2011 Annual Meeting Message

A New Direction for a New Day!

October 17, 2011

I stand before you tonight totally amazed at the marvelous handiwork of my heavenly Father! Life is so full of unexpected twists, of unforeseen bends in the road and of unsolicited detours. Never in my imagination had I imagined that God would bless me with the honor of leading the Greater Orlando Baptist Association into new days and with new directions. Seldom does life ever go just the way we plan, our plans are re-routed as we are sent down a new road, one that we never thought we would travel. Yet as we are guided in making turns that we never anticipated God has a way to show Himself real and direct our paths. He often does that by a challenging charge, an inspiring change or a stirring transition in ones calling in ministry! It’s all part of every day life as a minister of the Gospel. We are living in a world of change and we need to be open to the new changes that the Lord brings to us.

The Greater Orlando Baptist Association is the process of dealing with change. A former leader has retired and moved away while a new leader has picked up the mantel and moved into this leadership role. Some of what we have done in the past we will not be doing in the future and yet much of what needs to be done has been built upon those past successes and victories. I have been listening to our pastors as well as our active laity all across this association! Many of you who have been part of these listening sessions, which I have coined the phrase as Caffeinated Conversations and we have begun to redesign what the growing association of the future will look like.

The association of the future will be much more of a network of networks working together to reach Central Florida with the gospel. As you can see from the visual on the screen we have heard from our association leadership and our pastoral leaders and the future will be focused on three primary ministry areas with one additional ministry area being the connection point to bring together these networks. Yes we will still do training in key areas of ministry for our churches, but we will become an association which seeks to do more than train workers.

The question that we must all ask ourselves is how do we cope with these changes? How do we embrace the new? Do we greet these changes fearlessly with a smile looking for the tremendous opportunity, or do we remain entrenched in the old paradigm more comfortable with being comfortable in the way things were? Do we open ourselves up to new beginnings, new blessings, and new territories or do we refuse to stretch ourselves? Are we willing to become comfortable with being a little uncomfortable at times in order to step outside of our own worlds and create new ones for Jesus’ sake?

We as an association of 176 churches and missions today are in the midst of a great opportunity for change. A year ago you were saying farewell to a leader of the association satisfied. But today, life has occurred, change is inevitable, and we are all standing on the brink of a tremendous opportunity and challenge for a blessed future. We are all teetering on the edge of new opportunities to reach Central Florida for Jesus’ sake, new blessings of revitalized and renewed churches because the cause is great. New challenges to plant more churches because the land has yet to be fully conquered. New emerging leaders raised up from all of our churches because now is the time to prepare others to take up the mantle along with the previous generations and do their part for touching, reaching, and saving this community we all care about called central Florida.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is a day for new direction and tomorrow is the beginning of that new day for ministry all across central Florida through the Greater Orlando Baptist Association! Now while it is an exciting beginning, I recognize that it is also a demanding beginning. If Central Florida is going to be reached through Southern Baptist it will be as we work together to reach all of the five counties that have GOBA Churches. None of us are as strong as all of us and we need to cooperate one with another so that Southern Baptist will once again become a name known by our communities as a group of churches that are Bible believing, evangelistic in our witness, soul saving, and reaching out together to touch this world for Jesus.

Our text this evening is a powerful depiction of the human experience. It is a story of a people, much like ourselves, who lived in community with one another. They worshiped together. They worked together. They ate together. They lived together. And they celebrated one leader, a leader they greatly revered, one they greatly loved. You have probably heard the story before. It’s the story of the Israelite people and their leader, Moses. Moses, we are told was a leader who was unequaled. Never again would there be anyone like him. And when Moses died the people grieved. They missed him. They didn’t want him to go. And they certainly did not want a new leader.

Can you relate to them? I know you can. I am honored today to be following a great Director of Missions in Bill Faulkner and the other Leaders we have had since this Association was formed in 1870. I want to celebrate the work of this association with you. These leaders have been godly leaders. Their gifts and graces were needed and the fruits of their ministry are evident as I look all around. But we need to get ready for a new day, because our Lord God has great things still in store for us as an association of churches to achieve.

This passage in Joshua and Deuteronomy reminds us that: GOD’S PLANS ARE NOT DEPENDENT UPON ONE PERSON. His plans are advanced or fulfilled using different people at different times for different purposes.

IT REMINDS US THAT WE CANNOT LIVE IN THE PAST AND CONTINUE TO ADVANCE INTO THE FUTURE.

Jesus warned, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God”.

Paul encouraged the Philippians when he wrote, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14).

IT REMINDS US THAT WE ARE NOT YET WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE.

To Joshua it meant there were rivers to cross, battles to fight, problems to solve. The nation of Israel was standing on the banks of the Jordan River. The Promised Land was on the other side. But their leader is dead. Then comes the message to Joshua. “Moses…is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them to the Israelites".

They were not yet where God wanted them to be. For us as an association it means there are rivers as well for us to cross, battles to fight, problems to solve. Our churches need a renewed commitment to reach our communities while there is still time. Young men need to be sent out of our churches to minister across central Florida. Young couples need to be commissioned and sent around the world through missions. The association is standing on the banks of a river, looking across. On the other side are the good things God has planned for us that will strengthen and grow us in the future. It is at this point that we need to hear God’s message, “Now then… get ready to cross the river." Just like the nation of Israel, crossing the river will mean a new beginning.

I want to tell you that I believe that our presence here is part of God’s plan. This is no accident. We are all here for a reason. Just as God chose Joshua to continue the leadership of the people of Israel and to lead them into the Promised Land, so God has given me the honor of being your next Association leader. I believe that there is a promised land ahead! It is ours for the taking. But in order to do so we must overcome a major challenge.

Do you remember what it was that separated the people of Israel from the Promised Land? It was the Jordan River! As long as they were on this side of the Jordan River things were safe, they were comfortable, they we sure of the daily routine. They could visit Mount Nebo, where Moses died, to remember him. But if they were to cross that River they would be in danger. Things would get frightening. There were giants in the land. They were strangers in a new land. The people were afraid.

Ladies and Gentlemen: there are giants in the land ahead. There will be smooth days and there will be rough days. There will be days where the advancement is easy. There will be times when you will want to turn back. But Listen to what God said to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous”. And again he says in verse 9, “be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord God is with you wherever you go”. This same promise is ours today as well. Do not be afraid. Yes, there are giants in the land. But the Lord God will be with us wherever we go! We have no need for fear!"

Finally, here are God’s instructions to Joshua: “Pass through the camp and command the people: “Prepare your provisions; for in three days you are to cross over the Jordan, to go and take possession of the land that the Lord your God gives you to possess”. The people had been wandering around in the wilderness for forty years waiting for this very moment. You would think that they would be excited about finally moving into the Promised Land, wouldn’t you? But this was a change for them. And I am sure that just like any other group of people, they did their share of worrying. This was a difficult thing for them to do. I do not think they were overly excited. In fact I imagine that there were some who were leery about their new leader. “He’s not doing things like Moses did them”. “Moses would be more methodical than this”. “Moses was a better organizer than this fellow Joshua”. “I wish Moses were here”. Sound familiar? Some things have not changed that much over the past few millenniums.

These people were probably every bit as resistant to change as we are today. But change was inevitable. And now it was time for them to make their move with their new leader. And they did. And God was faithful to them. They claimed the Promised Land, but before they could, they had to take that leap of faith and cross the Jordan River.

Friends, its time for all of us to cross the Jordan! We have done what we have needed to do in the past. And now God wants us to grasp a new vision, to climb the wall of opportunity and jump forward in boldness and faith! Our churches need a renewed faith and vitality to continue to reach Central Florida! We as leaders need to keep evangelism as a priority in our ministries, We as laity need to embrace our leaders and work a long side of them to reach our ministry areas. The days of eating our pastors for dinner each week needs to cease and a renewed commitment to work with them must take place. I would never as a lay person want to stand in the way of Gods anointed and blessing for a church!

As I stand here today I am excited about where God wants to take us! I am excited about the work that I know God has planned for us as an association of churches working together. Many seeds have been planted. And there has been a great deal of harvesting. But the years to come have a great deal of harvesting yet to be finished! God wants to use this group of churches as a beacon of light in the five counties and 1000+ communities around it to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are hurting. God wants to use Southern Baptist again to reach this key strategic area for Christ like never before. I pray each day that God will give you as a pastor or leader around GOBA favor in the community. I pray that God will give our churches favor like never before. I believe God wants to honor your commitment to support the community in prayer, service, fellowship and worship! And God wants to bring many new faces into many new places, so they too can meet the same Jesus that has changed both you and me!

Today we’re standing on the riverbank of the Jordan looking across the river of uncertainty not fully aware of what lies ahead, yet knowing it is the Lord who we follow. One thing is for certain: there will be change. Things will be different on the other side. We may have to do things like we have never done them before. Personal and corporate repentance might need to be offered in order for God to bless us once more. We may encounter giants along the way. There may be rough waters. But, through it all God will be with us.

I do not know about you this evening, but I believe God is saying to us it is time to take the land! It is time to stop worrying about our obstacles. It is time to stop worrying about our limitations. It is time to stop worrying about our problems. It is time to start believing God is able, Jesus is willing, and the Holy Spirit is anxious for all of us to take the land.

Two ways in which we can take the land is through our Florida Baptist Convention Partnerships with Indianapolis and the country of Haiti! God has blessed this association with great leaders to lead us for the next three years in both of these endeavors. I see a day very soon where we will have GOBA churches doing mission projects and church planting projects in both of these key strategic areas. I am please to announce this evening that Pastor Antoine Fils-Aime of the First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando has agreed to lead our Mission Haiti effort to challenge our churches to get involved in ministries all across the country of Haiti! 

Like wise I am please to announce tonight that Pastor John Holloway from First Baptist Church Sweetwater has agreed to lead our Association’s Mission Indy effort to challenge our churches to get involved in mission projects all around this key strategic city of Indianapolis! 

We can take the land! Not because I am a great leader. Not because you are great leaders. We can take the land because we serve a big God who is able.

The Lord is challenging us through His Biblical challenge to Joshua to lay aside all of the thoughts and attitudes that are holding him and the people back. Lay aside your fear. Lay aside your worry. Lay aside your inadequacies. Lay aside your limitations. Lay aside your hurts. Our God in Heaven tells Joshua to lay all of this aside "because he will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them".

I ask you as visitors, leaders and messengers of our 176 churches and missions, will you come along with me? Will you help to revitalize our churches all across central Florida through a deliberate effort of Revitalization and Renewal? Will you seek the face of the almighty about planting churches of all kinds through all of central Florida? Will you pray for the young men of God who will be raised up out of your churches and our churches to plant new churches and become pastors of our GOBA churches?

Oh I pray you will for the sake of Christ. I pray you will for the sake of evangelism remembering that men and women still need Christ in central Florida! I pray you will for the sake of Southern Baptist! I pray you will because the need is great and it is our time to step up and step out in Jesus’ name. It’s time to cross the Jordan and get ready for a new day! 

Vision for the Greater Orlando Baptist Association Click here by Dr. Cheyney

Power Point Presentation of Dr. Cheyney's Message Click here