Pastor Mike's Weblog

Paul Clark, worship specialist with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, sends out a regular e-mail devotional/newsletter concerning worship in general and worship events across our state. Today's devotional thought centered on the place of confession in our worship and it spoke volumes to me. As a matter of fact, I am using it as the basis of a Bible study/exercise in our services tonight at church. Having received Paul's permission, I am reposting his e-mail devotional thoughts here, along with the worksheet I am using to help process these thoughts. Feel free to use them in your church or small-group setting. To begin receiving Paul's worship newsletter e-mail him and request it.

3:16 – By the Book  2 Timothy 1:8-12; 3:14-4:4

Through the month of March we will study key passages found in the 3^rd chapter and the 16^th verse of some different Bible books. Perhaps the best-known “3:16” is John 3:16. It is the one verse that most encapsulates the gospel message. Yet, the other “3:16’s” also communicate memorable truths.

This week’s passage is taken from the book of 2 Timothy. Timothy was a young pastor at the church of Ephesus, and a young mentor of Paul. A cursory reading of both Paul’s letters to Timothy gives the impression that Timothy was a timid individual. Paul’s letters are filled with exhortations to stand strong, be bold, be a soldier, and to not be ashamed. Our world is certainly a difficult place to live openly for Christ. Perhaps you face opposition or ridicule because of your Christian faith. How do you cope? How do you stand strong? Let’s allow scripture to answer the question: How can the Bible help me live confidently in today’s fearful, uncertain world?

Hey Bloggers! I have been away from the comp for a while, so sorry about the sporadic Sunday School commentaries. Becky and I traveled with the state Vacation Bible School training team for the Tennessee Baptist Convention last week and had a great time! Thanks to our leader Kathy Trundle and all the other great team members we worked with. They are truly awesome! Thanks also to Kathy, Linda Chinery, and Brenda Linginfelter, who sneaked into our worship service Sunday February 17 to surprise me. I was truly surprised! Thanks for coming and worshipping with our 'Family of Faith'.

Through January and February I have been traveling and teaching two conferences concerning VBS ministry for Lifeway Christian Resources and the Tennessee Baptist Convention. In April I will be teaching them for the Madison-Chester Association of Baptists here in West TN, and the Mississippi Baptist Convention in north MS. Both conferences deal with training and informing pastors and churches about the opportunities of VBS ministry and how to use it to greater effectiveness, especially regarding evangelism and follow-up. For those who attended my concerences at Glorieta, New Mexico, Ridgcrest, North Carolina, Lifeway in Nashville, or across Tennessee, the PowerPoint files I used are available for you to use as you teach conferences in your own state or association. Just e-mail me and specify which file you need. There are two:

• Leading Pastors & Evangelism Leaders to Use VBS (Outrigger Island) 2 hrs.
  
• Reaching the Home Through VBS (Outrigger Island) 1 hr.
  

The teaching outlines can be obtained from your state VBS promoter through your state convention office, or in Tennessee, through your Director of Missions or associational VBS director. If all else fails, e-mail me for the outlines.

For those who attended these conferences, it was great to meet you and minister to you. If I can help you in any way please don't hesitate to contact me.

The Messenger Luke 10

This month’s theme of Giving Away the Gospel continues with the focus now turning on the Messenger. The messenger is a person who shares the message of the gospel with others. In Luke 10 the Lord Jesus commissions 70 followers to go and share the message of His Kingdom in towns where He Himself would be traveling. What was required of these messengers? What does Jesus require of His messengers today?

Englewood Baptist Church, Jackson, voted unanimously Sunday night to allow Union University to use the Old English Inn hotel (owned by Englewood) as student housing for the Spring semester of 2008, and possibly the Fall 2008 semester. Dr. David Dockery, President of Union Univeristy, reported this in his daily update from the president on the Union Recovery web site. Thanks to Englewood Baptist Church, Pastor Ben Mandrell, and their generous gesture to aid students during this crisis.

Below is a video tribute to our gracious God who was watching over the students at Union.

Check out this link to pictures from Union University after the tornados.

Union University Pictures

DISASTER RELIEF CONTRIBUTIONS: Financial Contributions are currently being accepted for the UNION UNIVERSITY TORNADO RESPONSE and the recent TENNESSEE TORNADOES. Click here for more information, or to make a contribution.

For the latest developments regarding the tornado damage at Union University in Jackson, Baptist Press has created a news and updates blog site.

UPDATES: Check out these links for more information on assistance, Disaster Relief, to make a donation to Jackson and/or Union University Disaster Relief, etc.

Union University's Emergency Response web site
Union University Update at Baptist Press (site for news updates)
Disaster Relief Contributions through TN Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Services (for Jackson and/or Union University)
TBC Disaster Relief updates

Call for trained Disaster Relief teams:

February 6, 2008

As many of you know, Union University was hit last night by a tornado. 

Trained chain saw teams or individuals are needed to work Thursday morning on the campus.  If you have people who can help, please have them come to the west entrance off Pleasant Plains Road to the Union University campus.  They need to be there by 9:00 a.m. and need to bring chain saws, equipment and trucks to haul off debris.

Larry J. Murphy, Director of Missions

Madison-Chester Association of Baptists

Initial Post begins here:

Fifty-one students were treated for injuries and nine were kept overnight in a local hospital after a tornado wreaked havoc on the campus of Union University Feb. 5, according to Baptist Press.

All students have been accounted for and, while some of the injuries were serious, none were life threatening, Union President David Dockery said in a press conference early the next morning. Dr. Dockery spoke several times through the night with local Jackson television station WBBJ and remained positive about the city's efforts to aid in rescuing trapped students and providing emergency shelter.

Wednesday morning shed light on hundreds of volunteers bringing wheelbarrows, shovels, and other implements to assist in the clean-up efforts across the city. Sightseers were discouraged from driving around, due to increased traffic that would hamper clean-up and relief efforts. Jackson Energy Authority has been working through the night to restore basic utilities to more than 9000 residents. As of 9:30 AM, about 1900 were still without power.

The images below are courtesy of Baptist Press and WBBJ-TV.


Union University President David S. Dockery surveys damage to the Jackson, Tenn., campus after a Feb. 5 tornado. Photo by Morris Abernathy.


An emergency responder cuts through debris to free students trapped in a collapsed dormitory following a tornado that struck Union University's campus Feb. 5. Morris Abernathy.


A dormitory building at Union University. Courtesy of WBBJ-TV.


5-inch hail. Courtesy of WBBJ-TV

For more information on Disaster Relief Efforts in Jackson and at Union University keep watching the web sites of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and Baptist Press.