2/16/24

This Sunday is going to be incredible! First, I get to see you guys and worship God with my church family and that is enough to make it a great Sunday. Adding to that joy is the fact that 13 families are professing that they will do everything within their power to raise their children in a Godly home. 13 families will hear their church family commit to supporting these children and parents with prayers, Godly example, and love. Now that’s a great day.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off in the right way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it” We are called as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, Sunday school teachers, nursey workers and neighbors, to raise up the next generation knowing the love of Jesus. What an absolute gift that we get to journey with families as they teach their children to love the Lord with everything they have and to cling to his truths.

God Bless you,

B-Lo 

2/2/24

Hello Church family! I don’t know about you, but January felt like it was three months long. Maybe it’s the cold weather, the overcast skies and the busyness of the new year, but January has been tough. We continue to live into our new identity, communication style and scenery changes. I think it is a good time to hear from you, so here are some avenues for you to see our new spaces, give us feedback and let us know your thoughts.

Wednesday, February 7th our staff will be hosting an open house from 10am-5pm at the new church office (in what was formerly the parsonage). We will have coffee and doughnuts, please join us see the offices and ask us questions about office hours, room changes and any other questions you might have.

Beginning this Sunday, February 4th there will be a quick survey that we are asking for people to fill out. This is primarily focused on your thoughts about worship but will also allow you to share thoughts with us about programming, leadership and direction of our Church. We will hand out the surveys for two weeks and have a collection box in the vestibule for your convivence.

Men’s and Women’s Bible studies kick-off this Thursday, February 1st and will run for 5 consecutive weeks. Childcare is provided. Men will meet in the new church office and the Women will meet in the Fellowship Hall.

God continues to show up in some amazing ways at Fairview Church of Shoals. We are beginning a study of Philippians this Sunday and how Paul praised this church for their maturity and love for each other. Let’s keep inviting friends and see what God will do in our Church.

If you would like to talk with me or schedule a time to meet, please give me a call or text (205)454-5589. Swing by our office for a cup of coffee as well. The office hours are 8am-12pm officially but I’ll be here from 8:30-3pm Monday -Thursday and I’d love to talk.

Brian

1/26/24

I love basketball. Ok no real secret there, I talk about it a lot. But one of the reasons I love it so much is it often puts me in an arena to share my faith. I usually play in gyms that are not at a church and quite often the guys I play with are not Christian. I play hard, try to earn respect and usually after a few weeks the conversation comes around to what I do for a living. I tell them I’m a pastor and more often than not, the response is, “really? I mean you seem so normal.”

What a compliment, I seem normal. Paul wrote in Colossians 4:5-6

“Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a]so that you will have the right response for everyone.” You see by hanging out with unbelievers, I have the chance to make the most of my opportunity by letting my conversation, the way I act, the way I treat people, lead to sharing what I do and what I believe. I am ready and willing to open up about my walk in a natural and easy way.

I don’t get to play much anymore but now that I coach my opportunity is my players and other coaches. You don’t have to be a professional evangelist, you just have to be you, following Jesus!

Brian

1/10/2024

My dad was a big believer in sayings like, “do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it again” or “ there is always time to do it right” I always wanted to do things fast so I could get on with what I wanted to do. I remember one time I had to cut and re-cut and cut a third time the yard because I tried to run with the lawn mower, leaving large uncut paths behind me.

I hope some of my dad’s lessons have sunk in, but at times I still want to rush the process. I have spent all of my adult life in the church. It’s the only career I have ever had and sometimes I make the same mistakes I made in my youth. I want to rush the process of maturing in Christ, discipleship and reduce it all to a program to attend.

Jesus’ program of discipleship was simple: hang out with His disciples; let them see you at your best and worst; spend lots of time alone; teach truths none of your disciples can grasp at the moment; avoid crowds; go slowly; spend hours in solitude; don’t worry about opposition; ignore criticism; and don’t expect immediate results.

Jesus knew hurried disciples become ex-disciples. I need to learn in my own life to let the Great Gardner plant seeds in my life, soak up the watering and wait for growth…in other words unhurried discipleship in my own life.

Lord help me look more like you every day,

Brian

January 4, 2024

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19 

I love the start of a new year. I like the feeling that we are starting anew. While we don’t toss out history or tradition in the church, I like that we can anticipate God doing something cool and new right in front of us. The challenges of this past year are in our rearview mirror and the opportunities for ministry are on the road in front of us!  

We have some very exciting news to share with you, Casey Marion has now joined our staff in a part-time role as our new Student Ministries Leader! We are so incredibly blessed in that Amy will continue to support Casey as he grows and that Maddison will continue her ministry with our students, making one heck of a student ministries team! We will commission Casey and introduce his wife Stephanie at our 11am service this Sunday.

 Administrative Council Leadership Retreat Saturday, January 20th 9am-2pm at Fairview Church for all 2024 leaders. Lunch provided.  

Our new Women’s and Men’s Bible studies will begin February 1st and run for 5 weeks. Our men will be studying “A Christian Man” by Patrick Morely and I will be teaching that class. “A Woman After God’s Own Heart” is our women’s study and Darla Scott will be leading our women. 6:30-7:30 Thursday night Feb. 1-29 childcare provided and open to men and women of all ages!  

God is doing a new thing at Fairview church of Shoals, He is making a way through the wilderness of this age. Come join us and see for yourself, what God will do!

Pastor Brian