Teens and Porn: 10 Stats You Need To Know

Teens and Porn: 10 Stats You Need To Know

Tim Challies referred to this article Wednesday in his blog. Some of the responses questioned the statistics reported, but it's amazing how Internet porn has permeated the home.

February Link

The 24th consecutive Winter Youth Retreat was just a good as the first retreat! Although the venue and faces have changed since 1988, the response to God’s Word by adults and youth revealed a hunger in their souls that only the Bread of Life could fill. A grand total of 76 youth and adults participated from four churches in the St. Louis Metro Association during the weekend. We look forward to joining together once again for our annual Theology Camp, June 4-8, at Logan Valley Christian Retreat.

Logan Valley Christian Retreat has been our host for retreats and camps since 1990. Dave and Sue Williams set aside a portion of their farm and formed the retreat center in 1989. Our church has used the facility more than any church during the 24 years, and we have helped remodel the facility immediately following a fire in 2000. Dave continues to expand the occupancy with new buildings, and his newest building allows more adults and students to enjoy Logan Valley. However, a need exists for volunteers to help finish the building before the summer camps begin. If you have some vacation time available in the upcoming months, he could use a few volunteers to complete the dorm rooms and multi-purpose center. He is also accepting donations to finish the project without borrowing any money. If are able to help with either choice, please contact Dave or Sue by phone or website. They would be glad to talk with you.

Another mission building project is available for a team to hang drywall for Black River Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff in early February. If you would like to be a member of a drywall crew, call my office soon. Because of our previous involvement in the association with building and rehab, our reputation has extended this opportunity. The need an answer, so let me know of you interest.

Ed Stanley will be leading a mission team into Haiti, March 18-24. The team will be limited to six people and sponsored by International Missionary Fellowship. Ed is a trustee with the IMF, and our church supports the Widow’s Home in Bombardopolis through this organization. You must have a U. S. Passport, be at least 17 years old, love children and warm weather, and not afraid of some labor. The expenses in the nation will be approximately $200 for the week, and airfare will be determined once the interest is known ($900/person?) Some have expressed interest, so inquire with Ed soon to reserve you seat!

We have made inquiries for our annual summer mission trip to Iowa and Colorado for July 14-20. Both opportunities have strengths and weaknesses with overall costs, projects, and schedule. I should have an announcement in February for location and all details pertaining to the trip. Pray for my discernment.

Vacation Bible School will begin June 11, but plans are being made today! Cathy Gates and her team are making initial plans for a great week this year. If you enjoyed last summer’s theme, I know the 2012 theme will be just as exciting. Volunteers will be able to register in February, so keep an eye open for the form in the Sunday bulletin.

Next Youth Event:

North County DiscipleNow Weekend, February 10 & 11. $30/student.

January Link

Happy New Year! Have you made any resolutions for the new year? If not, may I propose a few suggestions?

• Resolve to attend worship regularly and encourage others to do the same.
• Resolve to attend a weekly Bible study and encourage others to do the same.
• Resolve to pray daily for the work of the Kingdom including your family and church.
• Resolve to regularly contribute financially to the work of the Kingdom through your church.
• Resolve to share the Gospel with at least one person during the year.
• Resolve to engage in mission activity at least once during the year.

Hopefully the resolutions you make will become lifestyle habits during the year and will continue throughout your lifetime. You will be amazed at the transformational change that will occur in your life as a result of new, vibrant obedience to the Lord in 2012.

The annual MidWinter Youth Retreat will be held at Logan Valley Christian Retreat, January 13-15. The final registration date will be January 4, but the fee will be much higher than the early bird rate offered in December. Our theme will come from John 15:12-17 and 1 Samuel 18-20. The understanding of a true friendship will be our focus on the weekend. If you have any questions or need financial help, please contact Cathy Gates or myself.

Baptist Academy will begin on Sunday evening, January 22, at 5:00 p.m. Please keep your eyes on the look-out in the Sunday bulletin for registration and topic information.

Have you received your contribution envelopes for 2012? If a box was available for you and your family in the foyer during December, please contact Cathy Gates. She will make them available to you at your request. Contribution statements for 2011 will be available after January 15. The statements will be available on the Information Center Desk until January 30 when they will be mailed to your home.

December Link

During the month of December, we will be publishing in the Sunday bulletin the current I.R.S. Information concerning church contributions. By providing this information, we are attempting to remind and inform our membership of the regulations placed upon the church and the contributing member. Each year, the I.R.S., at the request of Congress, informs and enforces the regulations for charitable giving, and the discussion surrounding charitable giving is leaning toward a reduction or elimination of the tax benefit provided to the tax payer. As citizens, we must stay apprised of the rules, obey them, and seek opportunity to express our concerns with our representatives in Congress. We hope the inserts will be helpful as you examine your giving for 2011.

Baptist Academy will resume on January 8 at 5:00 p.m. for all adults seeking a discipleship experience that engages the mind, heart, and hand! Equipping disciples is an intentional aspect of our mission at FBCF. If you are not engaged in a study of the Bible that trains you for effective Christian service, we invite you to join us.

Child Sex Abuse is back in the national spotlight. Like roaches in the dark kitchen, child sex abuse never leaves and is only reported when the level of abuse reaches the astronomical proportions of the Penn State scandal. At FBCF, I am happy to report that our teachers of youth and children are submitting to background checks as a first step in becoming a safe child zone!

We are doing this for the children and for one another. Integrity among the body of Christ is a crucial testimony of our response to the transforming power of the gospel. The question of “Why should I be screened?” is no longer the question of the hour. All adults engaged in the care and teaching of youth and children should be coming forward to declare to the church that they are not and have never been convicted or accused of child molestation as a statement of their Christian testimony without hesitation. We are thankful that many of our teachers have completed the screening and only a few remain to be screened. The second stage of this process will include the adoption of a policy by our church, and the final action in this process will be the annual training for all our teachers in the Spring.

May your worship of Immanuel be one filled with great joy this month! Don’t miss a Sunday in December as we worship the God Incarnate!

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

December 10 Youth Christmas Party (Fellowship Hall) 5:00 p.m.

January 13-15 Annual Midwinter Youth Retreat (Logan Valley Christian Retreat):

'via Blog this'

When Is it Time to Join?

During the previous decade, many individuals and families have attended FBCF for upwards to three years before joining the membership of our church. It has been an interesting process of observation and inquiry between prospect and pastoral staff to ascertain the specific reasons and issues for hesitancy on behalf of the prospect for joining a church. Did the prospect have a preset list of questions when they first arrived? Did they walk in with no understanding of our church and its beliefs? Did they connect with other worshippers or did they remain anonymous?

In this article at 9 Marks, we find a list of questions that are helpful for prospective members or inquirers to ask when examining a church for membership. I encourage you to read through them and apply the questions to your situation whether you are an established member or prospect of a local church. Were these or similar questions in mind as you investigated your congregation or the one you are currently visiting?

When Is it Time to Join?

October Link

In his second epistle, Peter sought to encourage his readers with the following words, “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,” (13). This month, I would like to bring to our minds things to remember as this new church year moves forward. The following priorities help us answer the question, “What is a healthy church member?” Thabiti Anyabwile answers this question in his book bearing the same question as the title.

A healthy church member bears these ten marks:

1. A healthy church member is and expositional listener.
2. A healthy church member is a biblical theologian.
3. A healthy church member is gospel saturated.
4. A healthy church member is genuinely converted.
5. A healthy church member is a biblical evangelist.
6. A healthy church member is a committed member.
7. A healthy church member seeks discipline.
8. A healthy church member is a growing disciple.
9. A healthy church member is a humble follower.
10. A healthy church member is a prayer warrior

In this little book, Thabiti, provides a source of encouragement to all church members desiring to contribute to the positive health of their church. Thabiti’s thesis is that the health of a local church is found within the members of the church; not merely limited to the church’s program ministries and its pastoral leadership. “The health of the local church depends on the willingness of its members to inspect their hearts, correct their thinking, and apply their hands to the work of the ministry.” (15) 

In the month of October, I will begin a book study on my blog. You may bookmark my blog and receive notifications of each post.  Each week I will post my insights of each chapter, and you may post comments as well. The book, published by Crossway, can be purchased through http://Amazon.com  and is available in Kindle format as well.

October is the time of year for all our ministry team leaders to prepare their 2012 budgets. All team chairmen and program ministry leaders should meet with their respective team members and council members for the creation of a ministry budget during the month. On Thursday evening, November 3, the Budget Planning Team, an ad hoc committee consisting of all chairmen, program ministry leaders, and pastoral staff, will approve the 2012 Budget and present for adoption by the church in the November business meeting.

Upcoming Youth Ministry Events

October 15 Annual Hayride at Huff’s in Lonedell

November 18 & 19 DiscipleNow Weekend

December 10 Youth Christmas Party (Fellowship Hall)

January 13-15 Annual Midwinter Youth Retreat (Logan Valley Christian Retreat)