I have been a a member of the Nevada Rotary Club since June, 1979, when I accepted the position as pastor of First Baptist Church. Over the past weeks (okay, months) I have been delinquent in attendance although I have paid my quarterly dues. I have served on the Rotary board, served as program director, served as President of Rotary, and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. This week I am going back to Rotary. I wonder if my experience of being absent is like some who are absent from church worship and think about going back.
AM I IMPORTANT? I have not received one phone call from anyone telling me that I am missed. Poor me! When I go back will anyone recognize me? There is an informal seating order and so will I sit in someone's spot? Will people be glad to see me? Will they even notice? They are all faithful Rotarians and I have fallen from grace. I may be sheepish.
I HAVE MY REASONS OR EXCUSES. Seems like my schedule has gotten the best of me! Like last week I intended to go and I had an appointment that lasted much longer than I thought-- all the way through the noon hour. Sometimes I have been out of town. But to be honest there are times my reasons have been more like excuses. I guess I usually make time for what I consider really important.
THEY HAVE NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE ROTARY BIBLE. Years ago when I was on the Rotary Scholarship committee we had a rule that no children of Rotarians would receive scholarships for college. Somewhere along the way that changed and I have noticed children of Rotarians have received scholarships. That seems self-serving. It doesn't seem to meet the "service above self" test. But that is only my interpretation.
I DON'T LIKE CHANGE. I have tended to be a late arriver at Rotary. Like some people I like to sit on the back row. They formerly served food at the entry way so I could pick up my plate and go to the back of the dog leg dining room. They changed it! I have to go to the back of the dog leg to get my plate and end up sitting toward the front of the worship center, I mean dining room. I just haven't liked some of the decisions that have been made. But does that mean they were necessarily bad decisions?
MAYBE IF THE PRESIDENT AND PROGRAMS WERE BETTER? Oh, wait a minute. I have not been there recently to know about the programs. And let's see-- July started the new Rotary year. I don't know who the leaders are now. But a good Rotarian does not attend for the president or the programs. A good Rotatian affirms the purpose of Rotary: providing humanitarian service and building goodwill and peace in the world. I guess what is true in Rotary is also applicable in the church-- it is not about me.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
NOT A SILENT PEOPLE
Baptists have quite often been known for controversies. Walter Shurden, one of my former professors at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary wrote a book entitled NOT A SILENT PEOPLE. His book has separate chapters on controversies waged by Southern Baptists: debate about our history, arguing about missions, arguing over slavery and segregation, arguing about our relationships with other denominations, arguing about theology, and arguing about the inspiration of theBible.
What is the current controversy in Baptist life? Calvinism! Calvinism has come to be known by an acronym: TUIIP. The five points can easily be remembered when students are ask to define Calvinism. T--Total Depravity-- we are completely effected by sin. U-- Unconditional election-- some are elected to salvation and others are not. L-- Limited atonement-- Christ's sacrifice was sufficient for all but not "efficacious" for all. I-- Irresistible grace-- When God calls his elect they cannot resist. P-- Perseverance of the saints-- you cannot lose your salvation.
Calvinism is based on the teaching of John Calvin (1509-1564). The extreme opposite of Calvinism is Arminianism based on the views of Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) who started out as a Calvinist but changed his mind. In contrast to Calvin's emphasis on the sovereignty of God, Arminiam believed that God limited his control with man's freedom and response. Conditional election is based on man's response not on God's determination of who will be saved or lost. God's grace can be rejected because of free will and his grace extends toward everyone. And persons can turn away or fall away from salvation.
Another word for Calvinism is "Reformed." Nearly equal numbers of pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention considered themselves Calvinist/Reformed or Arminian/Weslyan. However, about 60% of pastors surveyed are concerned about the effects Calvinism may have on our denomination. The rhetoric on both sides has been extreme and polarizing.
To add some "reason" to the current controvery there is a conference in Louisville, KY, this month entitled "Calvinism: Concerned? Curious? Confused?" Historically, Southern Baptists have considered us neither Calvinist nor Arminian. We have held to a unique approach not tied to either extreme. Where will the current conflict go? Who knows? But Shurden was right. We certainly are not a silent people.
What is the current controversy in Baptist life? Calvinism! Calvinism has come to be known by an acronym: TUIIP. The five points can easily be remembered when students are ask to define Calvinism. T--Total Depravity-- we are completely effected by sin. U-- Unconditional election-- some are elected to salvation and others are not. L-- Limited atonement-- Christ's sacrifice was sufficient for all but not "efficacious" for all. I-- Irresistible grace-- When God calls his elect they cannot resist. P-- Perseverance of the saints-- you cannot lose your salvation.
Calvinism is based on the teaching of John Calvin (1509-1564). The extreme opposite of Calvinism is Arminianism based on the views of Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) who started out as a Calvinist but changed his mind. In contrast to Calvin's emphasis on the sovereignty of God, Arminiam believed that God limited his control with man's freedom and response. Conditional election is based on man's response not on God's determination of who will be saved or lost. God's grace can be rejected because of free will and his grace extends toward everyone. And persons can turn away or fall away from salvation.
Another word for Calvinism is "Reformed." Nearly equal numbers of pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention considered themselves Calvinist/Reformed or Arminian/Weslyan. However, about 60% of pastors surveyed are concerned about the effects Calvinism may have on our denomination. The rhetoric on both sides has been extreme and polarizing.
To add some "reason" to the current controvery there is a conference in Louisville, KY, this month entitled "Calvinism: Concerned? Curious? Confused?" Historically, Southern Baptists have considered us neither Calvinist nor Arminian. We have held to a unique approach not tied to either extreme. Where will the current conflict go? Who knows? But Shurden was right. We certainly are not a silent people.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
THE MAN BEHIND THE FLAGPOLES
Recently the local paper ran an article by Carolyn Thornton entitled, "L. F. Richardson: The man behind the flagpoles." Mrs. Thornton introduced the former car-dealer in Nevada to a new generation. He came to Nevada and started the Richardson Motor Company which survived for many years and he was active in community activities. Richardson, who died in 1972, was one of the significant leaders in our church along with the former Don Kennedy.
When I started serving as pastor in 1979, long-term pastor, Rev. O. V. Dodson had just retired, Mr. Richardson was decesased, and Don Kennedy had accepted a position as a Federal Judge in Kansas City, MO. Although I had never met the man, his legacy lived on through the Richardson Scholarships. Mr. Richardson believed in Christian higher education and affirmed the need for ministers to be adequately trained. So through the Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Richardson Foundation ministerial students have received scholarships each year.
At the present time, the scholarships are given to ministerial students who attend Southwest Baptist University. Our church channels the money to the University. When I came to town, $10,000 worth of scholarships were given each year. Several years ago I requested the then chairman of the Richardson Foundation, Don Kennedy, to increase the amount. They responded favorably and now $15,000 are administered each year. Current Richardson Foundation Board members are: Ron Fisk, Cindy Wynn, and Ron Chandler.
FBCers can be aware that each year as college starts there are several young ministerial students who receive financial assistance through the church that Mr. Richardson loved so deeply. His legacy continues. Every year we post "thank you" notes on the bulletin board from students who receive the scholarships.
The man behind the flagpoles? Yes. And now you know about the man behind the scholarships.
When I started serving as pastor in 1979, long-term pastor, Rev. O. V. Dodson had just retired, Mr. Richardson was decesased, and Don Kennedy had accepted a position as a Federal Judge in Kansas City, MO. Although I had never met the man, his legacy lived on through the Richardson Scholarships. Mr. Richardson believed in Christian higher education and affirmed the need for ministers to be adequately trained. So through the Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Richardson Foundation ministerial students have received scholarships each year.
At the present time, the scholarships are given to ministerial students who attend Southwest Baptist University. Our church channels the money to the University. When I came to town, $10,000 worth of scholarships were given each year. Several years ago I requested the then chairman of the Richardson Foundation, Don Kennedy, to increase the amount. They responded favorably and now $15,000 are administered each year. Current Richardson Foundation Board members are: Ron Fisk, Cindy Wynn, and Ron Chandler.
FBCers can be aware that each year as college starts there are several young ministerial students who receive financial assistance through the church that Mr. Richardson loved so deeply. His legacy continues. Every year we post "thank you" notes on the bulletin board from students who receive the scholarships.
The man behind the flagpoles? Yes. And now you know about the man behind the scholarships.
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