The Woodmont Word

E-Newsletter

A Family of Faith on Mission

May 2015

From the Pastor

Tim Allen Speaks of the "Evil Within"

In 1997, the highest-rated prime time show in ABC's repertoire was, "Home Improvement" starring Tim Allen. Allen is incredibly funny. But in real life, his teen years were not so funny. He was busted in Kalamazoo for selling cocaine and spent 28 months in prison. As he looks back on that time now, he says, "I'm not a changed man. I'm an ex-convict. I know the evil in me, and I know the good in me."

How profoundly wise of him! Within each one of us there is great potential for either direction, or the decisions you make in life will send you in one direction or another. It is Christ's will to help you win over yourself and become what God created you to be.

Jesus helps us be our "good" selves. In fact, He gives "another" self. We were predestined to be conformed to His image. That is, the image of Jesus. As we renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2) we are changed by that process to resemble Jesus. If you are like me, you might often wonder how anything you might do or say would resemble the master. Well, it is impossible in your own strength. But with Jesus and His love we are changed. Every now and then, His Spirit peeks through and helps us. He nudges us in the right direction. He shouts to us of our sinful condition and need for Him. He comes along beside and loves us... like no one has ever loved us before. We are loved... and we become those who love others.

I love you,

Jerry Rea

Thompson's Text

"Where there is no vision the people perish..." Proverbs 29:18

For the past several weeks I have been reading several books on the topic of VISION. I have read "The Power of Vision" by George Barna and "Visioneering - God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision" by Andy Stanley to name a few. My heart has been burdened by the need for the church, church leaders, and for me (Steve Thompson) to catch a new and fresh vision from the Lord. The message of Christ never changes, but the methods of reaching people with the Gospel are always changing. We most certainly do not do church or ministry the way we did them 100 years ago, 50 years ago, or even 25 years ago. Our culture and society and values are changing rapidly every year. What has worked in the past may not work today to reach this new generation for Christ.

In Barna's book he has a chapter called "Myths That Mar Vision". Myth #6 states - "Real vision protects the church from risk. - The reality is that risk is a natural and unavoidable outgrowth of vision." He goes on to say that when he speaks to ministers about vision, he tells them right off: "Don't even attempt to do ministry until vision, God's vision, is in place."

Barna also has a chapter on "VISION KILLERS." He mentions TRADITION - "But we have never done it that way before." FEAR - Vision requires change and change often means breaking out of our comfort zones and ruts. STEREOTYPES - A preconception of people or conditions of what is rather what can be. COMPLACENCY - "It doesn't matter what we do, God will bless our efforts." This is a prescription for half-baked, half blessed ministry results. God does care what we do. SHORT TERM THINKING - Cashing in our resources for quick benefits. We can often "deplete the past to enjoy the present at the expense of the future."

Andy Stanley's book has a number of great insights into the concept of gaining a vision from the Lord. He refers to the building blocks that God uses as he has used in leaders like Nehemiah and Moses. I will share some of these in next month's article.

Seeking a renewed and fresh vision from Him,

Steve

Reese's Pieces

Singing children's choir Last Sunday night, a delightful mess of kids, ages 4 to 12, climbed up on the stage at Woodmont's East Campus auditorium and achieved something pretty remarkable. They delivered an hour's worth of spiritually nourishing entertainment and ministry. And they seemed to have a really good time doing it. Imagine that!

Of course, this accomplishment would not have been possible without a handful of saintly and boundlessly patient adults who were willing to guide and instruct these young performers toward their finished product. It also would not have been possible without a stellar group of parents who supported the program, taxied their kids back and forth to rehearsals, and made sure their charges were where they needed to be, when they needed to be there, and wearing the right, clean tee shirt on the day of the musical. Everyone involved is to be commended, and so is every audience member who showed up to say, "I believe in what you are doing here; it is important."

Colorful Music Symbols 2 And it is. I'm a big believer in the arts and, like many others, I become concerned and disheartened when school programs are cut or simply not supported. If you aren't convinced that fine arts are crucial, just Google the benefits of music in education. Research has shown time and time again that music heightens language development, improves spatial-temporal skills which aid in problem solving, improves test scores, and provides an excellent workout for the brain...and that's just naming a few! The combination of singing, listening, and moving has a profoundly beneficial effect on children as they progress into more advanced learning.

If all this were not enough, we in music ministry know that participation in a church children's choir also helps kids build spiritual foundations and hide God's Word in their hearts...and I think we can all agree on the obvious benefit of that. In addition, choirs, and even more so musicals, create a unique environment of working together, in concert, and harmoniously. I've often used the choir as a metaphor for the Body of Christ, as each member contributes his or her own gift to the beautiful whole.

When I attend one of our Kids' Choir musicals, I can't help but think back to the little country church of my childhood. I was one of only seven or eight children there, of various ages--not exactly an ideal cast for a Kids' musical. Even if it were, there was no budget, slim resources, and not enough gifted volunteers to pull off a production of much magnitude. Instead of having a children's choir, we were lined up in front of the congregation a few times a year and sang simple songs we'd learned in Sunday School. Some of these songs had hand motions, and we thought those were super cool. Never could we have imagined anything the scale of what takes place on the East Campus stage of Woodmont Baptist Church every spring. What a gift that is!...a gift that should not be taken for granted.

So, again, I say a heartfelt Thank You to the under-appreciated who are undoubtedly still recovering. Directors, Parents, Kids: It's worth the trouble.

Kevin

Hess's Headlines

I have good news and I have bad news. First of all the good news: God still speaks and is faithful to lead His people, and has called me to a different position to serve Him in our community. The bad news is that this means that as of July, I will no longer be the student minister at Woodmont Baptist. My new role will be the campus pastor at Shoals Christian School. This new role will include teaching the High School Bible courses, facilitating a new Christian Leadership Institute, and serving in various other roles. I cannot begin to thank Woodmont enough for all you mean in my life. You have been a part of my life since I was a 13 year old kid in the hollers of Eastern Kentucky where you found me and a few years later would rescue me. Special thanks for the Daughertys and the barn. This opportunity to serve on staff here for the past nine years has been an absolute honor and joy. Just as Shoals Christian is a ministry of Woodmont, any success the Lord allows me to have will be a direct result of the role Woodmont has played in my life over the past 15 years.

Please allow me to clear up rumors before they get started. First of all, I am not mad or unhappy about anything at all. I was not, nor have I ever, looked for a new job. Over the years when various opportunities have been presented, Janna and I would pray about each of them and follow the Lord's leading. I believe the Lord has opened this door and has called me to serve in a new place. Secondly, I am not leaving the ministry. My undergraduate degree is in education and then, thanks to help from Woodmont, I was able to finish seminary. This position will allow me to utilize both of these degrees. There will be plenty of new ministry opportunities as I teach and serve at Shoals Christian; and I will also look to pursue my doctoral degree during this time. Plus, I will be able to preach and fill-in from time to time as the Lord allows. As Janna and I look toward the potential of having a family one day, if the Lord blesses us in that way, it has become clear to me that I will need a change of schedule. My nights will need to be spent with my family as I continue to try to love Janna as Christ loves the church. The final rumor to address is one that says I am taking this job to plant a church in the area. The Lord has not led me to plant a church or pastor a church at this time. My prayer has always been that if the Lord would move me, He would move to a place that could not be seen as conflict to Woodmont. The last thing that I would ever want to do is hurt this church in any way. Since the Lord has called me elsewhere, it would hurt Woodmont if I stayed.

It is important that I thank each of the staff, especially Brother Jerry. Brother Jerry and I came on staff the same year, 2006. Brother Jerry has been a constant encouragement, a father figure, and I thank him for allowing me to serve alongside him. To the rest of the staff, I love each of you and thank the Lord for allowing me to learn from you and serve alongside you. To the church, I thank each of you for the impact you have made on me, the prayers that have carried me over the years, and the support and love you have shown me. Most importantly, I thank you for how you have cared for and treated my wife Janna. I want to especially thank each of you for your kindness and support during the unexpected loss of my father. A special thanks to all of the adult members that have helped serve in the youth and college department over the years. Finally let me say a special thanks to the students! Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your lives! You have taught me, accepted me, and have been a great example of Christ. Please do not think I am rejecting you, but instead please see that I am following the Lord. Janna and I are excited to be staying in the Shoals area and we hope to be a part of Woodmont in the future. Please continue to pray that the Lord would use me to make disciples for His glory!

In Christ,

Chad Hess

Children's Ministry

I recently read an article about the church nursery; it is a place where lives intermingle and helps me remember what it was like being a new mom. I forgot how physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting it can be being a new mom. As lives intermingle we see who has new grand babies, who has taken on the role of parenting a grandchild. Whether we are new mamas or we are starting over raising grandchildren, the struggles are real. This Sunday we will be busy matching diaper bags with name tags, also trying to decide who is supposed to take a nap, whose hair clip got pulled out, and which baby is the culprit of the odor. So for that one hour on Sunday mornings, we are giving those moms a chance to relax and listen to God's word. "Older women... are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children" Titus 2:3 & 4. We can always use some more people to serve in the nursery. It is not about just rocking babies, but it is life changing.

Denise

Singles Ministry