2024 JUNE HDBA Newsletter

HIGH DESERT HAPPENINGS

JUNE 2024

June 8, 2024

Greetings Members & Friends of the High Desert Baptist Association,

Hoping and praying that all is well with all of you and your churches. I often share with our pastors on Sunday mornings that my prayer is that the Lord will be glorified in their churches that morning. I do believe that the more we seek to honor and glorify God, the more that we will bless God.

When I was pastoring on a full-time basis, I would often hear folks talk about the expected summer slump of attendance. I really can’t remember that taking place. God seemed to always move myself and the churches I pastored, towards looking and seeking for ways to reach more folks during the summertime. Usually, we experienced some growth during the summer. It might have been Block Parties, Vacation Bible School, BBQ’s, or folks in the church connecting with others who are out and about during the summer months.

In our lives, there are often things, practices, or activities that can hinder us from being more about Jesus and less about ourselves. Recently, while

reading through Bible, I came upon a total lack of reverence towards God that had some very negative consequences for leaders and the people who were following them.

Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign. In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away, the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places.

II Kings 11:21-12:3

A couple of things about this ongoing cycle of disobedience. First, Jehoash was only 7 years old. As was the practice of the day, the Kingships were passed down from father to son. This 7 year-old was surrounded by priests, and more than likely family members. Both of whom had a great influence upon this young King. Secondly, during Jehoash's forty year reign, he often did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Thirdly, the sacrificing and offerings to things not of God, continued through his entire reign. Fourthly, the allowing of the High Places of worship kept those with other worship practices appeased.

What jumps out at me, is the fact that all of us can be guilty of not removing a certain practice in our life. Sometimes, that is because it will cause some

reactions that we don’t want to deal with. I do believe that not removing things or attitudes in our lives that clearly are not about Him, the more likely it is, that we will start moving away from a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

May each and every one of us be more about Him and less about ourselves.

Blessings,

Steve

CHURCH HIGHLIGHTS

Blue Mountain Baptist Church in Baker City is in the process of calling a new pastor. A man and his family are coming in view of a call in the very near future. Additionally, the church is in the preparation stages of once again putting on a Sports Camp.

Highland Baptist Church in Redmond in June will have a Block Party and a Vacation Bible School. This church does an outstanding job of reaching out to the community.

Smith Rock Community Church in Terrebonne is in the planning stages for their summer VBS. A church from the valley will be helping them. SRCC continues to reach their community with their Food Pantry.

Summit Community Church in Tumalo has instituted a new worship time. They also are beginning some new Sunday School Classes.

Twin Rivers Community Church at Crooked River Ranch is planning a July 4th gathering of Worship and Praise. Additionally, the church will be going on a Foreign Mission Trip.

Calvary Church in Sisters: Pastor Michael Golden has completed his Master of Arts in Christian Counseling. Great work Michael!! *see below for image.

Special Note: My wife and I will be hosting a Saturday afternoon BBQ, potluck, and fellowship time in the coming months. We are hoping for another large turnout.

Blessings in the Lord,

Steve Heinze

Associational Strengthening Coordinator High Desert Baptist Association

PASTOR PRAYER TIME

Thursday, June 27 at Noon

Abby's Pizza in Redmond

Getting the LEAD Out of Leadership:

Paul W. Powell

Excerpts and Thoughts

Courage: The Shepherd Can't Run

Having the world’s best idea will do you no good unless you act on it. People who want milk shouldn’t sit on a stool in the middle of a field in hopes that a cow will back up to them. Curtis Grant

The Curse of Cold Feet

Throughout history the most common, debilitating human ailment has been cold feet. A leader with cold feet is no leader.

Alan Haynes, a friend who taught business at Tyler Junior College for a number of years and then started his own string of sporting goods stores, said one principle in business he has remembered from the classroom was, “Before any big moment of decision there are moments of indecision,” i.e., there is always an element of fear because there is always a chance of failure. It is the risk, the doubt, the uncertainty that can create indecision. It takes courage to go forward in business or any other endeavor if you are taking a bold, daring step.

Haynes’ former business partner, Woody Brookshire, now deceased, used to say at a certain point in their ventures, “It’s belly up to the lick-log time.” That’s an east Texas colloquialism for, “It’s time to lay some money on the table, it’s time to decide yes or no.”

Leaders are people who are willing to “belly up to the lick-log” when the time comes, to share their vision, to give their opinion. They are willing to challenge the people to new heights. They are willing to risk rejection and criticism. They may have doubts, they may have fears, but they know to risk nothing is to risk everything. So they act. To fail to do so is to fail to lead.

First, my prayer for all of our leaders in the HDBA, is that they will be bold enough to pray and seek the Lord’s direction in their churches. Secondly, that they would share their vision at the church that God has placed them. Finally, I pray that they will act upon that vision so that they must depend upon God Himself.