Many years ago, George Berkley asked a question that continues to baffle people until today, “If a tree falls in a forest, and there is no one around to hear it, does it make a sound?” Technically, we can say that God hears it. So, yes, the fall made a sound, but no human ear heard it.
Believe it or not, the same is true of communication. If a church is doing great things for the Lord or is hurting and doesn’t communicate it to others, then who is listening?? NO ONE!!
One of the hardest tasks we have as an association is the lack of communication with one another. There could be dozens of reasons for this lack of communication like lack of time, jealousy, “It’s too hard”, stealing of sheep, “We’re a small church, and no one cares about us.”, or “We’re a big church, and we don’t need anyone else.”
Paul had a similar problem with the Corinthian church regarding spiritual gifts…”The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ and the head cannot say to the foot, ‘I don’t need you!’” He reminded the church it was “the body of Christ and each one of you is part of it.” (I Corinthians 12.21,27) All 34 of us are the body of Christ partnering together as an association with shared goals and purposes.
From our earliest beginnings of the Philadelphia Baptist Association their shared goals and purposes went “forward in the work of Domestic Missions. The pastors were requested, and the churches urged, to be liberal in aiding them to visit destitute churches and settlements. “EVANGELISTS” were sent into, remote regions, especially South, to preach the gospel, and counsel the feeble churches, and instruct the scattered disciples of Christ.” As I read this history, I see how both pastors and churches were “urged” to care for one another…communicate. Sound familiar!?
For our body, the association, to function healthily, we must communicate with one another. May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless and use the Pickens Baptist Association in relation to our communication with one another. Let us allow these words of Paul to stimulate us to partner together…”Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (I Thessalonians 5.11)
Until next month,
Bro. Lyle