CO-CHAIR THOUGHTS FROM RUDY SANCHEZ
Have we lost the way we “did church?”

Our Texas Baptist family is being accosted from many directions. There is the ever-present need for more leadership of the highest caliber. In the midst of where our state-wide family finds itself, comes the call for maximum effort to reinvigorate the family as a sanctuary where all people can grow. It is crucial to rediscover ancient spiritual basics that can capture our imagination to live and serve with passion and purpose.

In my case, I vividly remember a spiritual life where we “did church” with such passion that when Sunday was over, we were exhausted and, of course, happy. We collected our available resources, gave the task all our being and the results were phenomenal. We experienced camaraderie and to this day we are possessed by enduring bonds. All this shows us the possibilities of the collective spirit.

Early in Christian service, I realized that to tend to the task at hand one needed to clearly have a strong sense of purpose. This has been the great beginning for many missions to be accomplished. This also required commitment, or should I say, persistence.

In our state the visionary goal is to let everyone consider Christ as the true answer for the question of life. Knowing that our limitations are many, therefore, we cling to the Christ who has sustained us and will continue to do so.

One sure way to do church is to love what we are doing. Thus said the Apostle Paul (I Thess. 2:8) “Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.”

It is most important that we love what we are doing for God and his people. This would certainly be preparing leaders who will not only know what to do but also enjoy doing it. It seems to me that the number is many of those who don’t rejoice in what they find themselves; therefore, much fuss is done about nothing. A person who is “doing church,” by necessity needs to be one that loves people. To rediscover what long ago we left by the way and return to—our “first love”—(Revelation 2:4), then one must put aside so much what people push us to do and “do church” how the Word and His Spirit leads us.

Let’s continue to seek new sources of vigor, meaning and hope to enrich our lives and leave a better legacy for those who come after us.

March 1998