Director Missions Report 2018
The past year seems like a blur as I hit the ground running on January 1 and I’ve not looked back.
Last year, I told you that my vision was to join us together to reach the unreached, revitalize
churches and reproduce new churches. I said we were going to focus like a laser beam on those
things. That is exactly what we have done.
I have worked hard to get to know the new staff and pastors here in CBN, visiting or preaching in
different churches every Sunday. My calendar is filled with meetings with pastors and leaders in
our network of churches.
My door is always open and my cell phone number is always available. Everywhere I go, I cast
the vision for what I believe God has called us to do, but even I did not believe it would begin to
happen so fast.
As it has been for your church, so it has been for the Association, a roller coaster ride. There have
been many high points to celebrate as we witnessed God’s people at work. Some of these were for
the Association as a whole, but most were for individual churches as they let God move in and
through them to touch their communities. Pastors praying together weekly, learning communities
(where pastors sharpen each other), coaching lay leaders, feeding and caring for the homeless;
helping families experiencing difficulties, like floods, fire, storms, financial crisis or other needs;
block parties; and intentional efforts to build relationships to introduce others to Jesus. These are
just some of the points that we can celebrate.
No church is in the exact situation it was 30 years ago, but that is no excuse not to fulfill God’s
purpose. Some churches are trying to survive, when God wants churches to thrive. I know churches
that are thriving, but are declining in attendance. Thriving, because they are still impacting their
communities for Jesus.
As believers in Jesus, we must realize that we and our churches are being pushed to the very edges
of culture. We no longer enjoy a place of prominence or influence. We must now learn to change
our culture from the edges, and we are not trained for that. It is a different world and it is scary.
Being on the outside looking in could make us retreat to our church walls and never come out. But
that is not what God requires nor does it honor Him.
Regardless of our culture’s view of the church, we still have a divine commission and command
to “go,” “teach,” “preach,” “baptize,” and “make disciples.” This never changes, no matter our
circumstances. We will fall in this unless we remember to depend on the One who said He would
be with us always.
Remember: Jesus said, “And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
13