I read a lot. It doesn’t matter what it is, books, magazines, or blogs. One of the things I have noticed recently is a real anger and extreme words used to describe the right and wrong way to lead a church, experience worship, or anything else associated with the church.

I get very upset when people bash a church (local). I get upset when people bash the Church (universal). The easiest thing to do is stand back and yell, scream, write, or type bashings. My experience with most people (not all) is they have not personally read any of the writings, talked to the leaders personally, or visited the church and the services to get a more rounded picture of why a particular church is shaped the way they are shaped . Some of the loudest, most angry, and mean things are spewed by people who are not affiliated in any way with the church in question.

I am probably naive, but lets work to make the place God has placed us all He desires us to be, rather than running down what someone else is doing. God is big enough to handle His church.

I am thankful that FBCSmyrna is a place where people are striving to follow the Lord with everything that is within them. There is such a unity that is evident and present in our body. We are not perfect. We are not like a lot of other churches. We are always seeking the Lord for His direction for the church. We are not the only church in our town, nor or we the church for everyone. But, I am so thankful that God is using FBCSmyrna to reach people who are far from Himself.

I have been told before that attacks from the outside make you stronger and more united and attacks from within will divide and destroy unity. I ask you to pray for our church and our pastoral and lay leadership that we will only do what God calls us to do for His kingdom and if we are doing something He doesn’t desire we will hear His voice (not someone else’s) and obey. I thank the Lord for the church He has called me to and allowed me to be a part of for His glory.