Invitation, and the impact there-in!

Last Tuesday morning, Ashley, Gracie and I had the privilege of having breakfast with some of our First Baptist Church, Woodstock family... including Pastor Johnny. As is usually the case when I'm around my pastor, I did a lot of listening and not much talking. While he was sharing, he mentioned a statistic that I couldn't help but write down and spend the next few days thinking about. He noted that "97 percent of people that will visit FBC Woodstock will do so at the invitation of a friend, neighbor, family member or co-worker." Now, this is a church where, literally, thousands of people visit each year. They are not on TV or the radio. They don't have any billboards and they do no advertising of mass proportion. The explosive growth of FBC Woodstock is due, mainly, to the inviting efforts of it's people! How amazing...

Preachers are terribly guilty of minimizing the power of a simple invitation, person to person. Many outreach directors, soul-winning believers and mature, evangelistically minded Christians have bought into the LIE that the only effective form of outreach must go deeper than "inviting someone to church." No question, we need more people out taking sinners through the Romans Road or Four Spiritual Laws, calling people to repent at Restaurants, street corners, coffee shops and passionate door to door evangelistic efforts. However, until someone is capable of such bold efforts, are they useless to God, His church and the cause of Christ? Let me go on record with an ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

Each person has value because they have been given specific gifts to be used to edify the body and spread the Gospel. A simple invitation to hear the Gospel in a worship service is not only permissible, but desirable in the life of Every Believer! Now, as a preacher of the Gospel, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PRESENT THE GOSPEL WITH CLARITY EACH TIME WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP!!! To my friends at Calvary Cross-link, where I am privileged to serve as lead pastor, you can count on it, every week!

Don't forget Andrew! As you look over your New Testament, you will find the disciple named Andrew was consistently associated with one thing. With few exceptions, every time his name was mentioned, it was while he was bringing someone to Jesus. He was committed to the simple invitation!

97% of people that will visit our church, I believe, will do so on the arm of a friend, co-worker, family member or neighbor. We MUST commit ourselves to being a vessel of truth in whatever capacity we're capable. Calvary Cross-link will experience growth in direct proportion to our obedience to the call of Christ to bring people to Him! Time to Invite!!!

Intentionality...

Question: When was the last time you heard any form of the word "INTENTION?" I would guess, in the vast majority of cases, the last time any of us heard (or spoke) of "intention" it was explaining a negative experience (i.e. "I had good intentions...I didn't do it intentionally"). The negative connotation is too bad because almost NOTHING in our lives happens without intention! Did you wake up this morning and "accidentally" take a shower, trip over the tub and spontaneously brush your teeth on the way to the floor? I seriously doubt it! You probably, just like I did, intentionally took a shower and purposefully brushed your teeth. You walked to your car, intending to drive it to work and arrived at work on purpose!

On the other hand, what would your day look like if you show up at work with body odor, bad breath, walking in 2 hours late and try to explain to your boss your good intentions. "I intended to take a shower, brush my teeth and drive to work on time! Honestly I did! But, I didn't!" Do that too many times and you'll be looking for a job!

I am discovering that intentionality is equally as necessary for the disciplines of the Christian life. We don't witness, worship or walk closely with Jesus on accident. We have to be intentional about it! I deeply want to see people come to Christ, but if I am not intentional about my witnessing there is very little chance that I will EVER lead anyone to Jesus! I want to have a handle on Apologetics and be able to sufficiently defend my faith, but if I never get intentional about the books I'm reading or the classes I'm taking there is no way I'll achieve my goal!

Church Ministry MUST BE INTENTIONAL!!!!!! Here are the 2 major areas we, at Calvary Cross-link, are going to be intentional...

1) In Reaching People - We'll be constantly sharing Jesus, Preaching Jesus, Singing about Jesus, Inviting people to hear about Jesus, Showing Jesus to people, Bringing people to Jesus and Talking about Jesus! It's all about People meeting Jesus! This INTENTIONALLY happens in Sunday Morning Worship, Sunday School Classes, Organized Outreach and Special Events. This valley is not going to be reached ACCIDENTALLY, we must be INTENTIONAL!

2) In Discipling People - We'll be mentoring people and modeling Jesus before them. Discipleship is "LIFE ON LIFE", not book on book, sermon on sermon or class on class. Our focus is to SHOW people, more than we TELL them what a disciple of Jesus Christ looks like. New believers won't be discipled ACCIDENTALLY, we must be INTENTIONAL!

Final Note: The major reason most Christians intentionally brush their teeth EVERY DAY, yet don't reach and disciple people every day is NOT because they don't care! It IS because they have been intentionally brushing their teeth since they were 2 years old and have formed a POWERFUL LIFE CHANGING HABIT!!! I want to lead our church to be so consistently intentional about Reaching and Discipling People that it become habitual...second nature...routine...you get the picture!

Optimism

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I am eternally optimistic because of Psalms 24:1 "...the earth is the Lord's and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein." Since my optimism is based on my personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, then there is no reason for pessimism!!!

However, I am especially optimistic about the ministry at Calvary Cross-link for very specific reasons! Let me share a few with you...

1) God has removed all major obstacles for growth out of our way! The only thing we need now, is PEOPLE!!! We cannot get caught in the quagmire of thinking "if I only had _______, then I could grow my ministry!" This thinking will prevent you from greatness!!! As we reach people, teach people and minister to people, God will continue to provide the necessary tools for that ministry, I am confident!

2) New people are beginning to step up and serve in strategic areas around our church body! I'm thinking of specific people who have felt the leadership of the Holy Spirit in their lives to serve in much-needed capacities throughout this family. I can't help but think of Matthew 9:37-38 where Jesus pointed out the OPPORTUNITY (the Harvest) to His disciples, but followed it up by pointing out the DEFICIENCY (the lack of laborers). I think if Jesus had a word for Calvary Cross-link, it would be that the time of "wait and see" is over and it is time to "get to work!" I am optimistic about our ministry because I see people, all over our dear church, catching that concept every single week!

3) The Sunday School is coming together with great efficiency! Our small group Bible study plan is the reaching, teaching body of the church and our people are starting to catch that vision! We now have a class for every age group and these classes are being taught by capable and anointed men who feel a calling to that ministry! As individual classes grow by addition, then the church as a whole will grow by multiplication!!!

4) Opportunities abound! In the coming months, we will have many opportunities to become a better equipped, more motivated and therefore more effective church! There will be a Sunday School Workshop on January 30th for people who might be interested (now or in the future) in serving the church through our small groups. Also, we will be launching our Sunday School initiative: "We've made a spot for YOU!" campaign on Sunday February, 21st. Later on in the spring, there will be a block party for our neighborhood to join us on our campus for an exciting time of food, fun and games! This summer, we'll plan to host a city-wide 4th of July party complete with Fireworks display! This fall, we'll be having another Harvest Crusade, but this time it will be hosted by Calvary Baptist Church in Staunton. Many, many, many more opportunities exist and they will be designed to reach, teach and minister to people in our area!

5) Finally, it is clear to this preacher that the mighty "Wind of God" is at our backs! Many times, especially in church ministry, everything is a struggle! Every decision is met with opposition, every effort gets blindsided by challenges that distract from the purpose for which it was started. At this point, in our ministry, the direction we're headed and the efforts we're making are being super-naturally guarded by Almighty God!!! Just as a sailor loves to have a "tail wind", pushing them in the desired direction, so I rejoice in the "Wind of God" that is at our backs right now!

No question, there is reason for optimism! I cannot tell you how excited I am about 2010 and all it will hold! Take care and God bless.

Time Away...

So, I've only been "on the field" here in Harrisonburg for 3 months and, believe me, it has felt like only 3 weeks. However, I promised my family (all 20 of them) that I would take a week in Gatlinburg, TN. I really am looking forward to some time away, but after hosting a local camera crew last Sunday and having some fantastic publicity last weekend (See the clip: http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/80546832.html), I really hate to leave right now! But, I am finding that there is NEVER a good time to take a vacation in the life of a pastor! So, off to ole Rocky Top we go!!!

I've been reading Han Finzel's "Top 10 Mistakes Leaders Make" and it is a fantastic book. I would say that I am "enjoying" it, but since I keep seeing more of myself the more I read, the operative word might just be "enlightening!" He points out that delegating work is important, but in order to effectively lead, one must delegate authority. This is a challenge for me, because I tend to want to make the final call, but in order to succeed as a leader that must change in my life! Our unique set of challenges at CCL preclude me from being able to hire staff to carry out certain ministries, therefore I am in a situation where I must cultivate volunteer leaders to fill roles that would, typically, require full-time staff. I am blessed to have amazing people surrounding me at CCL whose comittment to Christ permeates every fiber of their being! They have, and continue to step up to meet the challenges we face! Praise the Lord for the challenges we face! "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh no ashamed for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us!" - Romans 5:3-5

Birth on the Brain

I hope you didn't miss last Sunday, where we were blessed to hear from Eddie and Jessica Cole (our church planters in New York City). Jessica sang three incredible songs about the Love of Jesus and then Eddie brought a fantastic message about the phrase in John 1..."the only begotten Son of the Father." He gave us some amazing observations on the relationship to Jesus and the Father, and the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. The more I think about the cross, in relationship to my adoration of Gracie (my almost 2 year old little girl), I am overcome with gratitude!

Speaking of children, love and gratitude, God has blessed the Welborn family with a new addition!!! Yes, Ashley is pregnant with our second little one and we are super excited about it! She is almost 8 weeks along and we have a due date of August 15, 2010. Please be praying, with us, during this time of excitement, exhaustion and expectation!

Thank You for checking in and, I can't tell you enough but, I love being your pastor! It is a sincere joy of my heart to lead this dear fellowship!

"I'm dreaming (terrified) of a White Christmas"

As I look out my window at a large pile of snow, I am reminded that my car is underneath that pile! Ashley, Gracie and I have been stuck in our apartment for the past 2+ days with no way to go anywhere. This bad weather forced me to cancel services for today and I really didn't want to! However, it had to be done. Okay enough whining, let me make a couple of observations concerning the blizzard (I'm assuming we can call it that) and try to draw some applications...



1.) The verse in Isaiah chapter one comes to mind. "...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow..." I can't help but think, as I look out my window, that 2 days ago everything I currently see was a different color. The grass was green, the parking lot was gray, the cars were multi-colored, the street light posts were black, the dirt was brown, etc. Well, now everything is completely white! Why? It has been COVERED! As we consider Jesus, it might seem like an oxymoron that someones blood could make something white. But, that is exactly what Jesus's blood has done for our sins; covered them and made them whiter than snow. When we look at the snow, let us pray with the hymn writer..."Now wash me and I will be whiter than snow!"

2.) When I imagined the difficulties I would face when becoming a pastor, I'll be honest and say that the weather wasn't even in the top 50. I have to admit, I am so anxious to get started on so many things, that, I have been less than excited about the "curve balls" the weather keeps throwing at me! Then I am reminded, Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof..." So, it's not the weather that's doing this to me...it's God. And, as is the case with anything else in life, I need to seek the Lord in the midst of my frustration and learn what he desires to teach me. I can say this... I have spent more time with Ashely and Gracie in the past 2+ days than in the entire week that preceded this storm. Ask yourself this question, what could God be teaching you when he forces you to slow down (or even stop)?

Please, be safe and enjoy the snow! I am praying for good weather for our Christmas At Cross-link Celebration this Thursday! I look forward to seeing you there!

Until He comes:

Pastor John

First Thoughts...

So, it has been an interesting and exciting 2+ months! Ashley, Gracie and I moved from our hometown of Woodstock, Georgia to Harrisonburg, Virginia in early October. After nine years in itinerant evangelism, God has led us to Calvary Cross-link Ministries in the Shenandoah Valley of western Virginia. During this time of transition, God has given me a pastor's heart for these dear people! This area is one of the most beautiful places God has created!

More recently, my family and I went to New York City to visit some of our best friends. During our trip, we were reminded of the amazing needs that exist in the world today. As I walked around Manhattan, I was more convinced than ever that the world's greatest need is that of the Gospel! From our church in Harrisonburg, Virginia we are making plans to take the message of the cross to our city, region, nation and world. I am so excited about leading that charge from Calvary Cross-link!

In the weeks and months to come, I look forward to sharing my heart with you through this medium. Keep checking back and feel free to comment, ask a question or make a recommendation for future blogs. Take care and God bless! - JW