Enlisting, Equipping, and Empowering
Churches all over America are preparing to launch into a new and promising year. In church life, we think of these seasons relating to the school year. Since school is about to kick off, for example, our Cross Church Family launches into our new year on Sunday, August 25. By then, summer is almost over, school has started, and we will have an opportunity to establish a somewhat regular flow for a few Sundays.
Our staff team and church leaders treat this time of year like a football team that is nearing the kick-off to a new season. Hope and vision are bigger than life, and we are preparing spiritually to see God move miraculously! While we pray towards this massive launch day, here’s what we are doing right now.
We are Enlisting People
We need people to come alongside us in ministry. For example, at our Pinnacle Hills Campus, it is our goal to enlist 100 new volunteers on August 18. We need this kind of volunteering to be robust on each campus!
We can do no more ministry than the volunteers we have involved in the ministry. Biblically, regardless of our age, each of us have spiritual gifts, and we need to be involved in a functional way in the ministry life of Cross Church. This may involve one hour a week, one hour a month, or a seasonal ministry; but we need volunteers now.
Will you, right now, enlist to be a volunteer on your campus? Don’t let fear rule you or ruin you. God is there to hold you by the hand as you step in the waters of ministry.
We are Equipping People
Each of our campuses has planned a time to equip all of our volunteers to do the ministry of the Lord through our church. We are equipping you so you will be prepared for the challenges and joys that await you. You can do it!
I will have the privilege to be a part of this equipping time for servant-leaders and volunteers at each of our campuses. Below are the dates and times for the equipping sessions at each campus:
- Springdale: Sunday, August 11, 5:30-7:00pm in the Fellowship Gym
- Pinnacle Hills: Sunday, August 25, 5-7pm in the Gatheria
- Fayetteville: Wednesday, August 21, 6-8pm in the Worship Center
- College Avenue: Sunday, August 11, 12:00pm in the Worship Center
I cannot wait to see what God will do through each of you as you become equipped to do the ministry you have volunteered to do.
We are Empowering People
Once we have enlisted new volunteers, we equip all volunteers at the same time for each ministry, and then we will empower people to do what they believe God has called them to do. We cannot do all God intends for us to do without your involvement, your willingness to be equipped, and your availability for God to step in and empower you mightily for His glory.
The kind of empowerment I want our people to experience is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We need to have the touch of God upon us.
This is Why
This is why I will soon be introducing our newly formulated prayer ministry. I believe you will like it because it is pliable for you and your schedule. Therefore, do not miss the first Sunday in September. On this Sunday morning, we will discuss the gateway to God’s power…prayer!
Acts 16
Before you come to worship on Sunday, read all of Acts 16. When joined by prayer, this can become a mighty moment of preparation for hearing God speak to you. I will see you Sunday. Bring your Bible. Bring a friend. Tell the story!
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
Four Lessons Every Pastor and Christ-Follower Needs to Know
Last week, I shared how the Lord spoke to me through Psalm 75:6-7 and how they became my life verses.
For promotion does not come from the east, north, or south; but God is the judge. He puts down one and sets up another. Psalm 75:6-7
Today, I want to share with you some lessons I have learned and am still learning from God as found in Psalm 75:6-7. These lessons are not only for pastors, but for all Christians.
- Get to know God and let Him promote you if He chooses to do so. When you knock on the Lord’s door in prayer consistently, He will open the doors He wants you to walk through in your life.
- God uses people, but God alone determines your future. The Lord moves His gospel and His people on the tracks of a relationship. Therefore, relationships are very important to your future. Yet, with a convincing conviction, I know fully: God alone determines your future! He knows your end from the beginning!
- Leadership is temporary and you are a steward over it. The Word declares in Psalm 75:6-7 that God puts down one man and sets up another. Yes, He puts them down, lays them aside; not as waste or clutter, but because He has something else for the man himself and for whomever He is leading. Therefore, for this season, you may have leadership, but it is temporary. While you have it, steward it well and unto the Lord.
- God raises people up to do a specific task for a specific time. As God sets one person aside from a task, He raises up another for a season of time. Yes, He raises a person up to do a specific task for a specific time. Task and time go together. When these are married, BOOM! Oh yes, God may want you to do a specific task, and you are yearning and believing He does. Yet, at this time, He has not allowed you to do it. What could this mean? Timing is critical. Be patient. In His time, He will bring the task. If He desires it, no one can keep you from it. Then, there are times in life you may hit a sobering moment, realizing that God may not raise you up to do what you felt all along He would. Why does this happen? I cannot say. But I do know that He knows what is best for you. I have said this over and over again and believe it firmly: God knows what is best for me when I don’t know what is best for myself.
A Testimony to Share
In December 1980, I faced a massive challenge to these words. I had just graduated with my Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary. I was going in view of a call to a church in a fast-growing region in Texas. I was thrilled and fired up. The Sunday went splendid. In this little mission church, people were all over the altar getting saved, and joining the church.
When the Chairman called me a week later, I was ready to go. When his voice spoke words like these, I was devastated. “Ronnie, unknowing to me, our by-laws call for the Pastor to receive 95% of the vote. When the church voted this morning, you fell just short.” I was wrecked. I was devastated. Depressed. Completely hopeless.
How did I survive? The Holy Spirit awakened my heart and reminded me of Psalm 75:6-7. These words were the words and promise that got me through that moment of devastation.
Yes, God is so good, He knows what is best for us when we do not know what is best for ourselves. Within months, the Lord called me to another church, which He really used to launch me into a life and ministry far beyond what I could have ever dreamed.
Pastor, Jesus knows your email address and even your mobile number. Trust Him.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.