Come Join Us!

Just a reminder...visitation begins tomorrow night (Tuesday)  at 6:30 p.m. We will meet in the Homebuilder's Classroom in the Family Life Center and will have a time of prayer and then go out to make visits. Even if you are uncomfortable talking we will partner you with someone who will lead you as you go out together. Also childcare will be provided until 8:00 p.m. free of charge. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at bruce@atcentral.org.

Why Should I Pray for My Pastor?

An Outline by Elmer Towns

A. Because his victories are the church’s victories (Exodus 17:11)

B. Because he needs to preach in the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1;14;18)

C. Because lost souls are saved through his ministry (Ezekiel 22:30)

D. Because he needs great times of Bible Study and prayer (Acts 6:4)

E. Because of heavy burdens (II Corinthians 11:28)

F. Because he needs to discipline his time and make good leadership decisions

G. Because he needs to be a good husband and father and grandfather

H. Because he needs to be holy, healthy and wise

I. Because you help bear his burdens (Galatians 6:2)



Three important times to pray for your pastor…

A. Sunday night/Monday morning

B. Saturday night

C. Any time the Holy Spirit brings him to mind



Keys to praying more effectively for your pastor…

A. Cut the criticism and use your prayers to bless him

B. Squelch Gossip

C. Roll up your sleeves and get to work

D. Be openly responsive

E. Treat him with respect

F. Thank God for the calling, gifts and abilities of your pastor

G. Pray for opportunities

H. Pray for those who try to criticize or hurt him

I. Pray for him to have a spirit of excitement as he preaches

J. Pray for a discerning mind to prioritize his time

K. Pray for the pastor’s family

L. Pray for the pastor’s staff

Trading My Sorrows

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (King James Version)
8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

In a world where it's easy to get caught up with dissatisfaction, complaining, grumbling and despair, it's reassuring to know God has a trade in policy. He has his own "cash for clunkers" deal!

If you're feeling down, troubled, distressed or perplexed, God's Word says you don't have to feel despair. Feeling persecuted?...don't....He's not forsaken you. Feeling cast down?...don't...you know the end of the story...HE wins!

The enemy likes nothing better than to attack God's people and trick them into thinking that because they feel a certain way that God has forgotten about them. Wake up Christians!!! This is satan's tactic and we just need to outsmart him and remember who we know. The wide, deep love of our Heavenly Father cancels out our feelings of distress and persecution. His love produces a no fear policy in our lives and should encourage us to walk close to Him and trade in our sorrows for joy! After all HIS joy is our strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 (King James Version)
10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Something for Everyone

Wednesday nights-7pm-are a great time to be at Central. Besides the great fellowship and visiting before and after church, you'll find lots of extras to help you grow closer to Christ.

First, the kids have just kicked off their choirs. The hustle and bustle you might hear from the children's hall will turn to music to your ears in just a few weeks. Believe it or not...they are already planning for Christmas. Kids age 3 to 6th grade can join in the fun.

The student ministries are starting their choir up next week. They are scheduled to sing in our Sunday morning services this fall. What a treat that will be!

Financial Peace began in the Parlor this week. They had a great crowd and will continue this study through the fall.

Pastor leads a simple, quiet prayer service each Wednesday in the auditorium. It's a time of refreshment and nourishment for your midweek walk with the Lord. Prayer request are taken and prayed for and praise reports are given. Live music and a short devotion are also part of this time of encouragement.

Nursery is available for all the little ones.

So, if you're feeling your mid-week could use a little pick-me-up, then come join us for an uplifting time. You'll be glad you did!

Clean Air, Clean Water....Clean Lives?

In the words of CBI instructor Ronnie Caldwell, " People today want clean water, clean air, but don't necessarily want clean lives". Isn't that the truth?

But, before we go pointing the proverbial finger, Christians have to take a look at ourselves. It's easy to say we want to live a life after God, but how often do we get caught up in the world? We get the muck and mire of our earthly walk stained on our spiritual skin. We say on Sunday "I surrender all", but by Tuesday we are singing a different tune.

Dedicating ourselves to clean living is a life process. We aren't programmed for clean living, so it means we have to reprogram the way we think, talk, act and walk. Instead of complaining and gossiping, we have to reprogram ourselves to be thankful and encouraging. Instead of doing our own thing, we have to reprogram ourselves to think of others...and the contrast could go on forever.

This spiritual walk is a constant learning process. It's not overnight. It takes time. Making simple choices to change bad habits and unclean living will not only renew your mind and heart, it will being glory to our God.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Old Testament Survey Starts Tonight!

For years Central Baptist Church has been offering classes to help Christians grow deeper in their understanding of God's Word. Tonight at 7pm we will be beginning the Old Testament Survey Class. The cost is $25 for the entire semester. If you have any questions, please contact the church office for more information.

School Days

Today many students from Central Baptist Church will begin their new school year. They will darken the halls of our schools for the first time in months, open textbooks and be exposed to new concepts and teaching strategies. Many of our families homeschool their children and either have already started or will be starting in just a few days. Their goals will be the same as other teachers....- Prepare these children for the future.

God's Word says we are all to be students of the Bible. We find over and over the admonishment to study His Word, memorize His Word and apply His Word. As Christians we sometimes have to be reminded that just as a child going to school will spend hundreds of hours in a classroom learning the three R's, we need to be spending quality and quantity time in God's Word. It's preparation for the future...the good days and the bad. Within its pages are the words of wisdom we should live and love by and the instructions for daily living.

As the leadership prays for teachers and students of CBC this week, we also remember the great command given in God's Word to study:

(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Let's all become students who are preparing for our future, spending time being instructed and studying God's Word.