| WHAT I LEARNED AT FBC JACKSONVILLE PASTOR'S CONFERENCE BY DR. JAD JAMAL KHALAF Introduction This student had the awesome opportunity to attend the 2002 Pastors’ Conference that was held at First Baptist Church (FBC) of Jacksonville (Jax), Florida, on the dates of February 1-5, 2002. During the conference, this student had the opportunity to attend a variety of session as well as learn from and listen to leaders from all over the Southern Baptist Convention. In this report, this student will deal with the following topics: 1) Summary of Biblical Principles of Local Church Ministry 2) Summary of Ministry Philosophy of FBC Jax 3) Summary of Transferable Principles That Are Not Limited to FBC Jax 4) Description of 3-4 Transferable Principles That Are Transferable in Evangelism. When the reader finishes reading, the reader will go away with helpful information gained from reading the different topics. Summary of Biblical Principles of Local Church Ministry The mission of every Southern Baptist Church should be to fulfill and carry out the Great Commission found in Mat. 28: 18-20. Clearly, Jesus says to go and teach everyone. The local church should be willing to share Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world, especially those around the church’s community. A church should definitely and whole heartedly believe that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, and inspired Word of God. In so doing, a church will be able to build upon God’s plan for them. Through Bible fellowship ministry, a church can be built. In Eph. 2:20 Jesus says that He Himself is the Chief Corner Stone. A church should be willing to know and love Jesus Christ. In so doing, the members of the church will shine for Him. Now when the members are on fire for Jesus then the people who live in the community will want to know what is going on at the member’s church. That means that the people in the community will want to visit. Not all people will come and visit on their own, so the church members should have to a desire to go to them and visit. Either way, a church should seek to make Jesus known to their surrounding community. When a local church seeks to do ministry, then the church should be organized in a non- confusing way. Lk. 10, Acts 6:1-7, and Ex. 18:13-27 are all Biblical examples of being organized. I Cor. 14:33,40 talk about things being done in an orderly and properly way. God knows that confusion is not good, so a church must try, do, and plan everything in a confusion-less way. Along with Biblical teaching, a church must also pray. The Bible contains many, many verses that deal with the issue of prayer. Ps. 72:15, Ps. 109:4, Prov. 15:8, Matt. 21:13, Lk. 6:12, Acts 6:4, Phil. 4:6, James 5:16, and Rev. 5:8 are verses that deal with prayer. Prayer is definitely needed in the life of a church, as well as in the life of a Christian. Without a doubt, Bible study, prayer, witnessing, visiting are all essential elements whether a church is a mega-church, a middle size church, or a small church in the country. Summary of Ministry Philosophy of FBC Jax This section will deal with knowledge and information that this student gained from reading The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville First Baptist Church, attending the Pastors’ Conference, and dialoguing during the conference. The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville First Baptist Church is a book that is filled with quite a bit of information that helps the reader understand the philosophy of FBC Jax. In the book, the different ministries are laid out according to what area of ministry is being focused on. The high school, middle school, children’s ministry, and preschool ministry all have their respective places at FBC Jax. In the book, each one of these ministries are explained and laid out in a way that is easy to read and understand. The lay out of material is done in such an organized way. Being organized, as mentioned earlier in this report, is something that FBC Jax takes pride in doing. Along with these ministries, FBC Jax has many other ministries that are taking place among the church body. Soulwinning and Bible study is such an emphasis that the members, as well as the visitors, will desire to grow and to share Christ with the lost because of the enthusiasm that is found at FBC Jax. Attending the conference was so much fun. The attendees of the conference could really see the members of FBC Jax on fire for God. The members’ attitudes were so Christ-like. Everyone that was a part of the team of members and the paid staff were just so friendly and offered such a warm atmosphere. The amount of volunteers proves that the philosophy ministry of FBC Jax is not something that the paid staff does alone but something that the entire body of members focuses on and seeks to carry out. Now the amount of young people that helped really shows that there are Christian young people who are willing to serve Christ no matter what their age may be. Along the same lines, the young people of FBC Jax were enthused as much as the adults. That enthusiasm really speaks volume and proves the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” The way that the conference was put together shows that Dr. Jerry Vines, pastor of FBC Jax, really desires for the people who visit FBC Jax to grow in Christ and to leave the conference on fire for God. The front of the 2002 Pastors’ Conference is very eye catching. For instance, the words energizing, encouraging, and enhancing the ministry appear in capital, bold letters. For a minister to see just the front of the brochure would make him want to pick up a copy and to look at. When the minister picks up the copy to continue on investigating what this conference is all about, the words at the bottom of the brochure will continue to catch the minister’s attention. Those words are, “The 16th Annual Pastors’ School and Bible Conference.” How true those words are. The ministers that are preaching and those who are lined up to teach are some of the most talented and gifted preachers and teachers. The conference speakers are some of today’s most leading Southern Baptist ministers. The eye catching front of the brochure is just the beginning of the rest of the brochure. It is amazing how Dr. Jerry Vines and FBC Jax put such a conference together. The conference’s schedule is well organized and planned out. Friday through Tuesday is filled with learning and teaching from God’s Word. The ministry philosophy of FBC Jax is definitely shown in the FBC Staff Seminar Topics. Dialoging with others was extremely helpful. When the ministers would get together, they would discuss the ministry philosophy of FBC Jax. Nothing negative was ever spoken about the conference. Positive attitudes were given and expressed on behalf of the ones attending the conference. Youth ministers would just sit and say that they could only dream of having such an organized youth group like FBC Jax. Youth choir directors wanted to get a tape of the Friday night performance put on by the young people’s choir. The youth choir directors would say that if their young people would watch a tape of the young people’s choir of FBC Jax perform then maybe their own youth choir would get excited and on fire. Then their would be adult choir directors just sitting in amazement of how well organized the adult choir of FBC Jax was. The adult choir’s sound was so clear and loud. Everything sung by the adult choir was sung from pure memory. The pastors attending the conference was overwhelmed of how well the entire service was planned and carried out. There was not a single second of wasted time. The singing and the preaching proves that FBC Jax is definitely a church that is seeking to be conducted in an orderly and properly way. When everything seems to be carried out the way it was planned out, then the entire service continues on in an un-interrupted way. The way is then paved so that nothing disturbs nor disrupts the singing nor the preaching that takes place. When the preaching does take place, then God’s Word is preached unashamedly, unapologetically, and boldly from the pulpit. So, without a doubt FBC Jax has a wonderful, well-organized philosophy of doing and sharing their ministry. When one leaves the conference, they feel energized as well as encouraged. Summary of Transferable Principles That Are Not Limited To Context-Situation of FBC Jax When a guest minister attends a conference, a church service, or another function at FBC Jax that minister will probably think that only mega-churches are capable of doing ministry the way that FBC Jax does ministry. Of course, this type of thinking is not true. All a minister has to do is to observe, watch, and think about the many different principles that are transferable to the minister’s own church. This is really not hard to do. To begin with, one must notice the warm hospitality that is felt when being at FBC Jax. This is definitely a transferable principle. Think about it. Churches all over the Southern Baptist Convention have members, prayerfully they do, who are gifted in the area of being friendly and hospitable towards guest. Mega-churches are not the only churches who have the only friendly people in the world. So, for starters a minister could encourage his members at the church were he serves to begin a friendly, greeting ministry. This type of ministry is extremely important because when a guest or a visitor comes to the church then he wants to feel like someone cares and excited that he has chosen to visit. Volunteers can be found, though at times one must search and search to find them. Every church has, or at least should have, members who desire to serve their church in whatever area is needed. Volunteers are a very important part of a church. There are only certain salary positions that any church can afford to pay. Then there are non-salary positions in which the work has to get done but cannot be paid to do. This is where volunteers come in handy. Sunday school teachers, discipleship teachers, ushers, greeters, and other positions are found in just about every Southern Baptist church. Since there are position open, then there needs to be those who are willing to fill those positions. FBC Jax and other mega-churches are not the only churches who have those who are willing to volunteer. A minister needs to look around his own church and find those who are willing to serve in the area of being a volunteer. If a church does not have those who are willing to be volunteers, then not much will be accomplished at that particular church. Choir members, youth and adult, who are anxious about singing to the Glory of God are also a vital part of the worship service. Whether or not a person is able to carry a tune is not, or should not be, the only ones who can join a choir. What should count is the person’s willingness to sing for the Glory of God. A church does not have to have twenty-thousand members nor do they have to have one hundred members in order to have a choir. When a minister attends the Pastors’ Conference then they should be willing to go back to their home church and encourage their church to start up a choir or to continue on with the choir that they have already. There are also other areas that are not confined to only mega-churches. Making available meals to those who are members of the church. One might stop and question can this take place at their church. The answer could be yes. This does not mean that every Wednesday night or Sunday afternoon that a meal can be offered but this does leave open the possibility of having a meal offered for those who are willing to eat. There are many people who work on Wednesdays and when they get off they need something to eat for them and for their family. The planning out of the service with no empty spaces is another transferable area to a church. A pastor can get together with those who are involved with the Sunday morning and night services and make sure that everyone is where they are supposed to be at the appropriate time. This could also lead to the area of being organized as being a transferable principle. Many churches are well organized and some churches are un-organized. Big and small churches need to make sure that the church is as organized as humanly possible. Preachers today need to preach the Word of God unashamedly, unapologetically, and boldly. This is definitely a transferable principle that needs to be implemented in all of the Southern Baptist churches. FBC Jax is a church that proves that preaching the infallible, inerrant, and inspired Word of God does not go void. An uncompromising, Bible believing church will definitely make an impact in the church’s community. Along the same lines, a church can involve Southern Gospel Music in all areas of worship. This student loves Southern Gospel Music and is proud to see a church who still sings and proclaims Southern Gospel Music among the adult and youth choirs. More Southern Baptist churches need to involve Southern Gospel Music into their worship services. FBC Jax also is living proof that Southern Gospel Music does not turn people away but to them. Of course there are other principles that could be transferable churches of smaller magnitude but these are just a few. Description of 3-4 Transferable Principles That Are Transferable in the Ministry of Evangelism This student has been called to serve in the ministry of Evangelism. Definitely this student will always preach the Word of God unashamedly, unapologetically, and boldly. The Word of God will be preached to every nation, every country, on every continent. No matter what others may say, the Bible is definitely the inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of God. Wherever the Gospel is preached, this student will seek to preach what God lays on this student’s heart. Now Southern Gospel Music is this student’s favorite type of music. There is no other music than Southern Gospel Music. This student will make sure that Southern Gospel Music is incorporated into the different revivals and preaching engagements that God opens the door to. Ever since this student can remember, this student has prayed for a born-again, Christian, young lady who loves God first and foremost with all of her heart, soul, and mind. Secondly, the young lady will love this student with all of her heart, soul, and mind and will love the ministry that this student has been called to serve in. Thirdly, the young lady will love to sing and love to listen to Southern Gospel Music. So that when this student travels, his wife can sing Southern Gospel Music wherever this student preaches. That is the prayer of this student. Another transferable principle in the ministry of evangelism is the principle of being organized. This is extremely important because in order to know what dates are available and which ones are not then this student must make sure that everything is properly organized and can be found very easily. Yet another transferable principle is the area of being friendly and warm towards others whom this student comes into contact with. Definitely, this student has been blessed in the area of being friendly and compassionate. This student comes into contact with hundreds and hundreds of people and this student wants to make sure that he represents the name of Christ in a Christ-like way and manner. Jesus made a difference in this student’s life and this student wants others to know that Jesus can make a difference in their life as well. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever more. To God be all of the Glory, all of the Honor, and all of the Praise! |
| Copyright 2005-2008 Dr. Jad Khalaf, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved |
| "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15 |
| Dr. Jad Khalaf |