“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” (Zech. 4:10)

Pickens Baptist Association is a rural association. What does that mean exactly? Well, when you compare rural communities to suburban and urban ones, there is a distinct difference. The lifestyle in urban and suburban areas “tend be faster-paced, offer more educational and job opportunities, and have a rapidly developing infrastructure”. (quoted material) Whereas, rural areas are “usually quieter, less developed, open spaces, smaller towns, focused more on agriculture and production of raw materials” like pines and hard woods.

It, also, means that we are positioned to do things in our churches that many larger ones cannot. In a recent article in the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association newsletter, the writer mentioned how smaller churches can build genuine relationships across generations, adapt quicker, provide pastoral care, and provide an “approachability” to folks that a larger church cannot.

The tendency of smaller churches is to desire to be larger, but why? Do you not know that 2/3s of Southern Baptist Churches are less than 100 in attendance? It’s even truer for us. 30 of our 33 churches average less than 100 people in attendance. So, let’s embrace our strengths because we have many opportunities in front of us to pray, share, and care for one another in addition to carrying the Gospel into Pickens County and the world.

Recently, one of our churches celebrated its “Gideon’s Sunday”. Like always, the church gives a specified amount, and then takes up an offering during the worship service. When I spoke and confirmed with the pastor that his church receives through the offering between $ 7,000 to $ 10,000 dollars. I went, “WHAT $7,000 to $ 10,000 dollars”! I couldn’t believe that this church which averages 40 people in worship gave so much to the Gideon’s Ministry. What a Blessing! Again, this church is embracing its strengths to carry the Word of God to the world. May you do the same!

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed…” (Matt. 13:31a)

As PBA churches, how are you showing love to the community in which you live?  I could name you several ways to do it, but I’d rather share with you an example of how one church is showing its love for Christ to others.

At Aliceville First Baptist Church, there is a group of 10 women who come together at least once a month to show their love for Christ to new church members, the sick, new businesses, school teachers, the Board of Education, bus drivers, and events like the PBA Car and Truck show as well as other ways. They have been doing this ministry for many years to “minister to the folks in their church and their community”. According to the contact I made, she said it has been amazing to see how one little ministry has grown from a small beginning to one much larger.

In Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed, the seed starts with its being planted in the ground. Then, it is watered and nurtured. Through this care, the seed begins to grow into a plant with a great harvest. Of course, Jesus is speaking of how the Kingdom of God is present in the world. His presence in a community starts small, but then His influence begins to touch more and more people in many different ways until finally some come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

This is the parallel to our demonstrating Christ’s love in our communities. As we, Christ’s church, reach out beyond ourselves throughout Pickens County, touch the lives of many people. Eventually, there will be a harvest of persons coming to know Him personally. The Cookie Ministry at Aliceville FBC is one way of sharing His love with others. What are you doing to share Christ’s love? What is your local church doing to share Christ’s love? Once you can answer those two questions, go for it!

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

 “You were also included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the day of redemption of those who are God’s possession….” (Ephesians 1:13 -14)

There are two pictures in this month’s newsletter. The first one is of Mrs. Janet Estis and Mrs. Claren Dease in their roles with the Alabama WMU. They were nominated and elected to serve as Recording Secretary (Mrs. Estis) and Vice-President (Mrs. Dease) for the next two years. What an honor and a privilege for the Pickens Baptist Association to be recognized by the Alabama WMU! It’s also speaks highly of the PBA WMU leadership. These two ladies work hard within our association to promote and live out missions. I appreciate you both and the opportunities you have to serve the churches of Alabama and especially the ladies of the Alabama WMU.

Next, there is a special picture that was taken of me praying with a gentleman who was temporarily living at a nursing home in Princeton, Kentucky. Our KY mission team was asked to lead a devotional and singing time with the ladies and men of this facility. Our team did a great job of leading the group, but I was even more impressed by the way in which they ministered to those who lived there. It is not an easy task to sit and talk with folks who are older, hurting, and not always looking at their best. Thank you KY mission trip team for all that you did!

Afterwards, I began talking with the man in the picture. He started asking questions about the church and other things. Since he opened the door, I thought I’d push through it. I asked him if he was sure of his salvation. He said that he made a decision when he was a youth, but lately he hadn’t had much peace in his life. Of course, my next question was, “Would you like to have that peace and surety of your salvation?” He said, “Yes, I would.” That’s what led us to sit down and begin to talk more seriously about his relationship with Jesus Christ. After talking for a few minutes, he, with a little help from me, prayed for the assurance of his salvation and for the peace which only Christ can give to fill his heart once again. Pray for this gentleman to be certain of his salvation as well as experiencing the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding”.

(Phil. 4:7)

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

“Prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,..”

(Eph. 4: 12 – 13)

I must admit although I was a good student once I reached junior high school, I never looked forward to the day when school began. I was too busy enjoying my summer. When I was younger, my brother and I played ball with our neighbors, and it didn’t matter what kind of ball it was…anything that was round. Then, as I was in junior high school, I started working in yards and playing ball in the city league. I wasn’t very good at either one, but I learned how to get better.

At 15 years old, it was time to start working. I became a stock boy and paper sacker at my uncle’s grocery store. I would work during the week and all day Saturday. Sometimes, I got tired of the work until I received my paycheck at the end of the week. Everything changed then. I was making money. I couldn’t believe it. I got paid for the work I did. It allowed me to help the family, pay for my dates (which were very few), and eventually buy a car. I felt grown up. I wasn’t, but I felt like it.

Paul in this passage refers to the apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, and pastors’ responsibility to prepare the body of Christ to become mature in the faith. I’m afraid that is one area that we are lacking in our congregations today. Once a new believer accepts Christ, we, unfortunately, allow him/her to wither on the vine, rather than helping him/her become the person in Christ that He desires.

What are ways that we mature in our Christian faith? First of all, believers must seek God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers (local church). This allows us to draw closer to the Lord.

Next, believers seek to understand God’s Word and put it into practice. Many of us know the Word and what it says, but the hard part is putting it into practice. Like a plant that grows through nourishment, we must grow through the nourishment of God’s Word and putting it into practice.

The third way to mature in our Christian faith is to develop a Christ-like character. This means growing in the fruit of the Spirit. There’s an old song that goes “The Fruit of the Spirit is…”. Almost always it starts with a watermelon. Well, a watermelon doesn’t help us grow a Christ-like character, but it is good on a hot day like today. These characteristics are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Wow! That’s a lot of character building. Yes, it is, but the Lord is doing this work in us through His Holy Spirit. Let’s allow Him to make us like Him!

Finally, let’s love others as Christ loved us. In John 13:34, Jesus said this is how the world would know that we are His if we loved one another. Well, let’s get about loving others, especially those that we dislike. Only Christ can teach us to do that.

May we continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord in order that we become mature in Him!!

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.” (Galatians 5:13)

July is the month in which our country celebrates its independence. The colonists were seeking freedom, freedom from and freedom to practice “certain unalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. “Freedom” as defined by the founding fathers was a “state of being not dependent; complete exemption from control, or the power of others; as the independence of the Supreme Being”. (Google Search) Isn’t it interesting how closely tied this definition of freedom is to that of our God. One definition of freedom “is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature”. (Heritage.org)  It’s impossible to escape the presence of God in the founding of our nation, but this is what our present-day leaders are attempting to do. No matter what we as mere humans do, man – God’s creation –  cannot escape his Creator. He is everywhere!

Biblical freedom is different from political freedom. Of course, many of our political freedoms come from our Christian faith, but it does not address the real problem. The real problem is man’s need to be liberated from the enslaving power of sin and its consequences. Through this liberation, Christian believers are free to love and serve Christ and live holy lives. It’s a true freedom not to indulge oneself which leads to self-destruction, but a true freedom to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves. We are no longer entangled with selfish desires, but ones which lead us to Jesus and His purposes.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, may we also celebrate our “Independence Day” from the power of sin and its consequences to those of loving, serving, and living out God’s purposes in our lives.

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:5 ESV)

Vacation Bible School is upon us once again. With this statement, I realize that there is some excitement, and there are some “uuuggghhhs”.  I’m hoping that each of you see VBS as a great opportunity for your church to reach your surrounding community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The key verse is one which should be our motivation for VBS. As leaders, we are sharing God’s Word with our Kindergarten through 6^th grade children to know Jesus. As always, these are important ages to train our children in the way they should go. We must remember that God’s Word never, ever comes back void or empty. It accomplishes His purpose whether it’s now or later in the life of our children.

I saved these thoughts from an article I read in January about VBS. Here are 4 reasons why VBS is critical to the mission of our churches:

1. VBS is about Jesus.

89 % of those who attended VBS say that it was a positive influence on their spiritual growth. 95% of parents say that VBS was a very positive influence on the spiritual growth of their children. WHY? VBS has the dual purpose of “introducing children to Jesus Christ and providing valuable spiritual growth of more than kids than ever”.

1. VBS attracts all types of children.

It’s amazing to note that VBS crosses cultural and religious barriers. “More than 69% of American parents say they would encourage their child to attend VBS at a church they don’t attend if their child was personally invited by a friend.”(Lifeway) In other words, parents that are Christian, unchurched, Muslim, Buddhist, agnostic or all socioeconomic statuses would send their child to VBS. Get your church kids to invite their unsaved friends!!

1. VBS energizes the local church and the community.

Why do I say this…because VBS gets the church out of their seats and into their community. VBS creates energy in the local church in order to show everyone the truth of God’s Word in a wholesome and new way that they may have never seen before.

1. VBS mobilizes a local church to reach its community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It takes the church of all ages to participate together to touch the lives of those who live in and around the local church. VBS is not just for children. It is for teens, college-aged students, singles, newlyweds, married couples, both young and older, those with or without children, empty-nesters, and senior adults.

As VBS is being promoted in your church, be a participant. Find your place and see what God can do through you at VBS.

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

“I thank my God, I say, for your cooperation in spreading the Good News from the first time it first came to you even until now.”  (WNT)

May 13 will be the 100 year celebration of the Cooperative Program in Southern Baptist life. Some of you may say, “So, what does that have to do with me?” EVERYTHING! On May 13, 1925, our national convention made the decision to start a new system of mission support as well as support for education, benevolent ministries, and other partners like Guidestone and the Southern Baptist Foundation to expand our reaching communities, states, and the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As our Pickens Baptist Associational churches designate what percentage of their monies are given through the association, they go towards the Cooperative Program.  Each member of our churches is participating in the advancement of God’s Kingdom. In other words, each member is educating college and seminary students, preparing and maintaining stateside and international missionaries on their fields of service, helping pastors and missionaries to retire with dignity, and making bold statements to our representatives in our state and national legislatures on how the SBC believes about certain issues which affect our lives.

I am a product of the Cooperative Program. It began when I served you as Southern Baptists in Waterbury, Connecticut at a Puerto Rican Community Center. Believe it or not, I wasn’t even Southern Baptist at the time. From there, you’ve helped educate me in Southern Baptist colleges and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Then, you provided for Claren and me as we served both the North American Mission Board as well as the International Mission Board for 30 years. Of course, now, we receive CP monies as your Associational Missionaries.

I thank you for faithfully praying and giving to the Cooperative Program. In my humble opinion, it is the best financial system to meet the needs of any convention in the world. May the Lord continue to bless the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention! Please don’t take it for granted!

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”   (Matthew 27:22 – 23)

Everyday people scream, “That’s unfair!”, “This is unjust”, “This ain’t right!” And they have a point, there are situations in our world that have never been fair, that have never been just, nor have they been right. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” While Bishop Desmond Tutu stated, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

Living and growing up in the South, I’ve seen the unfairness, the injustice, and the unrighteousness. However, we must understand as Dr. King and Bishop Tutu, any type of injustice is wrong. It is not just a black/white, poor/rich, and male/female issue. It permeates our societies in every culture, every nation, and every people group. I find it interesting that you can go to the most remote of people groups in the world, and they practice injustice. Why? They are sinful people!

I find our verses interesting this month. As I read through them, I noticed that several days earlier many of these same folks were praising Jesus saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9 – 10) Wow, what a change! I’m sure we’ve never acted like that. (Honestly, I do it every Saturday during football season.)

Poor Pilate, he did everything in his power to release Jesus, but he could not. He realized that crucifying Jesus would be the greatest injustice ever. However, to keep the peace in Jerusalem, Pilate was forced to kill him, but he did attempt to wash his hands of the incident. Unfortunately, the guiltiness of Jesus’ crucifixion is one thing that water cannot wash clean.

As I pondered those verses, I realized that I wasn’t present to crucify Jesus, but I did crucify Him through my sin. It was as though I was in the crowd yelling, “Crucify Him!” It shook me. I was guilty of killing Jesus! Immediately, I asked forgiveness for my participation in His death. I thanked Him for His forgiveness, and I’m not guilty any longer because of Jesus’ shedding of blood and dying for me and all mankind. What a Savior! What a Lord!

As we move through the Lenten season to Holy Week and Resurrection Day, may we not forget that all of us stand guilty of putting Jesus on the cross of Calvary. Nevertheless, Jesus has paid the price of our sin through the shedding of His blood, His death, and His resurrection from the dead. AMEN! May all of you have a great Resurrection Day celebration in your local churches!

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”   (Genesis 8:22)

As much as I love the transition from winter to spring in Alabama, it brings with it dangerous thunder storms, drenching rains, and tornadoes. I don’t mind so much the storms and rains, but the tornadoes can be a little nerve racking. I remember as a kid in the fifth grade when the entire school had to move to the hallway to take cover from a tornado that was nearby. As I got in the hallway, I did all I could to find my brother to make sure he was okay. Of course, he was, but I was his older brother.

As the tornado passed by, many of us went back to our rooms to see the it on the other side of town. Everything outside was dark and green, I’ll never forget it. So, when watches and warnings come, I look to see what the sky and the air feel like. I’m not James Spann, but I have learned a few things to prepare myself for the worst.

Our passage from Genesis demonstrates God’s promises to Noah after the flood. He let Noah know that the natural cycles of the earth would return as before as long as the earth remains. We see two points very important for us about God’s character. First of all, God never changes. Our seasons go from “seedtime to harvest, cold to heat, winter to summer, and day to night”, they will never cease. Malachi 3:6 states, “I the Lord do not change.” In a constantly changing world, Our Lord does not change which means we can count on Him always.

Next, God is faithful. He reassures believers that we can trust God’s unchanging nature and His covenant promises. What a God we serve. May you know that God never changes and is faithful to us always.

Until next month,

Bro. Lyle

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

(I John 3:18)

As I began thinking and praying about this article, I read one on Christianity.com which was very interesting on “What is Love: A Biblical Definition”. Of course, it went to the different Greek uses of love, and there were more than the traditional four mentioned in most commentaries, teachings, and sermons. The traditional four are: storge – affection; phileo – friendship; eros – sexual; and agape – unconditional, self-less.

The others article are: ludus – flirtatious, playful, uncommitted; pragma – committed, long-standing; philautia – self-love; and mania – obsessive, possessive, addictive, dependent. These later four are not necessarily commonly used in the Bible, but we do see them lived out in our world. Also, we see how each can be harmful to both the one loving and the one being loved.

When John the Apostle wrote his words of how NOT to love, we notice that this seems quite common today, too. How many times have we or others just flippantly said, “I Love You” without thinking of the commitment required to demonstrate that love? Romans 5:8 states, “But God demonstrated His love for us: while we were yet still sinners, Christ died for us.”   One person said that biblical love is a ‘selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that is demonstrated through actions’.

How can we demonstrate that ‘selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love’? First of all, we can demonstrate these characteristics through our daily interactions…the way we speak with others and the way we act toward others. Notice in Jesus’ life, he spoke lovingly toward unbelievers and spoke harsher toward the religious leaders and his own disciples. We should do the same. Unbelievers don’t know to speak, think, or act correctly because they are under the control of their father, Satan. Whereas, followers of Jesus must reflect Him, and we need to be rebuked and rebuffed lovingly by Jesus and his followers. 

The second way to demonstrate biblical love is by loving our true enemies and praying for those who persecute us. Do believers have enemies? Are believers persecuted in the United States? Sure, they are! It might be subtle, or it might be overt, but it happens. What should be our reaction? It should be that of Christ, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”. (Luke 23:34)  Stephen reacted similarly as he was being stoned to death, “Lord, charge not this sin against them”. Can we pray this way for our enemies and persecutors?

May we during this month of February demonstrate biblical love toward those with whom we come in contact!

Until Next Month,

Bro. Lyle