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Shaping our Future
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
Proverbs 29:18
Dear Church Family,
As we continue on our journey of “Shaping Our Future” at Franklinton Baptist Church, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what success truly means. Often, we measure success by grand events, big numbers, and detailed organization. However, I believe it’s the small, meaningful things that truly make a difference.
Our first “Shaping Our Future” Townhall Meeting February 5, 2025, was a wonderful example of this. It was a fun time of sharing, fellowship, and answering foundational questions about FBC’s values. I was delighted to see the power of small groups come alive in our discussion.
I want to remind you that these revisioning sessions are open for anyone to join at any time. For the most benefit, I recommend you starting at our next scheduled meeting on March 19 at 6:30 PM., following a fellowship meal. All you need to bring is an open heart, mind, and attitude, and God will do the rest.
As we prepare for this next meeting, I wanted to share with you some insights I’ve gained from my experience, reading and research. Tom Rainer, former president and CEO of LifeWay, wrote an article highlighting the 10 warning signs of an inwardly obsessed church. These signs include the following:
1) Worship Wars: Groups of people who want the music and order of service to remain constant, becoming angry and demanding change if it’s not met.
2) Prolonged Minutia Meetings: Spending excessive time in meetings discussing minor issues, while rarely discussing the Great Commission or the Great Commandment.
3) Building Focused: Church facilities developing iconic status, with protection and preservation becoming a top priority.
4) Program Driven: Allowing programs to become the primary focus, rather than a means to greater ministry.
5) Inward Focus Budget: Allocating a disproportionate share of the budget to meet the needs and comforts of members, rather than reaching beyond the walls of the church.
6) Inordinate Demands for Pastoral Care: Church members having unreasonable expectations for pastoral care even for minor matters.
7) Attitudes of Entitlement: Members displaying an overarching attitude of demanding and deserving special treatment.
8) Greater Concern about Change: Resisting change while showing little passion for participating in the work of the gospel.
9) Anger and Hostility: Consistently displaying anger and hostility towards church staff and members who disagree with each other politically, theologically or philosophically.
10) Evangelistic Apathy: Showing little concern for sharing the gospel and meeting the eternal needs of the community.
I encourage you to reflect on these signs and ask: Have we ever allowed FBC to become inwardly obsessed? If so, what signs or evidence led you to that conclusion?
Let’s continue to pray and work together to shape the future of Franklinton Baptist Church, keeping our focus outward and our hearts open to the needs of our community.
Next “Shaping Our Future” Townhall Meeting:
Wednesday March 19, 5:45 – Fellowship Meal /
6:30 PM, Townhall Meeting time.
May God bless us as we strive to be a church that shines His light to the world!
In the eternal fellowship,
Dr. Richard Childress
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