During my high school years, I enjoyed participating in the track and field events. (I know that may be hard to believe now, but use your imagination.) Between events, our track coach would spend hours working with each runner specifically in how we ought to pass the baton to the runner behind us. If the baton was dropped, the race would end. Much time and practice was devoted to this critical transfer.

This past Sunday night our church family was able to ordain four men into the Gospel ministry. This is always a special joy for my heart, as a pastor, to see young men give themselves wholly to the cause of Christ.

As I joined our deacons in the laying on of hands and prayer for these men, I was again reminded of the importance of training up the next generation of Christian leaders. It has been said that Christianity is just one generation from extinction. What a sobering thought! Second Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” It is only when we are faithful to commit our own faith to the next generation that the Gospel message will go forth.

Last weekend Terrie and I hosted our annual Couple’s Retreat. What a joy it was to meet with several hundred couples from Lancaster Baptist Church at the Ventura Beach Marriott with a common goal, to strengthen our marriage around the Word of God.

Dr. Paul Kingsbury brought several challenging messages. The keynote message dealt with the three kinds of biblical love needed in a marriage. We were challenged to have a God love, a friendship love and a romantic love.

I have a great respect for Christian couples who diligently work to strengthen their homes and commitments to one another. I believe the messages we heard emphasized having God’s love in our marriages. You cannot separate one’s desire to grow as a Christian and his desire to grow God’s love in his marriage.

With all of the hustle and bustle in life, every married couple must never apologize for setting aside time to develop the three kinds of biblical love. Our marriages and our families are our first ministry and they should be the most important ministry in our lives. Stress fractures can occur when we do not take time to cultivate godly love in our marriages. Sometimes these stress fractures lead to complete brokenness. We must never condemn a fallen brother or sister. Neither must we condone a lifestyle that leads to the neglect of the family for the sake of ministry. I thank God for the way He lovingly reminds me to keep my priorities right and to maintain a strong marriage relationship while serving Him.

Last night we conducted our regular Saturday Men’s Prayer meeting at Lancaster Baptist Church. While the steel frame of this three-story building rises high into the air, as of this date, there are no interior walls or light fixtures. It is basically a shell standing in the middle of our campus.

As men scattered throughout the building, pouring their hearts out to God in prayer, it was a beautiful picture of what the church is really all about. The church is about God’s people worshipping Him and expressing their faith. Every major victory or completion of any building program that has been accomplished in our ministry has always been preceded by seasons of great prayer and faith. God is certainly stretching my faith at this point in time through the challenges we face.