Ben Mayes is the Executive Leader of Finance and Shiloh. He has served at the Church and School for over ten years. Ben leads in everything financial at the Church and leads one of the best Christian schools in the nation, which serves students in kindergarten through the twelfth grade. He has a wealth of financial knowledge, coming to the Church from the business world where he worked for Ernst & Young, a public accounting and auditing firm; Southwestern Energy Company, an oil & gas company; and, most recently, The City of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

I am extremely excited about the opportunities that my church has before it this Summer.  Summertime is when many of our ministries kick into high gear for their busiest and most fruitful time for ministry.  This is also one of the best times of the year to get personally involved in ministry in a hands-on way and I can’t wait.  These ministries are intentionally designed to connect our church with the lost and unsaved in our communities, and these ministries will allow our volunteers to impact lives for eternity.  However, these opportunities do not come without a cost and that cost is in both time and money.

The costs in dollars for these opportunities is paid for by the Ministry Budget of our church and this budget needs the continued, faithful support of every one of us throughout our Summer Program of Giving.  From Memorial Day to Labor Day, our weekly budget need is $287,500.  When you are home this summer, please give faithfully of your tithes and volunteer to help with any one of our summer ministries.  When you are out of town, your routine giving is essential to the success of the ministries that continue while you are away.  We have been blessed much as a church, and we have a responsibility to bless others in return.

These past few days have been a real time of reflection for me personally.  Through several graduations and a wedding anniversary – God has reminded me how very short life is – like a vapor, a mist, or grass – here today and gone tomorrow.   And I have become very aware that since life is short that I need to be very busy about the good works of God that He has me here to do.  We are here this summer to complete God’s good works.  I do not know why the almighty God and Creator of the universe has chosen to use us to accomplish His good works; but He has, and we need to get busy. God has also reminded me that everything we do during this brief life on earth impacts how we spend eternity and potentially where others may spend eternity as well.  We need to be doing things that matter for eternity and that is why our church needs you.

During these tough economic times, we need to also be the Church.  We need to help each other; we need to help our neighbors; we need to volunteer more than ever; smile more than ever; and be more generous than ever. We can accomplish much together.  Every one of us matters!!  From the smallest gift to the largest gift – let us be found faithful during these days by giving sacrificially of our time and treasures to touch lives and honor our God.

According to God, we are here to love.  Not much else really matters.  So, Church, let’s get busy loving others to the glory of God this summer and always.

Andy Wilson joined our team last summer as Executive Leader of the Ministry and Operations for First Baptist Church of Springdale and The Church at Pinnacle Hills. He is responsible for day-to-day ministry, operations, and administration. He serves as second chair to Dr. Ronnie Floyd. Andy is the Board Chairman of Shiloh Christian School. He comes with a wealth of leadership experience. Andy served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Soderquist Center of Leadership and Ethics from 2001 – 2008. Prior to his tenure with the Soderquist Center, Andy spent 25 years as an innovative leader at Walmart Stores, Inc., which included more than 10 years as Vice President and Officer of Store Operations and six years as Vice President of the People Division. Andy is a 22-year resident of Springdale and has been married to Becky for 26 years. Andy and Becky have one child Andrea who is married to Aaron Brown. Andy and Becky have three grandchildren, Taylor, Zach, and Reed. Andy’s hobbies are cycling and fly fishing.

I want to share a few practical tips to help you get started or to continue to manage your personal finances.

40% of Americans spend more money than they earn.

1. Three main reasons for starting a spending plan for your family:
2. It causes you to stop and focus on your money.
3. You begin to make your money work for you and not you working for your money.
4. You and your spouse become in agreement with your family spending plans. This is God’s desire – for us to become one with each other.

Practical Financial Tips – Things to Do:

1. Set financial goals.
2. Save $1000.00 cash as a starter emergency fund.
3. Start paying off all debt- start with the smallest amount to the largest.
4. After debt is paid off; start to save 3-6 months expenses.
5. Invest 15% of your household income into retirement plans.
6. Save for college funding.
7. Pay off your home early.
8. Build wealth and give.

Practical Financial Tips – Things to Avoid:

1. Avoid debt- you cannot spend money you do not have. Make a decision to avoid going into debt and taking out loans; if it calls for DEBT, the answer is NO.
2. Avoid ATM’s.
3. Avoid overdraft fees. Write down Debit Card transitions.  While debt cards can’t get you directly into debt, if used carelessly, they can cause you to over spend.
4. Avoid late fees. Pay bills on time. If you do get behind-communicate with the company you owe the debt to.

Andy Wilson joined our team last summer as Executive Leader of the Ministry and Operations for First Baptist Church of Springdale and The Church at Pinnacle Hills. He is responsible for day-to-day ministry, operations, and administration. He serves as second chair to Dr. Ronnie Floyd. Andy is the Board Chairman of Shiloh Christian School. He comes with a wealth of leadership experience. Andy served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Soderquist Center of Leadership and Ethics from 2001 – 2008. Prior to his tenure with the Soderquist Center, Andy spent 25 years as an innovative leader at Walmart Stores, Inc., which included more than 10 years as Vice President and Officer of Store Operations and six years as Vice President of the People Division. Andy is a 22-year resident of Springdale and has been married to Becky for 26 years. Andy and Becky have one child Andrea who is married to Aaron Brown. Andy and Becky have three grandchildren, Taylor, Zach, and Reed. Andy’s hobbies are cycling and fly fishing.

Last Sunday, we had a great start to our summer. We had over 40 total professions of faith on both campuses. I want to thank Ken Freeman for his passion, his purpose in his life, and his commitment to God.

I have spoken to many Connection Groups on the Springdale Campus for the last two months. Becky and I want to thank all of you for your comments, encouragement and prayers. We will be visiting all Connection Groups on both campuses this summer.

One of the topics we have talked much about is our new Financial Ministry called “Finding Freedom.” When we came on staff, Pastor asked us to expand the Financial Ministry. We are both very passionate about the importance of managing your personal finances.

Becky and I attended a financial seminar 15 years ago in the Pastor’s Class. We made a commitment to get our personal finances in order, and over the last 15 years we have completely eliminated our debt – yes, that is correct, we are debt free…  Over 50% of marriages fail due to personal financial problems.  We have not had an argument about finances in 15 years. (We do disagree over the thermostat setting.)

In December 2008, we taught the basics of financial planning to over 1,200 members on the Springdale campus and 600 members on the Pinnacle Hills campus. We offer free confidential financial coaching and Dave Ramsey Financial University Classes on both campuses.

Let me give you an example of what the “Finding Freedom” classes have accomplished at the Pinnacle Campus regarding debt elimination and savings. Total debt paid off – $1,999,405; total debt paid off, not including real estate, is $700,000 and total saved $333,114.

Tomorrow I will give you some very practical tips on managing your personal finances.

After a very successful career in nursing, pharmacy, and teaching at the university level, Dr. Kaufman also attained a Master of Theology degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Today he serves on Dr. Floyd’s staff team at Pinnacle Hills. A prolific reader, Dr. Kaufman has authored numerous articles on topics in medicine and theology.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. It was officially declared a holiday on May 5, 1868, by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first celebrated May 30 of the same year when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetary. In his order of proclamation, General Logan wrote,

…gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime…let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude,–the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.

According to a website dedicated specifically to providing information on the holiday, “The “Memorial” in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice.”  How, then, are we to observe Memorial Day?  The site suggests the following:

• By visiting cemetaries and placing flags or flowers on the gravesites of our fallen heroes.
• By visiting memorials,
• By flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon,
• By flying the ‘POW/MIA’ Flag as well (section 082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act),
• By participating in a “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3 PM to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played,
• By renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

However you choose to observe it, I hope you’ll join me in making it a Day of Remembrance for those who gave their all in the service of this great Nation. May God Bless America!

After a very successful career in nursing, pharmacy, and teaching at the university level, Dr. Kaufman also attained a Master of Theology degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Today he serves on Dr. Floyd’s staff team at Pinnacle Hills. A prolific reader, Dr. Kaufman has authored numerous articles on topics in medicine and theology.

For many years prior to the Reformation, people who devoted themselves to full-time vocational ministry in the church or monastery were considered to be more spiritually minded than those who worked in “secular” vocations. Of course, this was (and is) a false dichotomy, but one that persists in the minds of many people today. Following the Reformation, however, the Christian doctrine of vocation began to be revived, though it is still relatively forgotten. “It is odd that such a liberating, life-enhancing doctrine has become all but forgotten in our time, passed over in our seminaries, sermons, and Bible classes… At a time when, according to the polls, people’s major preoccupations are work and family, there has never been a greater need to recover the Christian doctrine of vocation,” writes Gene Veith in his excellent book, God At Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life.

Vocation comes from the Latin word for “calling,” and concerns the way in which God providentially works through people to care for His creation. For example, God provides our daily bread by means of the farmer, the grocer, the cook, the lady at the check-out counter, etc. He protects us by means of the police officer, the fireman, and the military (cf. Rom. 13:1-2). He cares for our health needs by means of the doctor, the nurse, the pharmacist, and others in the healthcare professions. He brings children into the world, and cares for them through fathers and mothers. And the list goes on.

Martin Luther called vocation a “mask of God.” He said that God milks the cows by means of the milkmaid. And while you and I may see a menial worker and even be so presumptuous as to look down our noses at them, behind the humble facade looms God Himself, providing milk for His children. Thus, the doctrine of vocation gives dignity to every job, no matter how menial it may seem. Whether we are changing diapers or sweeping floors, therefore, God is working in and through us. And we are serving both God and our fellow man.

We too are masks of God in all of our multiple callings.  Whether we serve in the church, government, business, or the family, we are all called to serve God in our vocation as we live out our faith in the daily routines of life. The purpose of every vocation is to love and serve our neighbor. Each day God sends people our way whom we can serve through our vocations. We are to love God by serving His creatures through our calling. 

Husbands and wives, are you loving and serving one another? Parents, are you loving and serving your children?  Children, are you loving and serving your parents?  Office and factory workers, are you loving and serving your customers? Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, are you loving and serving your patients? We are all called to love and serve one another through our vocations, and when we do, God is working through us—We are the Mask of God!

After a very successful career in nursing, pharmacy, and teaching at the university level, Dr. Kaufman also attained a Master of Theology degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Today he serves on Dr. Floyd’s staff team at Pinnacle Hills. A prolific reader, Dr. Kaufman has authored numerous articles on topics in medicine and theology.

Many Christians have the mistaken idea that the gospel appears irrelevant to non-Christian people, and that something more must be done in order to make it relevant. Consequently, they end up stressing their similarities to the world, trying to help them feel at home, understood, and cared for. They highlight how the gospel can help them succeed, or have greater purpose, or joy, or some other desired benefit. They assume that the more we emphasize our similarity to those we are trying to reach, the more the gospel will appear relevant to them, and the more successful we will be in reaching them. 

But according to Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vid-jin), serious seekers today aren’t looking for “similarity”, “trendy” or anything like what they already have. They’re looking for something deeper.  Tullian, who happens to be the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham, writes, “Truthfulness, not trendiness is what new generations are thirsting for. They want to know there are different people out there with their sights set on a different world.”

Tullian ardently believes that this yearning for something different gives Christians a great opportunity to make a difference.  But being different means Christ followers have to provide a meaningful alternative to what the world has to offer. It’s when they go against the cultural grain that Christians reveal a faith and life worth living and dying for. In his book, Unfashionable, Tullian explains how Christians can make a difference by being different or “out of style” with culture, and patterning ideas, beliefs, methods, and tastes in alignment with God’s ways rather than the world’s.

So, “Don’t try to improve the gospel by making it more relevant–you’ll lose the gospel,” warns Mark Dever, author of The Gospel and Personal Evangelism.  To be sure, we must understand the issues of our age and connect meaningfully with people for effective evangelism and discipleship, but we must not give in to the temptation to compromise or dilute the gospel message.  It is the pure, undiluted gospel of Jesus Christ that people want, and while it may be an “unfashionable” message, it is always and forever relevant!

After a very successful career in nursing, pharmacy, and teaching at the university level, Dr. Kaufman also attained a Master of Theology degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Today he serves on Dr. Floyd’s staff team at Pinnacle Hills. A prolific reader, Dr. Kaufman has authored numerous articles on topics in medicine and theology.

I count it a privilege and honor to serve as Pastor Floyd’s guest blogger this week, and I trust that you’ll join me in praying for the Lord’s blessing to be upon him and Jeana while they are away…

Incidentally, did you know that by praying such a prayer you are acknowledging God’s providence? “Providence” is a word that is notable mainly for its absence in contemporary discussion. Nevertheless, it is among the most important and practical of all Christian beliefs. Join me as we “blow the dust off” and consider its significance for our lives today…

Providence is the biblical teaching that God “provides” for and governs the world and everything in it. The Scriptures clearly teach that God’s providence is “all inclusive,” extending over the universe at large (Ps. 103:19; Dan. 4:35; Eph. 1:11), all the way down to the feeding of the birds (Matt. 6:26), the fall of a sparrow (Matt. 10:29), and the number of hairs on our heads (Matt. 10:30; a rapidly descending number in my case!). Of course, for most of us it is easy to have faith in God’s providence when things are going well. But when things get tough, it can be more challenging. Can we still be confident that God is in control, even in the midst of difficulty? Absolutely!

Lessons from the life of Joseph (Genesis 37-50). Joseph was a man whose jealous brothers sold him into Egyptian slavery, sending his life into a seeming tailspin that would last for years. We don’t have space to go into much detail, but Joseph’s life is living proof that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). So when it comes to handling difficulties in life, what can we learn from the life of Joseph?

• Joseph never lost faith in God’s love. Sometimes in the midst of difficult trials it is easy to begin questioning God’s love or concern for us. We wonder, “Has God abandoned me?” But Joseph knew that God loved him and had not abandoned him.
• Joseph kept his integrity. In the midst of his discouraging circumstances, Joseph could have said, “What’s the use? I might as well give up!” He could have tossed his integrity aside and slept with Potiphar’s wife. After all, it seemed that God had abandoned him.
• Joseph never lost confidence that God was in control of his circumstances. He told his brothers, “Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here…it was not you who sent me here, but God” (45:4-8). Did you catch that? Joseph knew God was in control all along!
• Joseph didn’t let his trials make him bitter. After Joseph’s father Jacob died, his brothers said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil we did to him” (50:15).  Instead, he showed them kindness, reminding them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (50:19-20).

Are you facing difficulties and wondering “why?” Do you wonder if God has abandoned you? Take courage: He has not abandoned you. But the question remains: will you trust Him in spite of your circumstances?  The Christian believer discovers in all things, not chance or fate, but the leading of God’s fatherly hand–even in difficult times. Armed with this knowledge, we are energized to face the challenges of life and sing with confidence:

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the Ruler yet.

This past Sunday, I continued my preaching series from 2 Timothy entitled, “The Top 10 Ways To Make It Through Difficult Times.” The comments have been quite strong on the message last week.  I don’t know what caught the hearts of God’s people other than the simplicity of explaining the Holy Scripture.  More than anything, it was the power of the Holy Spirit that drove the message deep into all of our hearts.  I spoke from 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and talked about the fact that if we are going to make it through difficult times, we have to “Understand The Times.”

I believe the part that God used in all of our lives was the exposition from the first section of those verses as I talked about being, “religious, but selfish.” We saw the text deepen this by sharing the reality of the day we live in right now.  Things like:

*Self-exaltation (v. 2)

*Self-preservation (vs. 3-4a)

*Self-relaxation (v. 4b)

There is just something about the reality of what Paul was talking about and where we are today. If you did not hear the message, let me point you to the website at either:  fbcs.net or churchph.com  On our new website, you will be able to navigate to the message easily and simply.

Let me encourage you to be a part of the continuation of this series this Sunday. Without question, anytime anyone opens up the Holy Book of God and teaches it, lives will be influenced. Invite someone this week to come with you.

Please pray for me today and this entire weekend, as well as for Sunday.

Today is May 13th, the birth date of my wife, Jeana. Born in Bonham, Texas, to her parents who served as a pastor-wife team to local churches all over Texas and New Mexico, Jeana has blazed the trail herself of serving as the wife of a Pastor. Her dad who she loved dearly was confined to a wheelchair just months after his retirement and resides now with the Lord in Heaven. Her Mom lives in Bridgeport, Texas, about an hour just northwest of Fort Worth. Jeana has one brother who lives in Lubbock, Texas.

Throughout the years, we have done several things on Jeana’s birthday. Today will be a "somewhat normal day," as we really celebrated her birthday on Sunday with our family along with Mother’s Day and last night celebrated Josh’s 29th birthday. Nick is in a doctoral seminar at Liberty Theological Seminary this week, so Sunday served as a combination celebration for Jeana. In fact, if you have not read my personal blog about Jeana that was posted on Monday, I hope you will.

Jeana’s responsibilities in life are many and great. The demands upon her as the wife of a pastor, the challenges of our dual campuses and keeping up with all that involves, serving our entire growing family, plus keeping our household going, pretty well dominates each day. She is a very busy woman. I guess this is one reason we both enjoy the beach so much. We can relax, get away, listen to the waves, read, and just talk. It is always a blessing when we have that privilege.

Therefore today, say a prayer of blessing upon my wife, Jeana. She is a humble, gracious, and loving woman to all people. Motivated deeply by her gift of mercy and clothed with humility, she is one special person. She loves being a pastor’s wife, even though at times it is challenging. Please pray for her today, that God will bless her much!

One more time, Happy Birthday Jeana!

JOSH FLOYD is 29 years old today. He came into this world early on a Monday morning, May 12, 1980. Today he is 29 years of age. He was delivered by c-section, and upon his birth he changed our lives.

Josh is the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of Shiloh Christian School. As an All-State and State Championship High School Quarterback under the leadership of Coach Gus Malzahn, Josh set state and national records. His collegiate career was cut short due to a brain injury, which turned out to be one of the great miracles of all of our lives. (Too long to tell in this blog) Upon graduation from college, he became the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for Bryant High School, a school in the highest classification in Arkansas. After helping coach them into the playoffs and winning in the first round, he was hired just a couple of months later as the Head Coach of Shiloh Christian School.

Since becoming Head Coach at Shiloh, Josh has led his team to two state championships, plus another appearance that resulted in an overtime loss. He has assembled a great team of coaches who invest their lives into a team of young men who are really great in the game of football. The team next year has tremendous potential, and if things go well and everyone remains healthy, they will will have a great opportunity in the 2009 football season. Josh loves these young men and desires to help them succeed in the game of football. However, more important, he is building leaders. He led last year’s team through John Maxwell’s book entitled, “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.” Weekly, they gathered as a team and worked through these laws for leadership. Coaching football is great, but building the next generation of leaders is life-changing.

Josh has been blessed with his wife, Kate, and his two sons, Peyton and Parker. This delightful family is learning and growing and is one strong team. Josh is a great husband and a wonderful father. He balances time with all of them with his incredibly demanding schedule. His face becomes bright when Kate and those boys walk into his life in any way. We are so proud of all of them and love them dearly.

Josh is 29 years old today and is our first of two great sons. He and his brother Nick have a super relationship. As Jeana and I, along with all of our family, celebrate Josh’s 29th birthday today, please know, we have never had anything but great blessings from Josh. As a child all the way to this day, he has been clothed with humility. He has always loved all people and treated them more than fairly. His passion for the Lord and His church is forever growing.

Happy Birthday, Josh, it is hard to believe you are 29 years old today!