Dear Church Family,

It’s time for my periodic, random installment of Random Thoughts of Pastor Lane! In no particular order …

If I was coming to your house for a visit, what kinds of things would you do to get ready for the visit? Those are the same kinds of things you and I should be doing at the church to get ready for guests every single Sunday.

Why do we park in a driveway and drive on a parkway?

I wish there was a news source that was unbiased politically. I would like to just know all the facts and draw my own conclusions about them, rather than be fed only what a biased reporter or editor wanted me to know.

If I try to fail, and succeed, which have I done?

Who really replaced Judas as an apostle, Matthias or Paul? And depending on your answer, does that mean that there were actually 14 apostles?

There is a dread in my heart when I realize that the presidential election is almost 2 years away and yet it is already making headlines. We’ll probably start seeing political ads and getting 36 mailouts a day before this summer. Even so Lord Jesus, quickly come!

My son got engaged this past weekend. They really are a great couple, made for each other. Very gratifying.

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4

I think every person in the church should be required to verify some kind of outreach that they’re doing. It is, after all, the most basic calling that Jesus gave to every single one of His followers. No exceptions. No excuses.

Is it just me, or does everyone get stuck at all 2143 red lights on Abercorn? Every. Single. One. Every. Time.

Preaching is a strange event. You’re up there telling people, “Thus says the Lord,” all the while you’re keenly aware of your own imperfections.

It’s interesting how followers of Jesus refuse to forgive. It’s primarily God’s gift to them, not the person who did wrong. Not to mention, think of how much God forgave us of.

March Madness is upon us! I love filling out those brackets, but I don’t know why – I’m terrible at it and always have half my teams eliminated after the first weekend!

We have so many inspirational people at IBC! They have every reason to not be here, yet their commitment to Christ and His Church compels them to stay faithful! God, send us more like them.

Even if the pessimist is ultimately right, the optimist had a much better time on the trip!

I don’t care what you say, dad jokes are funny!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Lane

A few random thoughts concerning our church family that are on my mind today.

Easter
However, studies have shown time and again that around 90% of unchurched people would willingly go to a church service if they were invited. That’s where you and I come in. That’s where our planning for Easter 8 weeks early comes in. My question to you: who will you invite? Who do you know that does not regularly attend a Bible-believing church? God put you in their lives for a reason. And one simple way to begin making a difference is to invite them to IBC on what I would call an “elevated excuse to invite” Sunday. Easter. 

So let me encourage you to do 2 things that are very simple. First, think of someone in your area who is lost, unchurched, or doesn’t attend any Bible-believing church regularly. Anyone. Family, neighbor, fellow student or co-worker, friend, whoever. Second, begin right now to pray for them and keep praying for them until at least Easter Sunday. That’s it. Think of them. Pray for them. Then let’s see what God begins to do!

Lent
By the time you read this, Ash Wednesday will be a week or less away. Lent commences on that day. Lent is the observance of the 40 days that Christ spent in the wilderness before He began His public ministry. Today, one of the traditions of Lent is the giving up of something of value in much the same way that Jesus fasted those 40 days. It could be certain foods, hobbies, electronics, or any number of things that we enjoy any other time of the year.

Many faith traditions are well-known for observing Lent. Southern Baptists are not one of them. However, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be meaningful if you chose to observe it. I want to encourage in 2 areas if you choose to observe Lent this year. First, pray about what the Lord would have you give up. Since this is for Him and in recognition of His abstinence from food, seek Him on what would please Him in doing this. And second, don’t just give up something; replace it. Take the time you would use doing the forsaken thing, and instead spend it in praying to Him, acknowledging Him as the
Supplier of all your needs.

Hospitality Ministry
The unsung hero of church growth, health, and fellowship is its hospitality ministry. In traditional churches its importance is vastly underrated, but in growing churches it is given prominent attention. We had a thriving hospitality ministry before the pandemic, with a good number of trained volunteers, and you could tell the difference it made. Since the interruption known as Covid, this ministry has not re-emerged. One of the reasons for this is that we are in need of a volunteer(s) to lead it. I have developed a job description that clearly outlines what it would take for someone to be successful, and I will work with and train the person who volunteers. Could that person be you? Do you want to make an eternal difference in your church and help to change people’s lives for the better? This may be for you. If interested, I would love to hear from you.

See you Sunday!
Pastor Lane