Grow By Learning[2] September December 2008

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To Bloggers Everywhere
This Book will from September 2008 thru December 2008

1

Contents
THE FOLKS AT RIVERS OF JOY 10
HOW IS THE PASTOR TO LEAD THE CHURCH 11
SARAH PALIN AND DOWN SYNDROME 13
THE HEALTHY CHURCH PART TWO 14
UNION MILLS 16
VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH 1974 16
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LOCAL CHURCH 18
PORTSMOUTH RACEWAY 19
PASTOR CONTROL OR LEADER LEAD 19
REMODELING OUR HOUSES 20
PASTORS KEEPING ON TRACK 21
LORDSHIP OF CHRIST IN ALL THINGS 22
PASTORAL MINISTRY: ADVICE TO PREACHER 24
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL 25
GOD'S BEAUTIFUL CREATION 28
MY CHURCH OFFICE plus THE GOSPEL MESSAGE 28
BELIEF IS BASED UPON TRUTH NOT FEELING OR LIKING
IT. 30
The Brothers 31
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH 31
Arlington Baptist College 1968 1969 33
LET IT BE KNOWN NEWSLETTER 1969 34
THE STATE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH TODAY 35
Humor 38

3

FELLOWSHIP 38
BUILDING THE LOCAL CHURCH GOD'S WAY 39
Sports Collection 40
Pastoral Ministry 41
WHAT IS A BAPTIST CHURCH ANYWAY 44
TROUBLSHOOTING PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH 46
MY DAD EVERETTE WHISNANT BIRTHDAY 47
THE PROCESS OF SALVATION 48
POST NUMBER 700 49
LEADERSHIP 50
SUNDAY FAMILY VISIT 51
THE PASTORAL MINISTRY 51
LIVING IN FINANCIAL CRISIS? 52
JUNK FOOD OR SOLID MEAL PREACHING 54
HOW TO TEACH THE WORD OF GOD 55
IS GOD SOVERIGN OVER OUR FREE WILL? 57
PERSONAL STRUGGLES AND MINISTRY 59
WHAT A LIFE ON THE FARM 61
TAKE A LOOK AT THE SERIOUSNESS OF SUICIDE 62
THE AIM IS TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES 62
Gospel Salvation 63
GOSPEL, SPEECH, HOLLYWOOD 64
LIFE CAN BE INTERESTING 66
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY 2008 67
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH 2008 68
THE LEADERSHIP AND THE MINISTERS 69

4

IT IS EASY UNTIL YOU DO IT RIGHT 71
GOD AND PRAISE 72
FOOD FOR THOUGHT ABOUT PREACHING 73
A PREACHERS WIFE 75
IS IT A MANIKIN? 76
CHURCHES GOD MIGHT NOT SHOW UP IN ON SATURDAY
OR SUNDAY 76
TIM WHEELER FIRST PLACE 79
The Volcanoes of Lewis Clark 79
CONTENTMENT OR DISSATISFACTION 80
WHAT REALLY IS THE TRUTH 81
THE WORLD AND THE CHURCH 82
FOUR INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE THE GOSPEL EFFECTIVE 82
VISIT WITH MY SON ERIC AT THE THE FIRE STATION 84
VISIT WITH FAMILY 85
ANOTHER TRIP TO LEXINGTON 86
Good Group of Kids 86
IS THE GOSPEL THE END OF THE SEARCH FOR
PERSONAL HAPPINESS? 87
AM I A FUNDAMENTALIST OR NOT? 89
BIRTHDAY TIME 89
Birthday and Reflection on Ministry 91
PREACHING 92
THE JOY OF SPIRITUAL MINISTRY 95
GETTING A ARK FOR NOAH IN 2008 96
ROLE OF THE PASTOR TO HIS PEOPLE 97
Politics, Activism and the Gospel 98

5

OKAY YOUR CHAP FOR THE WHITE HOUSE LOSES! 98
CHURCH ANNIVERSARY 99
LIFE IS FROM GOD TO GIVE AND TO TAKE IS NOT YOURS 100
KEEPING YOUR DDDP 100
THEOLOGICAL 101
Sixteenth Anniversary of RIvers of Joy 103
Why economy seems more important than abortion. 104
MY CONVICTIONS ABOUT WOMANHOOD IN LEADERRSHIP
OVER THE NATION. 105
Economy or Morals to be the issue? 106
WALKING 107
Election 08 108
Post Election Analysis One 110
BILL and SHARON SMITH 111
IS GOD GOD? 112
PREDESTINATION AND SALVATION 113
CAR CARRIER 114
SEMINARY DAYS OF PREACHING 114
JOHN THREE SIXTEEN CONFERENCE REVISITED 114
How the Evangelicals and Christians Voted 116
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF WORLD MISSIONS? 117
Pastor's Office Building at Rivers of Joy 119
WHY BELIEVERS IN CHRIST SHOULD GO TO CHURCH 120
SPURGEON AND MACARTHUR ON SALVATION 121
VISUAL LITERACY AS WELL AS OTHER VIEWPOINTS 122
PREACHING HAS BEING REPLACED WITH DIALOG 123

6

Saturday, November 15, 2008 124
Shuttle Endeavor Blasts Off Into Night Sky 124
Pastor Does the KJV-SmackDown on NewSpring 125
ADULT BIBLE STUDY TODAY 126
ARE WE ALL, A BAD PASTOR! 127
A GOOD CHURCH IN SCIOTO COUNTY! 129
HOW TO REACH THIS CURRENT GENERATION 129
Isn't Evolution Wonderful take a look. 131
DO YOU SEE ENJOYMENT ON SUNDAY 131
LEVEL OF MEDIA CONSUMPTION, PARTICULARLY ONLINE 133
UNDERSTANDING WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT MONEY 135
That's My King! - SM Lockridge 136
DON'T LET YOUR KIDS BE PASTORS 136
MY WIFE, MY FRIEND, MY LOVE 136
BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A DIME? 137
EVANGELIST ALAN HARRIS FROM CONNERSVILLE,
INDIANA 137
NOW THEY ARE GOING AFTER THANKSGIVING 138
THANKSGIVING AT UNION MILLS BAKERY 2008 140
PORPOSIE DRIVEN LIFE IS NOT ON SALE 141
HOW TO REACH THIS CURRENT GENERATION 141
Thursday, November 27, 2008 141
THANKSGIVING DAY WITH FAMILY AND FAMILY 141
LET US SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT 144
THROAT SINGERS SINGING I FLY AWAY 145

7

PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE PREACHER AND
CONGREGATION 146
THE EARLY YEARS OF MARRIAGE IN 1970 149
THANKSGIVING 2008 CHARLES AND CHARITY WHISNANT 149
CHARLES WHISNANT AND BOB TEMPLE SR FAMILY AT
THANKSGIVING 150
EQUAL TIME FOR THE PASTORS WIVES 151
GOD GIVES AND THEN WE KNOW 152
TAKING TIME TO BE WITH FAMILY 153
ELEMENTS OF TRUE FAITH IN CHRIST 154
KIDS TODAY TIME ON THE INTERNET 158
J. FRANK NORRIS SPEAKING FOR DAD 161
JOHN PIPER AND JOHN MACARTHUR PREACHING 162
IS GOOGLE READER MAKING YOU STUPID 164
IS GOOGLE MAKING YOU READ LESS 165
SPIRITUAL BREAD GIVES SPIRITUAL EVERLASTING LIFE 167
SHORTER SERMONS NEEDED TO WIN SINNERS? 168
WHAT ABUNDANCE GRACE HAS HE DISPLAYED 170
SUNDAY IS COMING PRAISE THE LORD 171
MY TOP 10 BEST OF 100 172
NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES IN HISTORY 172
GOD AS OMNISCIENT, TRANSCENDENT, STRONG,
PRESERVER 174
ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE WITH CHRIST 175
THE NAMES OF CHRIST EXPRESSING HIM 175
WHAT WE SAY WHAT WE BELIEVE 176

8

GOOD COMMUNICATION AND GOOD PREACHING IS 176
GIFTS GOD GIVES US THROUGH ADVERSITY 178
MacArthur: HARD TRUTH MAKES SOFT PEOPLE 178
I AM BOUGHT WITH A PRICE 179
I AM OBSESSED WITH CHURCH REALLY 180
FELLOWSHIP AT THE TABLE IS COOL 181
THERE IS A COST OF STAYING COOL 182
Saturday, December 20, 2008 184
THE INCARNATION MADE IT ALL POSSIBLE 184
HAVING A GLORIOUS SEASON AT CHRISTMAS 186
CEBRATE THIS DAY AND GLORIFY CHRIST 187
WHY THIS WAS A BAD MORNING 188
IN BETHLEHEM, A BABY WAS BORN 188
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN 189
A MOST BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL 190
LAST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR 2008 190
WHAT A "GOOD' BIBLE TRANSLATION IS? 191
WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS, THEY BECOME DESTINY 193
FIRST QUICKCAM VIDEO BY CHARLES 194

9

THE FOLKS AT RIVERS OF JOY
Monday, September 01, 2008
Frankie and Danny Dawkins
Newest member: Kindra
TumbleonDaughter Amber and Gaven

Rosemary Lambro and Dorothy Fields

A FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS WHO
LOVE THE LORD AND COME
TOGETHER TO WORSHIP THE LORD,
AND FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER
BELIEVERS.

The folks above love the church, love the
fellowship of the local church and love the
worship of the Lord.

I AM TOTALLY AMAZED THAT THE LORD WOULD HAVE PUT ME IN AS PASTOR OF
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH. I AM AMAZED THAT WE DO HAVE A
WONDEFUL GROUP OF FOLKS WHO DO LOVE THE LORD. AND THAT THEY HAVE
WEATHERED THE STORMS.

Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 06:26AM (-05:00)

10

HOW IS THE PASTOR TO LEAD THE CHURCH
I often hear how the pastor controls the life
of the church.
SELF DESTRUCT IN THE CHURCH
BODY Part One

How sad how some preachers believe they
control the life and ministries of the church.
They believe they control the temperature
of the auditorium, to the type of coffee they
serve at a Sunday dinner. They believe you
need their permission to sing a special, and
to teach a Sunday School lesson. They
believe they control the spending of the money, and who drives the church bus. I am
amazed how pastors believe they can control people's opinion and work and spiritual
gifts. They believe they control the kind of food that is going to be served at a Sunday
Night fellowship, to the way the tables are set up.

PREACHERS LIKE CONTROL, AS WELL AS THEIR WIVES. Wives are not co pastors.
Really.
Of course I was trained that as Pastor I was the in control of church life, I was in total
control of every phase of the church life. That was hard work. I believed I should "run" the
ministries of the church.
Far too many misunderstood their roll in the church. I misunderstood Leadership verses
Control. Giving direction is one idea but to demand control is not the right idea.
Of course there are churches where the Deacons believe they are in control, some
believe the church membership is in control, and then others there are committees who
are in control. And in some churches a group of people believe they control the direction
of the church.
When you are in a large church such as Thomas Road Baptist, or even First Baptist
Church in Hammond, Ind, where Jack Hyles was the pastor, 20,000 people do not control
the church.

THERE IS A BIBLICAL GUIDELINE TO CHURCH LEADERSHIP

• Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord
it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and
whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to
be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-
28; cf. Mark 10:42-45 and Luke 22:25-27)
Leadership, Servanthood, and Submission

How and why churches self destructand its not all the pastor's fault
• "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving,
slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash,
11

conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness
but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."2 Timothy 3:2-5
Here are some excerpts from Francis A. Schaeffer lectures and conversations:

• …As a people who follow Christ, we are in and a relationship to the One who is
here and to others who are here. Our right ecclesiastical position is important, but
only as a starting point to go on into loving and living relationships, these things we
do are not as ends in themselves, they are to know and grow in Him. He becomes
more, we become less, then we become more in our relations and opportunities to
be personally transformed, renewed and be impacting to one another to our culture
and societies at large. It starts in our hearts and must follow us to here in these
halls…
• …Because of the Fall we all became abnormal and dysfunctional. It is not just that
us as individuals are separated from God by our true moral guilt, but each of us is
not what God intended to make or us to be, what He wanted us to be more of Him
and less of ourselves. Beyond each of us as individuals, human relationships is sin
and pride, desires that feed upon ours and others sin and desires, all of which is not
what God meant us to be or behave as His Fruitful Bride. In our interpersonal
dealings we have to be aware of our sin nature, we are abnormal, our wholeality,
our cause and effect is from sin and the choices we make, even the entirety of
history shows us this as significant, as we are now abnormal. To say it another way:
there is much more which we should be and not be as a Fruitful Bride of Christ…
How do you display this?
• …In saying that God is there, here with us now, saying we are saying God exists,
but are we showing that God exists in our being and not just talking about the Word
God, or the idea God, but exercising His Word in our being so it shows in our
dealings with one another. Have any of you read any of the “one another”
passages, love one another… a glimpse in a Bible reference or concordance may
give you convection or at the very least awareness, insights into this sin and how to
become His Fruitful Bride. You say God is here not by mere mouths and words
written down but by continual actions said and done. This is what transforms a
church and influences a society, our reality in Christ acted upon into others…
• …In order to understand the problems of our church or our families or our societal
breakdowns, we should be very wise to sin so to be alive to His distinction.
Arguments may make up the heart of your church world, but it does not have to be.
Through the Christian call and life of true spirituality one can rise above to such
things, as forgiveness, by accepting Christ's precepts, study, not just as a
philosophy, rather as a life to be well lived in the here and now, in this very room
and up the steps I see outside that go to the worship place, the alter, that beautiful
display of wood and cross of crucifixion, as we rise to go to Him. There is no reason
why this cannot happen in us and through us, less we take in more sin or ignore
Him. Should we not be glad for the concept that kind words reflects our kind Savior,
we need to be defined in Jesus Christ as Lord before we can be used in
communication and connection. As Christians, we must understand that we have a
call, we have a responsibility, we have a mission, we have a Lord a God who is
there as in He is here. Here we are called in this church “All Saints,” do these word's
mean meaningless? …Live your lives to know this and reflect this. We have no
meaningless "god,”? How do you live? How should you live? How will you live? In
this place and through this place?
• …Consequently, let us not be confused. There is much "spirituality" about us today
that is needed to be built upon, we need to relate our Christian life to the word of
God or not just the idea of a god; but this is not what we are talking about. Biblical
12

truth and spirituality is not a relationship to the Word God, it is a forceps to His Way
and true Truth that we must know and reflect in our relationships, especially here, in
this hall, on these grounds, if not, how can you now live? The idea we have of God
will pave the way of our relationship to the One who is here, then to one another's
as God's Word declares us to do so...
• …This is our calling. This is part of our richness to be in Christ. the reality of what
true spirituality is about, the Christian life in action, in relation to my brethren not my
separation from my fellowmen, including those fellow men who are my perceived
enemies or distracters, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, in the church as a
whole and in the this precious local congregation as in any other Christian group.
Our efforts are not to be practiced in sin or in pride or by a dull, ugly way; to be a
Fruitful Bride is to be a thing of true beauty, practiced by those within, and observed
by those outside. This is an important part in preaching the gospel to the all of
humanity who are still in revolution against God; but if we are in revolution to one
another what does this say of Christ? More on this in my work, “True Spirituality.”
Our confessions in action is the only thing that is right on the basis of the existence
of the personal God exhibited in us and on the basis of what Christ did for us in
history, on the cross…

…And having come this far, true spirituality is the Christian life that flows on into the total
culture from our investment in Christ first and foremost…

SARAH PALIN AND DOWN SYNDROME
A WORD ABOUT SARAH PALIN
The choice of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate has all kinds of interesting
political implications, which are being diced and parsed as I write. But I’m more interested
in the long-term cultural implications of the choice of Palin, whether the McCain & Palin
ticket wins or loses in November, for one of the most vexing horizons of impossibility in
our culture: the abortion rate among unborn babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
Upwards of 85 percent of parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome
elect to terminate the pregnancy, according to several studies in the peer-reviewed
journal Prenatal Diagnosis. A 1999 British study in that journal found the termination rate
to be between 91 and 93 percent. When I was a teenager in the 1960 and even into the
80s, I remember seeing many people my age and younger who had the distinctive facial
and behavioral characteristics of Down children. These days I rarely see a Down
Syndrome child at all. While there are still those who still would not elect to have their
baby terminated, it seems that many do. Those lives who do have signs of DS seem to
be rather happy don't that.
What is peculiar about Down Syndrome as a reason for termination is that, plainly put,
you rarely meet a Down Syndrome “sufferer” who is notably unhappy. The condition has
a range of manifestations, some more disabling than others, but many, many persons
with Down Syndrome thrive as children and adults, even if they may not have the same
range of capabilities as you or I do.
The fact that this syndrome has become a reason for termination is evidence of the
terrible power of culture. A culturally neutral artifact (prenatal diagnosis of congenital
diseases) combined with a culturally tragic artifact (elective abortion) begins to make it
plausible that parents should avoid the challenges and risks of a Down pregnancy by 13

ending it. The decreasing number of children born with the condition begins to make it
more difficult to imagine that “normal” families can absorb the stresses of raising such a
child, and undermines public support for public programs that support families who have
made that decision. Which, over time, makes carrying a Down Syndrome baby to term
ever more inconceivable, leading to increased rates of termination, leading to decreasing
plausibility . . . until one day the burden of bringing a Down Syndrome child into the world
is seen as so grave that less than 10 percent of parents take the risk.
But Sarah and Todd Palin have done it. I cannot think of any other public figures in my
adult life, at least of the prominence they are about to enjoy or endure, who have made
this decision. They will cause many, many families to reconsider the horizons of the
possible. Their public example could very well lead to a cultural sea change—a dramatic
shift in the “horizons of the possible.”
Those horizons are so real that, for a future generation of children and their parents, they
are quite literally a matter of life and death. For this reason, which utterly transcends
politics and this year’s election, the sudden prominence of the Palins is, in the deepest
sense, an extraordinary act of public service.
As for the Christian parent who checks to see if their child would have DS, I would say
that child is in the hand of a loving God for you to care for.

Down syndrome,
• Down's syndrome, or trisomy 21 is a chromosomal disorder caused by the
presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon
Down, the British doctor who described the syndrome in 1866. The disorder was
identified as a chromosome 21 trisomy by Jérôme Lejeune in 1959. The condition is
characterized by a combination of major and minor differences in structure. Often
Down syndrome is associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and
physical growth as well as facial appearance. Down syndrome can be identified
during pregnancy or at birth.
There have been several articles on this topic that I have adopted to address this issue.
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 12:29PM (-05:00)

THE HEALTHY CHURCH PART TWO
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
CHARLES AND JOHNNY
EDWARDSPASTORS WHO LOVE THEIR
CHURCH BODY OF BELIEVERSA
HEALTHY BODY OF BELIEVERSPART
TWO

The Lord has given me and Charity a love
for people in the body of Christ who love
the Lord Jesus Christ and love their church
fellowship. For some reason, the Lord has
allowed us to go to churches that are
hurting for many reasons.

• The first church I was the pastor in 1971 had just had five splits in five years (that is
my understanding) and the church was in disarray. And I to this day do not know
14

who the pastor was before I became pastor. ( I am going to see if I can find that
answer). But I believe the Lord allowed us there to bring the church back on its feet.
• In 1980 we went to a church in Altoona, Kansas that was in disarray. They had
voted to accept five preachers, and they all turned the church down. The church in
my opinion was in trouble when I arrived. But the Lord used us to bring the church
back from the brink of closing. They were asked to merge with another church. We
had the privilege to be their pastor for sixteen plus years.
I could mention the other two churches that I was asked to come and pastor, and
personally I loved the experience. Those churches were not willing to work out their
problems that was there before I came and were there when I left. But within those
churches were some of the best people I have known.

I have discovered in the church I now pastor, are some of the very best folks a church
could have. I have discovered that those who have stayed and have weather the storms
are those who have a spirit of teachableness. What ever it is going to take to rebuild the
church body they seem to be willing to try to accomplish.
• "You may not have been the pastor we thought we were going to have, but you
seem to be the pastor that the Lord believed we needed to have" The blessing was
when they learned I was a little different then they expected, they were willing to
say, okay, lets see what he is going to do.
My comment to those churches I have pastured, "Pray for a pastor that the Lord would
have for this church, rather than trying to find a pastor that you want to fit your church."

I have heard in the past, "There is no way that Charles is going to fit in that church." And I
have thought the same thing. Why? And in many cases that is so true. Some preachers
are not going to fit in to the fiber of the church body.

In some cases, the members were very willing to accept our leadership, but the pastor
was not. In some cases, the leadership was willing and a few people were not willing.
Goodness what is the problem.

WHY DO SOME CHURCHES HAVE THE SAME PASTOR FOR FIFTY YEARS?
REALLY IT CAN HAPPEN. IT IS WHAT I BELIEVE SHOULD HAPPEN.

A church body needs to stay healthy. A healthy and biblical church will need to have a
foundation that is healthy. Both the pastors/elders and people need to have a biblical
foundation for long term growth and health.

The Church is a body of Believers called out of the world to Worship the Lord Jesus
Christ.

The foundation of the church needs to be build upon the precepts of scriptural principles.
And the leadership needs to continue to focus upon those precepts to stay healthy.
A healthy church is a growing maturing church that continue to grow and glorify the Lord.
You continue to see growth in the body. The growth of new converts, new believers, and
they grow in maturity in Christ, and in turn you have pastor and staff and members
growing in maturity as believers as Ephesians 4 points out for us.
A HEALTHY CHURCH DOES START WITH THE PASTOR/TEACHER
Personally I have made this a life time of learning, being a pastor/teacher. I have studied
the scriptures, and have studied those who know the ministry of the Word. I have studied
churches and other pastors over forty years now. I continue to seek wisdom in this
15

ministry.

UNION MILLS
CHARITY AND DEBBIE
A GOOD PLACE TO SHOP

Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 09:06AM
(-05:00)

VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH 1974
VICTORY BAPTIST CHURCH 1974YOUTH DIRECTOR, CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAL
DIRECTORPauline Lesmaster, and Pauline Whisnant )MOMMOM WAS CHECKING
HER HAIR EVEN IN 1974Pauline Lesmaster now attends Rivers of Joy Baptist Church
CHARITY WHISNANT
16

YOUTH GROUP AT VICTORY BAPTIST
STEVE EUTON AND FRANKIE LEMASTER
Frankie Dawkins now, is a member of Rivers
of Joy Baptist Church

YOSONDA COLLEY
KING AND QUEEN 1974

WELL I HAVE PULLED THESE PHOTO
FROM MY FILES....
ARE THEY NOT JUST GREAT....

Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 06:31PM (-
05:00)

17

THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
A BRIEF NOTE:

• EVERY CHURCH IN EVERY AGE HAS EXPERIENCED THE LOST OF A
PASTOR, PASTORAL STAFF, AND CHURCH STAFF. OUR CHURCH HAS LOST
THREE PREACHERS AND CHURCH STAFF WHO HAVE LEAD THIS CHURCH.
AND EACH MEMBER OF OUR CHURCH HAS REACTED TO THE CHANGE IN A
DIFFERENT MANNER. AND WITH EACH LOST, THE CHURCH HAS BEEN
EFFECTED.
• EVERY CHURCH MEMBER HAS EXPERIENCE HURT, (to cause mental pain to;
offend or grieve): BY EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE CHURCH.
• THE DIFFERENCE IS HOW YOU WEATHER "GUSTAV STORM OR
HURRICANE".
• HAVING THE WISDOM HOW TO REACT AND HELP IN THESE EVENTS TAKES
THE GRACE OF CHRIST.
• HOW TO HAVE THE WISDOM TO PASTOR A HURTING CHURCH BODY TAKES
THE WISDOM OF CHRIST, THAT ONLY HE CAN GIVE US TO DO AND SAY.


18

PORTSMOUTH RACEWAY
NOW I HAVE BEEN A BIG FAN OF
NASCAR OVER THE YEARS, WHEN
DALE EARNHARDT WAS LIVING. BUT
SINCE HE DIED I HAVE NOT HAD AS
MUCH FUN WATCHING THE RACES. But
I do have fun passing this place on
Saturday Night.
NOW JUST LOOK AT THE BRIDGEAND
MAYBE ONE DAY, ALLEN BARNHART
MIGHT COME TO PORTSMOUTH TO
RACE.

The raceway is open when its not under
water.

(-05:00)

PASTOR CONTROL OR LEADER LEAD
Thursday, September 04, 2008
PASTOR CONTROL OR LEADER LEAD
part four
Every church culture is different. I've been in some churches where I could tell that the
fear of the senior pastor, board, or treasurer thwarted people from being creative, flexible,
and responsive to people as needs arose. Of course, the antithesis of this is a church
where there are no rules and everyone just sort of does his or her own thing...

19

The typical result is mediocrity, sloppiness,
and haphazard ministry. But there’s a
powerful place in the middle where you
don’t have to create a million rules to follow
but keep it simple.

Thank of that?

Later

We had a great Wednesday Night service
at Rivers of Joy Baptist Church

Charles

(-05:00)

REMODELING OUR HOUSES
Charity's Dad is moving into his remodeled
apartment, and garage and its being
transformed into a very nice home. and
because Bob is moving out of his house
and needing to down size
Charity wanted to get in one some
remodeling herself at our house.

My son Eric took a couple of days
vacation, to help his parents and his
grandfather do some painting and moving
some furniture.
Charity has wanted to do some changing in
our living room, some painting was
necessary and a change in carpet.
Eric did the painting, and I got the carpet
put down (now to get it tacked down).

There were several men who was helping
Bob with this project:
Several of them were Oscar Perry, John
Robinson, a another crew of men.
Even his son Rob was doing some painting
20 and his grandson Roby did the electric

wiring.
And Eric painted.
Oh I took the pictures
and his daughter Debbie helped give her
Dad some good advice

I can't wait to publish the final result of
these projects.
And I might add the project in our house as
well.

Oh, Charity and I worked on our Church
Office

ITS HARD WORK
BUT THE FINAL PROJECTS ARE GOING TO BE NEAT.

and it is 11 p.m.
and John McCain just finish his speech at the
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
GOOD NIGHT
AND GOD BLESS US ALL
-


PASTORS KEEPING ON TRACK
Friday, September 05, 2008
PASTORS NEED TO KEEP A RIGHT STATE OF MIND
ABOUT HIS POSITION AS PASTOR
part five
The right theology – essential theology - in this matter
of what are the key ingredients that make a good
healthy Pastor. Getting the right state of mind about this
position as Pastor of a local church is essential in doing
it right and staying on track.

Having and keeping a right state of mind theologically
about ministry has been a task, since you are inundated
with so many different points of view about how to be a
healthy pastor and have a great church. You are
undoubtedly tempted to take another look at the
ministry and your position as Pastor. You look at the
church you attend or pastor and you see 20, 30 50, 100 people, and you see these other
churches growing to 1000 and you are going to be tempted to say, “Am I doing high-
quality ministry as a Pastor?” “Could I do a better?”

What are we willing to do to make greater impact on our community? And just how much
21

are we willing to make that impact? Many are willing to transform themselves and their
ministry to make a impact.

Many are saying, “What can we do to reach as many people as possible in our culture?”

Listen, when I see on the Internet these churches that are growing in number, and the
number they say are getting saved, it’s a challenge to stay in the race. You can go to
church on Sunday morning, and see a nearly empty church building. You try to get
excited about 30 people coming. (By the way, I really can).

Of course I really loved when I was at FBC in Hammond, Indiana, and 6000 people were
in one place. I would not be against that at all.

You view the websites of some of the churches that are growing and people are “getting
saved” (that is a point that I would debate) and you might think about a different
approach. They are very attractive and they are excellent in many ways.

What I am not willing to do, is to go against my inner spirit that I need to be different than
what the Lord will allow me to be. But I know that the Lord has and is changing me to be
more to His image that He would be pleased with.

What I need to be careful about, is changing my position, and character, and
characteristics in order to get a crowd. I really do want to see God bring a group of folks
to our church, I really do want to see God bring those whom He will bring to Himself for
salvation. But I am not willing to take my tie off when I preach, or wear jeans to church on
Sunday Night. (Maybe on Wednesday)

“Cotton candy tastes good for a fraction of a second and then is gone. And the nutrional
value of said cotton candy is zero. It is pretty and big, comes in different colors, and is
interesting to watch as someone makes it. In the end it is good for carnivals and fairs, but
no one eats it at the dinner table.” A comment I read this week on church growth
methodology.

I am not willing to change my mostly expositional preaching to telling stories that are
relevant to the culture, nor am I willing to use the “bait and switch” method of getting
people to come to church. Nor am I willing to have Saturday Worship in order to get
people in church. But I would serve pizza, I would have a Union Mills Bakery set up in the
foyer and a friendly atmosphere. But I would not change the auditorium to look like a
night club or coffee house atmosphere. Nor do I believe the auditorium should look like
the 50’s either.

SO WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO BE A PASTOR, AND BE RIGHT AS A PASTOR?
next post COMING


22

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST IN ALL THINGS
THE CATTLE ON THE HILL.
Eric and I were going to the church, and I
wanted this photo, I had been looking for a
photo to take with cattle on a hill side, and
this was perfect.

We often say, God owns the cattle on the
hill and even the hill.

GOD CREATED EVERYTHING

In the beginning there was nothing, and
God created (Genesis 1:1).

GOD OWNS EVERYTHING

• ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty” (Haggai 2:8).
• “Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm
50:10).
• “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to
him.” Psalm 24:1). The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and
those who dwell in it. Psa 24:1 New American Standard The earth is the LORD’s
and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, English Standard
Version

Flowing out of the fact that God created and owns everything is the logical conclusion
that whatever we possess is not really ours, but belongs to God; we are simply entrusted
with our possessions. Therefore, we are trustees, not owners.

WE ARE TRUSTEES

I Corinthians 4:1-2 (three translations of the text)
• “A person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful”
• This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the
mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found
trustworthy. English Standard
• Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
KJV
WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GOD:

• God is infinitely holy. God is perfect in thought, word and deed, and He is glorified
by His perfection and sinlessness (see below for a definition of sin). God is also a
perfect judge, and the Bible tells us that the "LORD Almighty will be exalted by his
justice, and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness" (Isaiah 5:16).
23

God's holiness may seem like good news at first glance. You may be thinking about
someone who has wronged you in the past, and are glad to hear that God will judge
them. You are right if you think that because God will judge all people. All people
will be judged by the perfect standard of God's holiness and righteousness.


PASTORAL MINISTRY: ADVICE TO
PREACHER
Saturday, September 06, 2008
PREACHING AND ADVICE TO
PREACHERS WHO PREACH AT OUR
CHURCHSO WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY
TO BE A PASTOR, AND BE RIGHT AS A
PASTOR?
part six
Knowing the right way, and doing the right
things, is the key, and most difficult to
accomplish.
HERE IS SOME ADVICE I WILL GIVE TO
THOSE WHO WE ASK TO SPEAK IN OUR
CHURCH
Here is some advice, the ministry is not a
game, this is not politics, this is not fun and
games, and this is not to be taking light
hearted. We will be accountable to Christ for
our words and actions.

I want to make sure I am going to be honest
with anyone who desires and I ask to preach
in our church, as much as possible. Now I do
have a few concerns. There are purposes
that God has calls preachers. There are
reasons preachers are God's under
shepherds in the church. Preachers, Elders,
Pastors have a personal responsibility to the
Lord in their duties as pastor of a church, and I take that responsibility seriously.
Here is my advice, what comments you make to one preacher or pastor make sure you
don't make the opposite comments to others. Don't play up,( if I might use that term) to
get on their good side. With me that is not necessary. While I might like someone, that
doesn't mean that I can automatic ask them to preach for us. There are reasons why I
need to know the person and know what he believes and how he preaches. He has to
respect our church position, our church members. He needs to be a Man of God first and
foremost.

ONE: As a pastor I have a responsibility to Christ first, than the church. Therefore in this
matter of letting someone preach is an important issue.

TWO: I consider my self a Fundamentalist, Evangelical, Independent Baptist preacher.
24

But that doesn't mean I fit the mode. I don't preach like many fundamentalists,
independent, Baptist preachers. I don't always agree with their methodology of preaching.
I am not KJV only. I believe in the doctrines of Grace. I don't agree that a preacher
controls the church, and he is LORD of the church. I do not agree that a preacher has
any authority other than the Word of God. He is to be a leader and give directions to the
church, and disciple others to be like Christ. I don't believe preaching should make
people feel guilty if they don't do the things that the preacher thinks they should do. I
believe that your preaching should presence what the Word of God is saying in the text
and then allow the Holy Spirit convict the believer.

THREE: What Rivers of Joy Baptist Church were under the last several preachers, have
their place, and they have done some good things. But as their pastor now, I am taking
the church in another direction, as they know and have agreed with. Therefore those who
preach will need to know that.
• In other words I would not want a guest preacher get up and say, "I am a KJV only
preacher and if preachers are not they are not right we God." While I preach out of
the KJV, that is I read from the KJV, I will quote from time to time from other
versions.
• I do not want a guest preacher get up and say, "If you are not a "soul winner" you
are not a good Christian." As an illustration of what you think a Chrsitians should do.
If it is in the text preach it, if it is not, don't preach it.
• I do not want a guest preacher to get up and rage about what he believes a
Christian should do or not do. I really am not interesting in what he wants people to
do, I want the preacher to tell me what the Word of God, in the text he is preaching
from says.

To have a guest preacher get up and say the opposite of what I am teaching to the
membership would not be very wise. We all have different view points that would be
okay, but not to undermine what I have been teaching.
FIVE: I can ask someone to speak that has some different points of view about ministry
and even some doctrinal issues, but what he says needs to be from the text of the Word
of God. He may have a different interpretation on some text, that is okay, but needs to be
presented in a manner that would give thought.

SIMPLY STATED, THE PREACHING AND TEACHING SHOULD BE BIBLICAL, AND
SCRIPTURAL FROM THE WORD OF GOD, AND THEOLOGICAL SOUND. AND YOU
PREACH CHRIST, AND NOT PREACHING AT THE PEOPLE BUT TO THE PEOPLE.
The advice here in this post, is first directed to myself. I need to heed the advice. I need
to be the right kind of pastor/teacher/elder for the church, and above all Jesus Christ.
The saints and servants in our church are too important to God's kingdom work, not to be
the best possible servant that I can be.


25

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL

52.6 I Thessalonians 1:5
Pastor/Teacher Charles E. Whisnant
What is the Gospel? Just ask the typical
American evangelical or fundamentalist the
question? Here is what you will likely hear:
“Believe in your heart that Jesus died for
your sins and you will be saved.”
NOTE SOME SCRIPTURES ON “WHAT IS
THE GOSPEL?”
o Mark 1:14-15

• Mark 1:14 ¶ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and
the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Jesus was saying then, that the gospel is preaching the kingdom of Christ, kingdom of
God which was breaking into this present world through the life, death, resurrection and
ascension of the Messiah. The Gospel, then, is the message of the Kingdom. Repenting
and believing is the means by which we are included in the gospel story of God’s work
throughout history.

God is redeeming for Himself a people out of a fallen world: we enter into the gospel
story by grace through faith alone. o Romans 1:1-6

• Ro 1:1 ¶ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto
the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy
scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed
of David according to the flesh; And declared [to be] the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we
have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations,
for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

We think of the Gospel as “the way of salvation.” There is another idea: “Redemption
accomplished.” is another way of saying the same.

There is a “history of salvation:” i.e. what God has done objectively throughout Biblical
history to accomplish the redemption of the world and of His people. The history of
salvation is found in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The first verse to mention the
process of salvation is Genesis 3:15." And I will put enmity between thee and the woman,
and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his
heel."

REDEMPTION APPLIED: This is how the redemption purchased by Christ becomes real
26

in the life of the believer.

Generally, all we ever learn about the Gospel and Salvation is “to repent and believe and
be baptized.” There is so much more to the process than this.
THE WORD GOSPEL MEANS ‘GOOD NEWS” Isaiah 52:7. Rom. 10:15.
• Isa 52:7 ¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good
tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth
salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Ro 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How
beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings
of good things!

MARK 1:1 “The beginning of the gospel <2098> of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
When was the beginning of the gospel? If the historical events of Jesus Christ did not
happen, then Christianity does not “work”. For the good news is that God has entered the
human “now” (history) with the life of the world to come.

Jesus Christ and the Gospel are the same. Jesus does not bring the gospel – He is the
gospel – because the gospel is that God has broken into history and accomplished
everything necessary for our salvation.

The gospel: “the gospel of the kingdom.” , Matthew 4:23,
• Mt 4:23 ¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all
manner of disease among the people.

The gospel is the message about the Kingdom of God entering into this world through the
ministry of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

THEN THE QUESTION BECOMES, HOW DOES ONE ENTER INTO THIS KINGDOM?
Matthew 18:3 "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."
How do I become a part of the new creation? cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man
[be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new."
What must I do to be saved? Cf. Acts 16:30 "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?" The answer of course is:
• “Repent and believe the gospel” mark 1:15

SO THE QUESTION WILL THEN BE: how does the gospel become real in our lives? i.e.
how is redemption applied to us?
The term “redemption” is used to express how one becomes a Believer, a Christian, and
is born again.
WHY IS THE GOSPEL SO IMPORTANT TO PREACH?

Because we see that all human beings are incapable of entering into the kingdom of god
on their own – that is – for us it is impossible to merit our own salvation. We are wholly
dependent upon the graciousness of our god for our salvation in every step along the
process described in Romans 8:28-30.
• Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow,
27

he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he
also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them
he also glorifiedPREACHING THE GOSPEL? It’s the Christian life. It is the way in
which we communicate the work of Christ to others, so that the story of their life
might be found within the grand story of god’s redemption.
Is your story found within the story of god’s redemption? Have you become a part of the
grand narrative in which our lives tell he story of His glory and His redeption.
• THE GOSPEL is, but more than “being saved” It’s redemption accomplished. The
story of Jesus, is how our salvation was accomplished by the work and words of
Jesus Christ. The story how God is redeeming His people for Himself to live in His
New Heaven and New Earth (Heaven)


GOD'S BEAUTIFUL CREATION
MY DRIVE TODAY, I HAD TO STOP AND
TAKE THESE PHOTOS
Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 09:21PM
(-05:00)

28

MY CHURCH OFFICE plus THE GOSPEL
MESSAGE
THIS IS MY STUDY ROOM AT THE
HOUSE. This photo I was trying to use to
make a point. Charity was trying to get the
point of what I was trying to get at. I WAS
POINT OUT......... A view of the office I
have at Rivers of Joy Baptist ChurchI like
the picture of the eagle.It's a great joy to
have a office again at the church. Its
humbling to know that the Lord is so
gracious to us.
The three pictures on the wall, I have had
since the 1980's and they speak of the
leadership roll of the Pastor/Teacher

SEVERAL QUESTIONS TOAY

1. CAN THERE BE REGENERATION WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION?

I.E. can a person go to Heaven without having been saved? Do those who never hear the
gospel go to Hell?

• CAN THERE BE JUSTIFICATION WITHOUT SANCTIFICATION?

I.E. can a person who has been justificed, saved, born again, and not be sanctified, this
is a change of character, nature, and a life style?

29

• AND CAN THERE BE EITHER (JUSTIFICATION/SANCTIFICATION) WITH OUT
THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST?

I.E. Can a person be saved without hearing the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom,
Jesus Christ?If you believe the truth about the Gospel then you need to follow that belief
throughout your understanding about the Gospel message.
• Upon futher study of the Scriptures, I finally understood that the Gospel is far more
than just the message about the invitation of salvation. Salvation is about the past,
present and future realities of the believers life, and the Work of God and Jesus
Christ.
• Salvation: is also Redemption revealed, and Redemption accomplished , and then
Redemption applied. From Genesis to Revelation the Story of Salvation/Redeption
is taught.
1. But just a footnote, I do not apply every verse in the Old Testament to Christ. I do
believe there is another thread that is woven throughout the Old Testament. I do not
spiritualize the Old Testament. I do believe in progressive history and progressive
redemption. I do believe there is a "seed" that you can trace throughout the Old
Testament and that seed is the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
1. I do not think I need to address salvation each time I preach, in the sense I need to
address "you need to be born again", with that said, I believe you need to preach or
teach the scriptures you are addressing.


BELIEF IS BASED UPON TRUTH NOT
FEELING OR LIKING IT.
TRUE BELIEF IN THE BIBLE REQUIRES
YOU TO BELIEVE BEYOND YOUR
BELIEF.

• Too often we can't believe the truth of Scripture because we don't like it. When the
subject comes to salvation, we know what the scripture says, but we still believe
that its not what we really believe. We might believe God saves, and Jesus is the
only way unto salvation, but at the same time we might believe some might still get
into heaven with out belief in Jesus Christ.
• "I just don't like it, pastor." "So it can't be true." That is often the case with many
Christians and their theology. When did truth depend upon our liking it?
• If the Scriptures says it, let us believe it. Yet when the plain sense of the scripture
makes it clear, then we must accept the truth of the Scriptures. Rather than reading
30

into the text what we believe to be true, let us read out of the text what is truth.
• Of course there needs to be correct study of the text for the correct interpretation of
the verse, thus we need to understand and believe.


The Brothers
19991949 or 52
DID YOU NOTICES WE ARE SITTING
THE SAME WAY. I know these photo are a
few years ago, but nevertheless now to get
an update.

(-05:00)

RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH
RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCHon 139 and 62 Shady LnMinford OhioWe have a
nice place to gather and have fellowship on Sunday

A view of the foyer

A view of the adult class and Wednesday Bible Study

A CHURCH: Rivers of Joy Baptist Church was started by Quentin King in 1992. I believe
there were sixty folks who started coming to the church when Quentin came back to
Portsmouth, from Friendship, Texas. Many of the people had already known the Kings, 31

when he started Porstmouth Baptist Church
back in 1959.
Too often the church body takes on the
character of the pastor, and Rivers of Joy is
no different. Quentin was the pastor of his
time. I don't mean to write a bio of him,
because am not sure of his history. But I do
know he loved the Lord. He was a man on
a mission, it seems. He would do what ever
it took to get people to church and put up a
building, with the money that was available.
It seemed in his day, that putting up a
building was not as important as getting
people to come to church. Just get the
building up and get the people in.
When I went to Altoona, Kansas, this was
the same mindset. Get up a building the
best you can and get the people to come.
The building was about as poorly build as
any building I have been in. Just honest.
Yet in spite of the outside of the building
and poorly put together inside, we had a
great group of people. And we slowly, very
slowly made the building a bit better. I am
glad now they have a very nice new
building. And still have a great group of
people.
Well back to Rivers of Joy. Some preachers
are driven by a big building and will go in
debt by the millions to build one. Others will
go the other direction, and put up a poorly
designed building. And its my experience
that preachers are not good building
builders, but think they are.
I guess that is the reason I was never
motivated to get a building up in Altoona, I
desired to, but I didn't want to go into debt or have a poorly buiding either.
Today we live in a culture that most folks have a nice home. We don't see many poorly
buildings today. It is not that you can worship in any building.

VIEW OUR WEBSITE AT
GROW BY LEARNING

AND

MY CHURCH

Charles E. Whisnant
Pastor/Teacher

32


Arlington Baptist College 1968 1969
FIRST ON CAMPUS REVIVAL 1968 BIBLE
BAPTIST SEMINARYARLINGTON
TEXASFront:Terry Spencer, Ken Hawkins,
Richard Conrod,Back:Joe Mays, Charles
Whisnant, Bill Smith, Duane Light(yes, that
is me at twenty)
Don, Linda Epps (Grimm) Becky Pickeral
Adams, Jeannie Wood,Charity Mucha
Whisnant, CharlesDecember 1968We
talked to Linda last week, she and John are
doing good.Becky is married to David
Adams, Dr. Adams, proferssor. Promotion
for the first On Campus Revival Bible
Baptist Seminary 1968 Girls Dorm Linda
Clark Shelton are good friend on the left

The FIRST ON CAMPUS REVIVAL AT
BIBLE BAPTIST SEMINARYIf I recall, forty
years ago, I was the Sunday Speaker on
Campus.If I reall, the Revival was our idea.
We pushed for an on campus event where
we could preach to the whole group of
seminary students. I loved preaching, and I
loved campus life.And I have been preaching since.andBill Smith, missionary to Brazil is
still preaching todayI would love to hear from the other fellows.

33

LET IT BE KNOWN NEWSLETTER 1969
LET IT BE KNOWN - STUDENTS OF BIBLE
BAPTIST SEMINARY NEWSLETTERNote the
PASTORAL PRACTICE CLASS
Dr. George Norris had the vision to start this class
with some of preacherboys. Off campus at Gideon
Baptist Church.Those were some of the best practical
classes on church and pastoral ministry. Believe me,
having taken my first church to pastor. These classes
really helped me.
Secondly Ralph and Barbara Wimm,Most outstanding
servants of ChristSTUDENT CHRISTIAN ACTIVITIES
CLUB.Bill Smith, Edgar Graham and Daniel Stockton
who were on this project with me, they were and are
as I understand great servants to the Lord. . Those
years 1966-1969 in Seminary were interesting to say
the least. As I remember the desire of my heart was
for the on campus students. I had desire to help them
move forward in their Christian service. I was only
nineteen in August 1966, but I had been a Youth Pastors
for two years prior in coming to Seminary. As I
remember the only on campus activity was the
Missionary group, and as I remember there was no
activity for the preachers, students that was not
missionaries. So I desired to start a ministry to minister
to them. As I remember we had a great time trying, but
as I also remember, not well received by the
administration. Of course this was 40 years ago. Those
were the years. Arlington Baptist College today, has
come alone way from those days. The current
leadership are doing a wonderful work.

34

A group of student spend many hours on this project,
Student Christians Activity Club. As I again
remember after 40 years. I still believe that this
would have been a wonderful ministry on campus, as
was the Campus Newsletter, and the Student on
Campus Revival.

And many of those who were on this project, have
proven themselves as wonderful servants of the Lord
Jesus Christ, many of them even after 40 years are
still serving the Lord today.


THE STATE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH TODAY
THE POTENTIAL FRUSTRATION OF THE
LOCAL CHURCH There are times over the
years that you do want to "pull your hair
out." There are times of frustration can set
in. Its human.

I am reading that local Churches
attendances in North America have
declined over the years. While there are
churches that are larger, those churches
are growing with those who have stopped
going to other churches. There are fewer
people going to church these days.

On a Sunday, “tech” is happening in classrooms, the Treehouse, the gym, the main
worship center and our new FX Live family production that kicked off this past Sunday.
The FX Live team has their own full tech team and uses IMAG (Image Magnification) in
their production as well. NOTE: FX Live has 2 cameras right now (the same ones we
35

used in our old worship center).

Well, come churches are trying to attract those who are dropping out of church. So some
churches are doing some other things to attract people to come to their church:

In this church they have chosen to have a great stage to attract people to come to the
church. Here is there staff

1. Dir. of Technical Arts (that’s me - I float around, encourage and oversee)
2. Front of House audio (usually our full-time Audio Coordinator)
3. A2 (second audio engineer at FOH)
4. Monitor Engineer
5. Lighting Technician
6. Service Director (on headset with stage managers, times service, executes)
7. Stage Manager on stage left
8. Stage Manager on stage right
9. Stage Manager on floor
10. Producer (takes in overall experience, gives creative feedback/guidance)
11. Video Director (right now the VD calls and switches)
12. Video Engineer (this person is the camera shader and is responsible for starting the
recordings for the DVD-R and capture to FinalCut for the video podcast)
13. Camera operator 1
16. Graphics Operator (right now their is one that runs EasyWorship)
17. FUTURE: Broadcast audio engineer (right now we capture to ProTools HD)
18. FUTURE: TD at the switcher (the Video Director will just call the shots)
19. FUTURE: Prompt Screen Operator (we are going to move to 2 graphics operators,
one for the screens that the people see and one just for the prompt screens that the
singers see)

I read this comment: I Chronicles 12:32 'And of the children of Issachar, [which were
men] that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of
them [were] two hundred; and all their brethren [were] at their commandment.' From this
text, "men who understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to
take" Today, church leaders must act as scouts, fervently asking the Lord for discernment
into how they can best practice biblically faithful ministry in their cultures and contexts." I
thought this has come merit.

So how is the Pastor and Staff to view the need of church ministry today.

Next time. Its late.

36

PASTOR/TEACHER CHARLES E.
WHISNANT AND CHARITY

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT WHEN
YOU COME TO RIVERS OF JOY
BAPTIST CHURCH
I HAVE WRITTEN A PROFILE OVER AT
MYCHURCH.
I have added a few outlines from the FIRST
THESSALONIANS SERIES.

37

PLEASE CHECK OUT GROWBYLEARNING CHURCH WEBSITE


Humor
I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO STEAL THIS
PICTURE FROM MY LOVELY,
WONDERFUL, YOUTHFUL, CARING,
SWEET SISTER, MOTHER, AND
GRANDMOTHER.

Posted by Charles E. Whisnant at 05:52PM
(-05:00)

FELLOWSHIP
FELLOWSHIP


38

BUILDING THE LOCAL CHURCH GOD'S WAY
EXCEPT THE LORD BUILD THE HOUSE
....THEY LABOR IN VAIN THAT BUILD IT.
EXCEPT the LORD BUILD
the HOUSE.... they LABOUR IN VAIN
that BUILD it: psalms 127:1

WORKING OUT HIS WILL.. 2 Thess. 1:11
PRINCIPLES Applied out of the Word of
God PRODUCES the CHANNEL for God to
BUILD His Body His Church.

I pray that God move like a whirl wind in our
lives and in the life of Rivers of Joy Baptist
Church and we move into operating our
Spiritual/Grace gifts and begin to minister to
"one another" in the ENERGY of the Holy
Spirit. (not in tongues)

LEARNING HOW TO DO GOD'S WILL IN
THE LORD'S WA Y

will produce a spirit within our congregation, which will produce a life within us, and we
will begin to see the Lord work within us. When the life and spirit of Christ is working
within us, we will see the Work of Christ within this Body.

How do we learn the Lord's will?

• Note I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, brethren, be ye steadfast unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord. forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in
vain in the Lord."
WHAT IS THE LORD'S WORK?

• What did the Lord do while He was on earth? Two things: He evangelized and He
39

edified. Luke 19:10
• The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Acts 1:2-3
"Until the day in which Jesus was taken up (into heaven), He was speaking of the
things pertaining to the kingdom of God" Refers to the edification of Christ's
disciples.

The Lord's work is "labour" (work)Christians have been called to do the Lord's work
in the Lord's way. And doing His work, your labor will not be in vain


Sports Collection
MICKEY MANTLE, BOBBY
RICHARDSON, TOM TRESH, YOGI
BERRA, ELSTON HOWARD,ROGER
MARIS, WHITEY FORD,AND THOSE
YANKEES OF THE 50'S AND 60'S.OVER
THE YEARS I HAVE ENJOYED
COLLECTION STUFF
Wheaties - I have eaten the breakfast of
champions for years, I just kept the box
Baseball, Football, NASCAR, Basketball
cards have been a part of my life for many
years.
A view in the collection room - Hot Wheels
and NASCAR

Some preachers play golf, or enjoy fishing,
and a few dirt racing.

DO PREACHERS/PASTORS/TEACHERS
HAVE OTHER INTERESTS?

The last several years, I have had little time
for my collection, I do from time to time
collect a few Hot Wheels, and a few new
Wheaties Boxes.

I still enjoy looking through my sport cards.
I do look as I go down the steps in the
morning at the collection I have on display,
but that is about as far as I have time for
these days.

ITS OKAY - YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL
GUILTY

40

(-05:00)

Pastoral Ministry
THE SMELL OF THE SHEEP

(No this is not me as a youth)

THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP

• 1 Peter 5:1-4: "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and
a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be
revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not
by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords
over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief
Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."
• 1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of
the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by 41

Grow By Learning[2] September December 2008

Grow By Learning[2] September December 2008

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Grow By Learning[2] September December 2008