This blog will be a sampling of the articles I write for the Centennial monthly newsletter along with anything else I need to get off my mind. Sometimes there will be attempts at humor, and for that I apologize now. Other times, the subjects will be more theological in nature. I do not pretend to be an expert in any field, but I have an opinion on just about everything, and can usually make a pretty good defense if challenged. Enjoy my ramblings and feel free to share them with anyone else who may be blessed by them.
April 2017 CBA Newsletter
/A Word from Your Missionary:
“The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.” – Jesus Christ (Luke 9:22)
On the third night of the “Preacher Swappin’, People Hoppin’ Revival” as Jeff Morgan, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, preached on the above passage, he said “Aren’t you thankful that Jesus suffered for you? And that He was rejected for you? And that He was killed for you? And that He arose for you?” He further pointed out that Jesus did all this because it was worth it to Him for us to have a relationship with Him.
Earlier that same night, I listened to my wife Marni tell the story of Jesus’ arrest, mistreatment, death, and burial to a group of AWANA Sparks (K-2nd graders). Her voice shook and even broke as she expressed the price Jesus paid for our sin. The weight of His sacrifice was evident as she shared with the children.
After these two reminders I found myself pondering the indescribable act of the cross. What our Lord did for us overwhelms me at times to the point that I have no words. Every effort at thanking Him seems too small. Even obedience to His will seems miniscule compared to His obedience to the Father. To think that my sin resulted in His suffering is too much to bear. Fortunately, His grace is sufficient. In our weakness He is strong. He carries our burdens. And He knows how very small and frail we are.
As we observe a time of remembering the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord this month, I pray that we will each know the forgiveness that He made possible. That we will live in the freedom His death provides. That we will not shy away from proclaiming His story to anyone within earshot. Let us make His name known throughout our cities, our state, and our world.
“And when before the throne, I stand in Him complete
‘Jesus died my soul to save,’ my lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.”
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
EQUIP 2017
/"The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.'" - Mark 12:29-31
What a blessing it is to experience the fellowship of believers as we come together to live out these commandments! This past weekend several of our churches gathered together at First Baptist Church in Barnesville for EQUIP 2017. The goal is always to equip students for the work God has called them to do. The focus this year was on the previous verses. We are all called to love, and we should be equipped to do so.
If you have never been in a room full of teenagers who are worshiping the Lord, you should try it. Nothing is quite as refreshing as seeing the joy that some of them bring to worship. I think we need to be careful not to snuff out that enthusiasm, but to encourage it. As we love God with all we have and all we are, we should get excited about who He is and what He is doing. It is not about entertainment or who can produce the best show. Worship is about expressing love to the One who made us. We were reminded on Friday night that we cannot truly love God unless we know Him. As our knowledge of Him grows, so should our love for Him.
Each year we spend our Saturday afternoon participating in an activity that demonstrates the theme of what we are emphasizing. This year the students and their leaders went on a scavenger hunt to find items that would be used to support area ministries. They collected food, hygiene items, plates and cups, diapers, and soap among other things that will go to five different compassion ministries throughout our four county region. It was a competition with a purpose. In the end, there were over 3000 items collected. That not 3000 plates or diapers. That's 3000 packages of plates, diapers, or whatever else was on the list. Praise the Lord!
Loving others consistently is a challenge for most of us. Jesus pointed out that even the wicked love those who love them. He also said that if we cannot love the people we do see, then we cannot love God whom we cannot see. We are surrounded by hurting people every day. Most have genuine needs that we are capable of meeting if we were to just invest a little time in finding out what those needs are. For some it is simply a need for a friend or a kind word. Some need encouragement or a shoulder to cry on. Others have more tangible needs like food or clothing. Foster children need loving homes. Addicts need a place of support and recovery. Lost people need directions to the Savior. Hopeless people need hope. Spiritually dead people need life that only comes through a relationship with the Giver of life, Jesus. Each one of us may not be able to meet every need, but we can each meet some of them. And together we make a difference.
I am thankful to be a part of EQUIP and what God is doing through the CBA. Thank you to all the churches who brought their students. Thank you to all our breakout leaders. Thank you to the great speakers and worship team. Thank you to FBC Barnesville for hosting us so well. Thank you to all the pastors, youth minister, and volunteers who worked behind the scenes planning and preparing. And thank you to parents who entrusted us with your children, so we could share this experience with them.
We will continue what was started this weekend with EQUIP Missions this summer. Even if you were not able to be there this weekend, we hope you will join us for this time of serving our communities and worshiping together. Save the dates: June 25-28. You can click here for more information or to register your group.
March 2017 CBA Newsletter
/A Word from Your Missionary:
When I was in student ministry years ago, I read some curriculum that used the phrase “Inward, Outward, Upward” to describe life in the church. This month we have several opportunities as an association to focus on equipping believers (inward), ministering to our communities (outward), and worshipping together (upward).
The “Inward” part begins with the EQUIP Youth Discipleship weekend where our students and leaders will learn how to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (upward) and love their neighbors (outward). Hey, look what I did there. Pray with me for our next generation as they worship and learn together. Thank you to all the leaders who are working to make this happen.
We will also be training children’s workers at the Children’s Ministry Workshop. This year the focus is on child protection, and we hope you will send your folks. Don’t forget to sign up early if you plan to attend the Stewards of Children training.
The “Outward” part of this month is happening in a number of ways:
· At EQUIP, the students will be collecting items for various local ministries.
· The Dental Health Clinic will provide care for many of our neighbors. We are still in need of several volunteers for that event. If you are able to help us out, please contact the CBA office. Please, help us get the word out so that more people can be served.
· We are collecting items at the Spring Meeting for the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home in Meansville.
The “Upward” part is my favorite. In addition to worshipping with students at EQUIP, we get to worship together at the Annual Spring Meeting at Milner and hear a message from Bobby Boswell. I always enjoy these times together of fellowship, hearing some reports, doing a little business, and then worshipping as the Lord’s Church. Please join me.
Two more things to keep in mind: The deadline for the Cliburn Scholarship in April 1st . The Strategy Planning Team is asking for input from our pastors to help us better understand the needs of our association. You will receive a survey from us soon, and we ask that you prayerfully respond by attending an assessment interview that will be scheduled in late April. More details will be shared at the Spring Meeting.
God is at work in the Centennial Baptist Association. Let us thank Him together for inviting us to participate in His plan.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
February 2017 CBA Newsletter
/A Word from Your Missionary:
I had to confess something to my wife today. Just like Paul in Romans 7, there are times when I know what I should do and I don’t do it and other times when I know what I shouldn’t do and that is the very thing I do. The subject of my confession was the over-scheduling of events that take up the time and energy of our pastors. In my effort to support you and your work, I have a tendency to ask you to put even more on your plate and your calendar.
Case in point: February and March. We have a bunch of stuff going on at CBA over the next two months. Each and every event, meeting, and ministry is valuable and designed to meet needs. Each is meant to enhance your ministry. When you find that to be true, then I invite you to wholeheartedly participate. When you find that not to be true, then encourage those who may benefit to participate, but feel free to skip it yourself. We understand that each ministry event has a specific audience in mind. Our calendar is like a Venn diagram. If you find yourself in the overlapping sections, I apologize.
This newsletter is full of opportunities like EQUIP, Children’s Ministry Workshop, Southside Summit, and the Dental Health Clinic. We have Pastor Roundtables, the Johnny Hunt Simulcast, and the Quarterly Fellowship Lunch. State Missionary Randy Mullinax will join us at the Monthly Ministers Meeting with a plan to make our churches more mindful of how our guests experience church. We even have an Executive Committee meeting where we will discuss the agenda for the CBA Annual Spring Meeting. In fact, there is too much information to even include in this limited space. Please check out more details on the website, www.centennialbaptistassociation.com.
I want you all to know that I appreciate your time and the way you support the Centennial Association. Pray for our Strategy Team as we seek to define clear ways to support our churches and to be the best association we can be to the glory of God.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
January 2017 CBA Newsletter
/A Word from Your Missionary:
How big do you dream? Whether God has given you the responsibility to pastor a church, lead a ministry, parent children, or just do your part for the Kingdom, I believe God wants us to expect great things. The father of the modern missions movement, William Carey, is quoted as saying, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” His life certainly demonstrated a dedication to this admonition.
It is easy to get frustrated and beaten down in ministry. Sometimes it seems that the whole world is against you. Guess what? It probably is. Jesus told his disciples that the world would hate them because of their association with Him. When the believers in Acts were beaten for preaching the Gospel, they rejoiced because they were deemed worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. Sometimes we think that the slightest opposition to us is reason enough to give up and try something different. If we have taken the time to make sure our goals are covered in prayer and in line with God’s will, nothing should prevent us from reaching them. Through His strength we can do great things.
So I return to my first question: How big do you dream? Do you see your church baptizing twice as many people in 2017 as you did in 2016? Do you see yourself personally winning more people to Jesus this year? Can you imagine how your life would change if you made a point to share your story with people every week or even every day? How many lost people in Upson, Pike, Lamar, and Monroe counties can come to Jesus this year if we all just dedicate ourselves to boldly sharing the Gospel? Have you identified someone you can disciple this year? Are there lost people you are praying for and building relationships with? A big dream starts with simple steps.
I know God can do amazing things through people who are willing. Let us be those people. I want to see churches worshipping God without reservation. I want to see people that seem very far from God come to know Him as Savior and Lord. I want to see broken families healed, restored, and actively following Jesus together. I want to see an entire association of churches make such a difference in our communities this year that even the most hard-hearted cynic takes notice and wants to know more about Jesus. How big will you dream in 2017?
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
December 2016 CBA Newsletter
/A Word from Your Missionary:
We have one more month remaining in 2016. Most of us will spend a good portion of that time getting ready for Christmas. We will practice for cantatas and plays. We will decorate and bake. We will shop (some of us more than we should). If this December is like past Decembers it will go by in a flash, and we will be ringing in the New Year before you know it. If we are not careful, we will rush through it all without taking the time to pause and reflect.
When I think of 2016, I will remember ENCOUNTER and how I saw God renew an urgency for evangelism among our churches. I pray that this continues throughout the coming year. Wouldn’t you love to be able to baptize more new followers of Jesus in 2017 that ever before? I know that would please our Father. Ask yourself what you can do to make this goal a reality.
When I think of 2016, I will probably remember one of the harshest political seasons in my lifetime. If the election taught us anything, it is that our nation is still deeply divided in many ways. Our communities need to see the unity that defines the Church according to Scripture. My prayer for 2017 is that each local church will strive to live in harmony for the sake of God’s renown. As we represent Him, may we dismiss our preferences in favor of proclaiming His clear Gospel message.
When I think of 2016, I will also remember some personal milestones and challenges. Abigail graduated from high school and began college. We lost a dear aunt. My father-in-law had by-pass surgery in July and is still dealing with complications. Our family like many of yours experienced ups and downs this year. I am so thankful for a God who makes His presence known each and every day. We do not serve a God who is distant and unattached to us. I pray that His power and presence will be evident in your lives every moment of this next year.
Thank you for another great year of ministry. The future is bright and full of hope. We still have much to accomplish together. Pray with me that we will finish this year strong and will enter 2017 with a vision that is perfectly aligned with God’s plan. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
November 2016 CBA Newsletter
/I recently heard an interview with A. J. Jacobs, a secular Jewish man, who wrote The Year of Living Biblically after spending a year trying to closely follow every law in the Bible. Jacobs does not claim to be a follower of Christ or even a believer in God. But according to the interview, among the most important thing this year taught him was the value of gratitude. Thanksgiving is a powerful principle that is found throughout Scripture. I wonder how our lives would change if we practiced it more often.
In a culture in which we can go to the store and get whatever we want 24/7, we take for granted pretty much everything. If we ever find ourselves without electricity or food or some other convenience, we complain a little, but know that it is probably just temporary. If we are honest, most of us are pretty spoiled. Thanksgiving reminds us that we are not our own provider. Everything we have comes from a loving God who cares deeply for us and meets our needs in abundance.
I am as guilty as the next guy in my lack of gratitude for God’s blessings. You would think that those of us who live comfortable lifestyles compared to the rest of the world would be more grateful, but I think the opposite tends to be true. So what is the solution? I started by reading from the book of Psalms. The various authors remind us over and over to give thanks to God. We are to remember His blessings and cry out to Him with thanksgiving and praise. Our worship is to reflect a grateful heart for His presence in our lives. We should be aware continually of how He has delivered us from our enemies and the sin that would destroy us without His ever-present help. That’s a good place to start.
I am thankful for the great year we have had together. I am grateful to work with so many great churches and pastors who understand the power of the Gospel to save. I praise God that we have freedom to proclaim His truth and to live out our convictions. I thank God for the family and friends He has given me. And I thank God for the calling He has placed on my life, that I can live my life with purpose know He has a plan much bigger and greater than I can even imagine.
Join me this Thanksgiving season in being more intentional in our praise and thanksgiving to the One who gives all good gifts. Keep your eyes open to His goodness and grace in all the little things in life. Enjoy the time with family and friends and let each one of them know how thankful you are for them. And take the time to tell God how thankful you are.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
October 2016 CBA Newsletter
/A Word from Your Missionary:
Praise the Lord of the Harvest! ENCOUNTER resulted in a renewed sense of urgency for the Gospel and a number of changed lives, including many who became believers in Jesus Christ. Our hearts were challenged and encouraged. We experienced incredible worship and Spirit filled preaching. I was particularly thankful for the way our churches worked together to cover all the areas of responsibility. My prayer is that revival will continue in each of our churches as we meet weekly to worship and proclaim the truth.
I would love to hear about your experience at ENCOUNTER. On October 10 at 10 AM at New Bethel Baptist Church, we will have a feedback and celebration time to talk about how ENCOUNTER went and how we can do even better next time. Jon Reed has asked me to make sure he hears from us, as well. This time is for pastors as well as anyone else who was involved in ENCOUNTER. All feedback is welcome.
So, what’s next? That is a question that many have asked me recently. On the immediate horizon, we have our upcoming Fall Meeting at Mt. Olive on October 25th. I would encourage everyone to participate in this time of reporting and handling some important business for our association. We will also enjoy a meal together and have a great time of worship. Dr. Ken Ross, pastor of Milner, will be our speaker. Don’t forget to bring your Backpacks for Appalachia to the Fall meeting.
Shortly following that, I would like to invite each of you to a day of training hosted by our Women’s Ministry. This is in cooperation with the Flint River Association and will be held on Saturday, October 29th. You will find all the details in this newsletter.
Under the leadership of the Steering Committee, we have already begun a Strategy Planning process that will help us shape the vision for our next several years. Centennial has been blessed to accomplish quite a bit up to this point. We want to continue that momentum by planning for the future. By taking a look at where we are and what is needed, we can be prepared for what God has in store. Pray with me as we embark on this challenging endeavor. You will hear more about this in the next few months.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
Did We Have Revival?
/ENCOUNTER revival services were held last week at The Rock Ranch. The worship, led by many of our local music ministers, was excellent. Jon Reed preached powerful, convicting messages. People responded both with public decisions and ones made quietly between them and the Lord. Every aspect of the revival including parking, child care, hospitality, greeters, security, media, setup and tear down, response team and follow up were all handled with excellence. The folks at the Rock Ranch made every effort to meet our needs. If I were to check off the boxes on my list of what needed to happen logistically, I could check them all.
But I am interested in more than being able to say we had a great event. ENCOUNTER began as a desperate prayer that God would bring a harvest of souls to our area. The need was great when we began praying and it is still great today. We realized that the Church needed spiritual renewal and a refocus on evangelism. We prayed and prepared for revival in hopes that the Lord would answer our prayers and use ENCOUNTER as a catalyst to change what needed to change in our hearts and in our churches.
So the question remains: Did we have revival?
I believe the answer is different depending on who you talk to. If you were to talk to the two dozen or so people who accepted Jesus as Savior, they would tell you that their lives will never be the same. They were reborn and now have an eternal home. If you were to ask the pastors who now have new believers in their churches as a result of someone inviting a lost friend or family member to ENCOUNTER, they would tell you that God has truly blessed. If you were to ask believers who repented of their lack of spiritual fruit, they would tell you how God has given them a new desire to see people come to Jesus and an urgency to be what God has called them to be.
There is no doubt that many of those who attended ENCOUNTER experienced personal revival. My prayer is that this revival becomes so evident in our lives that it extends to those around us. I pray for that thirty-fold, sixty-fold, one hundred-fold fruit in our lives. And I pray that we cannot keep silent about what God is doing.
I heard two sermons on the Sunday following ENCOUNTER. It was obvious that both were informed by what those pastors had experienced in their own lives during the revival. I was challenged once again to go beyond what is comfortable and to tell the simple story of the Gospel and how it has changed my life.
I thank God for what He accomplished through ENCOUNTER. I expect the ripple effect to impact our churches for a long time. Real revival has a way of spreading. I believe it has a greater impact if it builds over time, and that is what I am praying for. I cannot speak for you, but I know I had revival. How about you?
September CBA Newsletter
/A Word from Your Missionary:
Fifteen years ago our world changed forever. Terrorists took control of four planes with the intention of bringing our nation to her knees. The towers fell. The Pentagon was rocked. A field in Pennsylvania became a memorial to brave souls who attempted to take back their plane. And on September 11, 2001, and in the days to follow our nation did fall to her knees. For the first time in a long while, we were united in our grief and looked to God Almighty for comfort and healing.
Many people believed God would use that tragic day to bring revival throughout our land. His presence and influence could be felt everywhere. People were unashamed to speak His name. He did bring some to Himself. He did remind us of what could be and of our great need for Him. However, eventually people forgot how desperately we need the Lord. Most Americans stopped looking to God and simply got used to the new normal.
I believe God still wants to revive His church in America. I believe His grace is still sufficient to save lost souls. I believe He still desires repentance and obedience. Not so we can be better Americans or so our nation will prosper. But so we, the children of God, can be the Church shining the light of Christ as a beacon to those who are lost and hurting.
Join me this September 11th as I pray for our nation, our communities and the lost all around us. What if every church set aside time on that Sunday as a solemn assembly dedicated to prayer and repentance? ENCOUNTER begins the following evening. We have all prayed and prepared for a harvest of souls. Let us make sure our own hearts are right and ready for revival, so that we can make Him known.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
Appeal to Heaven Flag
/With only four weeks before ENCOUNTER, I was reminded of a story David Franklin, AM for Bartow Baptist Association, shared with me about one of the first flags of our nation. I would like to challenge all our churches to set aside Sunday, September 11, 2016, as a day of prayer for our nation, our community, and the lost. This is the day before ENCOUNTER begins, and I cannot think of a better time to make an appeal to heaven.
Here is the story:
An Appeal to Heaven Flag
"The little known story that follows in these few paragraphs tells about the creation of our nation’s first flag during crisis, the one before Betsy Ross sewed the Stars and Bars in 1776, and the one that was used throughout the Revolution by many companies. This first flag that symbolized the American dream is simply known as the Appeal to Heaven flag.
"The American colonies found themselves in turmoil in the summer of 1775. Shots had been fired. King George declared the colonies in rebellion. War had come. In response, the Continental Congress unanimously appointed George Washington as General over the colonial forces on July 3, 1775. He humbly accepted the daunting task to wage war against the most powerful nation on earth at the time. That summer, he quickly concluded that naval vessels must be commissioned to intercept British shipping. Shortly afterward six schooner entered service, most likely funded from Washington’s own pocket. This became known as 'Washington’s Secret Navy'. The ships needed a flag to fly under, but none existed at the time. After careful consideration, Washington chose to boldly affix the words Appeal to Heaven on a white background, and sewed a large green pine tree in the center, thus creating the Appeal to Heaven flag.
"The words Appeal to Heaven were influenced by John Locke, the leading political philosopher of the era. In his work, Second Treatise of Government, he argued that once a people had exhausted every possible means of redress in conflict with a sovereign, they were then permitted to appeal to heaven for the rectitude of their cause.
"This belief can be seen in our Declaration of Independence by the phrase 'appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions'. In other words, so convinced were they of the rightness of their cause, they cried to God to intervene on their behalf.
"The Appeal to Heaven flag, also known as 'Washington’s Cruiser Flag', flew on the six schooners as they were launched. Just a few months after their first voyage, the British Brigantine, named the 'Nancy', was captured by one of our schooners, the 'Lee'. On board were muskets, flint, gun powder and other supplies in abundance, enough to last for a year. Not only was this the greatest capture of the entire Revolution, it also inspired all the founding fathers, and the birth of the United States Navy as we know it today.
"In 1776, the state of Massachusetts adopted this flag for its own Navy. The Massachusetts Navy sailed 25 ships during the war to defend the coast from the British and was eventually absorbed into the United States Navy. In addition to the schooners, the flag was also known to be on floating batteries, river banks, in towns, battlefields like Bunker Hill, and even in places of most importance like our nation’s capital in Philadelphia. It is reported that Washington carried this flag into every battle he fought in.
"The Pine Tree, also known as the Tree of Peace, had long been a symbol of importance to the colonies. Some one thousand years before, in a very troubling and conflicted time among six Iroquois Indian tribes, a peace maker brought the six tribes together for peace. It was under one of these giant pine trees that a peace treaty was brokered and they buried their war hatchets. The phrase 'bury the hatchet' comes from this. Legend has it that a powerful bald eagle clutching six arrows in its claws perched atop the tree to guard it. Does that sound familiar? The American eagle on our seal has thirteen arrows in its claws.
"The story stands as an inspiration for all future generations, but especially for American Christians, to come together in unity, burying the hatchet, and to Appeal to Heaven for help. Shall we not, like our forefathers of old, unite around this one purpose? Shall we not lay aside the issues that divide us? Shall we not bury the hatchet of racial, denominational, and generational differences and unite, remembering the very words of Jesus, 'No city or house divided against itself will stand.'?
"May we not take great courage from the hope authorized in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear from Heaven, forgive our sins and heal the land?"
Let us make our appeal to heaven on behalf of our nation, our community, and the lost people all around us. May God have mercy and bring healing and salvation.
August 2016 CBA Newsletter
/The time has arrived for the rubber to meet the road, the hammer to hit the nail, the boots to be on the ground. Use whatever metaphor works for you. It is crunch time, and I could not be more excited. We have all worked toward this moment for about a year. ENCOUNTER starts in just a few weeks. As the time arrives, let us keep a few things in mind:
· Prayer is the most powerful evangelistic tool we have. When we pray daily for our lost friends and family by name, our hearts turn to God’s desire for their souls. We begin to look for opportunities to share Christ with them. We get excited about how God is moving them toward Himself. Do not neglect seeking the Lord when it comes to a spiritual harvest.
· The Holy Spirit is in charge. Although we get to be the hands and feet, working to put all the pieces together, we recognize that everything we do must be led by God’s Spirit. Our worship, our service, our planning, and our goals should all be designed by Him and filled with His presence. Be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit will guide you during this time of revival.
· Conflict is from the enemy. Satan will use whatever we allow him to use to defeat God’s plan. Sometimes that tool is church members who are angry, bitter and selfish. We must seek unity in and among our churches and put aside our own preferences for the sake of the Gospel.
There is much more I want to share, but space and time are limited. Go to our website for resources related to ENCOUNTER. Be a part of what God is doing in our community through this event. It is not too late to get involved. I hope to see you all, and those you bring with you, at ENCOUNTER, September 12-15 at the Rock Ranch.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
Praying for Revival
/Lately, I have had several people ask me how many people will be attending the area-wide revival called ENCOUNTER at the Rock Ranch on September 12-15, 2016. Some of those people are just curious. Others need to know for logistical reasons like how many Chick-fil-A sandwiches to prepare. My answer is usually the same: "I have no idea."
I can guess, and I usually offer that, too. But, the truth is that I am concerned that the urgency I feel for revival is not shared by most people. I know that many of our pastors and church members have already begun to pray and prepare for revival. They are invested with their time and talents already. Their enthusiasm and passion for God to move matches mine, and I am thankful that we share that vision.
The question then comes regarding how to convey what we feel to all of those around us: lost people, apathetic church members, Christians who are so busy with life that spiritual things become secondary. We can shout from the pulpits of our churches. We can inform people through social media, our church signs, and our bulletins. We can even personally implore people. All of that may influence some, but I believe that the answer is simpler than that.
We must pray. Not the quick sentence we say before we eat, or the sleepy goodnight we say to the Lord as we doze at night. We must dedicate ourselves to praying specifically for the lost and for revival in our own lives. I received an email regarding praying for revival recently. It stated "If Jesus could say to Lazarus, 'Lazarus, come forth', He can say to Revival in America, 'Revival, come forth'. We intend to ask Him." I want us to have that kind of boldness before God. I desire to see God move among our churches long before September. My hope is that by the time ENCOUNTER rolls around, revival has broken out and souls are being saved all over our area. But we must pray.
Revival does not happen without God's people getting real before Him. We must examine our lives for sin and repent. I have witnessed more conflict in churches over the last few months than ever before in my ministry. I believe it is Satan's ploy to distract us from what God wants to accomplish through us. A church in conflict is usually not a church that is winning the lost. We must repent corporately and get past whatever is causing the trouble. Our singular focus must be on the Kingdom of God - glorifying our King and bringing the lost to Him.
I have made a commitment to the Lord to pray daily for the lost people in my life by name and for ENCOUNTER. I hope you will join me. I choose to pray at 9:12 since September 12th is the first day of revival. Perhaps this time works for you as well. Regardless of when you pray, let us boldly approach our Father's throne together for the sake of those who need Jesus.
Join me for "The Most Important Day" on July 30th at 10 AM at First Baptist Barnesville. Jon Reed will share a simple plan for engaging the lost, investing in their lives, and inviting them to ENCOUNTER. This training is for EVERY CHURCH MEMBER, not just pastors and leaders. Encourage your entire church family to be there. It will only take a couple hours of your time, and it will be well worth it.
July 2016 CBA Newsletter
/“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm…” – Galatians 5:1
As we celebrate our nation’s birthday this month, I cannot help but think about how so many people do not understand freedom. While some abuse the freedom we have or misinterpret it as a license to do whatever they want, let us remember that true freedom is found in Christ Jesus, the only One who sets us free from sin and its bondage.
Please plan to join me for The Most Important Day of ENCOUNTER on Saturday, July 30th at Barnesville First Baptist. Evangelist Jon Reed will be leading the training. You can be involved in two ways:
1. Response Team Training, 9 AM. If you would like to assist those who make decisions at ENCOUNTER, plan to be at this training.
2. Every Member Training, 10 AM. If you have anyone in your life who needs Jesus (and you know you do), then this training is for you. You will learn how to pray for, engage with, and invest in the lost. There is a suggested $10 donation to cover training materials. Encourage all your friends and fellow church members to attend.
Pray for those involved in missions this month. Many from our churches are on the go, as well as a group from the CBA that is going to Copper Basin. Youth from our churches will also be doing local missions during EQUIP on Mission this month. For more information on any of these opportunities, check out our website.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
June 2016 CBA Newsletter
/When I was a kid I spent my summers going from one Vacation Bible School to another so by the end of the summer, I knew all the songs very well. I had also seen a few pastors get pies in the face and eaten my share of cookies. But I had also made lots of friends and heard the wonderful stories of the Bible over and over again. I still look forward to VBS every year. I pray that the Lord brings children and parents to salvation this summer through your efforts.
I was able to travel to Ducktown this week to prepare the way for our trip to Copper Basin, July 8-12. This year we will focus on two primary projects: working at the Crisis Center and completing some light construction projects. If you would like to join us, please make plans to be at the team meeting 6:30 on June 2 at Shiloh in Thomaston. I would ask that everyone pray for the team and for the Pattersons who run the Crisis Center. Al and Margaret are experiencing some challenges of their own at this time. Let’s continue to pray for them and the vital work they are doing.
We also have folks from Centennial churches traveling all over the world to places like Panama, Honduras, Moldova, Montana, Oklahoma, and Nicaragua, to name just a few. I am grateful that we have so many mission minded followers of Christ serving in our churches. I am also thankful that we live in a time when traveling to the uttermost is feasible. My prayer is that as we go, we will not only make disciples of all nations, but we will bring the excitement of evangelism home with us.
The Most Important Day of ENCOUNTER will be here next month, July 30th. Please, mark your calendars and encourage your fellow church members to attend. We will begin the day at 9:00 with training for our Response Team, those who will be assisting people as they make decisions for Christ at ENCOUNTER. Then at 10:00 Evangelist Jon Reed will share with all of us how to intentionally engage the lost people in our lives with the Gospel and an invitation to join us at ENCOUNTER. I cannot emphasize enough that this day is for ALL church members, not just pastors and leadership. I believe that churches that make this a priority will see an environment of evangelism grow among their fellowship and will see people come to know Christ at ENCOUNTER. I look forward to seeing you all there.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
Different Views on Graduation
/In just a couple of days, my daughter Abigail will walk across a stage and receive her well-earned high school diploma. As we approach this milestone, I have noticed that there are many perspectives on this event.
I barely remember being a senior in high school; although, there are certainly plenty of bright spots throughout high school that float through my mind from time to time. As I try to see graduation through the eyes of my daughter and her classmates, I vaguely remember the sense of accomplishment and the weight of what this day means. Their hope and fear for the future is all mingled together. For many there is an inflated sense of how much they really know and how old they really are. After all, they are the oldest they have ever been and they know more than they have ever known. That will last until about August when college starts. But what my daughter seems to be experiencing is an increasing awareness that although life is about to change dramatically, it is still going to be great.
On the other hand, as parents we see this whole thing in a different light. Marni is approaching Abigail's graduation with all the emotion that comes with sending her only daughter off to live in the big city. She is already missing her. And although she is extremely grateful for all Abigail has accomplished, deep down she kind of wishes her little girl would stay little and still need her mommy a little more.
I am not sure if all dads face graduation like me, but I tend to look at it as more of a door opening than one closing. I have high hopes for my little girl who is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. I want to celebrate with her and relish in the joy she is finding in this process. And although I sometimes wonder how she will handle her new challenges or what direction her life will take, I know that we are only a phone call away. I also know that our Lord goes before her and already has a plan.
In some ways, Marni and I are really just two sides to the same coin. If I dwell too much on the fact that my little girl is all grown up and doesn't need me quite as much as she used to, then I might just lose it. Marni also trusts the Lord to protect Abigail no matter where He leads her. In fact, her faith in God's plan is probably one of the greatest things she has passed on to Abigail. That's why we can send her off to the great unknown knowing that it is only unknown to us. He has always known what her future holds.
So my prayer for Abigail and all those graduating this season is this:
May you always follow the steps of our faithful Father as He leads you toward Himself. May you find your worth in the fact that Jesus paid the highest price for your soul. May you be sensitive to the voice of the Spirit as He teaches and comforts you. And may you find joy and grace in every experiences of life. Amen.
May 2016 CBA Newletter
/Recently I had a wonderful conversation with my daughter, Abigail, who will be graduating from high school this month. We talked a lot about achievements and honors and how incredibly proud I am of everything she has accomplished. We talked about how things come to an end and how new beginnings can be challenging and exciting. After our conversation, I reflected on how thankful I am that God entrusted Marni and me to equip our children for whatever He has planned for them. I am sure we don’t always get it right, but maybe they can learn from our mistakes, as well.
Many of you as pastors are also entrusted with equipping the saints for the work of ministry. During our ENCOUNTER Prep meeting in April, we reflected on how well we are doing in this area. My hope is that you are all joyfully completing the task of equipping those in your care. There are times when challenges arise. When that happens, know that you are not alone.
We are now only four months away from ENCOUNTER. If you have not already begun to promote this area wide harvest revival in your church, please do so. Encourage all of your church members to set aside July 30th as the Most Important Day of ENCOUNTER. On that day, we will all meet at FBC Barnesville to hear from Jon Reed about how each of us can engage the lost effectively. This is not just for church leaders or pastors. This is a day for every church member who wants to see people they know get saved. There will also be a time on that same day for training those who will be helping during the decision time. More details will be available soon.
It is also time for our ministry teams to begin planning for ENCOUNTER. We still need churches to take on the responsibilities of the following teams: Children’s Care, Follow-Up, and Publicity. If your church would like to fill one of these roles, please contact me as soon as possible.
Even as we look toward the future, let us not forget what is going on right around the corner. The Bible Reading Marathon and National Day of Prayer will be the first week of this month. The Quarterly Lunch Fellowship will be the second week. Baccalaureates for our graduates will be coming up after that. And then we are all busy with Vacation Bible Schools, mission trips, and summer activities. May the Lord bless your efforts as you seek to reach people with the life-changing message of Jesus and His gift of salvation.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
April CBA News Article
/On the front page of our recently updated website, you will find the words “The Power of Partnership.” I chose those words, because I believe that we are stronger together than we could ever be on our own. That is true for us as individuals and as individual churches. Each body of believers exists to glorify God in their own area of influence, to equip believers in their own congregation, and to reach the lost in their own community. However, as a whole, the Church is one body with “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father”(Eph. 4:5-6). As Southern Baptists, one way that we demonstrate this truth is by cooperatively supporting missions through Centennial Association, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, and the International Mission Board.
At the end of this month, we have the opportunity to celebrate these partnerships at the Bridges Conference. On April 30th, pastors and church leaders will join with State Missionaries and representatives from NAMB and IMB to enjoy a meal together at First Baptist Thomaston and hear about the work that God is doing through our missions sending agencies. Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board will be our keynote speaker. I am thankful that so many of our churches have already planned to be a part of this. Then on the next day, most of our churches will have a State Missionary in their worship services to share a message from God’s Word and a testimony of how God is using their ministry to reduce lostness in Georgia. I want to remind each church that they are doing this as part of their ministry, so your church should not plan to give an honorarium.
For those of you who joined us for the Spring Meeting last month, you heard all about the upcoming ENCOUNTER Harvest Revival. I believe God is preparing our area for a harvest by encouraging us to become laborers in the field. Larry Wynn challenged us to cast the seed of the Gospel anticipating a harvest of souls. Thank you for your response to the call to revival. I want to also thank New Hope for being such a gracious host church.
One last note on the topic of missions: Early this month, we will once again host the Baptist Mobile Health Ministry’s Dental Clinic. There is still a need for volunteers to help with registration and sharing the Gospel with those who come. If you are willing to be a part of this outreach effort, please contact our office soon so that we can be ready for those who come for dental care. If you are unable to help, please keep the weekend of April 7-9 in your prayers as we seek to reach souls through meeting physical needs.
In His Name,
Steve Laughman
Thank you for a GREAT Spring Meeting
/Aren't Associational business meetings supposed to be boring?
Hopefully, the Centennial Baptist Association will never be accused of that. Last night was once again a testimony to what God is doing in and through our churches and the association as a whole. During our business meeting, we voted to accept Concord Baptist Church as a new member church. I praise the Lord that we have this new opportunity to work alongside another great church.
We also heard from a number of our ministry leaders about the work that is being done. Continue to check out the upcoming events on this website for more information on each of these. Remember that the slate of new officers, ministry leaders, and committee members goes into effect on October 1, 2016. If you are already serving in those roles, you still have a few months to go.
New Hope was a great host church. They provided a wonderful meal, as well as welcoming us into their place with open arms. Thank you to Interim Pastor Jim Waller and the rest of the folks from New Hope.
You responded in a big way to the request to help out the Georgia Baptist Children's Home. I know that the resources you provided will serve to help those in need. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Children's Home, as God continues to use them to meet the needs of hurting children and families.
The evening was made even better as we worshiped our Lord and heard from Larry Wynn, Vice-President of Church Revitalization and Evangelism at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. Ryan Showalter and the folks from FBC Thomaston did a beautiful job leading us to the throne of God through song. Larry challenged each of us to do our part to bring people into the Kingdom of God. We were reminded once again that evangelism is not complicated. "We do not have a harvest problem. We have a labor problem."
If you attended the meeting, you heard a lot about ENCOUNTER, the Area-Wide Revival scheduled for September 12-15, 2016 at the Rock Ranch. Let me challenge you and encourage you with the following:
We collected nearly $1100 last night for ENCOUNTER.
Several churches have accepted the responsibility of heading Ministry Teams, but there are still many more where we need your help.
Jon Reed's video encouraging you to participate in the Most Important Day of ENCOUNTER, July 30 is available to you on the DVD that was handed out with your minutes.
You also have the artwork for the business cards that were passed out. If you want a banner like the one hanging in the sanctuary last night, use that artwork. Contact me if you have questions about that.
If your church would like more business cards to invite folks, come by the CBA office. We still have plenty.
As Larry reminded us, we need to begin identifying, investing in, and inviting specific people who we believe need Jesus in their lives. You can start doing this now, long before September.
