WE ARE FAMILY

In the late 1970's Sister Sledge had a pop hit, "We Are Family." That's what I saw in Stuart Auditorium this week. Pastors and people from at least 20 of our Haywood Baptist Association were at the Night of Reflection, Repentance, and Revival. It was a wonderful service as we drew closer to God--and I believe to one another. We are grateful for all who worked to make it happen, led in the service, and those who attended. The staff of Lake Junaluska Assembly were very supportive.

We have a special shout-out to those who were integral to the service: the prayer times led by Pastors Bobby Rogers of Dellwood, Dan Page of Crestview, and Mark Tice of East Fork; those who led the music--Pastor Ethan Conners and his team mostly from Woodland; John Grasty of Calvary Road who assisted with the sound; the discussion panel led by Pastor Kris Estep of Barberville, and composed of Pastors Adam Black of Woodland, Mark Golden of Calvary Road, Nick Smith of First Baptist Lake Junaluska, and Waynesville Police Officer, Sam Holland; Pastor Stephen Buys, of the Orchard who brought us the Word of God faithfully and fervently. Additionally, we had a Welcome Team from Woodland, and Parking Attendants from Calvary Road. Internal security was offered by the Orchard Church team and external security by the Haywood County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Bill Wilke. Thanks so much!

As I looked around I saw large, medium, and small churches represented. Those belonging to smaller congregations, did not have envy and those in larger congregations were not smug. There were some there that preferred Gospel music styles of Southern Gospel, some contemporary, and some traditional--but we all joined together in prayer and praise as we focused on the God we worship and not the way we worship. I am aware that there are those who on the margins have different theological perspectives concerning eschatology and ecclesiology. There were those of a more traditional style of evangelism and some of a more reformed manner--yet we all rejoiced that an atheist has now become a believer. He bowed to Jesus as Lord and Savior and publicly professed his faith in Christ. Heaven rejoices and so do we!

We made the main thing the main thing--having the same Father and being in the same family. That does not mean that any doctrine is unimportant. We should study scrupulously and speak convictionally. Yet, also with humility--knowing that we are all a work in progress, and likely when we get to heaven we will discover that some of the secondary matters we disputed about were truths we did not get exactly right.

The parameters of our fellowship are found in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. If you subscribe to those, then that is enough. We can debate other matters, but even if we disagree, let us not be disagreeable. Jesus said,

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:17-23).

We Baptists can seem to find something to fight about. There are times we must strive--against Satan, against sin, against heresy. When revival comes we will be one--"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all," (Eph. 4:5-6).

Your Brother,

Dennis Thurman, Mission Strategist