Care Connections: Supplication Necessary for Rebuilding
By Kam Cook
Stephen Ministry Coordinator
Over the past few week, I have related three steps to rebuilding Jerusalem found in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah: Motivation, Participation, and Determination. The fourth step is Supplication (Neh. 4:7-23).
Rebuilding takes time, and it takes prayer and dependence on the Lord. It is through prayer that God reveals His inspiration and will. Nehemiah took all the roadblocks to the Lord and prayed for His guidance. Through supplication, the Jews kept their eyes on the goal ahead, never losing faith that, with God’s help, they would succeed in rebuilding.
When asked to describe HHBC in one word and one sentence, the Search Committee Survey last spring revealed we are perceived as a caring congregation faced with issues that need resolution. The majority of respondents gave positive feedback, the majority citing terms related to relationships: “family” (40%); “home,” “friendly,” “caring” and “loving.” While most responses were positive, there was more variety in negative results, but all referenced our recent struggles. Positive one-sentence responses indicated HHBC is caring, welcoming and friendly; it has provided healing; and members carry out the work of God through their words and actions. Negative responses offered hope for a better future: a caring church in turmoil; in recovery; limited by its location; living in the past while we try to adjust to a post-covid world; needs reviving, healing and leadership. (Please note this survey was taken nearly eight months ago, and church leadership has been working hard to address these issues.)
The Formations November 13 Sunday School lessons from Ezra 5:1-2 & Ezra 6:14-22 focused on Renewal. HHBC has experienced grief and healing, it is rebuilding and is currently in a stage of renewal. We have studied scripture to guide us toward a different future, and we have prayed continuously for revival. The work of rebuilding our personal wall is the effort we prayerfully put into seeking a strong relationship with Him. The renewal lesson teaches us that renewal and revival are primarily community experiences. HHBC may be smaller in number, but our trauma has made us stronger in community: we are a people united by our faith in God and in our church.
Advent is such an appropriate time to embark on a journey preparing us for renewal. Greg DeLoach is guiding us through a series of sessions that are leading us to our next destination as a church by helping us understand what awaits us in a changing world as we seek a new pastor. Last week’s session helped us better understand changes in ministers' training and calling; the January 8 session will address what different generations are seeking on their faith journeys; the February 5 session will explore spirituality; on March 12 we will discuss the mission of HHBC in the world, in Macon and in our immediate neighborhood. Don’t miss any of these informative sessions leading up to a weekend Renewal Retreat, to be held March 25-26, led by former HHBC Associate Pastor Chuck Poole.
If you need help with your spiritual life and would like someone to listen and pray with you, a trained Stephen Minister is available to walk alongside you on your journey. For more information on how Stephen Ministry can provide you with confidential, nonjudgmental one-to-one lay pastoral care, contact Referrals Coordinator Peggy Williams at (478) 719-3340 or by email.
Recognizing that God is the ultimate Cure Giver, the Mission of the Highland Hills Baptist Church Stephen Ministry is to serve God and bring Christ’s healing love to individuals who are experiencing life’s challenges through confidential, non-judgmental, one-on-one Christian care.