Chili Festival is a Success!
It was a cold, misty and cloudy night at the municipal fairgrounds in Havelock. Sounds like the beginning of a novel, huh? Actually, that's about the way it was on Friday night, October 16th. Mike Sagaser, Scott Nast, Linda and David Warner and myself took the Friday night shift. We managed to talk to a lot of people that were curious about what "The Bridge" was. But, alas, the weather turned even more frigid, dark and misty...we decided to take an early exit and begin again the next day.
Saturday was much better. I wasn't there, (I went to Raleigh to pick up my poor wife who was stranded in Tucson, AZ for a week in a sunny, warm climate Awwww...) but David gave a brief report the next day. "It was great", he said. They talked to lots of people and gave away a lot of promo items to help them remember The Bridge. About 200 contacts were made.
We certainly don't want miss the Chili Fest next year! Thanks to all that helped with the effort!
Saturday was much better. I wasn't there, (I went to Raleigh to pick up my poor wife who was stranded in Tucson, AZ for a week in a sunny, warm climate Awwww...) but David gave a brief report the next day. "It was great", he said. They talked to lots of people and gave away a lot of promo items to help them remember The Bridge. About 200 contacts were made.
We certainly don't want miss the Chili Fest next year! Thanks to all that helped with the effort!
Editorial: Pastor Ed Turns Over the Reins
After Pastor Rob's departure and a day or two after the last personel meeting at our sponsoring church, Steve Van Ord (Deacon Chairman) talked with me about the desires for the committee to re-define my role at the Bridge and re-direct my ministries at Cherry Point Baptist. This decision does not suprise me, in fact, Pastor Rob and I had talked about it before the news of his departure became public. What does this mean to The Bridge?
David Glasgow has been our Campus Pastor (CPBC--Director of Ministries for The Bridge) since April 2008 and has gained much experience and attended many meetings and learned much about the polity of Baptists. So it only stands to reason that it is time he be given the full reins of leadership. Maybe this is a misnomer--he already has a feel for the leadership and he is not alone; the Core Group is a valuable ally that envisions the same vision and seeks the same goals. Also, there are other leaders rising up within the small congregation that will offer stability and advise. Let me borrow this passage from Acts 6:39 to sum things up: "But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
In late 2006, Pastor Rob called me to his office and asked a question, "Ed, if you were given free rein to do anything you wanted, what would it be?" I answered, "Start a new church". It wasn't until 2007 that Rob called me to his office again to announce that he had decided to begin the process of starting a new church and he wanted me to be the facilitator. I gladly accepted and immediately set off with task in hand. After much research, fee payments, permits, meetings, and other hurdles The Bridge was launched in February 2008. Today an average of 30-35 are attending services on Sunday afternoons.
My position at The Bridge is not very visible like the Campus Pastor, or the teaching pastor, my function is closer to being an "Administrator" and therefore, I hang around behind-the-scenes. As an administrator, I help provide the on-going needs of The Bridge like, 1) providing a liason between the Atlantic Baptist Association and The Baptist State Convention of NC, 2) creating and updating our website, 3) providing information and reports to Baptist agencies and, 4) maintaining an information and correspondence flow to all groups. My point in saying all this is that I have a great deal of time invested in The Bridge. But more importantly, it's been a dream of mine from the very beginning of my ministry career and God has seen fit to use the church to see it come into being. Praise the Lord!
Although my responsibilities will diminish at The Bridge, my support, encouragement and prayers will persist. Thank the Lord and give him all the glory!
David Glasgow has been our Campus Pastor (CPBC--Director of Ministries for The Bridge) since April 2008 and has gained much experience and attended many meetings and learned much about the polity of Baptists. So it only stands to reason that it is time he be given the full reins of leadership. Maybe this is a misnomer--he already has a feel for the leadership and he is not alone; the Core Group is a valuable ally that envisions the same vision and seeks the same goals. Also, there are other leaders rising up within the small congregation that will offer stability and advise. Let me borrow this passage from Acts 6:39 to sum things up: "But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
In late 2006, Pastor Rob called me to his office and asked a question, "Ed, if you were given free rein to do anything you wanted, what would it be?" I answered, "Start a new church". It wasn't until 2007 that Rob called me to his office again to announce that he had decided to begin the process of starting a new church and he wanted me to be the facilitator. I gladly accepted and immediately set off with task in hand. After much research, fee payments, permits, meetings, and other hurdles The Bridge was launched in February 2008. Today an average of 30-35 are attending services on Sunday afternoons.
My position at The Bridge is not very visible like the Campus Pastor, or the teaching pastor, my function is closer to being an "Administrator" and therefore, I hang around behind-the-scenes. As an administrator, I help provide the on-going needs of The Bridge like, 1) providing a liason between the Atlantic Baptist Association and The Baptist State Convention of NC, 2) creating and updating our website, 3) providing information and reports to Baptist agencies and, 4) maintaining an information and correspondence flow to all groups. My point in saying all this is that I have a great deal of time invested in The Bridge. But more importantly, it's been a dream of mine from the very beginning of my ministry career and God has seen fit to use the church to see it come into being. Praise the Lord!
Although my responsibilities will diminish at The Bridge, my support, encouragement and prayers will persist. Thank the Lord and give him all the glory!
Have a Blessed New Year
If you're like me, you don't necessarily want to experience another year like the last. A downsurge in my retirement funds has caused me to rethink that possibility. And the weather...how could it get much worse? What a wet year it has been. For months, I haven't been able to walk in my back yard without getting my shoes caked in mud.
Recently, however, I have found that my frustrations are just that. Frustrations. Some folks have had to put up with a lot more than frustrations. For example: lost jobs, the death of a loved one and perhaps a forclosure on their home. These things can be devastating for a family. I remember the joke, "Cheer up, Ed, things could be worse. Sure enough, I cheered up and things got worse!"
So my point is that not many people are looking for the challenges of a new year. Where's the hope, where's the cheer? It's easy for Christians to say that hope is in Jesus Christ. It's true, of course, but to someone in the middle of a crisis, it seems far off.
Values and service. When we look to Jesus our values change. For example, it's no longer valuable to us to "party on, dude"; now we enjoy "fellowship" with other believers. We are no longer eager to keep ourselves busy with entertainment, but rather, we get more out of helping others. That's the Jesus way and when the journey comes to that point, we can enjoy a new year. So have a great new year...full of renewed values and service. You'll be glad and blessed.
Recently, however, I have found that my frustrations are just that. Frustrations. Some folks have had to put up with a lot more than frustrations. For example: lost jobs, the death of a loved one and perhaps a forclosure on their home. These things can be devastating for a family. I remember the joke, "Cheer up, Ed, things could be worse. Sure enough, I cheered up and things got worse!"
So my point is that not many people are looking for the challenges of a new year. Where's the hope, where's the cheer? It's easy for Christians to say that hope is in Jesus Christ. It's true, of course, but to someone in the middle of a crisis, it seems far off.
Values and service. When we look to Jesus our values change. For example, it's no longer valuable to us to "party on, dude"; now we enjoy "fellowship" with other believers. We are no longer eager to keep ourselves busy with entertainment, but rather, we get more out of helping others. That's the Jesus way and when the journey comes to that point, we can enjoy a new year. So have a great new year...full of renewed values and service. You'll be glad and blessed.
Legacies are Meant to Be Shared
Like it or not Dr. Robert B. Helton leaves a legacy at The Bridge and our sponsoring church, Cherry Point Baptist Church. How is that so? Since Webster's Dictionary defines legacy as "something received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past (as in "the legacy of the ancient philosophers"), I believe Rob has left us with something.
First, let me say that it is a special calling to be a pastor. Anyone in a leadership capacity will tell you that more eyes scrutinize, judge and even condemn you just because of your position. On the other hand, some folks will fill the pastor's head with so many compliments and praises to cause him to inadvertently puff up with self esteem. I used to be called "Steady Eddie" because of my (earlier) demeanor, maybe Rob should be called "Regular Rob" or something illiterating like that, because he does not easily succumb to the excessive negatives or positives; he walks the straight line of his call from God.
I love that in him. Another thing I love is the fact that he adheres to something that I learned a long time ago (but have had trouble applying) after taking a Dale Carnegie course: "Always give a person a good reputation in which to build himself up to" and "never criticize, complain or condemn." He treats all people, regardless of social stature, race, country of origin, or even religious perference with the same respect and determination to help them in their circumstances and to introduce them to Jesus.
The last thing I wanted to mention about Rob is that he is not an island. He never isolates himself from outside influence. It goes without saying that God has made his permanent mark on Rob. He permeates everything Rob does. Cindy is his backbone, his family is his love, and the people that surround him are is education. His desire to minister to people has a permanent orchestra that beats the rhythm endlessly.
I used to have a pastor friend that frequently said, "Whereever you are; there you are." Not too profound, but true. The funny think about legacies is that you can leave it at one place while taking it with you to another. Zoar Baptist Church will soon find what Rob has left with us.
First, let me say that it is a special calling to be a pastor. Anyone in a leadership capacity will tell you that more eyes scrutinize, judge and even condemn you just because of your position. On the other hand, some folks will fill the pastor's head with so many compliments and praises to cause him to inadvertently puff up with self esteem. I used to be called "Steady Eddie" because of my (earlier) demeanor, maybe Rob should be called "Regular Rob" or something illiterating like that, because he does not easily succumb to the excessive negatives or positives; he walks the straight line of his call from God.
I love that in him. Another thing I love is the fact that he adheres to something that I learned a long time ago (but have had trouble applying) after taking a Dale Carnegie course: "Always give a person a good reputation in which to build himself up to" and "never criticize, complain or condemn." He treats all people, regardless of social stature, race, country of origin, or even religious perference with the same respect and determination to help them in their circumstances and to introduce them to Jesus.
The last thing I wanted to mention about Rob is that he is not an island. He never isolates himself from outside influence. It goes without saying that God has made his permanent mark on Rob. He permeates everything Rob does. Cindy is his backbone, his family is his love, and the people that surround him are is education. His desire to minister to people has a permanent orchestra that beats the rhythm endlessly.
I used to have a pastor friend that frequently said, "Whereever you are; there you are." Not too profound, but true. The funny think about legacies is that you can leave it at one place while taking it with you to another. Zoar Baptist Church will soon find what Rob has left with us.
How to Become Thankful
This past summer my family and I visited our relatives on Long Island, NY. As always we drove to the end of the island, just to revisit our old stomping grounds. In Calverton, about half way between Coram and Orient Point, we pass a turkey farm. Several hundred turkeys were roaming a large fenced in yard. They looked quite content walking around pecking the ground and each other. But my mind's eye went to the day of Thanksgiving. The yard was more than empty, it was stark.
Where did all the turkeys go? On the tables of celebrative folks like you and me. Some turkeys no doubt found their way to the half-way houses, shelters, and tables of those who couldn't afford $20 for just one part of a special meal. Around the world, turkeys are eaten and gratitude is given for the blessing receiving during the year. But how can people be so grateful if there are others who are starving and suffering? It seems almost selfish to do so.
The Bible says "...in everything give thanks..." (IThess.5:18). The key word here is "in everything", not "for everything". It's about attitude, not duty; about outward, not inward. People who are connected to God are apt to give thanks by giving to others because they remember God's blessings and look forward to his future blessings. It's all about God, so we give thanks to him. This is how we become thankful.
Where did all the turkeys go? On the tables of celebrative folks like you and me. Some turkeys no doubt found their way to the half-way houses, shelters, and tables of those who couldn't afford $20 for just one part of a special meal. Around the world, turkeys are eaten and gratitude is given for the blessing receiving during the year. But how can people be so grateful if there are others who are starving and suffering? It seems almost selfish to do so.
The Bible says "...in everything give thanks..." (IThess.5:18). The key word here is "in everything", not "for everything". It's about attitude, not duty; about outward, not inward. People who are connected to God are apt to give thanks by giving to others because they remember God's blessings and look forward to his future blessings. It's all about God, so we give thanks to him. This is how we become thankful.
Just How Far Would You Go?
By now you've no doubt heard about the "balloon boy" hoax. It's been revealed that Richard Heene and his family put together this hoax to publicize a wannabe reality show. Robert Thomas, an associate of Heene's, helped him plan the publicity stunt earlier in the year. They were both so obsessed with becoming famous and getting the science-based reality show aired that they were ready to do almost anything that would bring attention to their project. Little did they know that the hoax would come crashing down around them. Possible fines and even imprisonment are looming, pending court decisions on the matter.
Several years ago, I read about a Christian family who set up their trailer in New Bern hoping to become residents. The Sun Journal, however, reported that the father was abusing his child by chaining up his son all day in the hot sun without the benefit of food or water. When the authorities asked this man why he did it, he merely replied, "God told me to do this to my child." Many people thought of this man as perpetrating a hoax by telling everyone that he followed the Lord's leading.
Psychologists will tell you that it is natural and somewhat common for people to want to leave a legacy after they are gone. The problem with this is that some people become so obsessed with gaining fame, fortune and recognition for their actions or project, that they miss the point of a God-given life. Like the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10.
Okay, so humility is an appropriate word to insert here. If some people possessed a bit more humility, we might be better off. What does Jesus say about humility? In a teaching to the multitudes, and in direct contrast to scribes, Pharisees and other hyprocites, Jesus said "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." (Matt 23:12) So, the lesson here is that we gain much more by being humble. Not by lording it over others. Not by glory seeking. Not by devising a hoax. Not by pretending to be what we are not.
Today, it seems, there are far too many people that are neither humble nor gracious. Just how far would you go to make you or your project known? Better yet, how far would you go to become humble? A little bit of humility never hurt anyone.
"...learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart..." --Jesus, Matt. 11.29
Several years ago, I read about a Christian family who set up their trailer in New Bern hoping to become residents. The Sun Journal, however, reported that the father was abusing his child by chaining up his son all day in the hot sun without the benefit of food or water. When the authorities asked this man why he did it, he merely replied, "God told me to do this to my child." Many people thought of this man as perpetrating a hoax by telling everyone that he followed the Lord's leading.
Psychologists will tell you that it is natural and somewhat common for people to want to leave a legacy after they are gone. The problem with this is that some people become so obsessed with gaining fame, fortune and recognition for their actions or project, that they miss the point of a God-given life. Like the abundant life that Jesus talks about in John 10:10.
Okay, so humility is an appropriate word to insert here. If some people possessed a bit more humility, we might be better off. What does Jesus say about humility? In a teaching to the multitudes, and in direct contrast to scribes, Pharisees and other hyprocites, Jesus said "Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." (Matt 23:12) So, the lesson here is that we gain much more by being humble. Not by lording it over others. Not by glory seeking. Not by devising a hoax. Not by pretending to be what we are not.
Today, it seems, there are far too many people that are neither humble nor gracious. Just how far would you go to make you or your project known? Better yet, how far would you go to become humble? A little bit of humility never hurt anyone.
"...learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart..." --Jesus, Matt. 11.29