Like every other living thing, Churches develop personalities and characteristics that are unique, or at least descriptive of that church. They can also contribute to the library of church trivia for those who keep up with such things. For example, in the world of churches with Sunday morning attendance over 2,000 people:

• The church with the longest name is “The Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral of New York”
• The church with the shortest name is “Lifechurch” in Allentown, PA.
• The church with the most parking spaces is Thomas Road Baptist Church, in Lynchburg, VA, with over 5,000 spaces (are there 5,000 cars in Lynchburg?)
• The church with the most weekend worship services at one campus is North Coast Church in Vista, California. They have 18 services on their campus. We have 5.
• The churches with the most campuses: LifeChurch.tv has 12 campuses in 6 states (including one in Hendersonville) and Seacoast Church with 12 campuses in 3 states.
• The church with the shortest web address is Christ Life Center @ www.jf.org.
• And the church with the longest web address is, yes, you guessed it, the church @ www.firstbaptisthendersonville.org.

There ya’ go, a few fun facts to share with friends and family, with special thanks to Ed Stetzer for passing them along from the research department of LifeWay Christian Resources.

Other than the large church next to the Y, the one with the longest web address, what are we known for? Recently our Women’s Ministry Coordinator, Cheryle Jaggers, was in a conversation with an editor of the Star News. Cheryle was gathering information about advertising a workshop for widows in the community. In the midst of the conversation the editor commented, “What a great outreach to the community. There are so many hurting women out there and this will give them some hope, something to look forward to. I love First Baptist. Your church is known for your community outreach and we appreciate all you do for our town.”

“Your church is known for your community outreach.” Praise the Lord, may that continue to be said of every ministry area of our church. We’ve said it around here for a long time; the Church is one of the few organizations that exists for the benefit of its non-members.

Jesus reminds his followers to “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 5:16) Jesus reminds us today that we don’t do what we do to feel good about ourselves, but to serve those for whom He died and rose again and to bring honor and glory to God. That’s not hard to figure out. That’s a mission and a purpose that hasn’t changed in 2,000 years and won’t change ‘till He returns.

Thank you Cheryle, Staff, Volunteer Leaders and Church Family for your continued faithfulness, and for keeping His light shining brightly in our community. May the name and fame of Jesus our Savior be spread by our faithfulness to Him this Sunday and every day as we touch this community one person at a time with His grace, mercy and love.

In the weeks ahead, Ed Stetzer continues his series “Zag” (when the world zigs, we zag), Dr. Robert Smith from Beason Divinity School will be back with us on August 17th. The 17th is also promotion Sunday for our Sunday School ministry. Sunday School is our front-line ministry at First Baptist. It’s the ministry that makes us such a strong family. If you’re not in a Sunday School class, you need to be. And if you’ve been in a class for more than four or five years, you need to be serving somewhere. Service is the way to discipleship. You can sit and soak for years, but real discipleship requires service. Find a place where you can serve this new Sunday School year and take the next step toward living sent.

See you Sunday,

Bob Landham