It is official. Ive returned to the faith of my Scottish forefathers. The journey to this point of my faith-walk has been long and fraught with much resistance earlier on. I was a staunch Arminian in my early Christian life. As I began to understand church polity, I embraced congregationalism - the standard for most Southern Baptist churches. Like the white table cloth covering the Lords Supper, other traditions were accepted unquestioned. Some I even had verses to support. As I grew in my faith, as slow as that growth has been, I understood New Testament church polity to be a plurality of elders teaching and governing the church, not a democracy where everyone gets an equal vote as found in congregationalism. My Arminianism gave way the more I began to read and study my Bible, read and study great theologians from Luther to Sproul, and listen to even Arminian pastors preach and noting that they could not escape Biblical predestination and election in their sermons no matter how hard they tried. My journey of acceptance of a Reformed (Calvinist) understanding of the Scriptures, especially salvation, began in 2008. Over the years I have listened to Briarwood Pastor/Teacher Harry Reeder on WLJR in Birmingham as I would commute in to work here in Birmingham. I have appreciated his teaching and grown from it as much as Ive benefitted from Sproul, Begg, MacArthur, Platt, Chandler, Spurgeon, or any other noted pastor or theologian. I never dreamed I would be attending the church where he preached. I began seminary part-time in 2009 at the Montgomery campus of Birmingham Theological Seminary (BTS), a ministry of Briarwood Presbyterian, but not with the intention of becoming a Presbyterian. I was happy in my Baptist, but now becoming Reformed Baptist, beliefs, but eager to learn more about Scripture. BTS has not disappointed, as I have grown in my understanding and am eager to continue learning. Mostly through Presbyterian professors (pastors). I also began to notice that the Presbyterians I came in contact with are not the Frozen Chosen but were fervent evangelists who had a passion for reaching and saving the lost, often more on fire than many of my Baptist brethren. It was also through BTS that I was introduced to Covenantal Theology. One of the traditions that Ive had to confront in my understanding of Scripture is Dispensationalism. I am still working through this, but I will say that I have seen some aspects of Covenantal Theology, especially as it applies to the children of believers, played out in real life with non-Presbyterians who have never heard of Covenantal Theology. The home school community we love so much in Millbrook/Prattville/Montgomery ( the Lofgrens, Simons, Mortons, Paces, Harts, Baggetts, and others) all demonstrate what it means to raise up their children in the community of believers as fellow heirs to the Promise (knowing that each child will have to make their own profession of faith) and also extend the blessings and acceptance to children of other believing parents within our group. Our second tenure in Birmingham began August 2013. We quickly found a Reformed Baptist Church and were elated that we found a pastor/teacher who taught with great clarity and understanding - Jeff (JeffandLisa Robinson) Robinson. Sadly, in less than a year, Jeff would be leaving. Fortunately, he and his family decided to attend Briarwood during their time of transition and they invited us to attend as well. Even though I now had many Presbyterian friends ( Maryann Bob Garunovic, Greg Day, Diane Day, J Gregory Duke, Jim Simoneau, Dick Brewbaker), I never thought about seriously about becoming a full-fledged Presbyterian. Especially not in a church over 120 members, much less one with 4,500 members. Briarwood was a place that had a great pastor on the radio and sponsored the seminary that was affordable for me and convenient for me - but I never, ever would have considered that I would be joining as a member. God, on the other hand, has an amazing way of taking us on a journey to a destination that we ourselves would never pick nor would we choose the method of getting there. After visiting Briarwood a few times with Jeff and Lisa, we could not get over how God-centered and God-exalting the entire worship service was. Each and every service that we have attended magnifies God. The music, the corporate confessions, the pastoral prayers, and the teaching all point to Gods worthiness of our praise, adoration, love, and obedience. Each and every week. We also found out more about the missions and ministries of Briarwood. As it says in the picture below and as is often stated from the pulpit: For Gods glory, we are committed to equipping Christians to worship God and to reach Birmingham to reach the world for Christ. This is exactly where Elaine and I belong, because thats what weve been about for the past 10 years, especially the 4.5 years we spent in Millbrook/Prattville. Briarwood sends out 51% of the money it receives for missions and ministry. FIFTY-ONE! The church lives out it mission statement through this and the many local and global missions and ministries (see website for details) it supports. There are many multiple opportunities for us to find a place to plug in and serve God while serving others. We are trying out small groups now, but with over 34 to choose from, it may take a few weeks to find the right fit but I am confident that the right fit for us is there. Pastor Reeder says that Briarwood is not a big church, it is a small town. And just like a small town, you still dont know everyone there, but you get to know many. He also says (jokingly) that Briarwood is the largest Baptist church in Birmingham. So far, I believe him. Nearly everyone Ive met was Baptist before coming to Briarwood. Im still looking in that crowd of 4,500 for a person that was born and raised Presbyterian and has always been Presbyterian. But that speaks highly of the teaching of Briarwood, of its missional and ministerial focus, and of the community and fellowship that its members foster. So if you are looking for a God-centered, Christ-exalting, Gospel-preaching-teaching-reaching-taking-sending church in Birmingham, or if you dont know what you are looking for or what you need as you are working out your salvation, I would love for you to join me, Elaine, and Molly at our new church home - Briarwood.
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 21:25:30 +0000
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