Mind of the Missionary

At thanksgiving time most of us will spend some time reflecting upon things for which we must thank God. The list for most of us includes the general benefits of salvation, freedom, food and shelter, family, health, and friends. Here are some of the more specific thoughts that have passed through my mind as I consider what I should be thankful for. It is not completed or prioritized. My hope is that it will stimulate each of you to be more specific in the thanks you offer to God in this season:

• for being a Baptist, a people who take seriously the Great Commission
• for godly Christian friends such as Eleanor Moss and Elsie Price who passed from this life in recent weeks and for the hope we have of renewing and enjoying friendship with them for eternity
• for the progress of the Covenant of Peace Church which will soon be in its new building
• for the ministry of our Baptist Center, its help for the “poor but proud” among us
• for my pastor brothers who serve the churches of our association
• for the beautiful fall I enjoyed in Pickens County on the Tombigbee River
• for marking 75 years of life and 50 years of a great marriage during 2011
• for being able to serve our association for the past 14 years
• for a wonderful On Mission Celebration again this year

Certainly, I could continue on and on. I fear that Thanksgiving like our other religious holidays (holy days) has become secularized. It seems to be about a big meal and football. Not bad things, only things that often deflect us from the core meaning of the day-giving thanks to God for His blessings. Help people realize that the very idea of Thanksgiving is predicated on a deep belief in the greatness and goodness of God.

As a student of the Bible, there are a couple of additional points that need to be mentioned in our reflections on Thanksgiving. One is the insistence of Paul, James, Peter and John in their epistles that we should at a very deep level be thankful even for suffering when it comes. They tell us that suffering refines us spiritually and provides us with the opportunity to be good witness. The other point is our hope of Eternal Life in a place and era where there will be justice, rest, peace and love. These are among the benefits that come to anyone who allows Jesus to come and live in their heart.

Associational News

Due to the illness and death of Eleanor Moss, the wife of James, the pastor of Double Branches, the religious census of the Zion community and the revival at Double Branches was postponed.

More that 50 women from 17 of our congregations participated in the World Day of Prayer. Several of the churches announced that they were taking steps to renew the WMU work in their fellowship. (Note: Mrs. Janet Estis from Mineral Springs serves on the board of the state WMU. She will be helpful in this process.)

The annual Baptist Center Luncheon was attended by about 50 of the volunteers. The April storms and the economy seems to have increased the demand for services, but the churches and individuals have stepped forward and the Center has been effective in meeting needs. Dr. Farley spoke to the volunteers about the need for us to re-dream the founding dream of the Baptist Center as it completes its 21st year of ministry. (Among those attending were Mrs. Edith Snider and Tina Jacobs who were among the first volunteers working at the center.) He cited the biblical base of “loving your neighbor as you love yourself’. He noted that the focus of the ministry is to serve the material and spiritual needs of the “poor but proud” among us. He also noted that we should be grateful to the many donors who make the ministry possible. At the request of the volunteers attending the meeting and annual report of the work of the Baptist Center will be published in the county media in January. This is to remind everyone of the role the center plays in making it possible for everyone of us to be both Great Commandment and Great Commission Christians.

The Baptist Center will be gearing up for its major Christmas ministry in the days to come. Pastors have been invited to nominate needy families for a food box, toys for their children, and other needed items. The center is also funding Christmas gifts for ten children in the care of the Alabama Children’s Home. The center is compiling a list of persons in Pickens, Greene, and Sipsey counties whose home was destroyed and who need a Christmas tree and ornaments. If you can help with this call the PBA office.

Our Director of Missions has been granted funding from the Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence at Samford University for a three month sabbatical. This will be a time when Dr. Farley can do intensive research on the topic of the New Covenant/New Israel at the library and with the faculty at Beeson Divinity School. He will be writing some articles on these subjects to complement his other writings about ethics, church life and theology, many of which are found at www.ruralchurch.us.

On January 1, Dr. Farley will begin his 15 year with the Pickens Baptist Association.
The full plan for the sabbatical will be presented to the Executive Board on January 9. The plan will call for some of the funding to be used to employ office help in planning the mission trips and work of the association. Some of the senior and retired pastors will be asked to oversee and perform some of the various tasks that Dr. Farley would have been doing normally during the 3 month period.

On Thursday, December 8, the association will again work with Reform area churches to provide an evangelism outreach at the Reform Christmas parade. We will serve hot chocolate, offer tracts, and witness to persons in the crowd.

If you are interested in having a missionary with ties to Pickens County speak at your church, you may contact them at the following: Parker Windle (mother Sandra’s number) 399-3040; Landon Williams 205-910-7618; or Claudia Rudd at alrudd47 AT gmail DOT com.