First Baptist Church-Zachary, LA
Seeking - Serving - Sharing

One of the most challenging books that I have read lately is entitled Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Although many of you are thinking that explains a lot about your young pastor, I ask you not to dismiss the message within this text. Instead, I encourage you to consider the message it conveys.

After Solomon built the temple, he consecrated it to the Lord and prayed that the activities within it would be so pleasing "that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name" (2 Chronicles 6:33b NIV).

As I have read through my daily Bible readings over the past couple of weeks, I have been especially drawn to the passages in 1 and 2 Chronicles relating to the building of God's temple. The vision, preparation, financing, and construction of the Lord's house were immense and challenging. Indeed, it was a God-sized project first envisioned by King David and carried out by his son, Solomon.

“Tolerable.” That is the response you receive from Dr. B. H. Brantly if you ask him how he is doing. Although some (such as his wife—Mrs. Nellie) might find that assessment debatable, I have discovered him to be more than tolerable for the ministry sake. Indeed, I would use the language Paul used of John Mark to describe Dr. B. as “profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11 KJV).

     As I write this article, The Church Has Left The Building projects are well underway. Hammers are flying, soccer balls are being kicked, groceries are being delivered, prayers are being offered, and ultimately ministry is being accomplished.

     Within many churches today, you will find a "generational warfare" raging. It is a struggle that pits older versus younger and results in fragmentation and loss. The issues surrounding the conflict may include power, convenience, biblical misunderstanding, and/or worship style. Too often the generations simply fail to come together, and there is division.

As you know, the Worship Center Building Committee has been working with an architect, Joe Fuqua, to design a Master Site Plan for our church's campus. The first phase of the process involves a facility deficiency study identifying programming needs.

Last June, the Southern Baptist Convention voted to form a Great Commission Resurgence Task Force aimed at determining how Southern Baptists could "work more faithfully and effectively in serving Christ through the Great Commission." For the past few months, a group of men and women met, prayed, discussed, and formulated a plan consistent with its purpose.

Approximately a year ago, our church family heard and accepted a comprehensive report concerning our future from the Long Range Planning Committee. Within that presentation, we were challenged in specific areas of our purpose (To Seek, Serve, and Share Jesus Christ).

It is absolutely incredible to be a part of God's work! Whether it is here in Zachary or outside the United States, the Lord is at work, and He has given us the awesome privilege of participating with Him. We are involved in something much bigger than ourselves; we have the opportunity to touch eternity itself.