As we come to the time of the 2010 Budget presentation and adoption process, there are some thoughts that I feel are necessary and prudent to communicate. The process of creating a church budget is unique. Whatever you create, you are creating by faith. Your tool of predicting future income is based upon past historical performance and one’s either pessimistic, realistic, or optimistic future economic outlook. We live in very uncertain economic times and yet many in this congregation have remained faithful givers throughout the year. I’m proud of you! In this process, you are trusting God to provide the resources necessary to do the work of the ministry in this place. Yet, as you step out on faith, you must be prudent about your financial “game plan.” We want to be people of faith and good stewards in the process. 

Our records indicate that a segment of our church family does not provide any financial support through this church. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is a segment that provides generously and faithfully through this work. My goal has always been to challenge every person in our church family to participate financially regardless of one’s income bracket. Financial stewardship isn’t for the few; it is for the many – all of the church family participating financially in the work. There is an incredible joy to be learned in faithful and obedient giving to the Lord through the local church. 

As I look toward 2010, there are many great and wonderful opportunities. They can only be realized through the faithful, obedient, and generous support of the Memorial family. This Sunday, you’ll be challenged to go and pray over the next two weeks about your role in financial stewardship at Memorial. Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Can I do more? Am I to do more? Where do I begin? These are all questions that we should ask ourselves.

I realize I’ve been a little quite this week on the blog. I’ve been busy with a lot of other things the past couple of days and haven’t had too many moments to simply stop and reflect. I finally did that today. Oh, I’ve taken time to process last weekend. But, not nearly enough time to simply reflect upon the events of the past days. I’m thankful for the great attendance and participation we experienced at ONE Sunday. It was a truly a great day. The worship was compelling and contagious. The orchestra, praise team, and choir did a great job… and the  worshippers really sang! I even saw a couple of choir members “almost” dancing, but not quite since we are a Baptist Church. 

80% of those who attended the service stayed for lunch. Another 40% (of those who attended worship) turned in their interest cards from the placemats after lunch. We had a good attendance at both campuses for the Town Hall Meetings. I'm proud of this church family! While the plan makes sense to most people; it is a clear and concise directive for doing the basics well. This plan was never created to sit on a shelf or to be framed on the wall. It was developed for action. Plans don’t become reality without action. These are the days for action at Memorial Baptist Church. When I reference the church, that’s exactly what I mean. It’s not a plan for a few, but a plan for the whole. We need the body engaged in ministry. We need everyone at every station. We need each one doing their part contributing to the whole. 

So where do we go now? What are the go forward steps? We begin this week organizing to meet with the individuals who have expressed interest in one of the eleven specific actions items briefly discussed Sunday. My goal is to have completed the initial meeting process with all eleven groups within the next 90 days. The goal is to both give direction and collaborate on the most effective means to accomplish each of the 11 action items and to get started towards reaching the goal. We will work in conjunction with the Leadership Development Committee in undergirding existing structure and in some cases creating additional structure to engage the stated objectives. 

You will remember that 80% of the plan is focused on doing the basics well while 20% of the plan is focused on creative and new ministry ventures. I’m both convinced and committed to leading this church to doing the essentials well. We must give people something worth their involvement. I am excited about what the future holds for Memorial Baptist Church.

A major component of the Strategic Plan 2010-2012 is the evaluation emphasis. In the past, this has been a weakness in our organizational structure. Most churches are hesitant to evaluate the work of its ministry outside of a few opinions. Perhaps we don’t want to offend someone or identify the elephant in the room. Nonetheless, to increase effectiveness, there must be candid discussions regarding the effectiveness of what we do as a church family in ministry. This will only help us to become better stewards of the resources of facility, finances, and personnel (both volunteer and paid). Every ministry entity at Memorial has the option to choose between one of five standardized evaluation tools. This will help create consistency in our process. I’ve included a draft review of the process here. Take a moment to review it.

Today is Veterans Day. It is a time to recognize our men and women who have served faithfully in our military protecting the causes and interests of our nation. They have sacrificed in many ways including putting their life on hold in order that others can live and thrive in this protected freedom. I am both thankful and proud of our veterans. We owe them much gratitude and respect!

Can’t wait for Sunday! It’s going to be a blast. I’ve talked with a lot of people that are excited about the day. ONE Sunday is definitely going to be a unique, challenging, and inspiring Sunday. Be sure and make plans to stay for lunch. You don’t want to miss it at all. I’ve included a copy of the “placemat” for Sunday (you can click here to see it). As you preview the document, you will see how the proposed Mission, Vision, and Plan work. It’s a great graphic overview. Here are the proposed Ministry Goals: 

Ministry Goals for 2010-2012 

1. Effective Evangelism and Discipleship – “To encourage, equip, and engage in the sharing of the gospel and the discipleship of believers.” 
2. Effective Ministry – “To create, implement, and maintain meaningful ministry for engaging the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental well being of our community.” 
3. Effective Involvement – “To increase the overall ministry participation on both campuses.” 
4. Effective Structure – “To develop, implement, and maintain appropriate organizational structures for effective ministry.” 
5. Effective Facilities – “To develop and implement a strategy for best use and future development of campus physical plants.” 

You will hear much about the word effective over the weekend due to a new evaluation strategy proposal. Our goal is to establish expectations by incorporating at least one of five evaluation tools for everything we do as a church family. It allows us an opportunity to honesty critique programs, ministry, and ongoing concerns. The implementation of an evaluation process will afford us the opportunity to move from good to great in our efforts and ministry. 

On this graphic, you’ll notice a C, G, and S in the upper left hand corner. These icons represent the three components to our proposed Mission Statement. All of our activities, programs, ministry, and efforts will be labeled with an icon for either Connect, Grow, or Serve. This will help us to make sure that what we do as a church family falls within the focus of our Mission Statement. It will help us continually keep our mission before us. It will help us to make sure our ministry is balanced. 

Why these five goals? These five goals represent doing the basics well. While we leave much room for creativity in ministry, we must do the basics well. We can always attract a crowd, but we must offer substance and value to keep the crowd. We must offer depth, relevance, and meaning.Can’t wait for Sunday!

The second essential component of our Strategic Plan is a proposed revised vision statement. What is a vision statement? It is a phrase stating what an organization wants to become or where they’re going – it is our direction. Our proposed vision statement: 

“Living the Gospel to transform our community”

As you read through this statement there are two significant parts creating the whole. “Living the Gospel” sets the direction for a congregation not only to be a people of words, but a people of action. Those outside the church are watching those who claim to be a part of the church. Our cultural context calls for Christians who will live the gospel – in transparency, authenticity, and in relevance. People need to see that the stuff we talk about is real. They need to know that real life change is possible. 

“To transform our community” is the second part of this statement. Our vision is to make a difference in both our local and extended communities. As we live a dynamic and real faith, our goal is to work in transforming our community for Christ. We desire to see the population of the Greater Baytown area in a real and authentic relationship with Christ while serving Him.

This is our vision - to live for Him and to make a difference where He's planted us. 

I’m really proud of the Memorial family! You all did a fantastic job last week with Judgement House. It took nearly 200 volunteers over four nights to make Judgement House fly – it not only flew, but soared! Nearly 250 recorded decisions (246 to be exact) were made as a result of the presentation. How incredible is that! God is definitely good! I saw people at both the North and Sterling Campuses on Sunday that had been guests during Judgement House and consequently decided to visit one of our services. This was incredibly encouraging and great to see. I’m thankful for so many that made a contribution of their time to make Judgement House such a success. And of course, we can’t forget the One who made all the difference. All the honor and glory goes to Christ. It was evident the Spirit was moving each night.

Every organization (including a church) needs a mission. This mission should be written, concise, and understood. The mission statement defines what an organization is all about. Who are we? What do we do? How can you articulate this in an easily remembered and articulable phrase? The idea is to create a statement that is clear and specific to the oganization. The mission should live in our heart, be on the tip of our tongue, and lived out in our walk. This statement should not have to be deferred to a written document for later reference, but should be communicated without hesitation. So here’s the proposed Mission Statement for Memorial Baptist Church:

 “Connecting with God and people through authentic community, growing in understanding and personal application of biblical principles for life, and serving people by meeting needs through one’s unique ability”

While that’s a mouthful and perhaps most will not place this entire statement to memory, Here’s the shorter more concise version: 

 “Connect, Grow, and Serve” 

That’s it! It takes just three words to describe our mission. How easy is that? Our mission as Memorial Baptist Church is to Connect, Grow, and Serve. This is what Memorial is about.

Thought I’d share this with you. I know my posts have been somewhat “video heavy” the past couple of weeks, but Mike Harvey sent this to me (and a couple of others) and I thought it good to pass along. This was the first time I’d seen this video. Be sure and watch the whole thing through. You might be tempted to cut it off early, but don’t. You’ll miss the best part – trust me on this.  Merry Christmas!

Judgement House is off to a great start. We were booked full with reservations and had a host of walk-ins too. I think the lights were finally turned off around 11:30pm. Our cast, crew, and volunteers are to be commended for a fabulous first night. I’m proud (in a good way) of the Memorial Family. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are showing to be much the same for group reservations. 

A quick tally of decision cards indicated 33 decisions for Christ (salvations) and 41 rededications. What a great night! Thank you, Lord! Continue to pray for Judgement House and for night two this evening. Pray for strength and health for the cast, crew, and volunteers. Pray also for the several hundred people that will walk through the progressive drama tonight. 

Can’t wait for tonight!

As we chart a course for the next 36 months, the word "re-think" comes to mind. We need to re-think what we do, when we do it, how we do it, and where we do it as both individual Christians and the corporate body called the church. I think we’re both challenged and called to re-think church. Are we going to live authentic and real Christian lives? Are we going to impact our community for Christ? Are we going to influence our culture with the Gospel? If we are, we need to re-think. This is what ONE Sunday is all about. It’s a moment when the church comes together to re-think its strategy, purpose, and future. I hope you’ll be at ONE Sunday, November 8. It’s a must attend service at 10:00am. Stay for lunch, too. It’s the start of something great!

Jesus teaches us the value of getting alone with the Father. On occasion, we find the crowds demanding a piece of Jesus. There’s so much to do, so many people to attend, and so much to teach. Yet, early in the morning, Jesus escapes to the quite mountainside – alone, undisturbed, and uninterrupted. We find Him praying to His Father. It is in this solace that life is reoriented and purpose renewed. The disciples want Him to return to the crowd, but Jesus knew He needed to move towards the next town. How long has it been since you’ve gotten away to be alone with God? Are you hurried, anxious, too busy, and restless. It’s time to escape. Find a still and quiet place to check out of your routine to check in with God. These quiet times help us refine and redefine purpose and priorities. He’s waiting for you in the stillness and solitude.

The sweetest moments are those God moments; it is the realization that at this instant or juncture in time it’s just God and me – the two of us. All other distractions are silenced. The door is shut, the television is off, and the phone is on mute. These are quiet moments to read God’s word and listen to Him speak from the pages of His story. I love to ponder, think through, and meditate on His written word. He searches and impresses my heart. My imagination runs wild with God thoughts. There is something thrilling, consuming, captivating, and even compelling about these moments. I wonder why I’ve taken so long to get here. It’s like a retreat – away and out of the draining race of life. It is a respite, a quite and hidden place reserved for God and me. I want to steal more time away from life’s routine to have God moments like these. What can I rid or release myself from in order to have more God moments? 

I learn much in this quiet place. I know to be still, to listen, to watch, and reflect. There are lessons for today and a few for tomorrow. There is always something for me here in these God moments. Tonight I’m reading in Mark 13. I’m eavesdropping on a conversation between Jesus with Peter, James, John, and Andrew. He is painting a picture of the future – one of struggles, challenges, and glory. Their lives will bear witness for the sake of Christ. These men will stand before governors and kings and tell the gospel. They will make the most of every opportunity to tell the story; led by the Spirit word for word. 

At this moment I sense the need to make the most of every opportunity to tell the God story. It’s a subtle reminder not necessarily in keeping with the major theme of this story, but none the less, I’m encouraged to be a better steward of life’s moments to share about Jesus and what He’s done for me.

Since we’ve been talking about Living Like Jesus these past weeks. I thought this short video to be very applicable – especially to our discussion on obedience. Our desire should be to live like the one we follow. A life of obedience isn’t easy, but it was never intended to be. Live an extraordinary life – Live Like Jesus. I found this video to be a good encouragement to live as we’ve been called to live. 

Dear, 

I am writing to invite you to participate in ONE Sunday coming November 8, 2009. What is ONE Sunday? It is a historic day when our two locations meet together for ONE incredibly inspirational, informational, and challenging vision casting service to chart a course together for the future (specifically the next 36 months). On that Sunday, we will remember our heritage, review our present, and vision for our future. 

What can you expect on that day? Both campuses will meet for ONE service at the Sterling Campus beginning at 10:00 a.m. This unique experience is preceded by a fellowship time beginning at 9:00 a.m. and followed with a catered luncheon at 11:30 a.m. There will be no Sunday School at the Sterling Campus or regularly scheduled morning service at the North Campus that day. We will meet for ONE experience as ONE church. Two Town Hall Meetings will follow in the evening. The Sterling Campus Town Hall will be at 5:00 p.m. and the North Campus Town Hall will be at 6:30 p.m. This will provide venues for follow up discussion about the earlier presentation and an opportunity to dialogue regarding action items specific to each campus. 

Why should you participate? This is your church! Our future as Memorial Baptist Church isn’t built upon the ability of a few, but upon the availability and participation of the many. I am not suggesting we maintain a church-as-usual mindset on ONE Sunday, but advocate significant operational shifts and adjustments for our future. We need you at Memorial working together for a stronger Memorial and a greater community influence. Life change happens through the ministry of the local church and you have an opportunity to be a part of community transformation through Memorial Baptist Church.Please make every effort to be available for this historic day in the life of Memorial Baptist Church on Sunday, November 8, 2009. 

Peace, 

Brad Hoffmann

I’m sitting at my desk (late on a Friday night) at the house reviewing my notes and thoughts for the message Sunday. It’s as if all of a sudden I’m overwhelmed by an amazing demonstration of compassion and love Christ exhibited. He did stuff no one else was even willing to do. Of course, He’s God. The earplugs are in and iTunes is up. A song comes up that I’ve not heard in a while - Hope’s Call singing, “You are Love.” It’s an old song, certainly not new. I wanted to share it with you. As I’m listening to the words, I’m contemplating the incredible willingness of Jesus to touch and then heal the leper. And if you know the Greek, it wasn’t a wimpy touch, but a grasp. And better yet, Jesus touched the man before He spoke the words that He desired to heal him. Actions really do speak louder than words. I love Jesus. Oh, that I might live as He lived and live for Him.

Annette Roberts provided our staff verse today. I had to take a few moments and comment about it – leave it to a preacher to do so. Here’s the passage: 

 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it." Psalm 37:4-5

Regardless of where you fall along the theological spectrum, life is about choices. You have the choice to choose between options. Regardless of the influences or factors present, you must make a choice. One of the choices we make involves our attitude and mindset. What do you choose to think about? What demeanor of the mind do you choose? Make the decision to cultivate an attitude influenced and developed by God. 

Choose the Lord as your delight. Delight only in him while rejecting all other influences other than Christ. Decline delights which interfere with being consumed with Christ. Ask God to consume and cultivate your thoughts and mindset today. Remember, today is Monday and we can use all the help we can get! 

At the same time, give God permission (even though He doesn’t need permission, but it is an act of surrender) to exchange your desires for His. Ask God to replace personal desires for the desires He wants for you today. It’s kind of like exchanging a gift that didn’t fit for something that’s just the right size. Personal desires don’t fit the God shape of our life. The perfect fit is His. 

Choose to delight in Christ today and accept His desires as yours. It’ll shape for the better the way you see life, circumstances, relationships, and the challenges you’ll face.

ONE Sunday is just weeks away and coming November 8, 2009. This is a very special day as we gather for a unique, encouraging, and powerful worship and vision casting experience. Why ONE Sunday? ONE Sunday is for ONE Church with ONE Purpose for ONE Vision in ONE Community with ONE God. Memorial Baptist Church is ONE dynamic church with two diverse locations. The uniqueness of this ministry model allows and enables us to reach a broader spectrum of a diverse community demographic with the gospel. On November 8, 2009, we will come together in ONE corporate experience for ONE day to discuss our purpose and to look at our future together specifically for the next 36 months. ONE Sunday is a singular distinct experience. Everything is different on this ONE day. The schedule has been re-written for this unique day. We’ll meet at the Sterling Campus for our ONE event. Fellowship Time including a complimentary Coffee Bar with barista starts at 9:30am. Our ONE service will begin at 10:00am in the Worship Center. Lunch will be served (approximately 11:20am) following the service in the ROC (Activities Building). After lunch, we’re dismissed. Later that evening, you’re asked to come back to one of two Town Hall Meetings one at each campus to discuss specific North and Sterling action items. The Sterling Campus Town Hall will meet at 5:00pm followed the North Campus Town Hall at 6:30pm.

I cannot overstate the importance of this singular event! On this ONE day we need all Memorial Baptist Church members and guests alike present and available. This day is about our future and the direction of Memorial’s Ministry specifically for the next 36 months. You’re availability and participation is vital to the future successes of this church family. ONE Day isn’t for someone else it’s for you. ONE Day isn’t just another meeting; it is about charting our course for the future. Come and be a part of this historic ONE Sunday experience.

I’m getting excited about Judgement House this year. We had a counselor training meeting this afternoon after church. I appreciate everyone’s commitment to make Judgement House the best ever. While every job is important in Judgement House, our counselors get the opportunity to personally interact with people as they make life changing decisions. It’s a unique perspective as you witness God work through a progressive drama. 

I think many can relate to the script this year. It’s about the struggles of a dysfunctional family, their relationships, and their ability to cope with tragedy. The storyline will hit home with many. Pray for our actors, room directors, and set designers. These committed volunteers will be working extremely hard to complete the task by the end of the month. Already, we have many group reservations scheduled. I’m convinced it’s going to be a banner year! 

It’s not too late to get plugged into Judgement House. If you’re interested in helping out contact Donna Hammel at donna@memorialbaytown.com or at 281.427.1725 x208.

How great is God's love for you and for me! I'm thankful for that love! 

It’s been an interesting week so far – full of action. If you attend Prayer Meeting on Wednesday nights, you know we’re praying for revival and renewal. We’ve been praying for our community for a long time and for this church, too. But, we don’t give up. We persevere in prayer because it’s the way we’re encouraged to pray. Don’t quit, don’t stop, and don’t limit God – pray. 

You need to know that over the past roughly 24 hours, 5 people have come to know Christ through the ministry of this church. How cool is that? Five more people who now love Jesus (and know His love) have the rest of their days to live for Him. God is at work and I praise Him for it. 

It kind of makes me wonder what’s He’s going to do the rest of the week. I can’t wait for the weekend. I can’t wait for Sunday. We’re going to talk about Jesus and the way He lived. Don’t miss out!

As I pondered the message post delivery, I want to hit home a significant point about Christ’s example of serving. Living a life of service isn’t event driven but pattern lived. Let me explain. Living a life of service is more than volunteering to help out a couple of church or community events throughout the year. Serving is a lifestyle or life pattern that is demonstrated not only in special events but lived out in everyday life. Jesus’ statement about service in Mark 10:45 referenced a life committed pattern of serving and giving. This is our example to follow. 

Just because we volunteer to help out here and there, doesn’t fully live out the example of service portrayed in Scripture. There is a conscious decision that I must make to live my life as a servant – serving and giving. As Paul states, it is an attitude or mindset that must be established in us as we take on the attitude of Christ. While I certainly want you to help out and volunteer for various events and activities, this lifestyle of service goes deeper than planned church stuff. It’s about how I pattern my life when no one from church is watching. 

As I seek to live like Christ, may I live my life as a servant – serving and giving.

This is too funny! It’s a great teachable moment about the tithe. We need to be reminded, encouraged, and educated about our financial responsibility and giving through the local church. I just couldn’t pass it up, had to put it on the blog. I’m wondering how this might look on the platform at North and Sterling both? Hmm, maybe it is best left to the video!  

In light of our upcoming study Living Like Jesus, I thought you might enjoy this clip. You’ll probably remember the story from sometime back. This time, Ed Dobson has written a book chronicling his year-long experiment of living like Jesus. Take a look at his story. You’ll find it fascinating and maybe a little strange, too. By the way (just to put you at ease), I’m not challenging us to do what Dobson did.

Over the next number of weeks, we’re going to discuss some of Jesus’ traits and behaviors with the intention of incorporating these attitudes and actions in our own walk. Remember that we follow Christ; we are His disciples and therefore ought to walk as He did.

I’ve wondered recently about much of the psycho-babble with self-help work. Some of it is beneficial while other parts really aren’t of great value (opinion). Perhaps people could live healthier and more productive lives if they only walked as Jesus walked. Maybe we wouldn’t be so spiritually frustrated and challenged if we’d emulate Jesus’ life, behaviors, and practices. So many live lives completely opposite of what Jesus lived and we wonder why there’s so much anguish. Maybe the answer is found in living more like the one we claim to follow. Just a thought :)

Brent Hines will be with us for two Thursdays in October (10/15 or 10/22) for the Heartland Financial Institute. The workshop will be held at the Sterling Campus from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. This is a great opportunity to get on a plan or to shore up your plan of personal financial responsibility and stewardship. You must register to attend so make plans now. Space is limited. Contact Penny Robinson penny@memorialbaytown.com to register. Here’s a short introductory video on what you can expect.

I was skimming the New York Times website and noticed a rather intriguing article. The article discussed several unusual but notable economic indicators one of which being men’s underwear. Now, I thought that a little odd, but as I read further, I understood. As far back as the 1970’s, Alan Greenspan (the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve then in a private consulting firm) looked at the sales of men’s underwear as an economic indicator. During normal or good economic times, sales tended upward. The opposite is true during poor economic times. When men had less money to spend, they cut back on their purchase of new goods. When people are confident, people spend more. When they are uncertain, they spend less. 

I think one of the health indicators of a church is its Prayer Meeting attendance. We’re witnessed a slow but steady increase in the Wednesday night crowd. That is encouraging to me, but more so for the church. There is a sense of a greater priority being placed on personal prayer. There’s a realization of the importance of corporate prayer. I believe the future and the influence of this church is gauged by its members and attenders participating in Prayer Meeting. 

There is great value in attending Prayer Meeting. This is where so many people learn how to pray and develop a confidence in their prayer life. You have the opportunity to agree with others. You’re not put on the spot and you’re given the opportunity to participate at your comfort level (hopefully being stretched). We’re praying for each other, our church, for revival, our community, and for the sick. We’re praying in a wide array of styles and formats. We’re singing, we’re learning, and we’re growing. 

So what’s your excuse? Don’t have the time? You need to make the time! Think Prayer Meeting is boring? You need to check it out. Still think it’s boring? You need to stay late so we can pray for you! Scared you’ll be called on to pray? I promise that I will not call on you or embarrass you in Prayer Meeting. There’s really no good excuse not to be in Prayer Meeting this next Wednesday. Come and join us!