Sat, Apr 22nd - 7:13AM
THE TEST OF PROVING HIS FAITHFULNESS IN GOD'S WORK
THE TEST OF PROVING HIS FAITHFULNESS IN GOD'S WORK
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil (I Timothy 3:6).
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office...(I Timothy 3:10).
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things...(11 Corinthians 8:22).
The Scriptures show that churches must be careful in ordination. Men should demonstrate their zeal and faithfulness BEFORE being ordained for special service, not BY the ordination. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy, Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men s sins: keep thyself pure (I Timothy 5:22). In other words, Timothy was warned to be very cautious about ordaining men to positions of leadership. The entire context of! Timothy 5: 17-25 concerns leaders in the church. If a congregation fails to prove men before ordination, it becomes partaker of the evil deeds of the unqualified leaders. By laying on of hands, those performing the ordination are testifying publicly that they are convinced God has called the person being ordained. They are identifying themselves with that person. If the church makes a mistake because of hastiness and failure to prove the person by God's standards, they become partakers of the sins of the man wrongly ordained.
It is no light thing to take a position of a leader in God's church. A Scripture already quoted warns, My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (James 3:1). Greater responsibility means greater
judgment. The leader must answer to God, not only for his own life and family, but also for his entire congregation or sphere of ministry, whatever it might involve. Even the unbelievers in the community observe church leaders', lives closely and judge Christ and the Bible by these men. Have you ever heard someone say, "What is so special about the church and Christianity? Even the pastors are hypocrites?"
Individuals and churches must be cautious and not exercise haste in these matters. Let a man prove himself faithful in the church as a servant of God and manifest an unmistakable divine call to the Ministry before being ordained.
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Fri, Apr 21st - 7:17AM
The Call Of The Pastor
The following tests are from the Bible and can help a man determine if God is calling him to be a pastor. By these tests churches also can examine men who might express interest in being pastor.
THE TEST OF DESIRE
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work (I Timothy 3: 1).
The verse speaks of a strong, compelling desire, a compulsion. Paul speaks of such compulsion in I Corinthians 9:16 when he says, .. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
Those in Israel who did the work of building the tabernacle were men whose hearts stirred them up, to come unto the work to do it (Exodus 36:2). Even so, the men who are to lead the churches must be men whose hearts have been divinely stirred for this great task.
This desire will not be just a passing interest; it will be a passion, a powerful, divine summons to the ministry. It has been said, and rightly so, that if a man can refrain easily from preaching and being a church leader or missionary, he should. Why? Because God's call to such a ministry is attended by a powerful, unmistakable summons. You see this in God's call to the prophets (consider Jeremiah chapter one, for example) and in His call to the Apostles (consider Acts chapter nine). And since it is the same God who gives pastors to the churches, we can expect Him to call in just this same positive, clear way.
A man might say no to God's call, as Jonah did (temporarily), but he will not mistake the call or ignore it lightly. C.H. Spurgeon, in addressing his men in the Pastor's College warned, "If any student in this room could be content to be a newspaper editor, or a grocer, or a farmer, or a doctor, or a lawyer, or a senator, or a king, in the name of heaven and earth let him go his way. If on the other hand, you can say that for all the wealth of both the Indies you could not and dare not espouse any other calling so as to be put aside from preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, then, depend upon it, if other things be equally satisfactory, you have the signs of this apostleship. "
One of the great problems in churches today is leaders who have not been called of God. Alas, there are many who have been called by churches, or by organizations, or by relatives, or called by their own selfinterest - but who have not been called by the Lord of the Harvest. This is a very serious matter, for the Bible warns, My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (James 3:1). In spite of this warning, great numbers of men who lack evidence of a divine gift and all continue to usurp the positions of leadership in churches and Christian organizations.
Click Here to read the rest of the Article
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Mon, Feb 20th - 10:22AM
ENROLL TODAY for the Spring Semister
Through the conviction and leadership of the Holy Spirit,Crossroad Baptist Church has started a Christian College. Crossroad Baptist Bible College (CBBC) is dedicated to the principle that the local church is God's organization for the equipping of the preacher and the layman alike for the work of the ministry It is our effort to train the lives of individuals to better serve our Lord, to help instill in their lives convictions concerning the Bible, salvation, holy living, the authority of the local church, separation from the world to Christ, and to invest our lives in preparation for His coming.
We are under a divine directive to commit to others those things that have been committed to us. We, at the Crossroad Baptist Bible College, are trying to fulfill these things, with God's divine help. The education offered is for the training of full time Christian workers, but is also encouraged for the lay person as well - anyone who wants to have a better working knowledge of the Word of God. For others who simply want to further their Bible knowledge for the purpose of service in the local church, we offer a less demanding laymen's program
We are living in a world of constant change. It is a blessing to know that we offer to you a learning institution that is standing firm on the unchanging Book. Crossroad Bible College is distinctively Baptist in theology and practice. We believe the Bible is able to fully meet the needs of every individual. We do not apologize for the "faith once delivered to the saints." If you desire to be trained to better serve the Lord as a layman or to prepare for a full-time ministry, you should consider Crossroad Bible College
The Purpose
The purpose of the Crossroad Bible College is to teach men and women the Word of God while allowing them to continue serving in their local churches. We understand that many people may not have had the opportunity or ability to go away to a Christian college, and our burden is to provide a place where they can receive a quality and affordable post-high school Christian education. What better place to learn the fundamentals of the faith than at a fundamental Independent Baptist Church?
Has God called you into the ministry as a pastor, missionary, or a youth leader? Do you have the desire to work as a church secretary, Sunday School teacher, or bus worker? Do you want to increase your ability to serve the Lord in your daily life? Are you willing to become a soul winner for Christ Jesus? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Crossroad Bible College is the place for you either on Campus or Online or by Email! Began by filling out the online Application
College is $175.00 per year if pay in full or pay $20.00 per month!
Enroll Now
Rev. Daniel Thrower, President
Crossroads Bible College
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Mon, Feb 20th - 10:09AM
Being The Second Man
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Being The Second Man
Rev. Daniel Thrower
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The Lord never called me to pastor a Church. But He did call me to serve as an Assoc. Pastor ( The Second Man). I have serve in this area of the Ministry since I was Ordain in 1975. Being the Second Man is one of the greatest fields a person can become. Take a look at the watch you are wearing, What do you see? You see the face, this is the pastor now think about the part that you do not see, (the parts that make the watch run) this is the second man. Without the working parts the watch could now run. The Second Man is always in the background helping the Pastor to do his job and helping the church to run smoothly. Even tho the Second Man does not get much recognization he is doing a vital part of God's work and keeping the Pastor lifted up.
Here is a article I came across that will help explain the job of the Second Man better.
Helping to lead a church can be easier when you're the senior pastor than if you're serving in a subordinate role. As a "second chair leader," you may have lots of good ideas and plenty of enthusiasm, but not much power or authority.
That doesn't mean you can't successfully influence your church for the better, though. In fact, you can help improve your church at every level through wise leadership, even when you're not in charge.
Here's how you can lead well while serving in a subordinate role:
* Develop strong relationships. Realize that your primary strength as a leader won't come from your job position, but from the relationships you build with others throughout your church. Work to build relationships marked by trust and respect. Expect that your influence with other people will help you add value to your church as a whole. Know that your contributions as a leader are vital to help your church perform well.
* Deal with the subordinate-leader paradox. Manage your relationships well. Understand that your church's senior pastor is not your adversary. Know that you can accomplish a great deal if you work together well. Understand the line that defines which decisions you can make without consulting the senior pastor, which ones require his approval, and which you shouldn't even approach on your own. Earn the senior pastor's trust and work with him as a team player. Support him through your loyalty and encouragement. Keep him informed of all significant issues or undertakings as they come up.
* Deal with the deep-wide paradox. Manage your work habits well. Recognize that, while your specific role in the church is likely narrower and deeper than that of the senior pastor, you still need to have a broad, organization-wide perspective. So you need to balance the details of your job assignment with the big picture of all that's taking place at your church. Understand that you can't make isolated changes that won't affect the status quo at your church; a change in one aspect of your church will ripple through the rest of it. Ask lots of "why?" and "what if?" questions to gain a more complete understanding of your church's organizational dynamics. Always think of the congregation's needs ahead of any specific tasks. Try to identify gaps that aren't being addressed by others and consider how you can help fill them without being unduly intrusive.
* Identify opportunities every day. Be on the lookout for opportunities to cultivate influence in your church. Nurture your relationships with others there to earn credibility with them. Pray regularly for the ability to make wise decisions. Be patient, consistent, and persistent as you go about your daily work. Try to step back from every problem and view it through the lens of leadership, keeping your church's overall needs in mind. Maximize opportunities you have to be part of the solution, such as when an important decision needs to be made, a new ministry initiative launched, or a voice of faith is required in a time of crisis. Have the courage to make difficult decisions, and don't back down from what's right, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
* Embrace the right attitudes. Submit to God's ultimate authority in your life. Pursue service, being willing to help out even when it's inconvenient or when the task isn't something you want to do. Be thankful for your church, the people in it, and the opportunities you have to work for God's kingdom. Be honest. Give your best to every task you undertake, working with passion toward the goal of excellence.
* Be a team player. View all your fellow church workers - staff members and lay volunteers alike - as equally vital parts of a team working toward the common goal of what's best for your church. Be selective about the issues you comment on. When you do speak, be affirming, offering two positive and encouraging comments for every one criticism. Be unselfish, considering the needs of your church and coworkers and making sure that your recommendations don't always benefit you. Be discreet about when and where you criticize others; try to do so in private, one-on-one meetings. Be constructive when you share ideas. Be as involved as possible in working toward solutions you recommend.
* Take the pulse of others in your church. On a regular basis, get to know what other people in your congregation are thinking and feeling.
* Amplify your church's vision. Although the senior pastor is the one who primarily casts the vision, you can repeat, clarify, and reinforce it.
* Multiply leaders. Make it an ongoing priority to identify and recruit other leaders who can help achieve the vision.
* Fill gaps. Be prepared to fill gaps when there is no other leader who can serve in critical roles. |
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Mon, Jan 16th - 11:52AM
A Message From The President Of Crossroads Baptist Bible College
 Welcome!
The opportunity to study and prepare yourself for ministry without leaving your home, your job, and your church is a God given reality. If you live in are around Roxboro (Person County) North Carolina you are welcome to study on Campus
Crossroads Baptist Bible College provides an external academic program that is adaptable to your routine of life. Major concentrations are available in theology, pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, evangelism, missions, youth ministry, and music theory. Imagine that... studying and preparing yourself for ministry from the convenience of your home!
You will be thrilled to know that the financial requirement for studying through our Bible College is very affordable. Moreover, you will find that we have assembled a realistic and rewarding approach to off campus academics. With the Bible as our primary textbook and the Holy Spirit as the guiding influence, you will find yourself encouraged to follow God's will with your life.
Theology - The study of God's Word is foundational and essential to an effective ministry. This requires a sound curriculum in Bible and theological studies to achieve this goal. Our theology track provides an exhaustive exposition beginning with Genesis and continuing through Revelation. Rightly Dividing God's Word is the essential objective of our theology track. This biblically based objective is essential to nurturing the disciplines that are necessary for Bible exposition.
Missiology Prospective students who feel called to ministry will find our missiology track to be the challenge they need to equip them for an effective ministry. This track will provide you with courses that will prepare you for the role that God has called you to. Our missiology track offers courses in the field of Pastoral Ministry, Biblical Counseling, Evangelism, Missions, Youth Ministry, and Music Theory.
Choose Your Minor
Ministry » This minor provides training for pastoral and evangelistic ministry. Includes instruction in pastoral ministry, management, basic counseling, the preparation and construction of sermons, worship leadership, and church-planting, while providing practical experience in sermon delivery.
Youth Ministry » This minor is designed to equip students to minister to teenagers and young adults in local church and community settings. Courses cover a variety of topics including youth culture, evangelism and discipleship, teenage development, ministering to parents, counseling, programming, preaching, and staff management.
Missions » Designed to provide the knowledge and skills required to be an effective missionary in a foreign land and culture, through such courses as Missionary Ministry, Cults and World Religions, Cultures and Customs, Missionary Life and Basic Christian Counseling.
Christian Education » Students are taught how to organize and administer a church Christian education/ children's ministry department and how to prepare Vacation Bible School and youth camp programs.
We are living in a world of constant change. It is a blessing to know that we offer to you a learning institution that is standing firm on the unchanging Book. Crossroad Bible College is distinctively Baptist in theology and practice. We believe the Bible is able to fully meet the needs of every individual. We do not apologize for the "faith once delivered to the saints." If you desire to be trained to better serve the Lord as a layman or to prepare for a full-time ministry, you should consider Crossroad Bible College
The Purpose
The purpose of the Crossroad Bible College is to teach men and women the Word of God while allowing them to continue serving in their local churches. We understand that many people may not have had the opportunity or ability to go away to a Christian college, and our burden is to provide a place where they can receive a quality and affordable post-high school Christian education. What better place to learn the fundamentals of the faith than at a fundamental Independent Baptist Church?
Has God called you into the ministry as a pastor, missionary, or a youth leader? Do you have the desire to work as a church secretary, Sunday School teacher, or bus worker? Do you want to increase your ability to serve the Lord in your daily life? Are you willing to become a soul winner for Christ Jesus? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Crossroad Bible College is the place for you either on Campus or Online or by mail! Began by filling out the online application
In Christ's service,
Rev. Daniel Thrower, President
Crossroad Baptist Bible College
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Name: Rev. Daniel Thrower
