Simplicity

I recently heard a brother say, "I miss when serving God was simple."  That statement has been on my mind ever since.  Upon hearing that statement, my mind pictured a group of believers gathered and laughing together outside.  Men sitting and standing under shady trees; women in their Sunday dresses sipping lemonade and keeping an eye on the children running and skipping through the grass.  I pictured a church service where everyone was there to sing, give, and be preached to.  Then everyone would go home, loving God, each other, and souls.   Ah, for the simple life!

I'm not sure where those pictures came from in my mind, but that's what I thought of.  What was missing was the critical church members who criticize every decision made, the preachers who get together to tear another down, the singer who is pouting because they haven't sung in a while, the brothers fighting over differences in their lives, children who are in rebellion and mischievous, song police, sermon auditors, mean deacons, tight wad trustees, and bitter old people.  Ok, so that is probably what makes the real picture of simplicity.

In some way, every faithful church member has an idea of what I am talking about.  There is so much politics, policing, plundering, pounding, pretending, and pride in our churches, that we begin to question God, His church, and His Word.  We begin to look at "churches" with no strong doctrine, no standards, no soul winning...and we say, "well, at least they love God and each other."

My wife pointed out to me the other day how much writing Baptist are putting out with Grace-based philosophy.  Now don't get me wrong, we should do everything according to the grace of God; but what I speak of is the philosophy that God's grace covers it all, so don't judge anything, let God deal with it all, just love people and it will be fine.

There is so much truth in that statement, I hate contradicting it; but while God's grace is there and the foundation for all we do; we can only experience the grace of God after we submit to the truth of God.  Take our salvation, before we could experience the grace for ourselves we must first submit to the truth that we are sinners deserving of Hell.  Upon that recognition, we then can experience the grace of God that is salvation.

"For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:"-Col. 1:5-6

Grace is always served on the platter of truth!

Back to our simplicity in church life...So how does this all apply to our church lives?  What about the "simple" days?  The first thing we must ask (as always) is what does the Bible say about simplicity?

The word "simplicity" in our New Testaments is the Greek word "haplotes" and means 1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty; the virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy
2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity.

The Word is found in the following Scriptures:

Rom. 12:8: Or he that exhorteth , on exhortation: he that giveth , [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth , with diligence; he that sheweth mercy , with cheerfulness.
2 Cor. 1:12: For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2 Cor. 8:2: How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2 Cor. 9:11: Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
2 Cor. 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution unto them, and unto all [men];
2 Cor. 11:3: But I fear , lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Eph. 6:5: Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Col. 3:22: Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

One takes from these Scriptures, that true Biblical simplicity is a willingness to just give yourself to the Lord without any regard to what anyone thinks.
Rom. 12:8-if your gift is giving, just give what the Lord tells you and who cares what others think?
2 Cor. 1:12-live your life for the Lord wholly given to Him and who cares what others think?
2 Cor. 8:2-the churches in Macedonia were persecuted, but they still had joy and just gave themselves (vs. 3) not caring what others thought
2 Cor. 9:11-13Give and the Lord will take care of you by blessing you with a joy in giving and the ability to give more
2 Cor. 11:3-Paul was afraid the church would compromise and lose its purity by thinking it needs to compromise and impress others in the world.  Godly purity is giving yourself totally to Him, all of you, not caring what the world thinks.
Eph. 6:5-Obey your masters and give them your everything
Col 3:22-Obey not to impress your master but to please God

So "Simple" is simply this: just serve God with your everything and who cares what others think!

I agree, we should then not care about what others think, how criticizers critique, complainers complain; as long as we are serving how God wants us to.  You see, before we can serve in simplicity, we must realize that our service in God's grace must be done upon the platter of God's Truth. 

We should enjoy serving God without fearing what others are saying or thinking....as long as what they are saying or thinking is not the Truth.  You see, I fear the "simpler days" maybe ones for some who don't want the perfecting process of God's truth to continue in their lives.  Instead of seeing Truth as a gift of simplicity, they see Truth as a judge and condemner. 

I probably have made a great complexity out of simplicity; but my prayer is that we will see simplicity for what it is-by God's grace serving upon the foundation of the Truth. That's what all those people in paragraph 1 were doing if we are honest.

The sponsoring church of Loveland Park Baptist Church was Socialville Baptist Church.  In the spring of 1962, several families felt led to leave the High Point Baptist Church and establish a new church.  The families met in the home of Mitt and Opal Richardson until a church building could be found.  The church was organized May 9, 1962, with 27 charter members.  The current property on Socialville Foster Road was purchased at that time in 1962.  The 27 charter members were Bill Anders, Dorothy Anders, James Anders, Billy Anders, Bobby Anders, Rollin Bennett, Sr., Vesta Bennett, Rollin Bennett, Jr., Melvin Carter, Flossie Carter, Ruth Leach, Adam McKeehan, Geneva McKeehan. Russell McKeehan, Belinda McKeehan, Beverly McKeehan, Nelson Roundtree, Creola Roundtree, Mitt Richardson, Opal Richardson, Gerald Richardson, Earl Sims, Esther Sims, Patricia Sims, Clyde Wells, Pauline Wells, and Larry Wells. 

            We find in the minutes taken at the organizational meeting dated May 9, 1962, the following record of that meeting:  “Bro. Roundtree opened the service by leading those gathered in singing  the hymn ‘We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes.’  Those following were; ‘Glory to His Name,’ ‘Standing on the Promises.’

            Bro. James L. Richardson led in prayer after singing.

            Bro. Carter then acted as chairman of the group and introduced Bro. Millsaps, who was immediately and unanimously voted as moderator for the remainder of the organization meeting.

            Bro. Millsaps’ first remarks were on exhortation to carefully select a Bible-believing and Godly living pastor and to live according to the Bible in love and humility.

            The first motion was that Bro. James Leo Richardson be appointed clerk for the meeting.

            The clerk read the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant.

            Bro. Millsaps called for a record of the charter members.

            Bro. Carter made a motion and was seconded by Bro. Sims to have a business meeting Wednesday night, May 16^th to elect officers for the new church.

            The charge was then ably and clearly given the new congregation by Bro. Millsaps, as he encouraged them not to be hampered or discouraged by the powers of the world which would cause the flesh to be revived and cause dis-unity in the church.  Scripture was read from Isa. 62:1 & 2; Matthew 11:2-11; Mark 3:13-15; and Eph. 2:19-22.

            The meeting was dismissed with the singing of ‘Oh How I Love Jesus’ and an old-fashioned handshake, immediately after the sweet organization prayer by Bro. Millsaps.”

            According to some charter members and written records within the minutes of the Socialville Baptist Church there had been a disagreement within the High Point Baptist Church and several families left and became charter members of Socialville Baptist Church. We praise the Lord that within the minutes of Socialville Baptist Church we find the following record, “motion was made, second and carried for the men  of the church to meet with the men of High Point Baptist Church as requested by them to discuss feelings of difference between the two churches.  Motion was made, second and carried to meet at Socialville Baptist Church at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10, for the purpose stated above.”  In addition we find a later added note on that page of minutes, “this meeting was held as scheduled and was attended by a good number from both churches.  In an attitude of Christian friendship all expressed their desire to do the Lord’s will and to promote His work.  After a season of prayer and Christian hand shaking the meeting was dismissed.”

            Recently, Pastor Dean Gooch related this same event to Pastor Burke and Pastor Sallee of Cozaddale Baptist Temple.  He remembers, with tears in his eyes, the sweetness and the fellowship being restored between the two churches. In 1963, the church chose to send Mitt Richardson to start Loveland Park Baptist Church.  We know from the records of Socialville Baptist Church that High Point Baptist Church continued to show their support to Socialville Baptist Church and their desire to establish churches by attending the organizational meeting of the Loveland Park Baptist Church. 

            The year 2012 begins the fiftieth anniversary of Socialville Baptist Church.  For 50 years Socialville Baptist Church has a strong desire to serve the Lord.  The pastors of Socialville Baptist Church have been Howard Carter, 1962-1967; Don Poole, 1967-1969; Raymond Hilliard, January – July of 1969; (he died while pastor); Jack Fenner, 1969-1976; Paul Godby, 1976-1978; Harold Stroup, 1978-1983; Greg Ballard, 1983-1989; Paul Armacost, 1986-1989 (Along with Greg Ballard); Dwight Coffman, January – June 1990; Tom Walz, 1990-1993; Stan Sexton, 1993 to present.  The churches that have been started under the ministry of Socialville Baptist Church are:  Loveland Park Baptist Church, Loveland, Ohio, 1963; Emmanuel Baptist Mission, Speedwell, Tennessee, 1974; Victory Baptist Mission, 1988.  The church presently supports 50 missionaries.  One of them is out of Cozaddale Baptist Temple – Steven and Peggy Harris currently serving in Mexico.

           

Our Mother Church

The sponsoring church of Cozaddale Baptist Temple is the Loveland Park Baptist Church in Loveland Park, Ohio.  The mother church no longer has a written record as they seem to have been lost or destroyed over time.  After talking to several charter members, locating old pictures and finding records from the church which sponsored Loveland Park, here is what we have learned of Loveland Park Baptist Church.

            The following is adapted from the church record of Socialville Baptist Church minutes dated September 17, 1963. The meeting was called to order by Bro. Melvin Carter to discuss a possible mission work in Loveland, Ohio. Bro. Mitt Richardson let it be known that he had been led of the Lord to start a mission work in Loveland Park, Ohio. He had located a building that was available to rent on Lilac Road in Loveland Park for sixty dollars a month. “A motion was made, seconded and carried to send Bro. Richardson to Loveland Park to establish and carry on a mission work there.” The record also shows a “motion was made, seconded and carried to purchase chairs for the mission. Motion made, seconded and carried to adjourn.”

            The church records show follow up meetings about the mission work dated, March 1, 1964.   At a regular church meeting on Sunday morning, a motion was made, seconded and carried to authorize the mission in Loveland Park, Ohio to be organized into a Baptist church.  That afternoon there is a record of a special meeting at the Loveland Park Baptist Mission.  The notes depict the following – “Special meeting, organization of Loveland Park Baptist Church. The service was opened with congregational singing, and special singing by Bro. Fred Johnson.  The visiting churches were recognized and the represented were: Independent Baptist Church of Deer Park, Ohio; Immanuel Baptist Church of Lockland, Ohio; Highpoint Baptist Church; Maineville Baptist Church; and Socialville Baptist Church….The charge was then given by Bro. Pinsen, stating the many responsibilities to God, to the community, and to their pastor. The church was urged to begin a mission work at once, as the church is commanded to spread the Gospel to the entire world. After the invitation, the members of the newly formed church stood, as the congregation filed by and shook their hands, while singing Amazing Grace. The service was then dismissed by prayer.”

            On April 1, 1964, during a regular business meeting of the Socialville Baptist Church we find the following letters granted to the Loveland Park Baptist Church. This is believed to be the Charter Membership list of Loveland Park Baptist. Bro. Mitt Richardson, Sis. Opel Richardson, Gerald Richardson, Bro. William Anders. Sis. Dorothy Anders, Jimmy Anders, Billy Anders, Bobby Anders, Bro. James Roe, Sis. Jean Roe, Bro. William York, Sis. Bonnie York, Bro. Stanley Stith and Sis. Lorane Stith.

            In a recent interview with Sister Opel Richardson dated February 16, 2012, she shared her memories which corroborated the recorded minutes of Socialville Baptist Church. She also shared how the Lord had blessed the ministry with 70 baptisms the first year of the church. Bro. Richardson’s son remembers in 1967 the church built a new building. Bro. Roundtree knew people in London, Kentucky, who arranged a meeting with Chaney Laminated Timbers. CLT designed beams, arches, hardware, wood roof decking and all the wood would then be kiln dried. A crane was rented to attach the wood arches. It is said that people from all over Loveland Park came to watch the day the arches were bolted together. Her husband pastored the church until 1967 when the building was completed. In 1967, Bro. Mitt Richardson had to step down as pastor and many of the church members left. Loveland Park was now a church without a pastor. Gerald Richardson, Bro Richardson’s son, recalls the church calling Bro. Clarence York to be their next pastor. Bro. York was a pastor of Seven Gables Baptist Church which had about 35 members, but no building to meet in. Loveland Park had a new building, few people and no pastor. Bro. York came, along with about 35 members and the Loveland Park Baptist Church continued.

            (There was a family in the church who had a desire to start a mission work closer to their home, Bro. Charles Girvin, who lived in the Goshen area. Mrs. Opel Richardson who was Mitt Richardson’s wife remembers Bro Charles Girvin and his family as having become charter members of the church.  It was under the ministry of Bro. Clarence York that Bro. Girvin felt led to start a mission work in Cozaddale, Ohio. On December 3, 1967, the mission work became a church sponsored out of Loveland Park Baptist Church.)

            In 1968, Bro York resigned and the church called Bro. Steve Veatch as pastor in November of the same year.  Bro. Veatch has many fond memories of his pastorate at the church. Loveland Park was still in the process of undergoing a blending of Seven Gables Baptist Church which Bro. York had brought with him when he accepted the pastorate of Loveland Park. Under his leadership the church continued to blend and began faith promise missions in 1970. In 1972 the church started an ACE school. The church had a high attendance of 324 and ran several bus routes. It was during this time that Bro. Veatch was able to enter into the ministry full time. It was in the fall of 1974, after six years of successful ministry that Bro. Veatch felt led to step down as pastor.

            The church extended a call to Bro. Dave Carr in late fall of 1974, to become her fourth pastor. It was during the time of Bro. Carr’s pastorate that the state waged a war with Christian schools in Ohio. Bro Carr remembers taking a bus up to Columbus, Ohio, to stand with other Christian schools. Bro. Carr resigned the pastorate in 1977.

            In late 1977 or early 1978 the Loveland Park Baptist Church extended a call to Bro. Mike Carpenter to be her fifth pastor. Brother Carpenter has faithfully served the Lord as a pastor for 33 years. Bro. Carpenter has a strong desire to see souls won to Christ and for the saints to mature in the faith. Many souls have been reached and continue to be reached through the ministry of Loveland Park Baptist Church.

Pastor's Psyche

Recently I just returned from a preaching conference in St. Clair, Missouri at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church pastored by Tom Smith. What a wonderful time of fellowship and challenging from the Word of God! 

I always enjoy the fellowship and meeting with other men of like mind. I always enjoy catching up with friends I have not seen in quite a while. I always enjoy meeting missionaries who stand the same way we stand. But, the best part to me is hearing the preaching and being challenged by the Word of God. Almost every pastor this year preached on being broken or hurting in the ministry. Nearly each of them shared the typical thinking of most pastors. Upon first becoming a pastor, one can not imagine anything being wrong. Sort of like Wilbur when he first arrives at the Zuckerman farm. Every one loves you, your ideas, and your visions. Then one day Wilbur hears of the "conspiracy" and soon fears for his life! Seems like the 'honeymoon' period last a while, but then people get used to their pastor and pastors get used to their people, and soon each is constantly looking over their shoulder. People leave, people grumble, people have problems, people are discontent, people start looking for 'greener grass,' people look for faults, and the pastor grows weary, pastor gets discouraged, pastor sees people's faults, pastor starts looking for 'greener grass,' pastor is discontent, pastor has problems, pastor grumbles, pastor is discouraged, and soon pastor leaves. If it wasn't so sad and destructive, it would be humorous to watch this vicious cycle keep repeating itself. There is much that could be said here, but we are focusing on the pastor and his thinking. I know I have only pastored for 8 years, but in those eight years I have learned a lot. I also served 7 years as an assistant pastor, and had the privilege of growing up in a pastor's home. So, I feel though still younger, I have more than normal experience and authority to speak on this matter even at my age. I've seen and studied the pastor's psyche. I've seen the thrills, visions, and excitements; I've seen the depression, grief, and isolation. I believe first the power of possibilities thrill a pastor. Paul shares in 1 Cor. 16:9 how that while in Ephesus "a great door and effectual is opened unto me..." For Paul, this was the festival for the worshipping of the goddess Diana. History teaches that over 2 million people would visit Ephesus during these days. Can you imagine Paul salivating at this opportunity to witness? No wonder he says, "I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost!" There are times when a pastor can only see the possibilities and envision what God can do! In these days the pastor has a smile on his face, a hop in his step, and is fellowshipping with all his members sharing that burden and getting them on board! Then come the adversaries! Paul would then say after sharing his vision, "but there are many adversaries." Demetrius, the silversmiths, and a great host of people would soon oppose Paul. The Devil hates visions and soon sends his attacks. These attacks come through opposition, health issues, family issues, finances, and depression. Study Acts and how many times in Paul's life that the Lord stood with Paul and said to "Be of Good Cheer." Paul would no doubt fight these things. In these days the pastor is quiet, withdraws himself, teary eyes, quiet, and even stern, "matter of fact" and performance motivated. It is at these times a church can help by encouraging him in prayer, words, cards, and expressions of love. At other times there is Doubt. I can't explain why, but the Devil whispers in pastor's ears frequently, and one of his most used messages is that the man of God is failing, inadequate, and some one else could do better. Jeremiah examples this after his calling from God in Jeremiah 1:4-10. Jeremiah heard God, but replied "Ah Lord God! behold I cannot speak; for I am a child." He sees himself as: 1. Injured "AH". This word is a Hebrew word used often to show pain. 2. Impaired "I cannot speak". Here Jeremiah sees himself as being impaired and unable to meet the required task. 3. Inadequate "I am a child" Surely Jeremiah thought others more mature and knowledgeable could do a better job! These same three areas are a battle with every pastor. In these three areas every pastor is fought. There are times when serving as a pastor brings hurt. None can grieve you more than those you love. The hurt is great when people fall into sin, quit, go elsewhere not led by God, complain, cause divisions, and such. Many times the hurt becomes to great and pastors get their eyes off the Lord. At other times, the Devil tries to convince the man of God that they "cannot speak." or that they "are a child." We see our faults, our weaknesses, our lack of knowledge, ability, or strength. Pastors hear all the 'blessings' of the other men of God and feel they have failed. Pastors see all that have left and miss all that have stayed. Pastors get caught up in numbers and feelings and forget promises and facts. There will always be hurt, there will always be others who can speak clearer, louder, bigger words, better personality, funnier jokes, more stories, better alliteration, more Scripture memorized, larger churches-but they are not you. The Lord told Jeremiah to shut up and encouraged his heart by telling him: 1. God gave him the people to minister to 2. God gave him the preaching to speak 3. God gave him the power to do it 4. God gave him His presence at all times If you are a church member, encourage your pastor at all times, pray for your pastor, and understand he is a man too who the Devil wants to discourage. If you are a pastor, realize who the enemy is, encourage yourself in the Lord, claim to the promises in His Word, and go on and thank the Lord for the people He has given you to minister to, and do your best with the promises of God on your side. If you are one of those people God has blessed me with to minister and serve, know I love you and thank the Lord for you and remind me of these same things when discouragement comes my way!

The Precepts,Priorities, and Practices of the Pastorate

As we have stated previously, in our opinion, there is no higher calling than the ministry. Knowing that we also read that the Bible states that a man that desires the office of a bishop (pastor) desires a good thing. What a blessing to have the privilege of pastoring God's people. We ended the last time discussing the qualifications for a pastor. We stated that we know of men who have left the pastorate due to circumstances beyond their control that caused them to be unqualified. We also stated that there are some men who have ignored and rationalized the ignoring of the Qualifications set forth in the Word of God.We must reiterate that it is man that has failed not God and God does not change His qualifications regardless of the circumstances. This week let us quickly look at the qualifications in the Bible for the office of pastor.
There are about 22 qualifications set forth in I Tim. 3 and Titus 1. Look at them with me individually. In I Tim. 3:1-7 we see the first qualifications. We first see that a pastor must be blameless. Does this mean he is perfect? Of course not. It means that in the course of his ministry he will be blamed for everything under the sun. He must live above those things and insure that none of them are true. It is a holy thing to be in the office of the pastor. It is important that the pastor be and remian "squeaky clean."
Secondly we see the qualification of being the husband of one wife. This qualification is misinterpreted, sometimes intentionally, so many times. It very plainly says he is to be the husband of one wife. When a man marries a woman, in the eyes of God they are married until separated by death. Note several things concerning this qualification. A man cannot be divorced and pastor. He can do other things such as teach S.S., usher, etc. but he cannot serve as a pastor. Now if his wife has died or does die, he is free to marry another. It does not mean though one wife at a time. This was never in the mind of God! Also, this qualification eliminates a woman from serving as a pastor. Of course there are other scriptures that support that such as a woman not teaching or usurping authority over the man. Face it - the office of the pastor is a position of authority. This again has been intentionally misrepresented to meet someones circumstances. Many would say but it is God that calls to the ministry. We do not intend to lower the status of a woman but to the contrary. God and the Bible elevates womanhood. We are simply saying that we cannot change the qualifications for any reason.
Next we see the qualification of a man being vigilant. This means to be calm and on guard at all times. It goes with the next one and that is sober. A man must be sober or serious or level in his attitude and actions.
For our final one this week let us look at the qualification of good behavior. This means he should be orderly in his conduct and his integrity above question at all times. He cannot do questionable things. Many men are not in the ministry today because they were careless. Careless with money, around females, in their behavior. Kidding is fine but not when it leads to questioning his character. We will link this to the next qualification next time. God bless and pray for your pastor!

Ordained Staff of Cozaddale Baptist Temple

We have seen the senior pastors, the missionaries and the evangelist of Cozaddale, this week we are going to look at the pastoral staff who have served  Cozaddale Baptist Temple over the years. In May of 1980, Pastor Ted  Woody traveled to Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO to look for someone to fill a need of a growing church in the position of associate pastor. While there he met and interviewed Bro. Roy Keiter. The following January of 1981, Bro. Keiter and his wife Karen moved to Goshen, Ohio and Bro. Keiter became the first full time staff member of the church in addition to that of the pastor. Bro. Keiter's duties as associate pastor were, youth director, overseeing the Junior church, cleaning and maintaining the buildings, he and Bro. Richardson led the choir, Bro. Keiter led the congregational singing and was very instrumental in the building of the present auditorium. Bro. Keiter  had a strong desire to faithfully serve the Lord and he allowed the Lord to use the various  talents He had given him to do so. Bro. Keiter and his wife had two children  (Ryan and Cindy) while at Cozaddale. They faithfully served until the spring of 1990 when they left under the ministry of Bro. Williams.  Bro. and Mrs. Keiter now have four children and he is currently pastor of Gospel Light Baptist Church in Loveland, Ohio where he has served for 22 years. Pictured on the upper right hand corner is  a photo of Bro. Keiter and his wife Karen taken around 1982 or 1983.

The second full time associate was Bro. Rick Sallee. Bro. Sallee began attending  Cozaddale in 1972, when he and his family moved from Cincinnati to the Goshen area. Bro. Sallee was 12 years old when he first came to church. He was saved at the age of 14 under the ministry of Pastor Bill Webb and was very active as a young person around the church. Under the ministry of  Bro. Ted Woody  he went to Baptist Bible College in 1977, where he  met his wife, Lydia.  After college Bro. Sallee served  churches in Texas and Ohio from 1981 till 1987. His hearts desire was always to return and serve the Lord through the ministry of Cozaddale Baptist Temple.  After counseling with  Bro. Woody he returned to Cozaddale in 1987, found a job in a local factory and became busy  in the church ministries. On April 1, 1990, the Cozaddale Baptist Temple under the direction of Pastor Rick Williams extended a call to Bro. Sallee to become  assistant pastor. Bro Sallee accepted. Bro. Sallee and his wife have now been  involved in the ministry of Cozaddale for 22 years . Bro. Sallee and his wife Lydia are pictured on the left. 

          The third full time staff member  was Bro. Jordan Green. Bro. Jordan Green came on staff in August 1996. Bro. Jordan was a graduate of Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, NC.  While serving at Cozaddale Baptist Temple, he was involved in many aspects of the ministry.  He worked in the Christian school, had a bus route, and visited the elderly.  The Lord blessed Bro. Jordan's ministry while he was at Cozaddale by allowing him to meet his wife Bethany Gabbard who was a pastor's daughter from Indiana.  Mrs. Beth faithfully served along side her husband while they were at Cozaddale until the Lord called them to serve as missionaries in Mexico in 2004.  Pictured on the left is a picture of Bro. Jordan and his wife Bethany.  

 The fourth full time staff member was Bro. Travis Burke who came in 1997 to organize and be the administrator of Cozaddale Baptist Academy, one of the ministries he faithfully served in until the church called him to be the senior pastor in 2004. More of his ministry can be seen in the section about pastors of Cozaddale.

     Bro. Lee Carr was the fifth person to be called to serve as an associate in the ministry of Cozaddale. Bro.Carr was raised in a Christian home and surrendered to the ministry during his teen years. Bro. Carr went to Fairhaven Baptist College, where he graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in English.  It was during this time that Bro. Travis Burke was looking for a staff member to fill a spot in Cozaddale Baptist Academy which had now grown under his leadership. Bro. Carr had completed his schooling in December of 1997, and would not be graduating until the next spring. Bro. Carr came to Cozaddale Baptist Academy in January of 1998, to work with Bro. Burke  and returned to Fairhaven in the spring to receive his diploma. Upon Bro. Travis Burke's call to the pastorate of the church in 2004, Bro. Carr became the administrator of Cozaddale Baptist Academy where he continues to serve. Pictured on the right is Bro. Carr with his wife Shanda whom he met while serving at Cozaddale.
As the needs of the school and the church continued to grow Bro. Ben Souza came on full time staff in August of 1999 . Bro. Souza served as a school teacher and was very active as  staff worker.Bro. Sousa served until August of 2001.
 These are the men who have been ordained into the Gospel ministry and have served the Lord at our church. There have been many others who have faithfully served as teachers at the Cozaddale Baptist Academy and we are very grateful for the time they have spent with us.

The Precepts,Priorities, and Practices of the Pastorate

We wrote last time of the priorities,precepts and practice of the local church. It is necessary then to begin with the pastor. We see in Eph. 4:11 that God gave to the church pastors and teachers. It is God that calls a man into the ministry. Much to the detriment of the cause of Christ and the power of the church we have observed over the years too many men in pulpits that will admit God never called them into the ministry. When I speak of being called I mean that urging, desirous and undeniable speaking to the heart by God. I do not mean an audible voice but the voice of the Holy Spirit. Personally God called me to preach at the age of 17. I had only been saved about a year. One evening in the middle of the night I was awakened by such a burden that I began to weep and knew not why. Being a young Christian I thought you were supposed to talk to the Lord so I began to pray (Oh that we would stay in that condition.) I slipped out of my bed at 4 am and simply asked the Lord as to why I was so burdened and distressed. He did not speak to me audibly but He might as well have as the the Lord instantly gave me the answer. He wanted me to preach and go into the ministry full time. I surrendered that morning to the call of God, walked the aisle the next Sunday and made public God called me to preach. I preached my first sermon the next Sunday and have been preaching ever since. Now if a man is called then I am puzzled at the multiplied hundreds of preachers who just quite! The Bible teaches in Romans 11:29 that the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. In other words, God does not change His mind when He calls a man.
A man that is called to pastor of course must meet the qualifications outlined in the Bible. Perhaps many quit because they are not qualified. If so then I respect their character to leave the ministry. However, it is MAN that failed not God. God called and man failed. We have all heard for many years that the pastor is "Momma called and papa sent." Unfortunately that too is sometimes true. Many enter the pastorate without the call of God. He has become a hirling. Much respect and reverence for the man of God has been lost due to men in pulpits that should not be there. It is not my job to determine that in a person's life but 45 years of service and observation makes me know it is true.
We stated that a man that desires the office of pastor desires a good thing. Then certain qualifications are set forth in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1. We have seen men who have become unqualified through no fault of their own. That is of course a tragedy but it does not change the facts given in the Word of God. Again many men stay in the ministry after they are disqualified for a number of reasons - money,comfort, desire of the church,etc.
There are 3 words used to denote the pastor and they are interchangeable. They are bishop, elder and pastor. Each of these terms can denote the different duties of the pastor. Biblicaly he is the overseer, ruler and shepherd. He is given the duty of overseeing the church of God. He also retains the dignity of the office as an elder. As the pastor or shepherd he shows the design of the office.
We must keep in mind that it is God that calls men into the ministry, the church that ordains them and sends them out and the Holy Spirit that places them in the position. We will expound on that and continue with the precepts, priorities and practice of the pastorate. However if we stoped now it is evident that the Lord intended the church to follow, respect and reverence the office the man of God holds.