Wednesday, May 11, 2005
April Stewardship Newsletter
Stewardship E-Newsletter
April 2005
Bob Tallent, rgtallent@Comcast.net, 856-778-6117
www.bobbybaptist.blogspot.com
Front Page Religion: Religion has been more in the news of late than at any time I can remember. First there was the Terry Schiavo case with all of the discussion about the definition of life and death. Then the Pope died and there was a week-long wall-to-wall coverage of that. Before these, the tsunami in the Indian Ocean raised questions of the origin of evil. But, in all of this, I see miracles.
1) In this secular age, it is amazing that there is so much interest in religious—shall I say “spiritual”--matters? I think our churches need to take care to be good stewards of this opportunity. Pastors and members need to get out among the people and listen and share a sensitive witness. If I were a pastor in these days, I would consider announcing a sermon series on questions raised in people’s minds by all that has happened: “Is God Real?”, “What does the Bible Really Say?”, “Why Do Bad Things Happen?”, etc.
2) Another miracle is the generosity seen as a result of the tsunami. Before it, experts were telling us that people no longer would give. But the aftermath of this tragedy, showed that people indeed will give to what they deem to be a worthy cause. This means that we need to properly and effectively communicate the doctrine of biblical giving to our people.
Tid-bits:
You can find a variety of inexpensive Bibles at www.Bibles.com in several popular translations. Also available is the movie The Passion of the Christ in DVD and VHS at$23.99 and $19.99 respectively. Free catalogues may be ordered.
FREE Model Sermons from LifeWay.com/Proclaim May 2005 Sermon Series from Pastor's EXTRA! This new sermon series from pastor Lloyd Stilley is called "Keeping the Story Alive."
May 01 - Ruth - A Loyal Love Story (Ruth 1-4); May 08 - Jabez - Living Large for God (1 Chron. 4:9-10); May 15 - Nehemiah - Keeping First Things First (Nehemiah 1-10); May 22 - Josiah - The Way Up is Down (2 Chron. 34)’ May 29 - Trust Lessons from the Life of Gideon (Judges 6-7)
Quote seen: Don’t believe half-truths; you might believe the wrong half.
Don’t miss the Ministers’ Retreat May 23-25.
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April 2005
Bob Tallent, rgtallent@Comcast.net, 856-778-6117
www.bobbybaptist.blogspot.com
Front Page Religion: Religion has been more in the news of late than at any time I can remember. First there was the Terry Schiavo case with all of the discussion about the definition of life and death. Then the Pope died and there was a week-long wall-to-wall coverage of that. Before these, the tsunami in the Indian Ocean raised questions of the origin of evil. But, in all of this, I see miracles.
1) In this secular age, it is amazing that there is so much interest in religious—shall I say “spiritual”--matters? I think our churches need to take care to be good stewards of this opportunity. Pastors and members need to get out among the people and listen and share a sensitive witness. If I were a pastor in these days, I would consider announcing a sermon series on questions raised in people’s minds by all that has happened: “Is God Real?”, “What does the Bible Really Say?”, “Why Do Bad Things Happen?”, etc.
2) Another miracle is the generosity seen as a result of the tsunami. Before it, experts were telling us that people no longer would give. But the aftermath of this tragedy, showed that people indeed will give to what they deem to be a worthy cause. This means that we need to properly and effectively communicate the doctrine of biblical giving to our people.
Tid-bits:
You can find a variety of inexpensive Bibles at www.Bibles.com in several popular translations. Also available is the movie The Passion of the Christ in DVD and VHS at$23.99 and $19.99 respectively. Free catalogues may be ordered.
FREE Model Sermons from LifeWay.com/Proclaim May 2005 Sermon Series from Pastor's EXTRA! This new sermon series from pastor Lloyd Stilley is called "Keeping the Story Alive."
May 01 - Ruth - A Loyal Love Story (Ruth 1-4); May 08 - Jabez - Living Large for God (1 Chron. 4:9-10); May 15 - Nehemiah - Keeping First Things First (Nehemiah 1-10); May 22 - Josiah - The Way Up is Down (2 Chron. 34)’ May 29 - Trust Lessons from the Life of Gideon (Judges 6-7)
Quote seen: Don’t believe half-truths; you might believe the wrong half.
Don’t miss the Ministers’ Retreat May 23-25.
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May's (05) Newsletter
Stewardship E-Newsletter
May 2005
Bob Tallent, rgtallent@Comcast.net, 856-778-6117
www.bobbybaptist.blogspot.com
Attention Pastors: “You need a break today!” So says the commercial. Fact is, you do need time apart, time to rest and reflect and spend time in prayer. And a time to be inspired with other ministers of the Gospel. That is why we have especially designed for you the Annual Ministers’ Retreat. This year’s retreat will again be at the Phillip Bongiorno (formerly Penn-Del) Conference Center near Carlisle, PA., Monday to Wednesday. A very dynamic program is planned with testimonies and messages from guys in the trenches, just like you! And as always, moving music to stir the soul--and lots of time for personal reflection. Registration starts at 5 PM Monday. You can register on line at www.BRNONLINE.org or simply call 1-800-451-6599. If you are too busy to come apart, my friend, you are just too busy!
Summer is coming! And summer can be the most growth producing season of the year. It is certainly not a time to “slack off.” Many “mainline” churches reduce their activities during the summer and this provides an opportunity for you to intensify your out reach. Some people will visit your services in the summer who would not at other times of the year. It is therefore important for you to “put your best foot forward” every Sunday. Also, Vacation Bible School, Neighborhood Front-yard Bible Clubs and Block Parties are effective summer outreach events. Pastor, get in the middle of it! Don’t leave it to someone else. Get to know the kids and their parents personally. And don’t forget to teach missions. Take offerings and give them to the Cooperative Program.
How are you doing? According to Ron Sider in Christianity Today, six per cent of Born Again Christians tithe. The average Evangelical gives about 4.3 % to his or her church. The number for all denominations is 2.6%. If the average Christian actually tithes, churches and Christian agencies would have an additional $143 Billion per year. (CT, April 05, p. 71) .
Did you know…That you can have offering envelops mailed directly to your members each month? And they have a variety of other neat programs. See http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/envelopes.asp
Video clips of Missionary Moments are available on CD at the state office. These are glimpses into the work of Southern Baptist Missionaries around the world. For your copy, call 1-800-451-6599.
There seems to be a Renaissance in stewardship. New stewardship services are popping up everywhere. Check out “Ten Ways to Increase Offerings” at www.kluth.org Or for one of the most comprehensive sites, go to www.generousgiving.org/ done by a free lance Southern Baptist out of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
"The Passion of the Christ" was recently on Indonesian television. Two Indonesian Christian movie stars spoke before and after the presentation, challenging TV viewers to send responses to receive a CD of "Behind the Scene of The Passion". More than 110,000 responses came in. According to AC Nielsen Indonesia Telescope, 2,349,000 people watched the film. It reached rank number 2 from 11 on Indonesian TV.
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May 2005
Bob Tallent, rgtallent@Comcast.net, 856-778-6117
www.bobbybaptist.blogspot.com
Attention Pastors: “You need a break today!” So says the commercial. Fact is, you do need time apart, time to rest and reflect and spend time in prayer. And a time to be inspired with other ministers of the Gospel. That is why we have especially designed for you the Annual Ministers’ Retreat. This year’s retreat will again be at the Phillip Bongiorno (formerly Penn-Del) Conference Center near Carlisle, PA., Monday to Wednesday. A very dynamic program is planned with testimonies and messages from guys in the trenches, just like you! And as always, moving music to stir the soul--and lots of time for personal reflection. Registration starts at 5 PM Monday. You can register on line at www.BRNONLINE.org or simply call 1-800-451-6599. If you are too busy to come apart, my friend, you are just too busy!
Summer is coming! And summer can be the most growth producing season of the year. It is certainly not a time to “slack off.” Many “mainline” churches reduce their activities during the summer and this provides an opportunity for you to intensify your out reach. Some people will visit your services in the summer who would not at other times of the year. It is therefore important for you to “put your best foot forward” every Sunday. Also, Vacation Bible School, Neighborhood Front-yard Bible Clubs and Block Parties are effective summer outreach events. Pastor, get in the middle of it! Don’t leave it to someone else. Get to know the kids and their parents personally. And don’t forget to teach missions. Take offerings and give them to the Cooperative Program.
How are you doing? According to Ron Sider in Christianity Today, six per cent of Born Again Christians tithe. The average Evangelical gives about 4.3 % to his or her church. The number for all denominations is 2.6%. If the average Christian actually tithes, churches and Christian agencies would have an additional $143 Billion per year. (CT, April 05, p. 71) .
Did you know…That you can have offering envelops mailed directly to your members each month? And they have a variety of other neat programs. See http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/envelopes.asp
Video clips of Missionary Moments are available on CD at the state office. These are glimpses into the work of Southern Baptist Missionaries around the world. For your copy, call 1-800-451-6599.
There seems to be a Renaissance in stewardship. New stewardship services are popping up everywhere. Check out “Ten Ways to Increase Offerings” at www.kluth.org Or for one of the most comprehensive sites, go to www.generousgiving.org/ done by a free lance Southern Baptist out of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
"The Passion of the Christ" was recently on Indonesian television. Two Indonesian Christian movie stars spoke before and after the presentation, challenging TV viewers to send responses to receive a CD of "Behind the Scene of The Passion". More than 110,000 responses came in. According to AC Nielsen Indonesia Telescope, 2,349,000 people watched the film. It reached rank number 2 from 11 on Indonesian TV.
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