by Eddie Lyons
Some conversations are often the beginning of life changes and new direction. When I think about change points in my life, they often began with a conversation. As a boy, after watching the funeral of a president, I had a conversation with my mother about death, dying, and eternity. That led me to an understanding of the gospel and to kneel beside my bed and have a conversation with God about my sin and eternity. That conversation changed my life.
Years later, I had a conversation with this girl about becoming my wife. To be clear, she did not say yes the first or second time I asked. The third time, however, she did say yes. I am so glad I kept that conversation going. My wife makes my life richer and more fun every day.
When our fifth child was born, the doctor came into our room and had a conversation with us I will never forget. It included this life-changing statement, “I think your son has Down’s Syndrome.” Cindy and I started seeking out groups of other parents of children with special needs because we needed to figure out how to walk this path.
Meetings are places for conversations about important things. I know the nature of the conversation when I go to the doctor; we will talk about my health. When I sit with my tax preparer, that conversation is both predictable (hopefully!) and important. Many of the ideas that have changed our world were carried forward through strategic conversations. The Baptist Bible Fellowship provides a place for missional conversations.
As leaders in ministry, we come together and talk. No one understands the joys and challenges of ministry like someone else in ministry. Other pastors and leaders understand our struggles and can provide insight and perspective. These conversations are rich and strengthening. Hearing the stories of others gets me out of my Elijah mentality that has convinced me that “I alone am left” doing ministry that is both difficult and exhausting.
As a Fellowship we will keep several strategic conversations going. First we will keep the church planting conversation going. We must keep talking about the need for church planting and how we are going to plant new churches. We must continue the conversation about church revitalization and best practices for renewal. How can we come alongside struggling churches and see them catch a fresh wind and new life? We must never let the missions conversation go away. We are still commanded to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Who will go? How can we help them?
The Baptist Bible Fellowship is a vital platform for these world-changing conversations. The theme for our February 2015 meeting is church planting. The September 2015 meeting will be hosted by High Street in Springfield, MO, and the theme is church revitalization. Come and be a part of the conversation.