Let's face it. Like many organizations will tell you from all over our city, state, nation and world, a lot has changed in the last three and a half years. What an understatement, right? Just the pandemic alone caused every non-profit and church to reconsider much of its underlying structure, not only programmatically but also theologically and practically, too. All of the health, social, political, economic and religious shifts of the last few years have sparked much needed conversation about the need for change--change, not just for change's sake, but relevant change necessary to foster creativity and reawaken vitality found in the stated vision of one's organization. Churches that chose to revisit God's purpose and vision for their communities found themselves available to Jesus in order to effect necessary ministry, outreach and community--not only during the pandemic but post-pandemic as well. Like everyone else, these churches grieved what was lost during the numerous months of COVID lockdown (in-person worship, fellowship, shared friendships) but decided (albeit consciously or subconsciously) to forge ahead with the faith that God was doing a "new thing" in congregations. They believed wholeheartedly that to jump on board with God's agenda was the obedient and best thing to do. It still is and will always be so.
In other words, these congregations were living out the following truth from the heart of God, prophesied through Isaiah: "Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it. I am preparing a way through the desert; Waters will flow where there had been none" (Isa. 43:19, The Voice). And here's the thing--God's always up to doing a new thing! We must remember that as people of faith we believe and rely upon God's Word. Since we trust Paul's words in Romans 8:28, we must then conclude that any global health/social/economic changes were (and are) simply new opportunities for the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into dry bones (think Ezekiel's vision in chapter 37 of this prophetic Bible book). Therefore, after working through the grief of all that was lost during the pandemic, many decided to make the most of what God gave them and gratefully offered themselves to the Lord by sacrificing their time, talents and treasures. Why? Well, they wanted to create, restructure and rebuild current and new ministries alike. Churches that adapted new technologies found new ways to connect with familiar and new faces and others stepped out of the box to encounter the Spirit at work through innovative strategies for safe, compassionate homebound care and outreach. Churches that chose not to adapt suffered, not only numerically but also in lack of spiritual energy and vision; but, those who did embrace necessary change experienced a renewal unlike they'd seen in decades.
I'm humbled and grateful to say that United Baptist experienced everything I've just shared (and more) both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. What I've witnessed over these last three and a half years as your pastor inspires me even more to preach, teach and exhort the power of Christ's Holy Spirit among God's people! Though we experienced grief and loss, not only in the ways I've mentioned already but also through sickness and death, the legacy of those who've gone before us almost seemed to urge us to keep going, to keep our eyes on Jesus, and to always keep our purpose at the forefront (to know Jesus and to make Jesus known). This spiritual boost over the last three years continues to inspire our entire congregation as we've welcomed eight new families since December 2022. Praise Jesus! It's not just that God sent us eight new families, it's that God sent us eight new families whose kindness, humility and willingness to serve make them such welcomed additions to the body of Christ here at United Baptist. And it's this "family feel", that familial connection, that makes us who we are. As we often say on Sunday mornings, "We don't have guests at this church, only newcomers to our family." That's not just a trite quip, that's what we believe--from the heart! Furthermore, as God moves us into the last quarter of 2023, we're all excited about the spiritual opportunities we have for growth through discipleship, worship, fellowship, ministry and outreach. We must continue to pause long enough to listen to what Jesus wants us to hear, and we must continue to walk forward to complete the tasks of ministry that God has laid out for us, in order that the left out, the forgotten, the hopeless and struggling might know that they are not alone on this corner of Bethania-Rural Hall Rd. and Murray Rd.
So, as we continue to traverse God's path into the last three months of this year and into 2024, why would anyone in the community want to be a part of the UBC family? What's unique about our congregation that others in our neck of the woods would be curious about? How is United Baptist poised to be Jesus' hands and feet to our neighbors not just in the present, but for the foreseeable future as well?
In essence we are asking ourselves: Why UBC?
Here are three reasons why I believe United Baptist Church is a great fit for both members and yet-to-be members alike.
1. God loves small churches, and so do we.
Karl Vaters, a small church pastor and Christian author writes: "Over 90% of the churches in the world have less than 200 people in them. 80% of them have fewer than 100. What if smallness is an advantage God wants to us, not a problem we need to fix? It's not about wanting churches to be small, it's about wanting small churches to be great!" I love this quote, don't you?!? God designed United Baptist 32 years ago (Happy Birthday to us this month!) to be a vital, healthy church on this corner, small in size but extremely big in heart! Our goal is to function like the actors in the 80s TV sitcom, Cheers: We must be a place where everybody knows your name and we're always glad you came (and our troubles are all the same). This means that on Sunday mornings, our amazing greeters, ushers and laypeople alike notice new faces and demonstrate an intentional, welcoming spirit of grace toward our newcomers. It means that we all find ways to involve our newcomers in our fellowship, in our ministries and in our outreach. It means we are serious about pursuing friendships with our newcomers while investing just as much time into the time-tested friendships we've valued for years at UBC. Small church also means someone can't be anonymous--this is such an important trait because when you're known, you know you belong! Jesus spent half of his ministry with a small group of people, not because he was exclusionary but because he was intentional about building ministries out of people who spent time together, worshiped together and experienced God's genuine love together (Rom. 12:9-21). I'll finish this section with Vaters quote of Lyle Schaller: "Churches have more in common by size than by their denomination, tradition, location, age, or any other single isolatable factor." At UBC, we view our small size as an asset, not as a liability. For the person who wants to know Jesus personally and belong to a group of people he/she can know authentically and consistently, United Baptist checks off this particular box.
2. We are Christ-centered, Bible-based and Ministry-focused.
The title of reason #3 is the motto of Campbell University Divinity School; I've adopted it through the years to describe the heart of who we are and aspire to be as a church. Everything we must do here must be interpreted through the lens of Jesus Christ. If what we say or do is not Christ-centered, we mustn't say or do it. Jesus is the foundation and transforming power of our lives and nothing matters more than glorifying Jesus and being used by the Savior as vessels for kindness, hope and reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-19). Christ is first in all we say and do and he will forever be our present focus. We also value God's revealed Word, Jesus, in and through the pages of Holy Scripture. The Bible is where we hear God's Word, read God's Word, study God's Word and are changed by God's Word. We value biblical preaching and teaching that flows from a theology built on Christ as our primary spiritual educator. When we memorize, study and meditate upon the biblical text we become more aware of God's will, our lives are formed by the Holy Spirit and our relationships bear the light of Christ's truth. Lastly, but definitely not least, we believe that each believer is called to serve Christ and all people. Our role is not to judge who can and cannot be served; our blessing is to care for all humanity while seeking to include them in the UBC family and welcome them into God's ever expanding Kingdom community on earth. Those searching for a church that highly values a Christ-centered, Bible-based and ministry-focused approach to being Church will find United Baptist to be just what they're looking for.
3. We are intensely passionate about being on mission with God.
If a church is not excited about participating in God's Kingdom reign and rule here on earth, then it cannot in good conscience call itself a church. When I was interviewed to become pastor here over nineteen years ago, the search committee kept telling me that this church was a church on mission--it cares about meeting peoples' needs and generously giving to ministries that only care about Jesus' glory and helping the hungry, thirsty, poor and helpless. One thing I've always been able to prove is this church's keen desire to be on mission for the Lord. The passionate engine of our church is found in the hearts of those who not only meet for fellowship but use their fellowship to build community with those they serve. Our Living Touch Circle, Brotherhood, Sonshine Mission Group, Young at Heart, Sunday School classes, children and youth ministries, music ministry, food pantry, blessing box and our Clothes Closet ministry all are formed with the purpose of making a difference in the lives of others simply because Jesus made the biggest difference in each of their lives, too. Not only are our church members (regardless of age) active in missions activities, our church generously gives to support missionaries and missions efforts all over our city, state, nation and world. Over the years, we've sent gloves and socks to a church in NYC after Hurricane Sandy, we sent $5000 to help LeMoyne Baptist Church rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, sent socks for Christmas to a church in Angier, NC, and met needs through Samaritan's Ministries, Salem Pregnancy Care Center, Salvation Army, Crisis Control, Stepping Stones Homeless Ministry, CBF Hunger Fund, Second Harvest Food Bank, NC Baptist Men/WMU, Living Well Senior Center, Baptist hospital offering, Baptist Aging Ministries, NC Baptist Men, our Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings and helped the following missionaries: The O'Neals, Cecilia Beck, LaCount and Anna Anderson and Marc and Kim Wyatt (refugee ministry). Whew! Yes indeed--we're passionate about being on mission for God. Anyone who's looking for a small church with a big heart for Christ's mission work will find a home here at UBC.
So when someone you know is looking for a church home, or if someone simply needs a fellowship where they can be welcomed and belong, don't forget these three aforementioned responses to the question, "Why UBC?" When you and I know whose we are and who we are then each of us is better equipped to bless all those we meet in public as well as those who walk through our doors on Sunday morning. As we celebrate a month when we remember God's blessing to UBC through the legacy of our heavenly and earthly saints (All Saints Sunday, Oct. 29th), let us always be ready to have an answer for why UBC is God's church on this corner for a specific time and reason. I hope the responses above will help you share your love for UBC and perhaps even reignite your passion to serve during this last quarter of 2023 and beyond.
Why join the family at United Baptist Church? Because we’re small, we’re steadfast, and we’re sent. That’s why.
I'm so grateful and humbled to your Pastor, dear Church family. Let's keep being who we are: United Baptist Church!
Loving our small, mission-minded, Christ-centered, Bible-based and ministry-focused Church,
Pastor Will
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