornado was on the ground in downtown Pensacola. We all paused to pray and then made some calls to see about family, churches and so forth. The Greater Little Rock Baptist Church lost a roof. We will be helping them as the need is presented. 

We know about storms in Pensacola. And with each one the Lord is always found faithful. Every storm is different, but once again we can look for ministry opportunities to those most affected by the damage from yesterday’s tornado. Ed Stetzer was teaching about being a missional church when the storm blew in. We can once more practice what we know.   

At my house I have had phone calls and e-mails from points across the nation where former members and friends have heard about the storm on television. Many of them have made contact to see if we were all right. It is always good to hear from friends who care. I encourage you to reach out to someone with a call, a card or a visit. It does make a difference. 

Pastor Ted Traylor      

In years gone by somehow October became Clergy Appreciation Month in America. I think Dr. James Dobson made this popular as he pushed it on his radio program. The idea now has traction. My mailbox finds cards from many during this month. Then others hand me a book or a token of appreciation. I am indeed grateful.  

As we hit the middle of the month I want to ask a favor of the members at Olive. Remember to say thanks to the other staff servants at Olive. Look around in the area where you serve and find the staff member who serves and ministers with you and to you. If you are in the orchestra give Tom a good word. If you work with preschoolers make sure you thank Shea for her work. You get the idea. These are wonderful team members. A word of thanks goes a long way.    

A couple of weeks ago a deacon came by to see me after the early service. He said, “Pastor, I want to thank you for facilitating the music at Olive.” He went on to say he knew I had nothing to do with producing the sounds – it did not take Divine insight to know that! Nevertheless, he knew that my sanction and blessing on this part of our worship ministry allowed it to take place. He greatly encouraged me.   

During the month of October look around and thank a staff member for their good work. And to each of you who will do just that, I say, “Thanks!” 

Pastor Ted Traylor     

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week I was in Atlanta for the North American Mission Board meeting. Prior to that, on Monday evening we celebrated the commissioning of our new president Dr. Geoff Hammond along with a host of new missionaries. A couple of the new appointees are serving in San Diego and will be able to help with our new church plant as pastor Brad Graves gives leadership. These two young ladies are not directly assigned to the work we are doing but they know of it and they will be teaming up with that effort when necessary. I spoke with both of them following the service. I encourage you to pray for them. They are Anna Dean and Amanda Mark. Anna will work for the Focus City initiative in San Diego. Amanda is a US/C2 missionary and will coordinate volunteers as they come to San Diego to work. In the days ahead some of those volunteers will be from our church. 

One other appointee caught my attention because of his former ties with Olive. Matt Celoria and his wife, Amber, are church planters in Phoenix. If you have been at Olive for 15 years or longer you may remember the Celoria family. The entire family sang and they travelled as music evangelists for many years. Part of that time they were members here at Olive. I baptized the youngest daughter several years ago. Mark and Amber have one son and a little girl on the way.    

On the back of the program for Monday’s event was this question, “What is a missionary?” Since I have asked every Olive member to be a missionary I read with interest. Here is the definition that was given, “A missionary is a person who, in response to God’s call and gifting, leaves his or her comfort zone and crosses cultural, geographic or other barriers to proclaim the Gospel and live out a Christian witness in obedience to the Great Commission.” This statement was first adopted by NAMB and IMB in 2000 and is still so very relevant today.   

Some people answer the call of God and go to another location to be a missionary. I witnessed seeing that commitment fleshed out in the lives of many last Monday. For those we are grateful. But we are all to be on mission. I found my mission field opportunity Thursday afternoon in a local department store. There were two people with whom I sought to share the Gospel while I was in the store. All of us must be on mission each day. Believe me when I say there is room on this team for every Christian. 

Pastor Ted Traylor     

Monday evening Liz and I had the pleasure of attending the inauguration for Dr. Geoff Hammond, the new president of the North American Mission Board. Along with other trustees we gathered at the First Baptist Church Eagles Landing just south of Atlanta. Our new president needs our prayers. He stands on the shoulders of good men that have gone before him in leading Southern Baptists to reach America with the Gospel. Planting new churches and assisting existing churches to be on mission is no easy task. We must continue to do our part in this endeavor.

In the same meeting, we participated in the commissioning of several new NAMB missionaries. It was an exciting night. I was proud and honored to stand with others representing over 42,000 SBC churches as those commissioned to share the Gospel right here in America enlarged the ranks of our NAMB missionaries.

This past Sunday many in our own church family made personal giving commitments to our annual missions offering. Others will do the same in the coming days. These gifts will be used to accomplish mission work. One of the many arms of mission effort here at Olive is enabled through NAMB.  A portion of our giving is designated to the Annie Armstrong Easter offering which channels funds to the missionary force of NAMB. 
 
It is easy for some to attack verbally the actions of the SBC. And sometimes we are deserving of those less than flattering comments. Nevertheless, there are many things right about the SBC and her mission work. Truly, this is our team at its best. As we give, we partner with other great churches in America who share a common desire and burden for the evangelization of America. We must be faithful in our giving.

Pastor Ted Traylor

It has been a busy week as I traveled to Destin with the Olive pastoral team for our staff retreat. This annual getaway is a time to focus, pray, plan, dream and build friendship. This year’s trip was successful. Our team trip included Eric Miracle for the first time. He is our new Minister of High School Students. I remind you to pray for and encourage him.
 
Patrick Lencioni wrote the book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Listed below are the items he details in the book. Pray over these items for your staff leadership.

1. Absence of Trust
 
2. Fear of Conflict
 
3. Lack of Commitment
 
4. Avoidance of Accountability
 
5. Inattention to Detail
 
Like any other team our staff at Olive must work on these issues. Staff retreat is one way we do some of that. The church is gracious to allow us to get away. It is an investment worth making.   I want to thank Bill Estes and Larry Dick among others for covering some of the essential work at Olive while we were away.  They are much appreciated.
 
This Sunday we conclude out three week mission focus. We will be making our giving commitments during the service. Join me as I preach on the prerequisite for global missions. 

Pastor Ted Traylor

Although our pastoral team works hard while we are away, one of the highlights of our retreat is a golf outing with some friendly competition. This year’s winning foursome was Dan Beard, Jeremy Lloyd, Vic Galloway, and me.  We had a great time!
 

There is a renewed movement to the Great Commission in the church today in America as well as other places around the globe. And an old word has found new use. It is the word missional. If you Google this word you will find scores of articles, many written by Southern Baptists. I have preached on this topic at Olive and in conferences for fellow Baptists. I have often said it is not enough to be mission-minded. We must also be missional. We must do more than talk about and give to mission causes. We must all move a step forward to become involved on a corporate and personal level. Many see the missional movement as the answer to the tired and plateaued churches in America.
 
However, I submit to you being missional is not enough nor is it the answer to what ails us. Acts 1:8 tells us there is a great prerequisite to missions. Jesus told us we would be witnesses AFTER the HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON US. We will never be effective in missional endeavors until we are first Pentecostal. Now I do not mean we are to change our doctrine to a Pentecostal church way of doing church. But I am saying we must have the power of the Holy Spirit before we will ever touch the world with the Gospel. Let the church get thoroughly right with Jesus, be filled with the Spirit and she will touch the world. When we are filled with God’s power, He can accomplish through us in just one day more than we could ever achieve on our own in an entire lifetime.
 
Don’t miss the order. PENTECOSTAL, then MISSIONAL, then GLOBAL.

O God, let the fire fall on us!

Pastor Ted Traylor