SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

POIGNANT Words from Dr. Harold Hunter

 

Are you a man of God?  Do you even know what it is to be a man of God?  A truly, completely, unconditionally, sold-out man of God?  The video below is one from Dr. Harold Hunter.  His poignant Spirit-driven words cut quickly, and deeply and give clear understanding of what a "man of God" is.  We are so in need of true men of God in our world right now, but most especially in the pulpits of every Southern Baptist church in America.  

So, my brothers, how will you finish?

Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant

I read through a series of posts I encountered which share some of the kingdom work of fellow ambassadors for Christ.  I think these posts give us a peek behind the curtain of what can often be a very lonely, tedious and sometimes unappreciated ministry contribution in the SBC.  In Dr. Terry Dorsett's series of articles on Bivocational Ministers, I find repeated similarities to problems which all ministers face in any church situation.  Several seeds of wisdom are offered to help men who are planting churches and are seeking to grow their church plants.

After reading these, my heart became burdened for we Southern Baptists to pray more for the young men (and some older men), who endeavor to fulfill their calling in this way.  They are the ones we rarely come in contact with.  They are so busy working, sometimes raising families, and trying to build churches and grow them, that their internet contributions and their attendance at conventions are basically non-existent.  They are the grassroots voices to be sure.

Would you take a moment today to pray for their work?  That God would encourage them in their bivocational struggles.  That they would see the potential in each person they minister to and recognize their gifts to the body?  That more of the sheep they shepherd would become strong leaders, would grow in wisdom and knowledge?  That they not grow weary in the race set before them?

If you ever wanted to know how to pray for a group which is sorely neglected in our work as ambassadors for Christ, you need only read these posts to compile a list.  It would help to add these bivocational leaders to our personal prayer lists and then to offer them up in prayer during our weekly church prayer times.  "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest"

"This series looks at the importance of bivocational ministry and bivocational ministers in today’s church:
Part 1: Bivocational Ministry is a Growing Method for Ministry.

Part 2: Lay People Are Willing to Help Pastors – But Only If They Are Trained.

Part 3: Rethinking Our Perception of Bivocational Ministry.

Part 4: Bivocational Ministry is Normal.

Part 5: Bivocational Ministry Is More Common Than Most People Realize.

Part 6: Bivocational Pastors Must Learn to Delegate.

Part 7: Bivocational Ministers Sharing Leadership Results in Healthier Churches

Dr. Terry Dorsett is a bivocational pastor and church planting missionary in Vermont. He is the author of Developing Leadership Teams in the Bivocational Church and Bible Brain Teasers: Fun Adventures through the Bible. He also serves as a church planting catalyst with the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. He has a passion for helping the next generation discover a meaningful faith and become leaders in sharing that faith with others." SBC Today