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From the back cover:

We were all taught in debate class how to build a strong case for our topic by knowing both the pros and cons — not only knowing our main points but also anticipating the opposing side’s. “A Case For…” is a series of articles that are written in a simple format, highlighting some of the main points for and against each topic. While a book, chapter and verse may not be provided for each argument given, overarching principles guide every point. Some people may not think that approach is very spiritual, but this series takes a practical, logical approach as well as maintaining a biblical stance on everything. A Case For Saturday Soul-Winning is a discussion of some practical reasons that every church member should be involved in the outreach of our church… particularly through Saturday soul-winning times.

Click here to download PDF booklet

Introduction

Every Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church, around 9:45 am people start showing up, getting maps, getting tracts, and praying for the day of soul-winning. What we call soul-winning is a time of the week that we take gospel tracts with church information and invite people to our church and try to be a witness and see people saved.

At the heart of our scheduled soul-winning time is the Great Commission found in the gospels: Matthew 28:18-20, 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Christ is literally telling us His plan for bringing people into His family: He conveys His authority (“All power”) to the church (the only entity that will last “unto the end of the world”) and expects the individuals to “Go ye…” The core job of the church is to:

1. Win souls (“teach all nations”)
2. Baptize them (“baptizing them…”)
3. Disciple them (“Teaching them…”)

A great way to be involved in the Great Commission is to be a part of our Saturday soul-winning time. Not only is it commanded to be a witness, but Saturday soul-winning time allows us to be a part of something that will matter in 1,000 years, as opposed to most everything else we do on earth. The following points are certainly not exhaustive, but they provide a few practical, logical reasons to come out on Saturdays.

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We recently sent out a large postcard announcing the unveiling of our new outreach program coming up on “Be Our Guest” Wednesday, November 9 at 7pm. Parents are welcome to sit in on the services as we go through the different steps we’ll take when a guest visits our class. PLEASE don’t miss “Be Our Guest” Wednesday, teens!

A huge emphasis in the Teens of Faith has simply been on Loving God. If God can get their hearts, everything else will fall in place. And… once God gets their hearts, it should result in changed hearts toward others. Our teens have evidenced that heart for others in the way that many of them have been coming out every Saturday for soul-winning, and one of the main desires of this new outreach emphasis is that it not just become a PROGRAM… but a HEART. We can put programs in place all day… but if a program is not driven by a genuine heart to see people saved, baptized and discipled in our church, the program will fail.

“Be Our Guest” Wednesday will focus on only one aspect of outreach: what to do when guests actually visit our class. In the future I’d love to develop something that can help us reach and bring more TO our class, but I wanted to focus first on what to do with the ones that God has already brought us! Yes, we’ll definitely continue to focus on weekly soul-winning times, and yes, we’ll definitely emphasize evangelism with their friends… but those types of encounters are usually initiated with an invitation to church. What about the ones who are already familiar with our church… they’ve been here! What do we do with them? We treat them… as our guests.

Come see what I mean.

Wednesday

November 9, 2011

7pm

Click here to download

The following article was written by Brother Cary Schmidt, Student Ministries Director at Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, CA. It was recently posted on Ministry127.com and we have reposted it here for you today.

The contemporary church is seeing a mass exodus of young adults walking away from their faith in their late teens and early twenties. Some studies say the percentage is around 80% while others estimate it to be much higher. The statistic highlights major failures in many contemporary church ministries on a number of levels, but not all churches are seeing this lack of fruit.

While we are never content to see even one young life walk away from the faith, God has seen fit to bless biblical principles in the ministry of Lancaster Baptist Church. He has blessed the application of His Word across all ages of ministry. And over the past 25 years we’ve seen approximately 80% of our graduates stay faithful to the Lord. We’re not seeing the mass exodus in this church that many churches are seeing. And often we are asked “why?” What is God blessing?

In the next few paragraphs, I would like to share a concise summary of Bible principles that God is using to help young people grow up at Lancaster Baptist with a real faith that sustains into adulthood.

A Local Church Focus

Simply put, while our church may have classes and groups of many ages and life context, we are one local church with one purpose and heart. The youngest to the oldest members of our church are a family. We grow together, pray together, serve together, worship together, and function as a church body.

God’s institution for reaching the world, changing lives, and carrying out His work on earth is the local church. Christ died for the church, and the New Testament pattern for establishing others in the faith of Christ (of any age) is the New Testament Church. Our student ministry has never been an entity unto itself. It has always been integrally a part of our local church body. Our students may graduate from the youth group, but they never graduate from the local church.

“…that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

A Family-orientated Ministry

The first “institution” that God ever established was the home—the biblical family. Throughout His Word, God gives clear instructions to parents to teach, disciple, and nurture their children in the ways of the Lord. Many families have adopted a bit of a secular approach to the faith education of their children. They have essentially handed off the responsibility of Bible training to the church—considering themselves either too busy, or inadequate to the task. The problem is not that the church is teaching the Word, but that the parents are not.

Nothing could be more dangerous to our children spiritually. No local church entity can out-influence a parent. And God never intended for us parents to abdicate our responsibility simply because we place our children in a “spiritual environment.” It’s not either or, it’s both and! For twenty-five years our children’s and youth ministries have partnered with families, equipped families, and strengthened families in developing faith and discipling young people. While some youth ministries are structured to separate the family in spiritual contexts, ours has always been structured to unite the family. Together, the church youth ministry stands united with parents to fight for the next generation.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

A Father-led Philosophy

My first morning on staff at Lancaster Baptist Church included a 7 a.m. men’s prayer meeting. I will never forget meeting in Pastor Chappell’s office with a group of men that came in early to pray. This was not a staff meeting. It was a group of laymen. That morning we prayed around the room for over an hour, and one by one I heard young Christian men—recently saved husbands and fathers—on their knees, pouring out their hearts to God. They prayed for their children, their marriages, their pastor, their church, and for lost souls.

That meeting is forever etched into my memory. I knew that morning that God was going to do something great at Lancaster Baptist. Here was a pastor dedicating himself to building and discipling men to be godly fathers and leaders both at home and in the church. And since that time, God has continued to honor Pastor Chappell’s commitment to disciple faithful men.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2

An Age-based, Biblical Education Effort

Every now and then someone will ask me, “…is youth ministry in the Bible? Is age-graded education really a biblical concept?” The answer is a simple yes—when done biblically! While the title of “children’s pastor” or “youth pastor” isn’t found in the Bible, there are several passages that very clearly promote the concept of the church bringing order to age-based education.

First, in Titus 1:5, the Apostle Paul commands Titus to “set in order” the things that are wanting. This is a broad command that gave Pastor Titus a directive to establish structure and order in ministry. Then, later in Titus 2, the Apostle Paul gives a clear pattern for older men and women (not just parents) to teach younger men and women. Titus 2 is a key Bible passage for establishing a biblical ministry to youth and young adults.

He begins by telling us to teach sound doctrine, then proceeds to give a longer, more detailed list that older Christians (men and women) in the congregation should impart to younger Christians.

Finally, Galatians 4:2 gives fathers permission to appoint tutors and governors in their children’s lives to assist in instruction and education.

God has blessed these simple but powerful principles at Lancaster Baptist. In ministry to young people, we focus on faith-building, Bible teaching and training. Student ministry isn’t about entertainment. It’s about meat—content—prepared, delivered, and applied to young lives, just as the Apostle Paul did by addressing different age groups and life-contexts in his letters. (See Ephesians 5 and 6.)

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.” Titus 2:1-6

A Biblical Student Ministry

The contemporary church has missed the mark in modern student ministry, and the statistics prove it. And movements that are “anti-student ministry” or “anti-local church” are also missing the mark. Biblical student ministry is all of the things above, but it is first and foremost about the Bible!

Somewhere over the past few decades, many churches began to believe that young people couldn’t be serious about faith or truly interested in a personal relationship with Christ. This errant assumption led to a “dumb it down” mentality—an attempt to sort of sneak up on kids with spiritual things by masking it in fun and flippancy. The false assumption was that “Christ is not attractive enough, so we need to make the faith attractive by making it entertaining or humorous.”

Don’t misunderstand me. We have lots of fun with our young people. We laugh—that’s biblical. We enjoy and rejoice in the faith and with each other—that’s biblical. We love living life for Christ—that’s biblical. But we have never felt a need to mask the sober things of Scripture or the doctrines of God’s Word with the “icing” of the world. We don’t lower God to their level. We would rather, by His grace and Word, lift them into His presence.

Guess what?! They get it! They understand the truth. They appreciate it. And more importantly, they fall in love with God—not merely with a program or an entertaining activity. And when they grow older, when they out-grow juvenility, they won’t out-grow their Saviour.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

A Personal Mentoring Commitment

Developing faith in young lives at our church has never been merely a group proposition. It has always been a personal, relational process. In addition to our group teaching times, it has always been about an older man or an older woman from within the church family investing into a younger man or younger woman spiritually. This happens in coffee shops, McDonalds booths, and living rooms every week all across our city. And this personal ministry gives the public teaching context an even greater depth and effectiveness.

When I read or hear of someone questioning the validity of youth ministry, or when I hear someone say, “Youth ministry or age-based ministry isn’t in the Bible…” I wonder how young Timothy would feel about that. Long before he was a pastor or a minister in training, he was a lost youth without a Christian father, who was reached and discipled by the Apostle Paul.

In ministry to children, youth, or young adults, we can’t take the parent’s place in training the child, but thanks to local church and biblical principles, we can stand united with them—striving together for the faith in young lives. Parents should never hand off the baton of faith-training. But there’s certainly nothing wrong with being in the same boat (the local church) together and grabbing an oar!

I challenge you—parents, pastors, youth workers, children’s workers, and local church family—stand united in fighting for the next generation. God’s pattern—the local church and the family laboring together to build faith in young lives—still works, if we will commit to it!

“…that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” Philippians 1:27

Are you a boss, or have you had a boss, or have you seen a boss that is absolutely by-the-book?

Every little detail must be perfect.

By now you’ve heard that Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple, passed away last week, and he was just that type of boss. But… the company showed that his exacting standards paid off, and Apple’s attention to detail has been a trademark of their success.

While I like to toy with Apple products and appreciate the flash of everything new they produce, what I can learn from the most is their rigid and unmoving attention to detail. Steve Jobs’ philosophy of business permeates the whole company, and many people say it will live on indefinitely.

We look at a company like that and really appreciate its investment to society (just look at all the iPads and iPhones in our church alone!) We look at a man like Steve Jobs and say, “What a visionary!”

But, it seems like all-too-often we lift companies like that up on a pedestal in the business sense and yet seldom give that philosophy another thought anywhere else.

You might be a boss or you might have a boss who is absolutely rigid about being on time. Even if you don’t have a RIGID boss, try showing up late every day and see what happens! Even the laid-back, happy-go-lucky bosses will begin to notice and make some corrections!

Just try missing work without a good reason and see what happens! Uh oh! Resume time all over again… new job, here I come! You’d be fired!

So… while we’re very attentive to our work schedules and responsibilities, shouldn’t that level of detail permeate our lives? Writing on behalf of the church, from a spiritual perspective, I want to ask this: is it ever okay to give MORE attention to your work demands than that which really matters… God’s demands?

“God’s demands, Bro. Ryan? You make God sound like this big, demanding, angry guy-in-the-sky!”

Well, I’ll use a Bible word: commandments. Demands.

I don’t mean to be unkind! I’m also not trying to make it sound like I’ve got it all down! I’m just trying to make a logical point, that God ought to receive at least as much dedication as anything else in our lives. That’s basically the first commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

While this principle applies to all areas of the Christian walk, I happen to bring it up in regards to being faithful and on time to church because of a new outreach program we’re about to launch in the Teens of Faith. I’m VERY excited about what we’ll be doing, and as we have guests come to our class it will be essential to have every teen on board to greet them. What better way to be involved in soul-winning than to start with the souls that God brings to us!

If it has always been your habit to be early, what a great asset you are allowing yourself to be in our church. As you greet and welcome people with a friendly smile, as you encourage people, as you are available to help your teacher do whatever needs to be done that morning… you have NO idea how God could use your “living sacrifice” every time you come to church. But you have to be present and on time for God to use you that way. Parents, please consider allowing and encouraging your teens to be involved in outreach simply by… showing up. Sounds easy to serve God when you put it that way! Lets all do our part in the body. (1 Cor. 14)

INFO

Each Parent Meeting I try to include 3 major points: Information, Vision, and Encouragement. The past meeting was the last we’ll have this year, and we wanted to communicate as clearly and as early as possible, particularly on a few cost-related activities we are coming up on.

Parent, please expect the following activities in the coming months:

• Oct. 21 – Bonfire at Pastor’s house. $0, but they will be bringing something TBA (snack, drink?)
• Nov. 3-4 – WCBC College Days. $45 (or so) for Jrs. and Srs.
• Dec. 4 – $60 downpayment due for Youth Winter Rendezvous (Jan. 5-7)
• Dec. 10 – Christmas Party. Gift and snack TBA
• Jan. 5-7 – Youth Winter Rendezvous. $135
• Jan. 9-13 – Church Planting Conference at Heartland Baptist Bible College, OKC. $400 (giving from TOF Home Missions Fund – our weekly offerings.)
• Feb. 18 – Preaching Rally. $5

VISION

Bible Study Series. The teens have the spirit to grow and learn, but it seems they are at the point that they do not know where to turn next. Every time they are challenged to read God’s Word it is convicting, but when they go to do it, it seems like God’s Word is hard to understand. We want so badly for them to make it as productive Christians, and that will ONLY come from hearing from God through His Word. If you say you love God but don’t keep His commandments you’re a liar! Wow! Strong language! But thankfully, I’m not the one saying it… God is in 1 John.

I’ve challenged teens in another post  to take hold of the Christian’s tools… books. Parents, consider spending about $40 to help you and your teen grow in God’s Word. These recommendations are a good start to Bible study, and can only help as your fervency and hunger for Biblical knowledge grows.

Outreach Program. We’re a few weeks out still from launching a new outreach program, and I’m very excited about trying to capture some of the guests that God has brought to our class. We desire 100% involvement, and hopefully these teens will be sanctified Christians and WANT to be involved… hopefully we’ll have a waiting list of people who simply want to serve God by reaching out to guests through texts, emails, postcards, visits and more. Thank God for the spirit that is growing in the teens… we pray we can spread it to everyone else as well!

ENCOURAGEMENT

Finally, I wanted to encourage the parents in a simple thought: Pray with your teen.

Especially after a week like we just came through with Bro. Beckum, we ALL at least realize the importance of prayer… how about putting it into practice?

Every time I’ve had a chance to pray with one of the guys I’ve absolutely loved it. I love praying one on one with guys making commitments, guys getting ready to preach, or guys who need help. It’s not only encouraging to hear them pour their hearts out to God and see a part of them that you might not have otherwise seen, but it’s also enlightening! You get to see part of their heart; you get to hear their burdens and feel their spiritual desires. You catch a glimpse of what they’re thinking… which is FAR more than we sometimes give them credit for! “Teens are so shallow these days!” someone says. No they’re NOT! Pray with them sometime, and you’ll see some depth that you’ve never sensed before.

This encouragement is based not on my experience or expertise but on a couple things: 1) last week’s prayer revival and 2) the recommendation of other youth pastors who have raised teens and have seen God work by following this exact model. I say that lest you think, “Bro. Ryan, you don’t have a clue! You’re not a parent, let alone a parent of a teen.”

No I’m not. But I know what the Bible says about prayer, and I know what other men who are parents of teens have said, and I know it’s possible. At least consider it, parent. It can only help, right?

Consistency and constancy will push you past the awkward stage of it and eventually bud into a deeper relationship with your child. Who wouldn’t want that?!

Have a great week!

RR

Growth

Growth.

We desire it for everyone. It’s strange when people don’t grow. There’s something wrong when someone doesn’t grow from infancy to adulthood.

The spiritual life is ALL about growth, otherwise we’d be scooped up to heaven as soon as we’re born (spiritually). The Christian’s walk OUGHT to be characterized by growth. Change. Sanctification.

Sanctification is just a big word for change or growth. Positionally, we’re sanctified when we’re saved, but practically, God wants SO much more from us in that kind of sanctification. He wants us to grow. To be changed into his image. To be sanctified.

In the Romans series in the Teens of Faith we’ve just come through one of the highest points in Scripture: Romans 6-8. Every week has been a rich, challenging message from God on sanctification… spiritual growth. Basically the point of these chapters is this, in simplified terms: God has done SO much for you and offers you the power through His Spirit to grow.

The sermon on Sunday briefly summed up a few thoughts from these chapters:

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“Why are you so OLD?”

Some people ask that of the Bible! But we need to know the answer, and we need to know how to glean from a book that’s not only old… but timeless. No matter how OLD it gets, it will never be OUTDATED. As long as we Christians can understand and propagate the truth of the Bible, lives will be changed for good. Once the Bible ceases to be understood, cared about, and treasured, society’s decay is around the corner.

Most Christians understand the need for the Bible.

Many Christians laud the Bible in all it’s grandeur, and say they would even die for the truth within its pages.

Many Christians hail it as God’s Word to the earth’s inhabitants.

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The following BAPTISTS acronym was copied directly from an article I found from a quick internet search on Baptist distinctives. Having just come through the Baptist series on Wednesday nights, this article accurately summed up every week of our study. Click here to read the article that started the Baptist series, and see below for the conclusion:

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is inspired by God and bears the absolute authority of God Himself. Whatever the Bible affirms, Baptists accept as true. No human opinion or decree of any church group can override the Bible. Even creeds and confessions of faith, which attempt to articulate the theology of Scripture, do not carry Scriptures’s inherent authority.
2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20,21

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