A Pastor's Heart to Be with His Sheep

A pastor who loves his sheep, wants to be with his sheep.  In times of need, celebration, everyday activities, a shepherd wants to be in the field close to the sheep.  I'm glad that God uses this analogy of caring for sheep in how He describes pastors leading and managing a church family.

Look at

Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

As overseers of different areas of your life you want to be as engaged and hands on as possible to handle your responsibilities well.  The same is true in church life. As your senior pastor at Oakwood First Baptist I do not always know about conditions of the entire church family. I would like to be as involved in your lives, as you would allow me to be.  You have many other shepherds and pastors in our church family that may be closer to you in relationship.  These ministry leaders do a great job of caring for our church. We have great pastors, deacons, Sunday School teachers, and prayer ministry leaders.  However, communication is always a challenge.  If you share a prayer need in a Sunday School then your Sunday School class will be praying for you look for ways to minister to you. If you share a prayer need with one of our pastors or deacons you will be prayed for and ways of ministering to you can be shared with the pastors and deacons.  If you want to the prayer email group that Janet Buttram leads to be praying for you, you may email Janet or call her (kingskidmi@aol.com). If you would like a prayer need shared in our weekly church prayer sheet you may complete a blue prayer card in the church pews to be placed in the bulletin, you may submit a prayer request on our website, or call the church office 770-534-4193. You get to decide the level of broadcast you want your prayer and ministry need shared.  With a friend, a Sunday School class, to a pastor or deacon, prayer email, prayer sheet, etc.

As your pastor I would love the opportunity to pray with you and minister to you and your family. Don't assume that I have heard about your need through various channels.  I do my best to listen and pay attention when information is passed along to me, but if you would like for me to join with you in prayer please don't hesitate to contact me directly.  My phone number is in the church program each week: 770-510-3568.  I want to be there for you when you give me the opportunity.

If you call, I will answer or return your call.
If you text, I will text back,
If you email or Facebook message me I will return the same.
If I happen to see something posted on social media, I will respond there.

My heart is to see that you are cared for through our staff and the ministries of our church.  Our church staff deacons, ministry leaders, and teacher are here to serve you.

2017 is going to be great year together as we pray for, minister to, and love another.

Pastor Myles

MeetUps!

You can lead a MeetUp.  What do you enjoy doing? Do you think others might enjoy it too? These can be weekly, monthly, or occasional. They can be one time parties and outings.

Everyone in our church is strongly encouraged to be a part of at least one MeetUp group.  We need a group like these get to know people, care for one another, and a place to invite friends who do not have a church.

These types of gatherings are essential to our disciple-making process in our church.  These are ways we invite new people, have conversations, and find out ministry opportunities in the lives of our church members and friends.

Some MeetUp groups already meet weekly: Sunday School groups at 9:15 AM.  Groups for all ages.

Some monthly Meetups that are already on-going are our Wisdom Circle (1^st Wed. of a month at Noon and lots of trips), Girlfriends in God (third Tuesday of a month at 6:30 PM with parties and other events).

Some are occasional and seasonal: We have several MeetUps with will be starting back on January 22 on Sunday Nights at 6 PM. There will be MeetUps for kids, students, and adults.

MeetUps can be anywhere, anytime.  These are not limited to Sundays or our church facilities.

Some examples of MeetUps you or someone could start:

·         Preschool playdates

·         Recipe swap

·         Crochet and coffee

·         Book club

·         Running group

·         Dinner group (eating out or taking turns hosting in your home)

·         Golf MeetUps

·         Walking Group

·         Health and Wellness Support

·         Recovery Support Group

The possibilities go on and on.  Invite friends, make friends, be a friend.

Sanctuary Remodel Project

I am excited to share with you that our church decided last night to move forward with raising funds and beginning work on Phase 1 of the Renaissance Project: Sanctuary Remodel. New lighting, flooring, paint, pew cushions and more.  This will bring a fresh start to our worship facility as we "Make Room for More."  The document attached shares more about the project.  The bottom line is that the Renaissance Steering Team estimates the cost of this project to be around $75,000.00.  

God will provide the funds necessary for this project. God will honor our joint effort and sacrifice .  He is pleased when we walk by faith.  

There is $37,500.00 of matching funds from our savings that the finance team has approved.  What this means is that every $1 we give become $2! 

Let's make this first Sunday a special day as we pray and give. The team is ready to begin work as the money is donated.  Matching funds doubles each gift.

Pray and prepare your best investment in this opportunity.  God will provide where He guides.

And keep our team members in your prayers as they work to see the project implemented and completed. Robin Buckley, Winston Buttram, Jim Keys, Margaret Merritt, Paul Patten, Lamar Scroggs, Pastor Andy Shorthill, and Pastor Myles Brown.

in His Service,

Pastor Myles

Making Room for More

I am excited to share with you that our Renaissance Team will be sharing a report on Phase 1 our plan for creating space for more. The team has been working hard getting estimates together for the remodel of our Sanctuary.  It will be absolutely amazing. 3 things are driving this project.

1. Creating an attractive space for our guests.  Making room for the 1% of our 10 minute drive population. Preparing a hospitable, up-to-date space for our guests to experience the presence of God. 
2. For the future.  Generations to come will view us as seizing the opportunity to move our church forward. 
3. For the present.  This will provide a fresh start with a clean contemporary look and feel.  You will be able to enjoy better lighting, more comfortable pew cushions, and floors without years of wear and tear.

Sunday night October 16 at 6 PM you will hear the cost estimate for this project.  You will have an opportunity to ask questions.  You will be able to vote to support this effort by prayer and financial backing.

Lighting:  The plan is for LED house and stage lighting that is more energy efficient than what we have now. The lights have incredible capabilities for seasonal enhancements to our worship services and presentations. (picture below is for example purposes only)

Seating: Refinished wood added cushioning and fresh coverings for our pews.

Flooring:  Attractive and affordable floors that can be easily cleaned and maintained.

Walls: a fresh coat of paint that will work well with the flooring, stained glass windows and pew cushions.

Other enhancements: We will be expanding the media booth to accommodate video recording. New foyer furnishing including a hospitality counter for guest services.

Upon approval, work will begin immediately.  The hope is to have the place ready for Christmas! Prepare to come to the quarterly conference on October 16 at 6 PM to participate.

Other phases of the Renaissance team will presented at a later date such as more facility renovations, a master plan for property expansion, and new construction proposals.  It is time to move forward and make room for more.

Cheerful Giving

A reflection and reset for where we are as a church in the area of financial stewardship.

Our 7 Heart Attitudes are how we agree to team together here as a church family doing God's work in our community and around the world. Here is:

Heart Attitude #6 Give financially to the work of the church.

God loves a cheerful giver.  God honors and blesses all kinds of giving as we grow to trust Him more. This is the message we have from God’s word about giving our resources to the work of the church. In his second letter to the church in Corinth Paul wrote, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

I love how is he says “not reluctantly.” Our offerings should never be pried from our tightly gripped hands.  And no one should make us feel guilty or coerced into giving.

The idea is that giving is to be our joyful response to God and His mission.   We get to put our money where our heart is: toward  God’s mission to seek and save those who are lost.

From a message I preached in June of this year I am reminded of these things which please God.

What REALLY pleases God?

• Faith, earnestly seeking Him

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 

• Cheerful Giving

2 Corinthians 9: 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;

    their righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Here are some FACTS about giving to God’s work through His church:

1.  God doesn’t need me, you or anything
2. But God’s work goes forward through His Church: making disciples of Jesus in all world
3. Church work runs on the faith and goodwill of the people investing together for the mission

The Personal Application for Me and You:

• God invites me to trust Him. It is where real life is found: Faith
• I may invest in God’s plan through my local church where there is opportunity to see eternal dividends and experience joy now.

As we move in to the last quarter of 2016, take some time to investigate where you are in pleasing God with your resources. Would you like to invest more? Are you giving with faith? Are you making your gift with a cheerful heart?

Let’s serve the Lord together with gladness. May I do so with my time, talent, and treasure.

Set Your Heart to Remember the Bible

Notes to help discussing this Sunday's Message: Don't Forget the Bible

Ezra 7:10

Set His heart:

·         Study

·         Do

·         Teach

Read Also, Psalm 119:9-16

God has revealed Himself to us in various ways. Can you name some?

If I told you that the Bible came from God, could you describe what you know or think you know about how that happened.

What types of writings are we dealing with in the Bible and does that matter in trying to understand what it means and how it applies to our life?

If you were start somewhere reading in the Bible to find out who God is, where would it be and why?

If you wanted to understand something in the Bible better where would you start? Next steps?

Set Your Heart to Remember the Bible

Notes to help discussing this Sunday's Message: Don't Forget the Bible

Ezra 7:10

Set His heart:

·         Study

·         Do

·         Teach

Read Also, Psalm 119:9-16

God has revealed Himself to us in various ways. Can you name some?

If I told you that the Bible came from God, could you describe what you know or think you know about how that happened.

What types of writings are we dealing with in the Bible and does that matter in trying to understand what it means and how it applies to our life?

If you were start somewhere reading in the Bible to find out who God is, where would it be and why?

If you wanted to understand something in the Bible better where would you start? Next steps?

Set Your Heart to Remember the Bible

Notes to help discussing this Sunday's Message: Don't Forget the Bible

Ezra 7:10

Set His heart:

·         Study

·         Do

·         Teach

Read Also, Psalm 119:9-16

God has revealed Himself to us in various ways. Can you name some?

If I told you that the Bible came from God, could you describe what you know or think you know about how that happened.

What types of writings are we dealing with in the Bible and does that matter in trying to understand what it means and how it applies to our life?

If you were start somewhere reading in the Bible to find out who God is, where would it be and why?

If you wanted to understand something in the Bible better where would you start? Next steps?

Teams Discovery Night

Ever wondered how you can serve and make a difference? Perhaps you want help out with ministries you see going on here, but just don’t know where to get started. That is what Teams Discovery Night is all about. We have a “join us” approach.  You are welcome here.

July 10 at 6 PM in Fellowship Hall

We will share a meal together, hear a quarterly report from ministries in our church and then you will have an opportunity to meet with a ministry team leader of your choice.  The Team leaders will be sharing information about their area of ministry and how you can help out.  Some groups will be offering training during this time.  The will be no pressure to commit, but you will have a chance to explore the volunteer area for a time period of your choosing. Here are the ministry Teams that will be meeting on July 10:

•  First Impressions Greeting and Welcome Team: information and training for team members and new people (including students)
•  Contribution Counting Team: training for all team members and new people
• FirstKids Teams: information for children’s Sunday School, Wednesday night Rockstars, and Kids Church (including student volunteers)
•  Wee Ones Team: information and training for birth through preschool ministry (including students)
• Media Audio and Visual Team: information and training for members and new people (including students)
•  Bus Team: information for all members and new people

Child care will be provided. The meal at 6 PM is for everyone and then the children will be in the Light House (Student Ministry Building).

Imagine a day when every member and many guests find their 1 way to serve the Lord with gladness.  Everyone doing 1 thing, 1 thing great, 1 thing now. Now that is Teamwork!

Teams Discovery Night

Ever wondered how you can serve and make a difference? Perhaps you want help out with ministries you see going on here, but just don’t know where to get started. That is what Teams Discovery Night is all about. We have a “join us” approach.  You are welcome here.

July 10 at 6 PM in Fellowship Hall

We will share a meal together, hear a quarterly report from ministries in our church and then you will have an opportunity to meet with a ministry team leader of your choice.  The Team leaders will be sharing information about their area of ministry and how you can help out.  Some groups will be offering training during this time.  The will be no pressure to commit, but you will have a chance to explore the volunteer area for a time period of your choosing. Here are the ministry Teams that will be meeting on July 10:

•  First Impressions Greeting and Welcome Team: information and training for team members and new people (including students)
•  Contribution Counting Team: training for all team members and new people
• FirstKids Teams: information for children’s Sunday School, Wednesday night Rockstars, and Kids Church (including student volunteers)
•  Wee Ones Team: information and training for birth through preschool ministry (including students)
• Media Audio and Visual Team: information and training for members and new people (including students)
•  Bus Team: information for all members and new people

Child care will be provided. The meal at 6 PM is for everyone and then the children will be in the Light House (Student Ministry Building).

Imagine a day when every member and many guests find their 1 way to serve the Lord with gladness.  Everyone doing 1 thing, 1 thing great, 1 thing now. Now that is Teamwork!

Mark Dowdy as Minister of Music and Worship

Dear First Baptist Church Oakwood Family,

I want to take just a minute to share with you my wholehearted recommendation of Mark Dowdy to you as our next Minister of Music and Worship.  We will be voting to extend a call to Mark on Sunday May 15 following our 10:30 AM worship service. During the last 9 weeks, Mark and I have worked together and formed a great partnership in planning meaningful worship experiences for our church and community here in Oakwood.  I have gotten to know Mark and his wife Michelle, and I have observed their desire to serve the church.

I really believe that Mark will be important team member in positioning our church to make a large impact in our community for the mission of God.  Mark comes with extensive recommendations from the search team, previous church staff members, and industry colleagues in ministry and music.  I am excited about the days ahead for Mark and our church.

I invite you to come out on Saturday, May 14, to a cookout at the Little White House at 5 PM.  We will have pork barbecue, hot dogs, buns and drinks. Bring chips
or a dessert to share.  During this time you will have an opportunity to meet Mark, ask questions, and hear his plans for ministry here in Oakwood.

Your servant,

Myles Brown