Pastor’s Corner – October 2024
While serving a church near Charlottesville, Va, our church was an SBC
church associated with an Association. It was a place where, along with
member churches, more could be done together to do missions and help
people in need. There was a strength and comradery of being like-
minded Baptists who worked together in one accord, as it says in Acts.
Being in such an Association was a good thing.
Forsyth Park is part of an association too. 93 churches working
together-until we weren’t. I have heard stories of what happened that
night when the police were even called in to help. There was a fear of
the past DOM (Director of Missions); the past pastor; and even a lawyer
trying to take away the autonomy of the church.
But now is a different day. There is a new DOM, Brad Wright, who I
have met with several times and feel he is a good man. Obviously, there
is a new pastor at Forsyth Park (although this month it will be 3 years
since I stepped foot in the pulpit). It is a new day, I feel, and a chance to
begin anew.
As I have said, the TCN (Triad Church Network, formerly PMBA) is
like a library. No one is there telling us what book to check out. It is
totally up to us what we ask for and what we want to do. They are a
resource-nothing more. We can take what they offer or not-it’s totally up
to us. It is our church. Our property. Our say-so on every matter. Totally
autonomous. What we say goes-no one else. TCN is only there to help
the church get stronger and the community reached for Christ. And we
need to get stronger or perish.
Come to the Association annual meeting Oct 20. You can read about
the Association and the meeting on the TCN website, where you will
need to register as well as a guest and get an email about your attending.
There will be free food before the meeting. Come and see for yourself
and make your own decision. But come with an open mind. Don’t let the
past steer you in the wrong direction. Pray about the situation. Pray for
the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then do as God is directing you to do. It
is His church. Let us serve Him together. A final vote will be taken Oct
27 to stay in the Association and be more active, or to get out of the
Association and not be involved at all. The choice is yours.