What Role Should Patriotism Have In Our Lives? (By Thomas Hill)

This Friday, July 4, marks America’s 249th birthday. Many of us will celebrate with food, friends, and fireworks. As believers who are citizens of God’s Kingdom as well as citizens of the United States, what should our attitude be toward our earthly country? In his lengthy tome, Politics According to the Bible, theologian Wayne Grudem shares his reflections on this question (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010, 109-112). I find his thoughts helpful, and I have summarized them below.

First, the Lord has established nations on the earth. Paul says that God "made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26). A blessing of many independent nations is that they keep government local while dividing and dispersing authority throughout the earth. These principles promote accountability and limit power and corruption in this fallen world.

Second, the Lord teaches believers to obey and honor the leaders of the nations where they live. Peter instructs, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Pet 2:17). Paul adds, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God…Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Rom 13:1,7). Believers should give respect, honor, and obedience to the nation in which they live.

These biblical principles lay a foundation for patriotism. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines patriotism as "love for or devotion to one's country.” Believers in America should practice a kind of patriotism that rightly, but not blindly, shows respect and honor to our nation. Patriotism does not mean we ignore injustices and sins, but we can support and honor an imperfect nation while praying and working toward its improvement. We do this not because ours is a “Christian country" but because God has ordained nations and instructed us how to relate to them. Thus, believers living in other nations should also have a sense of patriotism for their own homelands.

Of course, we worship the Lord alone: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve” (Luke 4:8/Deut 6:13). We obey the government as far as it does not violate Biblical instruction. Yet, just as children can honor their parents without worshipping them, so too can we honor our nation without worshipping it. Our identity as Christians takes priority over our citizenship as Americans. Through Christ we share a bond of brotherhood with fellow believers from other nations as members of the universal church.

Grudem lists seven benefits of honoring and respecting our nation (i.e., showing patriotism):

  1. Such honor provides a sense of belonging to a larger community of people.

  2. It enables us to feel gratitude for the benefits our nation provides: protection of life, liberty, and property; laws that deter wrongdoing and encourage good; the establishment of a monetary system and markets; and the establishment of a common language.

  3. It fosters a shared sense of pride in the athletic, scientific, economic, artistic, and philanthropic achievements of fellow citizens.

  4. It cultivates a sense of pride in the achievements that a nation has accomplished throughout its history.

  5. It promotes a sense of security, knowing that the nation and the government are defending its fellow citizens from violent evildoers and attacks from within or outside its borders.

  6. It breeds a sense of obligation to do our part in supporting the nation, encompassing military service, jury duty, voting, running for office, working a job, raising children, and paying taxes.

  7. It provides a sense of responsibility to transmit to newcomers and succeeding generations a shared understanding of moral values and standards widely valued by the nation.

In contrast to patriotism, Grudem warns believers of an attitude of continual criticism, dislike, and scorn. Dwelling on the nation’s negatives without discernment to see its positives shows foolish immaturity. There is undoubtedly a place for speaking out against injustice in our country, removing unwise or corrupt officeholders, and being honest about our nation's historic failures. Those best equipped to work toward improving the nation, though, are those who respect and honor it with gratitude to the Lord.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

2025 SBC Recap (By Thomas Hill)

Last week, Great Commission Baptists met in Dallas, Texas, for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. This gathering included two days of business preceded by a one-day pastors conference. Just over ten thousand messengers from churches across America met for encouragement, updates on our cooperative mission efforts, and decision-making related to the convention.

Encouragement from sister churches was a highlight of the gathering. The opportunity to reconnect with friends and ministry associates serving around the country and to hear updates on each other’s lives was positive. A host of meals and ancillary gatherings promoted these conversations (NAMB lunch, Baptist 21 lunch, IMB dinner, 9Marks at 9, the Pillar fellowship, and Georgia Baptist dessert fellowship—to name a few).

Our mission boards and seminaries updated the convention on their accomplishments for the year. Tuesday morning, the convention commissioned the latest class of fifty-eight international workers to serve around the world through the International Mission Board. The IMB reported over 3,500 workers worldwide and 1,600 in the sending pipeline, considering future deployment. The North American Mission Board reported that at the current rate of planting, by 2030, one-third of SBC churches will have started since 2010. The six seminaries report strong student enrollment and a host of educational initiatives. Seminaries are collaborating with churches to train more pastors through a variety of online and traditional on-campus avenues, aiming to combat the growing shortage of pastors serving churches. 

The convention made several noteworthy decisions. First, the Sanchez amendment (formerly the Law amendment) was defeated by a margin of 60% to 40%, falling short of the required 66% approval to pass. This amendment was the second effort in as many years to change the SBC constitution to define cooperating churches as those that only allow qualified men as pastors. The convention’s doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, already lists this requirement so that a constitutional change would have been a supplemental effort. I voted for it and was surprised that the Sanchez amendment did not pass; yet, I am encouraged that the doctrinal statement is clear.

Second, in a 60-40 vote, the convention again voted to affirm and not end the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. This motion has been brought to the floor for several consecutive conventions. The motive to end the commission is gaining traction, in my estimation. I voted in favor of ending the commission this year, knowing a second vote would come next year and allow the trustees time to convince the SBC of the commission's merit. No doubt, there are many good things that the ERLC does. Yet, I am not convinced that it can speak to the public sector on political issues as "the voice" of the SBC.

Third, in accepting the SBC annual cooperative program budget, the convention approved a special, one-time allocation of three million dollars for legal expenses to defend against three lawsuits against the Executive Committee related to sexual abuse cases by a large majority. (Former SBC President Johnny Hunt brought one of these suits after the 2022 sexual abuse report named him.) Leading up to the convention, some voiced concern about the convention using Cooperative Program funds for legal costs. Legal costs, however, are an inherent part of doing business for all convention entities that operate as large corporations in a modern, litigious society. While all should desire to see legal costs minimized, the convention must defend itself against these suits. One can appreciate the Executive Committee’s transparency about such costs.

I doubt history will look back on the 2025 convention as one of the most momentous, but it was another year of sister churches assembling to encourage Great Commission faithfulness. It was a joy and privilege to represent Crestview. By the way, next year's convention will be held in Orlando, Florida, from June 7 to 10, 2026. If any members are interested in attending as messengers, please let me know.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Clarkston Team & McIntosh Church Replant (By Thomas Hill)

CLARKSTON TEAM

This Saturday, Crestview is deploying a team of sixteen to serve with our friends at Clarkston International Bible Church. From May 31 to June 6, we will be helping staff Camp Encounter for the week, a summer kids camp serving the refugee community. Clarkston is one of the most unique cities in Georgia and home to internationals from around the world. Gospel work in Clarkston is like an international trip without buying a plane ticket. Please pray for our team to serve in God's strength, speak God's word, and walk in the fullness of the Spirit. Pray for eternal fruit to be born in the lives of refugee families. Pray for the Lord to be glorified in Clarkston, Griffin, and to the ends of the earth!

Team members:

  • Brandon, Dawn, Hank, Hattie, Harper Vaughn

  • Will and Ada Barnes

  • Emily, Cooper, Larsen, and Harris McLean

  • Emma Lael Sisler

  • Silas Crook

  • Rocky Stubbs

  • Cole Barnes

  • Thomas Hill

UPCOMING MCINTOSH CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES

As we continue to pray and labor toward the replanting of McIntosh Baptist Church this September, we encourage Crestview members to consider whether the Lord would have you to join this work. We continue to pray for three to five families to be deployed by Crestview as members of this new church. If you are someone who is praying, open, interested, curious, and ... waiting ... there are two upcoming on-ramps for you:

  1. July 4 McIntosh Cookout Fellowship: 4:00-7:00 PM. All who are interested are invited to an evening with the Sandersons and the plant team. There will be food and kids activities at the McIntosh campus. Most importantly, this is a time to learn more about the new church and spend time getting to know the plant team. Afterward, the group plans to tailgate together and watch the City of Griffin fireworks show.

  2. Sunday Evening Prayer Services, starting July 6 at 5:00 PM. Starting July 6 and continuing each Sunday evening through the summer, all who are considering the church are urged gather with the plant team to pray for the work. These are prime opportunities to develop relationships and discern the Lord's guidance.

NEW SUMMER QUARTER EQUIPPING COURSES

New equipping courses begin this Sunday, June 1, at 9:30 AM. These courses are designed to help you learn and apply God's word.

  • New Testament Overview (2 Thessalonians to Revelation)

  • Psalms

  • You Are A Theologian—Systematic Theology (Ladies)

  • Daniel (Men)

  • The Best News of All— The Gospel (Kids)

Which course will you take this summer?

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

How to Walk Into Church (By Thomas Hill)

When we understand what the church is and what happens when it gathers, it impacts the way we walk into the gathering. Tony Payne explains: “We’re walking into a gathering that God himself has called together, as part of his majestic plan to save and gather his people around the Lord Jesus Christ. We’re walking into an outpost or foretaste of the great spiritual, heavenly assembly of the people of God.”[1] How we walk into church, then, matters.

Paul also taught the same thing. He urged the Ephesian believers to approach the church’s gatherings with purpose: “Look carefully then how you walk …  be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:15–21). The Lord desires his people’s Spirit-filled participation!

Let’s take a few moments to reflect on how we walk into the church’s gatherings each Sunday.

Before You Walk Into Church

  • Decide to go—prepare on Saturday to worship on Sunday.

  • Pray for those who will come and what we will do together on Sunday. Pray for fellow members by name. Pray for guests who will join us.

  • Prepare for what we will do together. Read the sermon text several times (Sermon schedule). Learn the songs we will sing (Spotify link).

  • Arrive early.

  • Pray about where to sit. How does your seat selection facilitate worship and loving one another?

 

After You Walk Into Church

  • Care for guests by making sure they have anything needed, such as a bible or an info guide.

  • Assist with nuts and bolts. If something needs to be done, take the initiative to help.

  • Pray, sing, and enthusiastically. Own prayers personally by agreeing with a hearty “AMEN!.”

  • Listen to the sermon attentively. Have your Bible open and heart engaged. Make sure your phone is not a distraction.

  • Consider your life. How will you think, believe, and act in light of the sermon?

When Church Finishes but Doesn’t

  • Linger in conversation for 10-15 minutes after the service.

  • Greet guests first. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t recognize.

  • Trigger spiritually helpful conversations by bouncing off the sermon: "That was really interesting what the pastor said about _____. What did you think?"

  • Ask others how they came to salvation in Christ: “Phil, I don’t think I remember how you came to follow Christ. How did it happen with you?

  • Ask others how you can pray for them & pray for them at that time.

How to Walk Out of Church

  • Go to lunch with others.

  • Apply the sermon to your life.

  • Remain connected to the church during the week.

  • Plan to invite non-believers next Sunday.

  • Check in on anyone you noticed was absent.

BIG PLANS THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, May 18, we will meet as usual at 10:30 am for gathered worship. In addition to singing, praying, and preaching, we plan to baptize Diane Robinson. After the service, we will move into the fellowship hall for a covered-dish lunch. Please bring a dish or two to share (the church will not provide meat, so please bring main dishes, too). Toward the end of the meal, after everyone is served, we will observe the Supper by partaking of the bread and cup. The church will provide elements. Following the meal, we will begin the members meeting. Please prioritize this gathering by keeping your calendar clear until after 3:00 pm on Sunday.

 

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas


[1] Adapted from Tony Payne, How to Walk Into Church (Mathias Media: 2015).

Making the Supper a Meal (By Thomas Hill)

On Sunday, May 18, following gathered worship we will continue congregating after the service for our quarterly covered dish lunch and members meeting. As a special addition, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a church family during lunch in the fellowship hall. This is a change of routine for us, so I want to prepare us all adequately.

Background

Several weeks ago, when I was preaching about the Lord’s Supper, I noted that the early church at times incorporated the Lord’s Supper into a larger church meal, similar to how Jesus instituted the Supper over a meal in the upper room. Several references hint at eating the Supper as a church meal (See Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Cor 11:17-34; and Jude 12). At least one reference makes no mention of an accompanying meal (Acts 20:7). Either way, there is no clear, positive command, one way or the other. Since we routinely eat the Supper without a meal, I think it would be beneficial for us, on occasion, to incorporate the Supper into an all-church meal.

Planning

Here is the plan for Sunday, May 18, and how you can prepare. We will gather as normal at 10:30 for gathered worship. In addition to singing, praying, and preaching, we expect to baptize Diane Robinson that morning. After the service we will move into the fellowship hall for the covered-dish lunch. Please bring a dish or two to share (the church will not provide meat, so please bring main dishes, too). Toward the end of the meal, after everyone is served, we will observe the Supper by partaking of the bread and cup. Elements will be provided by the church and set out on each table. Following the meal we will begin the members meeting.

Preparing

Here are several things you can do to prepare for the day. First, prepare your heart to eat the supper by dwelling on Christ, confessing sins, and reconciling with others. Second, prioritize this gathering by keeping your calendar clear until after 3:00 pm that Sunday afternoon. Third, have fun planning the dishes you bring.  Got a scrumptious recipe or new venture you’d like for others to try?  Here is a great opportunity.

Benefits

I foresee several benefits of incorporating the Lord’s Supper as a church-wide meal. First, it will serve as a noticeable cue that we eat as the assembled church, not merely as individual believers. Second, changing up the routine gives us the opportunity to experience the Supper in a fresh way. Third, moving the Supper to accompany the members meeting is a reminder of the importance of this meeting. Let’s pray and prepare!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Reasons I Love the ESV Study Bible (By Thomas Hill)

From the day Crossway published it seventeen years ago, the ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) has remained the best secondary resource available to everyday Bible students. Obviously, the Bible itself is the top primary resource. As a secondary resource, however, the ESVSB is unmatched. I hope that every growing disciple in our church has one at their fingertips!

Here are ten reasons I think so highly of the ESVSB over other study Bibles available today:

  1. All interpretive tools are under one cover. In addition to reading the biblical text itself, Bible students can use additional tools to understand the text's original languages, history, cultural, and literary background. Tools include cross-references, variant translation notes, commentary, concordance, book introductions, helpful charts, timelines, and maps.

  2. Book introductions. Every book contains an invaluable introduction to the author, date, situation, themes, outline, and more.

  3. Biblical Theology tools. These help readers understand how individual sections are related to the overarching biblical storyline. The “History of Salvation in the OT” section shows how every chapter in the Old Testament points to Christ. The “OT Passages Cited in the NT” section shows how the New Testament uses the Old.

  4. Timelines. These helpful timelines include the History of the OT and NT, the Kings of Israel and Judah correlated with prophets, Jesus' life, and more. 

  5. Articles. These articles cover a variety of topics, including an Overview of biblical doctrine, an Overview of biblical ethics, an Interpretation of the Bible, the Canon of Scripture, an Overview of Christian Sects, an Overview of Religious Cults, and more.

  6. Healthy doctrinal perspective. The introduction describes this perspective as classic evangelical theology in the historical stream of the Reformation with confidence in the complete truthfulness of the Bible.

  7. Written by a large team of respected evangelical scholars from various backgrounds, this collaborative effort strengthens the content by avoiding blind spots and biases of individual writers.

  8. Commentary focused on accurate observation and sound interpretation. The commentary notes aim to help the reader understand the text accurately. The Spirt-illuminated reader, then, must make proper application.

  9. Digital access with additional free and paid resources. There are a host of digital resources available, some free, some paid, on the ESV website.

  10. English Standard Version translation. The ESV is one of the best, highly respected, "essentially literal" translations available today.

In the interest of balance, here are a few critiques of the ESVSB:

  1. Not Exclusively Baptist. This is not a concern, but it is something to be aware of. All churches, including ours, are more precise than the ESVSB in areas such as the ordinances and the doctrine of the church .

  2. Neutral on controversial doctrines. For example, it even-handedly presents three millennial views. Realize the ESVSB’s purpose. When required, look elsewhere for resources that will assist in greater doctrinal precision.

  3. Size. It is a thick, heavy book. My suggestion is to use this one at your study spot at home and bring a lighter “reading” Bible to church gatherings.

We stock copies of the ESVSB in our bookstall. Five more were delivered today! (We make no profit—we're just trying to get good resources into your hands.)

 For His Glory,

 Pastor Thomas

Resurrection Sunday Recap

What a blessing it was to gather as a church on Resurrection Sunday with SO MANY guests yesterday! You invited, and people showed up!!! Family, coworkers, contacts from neighborhood visits, local students, and friends from the pregnancy resource center were all here!! Some were believers, but many had yet to turn to Christ in faith. Let's give thanks today for the corporate witness of our church family to Christ and the proclamation of the gospel!

Attendance was 205 (195 in the room and 10 in the nursery). Several came in after the count, so this number could be higher. The worship center has 230 seats and only a few remained open. To date, this was the largest Sunday attendance during my time as your lead pastor. Praise the Lord! Now, please pray that the Spirit will use the word to redeem the lost and mature Crestview.

Let’s remain faithful to gather each Lord’s Day with expectation for what he will do as we worship him and continue inviting the lost to hear!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Rolling Out New Initiatives (By Cole Barnes)

One of my primary roles as a pastor of Crestview is to help equip the saints for the work of ministry. Over the last few weeks, I have been considering ways to develop and strengthen our efforts in family ministry and worship ministry to do exactly that. Here are a few ideas we will be rolling out in the upcoming months to enhance these areas:

Family Ministry Parent Meetings
In an effort to train, equip, and involve parents in our kids and student ministries, we will begin having Family Ministry Parent Meetings right before the start of each quarter. These meetings will take place on Wednesday evening, immediately following discipleship gatherings, and last 20-30 minutes. They will include a training time focused on encouragement in parenting, family worship, discipling children, and current issues among teens and children. Additionally, I will make good resources available, including articles, podcasts, and books on these topics. The second part of the meeting will focus on upcoming teaching plans for student and kids' ministries, events and registrations, and ministry needs that parents can be involved in. If you have a child involved in our kids' or student ministries, please mark your calendars with the below dates:

Upcoming Meeting Dates:
May 7 @ 8:00pm
Aug 13 @ 8:00pm
Nov 5 @ 8:00pm

Student Ministry Evangelism Nights
The main emphases of our Wednesday night student ministry gathering are for our students to be evangelized, discipled, and to have fun together. In addition to these, I would like to increase the student's desire and vision for not only their own spiritual growth but the evangelization of their unbelieving friends. To this end, several nights a year, our regular Wednesday evening student gathering will be focused on evangelism. Students are encouraged to invite their friends, classmates, family members, teammates, etc. who are far from the Lord to our weeknight student gathering. The teaching that evening will be particularly evangelistic, and students will be called to repent and follow Christ. This gives our students an opportunity to extend evangelistic invitations to other students who may not be comfortable coming to church on a Sunday but would be willing to attend a student-focused event. Please pray for these evenings as the gospel is sown into hearts.

Upcoming Evangelism Nights:
Apr 23: Did the Resurrection Really Happen? Luke 24
Jun 18: What is the Gospel? Romans 3:21-26
Aug 27: How Can God Be Good If We Suffer? The Story of Joseph
More Dates TBA…

Worship Ministry Training Nights
A few Wednesday nights each year, I will be hosting a worship ministry training night for current musicians, singers, and members who would like to begin serving the church in this capacity. These events will take place directly after our Wednesday night gatherings, lasting roughly an hour. They will include a time of training in the doctrine of worship and music theory, as well as an extended time of playing music together. The goal of these evenings is to continue the development of our current musicians and singers so that our gathered worship is strengthened, as well as to provide an easy on-ramp for new members to get plugged in. If you would like to participate in these training nights, please mark your calendars with the below dates:

Upcoming Training Nights:
May 14 @ 8:00pm
Aug 27 @ 8:00pm
Oct 29 @ 8:00pm

For your joy and His glory,

Pastor Cole

Hallelujah, What a Savior! (By Thomas Hill)

Musician Philip Bliss penned one of my favorite hymns in the mid-nineteenth century. It goes by at least two names: “Man of Sorrows” or “Hallelujah, What a Savior.” My mentor, Al Jackson, introduced it to me. During my college years, he met every week with a group of young college students who aspired for future pastoral ministry. As we drank coffee and learned theology at daybreak, he would lead us in singing rich doctrinal hymns. I vividly remember him teaching us this one and and telling us, “Men, few songs express the doctrine of the cross more clearly than this hymn.” He was right. If you are not familiar with it, listen here. Let’s give a few moments to reflect on the lyrics and the Scripture they express: 

“Man of Sorrows!” what a name for the Son of God who came ruined sinners to reclaim! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

  • Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

  • 1 Timothy 1:15 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

 Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood, Sealed my pardon with His blood! Hallelujah, what a Savior!

  • Isaiah 53:4–6 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Guilty vile and helpless we, spotless Lamb of God was He; full atonement can it be? Hallelujah, what a Savior!

  • Romans 3:23–25 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

  • 1 Peter 2:21–24 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed.

 Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished!” was His cry; now in heaven exalted high: Hallelujah, what a Savior!

  • Isaiah 53:11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

  • Hebrews 1:3–4 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

 When He comes, our glorious King, all His ransomed home to bring, then anew this song we’ll sing” Hallelujah, what a Savior!

  • 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

  • Revelation 19:6–9 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

Yes, my mentor was right. This hymn puts to words and melody the most precious truths of the gospel of grace. Jesus, the divine man of sorrows, has given himself for our sins—Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Resurrection Sunday Plans
This Sunday is Easter Sunday! I hope you’ll plan join us for gathered worship this Lord’s Day. We will follow our regular schedule. During the service we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper. So, as good hosts, prepare your guests accordingly. We welcome baptized believers who are members of faithful churches to eat the supper with us. Following the service there will be a kids egg hunt and photo booth. Invite friends, fill the room, and let’s worship the Savior!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

I Did It! (By Thomas Hill)

I did it.

I had been praying for the opportunity.

It came Saturday afternoon.

Last week, I was intently praying for an opportunity to invite my neighbor to worship with us on Easter. So, when he walked over to ask me a gardening question on Saturday afternoon, I did it. I boldly and warmly invited him to worship with us on Easter Sunday. He has a Roman Catholic background and has previously used it to deflect my invitations. This time I just flat-out challenged him: "We are friends. I want you to come hear me preach and see what my church is about.”  He chuckled and said, I may just do that. Would you pray for my neighbor?

Who will you invite?

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Let’s Invite! (By Thomas Hill)

One strategy for helping friends, family, and neighbors to hear the gospel is to invite them to the church's gathering on Sunday. Of course, we should personally speak the gospel to others anywhere, anytime. Yet, when coupled with such speaking, an invitation to our Sunday service remains a powerful tool for evangelism.

How many times have you found yourself listening to a sermon and thinking, "Wow, I wish _________ could hear this.” (Insert the name of a coworker/friend/teammate/neighbor). You have the opportunity to take the initiative now by extending invitations ahead of a string of strong evangelistic sermons. Let’s take advantage of our Sunday sermons and leverage them in our gospel engagement.

Paul affirmed the benefits of unbelievers hearing gospel-rich sermons: “How are they to hear without someone preaching? … Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ “ (Rom 10:14, 17). The two most common ways people hear the gospel are from a conversation with a friend or family member and from a sermon. Let's use both when possible!

I am currently preaching through a section of Luke’s Gospel that is well-fitted for gospel-rich, evangelistic sermons. Additionally, the Easter season is a cultural time of the year when many are more open to invitations to church. To aid your invitations, we have printed invite cards you may like to utilize. These cards are available in the worship center. Take ten or twenty and use them to invite your friends. We'll print more!

Join me in praying that our worship center will be filled with those who are hungry to know and follow the Lord Jesus!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Week of Prayer for Missions in North America (By Thomas Hill)

Each spring, Crestview joins with our wider network of Great Commission Baptists to supply church-planting missionaries in the US and Canada serving through the North American Mission Board. This region boasts a population of 386 million people speaking 350 languages. It also includes 161 unreached people groups and 286 million unbelievers. A great need exists for the gospel in North America.

As we prepare to collect this special offering on Sunday, April 13, I encourage you to raise your awareness of the need and those whom we are sending to proclaim the gospel and establish believers in local churches. Yesterday, you received a daily prayer guide. More information and videos of these missionary stories are available here: North American Missions Offering.

The Habit of Sunday Giving

Yesterday, I shared an update on our church’s giving through the first two months of the year. Praise the Lord—over $73,000 has been received through the end of February! Many of you are faithful, consistent, generous givers. However, we are currently $7,000 behind our budget target for this point in the year. So, I feel the need to encourage all members to actively do their part to help Crestview meet our financial commitments and ministry objectives.

Financial giving is an important way our church worships the Lord together. Every church member should be a joyful, habitual giver. Regular giving as a church family is why Paul urged the members of the church of Corinth to give on Sundays in proportion to how the Lord had prospered the work of their hands during the previous week.

Recall Paul’s instructions to the church: “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1–2). In other words, Paul’s instruction was for each member to set aside a portion of their weekly "direct deposit" for the church's Sunday offering. In this way, each member honored the Lord by displaying gratitude and faith in the Lord, and each did their part, however large or small, to joyfully support the mission and ministry of the church.

Here is one way we might apply the principle underlying this passage: Every time you are paid (whether weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or intermittently), that next Sunday, give a percentage to the Lord through the church—this giving honors the Lord first, before seeing how the funds might be expended elsewhere. Giving, then, becomes an act of faith. While online giving allows the convenience of making contributions anytime, could a Sunday habit reinforce giving as an act of corporate worship and help us give before the money is spent elsewhere? 

I realize that many are experiencing the challenges of economic strain, the rising cost of living, and the high costs associated with raising families. Navigating these realities requires wisdom and discipline. The Lord does not merely call the financially secure to give—he calls all disciples to be givers. Remember the Lord's words: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21). May our management of our family’s finances reflect hearts that are fixated on the glory of the Lord and his kingdom. Join me in praying that Crestview is amply supplied for the mission to which the Lord has called us.

Alexis’s Wedding

This Saturday, Alexis Lawrence will be marrying Julien Adkins. Alexis serves as our office ministry assistant and is an active member of Crestview. Let's celebrate their marriage and display our appreciation for Alexis by showering them this Sunday with linens for their home. Color preferences are creams, whites, and blues. Please leave gifts on the decorated table in the welcome center this Sunday. They are registered for linens and other items: Wedding Registry

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Why is Open Communion a Concern? (By Thomas Hill)

A Full Weekend of Ministry!

Join me in praising the Lord for a full weekend of ministry! About twenty-five middle and high school students participated in DNow, along with 200 other students representing multiple FRBA churches! Pray for long-term fruit from the sermons, worship, and friendships!

Fifteen newcomers participated in Intro to Crestview yesterday, learning more about our beliefs, membership, and life together. Pray as some are baptized and plan to join soon.

The final McIntosh Baptist Church replant interest meeting was held yesterday evening. About twenty people from at least five different churches showed up to learn more and consider joining the plant team. In the coming weeks, those who have shown interest will be invited to join the plant team and move toward covenanting as a church in September. Thanks for continuing to pray for this work.

I am thankful for the parents, volunteers, and church family who made this weekend possible!

Why Is Open Communion a Concern?

Yesterday, I completed the three-part sermon series “Understanding the Lord’s Supper.” I pray this series strengthened your appreciation of the supper in the life of the church. One of the reasons I stated for this series is my concern with open communion within the larger network of Great Commission Baptists (SBC). Why should we be concerned about how other churches practice the supper?

A 2012 Lifeway Research study, the most current I have found, determined that 52 percent of SBC churches practice open communion.[1] Open communion encourages believers to eat even though they are unbaptized and unaffiliated with a local church. The Baptist Faith and Message, the doctrinal statement of the SBC, expresses a close (or closed) view of communion, not an open one. There are several reasons why the widespread practice of open communion by sister churches should be of concern to us.

First, open communion eventually threatens the gospel because it eliminates accountability for proper understanding and personal confession of faith. Open communion allows the individual, alone, to determine whether they have come to faith in Christ. Perhaps they believe rightly, perhaps not. Believer's baptism, on the other hand, allows the church, or at least its designees (like a pastor or missionary), to verify that a person accurately grasps the gospel and is making a trustworthy confession of faith. Believers’ baptism and close communion go together.

Second, open communion eventually threatens the church because it makes membership meaningless and church discipline impossible. Open communion allows an individual believer to identify as a church member by eating the bread (1 Cor 10:17), while potentially having no real commitment, participation, or love toward a local church. Open communion, perhaps unwittingly, fosters individualism and independence from the church. Local church membership, though, makes commitment clear and love for fellow members tangible. Additionally, open communion makes the Bible's instructions for church discipline impossible to follow. If a church allows anyone to the table through open communion, that church cannot then exclude anyone from the table in discipline. Regenerate church membership, congregational polity, and close communion go together.

Third, open communion is a departure from historic Baptist convictions. Yes, there have been some Baptist churches in history who have practiced open communion. However, this has been a minority. A brief survey of influential Baptist confessions of faith proves that most Baptists have practiced close or closed communion, not open.

Fourth, open communion is a departure from the Baptist Faith and Message, the doctrinal statement of the SBC. It worries me that more than half of SBC churches have a practice that stands in conflict with the convention’s confession of faith. If churches treat this article of the confession as immaterial, then it opens the door to the dismissal of other articles of the confession. The slippery slope is real. This kind of reasoning is, in fact, used by some who advocate for egalitarian positions that conflict with the confession (like female pastors). They point to the tolerance of open communion and then wonder why the convention does not similarly tolerate egalitarian positions. The answer is not equal toleration, but for churches to return to practicing close communion.

I fear that churches who encourage the unbaptized and unaffiliated to eat the Lord's Supper are doing more harm than good in the interest of being friendly and unoffensive. Churches should not treat the Lord's Supper as if it is indispensable and baptism and church membership as if they are optional. The Lord has given us his ordinances for his glory, the strengthening of his church,  the protection of the gospel, and the good of his people.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas


[1] https://research.lifeway.com/2012/09/17/lifeway-surveys-lords-supper-practices-of-sbc-churches/

Book Review: Embodied (By Thomas Hill)

New! Book of the Quarter & Bookstall

In an effort to get great books into your hands, we are introducing the book of the quarter and Bookstall! Each quarter, we will feature a solid book by a respected author that will help you grow in knowing the Lord. I’ll author a book review to inspire you to pick up a copy and read.

The book of the quarter and other resources will be available in our new Bookstall! We completed this room last year but have delayed developing it. We aim to steadily expand the resources in the room to keep good books in your hands. The Bookstall is located on the first floor near the library and mothers’ room. Check it out soon!

Embodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World by Gregg R. Allison

260 pages, Baker Books, 2021

$15 in the Crestview Bookstall

The spring book of the quarter is Embodied by Dr. Gregg R. Allison, a professor of Christian theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and an elder of Sojourn Carlisle Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

How important is your body to a life of discipleship? Our physical body is integral to everything we do in life. When you sing, read the Bible, and pray, you do so in a body. When you go to work and serve your family, you do so in a body. When you love others and share the gospel, you do so in a body. So long as our body is functioning correctly, we tend to overlook it. But, when injury, illness, and death are nearby, we become quite conscious of the body.

In Embodied, Allison leads us to consider the vital role that one’s body plays in discipleship. Developing a biblical understanding of embodiment addresses many contemporary issues: personhood, gender dysphoria, sexuality, body image, exercise, diet, health and wellness, obesity, body modification, clothing, and burial/cremation.

Allison contends that American culture and the church are under the devastating influence of a type of neo-Gnosticism. Gnosticism is an ancient heresy that views spiritual, immaterial realities as inherently good and the physical and material as inherently evil. The result of this influence is that believers and churches disregard and even disparage the human body. For example, we pursue spiritual disciplines like worship and prayer because they strengthen the soul. But do we also consider how our physical bodies enable us to serve the Lord? Do we also give attention to how adequate diet, exercise, and sleep support our bodies to practice these disciplines? These are the kinds of probing questions Allison raises throughout this book.

I found Embodied biblically grounded, insightful, and practical. Allison guides us to root our theology of human embodiment in Scripture. I found the book filled with many surprising insights featuring a topic that Christians too often neglect. Each chapter is intensely practical, addressing questions such as sexuality, transgenderism, adequate & excessive exercise, wellness, modest clothing, and even tattoos. The last chapter, "The Future Body," details the believer’s hope in the resurrection of the body and the eternal joy of glorified embodiment with the Lord.

Who should read Embodied? Though this is a book of theology, this book is easy for almost anyone to read. Each chapter is organized efficiently and introduced with a thought-provoking question, statement of the big idea, and application question. It is a book for everyday believers who desire to grasp the Bible’s teaching about embodiment. Parents should be aware that portions of the book address both holy and divergent sexuality (with tact and modesty), which may not be suitable for some readers.

Allison’s closing declaration is one to ponder: “As God the Son was embodied and is re-embodied, so too we are embodied and will be re-embodied. The proper state of human existence —both then and now—is embodiment” (260). May our discipleship and future hope include appreciating the Lord’s design for our bodies.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

From NHC 1853 to BFM 2000: Why did Crestview’s Statement of Faith Change? (By Thomas Hill)

Earlier posts in this series:

When Crestview was covenanted in 1957, the members used the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1853 version) as the church’s doctrinal statement. Today, the church uses the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. When and why did the church change? Over the last few weeks, I have been asking long-time church members this question and looking for answers in the church's records.

BFM 1963

At the 1963 Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, messengers adopted a revision of the 1925 BFM. By 1982, perhaps earlier, Crestview was using the BFM 1963 as its doctrinal statement, according to the constitution and bylaws dating from that year. Connie Otis related that Pastor Ed Sission was keen on using the doctrinal statement recognized by the national and Georgia conventions because of his concern about the growing influence of liberal theology. The change to the BFM 1963 marked the first modification in Crestview’s doctrinal statement.

BFM 2000

By 2004, the church updated its doctrinal statement a second time. When Southern Baptists convened in Orlando, Florida, during the summer of 2000, they strengthened the BFM to reflect the growing conservative convictions of the convention. In the wake of this update, theologically moderate SBC churches kept the 1963 version or withdrew fellowship entirely. Conservative churches, marked by their belief in the inerrancy and sufficiency of Scripture, affirmed the BFM 2000. Crestview’s adoption of this new version of the BFM was a substantial, if non-controversial, move by the church. Several members related to me how the church gladly and peacefully received the BFM 2000 without rancor or division. Such was not the case in some SBC churches during that period.

Lessons to Learn

We may draw three lessons from this history. First, doctrinal statements need periodic updates. The Bible does not change over time, but the challenges the church faces do change. The worlds of 1853, 1963, 1982, 2000, and 2025 are vastly different.

Second, because Crestview’s doctrinal history has tended to follow the influence of the SBC, our church has shared the strengths and weaknesses of the BFM. The BFM has many strengths, but one of its weaknesses may be that it is a consensus document for a convention made up of thousands of churches. The primary purpose of the BFM is to give doctrinal guardrails for SBC entities and to identify cooperating churches. A consensus statement of faith may not provide the precision a local church needs. I am not suggesting that a local church should not use the BFM, but when using it, a church should not be surprised to find itself navigating diverse convictions on various issues among its members.

Third, we have changed it in the past, so we ought to expect Crestview’s statement of faith to change in the future. As I monitor controversies at the national SBC level, I am surprised at the unorthodox interpretations that some contend are within the boundaries of the BFM 2000 (like egalitarian leadership and open communion, to name two). I suspect a new BFM update may be on the horizon in the next decade (perhaps sooner than later). As a church, we must remain steadfastly committed to "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). We must not compromise biblical fidelity. However, we may need to update our statement of faith occasionally to address new challenges in this sinful, fallen world faithfully. Thankfully, the Lord has given us his Book to guide us.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Understanding the Lord's Supper (By Thomas Hill)

Understanding the Lord’s Supper

It helps to break up long road trips by occasionally stopping for a bit of sightseeing. My plan with the Luke sermon series is to do something similar by sprinkling in several short series along the way. This pattern will help us to remain fresh and expectant each Sunday. The first short series begins this Sunday: Understanding the Lord’s Supper from 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

There are several reasons a three-week focus on the Lord’s Supper will be beneficial to us. First, we want our participation in the Lord’s Supper to be thoughtful and meaningful. We can mitigate rote habits and thoughtless rituals with better understanding. Second, the need for ongoing instruction is always present. Not only do each of us need regular reminders of the Lord’s instruction, but Crestview has also added many members since I last preached on this ordinance. Third, I regularly receive questions from/about non-members eating the Supper. Since this question surfaces consistently, it seems prudent to equip all members to answer the "who" question correctly.

Last, a survey revealed that as many as 52% of SBC churches practice open communion (welcoming unbaptized, non-church members to eat). If accurate, this would indicate that a majority of SBC churches may be practicing the Supper in a way that stands contrary to the Baptist Faith & Message and the majority of Baptist churches in history. I hope to promote the joyful significance of celebrating our Lord's Supper among regenerated, baptized church members.

Because I will be preaching about the Lord's Supper, it seems fitting that we celebrate the Supper each of the following three Sundays. This is not a permanent change to weekly practice; it is merely a short-term way to strengthen our hearts through this series. After this series, we plan to return to celebrating monthly.

Spring Quarter Begins This Sunday

This Sunday, March 2, begins the new spring quarter. In addition to the new sermon series, new equipping courses begin. See the list of new classes in the newsletter below. The start of spring is an ideal time to plug into the church!

Who Will You Invite This Sunday?

I love how many of you are praying and purposefully engaging friends, family, and neighbors in gospel conversations! An excellent way to help those around you hear the gospel is to invite them to gathered worship on Sundays. Hearing a sermon is a chief way the Spirit draws disciples. Bring a friend to experience the preaching, singing, praying, and loving of the church. Who will you invite this week?

Vermont Mission Team

The 58-person mission team from Christ Memorial Church in Vermont has arrived and is working on updates to the McIntosh campus. They are “camping” in our fellowship hall building and cooking their meals here. Thank you to all who have helped to welcome them. As you have opportunities to interact with them, let’s continue extending warm hospitality.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

Why Did Crestview Use the New Hampshire Confession? (By Thomas Hill)

Earlier posts in this series:

On January 6, 1957, 113 believers covenanted to form Crestview Baptist Church in Griffin, GA. In the covenanting service, each signed the church covenant and statement of faith. The church utilized the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (NHC) as its doctrinal statement (the 1853 update, not the 1833 version, as I incorrectly wrote last week). These original signed documents hang in the hallway outside our worship center.

This sounds relatively straightforward, but it does raise an interesting question. If the Baptist Faith and Message (BFM) was adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in 1925, thirty-two years before Crestview was formed, why did Crestview utilize the older NHC? I can imagine a few possible reasons.

First, as Timothy George explains, in the late 1800s and 1900s, churches across the American South widely accepted the NHC.[1] Gordon Wood, Crestview’s founding pastor, and many of the original members formed Crestview after withdrawing from DeVotie Baptist Church. Since it was founded in 1891, I suspect DeVotie may have been using the NHC. Therefore, one possible reason Crestview used the NHC is that it merely retained DeVotie’s confessional statement.

Second, the BFM was a doctrinal statement for the Convention, not necessarily for local churches. Local churches already possessed statements of faith. The SBC's approval of the BFM formed doctrinal moorings for convention entities and helped churches rally around the Cooperative Program (also adopted in 1925, coincidentally).[2] Therefore, a second possible reason Crestview used the NHC was its precedent among SBC churches before the BFM was written.

Third, perhaps the original members of Crestview preferred the NHC over the BFM. While the writers of the BFM used the NHC as a starting point, they expanded the BFM to include articles on evangelism and missions, education, stewardship, and cooperation.[3] These articles primarily undergird cooperative support of mission boards and seminaries. Such inclusions made the BFM valuable to the Convention yet less needful for a local church. Finally, a third possible reason Crestview used the NHC was that it was more suitable as a local church’s statement of faith.

These three reasons stand as possible reasons Crestview was formed using the NHC. (Perhaps there are others). Interestingly, between 1957 and 2004, Crestview changed its statement of faith to the Baptist Faith and Message. I'll look more closely at this in my next post.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas

[1] Timothy George, Baptist Confessions, Covenants, and Catechisms, 12.

[2] Timothy George, Baptist Confessions, Covenants, and Catechisms, 13.

[3] See the Preamble to the BFM 1925: “Your committee have decided to recommend the New Hampshire Confession of Faith, revised at certain points, and with some additional articles growing out of present needs, for approval by the Convention…”

Where Did Statements of Faith Begin? (By Thomas Hill)

Earlier posts in this series:

 

In this series of articles, I am reflecting on the profound role of our church's statement of faith. Today, I want to consider where statements of faith began. Let’s take a condensed tour through church history.

First, we discover brief statements of doctrine in Scripture:

  • Exodus 34:6–7: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

  • Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3–5: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”

  • 1 Timothy 3:16: “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.”

The Spirit inspired these biblical summary statements. Believers across the ages have treasured, memorized, and repeated them as potent declarations and heartfelt expressions of devotion and doctrine.

Next, after biblical times, believers and their churches have stated the truth openly, clearly, and precisely. Summary statements of the Bible's teaching served the church by promoting clear confession. Let's admit the Bible is a thick book and has been interpreted in numerous ways. Therefore, summary statements about what believers understand the Bible to teach have proven to be valuable, durable tools. Statements of faith are not inspired Scripture, so they should always be revised in light of Scripture. Still, they have proven effective.

Statements of faith have not only helped believers positively confess their faith but also helped to protect the church from strange doctrine. For example, the early creeds of the church helped to defend against a host of heresies related to the nature of God.

By the fourth century, we find the church writing statements of faith:

  • The Apostle’s Creed, A. D. 300-400

  • The Nicene Creed, 325

  • The Chalcedonian Creed, 451

  • The Athanasian Creed, A. D. 400-500

  • The Augsburg Confession, 1530: Martin Luther’s statement of faith.

  • Short Confession of Faith in Twenty Articles, 1609: One of the earliest Baptist statements of faith by John Smyth.

  • The London Confession of Faith (1644)

  • The Philadelphia Confession of Faith (1742): one of the first Baptist statements of faith in the American colonies.

  • The New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1833): Crestview’s original statement of faith.

  • The Baptist Faith & Message (1925, updated in 1963 and 2000): Crestview’s current statement of faith.

As one can see, there is a long history of believers—Baptists included — setting forth their convictions in brief summary statements and then revising them as needed. These summary statements enabled churches to keep unity around the most essential teachings of Scripture and be clear where interpretations of Scripture differed.

Timothy George concludes: “From their beginning Baptist Christians have set fourth their most cherished convictions about God, salvation, the church, and the life of faith in confessions, covenants, and catechisms. The malign neglect of these important primary sources has certainly contributed to the theological amnesia and spiritual myopia which afflict all too many Baptists today.”[1]

Statements of faith are helpful instruments for preserving the gospel and strengthening the church. They have existed in one form or another since biblical times. May the history of such statements reinforce our appreciation of the importance of Crestview’s statement of faith.

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas


[1] Timothy George, Baptist Confessions Covenant, and Catechisms, 1-2.

Statement or Confession of Faith? (By Thomas Hill)

Today, I embark on a series of articles delving into the profound role of a church's statement of faith. In this series, we will explore how our doctrinal statement not only serves as an educational resource for our faith but also acts as a guardrail, steering us away from straying off the path of sound belief and practice.

To truly grasp the significance of a statement of faith, we must first understand the place of confession. Confession, the verbalization of sincerely held belief, is more than just words. As Paul explains, it is a manifestation of faith: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Rom 10:9–10). Genuine confession is rooted in a heart conviction.

When Peter confessed Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus acknowledged the divine source of this confession: "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven" (Matt 16:16–17). This revelation underscores the spiritual depth of true confession, which is rooted in God's work of regeneration. Through this divine process, the Lord enlightens the heart with the glory of Christ and enables his apprehension (2 Cor. 4:6). Verbalizing the lordship of Jesus Christ is not just a mere act of speech, but a profound expression that arises from an enlightened, transformed heart.

The most profound and condensed confession of faith remains: “Jesus Christ is Lord” (1 Cor 12:3). John affirms such straightforward expressions as the indicator of sincere faith: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 Jo 4:2). The confession of one’s faith, then, is of supreme importance.

A confession of faith, another term for a statement of faith. For a statement of faith to be truly effective, two things must be true. First, the statement must accurately express heart convictions. Second, and equally importantly, believers must voluntarily subscribe to the statement. This voluntary subscription is not just a formality, but a responsibility that each believer should take seriously. A statement of faith that does not accurately convey the heart is worthless. Furthermore, a statement of faith that is superficial – merely ecclesiastical boilerplate – is of little use. Yet, just as we benefit tremendously from singing lyrically rich hymns in gathered worship, a written statement of faith can also assist us in expressing our heart’s convictions.

If someone asked you to confess your faith by summarizing the most essential truths about the Lord, how would you do this? I hope you will perceive the immense value of Crestview's statement of faith in assisting you in articulating your understanding of the Bible's key doctrines.

 For His Glory,

 Pastor Thomas

2024 Giving Highlights (By Thomas Hill)

Jesus stated, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21). In his book, Budgeting for a Healthy Church, pastor Jamie Dunlop draws from Jesus’ statement a principle for churches: “To understand what really matters to a church, look past its vision statement, past its website, past its glossy brochures, and look at its budget. Follow the money. What a church treasures—how it spends its money—reveals its heart, its values, and its priorities” (15). This reality is true for Crestview.

Now that we have closed the books on 2024, I want to share several exciting observations that were made possible by your active participation and generous contributions:

In 2024, your giving allowed us to direct $100,000, or 18% of expenses, to international, regional, and local mission and relief efforts! These efforts include the cooperative program, International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, Mission Georgia, Flint River Baptist Association, Christian Women’s Center, Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center, McIntosh Baptist Church replant, Crestview Compassion, Lesotho trips, and more. Your contributions clearly demonstrate Crestview's commitment to engaging the world with the gospel, from here to the ends of the earth (Matt 28:18-20).

We devoted $65,000, or 12% of expenditures, to support gathered worship, equipping courses, disciple-making, and ministries to kids and students. Crestview clearly values worship, community, and building up our church (Eph 4:11-12).

We invested $260,000, or 46% of expenditures, in pastoral staff and families, administrative staff, and the development of elders, deacons, and their wives. Crestview clearly values and honors its leaders (1 Tim 5:17; Heb 13:17).

We applied $138,000, or 25% of expenditures, to maintaining the church campus. These costs included utilities, property insurance, and keeping fixtures and equipment operational. Crestview clearly values a functional, attractive, and safe campus as a ministry tool (Deut 22:8).

Separate from these budget expenditures, in 2024, the Henry and Myrtis Holman Memorial fund, a fund set up by past Crestview members in their estate planning to support mission work, distributed $36,000 in Crestview’s name, divided evenly, to the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board. The Holmans set up this perpetual fund in their estate planning. I suspect they will give more to missions from heaven than they did during their earthly days!

Even with your commendable efforts and your leaders’ appeals, the church fell $34,000 short of our budget goal for 2024. However, I am hopeful that with your continued generosity, we can surpass our goals in 2025, enabling us to direct more funds to the initiatives valued by the Lord and Crestview.

Our church’s budget is a key way we work together as a church in gospel ministry. Dunlop highlights the budget’s importance: ”Think of your church’s budget as a long-term mutual fund with an excellent rate of return. It’s a spiritual mutual fund” (36). May every Crestview member be thankful on that last day for every dollar we entrusted to this budget!

For His Glory,

Pastor Thomas