Lake Murray Baptist Church

Appalachia Trip #1 Report

Sunday May 20 began a week of Appalachian ministry for a group of 15 men and women, including two from a sister church in Lexington, two from Memphis, and 11 from LMBC.  This was our third mission trip to Lynch, Kentucky, and we hope many more will follow. We were blessed to have a talented electrician in the group who directed in rewiring and framing in the walls at the Red Door Ministry house for Loaves and Fishes, run by John and Melissa Fitzwater.  The group worked on Thursday, distributing over 200 boxes of food at L & F. While the folks were waiting in line to receive their box, they heard the gospel preached. Many of them allowed us to pray with them for specific needs in their lives.  Our ladies also assisted Melissa in distributing lunches to children at Lynch City Park, and conducted a Backyard Bible Club in the afternoons for the children.  Some of the ladies visited the Tri-Cities Nursing Home in Cumberland where they played and sang hymns, followed by personal visits with many of the residents. They were pleased to receive the coasters made by the Women’s Ministry of LMBC. Others in the group assisted Melissa in preparing and delivering meals to shut-ins in Lynch.  Later in the week, the men had opportunity to work with Heritage Ministries directed by Jeff and Linda Sim. The goal of Heritage is to restore the homes, lives, and communities in the heart of Appalachia. Our men were successful in repairing several homes.  Our mission culminated on Saturday with a Kids’ Fun Fest in Lynch City Park that included Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Parachute Games, and lots of food! We estimate that around 50 people showed up. It is truly amazing what the Lord was able to accomplish through our group in such a short time! This week was a wonderful example of what God will do if we make ourselves available for His use. We witnessed how He can use all of our gifting and talents for His glory!  If you have never experienced the fun, fellowship and fulfillment of serving our Lord on a mission trip, I challenge you to join us next year!

An Important Update from the Site Plan Development Team

On Sunday night, February 12, our Site Plan Development Team made an important presentation that many missed!  Therefore, I am publishing the content of their report here.

 

What has this team been charged with completing?

The Site Plan Development Team is charged with:

• Submitting to the church a near-term master plan for expanding our facilities
• Recommending a phased plan for completing the expansion
• Recommending a potential financial plan for completing the expansion

 

What are we reporting at this time?

As of February 12, 2012, we are reporting the following:

• The best way to expand our facilities and be excellent stewards of God’s resources is to:
  • Construct a building for children
  • Expand and renovate our existing auditorium.  Suggested elements include:
    • Senior adult sunday school suite/class
    • South entry/lobby/restrooms
    • Storage, Prayer, and Cry rooms
    • Designn, Comfort, and Audio/Visual improvements
  • Renovate a portion of existing adult education for youth, ideally to include west-side entry.
  • Expand our parking lot as needed to facilitate this square footage.

 

Why are we recommending this? 

We want to fulfill our vision of living boldly as Gospel-centered people who love God, share life, and serve others.

• We need a senior-friendly space for a growing retirement community
• We need room for more to park.
• We need more space for children to hear the gospel and follow Jesus.
• We need adequate and more space for teenagers to hear and grow in the Gospel.
• We need space for more adults to hear the gospel and follow Jesus.  
• We need more space to express our love for God through worship, and a better space for doing so (think “a worship space you can use recreationally” rather than “a recreational space you can worship in”).
• We want to live out the graces of stewardship and generosity by investing our lives and our money in the cause of Jesus Christ.
• We want to exercise biblical wisdom by planning and preparing for the future. 
• We want to live lives of radical faith and obedience as we trust Jesus and follow Him. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are we considering building at all?  Can we not simply add services and Sunday school hours?
    
   1. All of our facilities are at capacity and have been for some time
   2. Historically, the personality of Lake Murray has been such that having two Sunday school, two services, or some other combination of the two has been more harmful than helpful.  Simply put, Lake Murray Baptist Church loves to be together when we gather, and that is a great thing!
   3. Two Sunday schools is particularly painful for youth and children, not to mention their adults, for a church our size and our personality.  Classes tend to be quite small and/or mixed according to age, making it difficult for children and youth to make friends and for parents to connect with other parents.
   4. While growth may necessitate an adjustment to our schedule in the future, even doing so does not solve the long term opportunities/challenges growth brings to our facilities.
2. We’ve only been debt free for 7 months.  Why are we now talking about building and (presumably) taking on debt? 
    
   1. Being debt free has primarily allowed us to reinforce our key ministries, make much-needed repairs and improvements with our existing facilities, and return to a full staff.
   2.  We have a conservative-minded pastor, administrator, and finance committee.  All have little interest in burdening the church with an excessive debt (Proverbs 22:7 … borrowing from a position of poverty so that a bank might “rule” over us). 
   3. We have a church committed to simplicity and making the most of space that we have.  This leads to little wasteful spending.  Think quality, not luxury.
   4. Borrowing wisely can be biblical financial stewardship.  There are proper scenarios for borrowing that are biblically sound and allow us to do more sooner.  Paying a proper/reasonable amount of interest in order to minister to more people more effectively can be a sound investment.
3. The financial world is very different these days.  Has the Site Plan Team had any discussions with any lenders?
    
   1. Yes.  Interest rates are highly favorable and local banks have given us verbal affirmations that something more than fair would be available to us.
   2. Building rates are reasonable at this time as well.
   3. An estimated cost (EXTREMELY ROUGH) would be 3 million.
   4. The church has retired 3.5 million since 2001.
4. Why a childhood education building first?
    
   1. God is bringing many young families to Lake Murray Baptist Church.  A major key to reaching young families is to offer a safe, high quality environment for their children.
   2. The existing building is at capacity (like all of our buildings).
   3. Building one properly designed and sized children’s building also creates adult and youth space with our current facilities. 
       
5. Earlier plans placed a sanctuary on the place you are recommending a children’s facility.  Why are we not considering a sanctuary?
    
   1. The plan we are recommending gives us the most amount of the right kind of space for the least amount of money (Sunday school and worship space for approximately 1000 in the same area of the property).
   2. Students become a true part of the “flow” of life together on campus AND receive a space dedicated to their needs.
   3. Seniors will be able to study and fellowship in an area close to handicapped parking and to the worship facility, reducing the need to walk unnecessarily far for either, AND removing the burden for many who often choose between Sunday school or worship.
   4. Our current children’s facility is at capacity downstairs, and there is room only for two small classes upstairs.
   5.  Building a children’s facility and creating proper student ministry space communicates the value we place on ministering to the entire family AND gives us 16 adult education spaces to replace the 9 we would lose with the student ministry renovation/addition.
   6. Building a sanctuary is not only likely more expensive than all of the projects presented, but it gives us no more functional ministry space for growth.
   7. Renovations and additions to the existing worship area will bring much needed changes that will give us an environment far more conducive to worship (sound, lighting, design, chairs, etc.).

Where do we go from here?

1. The Site Plan Development Team is accepting feedback from members via email to Pastor Rob: RTims@lakemurraybaptist.org.
2. The Site Plan Development Team is planning to reconvene in early March to chart a path forward, and greatly appreciates your prayers.

 

Celebrating Christmas at Lake Murray

While writing my newsletter article for the January/February edition this week, I was struck with all the wonderful things God has done that I can't really talk about.  Some of them are deeply personal; some of them are related to the counseling I've done over the year; some of them are seemingly small victories that have huge implications for the church and the Gospel.  Regardless of the reasons or what they are, a newsletter article or a blog post just can't properly celebrate a ton of things that go on in the ministry at LMBC.  It's much easier to celebrate Christmas crowds than it is those "God-moments" in conversations.  Both are great, but I wish there was a way I could tell you EVERYTHING for which I am grateful for the Gospel at LMBC.  Just know that Gospel is progressing through us!

This afternoon, I made out my check for the Lottie Moon offering.  We're under $2000 thus far, and our goal is $7000.  Far be it from me to ask you to reach this goal and not joyfully, generously participate in it with you.  I hope you'll do the same, above and beyond your regular giving to the ministries of the church.  Many are faithful to give even more at year's end.  You can do so here.

And that reminds me of two more things!

First, God is doing an incredible work in our midst with regard to benevolence.  Not only has your generosity abounded specifically to the fund in our budget, but I have multiple, MULTIPLE, stories of families helping families, often times anonymously and abundantly, and it warms my heart to see such wonderful love displayed in our congregation.

Second, you'll notice that when you give online, there is the option to give to "debt retirement."  That wording will be changing soon, but you can still designate giving in that direction.  Though our debt is retired (praise the Lord!), we will no doubt be in need of capital improvements and site development in the coming year, so funds you give now will be used for that purpose.  

Merry Christmas, LMBC!  I'm so excited about the present and the future!  The winter and spring will be HUGE MONTHS for us ... I can hardly wait to share!

 

Did You Notice? - A Capital Improvements Update!

Be sure to thank David Simms, Harriett Porter, Mel Seboe, Spencer Warner, Debbie McLeod, and Tricia Thain for their hard work on setting up our capital improvements!

Did you notice:

• The freshly cleaned and painted eaves on the children and adult education building?
• The freshly cleaned and painted exterior doors on the children and adult education building (still in progress)?
• The repaired tile floor in the south ministries center?
• The additional office for our children's pastor in the modular office building?
• The new cabinets and work space in the office work room?

And there's more coming this year:

• A redesigned and improved median at our entry
• New glass and metal doors at the adult education building to match the others

And there's more coming next year!  Thank you for your joyful generosity, which helps you bring our church grounds up to speed after years of neglect!  Every project is a step towards showing our community that we care about them by making a good first impression!

Joyful Generosity and the History of Tithing

Over the last three weeks, I've given three messages on joyful generosity, simply expounding on 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.  You can listen to those messages here.

In the final message on October 16th, I stated I would attempt to write a post that briefly summarized the "evolution of the tithe."  So here it goes!

First, a definition:  "Tithing is the practice of giving 10% of one's income to support a religious institution or the priesthood. (and, presumably, the ministries that come from it).

Old Testament

Most would be shocked to discover that tithing evolved over the life of Israel in the OT.

Commandments in the OT on tithing emphasize the quantity, by and large.  God permits his people to produce (grain, wine, oil, livestock), so He is obviously entitled to share directly in their income.  

Yet at different times in Israel's history, varying regulations governed it!  In Deuteronomy, the firstborn of the flocks and the tithes are to be brought to the central holy place in Jerusalem.  It was difficult for many to make the journey with so much stuff, so one could sell their "tithe" before they came, bring the money, then buy some stuff to sacrifice.  But this system didn't really provide for the poor as needed, so it was later ruled that every third year, the tithe would stay in one's hometown and be distributed to the Levites (full time priests who did not produce food for themselves) and others who could not provide for themselves (sojourners, fatherless, etc.).  See Deuteronomy 26:12-15, for example.

Some interesting cultural phenomenons developed as a result of this system.

• The nature of a tithe changed from a sacrifice from one's harvest into a kind of cultic tax.
• Temples priests in Jerusalem (where all the tithing was taking place) now required a more steady, regular income.

During the exile (when Jerusalem fell), the tithe became a type of tax paid to the priests.  After the exile, tithes given were stored in storehouses (Nehemiah 10:38, Malachi 3:10).  The travel to Jerusalem did not return post exhile: rather, tithes were collected by local Levites every year, effectively making the tithe a tax.

New Testament

References to the tithe are scarce in the NT.  As I pointed out in the third of my three messages, Jesus endorsed the tithe while attacking the Pharisees for keeping it while neglecting weightier matters (Matthew 23:23).  The Pharisee in Luke 18:12 references tithing, and Hebrews 6:6-9 references Genesis 14:17-20 on this subject.  2 Corinthians 8 and 9 are the most extensive chapters in the NT on giving, but Paul is not discussing tithing, but a special offering for the Macedonian church.

Church History

The early church taught a tithe as an absolute minimum, and from one's total income (money, clothes, and all other possessions).  By the 5th and 6th centure, tithing was well established in most all of Christendom.  In the medieval period, Christians got really anal!  "Tithes were divided into predial, due from the fruits of the earth; personal, due from labor; and mixed, due from the produce of livestock..  These were further divided into great, derived from corn, hay, and wood to go to the pastor of the parish; and small, from all other predial tithes, plus mixed and personal tithes to go directly to the vicar!"  So complicated!

Yet it really got interesting after the Reformation, especially in England (our roots!) in the 16th and 17th century.  The issue of the tithe was a source of intense conflict because a state church depended upon the tithes for their livelihood.  English Puritans later sought to abolish mandatory tithes for voluntary contributions to support clergy, a passion they brought to the colonies, which in part explains where we are today.

Today

The theological and historical debate of the tithe rages still today.  I stand by my 9 principles on joyful generosity, and my three-point filter.

9 Principles

1. Giving is an act of grace developed in all Christians. All Christians give.  No stingy Christians.
2. It spreads through testimony.
3. It's consistent and perseverant.
4. It's tied to the giving of one's entire self.
5. It's rooted in the Gospel.
6. Churches should do the right thing with what is given.
7. Church leaders should be seen doing what is right with what is given.
8. "Sowing" generosity may not "reap" more money, but will reap good works, righteousness, more generosity, and worship.
9. Giving is ultimately about God, not the givers.

Three-Point Filter

1. Jesus endorsed tithing, and Paul expected full-time ministry in the church to be paid by the congregation (Matthew 23:23 and 1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
2. Ask, "How much dare I keep?" instead of "How much should I give?"
3. Wealth-building is wise, but so that we can give in fear of covetousness and greed (Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 8:13-15).

I hope this helps our congregation and God's church!  

Gospel, Giving, and Schlotzky's

This afternoon, I went to Schlotzky's Deli on HWY 378 in Lexington.  Over the past few months, I've formed a decent relationship with the owner and a few of the employees.  In the last two weeks, that earned relationship ... combined with the fact that I frequent the place with a couple of Bibles and stack of theological books ... has led to some opportunities to speak the Gospel into a variety of life situations for the owner and a few employees.  It's been a great testimony of BEING comes before DOING in evangelism.

This afternoon, two Christian guys who work there shared almost identical stories of God's financial faithfulness.  One employee and his wife made a commitment recently to give 10% of their income to the church.  By the numbers, it made no sense.  By the Word of God, it was the only place they knew to start, and they could not reckon how they could say they trusted God when they weren't being obedient in the one area that runs this world (how true!).  Over the last few weeks, it's made the dent in their checking account they expected, but their faithfulness was quickly tested by some surprise expenses.  Something was going to get sacrificed.  They chose something else other than their tithe. A few days later, they received a check in the mail for $600 from their power company with a note that simply read, "Thank you for paying your bill on time."

The other employee had a similar story, only his check (for $600, no less!) came from the IRS!

As I celebrated God's faithfulness in their life, I jokingly expressed concern at the giving at Lake Murray Baptist. While August and September were pretty good months, October has been pretty ugly.  We laughed it off with a number of humorous possibilities as to the downturn, and I pressed on in my study of Romans for Wednesday nights.

Then, this evening, someone shared the video below with Randy Alcorn and Wayne Grudem talking about Christians talking about giving without false, prideful motives, but with a heart for the Gospel. I've put the video below.  I think you'll find it very challenging and rewarding.  I'll be talking more about stewardship and LMBC at our business meeting in November.

And visit Schlotzky's!  Kids eat free on Wednesdays (one with every $5 purchase), and they have a great $5 lunch deal on Mondays!

 

The Gospel and Giving

From James Montgomery Boice's commentary on Philippians 4. Help us be "Debt Free @ LMBC" by giving here.

Much proper Christian giving is hindered by the conviction in some believers’ minds that security is really dependent on having things or money. Some think that security consists in finding a husband or wife. Others think that their security consists in amassing a fortune. If they are able to save a thousand dollars, they feel that they would be a bit more secure if they had two. If they earn two thousand, they think of ten. Ten leads to twenty. Pretty soon they have their eyes on even more. Against this misplaced desire God says that if the believer is not trusting him he is no more secure with a million dollars than just one. If he trusts God, he is secure without any.

From my own observation of the various patterns of Christian giving today I believe one of the best things that could happen to many believers would be for them to be led to give away, all at one time, a substantial part of their savings. Why? Because there is something about giving away a sizable percentage of one’s money that is spiritually invigorating. The Christian is thrown back on the Lord and learns that he is more than able to care for the one who trusts him. I have seen this happen in many instances. I have never known a true Christian to be sorry for even the most sacrificial giving afterward.

Perhaps someone is going to ask at this point, “Well, what about tithing? Doesn’t the Bible say that we are to tithe? Doesn’t that mean that we are only required to give a tenth of all earned income?” The answer to that question is that the Bible does speak about tithing, but that was for Jews under the Old Testament laws. “Well then,” you say, “doesn’t that mean that we are released entirely from the requirement to give?” Yes, in a sense we are, for we are not under law; we are under grace. But if you understand what it means to be under grace rather than under law, then you also understand that under grace the standard does not go down—it goes up. For instance, the Sermon on the Mount is not law as the Ten Commandments are law; it is an ethic to be lived out by God’s grace in the lives of regenerate people. But because it is by grace, the standard goes up. Instead of being told only that we shall not murder, we are also told that we shall not hate. Not only should we not commit adultery, we are not even to lust after another person mentally. It is the same with stewardship. Instead of owing God 10 percent of our income, we are now told that all that we have belongs to him.

We are not under law as regards percentages, but we do have a high level of responsibility for the support of other Christians and Christian work. We are responsible for determining God’s will where our own individual stewardship is concerned.

If God tells you that you are to give 10 percent of your income to Christian work in any one year, then you are to give 10 percent. If you have abnormally high and valid commitments one year, perhaps in regard to the medical care of your family or the education of your children, you can give less. If God tells you to give 20 percent, give 20 percent. If he says 50, give 50 percent. Just be sure that you know that it all belongs to him and that he has the final word on how you spend it.

Thinking Biblically about Money (Dough, Cash, Paper ...)

Reading the Bible about wealth can be compared to researching what the media has had to say about climate change over the last 60 years. 

• It's an ice age!  
• It's heating up!  
• Global warming causes EVERYTHING!  

 Similarly, one could say the same thing about how the Bible treats wealth.

• It's evil (or is it?) - 1 Timothy 6:10
• Pursue prosperity! - Proverbs 21:5
• Don't pursue prosperity! - Proverbs 30:8-9

What are we to think about wealth, and what exactly is money for?  Here are some thoughts.

1. 1 Timothy 6:10 points out that the basic problem is not money, but our sinful hearts towards it.  Prosperity easily becomes an object of worship.  Wealth is what we make of it.
2. Money is attractive as an idol because it gives us power and possessions, but it is a horrible god because it has severe limitations.  It is a rich source of temptation, a poor source of happiness, and is ultimately worthless (Proverbs 3:13-14, 28:6, 11:4).
3. The biblical approach to wealth is to take it slow, be diligent, and not worship it (Proverbs 21:5, 28:20, 13:11, 10:4, and 30:8-9.  See also Luke 19:11-27).  Dealing with money this way allows us to better manage the temptations and responsibilities associated with prosperity, and gives us a model for spiritual development as well.
4. Money is ultimately for the LORD.  To roughly quote Dr. John Piper, "God has given you money so that the world will know that money is not your treasure, but Christ is."
5. Therefore, we must making giving a priority, do so sacrificially, and also give to the poor who have become so due to injustice, oppression, or exploitation (Proverbs 3:9, Deuteronomy 26:8-10, Luke 21:1-4, Proverbs 13:23, 14:21, 22:22, 14:31, 19:7, and 21:13; see also James 2:17).  There is no substitute for financial support to one's local church.
6. In short, we are to steward God's reward!  Live within our means, not pretending to be rich or poor (Proverbs 13:7).  See Haggai 1:2-4 as well.  And by the way, this includes leaving an inheritance (Proverbs 13:22)!

With these principles, we can more clearly see that debt may be a necessity or even RIGHT in some cases, while in others it may be sin.  We can see that saving for retirement is biblical, but saving to waste our lives in leisure during retirement is not.  We can see that a capitalistic system best serves a society when the culture is enormously generous and benevolent to those in real need.  Overall, we see that we cannot serve both God and money, but that money must be used for the glory of God.

Online Giving @ Lake Murray Baptist!

After four months of paperwork, emails, and problem solving, ONLINE GIVING is now live at Lake Murray Baptist Church!

1. Choose to use a credit card or have your checking account drafted.
2. Choose to give once or regularly (weekly, monthly, etc.).
3. Choose to give to the general fund (your tithe) or to debt retirement (more options coming!).
4. Set up an account (create your own username and password) to get account statements any time you would like!

It took me TWO MINUTES to set up my weekly reoccurring gift, making my obedience and joy that much more simple!  

SET YOURS UP NOW!  CLICK HERE or visit lakemurraybaptist.org and click on GIVE!

Tithe Rap!

Years ago, Holly and I interviewed for a high school pastor position at 12 Stone Church.  I recently came across this phenomenal rap they did and simply laughed my head off.  Enjoy (and give)!!