Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Telling People About God
by Tom Goodman
October 16, 2013

After attending many conferences and reading many books on the work of ministry, I still haven't found a better definition of a pastor's job than the one given by my firstborn when he was a preschooler.

When Michael turned four, it was time for him to start sitting with his mother in church services instead of attending the preschool care. After a few weeks of observing the hour-long services of songs, prayers, and my teaching, he had an observation.

"I know what your job is, Daddy," he told me over Sunday lunch.

"Oh?"

"Your job is to tell people about God."

"Well, that's right, Michael. I'm a pastor, and my job is to tell people about God."

"Daddy?" he continued.

"Yes, son."

"It takes a lo-o-o-ong time to tell people about God, doesn't it, Daddy?"

Well, I guess the boy was right! When your job is to tell people about God, there's a lot to say.

But the opening line of the Apostles Creed gathers up all the Bible says about God in a single sentence: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth." In that statement I confess that God is my Maker, my Ruler, and my Father.

That's worth a closer look this Sunday. We'll close our seven week citywide "Explore God" campaign with the question, "Can I Know God Personally?"

By the way, we want to know how the "Explore God" campaign has impacted you. Did it settle a question you were wrestling with? Did you get into some interesting conversations in the community? Did you make a decision for Christ? Send your impressions and stories to my assistant, Jami (jami@hbcaustin.org). I'll prepare a newsletter column from the reports.

I've enjoyed studying the "Seven Big Questions" with you. And this last Sunday of the study series may be the most important. Many people are willing to say, "I believe in God" -- and what they are saying is, "I believe God exists." But our goal should be to know God. To have a relationship with him. To "improve our conscious contact with God" as those in recovery groups put it. A.W. Tozer once said, "I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us he waits so long, so very long, in vain."

Bring a friend this Sunday @ 10!

--Tom

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Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Telling People About God by Tom Goodman October 16, 2013 After attending many conferences and reading many books on the work of ministry, I still haven't found a better definition of a pastor's job than the one given by my firstborn when he was a preschooler. When Michael turned four, it was time for him to start sitting with his mother in church services instead of attending the preschool care. After a few weeks of observing the hour-long services of songs, prayers, and my teaching, he had an observation. "I know what your job is, Daddy," he told me over Sunday lunch. "Oh?" "Your job is to tell people about God." "Well, that's right, Michael. I'm a pastor, and my job is to tell people about God." "Daddy?" he continued. "Yes, son." "It takes a lo-o-o-ong time to tell people about God, doesn't it, Daddy?" Well, I guess the boy was right! When your job is to tell people about God, there's a lot to say. But the opening line of the Apostles Creed gathers up all the Bible says about God in a single sentence: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth." In that statement I confess that God is my Maker, my Ruler, and my Father. That's worth a closer look this Sunday. We'll close our seven week citywide "Explore God" campaign with the question, "Can I Know God Personally?" By the way, we want to know how the "Explore God" campaign has impacted you. Did it settle a question you were wrestling with? Did you get into some interesting conversations in the community? Did you make a decision for Christ? Send your impressions and stories to my assistant, Jami (jami@hbcaustin.org). I'll prepare a newsletter column from the reports. I've enjoyed studying the "Seven Big Questions" with you. And this last Sunday of the study series may be the most important. Many people are willing to say, "I believe in God" -- and what they are saying is, "I believe God exists." But our goal should be to know God. To have a relationship with him. To "improve our conscious contact with God" as those in recovery groups put it. A.W. Tozer once said, "I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us he waits so long, so very long, in vain." Bring a friend this Sunday @ 10! --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.