Entries by samster@vfbt.org

What is a Church Supposed to Do?

A mission statement has become a popular tool for businesses to clearly communicate the purpose of their existence.  Here are some of the mission statements of some of the largest companies in the world. Mission Statements of Businesses: Google:  Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Facebook:  […]

Four Lessons from Jericho

Time Magazine has not been normally known for being a staunch supporter of the Scriptures, but in March 5,1990 they ran an article in their science column.  “Science:  Score one for the Bible! Flesh Clues support the story of Joshua at the walls of Jericho.”  Over the years archaeologists have come to differing conclusions about […]

Minister Christ’s Love to One Another

What are Core Values?   Core Values and Beliefs describe what God says are the most important priorities of our existence as a church and as individuals.  They are God’s Top Priorities!  Core values help us make ministry plans as a church and everyday decisions as individuals. Core Value #3 – Minister Christ’s Love to […]

New Free E-book: Long Term Sermon Planning

Without a doubt, one of the most difficult things I do every year as a pastor is spending two weeks in November preparing a preaching schedule for the following year. Without a doubt, one of the most important things I do every year is an annual preaching schedule. The quality of the messages is greatly […]

Model Christ for the Next Generation

What are Core Values?   Core Values and Beliefs describe what God says are the most important priorities of our existence as a church and as individuals.  They are God’s Top Priorities!  Core values help us make ministry plans as a church and everyday decisions as individuals. Core Value #2 – Model Christ for the […]

Make Christ Known

What are Core Values?   Core Values and Beliefs describe what God says are the most important priorities of our existence as a church and as individuals.  They are God’s Top Priorities!  Core values help us make ministry plans as a church and everyday decisions as individuals. Core Value #1 – Make Christ Known to […]

The First King Size Bed

King of the Jews The wise men followed a very special star to the land of Israel asking, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?”  When they found Him in Bethlehem, they came worshipping and gave Him valuable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that no doubt sustained the family when they […]

A Journey of Faith, Part 2

Reprinted from Baptist Voice, Part 2 Ministry Lessons Philippians 4:19 – Missions!  “If we take care of God’s business He will take care of our business.”  God blesses a church that is committed to the Great Commission.  We began supporting missionaries before we even chartered the church.  God has honored His promise to meet the […]

A Journey of Faith, Part 1

Reprinted from The Baptist Voice, Part 1 On a hot summer day in 1975, God answered my mom’s prayers and my dad was wonderfully saved from a life of alcohol addiction.  At a service station, my parents picked up a church tract which resulted in our family attending Fairfax Baptist Temple.  After hearing Pastor Bud […]

Revival and Revolutions

The Great Awakening Revival had a huge impact on the founding of our country.  Our founding documents reverberate with the heartbeat of revival sparked by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield.  Following the War for Independence, our Founding Fathers established a constitution based on a division of powers modeled after Isaiah 33:22, where we see the […]