Teaching Truth in 2012

My greatest passion in life is teaching and preaching the Bible. Seriously, I would preach every day if only someone would come and listen! It is perhaps my greatest joy in being a pastor. So as we enter 2012, here are some truths I am looking to preach and teach to our SHEPHERDS (Elders); our STAFF and on SUNDAYS here at the Gaylord E-Free Church.

SHEPHERDS - I will be taking time once a month over the course of 2012 to walk our Elder Board through the book of Titus. This is a wonderful New Testament book written by Paul that deals with the importance of Elders in the church; the qualifications of Elders in the church; and the elements that Elders are to ensure are "set in order" in the church. My focus is to see our Elder Board become better equipped to be shepherds to our congregation here at E-Free and the book of Titus is a wonderful starting point. We will begin as early as Monday, January 2, by looking at Titus 1:1-5.

STAFF - We have a great staff here at E-Free, but as Paul so eloquently said in the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 13, even if have great talent and accomplish great ministry feats, if we don't have genuine, godly love, all of our labors are worthless. We will be using staff meetings over the first part of 2012 to allow me to lead our staff through key passages that teach us the finer elements of what love is. We will start with our full staff by discussing the 16 descriptions of true Biblical love as defined in 1 Corinthians 13 by Paul. At the same time, our ministry staff will be taking a detailed study of the Great Commandment given by Jesus in Matthew 22:34-40. We will take time over the coming months to learn what it really looks like to love God, love our neighbor, and even to love our enemies.

SUNDAYS - Sunday mornings over the opening months of 2012 will begin with a 7-week verse by verse study through Genesis 5-9 and the life of Noah. We will be calling the series, "The Noah Factor: All Are Welcome!" Following that series and leading up to Easter will be a very important Vision Series entitled, "Meeting & Moving: A Vision That Melts In Your Mouth!" Then, following Easter, we will have a 3-week series leading up to Mother's Day that we are simply calling "Word!" This will be a detailed look at 2 Timothy 3:15-17 as we see what the character of the Bible is all about.