Sunday, December 12, 2010

25 Days of Christmas - Day #12

Today's 25 Days of Christmas event was our church's semi-annual members meeting (aka church business meeting for all my dear Southern Baptist folk back in North Carolina). I know at first it may seem weird that I'm counting this in my 25 Days activities...what with all the budget approving, Robert's Rules of Order-ing, and votes of "yay" or "nay" - but our church doesn't do anything in typical fashion...and this is just another thing that they take to a whole different level.

First, we all sit at tables in the sanctuary - not in our typical rows - which facilitates a great deal more conversation. We sit at the tables so that we can share a giant 1/2 catered (bar-b-q beef and turkey from a local BBQ joint) and 1/2 pot-luck (sides, salads and desserts) dinner. And if there's anything that Southern Baptists get right, it's a pot luck dinner...green beans dishes of every variety, casseroles that literally have butter floating on top and more desserts than we could ever eat in one sitting. After we enjoy our dinner, the choir sings a couple of songs and then we do some congregational singing...and then it's time to get down to business.

What I love about our business meetings is that the entire time spent making reports on what's happened in the past year and approving requests for the upcoming year isn't done like it's just the "business of the church" but rather it is done with such gratefulness to God in all He's doing in the life of our church. There's never ever a sense of "look what we've accomplished" or "let's see what WE can do next year to be bigger and better" - it's never about making us bigger and better, but about exalting Christ and advancing His kingdom. When we share about missions and make requests for money in the budget to go to China, Montenegro, and domestically across the US, it's never about what we can do in these places, but about being obedient to the work God is calling us to do and being the agents through which He will do His work. When we share and make requests about local ministries like MOPS, MDO, and our Men's/Women's/Children's ministries, it's never about making our programs the best in the area, but about helping others and equipping them to be the person God has called them to be and to do the things He has called them to do.

Our church is being blessed by God in so many ways and for that reason we feel it's our responsibility to be a blessing to others - not to grow our name but the name of Jesus Christ. I am personally grateful that God led Ryan and me to this church so that we could be a part of the work that He is doing there. I am grateful for the friends that we have in this body of believers and how richly they have blessed our lives. I am thankful for the opportunities that we have been given to serve there and to be a blessing to others.

So for Day #12 of our 25 Days, we are reflecting on the love and the blessings of the Lord - not just celebrating Christmas, but celebrating Christ.

1 comment:

Georgia said...

I'm running behind reading the blog - BUT could not pass up the chance to say that I am also thankful that God brought your family to MBBC.
Love you all,
Georgia