Being able to blog is possible first of all because of our Holy God. On this earth it is possible because my son, Jason Scherer, designed First Baptist’s awesome website and it allows for our ministries to share. Women’s Ministry is going to be able to share because our God brought Debbie Parker into my life. Debbie is gifted in many ways—one being that she is very tech-savvy! And, I am not! :) So what we are going to do is this—I write, email it to Debbie, and then she will post the blog. This past Thursday evening, Debbie and I met at Jason’s home and worked out the details. I’m thankful to Jason and Debbie for making this happen! Most of all, I am thankful to our Holy God for allowing me to serve Him on this earth. What fun it is!

One more thing. The Black River Association Prayer Retreat is tonight, 6:30 pm at the Family Life Center. Come enjoy a grilled hamburger and fellowship with ladies of all ages. Francis Rodriguez will share with us, followed by a brief praise and worship time, led by Karen Drope with Sandy Hook on the piano. I hope you can come! And, you might win the door prize! :)

Choose JESUS first.
Janet
YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME. Deuteronomy 5:7

Join us for a new sermon series on grace beginning Sunday, April 15, 2012.

In this book, “On the Verge”, the authors analyzed their “attractional” vs. their “missional” growth strategies. They revealed some staggering numbers and thoughts. Here are a few that caught my heart…

1. 60% of Americans report significant alienation from contemporary church growth models. This means a greater number of churches are competing for the 40% who do relate to current growth models. The question posed is how do we reach the 60% who are alienated? Bringing them to church no longer works. We must take the church to them.
2. Jesus intended the church to be much more of a movement than an institution. Christianity is designed to be a people’s liberation movement, a social force, a viral idea passing from one person to the next through the medium of the gospel and discipleship, creating gospel communities in its wake, and yet by most accounts, most churches can be described as institutional in form and nature.
3. Jesus reserved his harshest criticisms not for the so-called sinners, but rather for the religious people of his day. It explains why he chose and empowered ordinary people and not the religious elite to take the gospel to the world.
4. Jesus is a big believer in the human imagination. His parables are a perfect example.
5. Imagination is soaked in possibility. It can see around corners. In order for the church to move forward, it must continually look back to the original model of the 1st Century. Organizations can, over time, develop into impersonal institutions that tend to impose conformity (that is, crush creativity). They can become controlling entities that resist the promptings of the Spirit and undermine the people dynamic of the gospel.
6. God is not only the creator, but also creative and constantly creating and reimagining.

Again, 60% of America’s population (much higher in Europe and Australia) is increasingly alienated from the prevailing forms of the church. In missionary terms, it means they are culturally distant from us. We need to ask the question, what is the gospel for this people group, otherwise we simply leave them in the dust.

If we persist with the current status-quo and apathetic ways, we are in effect asking the non-believer to do all the cross-cultural work in coming to church. WE are the sent ones – not them. What is church for these people?

This may sting a bit and may make some mad, but I am tired of people in the “church” thinking that people see churches everyday and so “they know” where we are and they should just come to us! ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Did it ever dawn on those saying that maybe they see the way the “Christian” outside of the church acting no different from them and so the “un-churched/lost” see no reason to come to a place where there is NO LIFE CHANGE!

The church doesn’t consist of its institutions; it consists of the people of God. We know this in our theology, but our practice is almost entirely at odds with this belief. We have so identified the church with its rituals, theology, denominational templates, symbols and professional clergy that we can’t see this remarkable truth.

The SBC says the world is 90% lost…does that not break your heart? If it doesn’t, maybe you need to re-evaluate your salvation. If it does break your heart…what are you going to do about it?

Why do many celebrities, who appear to have moral and religious backgrounds, end up making complete disasters of their lives? There is no single answer but in most cases it comes down to one word–pride!

Why is pride such a problem? Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”  Pride causes people to forget God(Hosea 13:6) “…and their hearts became proud, therefore they forgot Me.” Pride causes celebrities to forget that God was the one who gave them the talents and skills they possess. Pride causes celebrities to have too high a view of themselves, thus thinking they are worthy of all the adulation they receive. Arrogant pride leads some celebrities to believe they are beyond the possibility of failure.

Ultimately, the issue is this–human beings are not designed to receive worship. Only God is worthy of worship! Only God can receive worship without it perverting His character. When celebrities worship themselves, their gifts, or allow others to worship them, it always results in self-centeredness and pride, which leads to disaster and tragedy.

Pride is not exclusive to celebrities. Average and ordinary folks can experience the same problems. The difference is that their tragedies don’t hit the headlines. The fix is to discover that we are valuable, not because of our abilities, but because we are created in God’s image. The solution is to refuse to be worshipped, and to deflect any and all worship to God, who alone is worthy. Revelation 22:8-9 says,  ”I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me. But he said  to me, ‘Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’” 

When someone compliments you on your ability, simply acknowledge it is as a gift from God and give Him the credit. If you have been helpful to someone and they sing your praises, thank the Lord that you have been used for His service.

Whether we are celebrities or not, we are to always guard ourselves and remain humble. Give praise and credit to God and point others in His direction!

Ed Jansson, Pastor

DNow Weekend

Feb.24-25 @ FBC Kennett

 Becoming examines the transformation that Jesus Christ
brought about in the life of the Apostle Paul.
Paul was so changed by his encounter with Christ that this former
Pharisee could boldly say…
“For me to live is Christ.”

Four very deep sessions will push our students to
think and examine where they are in their relationship with the Christ and if
they are willing to take the next step in being a TRUE Christ Follower.

We will kick off the event with a Pizza Party
at 6:30 PM and Session 1 featuring worship band All We Are and nationally known speaker Cody Deese!!!

Lodging, transportation, t-shirts, and ALL food and drinks provided.

The cost is  $45 per student.

 You DO NOT want to miss this event!!!
For more info call Rodney Rogers at FBC (573) 888-4689 or email:  rodney.rogers68@gmail.com.

For the complete schedule and more information,
click here to download the promo material.

Haven’t you ever done that? You know, the “New Year’s Resolution” deal we all do each and every year!

Here is the “Top 5” New Year’s Resolutions for most of us.
1. Get Fit/Lose weight!!!
2. Enjoy life more and stop stressing! (Yea right!)
3. Get out of debt.
4. Learn something new.
5. Get organized! (This one is for me!)

Here is the “Top 5” New Year’s Resolutions most of us break in the first 30 days of the New Year!
1. Get Fit/Lose weight!!!
2. Enjoy life more and stop stressing!
3. Get out of debt.
4. Learn something new.
5. Get organized!

This has been one of those yearly traditions all of us have done or said at one time or another and while your list may vary from year to year, most of us make a list every single year. And like most, we either break those or never fully follow through with them for the entire year because life just happens.

I have and still see it in the lives of Christ followers.

Every year I hear people say, “I am going to read the entire Bible this year!” or “I am going to attend church more often.” Maybe it’s, “I am going to pray more or serve others more.” Whatever it is, Christ followers, me included, seem to make all kinds of New Year’s Resolutions that we never seem to fulfill.

Why?

Most likely, we don’t have a solid plan to get us there. We trust our own skill set or our own thoughts on how to lose the weight or to exercise or to get out of debt, instead of consulting those who have a plan that can get us there.

I want to give you something to think about as we head into this New Year of 2012…

RESOLVE TO BE MORE LIKE CHRIST IN 2012!!!

And guess what? I have a plan to get us there….it’s called “THE BIBLE!”

To be more like Christ, we need to do 4 things…

1. Love God/Love Others! – We have got to put God FIRST in our lives! He has to come before your spouse. He has to come before your children. He has to come before your job. He has to be first. I love what Jesus says in Matthew 22:37-39 and it really sums up this first resolve to be more like Christ…”And He said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ Love God and love others…

2. Read the Bible…DAILY! – Most of us, if not all of us, own a bible and if the government were to say that all copies of the bible are to be burned and no one is to have a copy, we would all march on Washington to say that no one is going to take away our bibles. But the funny thing is that most of us never open it….EVER!!! I don’t know how a Christ follower can mature in his or her walk with Christ if they never look at how we need to live our lives. Psalm 119:11 needs to be our purpose this year. It says, “11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” This year, treasure the Bible and read it daily!

3. Pray more! – Most of us pray when we either find ourselves in trouble or we want something! This year, be more like what Paul tells Timothy in 1st Timothy 2:1-6 where he says, “1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” This year, pray for other people and not just yourself. Pray for our leadership in the church and in our country. Pray for your community. Pray for missionaries all over the world. Pray for your spouse, your children, your job, your boss, and for the lost. Make this year a constant attitude of prayer to be more like Christ!

4. Serve others. – If we as Christ followers and as a church body would fulfill this one, there is just no telling how it would change us, our church, our community, and the world!!! Serve others. In John 13:12-14, Jesus washed feet. It says, “12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Whose feet can you wash this year? Who can you serve?

I believe these 4 things can, if we do them, can make our 2012 one of the best years of our lives.

How about resolving yourself to be more like Christ in 2012 and taking these four steps to do so. You know if you do, some of those other “resolutions” will take care of themselves!

In His Grip,
Rodney

The store takes place in a shopping mall where the class officers have gathered to find a “special” present for their teacher! (That one gift every year that gets “re-gifted”!) As they do their search, they find this store called, “Tiff’s Gifts”. As they are in this store trying to find this gift, they learn three things that really make this season what it SHOULD be about.

The first thing they learn is that God’s gift was given out of love. The next is that God GAVE His very BEST! And the final lesson was that God gave in response to OUR GREAT NEED AND NOT WHAT WE DESERVED!

As I sat and watched the great acting and singing being performed, I thought about all of the people who camped out all night to get that one gift. The countless amounts of hours that people drove and the time they gave up just to save a little bit of money. The large sums of money spent in just one day for things that will one day all fade away. For things that mean absolutely nothing in or for eternity. And then it happened…

The music started playing and a student began to sing…

“Christmas time was approaching; snow was starting to fall. Shoppers choosing their presents, people filling the mall. Children waiting for Santa with excitement and glee; a little boy tugged my sweater, looked up and asked me…”

At this point I am watching all of the kids and listening and then she sang these words…

“Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store? If Christmas time is His birthday, why don’t we see Him more? Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me. Santa may bring me presents, but Christ gave His life for me.”

I couldn’t breathe. My eyes were sweating! (Yes I was crying!!)

My mind went back to the times we took Josh to see Santa at the mall or all of us as a family waited to see Santa for HOURS at Macy’s on 34th street in New York City. All of those people standing in line to see a man, that in our world, comes but once a year to bring us gifts that will break, not fit, ruin teenagers lives, tear families apart, gifts that will just give us a “feel good” for a short while and all the while Giver of LIFE has given us His ALL!

While there will be long lines in malls and stores all over the world to see Santa, there will be no lines to get into churches. No lines of people seeking the God child. No lines to go and serve others who have no hope. No lines to give so that others may hear the Gospel. No lines to head to another part of the world or country to share their faith. No lines to see Jesus…

As this wonderful time of the year is here and all of us get to enjoy family and all that the season brings, remember this line in this song…

“In the blink of an eye, at the sound of the trump, we will stand in line at His throne. Every knee shall bow down; every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

So, let me ask you …

Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He at the store? If Christmas time is His birthday, why don’t we see Him more? Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me. Santa may bring you presents, but Christ gave His life for YOU!

Merry Christmas and God Bless you and your family!

• Journey groups are messy. Really messy.
• Journey groups are a logistical hassle. Meeting in homes only adds to the chaos.
• Journey groups require lots of leaders.
• Journey groups need constant attention and maintenance.
• In short…Journey groups are a BIG pain.

BUT…
Journey groups are totally worth it.

Here are 4 reasons why we think Journey groups are a big deal.

Journey groups help make invisible students visible
I a couple who had 2 kids in our other student ministry – one of them is going to spend their lives being the center of attention and the other is probably going to enjoy contributing on occasion but usually just fading into the background and allowing someone else to take center stage. Journey groups put every student in a position to contribute and be challenged. A church that only gathers in the large group setting is encouraging only the faithful, vocal few to truly participate…others may attend, but very few participate. Journey groups help make the typically invisible student a little more visible.

Journey groups make any size church feel like home
It really doesn’t matter how big our youth ministry is – it is going to feel unwelcoming or even cold to some degree to an outsider. But when a student is invited into a Journey group… with only a handful of others it begins to feel warmer and more inviting. Personally, I love Journey groups in homes because this helps them feel even warmer.

Journey groups create a youth pastor minor league
We want to turn regular men and women into great youth workers! I asked a couple in Dothan to take a Journey Group and I asked them to try a few seasons in Journey groups as teachers. I was really amazed at how their hearts and love for the student ministry grew and how much they grew spiritually! They grew so much that when I told them it was time for them to rotate off; they threatened me with my life if I did so!!! I have stated this many times…this ministry is not mine! It belongs to all of us and this provides opportunities for lots and lots of youth pastors within one ministry.

Journey groups produce Godly students
OK, this one isn’t guaranteed, but a Journey group environment does allow a great leader to be placed over, care for and disciple a handful of students. You can rest a little easier when a student gets connected in a Journey group – because you know they have a much better chance of their faith sticking because of the relationships that have been set in motion.

Please contact Rodney about being involved in Journey groups or any other student ministry activity or project! WE NEED YOU!!!

Why are we changing the name from Sunday School to Life Groups?

It is important to realize that Sunday schools were originally literally schools: they were places where poor children could learn to read. The Sunday school movement began in Britain in the 1780s. The Industrial Revolution had resulted in many children spending all week long working in factories. Many children worked up to 12 hours per day and even on Saturdays. Sunday, therefore, was the only available time for these children to gain some education.

The English Anglican evangelical Robert Raikes (1725-1811) was the key promoter of the movement. It soon spread to America as well. Denominations and non-denominational organizations caught the vision and energetically began to create Sunday schools. Within decades, the movement had become extremely popular. By the mid-19th century, Sunday school attendance was a near universal aspect of childhood. Even parents who did not regularly attend church themselves generally insisted that their children go to Sunday school.

Sunday school has fallen on hard times recently. At FBC, we have been in a decline in Sunday School attendance since 1987. If we continue this trend, Sunday School will be gone in the next 10 to 20 years.

The phrase “Sunday School” and even “bible study” does not ring well with the lost or seeking world. To them, it is a deterrent in coming to church. It has a negative effect on them. Not to mention, the Sunday School of today is not the same as it was when it was founded or introduced in America in the 19th century. So it is time to make a change. Our culture has changed. The gospel message will never change, but how we present it must!

Why Life Groups?

Doing life together is a key component of the Christian life. We need a group of other believers who can encourage and spiritually challenge us. We need folks who will walk with us as we experience life, grow spiritually, serve others, and live out our Christian faith.
We all agree that being a Christian is a relationship, not a religious exercise. If we really believe it, then everything we do in church ministry should revolve around growing our relationships–with each other and with God. Life Groups can help us do just that and reach other people!

How?

We do it like Jesus did. We start with the Bible and use creative activities to help people experience God’s Word and apply it to life. We fellowship outside of the church with as a group from time to time. We serve others as a group in our community. We grow and do LIFE TOGETHER!

You see, Sunday School, as you know it by, has never left, we have just changed the name to bring it into our setting of today to make it relevant again and to take away a barrier to those who are seeking to find truth…REAL TRUTH in their lives.

People do life together every day. At work. At school. On the baseball fields. At Wal-Mart…so let’s start doing life together where it really matters….in our church.

If you have questions or would like to visit with me on this, please feel free to contact me at the church office or on my cell at 573-717-5260. You can also email me at rodney@fbckennett.com.

Thanks for your service to our Lord and King. May He receive all the glory and honor!

In His Grip,
Rodney Rogers
Education/Student Pastor
FBC Kennett

Journey Group from Rodney Rogers on Vimeo.

Journey Groups are home groups that are designed to grow our students into a deep relationship with God as they are grouped with other students that they do life with on a daily basis. Deep studies, deep conversation, fellowship, and a deepening of relationship with each other. For more information on how you can help with Journey Groups, contact Rodney at rodney@fbckennett.com or call 573.717.5260.