5 Vital Reasons for The Single Vision Conference
Written by John Anderson
Did you know that the Welsh Revival of the early 1900's was mostly led by Single Adults? I had the privilege to preach in Colwyn Bay, Wales...
last Monday afternoon and chat to many people following the service. I was absolutely astounded at the number of church buildings and memorials that were raised throughout the Welsh communities referencing the Welsh Revival. One of the memorials that is not public knowledge is the fact that many single adults between the ages of 18 and 35 were the driving force of this mighty movement of God. They preached, sang, testified, and led souls to Christ while others were taking the more prominent figures and roles as the face of the Welsh Revival. I just read this account last week: "Were it not for the grace of Almighty God and the zeal and fervour of the youngsters, this mighty wind that bloweth would have ceased before it's inception." I still believe that Single Adults can make such a difference in our world today! God is not limited by time, space, or location, He is still the God that sent revival and can send revival again.
The city of London has approximately 13 million people in her greater extremities. The single adult population in London alone is staggering! I have noticed a trend growing up in a good fundamental Baptist Church and serving only in good Fundamental Baptist Churches. The trend is this: we emphasize ministry to children, teens, and adults, but somehow, we have forgotten about a hidden workforce and next generation of servant leaders, Single Adults! Seven years ago when I was working with Single Adults, God put a tremendous burden on my heart to start an annual conference once a year to encourage, teach, and expose Single Adults to the need for faithfulness in the local church and fervor for world evangelism. One year ago this burden turned into reality when I was preaching on a Wednesday night for my long time friend Brent Stancil. We both have shared a passion for a long time to see this next generation of Single Adults reached, taught, and mobilized to reach the world with the gospel. As a result of a need, burden, and prayer, Single Vision Conference has now become a reality! This January 3 -6 in St. Petersburg, FL, Pastor Stancil and the good people of Community Bible Baptist Church are hosting the first annual Single Vision Conference!
I want to share with you Five Vital Reasons for Having this conference:
1. Single Adults Are Not Second-Class
Far too long in our movement have we overlooked this wonderful group of people that God has placed into our care. Just because God has not brought their life's mate into their lives as of yet, does not mean they cannot be utilized and serving God in significant ministry roles! We must remember that it is not always God's will for every person to be married, but it is God's will for every Christian to be used to their maximum potential for God's honor and glory!
2. Single Adults Are Looking For Truth
We have been told by many emerging church leaders, that Single Adults will only come to our churches if we are entertainment driven and relevant culturally in our ministry approach to them. Although I am not against being culturally relevant, I am against it when Scripture is violated and secularism is masked as Scriptural. Christ is preeminent to culture! Sunday night following services in our church here in West London, a single young man and I had a cup of tea together. His statement was so revealing, "Pastor, I am sick of visiting churches where the Pastor attempts to relate to me and act my age, I just want the Bible, nothing else!" He will fit in just fine in our church, and I am convinced there are millions more like him around our world!
3. Single Adults Are Able To Serve Significantly
When working with Single Adults full-time seven years ago, I realized something very important: these guys have the time, energy, and resources to really serve the Lord in the local church! I was thrilled at the end of two years working with Single Adults to know that they were leading the way in ministry, missions giving, and fellowship in our local church. Friends, we have an untapped resource that God has placed at our finger tips, Single Adults who will thrive in ministry if we will train them and allow them to do the work!
4. Single Adults Are Not Afraid To Serve In Missions
Having been involved with missions for some time now, I find that the greatest draw back for many pastors to go to the mission field is their family. They have wonderful families, but they are afraid, like we all are, that their family will suffer and not have the same opportunities that they had growing up. Single Adults are not afraid! I get emails, phone calls, and visits all the time from Single Adults who say something like this, "Pastor John, I would gladly give a year of my life to serve God on a mission field somewhere!" It is my prayer that we will no longer look at these type of statements as youthful zeal, but as a sincere passion to serve Christ abroad. I am finishing criticizing, I want to enable!
5. Single Adults Need To Be Encouraged
There are conferences for every group in our churches except Single Adults. Because of this they are going to shallow, weak, contemporary churches that have compromised the gospel in order to reach them. I firmly believe that the Single Adults that come from the UK and Europe and all across the States to the Single Vision Conference are going to realize that they can still be Fundamental Baptists, love God and love people, and serve God in their local churches and in missions! They will meet with like-minded believers from everywhere that are exactly where they are and can encourage them in their faith and service to Christ! Every speaker at the conference shares in the same passion to really reach the hearts of the Single Adults that attend. I pray that you will visit the website and sign up today for this upcoming conference!
http://www.singlevisionconference.com
Faith Point is designed to help and encourage your walk with Christ regardless of where your Faith Point is. Some along the journey have great faith, some little faith, and others even no faith. Wherever your Faith Point is we want to answer your questions, encourage your growth, and help you any way we can.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Baptist Friends
I was invited this year to speak at the first annual Independent Baptist Friends International Conference hosted by Dr. Clarence Sexton at the Temple Baptist Church and The Crown College in Knoxville, Tennessee. As I look back at the meeting, there are several truths that stand out to me that I would like to share with you:
The Truth is the greatest need of this or any generation- John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We have the inspired Word of God in the Authorized Version- 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Being around people with the right spirit refreshes your soul- Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
The right friends are critical to your own well being- Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
World evangelism is our mission statement- Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The local church is God’s plan for this age- Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Bible preaching is ordained of God to share His message- Romans 10:8-9 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Good music stirs the heart to worship- Psalms 149:1 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Some people will not be happy no matter what you do- 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
We have a wonderful heritage as fundamental Baptists- 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Our message is the gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, nothing else- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
While I can only speak for myself I believe it was a great meeting! I came away with these tangible changes in my life.
I want to love my people greater that God has given me to Pastor.
I want to study, memorize, and use more Scripture in my preaching.
I want to lead my people to help start churches in America.
I want to lead my people to be more actively involved in world missions by both going and giving.
It is hard to believe that anyone could be upset about Truth, Friendship, and World Evangelism; but as it goes, I am sure there are some who question motives or decisions about this meeting. With that in mind, I share one final piece of advice that my father gave me years ago, that Dr. Curtis Hutson gave him, about doing something for the cause of Christ. He said, “Don’t waste time defending yourself. Your friends do not need you to and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.” I pray we go forward with Truth, side by side with Friends, for the cause of World Evangelism.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)