Global Missions Video

In case you missed Sunday evening, here is the Global Missions Video with several missions opportunities for you and your family this year!

Psalm 136 Remix

Here is the text of Psalm 136 Remix we shared last night during Vision Night. Greater things are yet to come!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the God of gods
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the Lord of lords
His love endures forever

For God’s abundant provision in allowing us to remain debt free
His love endures forever
Who blessed 68 couples that attended the Hispanic Couples Conference
His love endures forever
And has given us a Spirit of unity and a bond of peace
His love endures forever
Give thanks for a gracious, steadfast, and faithful Lord
His love endures forever
For over 500 children who learned that God is wild about them during VBS
His love endures forever
And 70 first time professions of faith at our 2011 Metamorphosis Retreat
His love endures forever
Who has called many to commit themselves to the work of the Kingdom in the Hispanic Ministry’s 40 Days of Purpose
His love endures forever
For over 200 who served our community in Operation Inasmuch
His love endures forever
And well over 2000 people loved by 300 Apex Baptist Members during our Fun Fest
His love endures forever
God brought 11 people to faith during our Atlanta Power Plant trip
His love endures forever
And demonstrated His love when His body helped families devastated by the April tornadoes
His love endures forever
Our Upward Celebration in January saw 50 children and 12 adults trust in Jesus
His love endures forever
For those from our body who are currently serving overseas planting churches
His love endures forever
For lives that were changed and marriages strengthened through the Festivals of Marriage Retreat in Ridgecrest
His love endures forever
And to Him who brought us a faithful minister of the Gospel for the past 28 years!
His love endures forever

Give thanks to the God of heaven
His love endures forever

ABC Vision Night

Come gather with our whole church family for our 2011 ABC Vision Night this Sunday, September 25 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the ABC Fellowship Hall.

At Vision Night, we'll talk and pray about how God is leading and equipping us to move forward. We'll hear about the vision He's given us thus far, talk about how we're currently responding to it, and look forward to what God has in store for us this next year.

There will be some wonderful music, and Phil will be giving his final charge to our local body as he prepares for the next adventure in his life! We hope you can come hear him!

We'll also have a chance to vote on our 2011-2012 budget and new Bylaws and Constitution. Come join us as we gather as a church around our mission to celebrate, pray and worship God for what he's done. You don't want to miss it!

We'll begin with some light refreshments at 6:00 PM and childcare will be provided for Birth through 4th Grade.


See you on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00!

The Most Important Unreached People Group

Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor

We hear about unreached people groups all the time in evangelical circles. And for good reason. According to the Joshua Project there are currently 6,913 unreached people groups. Around 2.83 billion people. Unreached means that less than 2% of each of these groups are evangelical (Christians with fairly clearly defined theologies). Bringing the Gospel to these peoples is truly a monumental and an important work for our generation. There is no doubt that our relationship with Christ compels us to GO.

But here's the other side of the coin. Recently, in a seminar, I heard a person make an argument that I had never quite heard in this particular form. He said, "The most important unreached people group today is the children of believers."

I had to let this sink in. And as it did, I realized the truth of this statement. Someone once said that it only takes one generation for a church to drift into heresy and folk Christianity. We can have the fastest growing church in the world, on fire for Jesus, but if we're not grounding our children in a Biblical worldview and teaching them a personal relationship with Christ, it can be all for naught. It really is a task of utmost urgency in the church.

With that being said, it is sad that we have to beg and plead for folks in the church to help in our children's ministry. It should be an honor! A privilege! A most sacred undertaking! Not done out of guilt or duty. These kids are our future--our hope that God will continue to use ABC in the future as a light in a dark place long after our time is gone. We should have to turn away workers because we already have too many! 

“Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children..."
Lamentations 2:19

RECONCILE (Coming This January)

We are excited to announce our new Go Initiative beginning Sundays, January 2012. RECONCILE springs from 2 Corinthians 5 and is all about our church living missionally as “ministers of reconciliation” in our community. Throughout this Fall we will have three Launch Prep meetings for RECONCILE that we hope you can attend! During these times we will worship together and seek God’s Face. Make sure to attend our Vision Night on September 25 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the ABC Fellowship Hall where we'll talk a little bit more about RECONCILE and plans for 2012. Check out the Launch Prep dates below and contact us with any questions!

1. Launch Prep 1: Sunday, October 2 at 4:00 PM in the ABC Choir Room
2. Launch Prep 2: Sunday, November 6 at 4:00 PM in the ABC Choir Room
3. Launch Prep 3: Sunday, December 4 at 4:00 PM in the ABC Choir Room

Fall 2011 Reading List

Here are a few books recommended by some of our staff for Fall reading! Enjoy!

1. Eugene H. Peterson's book, Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading, will take its rightful place on my list of twenty must read books for any Christian, even though I don't agree with every point made in it. Peterson wants to make reading the Bible personal, relational, and transformational. Instead of someone being lord of the text, examining it as if in a laboratory or solely coming to it for information or with a desire to build a dogmatic belief system, he wants the reader of the Bible to submit their life to the transforming, power-filled, recreating, inspirational thoughts of Scripture. He wants us to read the Bible in everyday language and metaphors that helps us relate to, understand, enter into and live within God’s currently unfolding story.
   
2. Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch's book, The Faith of Leap, is a convicting read dealing with the theology of risk and adventure in the church. This book is a corrective to the dull, adventureless, risk-free phenomenon that describes so much of contemporary Christianity. It explores the nature of adventure, risk, and courage and the implications for church, discipleship, spirituality, and leadership.
3. D.A. Carson's book, The God Who Is There, is an excellent introduction to the God of the Bible for both seekers, new believers and those who need to go back to some foundational principles. In this basic introduction to faith, D. A. Carson helps readers to know what they believe and why they believe it. A wonderful read!
4. Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's book, Erasing Hell, addresses the deepest questions you have about eternal destiny. Like you, sometimes the authors just don't want to believe in hell. But they state up front, "We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue." This is not a book about who is saying what. It's a book about what God says. It's not a book about impersonal theological issues. It's a book about people who God loves. It's not a book about arguments, doctrine, or being right. It's a book about the character of God. 

The Fall Plan

On Sunday, August 21 the ABC Personnel Committee presented a motion regarding church operations and staff responsibilities for the period of October through December 2011. We wanted to reproduce it here in case you were unable to attend the worship services on August 21.

1. In addition to his current responsibilities, Chuck Thompson will be considered the official head of the Apex Baptist Church staff. Interactions between staff and all escalations will be worked through him.
   
2. In addition to his current responsibilities, Tim Shaw will ensure the pulpit is manned for all Sunday services and any other events, as required. Tim’s responsibilities include publishing a rotation for staff to preach (which has been included below:)
   
3. Oct 2 - Chuck, Oct 9 - Peter, Oct 16 - Nathan, Oct 23 - Chuck, Oct 30 - Tim; Nov 6 - Alex (combined service), Nov 13 - Nathan, Nov 20 - Chuck, Nov 27 - Tim; Dec 4 - Nathan, Dec 11 – Alex, Dec 18 - Peter, Dec 25 - Tim
   
4. All other ministerial staff responsibilities remain unchanged.
   

In October 2011, the Personnel Committee will begin a search for an interim pastor to fulfill weekly duties beginning the first Sunday in January 2012.