First Baptist Church Saltillo
Home
Events
Visitors
Pastor Letter
About Us
Beliefs
Testimony
Missionaries
Prayer
Location
Service Times
Links

Pastor’s Letter

Vision is very important for any healthy church. In relation to the local church, vision is the ability to see God’s will for the future, or at least to see the direction God wants to see the church move in. Historically, this always has to come from one person; the leader, pastor, shepherd, who also has to be the visionary. Without a vision the people perish. This is because the vision strengthens the church for what is to come. It allows the church to build for the future and to be prepared for it. My vision for the First Baptist Church of Saltillo PA is not 5 things.

  • It is not to grow in numbers- this would be awkward at best. We tried it and proved we could do it, growing to an average weekly attendance of almost 100 several years ago. But we returned to one worship service and sacrificed numbers for quality of worship and fellowship.
  • It is not to build a new building- I have always believed that the church in America is “building spoiled”. We all believe that we need new big structures to do God’s will. I believe that if we have access to the kinds of resources necessary to build a new building, then we should be giving that money to missions and to benefit others.
  • It is not to keep alive a traditional pattern of the church’s weekly services. We need to provide MEANINGFUL worship and educational experiences.
  • It is not to compete with any other church. Each church should have certain resources uniquely available to them for them to use. There is no need for every church in town to do the same ministry.
  • It is not to copy the mega-church model of how to do church. “One church fits all” is not an option in rural Pennsylvania. Each church must find its own place in this world.

 

My vision, in no particular order and not to be seen as a ranking, is the following…

  • To keep Jesus first. (Jn 3:30)
  • To develop a sense of purpose (Eph 2:10) (This predates Rick Warren’s book by the way)
  • To develop a burden for Missions. (Mt 28:19-20)
  • To develop a hunger for God’s Word (2 Tim 2:15)
  • To develop service opportunities (Gal 6:9)
  • To protect the church from error (2Tim 3:16)
  • To develop a faith that is strong and relational (Heb 12:1-2)
  • To help our young people  (1Tim 4:11-16)  1) dream (Esth 4:14), 2) develop a strong faith (Eph 6:16),  3) be strong in the Word (Heb 4:12), and 4) develop a love for God’s church wherever they end up living (Heb 10:24-25).

 

As the Pastor of the church, it is my task to continually steer us in the direction of the vision God has given me. Vision is only effective if the people adopt the vision of the leader. I believe that the Deacons have adopted this vision, at least in principle, if not as a whole since I have not shared it with them as a whole. I have shared aspects of this vision over the last 7 years but this is the first time I have shared it as a single entity. This is therefore also the first time for my asking you to adopt it and find your place in it. There is room for you! I believe that if someone can not in good conscience buy into the vision of the pastor, that person has an obligation to discuss same with the pastor and I invite you to do this. Any vision can only be carried out if everyone agrees that these glimpses of God’s will are for the church. Any aspect which meets with significant opposition will fail. (Gal 6:9) We therefore need each of you to carry out this vision. God bless you as we strive together.

                                                                                                                --- PD Oldham



Site Credits