FBC Carthage E-News for May 4, 2009

FBC Carthage E-News
May 4, 2009

Good morning,

This is crunch week on many college campuses across Tennessee. Projects are due. Finals are being taken. Students are studying to do their very best. Take a minute right now, before reading this E-news, and pray for the college students, especially those from FBC Carthage. Pray for a good finish to this Spring semester.

Also, while you are praying, pray for all students as they finish their work this week. This is the last week before graduation for the Seniors at Smith County High School.

Last night was fabulous as our Children’s Choir presented the musical GPS: God’s Plan for Salvation. They did a great job and the little ones are always cute to watch in the programs. Thanks to Amy Broyles and all the workers who gave a mighty effort to bring the program together.

Children are important to us at FBC Carthage. Sunday School, Awana, RAs, Gas, Children’s Choir, Vacation Bible School and Children’s Church. We have a great opportunity to make a great impact on their lives and the life of our church as we invest in the ministry to children.

Speaking of ministry to children, I received an encouraging note this morning from a man who attended last night with his family. I would like to share a portion of that note with you to encourage each of us to seize the opportunities we have to make a difference in the lives of children. Here is a portion of the note:

I'll start with the confession that I used to think children's ministry was kid's stuff and that children's ministry was for someone who wasn't qualified enough foradult ministry. Now, I believe that children's ministry may be the mostproductive harvest field and the church that wakes up and actively putsits best effort forward will see a great return for its efforts.

One of the reasons for my change of thinking is George Barna's bookentitled: Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions. Barna makes the point that children are bombarded with more and more from their earliest years, and most make their decisions about God before the age of 13. After 13, it becomes increasingly difficult to reach them, at all. Barna also makes the observation that churches continue to focus their efforts on adult ministries which have fewer converts compared to those that could be reached among children.

A friend of mine named Dean Stone was formerly children's pastor at our church in Donelson . Dean preached a message in which he said there were four mandates for pursuing children's ministry in the church. I don't have a printed copy of his message, but I do have a few notes from his message that I will try to summarize.

First, there are Biblical mandates for children's ministry.
Genesis 18 --Abraham directed to impress/mold/stamp offspring;
Deut. 6:7 "teach these words....";
Proverbs 22:6 train up a child in the way he should go....;
Ecc. 12:1 remember your Creator in the days of your youth....;
Matthew 18:1--who is the greatest---child's trusting faith and
Matthew 18:10 don't look down on children.

Second, there are statistical mandates citing George Barna's research that 85% of salvation decisions are made between ages 4-14, 10% made between ages 15-30 and only 4% made after age 30. Barna's research indicates that most morals are in place by age 9 and most theological beliefs are established by age 13 with little change thereafter.

Third, there is an educational mandate. Kids are open to learning. Adults tend to be set in their ways.

Fourth, there is a cultural mandate because of the home life so many face today. Dean made the point that so many are tossed back and forth between divorced parents that there is an absence of moral values in their homes. [Deut. 6:7 doesn't work if the parents don't use it themselves.] There is also an influence of evil in our culture and in our media. If the church is going to reach these children, it needs toreach them in the age "4-14" window because afterwards, it's often too late.

Lastly, Dean said common sense says we have to minister to these children or they'll be lost. I would add to Dean's practical observation that parents whose children really get connected with Godbefore reaching their teen years won't have as turbulent teen years as those who are still on the fence. And if those kids get connected at an early age, then it makes it easier to spend time helping them transition into their young adult years using Scripture as their guide for life instead of spending the same time trying to convince them to make a personal decision that they should have already made years before.


I hope this note encouraged and challenged you as it encouraged and challenged me. We have a great ministry to children but I believe there is much more we can do to reach the boys and girls, moms and dads, of this community and county for Jesus Christ. These are exciting days to be a part of FBC Carthage. Let’s all join together in serving the Lord Jesus Christ with gladness and purpose.

Have a blessed week and remember to pray for the students throughout the week.

Bro. Tim


Here is the news for the week:
1. Workers are still needed to serve in Vacation Bible School this summer, June 15-19. As I mentioned above, this is a great opportunity to make an eternal difference in the life of a child. To volunteer contact Rhonda Etheridge, Lisa Reece, or call the church office.

2. Another need we have is for workers in Children’s Church for May-August. Workers serve for one month during the 10:45 AM worship service. With the option of the 8:00 AM worship service, you can serve with the children and not have to miss the morning service. It’s the best of both worlds. You can sign up on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary or contact Patsy Sanders.

3. This Thursday, May 7is the National Day of Prayer. Spend some extra time on Thursday praying for our nation and elected officials. Pray for our schools, our military and our families. If you have a few minutes check out the National Day of Prayer web site. Click on the highlighted words for a direct link to the site and to these special articles they have posted on prayer:
· Why We Pray
· What Is Prayer
· How Prayer Works
· The Power of Prayer: Your Best Work

4. I will begin a monthly Bible Study at the Smith County Senior Citizens Center in South Carthage this Friday, May 8 at 10:30 AM. All Senior Adults are invited to join with me as we meet new friends and share Jesus.

5. The Senior Adults from FBC Carthage will be going for breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Lebanon this Wednesday, May 6 at 8:15 AM. Come and enjoy this morning of fun and fellowship as we enjoy a great breakfast.

6. This Sunday, May 10 is Mother’s Day and we will be recognizing and honoring all moms with a special gift. Invite your mom to attend this Sunday or if you are a mom call all the kids and have them come with you.

7. High School and College Graduate Recognition will be held Sunday, May 17 in both morning services and a special church-wide luncheon at 12:00 Noon. Bring a covered dish and help us congratulate the 2009 graduates.

8. Listed below are important dates for your calendar. Take a minute to make sure you have these down.
May 6 Senior Adult Trip to Cracker Barrel 8:15 AM
Church Business Meeting 6:30 PM
7 National Day of Prayer Rally 6:00 PM
8 Bible Study at Senior Citizen’s Center 10:30 AM
10 Mother’s Day
15/16 Graduation - Gordonsville/Smith Co.
17 Graduate Recognition
Bilingual Hispanic Service – 5:30 PM
23 Youth Connect – Picnic 6:00 PM
24 Defeated Creek Campground Service 8:30 AM
Begin Super Summer Sunday Nights – Movie Night 5:30 PM
31 Super Summer Sunday Nights – Singsiparation 5:30 PM
June 1-5 Lighthouse Christian Camp – Girl’s Week
10-13 ReFuel
15-19 Vacation Bible School 6:00-8:30 PM
29-July 5 Mission Trip to New York
July 15-22 Mission Trip to Montana


9. Here is a little funny that Billie Friel sent out last week.
The Hymns We Sing
Dentist’s Hymn Crown Him with Many Crowns
Weatherman’s Hymn There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
Contractor’s Hymn The Church’s One Foundation
The Tailor’s Hymn Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer’s Hymn There’s a Green Hill Far Away
The Politician’s Hymn Standing on the Promises
The Optometrist’s Hymn Open My Eyes That I Might See
The IRS Hymn I Surrender All
The Gossip’s Hymn Pass It On
The Electrician’s Hymn Send the Light
The Shopper’s Hymn Sweet Bye and Bye
The Realtor’s Hymn I’ve Got a Mansion
Massage Therapist’s Hymn He Touched Me
The Doctor’s Hymn The Great Physician

And for those who speed on the highway, a few hymns
45 MPH God Will Take Care of You
65 MPH Nearer My God to Thee
85 MPH This World Is Not My Home
95 MPH Lord, I’m Coming Home
100 MPH Precious Memories