Why Little Churches Stay Little

At the risk of making this sound like a human interest sob story; allow me to tell you about what happened to me recently as I visited a local church and what I learned from it.

My family and I drove the short distance to a local church in hopes to find a warm welcome to worship with the people around God's Word. The first service was a Mid-Week Prayer Meeting and Bible Study. The people were most friendly and we enjoyed the laid back change of pace. The following Friday Evening two men from the church paid us a visit. It was a good time getting to know them. The following Sunday Morning we visited again. Through small talk we found out that they were not going to have a piano player for the morning service and they asked if my wife could fill in. We were more than happy to help. The morning service came alive through the energetic piano playing and congregational singing. The people were excited to see us there and we had some good fellowship together. I asked the Pastor if I could talk with him and ask some questions about the church, polity, and direction. He seemed to brush me off in a polite way. At first I thought it was just me being overly sensitive since I just resigned and left the ministry for a time being as we transition. That Evening service there was a strange feeling in the air as we found our place and prepared ourselves for the service. The sermon seemed to be altered and was rather obvious that he was chasing a rabbit trail. In the sermon he seemed to use the shotgun method and was looking at us while he did so. The words he spoke didnt match up with the text or the flow of the theme of the message. Again I thought that I was being overly sensitive. The next service was a mid-week service and make no bones about it....he was definitely out for blood. He openly stated to the whole assembly "We don't need you here. If you want to ask us why we do this and why we dont do that....you might as well find somewhere else to go. We aren't going to change and we don't need anyone else to come along and disrupt what we have going here. I like us just fine." I looked at my always discerning wife and she had a look of hurt on her face. It was definitely not our desire to change anything. We were just looking for a church to find sanctuary and soon service as we rejuvenate ourselves for the ministry. 

I like to think analytically. So naturally, I began to think of how I behaved in my previous pastorate. Did I shun visitors? Was I warm and welcoming? Was I threatened by visitors? 

Then I began to realize the truthful report that there ARE those kinds of Independent Baptist Churches (or of any stripe/camp/denomination) that are nothing more than family related country clubs. It will never be more than just a handful of families getting together and playing church. They complain that others are not going to their church but they shun and RUN OFF anyone that would be interested in the possibility of worshiping with them.


Take away lessons:
1. Small churches are full of people who do not want growth. They fight against it with all their might. Unless God moves people's hearts they won't change. The Holy Spirit is silenced and most assuredly the candlestick is removed.

2. Don't scare off visitors with immediate service. Whether it is pressuring them to join or thrusting them into service - don't be talent starved. Church is a time of worship - not of program. Learn to get along with weaknesses and bare spots. 

Oh, there are tons of lessons that could have been learned from this experience but two will suffice.

When Missionaries Call Your Church

I was born again in a Missions Minded Church (Grace Baptist Church - Syracuse, NY). My Pastor at the time was Gary Welling. Even to this day the man is a missions minded machine! That I know of - his ministry has produced 3 missionaries on the field and countless of dollars sent for the cause of Christ.

Having said that, I also consider myself a missions minded pastor. My first and only pastorate as of today was at a church that supported missionaries on a monthly basis as funds permitted. However, the history of our church's hospitality regarding housing missionaries while at our property was terrible. No, I mean it....TERRIBLE. Now that I am no longer the pastor - I cannot tell you what the church will do, nor how it will treat missionaries.

I can tell you that I have had some missionaries that have been through that cause me to wonder what exactly are we doing wrong - having attracted such men. The phone calls come in and they are scripted. Nothing is from the heart on those men. Everything is choppy and curt. They want to come in and present their calling. They do not ask how they can be a blessing to the church. They handle the objection with scripted redirects.
Me: We are not financially able to support any more missionaries at this time and we are actually in a really bad time with the finances of the church in general.
missionary: well, let me come in anyway and then you can always consider us later for monthly support.

or
Me: we are going through something right now and it wouldn't be the best time to bring in a missionary until this blows over.
missionary: well, I will be in the area for ___, _____, and _____. So, what Sunday is better for you?

or

Me: Sure, we would love to schedule you to come and fellowship with us.
Missionary: what other churches in the area would be willing to schedule me?
Me: I really don't know.
Missionary: Well, could you call them and schedule me in?

Now, I work on the side in Direct Sales - selling CUTCO Cutlery. I TOTALLY understand what they are doing. However, since when did Missions become sales?

Instead of having a missionary come in with a programmed sermon/presentation - how about learn how to minister to the Pastor - who is a missionary to THAT particular field himself? Sure, the missionary may have had a bad meeting the church before, but the Pastor and Church they are currently at has NOTHING to do with that.

Missionaries need to remember that they are MINISTERS.

I recommending you read this post by Jimmy Reagan. Excellent points!
http://reaganreview.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/missions-minded-pastor-or-tyrant-independent-baptist-truth-revolution-7/

Final Sunday At Victory Bible Baptist Church

Am sitting here in the room that was once my office. My personal possessions are all packed away in boxes. The walls are echoing emphatically that I am leaving. I am vacating the room that comforted me during some of the most difficult prayer times and personal Bible Studies as I poured my heart and mind into every sermon I prepared. The memories of praying for the church and for God's leadership and wisdom have engulfed my senses and I'm reduced to sorrowful tears. 

Today's sermon is being filed away- my last Sunday sermon as Pastor of VBBC. 1,248 give or take a few sermons have been preached, taught, studied and poured over. I thank Jesus for allowing me to be part of the ministry here in Porter Corners, NY.

My heart is exploding with joy just thinking of what God has allowed me to experience and accomplish for Him.

My heart is also breaking at the loss that I am experiencing as I say farewell to those who I have poured myself out for and with. 

This morning's sermon was "The Last Supper." Allow me to encourage you and also share with you a thought that God gave me yesterday as I was typing out my outline:

It was in regards to the Passover supper in Luke 22-

"Today is a day of Celebration – we again see the power of our God that can uproot the satisfied saint and implant in him the desire and drive to forsake all that he has known for years – all that he has embraced- all that he has labored for and with and in – and move him across the country or across the street or across the world – because of his leading. His POWER. HIS PERSUASION. Is God dead? Is God powerless? Is God DONE with a person or a place? God forbid!
God IS NOT done with Victory Bible Baptist Church - he is weeding one pastor out and bringing another in!
God is NOT DONE WITH TIM DELELLO! God is weeding him out and preparing him for another place of service!! - Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God THEY (HE) ARE THE SONS OF GOD."

what a great assurance of salvation and of SELECTION it is when you are led by the Spirit of God- even if it is to leave all you have known to do what you don't know yet."

10 indicators you are dealing with a master manipulator

signs you are dealing with a master manipulator:

1. They take their time sinking their tentacles around you

2. They isolate you from any other positive life source 

3. They camouflage the hangmans noose as it were by puffing you up rather than building you up. 

4. They give false hope and a lulled sense of security/ acceptance

5. They never reveal their "full hand" even though they press you do show your heart, intentions, desire, passion, mistakes, failure, thought, etc. 

6. If you DO escape- they blame you and mark you off as insubordinate or rebellious or uncommitted. 

7. Everything around them is a masquerade - painted tombstones- smoke and mirrors

8. They don't have plans- they have agendas

9. They are personally cold hearted and often feigning hardship to draw others in who seek to help the hurting only to ensnare them

10. Bitterness. Their life is full of bitterness- always made up of those who have escaped the clutches of their agenda and control. It's never their fault. It is always the fault of the one that saw the "man behind the curtain."

They become tools of their experience of how to manipulate the next victim. 

They are master scholars. Always finding ways of communicating their special brand of poison.  

Election 2012

Obama won and you are surprised? 1. He was up against darkness. Darkness doesn't cast out darkness. 2. You don't change America by a vote you change America by a soul. 3. The northeast remains heathenistic and ungodly and churches are dying by the year. 4. Our schools have been teaching the democratic man and humanist philosophies for 100 years. 5. Christians have abandoned the political World because we believe that God has no place on politics. 6. We as parents have sacrificed our children to the asheroth of public schools. 7. Career mom outvoted stay at home and homeschool your own kids mom. 8. Kids with no father and wives with no husband voted for an energetic father figure who allows what they want with little discipline. 9. Professing Christians have picked and chosen what commands and precepts they desire to follow and have made their reasoning to be Lord in their life rather than Christ. 10. We have not even begun to reap our punishment for our abandonment of God's laws and direction,policies, values, or testimony. We will continue this into the 2nd 3rd and 4th generation. Israel had 490 years. Brace yourself, America. 

I will also add that we have failed in getting the gospel out. Break up the mega church and trim the size down to 150 and start more effective churches. Send missionaries around the country to start churches! Also, look at the high blue population. Start a church there! There is much to be done. I will blog more on this as I pretend that people read what I have to say.

Legalism, Lasciviousness, or Christian Liberty

Romans 14, Titus 2:11-15

Legalism: the preferences, principles, passions and pressures of men to adapt others to their pattern of pseudo-holiness (Tapered hair, pantyhose, open toed shoes, restaurants, colleges, etc.).

Lasciviousness: reckless abandonment of God’s law and direction for our lives under the banner of grace without correction. (Romans 5:1- NO CONDEMNATION!!)

Christian Liberty: the unclear, uncondemned, and unspecified things which are not decreed, suggested, or spoken against within the clear teachings of scripture.

7 things to consider when identifying _____ as legalism, lasciviousness or Christian liberty:

1.       Does the Word of God teach in support or opposition of/to this thing? 2 Tim 2:15

a.       Most people are too lazy to study it out. Answers.com is not studying something out.

2.       Does this action bring glory to God? Scripture declares what honors God. I Cor 10:31

3.       Does this thing promote holiness and separation from the world? I Peter 1:15-16, 2 Cor 6:17, I Cor 6

4.       Does this have a positive affect on others to draw them to Christ if lost and to Christ if saved without compromise on my end? Matt 5:11-16

5.       Does my flesh react when it is preached or spoken against? James 4:1-3

6.       Does this thing have a stronghold in my life and I struggle to surrender it? Romans 6:6,16, Matt 6:24-33

7.       Does this thing bring me closer to God? I Thess 5:24, 2 Tim 2:19, Rom 8:28-29

When it is not mentioned specifically in the Bible then it is bound in principle

The Day After

The Day After

Last night, I was relaxing in my warm dry safe house watching some television and playing with my daughter. I went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of cold clean refreshing water. I went to the cupboard and there was food. I went to the window and looked outside and there was no flood, tornado, and very little rain. There was very little evidence of a storm in the region as far as my front porch was concerned. I returned to my comfortable chair and enjoyed the benefits of electricity, technology and security. Around 10PM I walked to the bedroom and laid on a comfortable bed. I closed my eyes and fell asleep peacefully.

                This morning, I woke up to the sound of non-migrating birds and looked out the window and saw blue skies peeking through mostly cloudy skies. I showered and got dressed in some warm clean clothes. I walked to my car and drove to the local convenience store and purchased a coffee. I then traveled to my safe, secure, comfortable office at church and turned on my laptop to begin preparing my Sunday PM sermon. I paused momentarily to look at the news online and I saw the devastating results of Hurricane Sandy. I stopped and thanked God for keeping my family and I safe and secure. It was then that I was reminded of a few historical records from God’s Word and it changed my perspective in a matter of seconds. It changed my perspective of God’s mercy, grace, protection and providence; changed it forever if I take it to heart. I will share them with you today and pray that you see this the same way in perspective.

The Day After the World Wide Flood –

For 120 Years Noah built the massive Ark. It was promised by God that his family would be spared from the never-before- rainfall and worldwide flood. As the last animal was secured in the ark Noah and his family entered behind them and God shut the door of the massive structure. Then, the rain began to fall. The fountains under the earth here broken up and water was both spraying up and pouring down. The rain was torrential. The flooding was devastating. It covered homes, farms, barns, mountains, trees, flowers, graves – it covered the whole earth. Sea creatures were destroyed. Human carnage was everywhere. Bodies floating beside the Ark. Water covered the earth for days! Then, the water evaporated and dispersed. The Ark safely landed and rested on Mount Ararat. Noah opened the door and as the animals departed the ark to repopulate the animal “kingdom” he and his family exited their safe haven to the realization that they were the only survivors. I cannot imagine anyone gleefully celebrating the fact that their friends, family, even their enemies had been destroyed from off of the face of the earth. Noah had found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Grace that spared him and his family! Yet, as the recipients of God’s grace- how could they celebrate when there were many others who did not have this same mercy extended to them. Noah’s testimony and faithfulness of God did not make it beyond his family. In today’s day and age of Modern Christianity- we wouldn’t conclude that to be much of a testimony or impact on the lives around him.

The day after the Death of the First Born Son In Egypt-

For over 400 years the children of Israel were in forced bondage to the bidding of the Evil Pharaoh. God sent Moses back to Egypt to deliver His people from the hand of Egypt and to go to the land promised to Abraham. After 9 plagues of pestilence and judgment, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened against God’s demand to let his people go. God gave specific instructions as how to avoid the death angel’s execution. Many obeyed yet many disobeyed and did their own thing. That night, the death angel went from home to home and killed the firstborn of every household. Can you imagine the horrifying screams heard throughout the land that next morning? Can you picture with me the cries of anguish and heart breaking mothers as they clutched their dead child? Can you feel the desperation and despondent thoughts that the fathers had as they were powerless against the invisible messenger of death sent by God? I cannot imagine the children of Israel walking up and down the streets celebrating the death of children and not lamenting the cost of rebellion against God. As the bodies of the dead were carried past them to the graves to be buried, the lump in the Hebrew’s throats had to be enlarged and feeling so inadequate to help and console. Thankful for the grace and protection of God over them, they were commanded to leave Egypt. The surreal moments that followed as they packed their possessions and were given the riches of Egypt as an entreaty to leave their land in haste must have been humbling.

How can I boast of grace when others are in despair? In their hearts they have such pain and their joy is no more. How can I rejoice of grace when others are in pain? How can I boast of mercy and not feel such pain? There are millions around me every day who do not know the Lord. How can I boast of his saving grace and for others never to implore? How can I boast of salvation and not care for fellow man? How can I rejoice in his love and yet others know not the same? The day after salvation – the day after the storm – does my grace and love of God reach beyond myself or does it reach others?

Some call it compassion. Some call it sympathy. Some call it humanitarian interest.  I will just call it grace.                                                         God’s Grace Is A Burden

Grace is a burden that we carry

When we give our heart to God

Grace is a burden that we carry

As along this earth we trod

Grace is a choice that we act on

When we see another in need

Grace is a choice that we act on

When for the lost we urgently plead

Grace is a love that we must share

To the lost and fallen and deceived

Grace is a love that we must share

Of Christ for others to believe

How can we boast of God’s love and amazing grace

The message of salvation And not with others share

How can we sing of God’s love and amazing grace

His mercy and compassion and not for others care