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