Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

What stops you? What causes you to give up or to quit? Sometimes we need to quit. When we get into an area of weakness, we may need to change paths or cease a particular activity. But there's a fine line between giving up on something we've tried, or changing course, or failing to start. Are you the kind of person who finds the reasons why something can't be done? Does that behavior keep you from making a difference. Take one action today. Plant some seed. Don't let your circumstances take you out. Sometimes God acts after we take the first step.

In this week's episode of the Follower of One Podcast Mike speaks with Dr. Chris Wall. Chris is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Owasso and talks to Mike about how these uncertain times have brought some changes to both the church and our daily lives. 

Episode Breakdown

01:20 - Meet Chris Wall

4:55 - How has Faith moved with these times?

6:50 - The Pandemic changes the way we minister

12:45 - Mutual Accountability 

16:30 - Responsibility for a Pastor at a local Church

19:30- Being the solution and not the problem

20:25 - Importance of the Market Place Mission Trip

29:35 - How to connect with FBC Owasso

Real Power of the Church

How do we define the real power of the Gospel or even the real reach in the Church? Sometimes this is very hard to define or even see, however, we must look past just the teachings, experiences, and lessons we learn each Sunday. According to Chris, the real power of the Church happens on an everyday basis. This is symmetrical to the importance of our Marketplace Mission Trip. We are all called on by God to spread his word and use our knowledge to lead others to Christ effectively. We can't do that only on Sundays or during small group meetings, so we must look outward to our workplace, or friendships and our families! Our mission landscape is much larger than you might think and it takes an everyday focus to achieve what God has called us to do.

Changing with Change

Change is inevitable. Especially during these times of crisis, we must see opportunities rather than obstacles. Chris speaks directly to this in the podcast by explaining both how the communication and the church as a whole have shifted to create a bigger and broader opportunity for both FBC Owasso and Christ-followers alike. Are you stuck in your ways? Is change hard to become accustomed to? It is for all of us, but we have a bigger purpose. We must mold to changing circumstances and just like in your job, things change sometimes even daily. We challenge you today to see some of these changes as potentially your greatest opportunities and seek comfort in God who is unwavering!

Accountability

Chris and Mike discuss how there is special accountability between the local Church and its members. Chris says that it is his job to be there for his members in the same way it is our job to let him know when he needs to remain steadfast. Just like a relationship at work, you are accountable to your boss the same way your boss should be accountable for you. This cycle is extremely important because it opens a two-way street. No one is perfect and to grow and prosper together you must learn from each other and also be the first one to show when you have strayed from your designed path God has created for you. What does your faith look like without liability?

Jesus noticed a woman putting 2 small coins in the offering. And he took the time to point it out to his disciples. It was common for people to make a show of what they put in. It would have been a procession with people showing off, being noisy, doing their giving in a way that said, "Look at me." But not this widow. She was quiet. But she put in more than anyone else according to Jesus. Do you do anything without a plan b simply because you love Jesus? What can we do today at work just because we follow Jesus?

Just before Jesus was crucified, a lady came to him during an evening meal and broke an expensive jar of perfume and poured it over Jesus. She wasn't rational. She didn't just sprinkle some of it on him. But she broke the vial. She wanted to use every bit. When we love someone we do unreasonable things. Our love prompts us. Do we love Jesus such that we would do unreasonable things simply because we love him? Do we ever give our time and money because of our love? Do we do anything that can't be explained except for the fact that we love Jesus?