May 6, 2002
TOGETHER:
New magazine offers encouragement
___Difficulty and discouragement often nip at the heels of those who seek to be faithful in ministry. It's part of the battle that must be fought.
___One of our Texas Baptist pastors knows what that is like, but he also has come to see beyond the difficulty and discouragement.
___Charles Blackwell has been pastor of South Park Baptist Church in Beaumont for 12 years. "Discouragement has many faces," he wrote in a letter. "One is the seeming lack of results in any evangelistic efforts. ... I have tried so many approaches but have experienced so few results that could create much excitement."
___Those efforts have come in the midst of a neighborhood that has been in transition for several years. Also, the average age of the church's membership has climbed above 60.
CHARLES WADE
Executive Director
BGCT Executive Board
___"I hesitate," Blackwell wrote, "to implement a plan of outreach activities that would, as one person put it, 'have my heart write a check that my body couldn't cash!' I have had over 300 funerals since coming to this church. ... When a new funeral home was built in this city, I was asked to dedicate the building!" Blackwell also has faced difficulties with his health.
___In the midst of that discouragement, he got a surprise. It came in the form of a magazine.
___"Today I read through the premier issue of TEXASBaptists, and God began to speak to my heart through the great articles of Dan Martin, Rick Davis, Ken Camp, Ferrell Foster and others. I, like Martha, was 'worried and troubled about many things.' The Holy Spirit, through these men of God, touched me today. Thank you for sending TEXASBaptists to me and also for your personal encouragement."
___I rejoice in seeing how God has used this magazine to touch the life of one of our faithful pastors. He is not alone. We are receiving comments from throughout the state in praise of this refreshing new publication that is sent to select church leaders and is available to anyone by subscription.
___It replaces Texas Missions and Texas Baptist Leadership. We are able to publish one higher-quality magazine at substantial financial savings.
___It does not replace the Baptist Standard, which is our essential source of news and information on a weekly basis and maintains the highest standards of journalistic integrity and independence.
___TEXASBaptists will be published every-other month. The editorial content will be built around a particular theme and be designed to offer inspiration, encouragement and practical help for ministry in today's world. It will not deal with news. The advertising content will communicate key information about the wide range of services and ministries available through the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
___This magazine is but one tangible expression of the support that the BGCT Executive Board staff desires to provide to the churches of Texas. Our hearts are with our churches, and our lives are firmly planted there. We walk alongside Texas Baptists in kingdom ministry that will hug Texas and the world up close to God.
___Difficulty and discouragement will be a part of ministry, but ultimately we enjoy the great thrill of making a difference in the lives of others now and for eternity. We do that best together.
___We are loved.
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