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Theme: “Keep Thy Heart” Proverbs 4:23
Registration fee: P120.00
Time: 6:30 PM
Dress code: Modest Hawaiian

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An effective church plant must have a church planting pastor with a heart for God and lost souls leading the way. Some of the characteristics needed by a church planting pastor are:

1. A Compassion for Lost Souls

He must have a willingness to stay out on the street and amongst people sharing the good news of Christ.

2. A Heart for Discipleship

A church planting pastor must spend much time with people in formal and informal discipleship, training them and helping them understand the Christian life.

3. An ability to Coalesce Others around a Vision of Planting a New Church

It is a great privilege to involve others in ministry and to allow them to enjoy the fruit of their labor for Jesus Christ.

4. A Clear Understanding of the Doctrinal Position and Distinctives of the Church

In my case, I had a sound, fundamental doctrinal statement and a firm commitment to the Baptist distinctives in my mind, even at an early age. There was no question the church would be Baptist and the ones who signed the charter would be saved members who were either baptized in our church in the early days, or who came by statement of faith from another Baptist church.

5. A Commission from Another Church

The church planter, himself, must be commissioned by another church and recognize that the church plant is a ministry out of the sending church until the charter service takes place. One of the first orders of business at the new service is for the church to formally call the pastor to lead in this ministry.

6. A Commitment to His Family

The church planter must involve, not neglect, his family during the early days of church planting. Although Terrie and I were newlyweds during that church plant, we enjoyed serving the Lord together every step of the way!

No doubt there are many other characteristics of an effective church plant. But I pause today to thank the Lord for Brother Ricky Owens and the new church planted in Fresno, and I salute every man involved in Baptist church planting across America today. We need churches with that youthful feel and that fire for the Lord that sometimes older churches lose. May God bless these men as they labor for Him!

by Dr. Paul Chappell
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Prepare to Greet Your Husband

You have spent most of the day away from him, so those first few minutes when he gets home are the most crucial! How you welcome your husband seems to set the tone for the rest of the evening.

First, stop what you are doing so you can greet him. Sometimes, I get so wrapped up in what I am working on that I barely give a nod of the head and a quick “Hi” when my husband walks in the door. This is easy to do when you’re busy, but resist the pattern. Give him a smile, a kiss, and a hug.

Get Rid of the Mess

Don’t let clutter be his first encounter when he walks through the door. Clutter is confusion, and God is not the author of confusion! I know my husband cannot relax until the disorder is put back in place. So, take a few minutes before your husband arrives home to de-clutter.

I try to think of it this way: I want to cover all the senses for my husband. Touch—that’s the hug and kiss. Sight—keeping the house picked up and presentable. Smell—have the house smelling clean and dinner smelling good. Taste—have dinner tasting good! Sound—put on some peaceful music and turn off the tv.

Tame the Tots

When our kids were little, I often found myself trying to get dinner ready while simultaneously keeping the kids from tearing up the house—sometimes it was just plain chaos! Getting dinner done earlier in the day by using a crock-pot or preparing a simple meal worked great for me and freed my time to settle down the children. I also tried to use the moments right before Dad came home as reading time. The kids enjoyed it; it relaxed all of us, and it sure impressed Daddy to see everyone quietly reading a book when he walked through the door! If I was running late and reading wasn’t an option, I would have the kids play a game—“who could see Daddy coming home first.” They would all line up at the window and watch for Dad. This was a help to me as well, for when they yelled, “Daddy’s home!” it gave me a quick minute to dry my hands and get ready to greet my husband.

Play Peaceful Music

Music can soothe the soul. We see an example of this truth in the lives of Saul and David. First Samuel 16:23 says, “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed….” William Gladstone said, “Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind and spirit of man.” Music is powerful and can really help in setting the spirit of the home.

Watch your words. Allow your husband to walk through the door and catch his breath before you unleash everything that happened to you that day. Don’t just throw the kids at him and say, “Your turn!”

Listen Lovingly

Listening is a great way to be supportive of your husband. Let’s be honest, we all enjoy talking about ourselves or our ideas. But if you want to make an impact, listen as your hubby speaks about his life, his goals, and his dreams. Keep your eyes focused on him while he is talking. Remember that your listening is affirmation!

Now, did this calm attitude or peaceful atmosphere take place every night at the Chappell home? I don’t think so! But I can honestly say, it is the goal for which we strive.

by Terrie Chappell

I would like to invite you to come this coming Monday, March 7, 2011. The Bible Baptist Church of La Carlota will be hosting its 19th City-Wide Tent Revival and Pastors’ & Workers’ Conference. Hundreds of pastors and workers will gather from around the country. Dr. Daniel White and Dwight Coffman will be teaching and preaching practical Biblical principles on morning and afternoon sessions for pastors and workers. On the evening service, there will be gathering of visitors from within the city.

Come, witness, and start revival from yourself!