Revitalize and Replant

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst are joined by Mark Hallock to discuss the role of worship in church revitalization and replanting. Church members must be willing to relinquish the idol of the church as they know it. This relinquishing requires a church to embrace a higher joy/security than the one they currently have. A church will only experience this higher joy and security as they move closer and closer to Jesus. Corporate worship is one of the primary ways to draw people’s hearts toward Jesus. Related Resources: The Role of Worship in Revitalization Touch Not the Glory – Ron Owens

Building off of the last episode, Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst are joined by Mark Hallock to discuss 5 more reasons churches should stay engaged in the Southern Baptist Convention. Send Relief/Disaster Relief Chaplains Our six seminaries Unique partnerships with state in association Local church governance of the entire convention Resources related to this episode: NAMB celebrates planters, chaplains, Send Relief in presentation to SBC messengers Baptist Faith and Message 2000 Seminary Statistics – pg. 134, 2023 SBC Book of Reports

In the last few months, there has been a lot of talk about the Southern Baptist Convention. On social media, it seems many pastors and churches are wondering why they should remain a part of, or why they should join, the SBC. In this episode, Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst are joined by Mark Hallock to discuss why churches should stay in (or join!) the Southern Baptist Convention. The extended family of churches, wonderful pastors, great leaders, and mission-focused strategists. The commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture by our seminaries, institutions, and agencies. Our mission boards. Resources related to this episode: Baptist Faith and Message 2000

I will lead my family to be healthy church members.  I will be a functioning church member.  I will treasure church membership as a gift.  Resources:  I Am A Church Member 

I will be a unifying church member.  I will not let the church be about my personal preferences and desires  I will pray for my church leaders.  Resources:  I Am A Church Member 

Reality 5 – God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.   Reality 6 – You must major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.  Reality 7 – You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.  Resources mentioned:  Experiencing God 

Reality 1 – God is always at work around you.  Reality 2 – God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal  Reality 3 – God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.   Reality 4 – God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the Church to reveal Himself, His Purposes, and His Ways.    Resources mentioned:  Experiencing God 

Someone is pre-eminent in your church. Who is it?  Is your church bringing glory to God, and how?  Do your church members behave in a God-glorifying way?  What role does church discipline play?  Resources:  Flickering Lamps by Richard & Henry Blackaby 

How would you currently describe your church? Are you weak, poor, or rich? What do you base your evaluation upon?  Is there anything in the recent past that you can point to and say, “If God hadn’t done this, we wouldn’t be where we are”?  Is your church characterized by giving itself away or holding on to what it has?  God will always provide what His church needs right when His church needs it.  Resources:  Flickering Lamps by Richard & Henry Blackaby 

If you are not experiencing God’s power in your church, what is the issue?  A dying church, more than anything else, needs the power and presence of the risen Savior.  Sin is not something to be toyed with, it is something to war against and put to death.  Christ’s power will only be present in His church when God’s people – beginning with the pastor – are pursuing holiness.  Resources:  Flickering Lamps by Henry & Richard Blackaby  The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges  Holiness by Grace by Bryan Chapell