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West Park Baptist Church Blog

A Reflection of MLK Day

January 16, 2023 by Sam Polson Leave a Comment

April 4, 1968 and April 4, 2018 are two dates separated by exactly 50 years, but both of them are indelibly etched together on my mind. On that Spring day in 1968, as a 12-year-old boy, I recall watching flicker on the screen of our black and white television set the scenes of grief and rage across the nation in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. At that time I knew very little about Dr. King, and honestly, what I had heard about him, as interpreted by the completely white and southern culture in which my young life was formed, was not very good. He was a “trouble maker,” a “communist” and maybe even worse, “a liberal democrat.” Yes, I did hear many Christian people say they were sad for his wife and children, but some of them also expressed that they really believed the nation was better off without him.

After several years of growing up and growing into young manhood, I was converted to faith in Jesus in a church that faithfully preached the gospel and yet also firmly held to the racial view of “separate but equal.” After that, for 6 years I was provided an amazing education and preparation for ministry from godly faculty and staff in a university deeply rooted and stubbornly holding to a long history of racism and bigotry. Then, following graduation, my wife and I still in our early-20’s, moved to a beautiful, small Midwestern city, “Flag City USA” as it was called. There we served on the church staff of a congregation of the most loving, devout, lily-white and racially clueless people you could imagine…and I was right at home.

Of course, I could very confidently affirm that I was not a racist, but I was also most definitely, and quite contentedly, ignorant of the suffering, discrimination and injustice being experienced by fellow human beings, image-bearers of my God, whose skin happened to be a few shades darker than mine. Millions of these people were also clearly, according to the Bible that I firmly believed and preached, my brothers and sisters in the family of God. Yes, I knew that… but I didn’t know them…know their history, know their stories, know their experiences, and know their trials as my fellow disciples following Jesus. But, eventually, all that changed, and how I thank the Lord today for that change!

Early in my pastorate, faith-filled and love-motivated men of color, overcoming great discomfort to themselves, invaded my comfortable life. They were relentlessly intentional, relational and missional in seeking community with me. I was a pastor, their pastor, but they were my shepherds. They lovingly led me to a bigger, greener pasture of greater awareness and also the joyful enlightenment that God’s flock is massive, multi-ethnic and multi-colored. They opened my mind to recognize that the needless dividing of God’s flock over color is, in reality, the work of the enemy. And these beloved, brave, brother-shepherds walked with me to the mountaintop to help me see a vision of a church which is more ravishingly beautiful and radically powerful, when it is racially diverse.

On the afternoon of April 4, 2018, it was truly a mountaintop view that I shared with two of these beloved brothers in Memphis, Tennessee. We joined that day with thousands of brothers and sisters of every color, uniting in praise and worship of our one Lord, and one Master, Jesus Christ. For a moment we caught a glimpse and shared a brief experience of the dream of Dr. King, the dream which will one day be our eternal reality before the King of Kings. That is the dream which is His will…here, now, in us and on earth. May this dream of Dr. King, the will of the King of Kings, be our constant prayer and relentless pursuit.

“O, Lord, this is your Kingdom and your will done in heaven, help us to devote ourselves to seeing it come and done on earth. Amen.”

Filed Under: West Park Baptist Church Blog

Holy Week Prayer Guide 2022

April 11, 2022 by West Park Baptist Church Leave a Comment

Jesus invites us to experience life-changing power as we see Him through the eyes of faith. Let’s prepare our hearts in prayer as we focus on the Light of Jesus and celebrate His resurrection during Holy Week.

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-38; John 12: 12-19 
We thank you Lord as we approach this important Passion Week, where you triumphantly rode on a colt into the Holy City not only as King of the Jews but as our coming King. Thank you that our King did not ride in the city on a stallion, but meek and lowly on a colt. Thank you for being compassionate towards hopeless people. The crowds in the Holy City were pleading for salvation from their earthly enemies. The real enemy is not flesh and blood but it is the arch-enemy, the Devil. During this week, the Devil thought he would be the victor, but Jesus crushed his head. Glory and Honor to our King! We are so thankful that the King came not to be served, but to give His life as a ransom for many.

Monday

Matthew 21:12-20; John 12:1-14; Mark 11:11-33           
Hosanna to the highest! Just as the sweet perfume Mary used to anoint your feet filled the air of their home, may our prayer be a sweet aroma of praise to you as you sit at the right hand of the Father. In this solemn resurrection season, unlike the barren fig tree that Jesus cursed, may our lives bear fruit that testifies to your indwelling Spirit in our lives. As we come together to worship you, may our church be a house of prayer that glorifies, honors, and pleases you.

Tuesday

Matthew 21:20-27; Matthew 21:28-23:39; Mark 11:20-12:44              
Thank you, Lord, that the Stone the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone. There is no other name by which man can be saved. As we navigate in this fallen world, help us to look to you as the Cornerstone of our faith. May our hearts be aligned with yours Jesus, so that by your grace, we possess a faith that can move mountains. We are humbled when we consider that you have authority over heaven and earth, and yet you choose us and call us your beloved. We praise you as we sing Hosanna to the King of Kings. You knew what awaited in Jerusalem, and yet you rode the donkey into town in obedience to the Father.

Wednesday

Luke 22:3-6; Matthew 26:14-16
Forgive us Lord Jesus as we are so easily distracted from following you. Judas, your disciple, was possessed by Satan to betray you for 30 pieces of silver. The lure of money and other selfish desires can tempt us too. This fallen world beckons us every day to go astray. Help us to keep our focus on you and to realize our great need for you. Our personal relationship with you is far more valuable than silver or gold or anything this world could offer.   

Maundy Thursday

John 13:12-17, 34; I John 3:16-19a 
To the One who knew that He had come from God and was going to God; to Him who laid aside His garments and took a towel… and began to wash the disciples’ feet; You alone are worthy to mandate, to command, your followers to love in a self-sacrificing way. You gave us an example to live by during that Passover celebration. You want your followers to love not with lip-service but with action! Good Shepherd, help us to love one another in such a way that the world will know that we are members of Your flock.  

Good Friday

John 19; Psalm 22:1-24; Hebrews 10:19-25 
Lord Jesus, God the Son, in whom the very essence of the Holy Trinity exists, you were born into this world as man so that in obedience to the Father, you could lay down your life for man. Your agony was far more than your physical suffering on the cross. You took upon yourself the wrath of God’s justice that our sins might be forgiven and our relationship with our Creator restored. We bless your name as you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life for the world. 

Saturday

Matthew 27:57-65 
Lord Jesus, we can’t begin to imagine what was taking place in the spiritual realm while the body you used in the physical realm lie cold and still behind the sealed stone. We believe that you were spreading the news of your final victory over sin and death among those who had been waiting centuries to hear that good word. While your earthly followers hid themselves out of fear and confusion, your heavenly followers had a joyful celebration because they knew what had taken place. May we, who also share that knowledge, celebrate it and declare it with like passion among those whose hearts are like that sealed stone. 

Resurrection Sunday

Mark 16:1-7; Matthew 28:1-20; John 20:1-21
Father, your gift to us has been opened, complete, and today we celebrate, in awe, the finished work of Jesus. By His resurrection, death was defeated. The grave lost its sting. We have hope and life because on this day, as the angels declared to stunned disciples, and as He, himself, declared to Peter, Cleopas, Mary, Thomas, and all who gathered in a locked room, Jesus is risen. The debt has been paid. Thank you for the Spirit who inspired the writing of the Word and gives us understanding. Thank you that my shackles are gone. Thank you for an empty tomb. Thank you for the mission in the Great Commission. May we shout it from the rooftops, declare it in the streets, and live it out in our lives! Christ is risen!! We praise you for this! And may our lives say, “He is risen, indeed!” AMEN

Filed Under: West Park Baptist Church Blog Tagged With: Cross, Easter, Easter 2022, Easter Prayer Guide, He is Risen, Holy week, Holy Week Prayer Guide, resurrection, West Park Baptist Church

Global Missions Conference 2022: Prayer Guide

February 25, 2022 by West Park Baptist Church Leave a Comment

Missions conference week is an exciting time where everyone feels connected to the cause of global missions. However, we need to foster a culture where prayer is the normal, everyday response to the call of Christ to go to all the world. To pray effectively, how can we start? And for what things should we pray?  

First, start with a time – 9:38.  

It can be either AM or PM or both.  

Why 9:38? It’s a time reminder based on Matthew 9:38, where Jesus says,  

“Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” 

This prayer initiative, started by the staff at ABWE, invites us to intentionally pray each day for missionaries to be sent out into all the world.  

As Pastor Sam Polson recently reminded us, when we pray this, expect God to move in our hearts. God will respond by sending laborers out, but He will likely work on your heart and mine to perhaps send us out in fields he’s prepared for us! 


How to Pray During This Conference 

Much hard work by our faithful staff members has gone into making this week possible. We would ask that you join us in praying some specific requests outlined below, for all our hard work is only possible by the grace of our Lord, and we need His help in every way that this week would be a blessing to our missionaries and church body.  

1) Pray for the Sunday preachers: David Woodard (2/27) and Paul Davis (3/6). Pray that they would depend on the Lord; pray that they would communicate God’s message to West Park. Pray that they would be kept from spiritual warfare and frustrations in ministry that often come and distract from the preparation that goes into preaching God’s Word. Pray that they would be personally challenged and encouraged by God’s Word.  

2) Pray for our missionaries: David and Debbie Woodard, Gary and Marty Crawford, and George Romeos and his son William. Pray that they are enriched spiritually, materially and physically while they are with us. Ask God to supply all their needs, as many face transitions and difficulties right now in their primary ministries. Pray that they would truly reconnect with the pastors and staff at West Park, and that they would be assured of our love for them.  

3) Pray for our church staff. Pray for healthy communication between staff members as they manage many fine-tuned details this week. Pray for their growth in grace and teamwork this week. Ask God to help them manage the communication details, particularly for the communication team. Ask God to help Pastor Joe and Debbie Trotter to oversee the various behind-the-scenes work of serving the missionaries this week.  

4) Pray for our church. Pray that all coming would experience the joy of seeing God work in the world. Pray that we would also be awakened from spiritual lethargy (sleepiness) that is causing us to be apathetic about evangelism. Pray that each person this week would be open to missions and to grow in areas of prayer, giving and going.    


How to Pray for West Park’s Missionaries 

We currently have 23 Missionaries (whether singles, couples or families) as well as the 6 organizations West Park is privileged to support. The money we are able to give is not the most important thing we can share – prayer is even more powerful! If you ask them, missionaries will tell you that they live by prayer. So, how can you pray? 

  • Read 1 Missionary Bio a day, and pray for that missionary. The details they share in their bio help you to know what types of things to pray about: the country in which they serve, the people they are reaching, and the types of ministries they are leading. In one month’s time, you could pray for each missionary and organization 1 time.  
  • Pick up the monthly Missions prayer focus and pray the specific requests that our missionaries communicate to us. The Prayer focus can be found in the Welcome Center, the Grand Foyer, and on the missions table in the passageway where the new church member photos are located.  
  • Pray the scripture for them. Often our requests become routine. As you read God’s Word, pray the Word for our missionaries. Some passages are prime examples of how to pray and give us ready-made requests to take to God. For example, see Nehemiah 1:3-11; Colossians 4:2-3; and 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.  

Filed Under: West Park Baptist Church Blog Tagged With: 2022, conference, global, global conference, guide, Missions, missions conference, Prayer, prayer guide

A Personal reflection for Martin Luther King Day- 2022

January 17, 2022 by Al Cage Leave a Comment

I have a hobby collecting the writings of Dr. Martin Luther King.  One of his most impactful writings is his 1963, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”.   Of the many notable things Dr. King wrote, the following resonates often with me:

“Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.”


“Understanding vs. misunderstanding.” “Good will vs. ill will.” “People vs. people.”

I grew up in the Jim Crow era of institutionalized segregation in Louisiana.  I was nine years old when Dr. King was assassinated in 1968.  It was not until 1998 that the last vestige of legalized segregation was finally struck down by the courts in my home state.  By that time I had transitioned to living in Tennessee, and in the most unpredictable of circumstances, I inexplicably became a member of West Park Baptist Church.

Since becoming a covenant member of WPBC, one of the things that I have come to love and appreciate deeply is this:  West Parkers are by far people of love, understanding and good will!

That makes all the difference in the world to me. Why?  Because of…

“Understanding vs. misunderstanding.”  You know what drives the gulf between these two extremes?  It’s not facts or a stronger position.  It’s much simpler than that.  It’s about “five seconds”.  That’s the amount of time it takes to make the choice to listen or not.  When you are in the right, and your brother (or sister) is wrong, the first step to helping them move to a better place is to demonstrate that you are willing to listen.  Listening enriches dialogue.  We desperately need more dialogue.

“Good will vs. ill will.”  How have we allowed this gulf to become so wide in the Church of Jesus Christ?  We must reclaim, and own, the sphere of good will.  Good will is a fruit of the love that Jesus declares is the greatest of all—that we would lay down our lives for one another.  I am afraid that if Jesus came back at this moment, he would declare how have you become people of ill will vs. good.  We must continue to fight to reclaim this space.

“People vs. people.” “Imago Dei” Made in the image of God.  First used in Gen. 1:27, this little phrase represents a powerful truth.  When people are divided because of sin, it stains the beauty of God’s design.  People of understanding and good will are resolute in their desire to stop pitting people against people.  When Jesus declared what does it profit someone to gain the whole world and lose their soul, I think of the evil fruit of people vs. people. 

So as we think about Dr. King’s vision, we certainly have come a long way.  And while there is still a long way to go, if people, united by understanding and good will, resolve to live in the hope that we have in Jesus, progress will continue to the glory of God.  It’s a legacy Dr. King would appreciate.

Filed Under: West Park Baptist Church Blog

Bible Reading Plan for 2021

January 1, 2021 by Joe Kappel Leave a Comment

2021 is now here! What better time than the start of a new year to refresh your time spent reading God’s Word? 

This year I am planning to follow the 5 Day Bible Reading Plan, and I encourage you to consider it for your daily Bible reading. 

Here are a few reasons why I choose this plan year after year:

  • As the name of the plan communicates, the weekly Bible readings are divided over 5 days. This is helpful for people like me who either camp out in a passage (or verse) longer than expected and need to catch up, or for those days when I miss a Bible reading and need the extra time built into the schedule. With 5 readings per week you can stretch the readings out, or take advantage of the extra 2 days to reflect on key passages from the week. 
  • The schedule takes you through a mostly-chronological approach to the Bible, reading the passages in order as the events happened. I say “mostly” because the plan saves Job for last even though his life story happened sometime between Genesis 11 and 12. 
  • For those who want to focus on reading through the New Testament only, you can use the same plan to achieve that goal too. 

Recently one of our daughters asked my wife and I how we can be sure the Bible is really from God, and how we can know for sure that all the people who wrote it told the truth. That’s an important question indeed! And truthfully, the best way to comprehend the truth of God’s Word is to let it speak! 

The plan I’m recommending today has been a blessing to both me and my wife over 2020, and we’re looking to give it another try this year. You can download it right here. Will you join us in making 2021 a year together in God’s Word?

____________________________

P.S. If you have kids, what reading plan should you consider to encourage their growth and faith? Here are a couple of articles that may help:

Tim Challies: The Best Daily Bible Reading Plan for Kids

Peter Krol on Knowable Word: Teaching Bible Study to Children

Filed Under: West Park Baptist Church Blog Tagged With: 2021, Bible Reading, Bible Reading Plan, Reading the Bible with children

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