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Soul
Winning On Sale? Matthew 28:19,20
Peter
Wagner writes, “The indispensable condition for a growing church is that it
wants to grow and is willing to pay the price for growth." Subconsciously,
many churches harbour attitudes that hinder church growth. Roger Dudley
refers to these churches as "growth-reluctant churches." It seems to me that
anything of great value cannot be had at a reduced price.
Before I tell you about the price
of numerical growth, let's examine some ways we advertently and
unintentionally discount the value of church growth. First, there exists a
myth that small churches are faithful, while large churches are corrupt. So,
in order to remain uncompromisingly committed, the church must guard against
the influx of new converts. Only a small remnant will do. Second, many feel
that the influx of new believers would drastically change the dynamics of
the congregation, and destroy the "familiness" that presently exists. Third,
the "pillars" in the congregation see new comers as a threat. So the old
timers are more concerned about being 'out numbered' than growing the
congregation. (Roger L. Dudley, 1983).
Now according to Matthew 28:19,20,
the basis for growing is going. "Go" is a command, not a suggestion.
Soul-winning activities have their root in a command given by Christ,
Himself, not the church. Any attempt not to go smacks rebellion and a mood
to devalue soul-winning.
Let's look at the cost of numerical growth.
1. Time
2. Energy
3. Money
4. Sacrifice
5. Goal Setting
6. Risks Taking
7. Reordering of Priorities
8. Leave out comfort zones
9. Planning
We cannot discount soul-winning
and expect to grow numerically. Simply, put 'No going! No growing!' Dudley
(1983) writes, "The 1976 Annual Council of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
issued a stirring challenge in a document entitled "Evangelism and Finishing
God's Work." He summarizes, "It is for us now to determine the steps to take
in order to give absolute priority to evangelism at all levels and all
fronts. In the light of this, the council voted that, "every effort be made
to bring about a clear unequivocal church wide understanding of the crucial
nature and primacy of Evangelism."
Speaking about ministers as
co-workers with Christ, Ellen White writes, "He has but one object in view -
the saving of the lost." Soul-winning has a price that can never be reduced.
So, as individuals and corporate believers, let us use the organizational
levels to grow the church. We must spend time, energy, money and self to get
goals, take risks, re-order priorities, leave comfort zones and plan for the
numerical increase of God's church. I'll expand upon this in the future.
-Pastor Peter Joseph, Ministerial, Personal Ministries & Sabbath School
Director
Eight Graders of Bahamas Academy Take Communion
March 7, 2007 was a historic event for Bahamas Academy in general and a
group of 90 excited grade 8 students in particular. With eager anticipation,
they made their way to the Living Faith Adventist Church, Old Trail Road to
view their first communion service, hosted by the Religion department of
Bahamas academy.
Arising out of a class discussion on the topic "The Last Supper", their
teacher Miss Marcia Smith thought it would be a beneficial learning
experience for the students to actually experience for themselves what Jesus
admonished us, as His disciples, to do in remembrance of Him. It became a
spirit filled occasion, and under the able tutelage of Pastor Kent Price,
the students renewed their vows with the Lord. Pastor Price
explained the importance of the communion service - the bread (unleavened),
the wine (grape juice) and foot washing. Fifty-nine students along with the
teachers took part in the service. The other students viewed in awe this
solemn occasion. They felt energized and forgiven and thanked God for His
continual blessings.
Publishing
Ministry Weekend April 6 - 8, 2007 has been designated Publishing
Weekend for the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It will be the
first conference-wide emphasis for the Publishing Ministry this year.
Pastors and local church leaders are requested to promote the Publishing
Ministry in all their services during this weekend. Dr. Joseph
Barrett, Publishing Director of West Indies Union, will be the guest speaker
for the weekend. Services will be held Friday night, Sabbath and Sunday
night at the New Englerston Church. The time will be announced in next
week’s Logos. Persons who are interested in participating in the
Publishing Ministry are invited to contact Pastor Carey at 341-4021 or
324-0470.
Assistant
Youth Director Visits Cat Island Members of the Adventist
churches in Cat Island were pleased to welcome Brother Curtis Bryan,
assistant Youth Director of Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, to
their district, March 2 - 4, 2007. After speaking and fellowshipping with
the believers at the Seaview Church Sabbath morning, March 3, Brother Bryan
traveled to Devil's Point to meet with the young people of the Devil's Point
Adventist Church, Sabbath afternoon. Brother Bryan was impressed with the
enthusiasm and spiritual commitment of the young people.
Hillview -“The
Blood Prevails” Crusade You are invited to the “The Blood
Prevails” gospel cursade at the Hillview Church that began on March. 10 with
“Week of Redemption.” The crusade will run until March 31. Guest speaker is
Pastor Patrick Tyrill. Services are held nightly at 7:15. Off nights are
Monday and Thursday.-Peter Joseph, Host Pastor Hillview Church
Good News Begins Revival Under the leadership
of Dr. Hugh A. Roach, the Good News Church begins the "Follow Jesus" Revival
Series tomorrow, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Good News Church, Flamingo
Gardens. The meetings will continue every night, except Thursday and
Saturday nights.
Grand Gospel Concert On Freedom Park, Fox HilL
Why keep the truth within Your Church walls? Pastor Clarke and The Maranatha
church family will climax The search For Bible Truth Seminar with a "Stop
The Violence" Grand Gospel Concert at Freedom Park Fox Hill on Saturday,
March 24, at 4:30 p.m. The entire Adventist community along with your
friends are welcome. It's an holistic approach to one's development of anger
management. -Tony Russell
Stewardship Weekend at BOL Church There will be
a weekend of Stewardship emphasis at the Breath of Life Church on Marshall
Road March 17 to 18, 2007. Sabbath morning a Stewardship Festival will be
held. During the afternoon, a Stewardship Seminar will take place. On
Sunday, March 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, a Family Finance Seminar will
be held. All persons are welcome to participate and attend these meetings.
For more details call Nikki Williams at 324-6753.
New Providence Church Sanctuary Choir In Concert
A benefit concert in aid of our beloved
Elder Arthur Maycock will be held on
Sabbath afternoon, April 7, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at the New Providence Church
on Soldier Road. Bring your shouting shoes and come expecting a grand time
in the Lord. Admission is free, but a generous offering would be greatly
appreciated. Bring a friebd - E. Pintard
Stories of Faith Needed The Tribune Limited
would like to explore how Bahamian churches and their congregants experience
faith in their daily lives, be it on the job, in their homes and during
their interaction with strangers – and seek to do so in stories called “My
Faith” – in 500 words or less. People like to read stories about others,
especially positive, uplifting ones. We feel that “My Faith” will be a good
counterbalance to the more troubling recount of human struggles and societal
ills presently contained in all media outlets. Please submit stories to
jcarey@coralwave.com -Communication Department, Bahamas Conference
Women’s Ministries Boat Cruise and Luncheon A
fun afternoon is planned for all family members with the Women’s Ministries
Pre-Mothers’ Day Boat. Tickets are available from your local WM Leader for
the cruise on April 29, 2007, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Dinners will be
available for a small donation. There will be lots of fun, laughters, food
and fellowship. Don’t let the boat leave you! -Miriam Knowles, Women’s
Ministries Director, BC
Children's Ministries Upcoming Events
✽Launching of Children's Stewardship Classes - April 1.
✽Children's Ministries Leaders meeting - Thursday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. at
the Conference Office.
✽Vacation Bible School workshop (VBS workshop) - Sunday, April 29 at
Hillview church from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
Music Clinic for Musicians (Soloist and Groups)
Are you a Singer, Soloist who is interested in producing your own CD but
cannot afford it because it is too costly? Then you MUST attend this Music
Clinic and learn: "How to Produce Your Own Music CD on a Shoestring Budget".
Date: Saturday, April 7, 2007. from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Venue to TBA. All
serious persons Please Contact Colyn Major at (242) 422-6036.
Youth Ministries
Please take note of the following events/activities:
✽Listen Up goes to the big screen on April 1, 2007. Plan to join us for the
first airing of the Listen Up TV show. The jingles competition will follow
that airing at a venue to be announced.
✽Listen Up Fun Day will be held on April 8th at Nirvana Beach from 8am to
8pm. Bring the whole family and especially your volleyball team. Please see
the Listen Up website by going to bahamasconference.org.
✽Listen Up goes to AY will next be hosted on March 24th by the Johnson Park
Church. See you there for a Holy Ghost time. -Dillette
✽Softball, Volleyball, Track & Field, Basketball -There will be a meeting
for all sports persons Saturday, March 24 at the Gym at 7:30 p.m. All
persons are asked to be on time. Please bring your list of players and
entrance fees Coaches who have not yet purchased uniforms can be at ease. A
uniform agent will be at the meeting to have on display their wares.
✽ Adventist Volleyball Season begins on April 14th. Teams can begin
registration for volleyball by contacting their local AYS Leaders for the
registration form or coming to the Office. All teams should be registered by
April 6th. Games begin Saturday, April 14 at the Bahamas Academy Gym.
✽Youth Bible Bowls Please note that the Bahamas Conference Youth department
will be participating in two separate Bible Bowls. These are as follows:
a).The Inter- American Division Sponsored Bible Bowl. The books of study for
I.A.D. Bible bowl are Songs of Solomon, Ecclesiaties, and Proverbs. (N.I.V.).
The Bahamas Conference run-offs will be held on Friday, April 13. Each
church is asked to have their own run-offs and prepare one person between
the ages of 16-30 for the conference run-offs. The A.Y. leader must submit
the name of the participants, who must hold membership in the local church,
to the Conference Youth department by March 12, 2007. No names will be
accepted after this date.
The winner of the conference run-offs will represent the Bahamas conference
at the West Indies Union Level in June, at N.C.U. in Mandeville, Jamaica.
The winner at the union level will represent the West Indies Union at the
IAD finals to be held during the Youth Leadership and prayer Convention in
Colombia in July of this year.
b). The West Indies Union Bible Bowl. Each year, West Indies Union host a
Youth Weekend for the entire union. This year's weekend will be held from
April 27-29. During this weekend, the W.I.U Bible bowl will be held. The
books of study for this Bible Bowl are the four gospels. The categories are
as follows: Ages 6-9 Mark, ages 10-15 Luke, ages 16-22 Matthew, ages 23- 35
John. Each church is asked to have one youth in each category prepared for a
local competition to be held at the end of March. Venue and time to be
announced. Winners from each category will represent the Conference at W.I.U.
Youth Weekend in April. Please note that this Bible bowl is a separate event
from the IAD Bible Bowl
✽ Listen Up
Check out the Listen Up website at the
www.bahamasconference.org/listenup . Click on the logo and you just
might see yourself!
To join the Listen Up Club, please call 393-1493 or email
dillette2002@yahoo.com . -Pastor
Andrew E. Burrows, Youth Director, BC
Hour of Gospel Music The Hour of Gospel Music
at the Mary Ingraham Home continues weekly on Sabbaths from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Today, March 17, Gambier Church is expected. Next week Sabbath, March 24,
Good News Church is scheduled.
Attention All Health Professionals!
Coming up soon is the first health professionals meeting for
2007.
Cat Island Easter Homecoming The Cat Island
Advancement Society is hosting their annual Cat Island Homecoming April 6 to
9, 2007. Persons interested in attending this homecoming are invited to call
and register with Elder Norman Seymour at 324-6744.
2nd Anti-Crime Meeting On April 1 The second
anti-crime meeting will be on Sunday, April 1, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the
New Englerston Church. All Family Ministries directors, school counselors,
psychologist, social workers, trained lay counselors and law enforcement
officers are asked to attend. We are discussing the Adventist response to
crime and healing in The Bahamas.
Music Standards Committee All members of the
Music Standards Committee are asked to meet with Barrington Brennen on
Monday, March 26, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. at the Conference headquarters.
Marriage Standards Committee The Marriage
Standards Committee will be its first meeting on Wednesday, March 21, 2007,
at 4:00 p.m. at the Conference Headquarters -Brennen
Sun sets today at 7:20
p.m.
Sun sets next Sabbath at 7:23 p.m.
