GARBC 2010

I’m in Chicago, specifically Schaumburg, this week, at the Annual Conference for the General Association of Regular Baptists.  I’ll be blogging/twittering off and on throughout the conference for www.sharperiron.org.  If you would like to follow me on Twitter, you can follow @SharperIron.  The schedule for the conference can be found at http://garbcconference.org/?page_id=191. I’m looking forward to good preaching, making new friends, and seeing what the national GARBC is all about.  My family is with me as well, which makes this conference all the better.  The conference runs June 21-25 at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel in Schaumburg.

Have a good week!

Hello, Dalai!

The Dalai Lama, speaking at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, May 2010

On May 14th, I attended an event here in Indianapolis featuring a 75-year-old Tibetan watch repairman named Tenzin Gyatso. He is better known as the 14th Dalai Lama, the Buddhist spiritual leader of Tibet, who lives in exile in India. This was his second visit to Indianapolis; and, having just taught on Buddhism at Heather Hills, I decided to see first-hand what the Dalai Lama was all about.  There has always been a curious side of me in relation to people of fame, whether in religion, politics, sports, or entertainment.  I want to see beyond the mask.  This doesn’t always work out so well. For example, I remember when I was a pastoral intern in 1992, I went to a faith healing service with famed religious leader Ernest Angley. I made two mistakes: I took a video camera with me and…my mom.

What I Am Reading…The Priority of Preaching by Christopher Ash

I have accumulated a number of books from recent conferences and am trying to read at least one per week.  All of the books are excellent and timely; however, one has stood out among the rest so far.  It’s The Priority of Preaching by Christopher Ash of The Proclamation Trust.  This is one of those books that is difficult to put down.  It is probably more interesting for a preacher than a listener, but I think it has much value for both.  The 128-page book is structured in three large chapters: The Authority of the Preached Word, Preaching that Transforms the Church, and Preaching that Mends a Broken World–all based expositionally out of the book of Deuteronomy. Here is the outline of the first chapter:

Strategic Ministry Planning and Implementation

One of the first things I led as pastor at Heather Hills was strategic ministry planning.  Now, I know some people don’t like this sort of thing because they think we are limiting God or putting or plans before what God may have for us.  I understand that sentiment and logic; however, I believe both in God’s sovereignty as well as careful planning.  Throughout the process, we constantly went to the Lord in prayer, asking Him to direct us, give us wisdom and show us if we were on the wrong track.  Even now, in our second year of our ministry plan–the result of that initial process–we regularly ask God to show us if we are pursuing a path He does not desire for our church.  We believe in the sovereignty of God (Proverbs 19:21; 21:31; Zechariah 4:6; John 15:5).  The Church is His Church.  Jesus purchased her with His blood; it belongs to Him. We are His bride.

Wading Back In

My daughter Christina at Lake Erie

Well, it’s been nearly 2 years since I became the senior pastor at Heather Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  For most of that time, I have chosen not to blog regularly.  Frankly, I needed a break from blogging.  I got into blogging when it was “trendy” a few years back and really enjoyed the opportunity to interact with people I had never met from all over the country on a wide variety of subjects.

There was also a compulsion to speak. 

Live Blogging at T4G!

Check out my twitter account (@bmccrorie) for live blogging of the general sessions at the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, April 13-15.

God was there.

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. (Psalm 69:1-3, NIV)

These words pretty well summarize what David experienced–not the David who penned these words but David Richards, my brother-in-law.

David died last Friday.  He drowned in Lake Monroe, about 60 miles south of Indianapolis.  He was a strong, 33-year-old father of three who was just out to have some fun with his boys, like they had done many times before.

Wheelwatchers!

Tonight, May 7th, and tomorrow, May 8th, as well as Wednesday, May 27th, if you are wheelwatching, you could be mccroriewatching too!

Deborah and I had the opportunity to sit in on the taping of three shows of the Wheel of Fortune during our trip to California in early March.  You will see us on any camera cutaways to the audience, about 3 rows up, right in the middle.

The experience was a lot of fun, seeing Pat and Vanna in action and being on the Hollywood set.  I was able to talk a little bit with the show’s announcer too, Charlie O’Donnell, who has quite a showbiz story himself.  The stage itself (Stage 11) is pretty small, but they really know how to use space (and camera angles!).  And although America may see a glitsy gameshow, it’s pretty obvious that the workers are just doing their 9-5 job, even Pat and Vanna!  All that glitters is definitely not gold–maybe gold paint!  Anyway, we enjoyed ourselves.  I almost got into big trouble on the first puzzle when I realized the answer before the contestants and started to blurt it out loud–just like I do at home!  Deborah covered my mouth and saved us from getting kicked out!

If you’re ever in the L.A. area, you should check it out.  Lots of fun and about 4 hours of time.  Get your tickets early; they sell out, even though the tickets are free!  Jeopardy is right there too on the set right next door to Wheel.  We’ll try that next time…

Learning More about Jon Kirby

Here is the audio from our public question & answer time with Jon at Heather Hills:
Q&A with Jon Kirby

Here is the audio from Jon’s teaching on spiritual development at Heather Hills:
Four Essential Commitments for a Spiritual Development Ministry

Heather Hills Welcomes Pastor Jon Kirby!

 

Pastor Jon Kirby

This morning in a special business meeting of Heather Hills Baptist Church, the congregation called Jon Kirby to be our Associate Pastor of Spiritual Development with an 87% approval vote.  Pastor Kirby will largely focus on the areas of discipleship and Christian education at Heather Hills.

 

We welcome Jon, Janel, Amber, Alisha, Tanner, Abby, and Trent to our church family and eagerly await their mid-June arrival!

This brings to an end a nearly five-month search with over fifty resumes having been reviewed.  We are grateful to the work of the search committee and praise the Lord for His leading!

Pastor Kirby’s message which was read to the congregation today following the call was:

I praise God for the confirmation of His call on my life to minister alongside Pastor Brian, Pastor Bob and the Leadership Team at Heather Hills Baptist Church.  The Kirby family is eager to be with you and to build Christ’s Kingdom together.  Our focus will be to follow Christ with all our hearts while manifesting the fruit of the Spirit to each other and to the world.  By His grace we will all accomplish these goals together for His great glory.  Colossians 1:9-10 says, “we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  See you as soon as possible.

Praise the Lord!  He is good!