Weekly Update – September 26th, 2024
Within the last week, I became aware of two ministry leaders who fell into “ministry disqualifying” sins. One was very public, and his ministry is well known around the world. The other was local and served in a supporting role at a church just south of us. I won’t list the sins, nor will I give you the names, though you could likely figure it out. Instead, I want to process with you how to handle events like these as we try to reckon with the grievous acts that some in ministry may commit.
On the one hand, I was very grieved this week at hearing of both instances. It is not the first time that I had heard of a pastor or ministry leader falling into sin, but I knew both of these men, so it hit differently. Even here, this is not the first time that I have known men who have fallen into sin while serving in ministry either, just as you could likely point to names of those you might know who had their sins made public. Yet, the effect of their fall never produces numbness. I am always shocked when these things happen. I think that is a right feeling to have too. I hope that we never become callous towards men in ministry who fall into sin, nor do I hope that we ever begin to see it as commonplace.
On the other hand, we shouldn’t begin to mistrust those who lead us. Yes, we should hold men who lead in ministry accountable, but we shouldn’t unnecessarily mistrust them simply because other men have fallen into sin. One question that might be asked is, “Are men in ministry falling into sin at a higher rate than ever before?” The answer to that is, “I don’t think so.” Instead, I think that with our media saturated age, that news travels infinitely faster than it ever did in generations past, so we learn about the failings of others quicker than we ever did. Should that soften the blow when we hear of ministry leaders falling into sin? No, but we should realize that sin has always had a damaging effect upon those who commit it, as well as those around them. Also, though temptation may come in different forms, there is no temptation that is uncommon to men or woman (1 Cor. 10:13).
So then, how do we think through pastors and/or ministry leaders committing grievous sins and being disqualified to serve in ministry? Let me briefly give you two thoughts:
First, when we see ministry leaders around us that we trust falling into sin, may we never begin to mistrust the power of the word of God. As men and women, we hold the treasure of the gospel as broken and fragile vessels (2 Cor. 4:7). We are not perfect, and we are not promised to ever be perfect in this life. Yet, the word of God is living and active (Heb. 4:12), not bound by our shortcomings or our sufferings (2 Tim. 2:9). That means that though men around us may fall from the standard to which they were called, the word of God that they preached is still true, transforming and effective (2 Tim. 3:16).
Second, when we see others around us that we trust falling into sin, we should be pushed to even more vigilance in our own lives. The last thing that we should say when we see someone else in sin, whether a ministry leader or friend is, “I would never do what they did.” We should never think that a temptation is beyond us, or that we are simply naturally resistant to certain sins. As New Testament Christians, the apostle Paul warns us from viewing the sins of those in the Old Testament in this way. Instead, we should see the sins of others and take them as an instruction to us to “take heed lest we fall” (1 Cor. 10:11-12). “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set you hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13).
It is a sad conversation to have when trying to explain the sin of others, especially those who lead in ministries of preaching and teaching. Pastors and ministry leaders have a spiritual influence over the lives of many, and at times it is more far reaching than they even know. Yet may we not lose hope. May we strive to live in community with others where we can be held accountable, knowing that none of us are above the sins of others. At the same time, may we continue to pursue Christ, believing that through the power of the Holy Spirit, the word of God in us is our best weapon against the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11).
Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson
Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson
Fighter Verse for the Week
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
-Proverbs 26:20
Announcements:
Missouri Missions Offering: Every year, along with nearly 1,800 other churches, our church partners to pray and give concerning the Lord’s work in our state. The statewide goal is $750,000 this year. Our church goal is $4500. I hope that you will consider praying and giving to this effort throughout this month. As with your normal offering, you can give in person, by mail or online. Just mark MMO when you do give. Check out more information about this effort HERE.
Membership Matters Class: Beginning Sunday, October 6th, there will be a Membership Matters Class for those interested in joining FBC. This will be a 4 week class (10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 10/27), meeting at 9:15am during our Equipping/Sunday School hour. You can find out more about our membership process HERE.
Association Meeting: We will be hosting the semi-annual association meeting for the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association on Sunday, October 6th. There will be a missions fair and potluck dinner from 5:00-6:00pm, followed by the association’s business meeting and message from 6:00-8:00pm. The keynote speaker for this evening will be John Mark Clifton. If you would like to come to the dinner, click HERE to bring something.
Clothes Closet: On Saturday, October 5th, from 8:00am-11:00am, First Baptist Church will open the clothes closet for the community. If you would like to help, come that Saturday at 8:00am.
Nursery Check-In: Parents of children ages 0-4 will check in their children at the computer station in the Welcome Center. Once you check in your child, a label for your child will print and that card will be used to drop off and pick up your child. Monica Smith will be available to help, if necessary.
Resource Health: We are collecting $10 gift cards from Quik-Trip to donate to Resource Health. You can either donate a gift card or put money in an envelope and mark it “Resource Health” and put it in the offering box.
Ladies’ Bible Study: This will be a 10-week study of Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom by Jen Wilkin. Morning and evening sessions will be held on Tuesdays, beginning on September 10th. Details are on the bulletin board.
Christmas Choir: During Awana and Youth, from 6:45-7:45pm, Wednesday nights, a choir will begin rehearsing for the Christmas Season. If you have any questions, see Martin Maharas.
Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.
Men’s Dinner: On Friday, October 4th at 6pm, all men are invited to the church for dinner, games, preaching and prayer. Cost is $15. Mark your calendars and sign up on the bulletin board in the hall.
Biblical Counseling Conference: Join us at First Baptist Church, Monday evening, October 7 through Wednesday afternoon, October 9th for the livestream of the ACBC annual conference. Sign up to attend in the hall. Check out a preview of this conference HERE.
Sunday Evening Service: Our next Sunday evening service will be on Sunday, October 13th at 6:00pm. On this evening we will pray together and hear from Matthew Klika as he preaches from 1 John 1:5-10.
Missions Need: Simon and Hannah Snodgrass will be with us December, January and February. They are in need of a car while they are back home visiting. If you can help, please contact the church office.
Food Pantry: We are in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.
Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Monica for more information on how you can serve.
Awana Bible Club
Awana is held at 6:30pm on Wednesdays throughout the school year. Dinner is at 6:00pm. Children can be registered HERE.
Equipping Hour
We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a study in the Essentials of the Faith in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the the book of Acts meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.
Giving
To Give Online, Go HERE.
You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030
Home Groups
Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.
Prayer
An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE.
Prepare for Sunday
Guide for Worship can be found HERE.
Worship Service
Worship Service begins at 10:30am on Sunday mornings. Nursery care for children ages 0-4 years is available during the worship hour.
Livestream
Continue to join us at 10:30am on Sunday mornings.
Facebook live: HERE.
YouTube: HERE.
Join us and invite a friend or family member to watch with you.
Sunday School
Children and Youth Sunday School take place at 9:15am on Sunday mornings.
Ages 0-2 and 3-pre-k meet in the nursery suite.
Grades K-3rd meet upstairs in U-5.
Grades 4th-6th meet upstairs in U-6.
Grades 7th-12th meet downstairs in the youth room.
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