God Designed You to Need Rest

Well, Church Family, you did it! September is now behind us, and with it, the festivities in honor of the church’s 150th anniversary. It was a true blessing to take part in your celebration, and to hear so many testimonies to the enduring love of Jesus that has been generously shared between you. You have served and supported each other through trying times, both personally and congregationally—and it’s only right that you also get the chance to rejoice together with the victories that come your way. If 150 years of fellowship and vibrant witness isn’t a victory, I don’t know what is. 

These things didn’t happen on their own—so many people planned and worked for months to bring these things to pass so beautifully. When I think of all the people who have poured themselves into this celebration, I think it entails most of the active members of our church! By God’s grace you all made this happen. But, I have a question for all you hard workers: are you feeling a little tired by now? I wager that the answer is yes, and I’d like to tell you that it is completely natural and proper for you to take some time now to treasure the memories of all you have done. It’s time just to rest a bit.

One of the men I follow on YouTube is Dewayne Noel, who runs the Dry Creek Wrangler School at a ranch in Wyoming. He and his wife, Deanna, teach horsemanship, wrangling and packing to groups of five students each week from April to September. I mostly listen to Mr. Noel for his wise musings on life, permeated by common sense and traditional values. His most recent video, called “Just Rest,” finds him at the end of another successful year. He declares his intention to spend several weeks in Idaho, away from cell phones, schedules, YouTube, and people in general. Make no mistake, he loves his work, and he expresses appreciation for all the people he met over the term. They were all quite helpful, eager learners, and good company.  Though he enjoys meeting people, however, he’s the sort of person who can only recharge his batteries through times of solitude and reflection in between those social seasons. Many of us are like that. It’s possible to spend so much time in the din of society that we might come to feel somewhat like Henry David Thoreau, who wrote, “I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”  At any rate, Mr. Noel ran his battery quite low this year, so he needs a long rest now. He has every intention to continue the work he loves, but the point of his video is that, sometimes, we must rest from what has been exhausting us, even if we love it. Then, when our batteries are recharged, we can return to the work with renewed enthusiasm and joy. That is true for all of us, even when we’re working to serve the Lord.

Today’s culture, though, seems barely tolerant of the real human need for rest. Many companies put such pressure on their employees that they feel scared to ask for a day off or to take a sick day. Their corporate culture pushes them to work overtime and to do work beyond their job description. It’s gotten so bad that simply working agreed-upon hours and fulfilling one’s job description is now labeled “quiet quitting.” The people who are highly-valued these days are always extremely busy. This is one of the great sicknesses of our time, damaging to every dimension of human health. You see, we are not created to be pathologically busy. Our need for rest is baked into the creation itself. God set apart the seventh day for rest, not because He has any need of rest, but because we do. Without a Sabbath-rest, our health begins to fray and unravel. Of course, it’s been decades since society has rationalized its way out of keeping the 4th Commandment. Yes, we worship on Sundays instead of Saturdays now, but the need for a day of rest is still part of our created design. Without it, we work ourselves until our health is degraded. Overload sickens us.

In 1992, Dr. Richard A. Swenson wrote an excellent book for NavPress called Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives. A typical medical doctor with an overloaded schedule, his marriage and family just barely hobbled along, until they all traveled together to an island in Grenada for a medical missions trip. The facilities and equipment were primitive, but the doctors did some really good work for the locals notwithstanding. But, the most dramatic healing came to Dr. Swenson and family. They spent large amounts of time eating, talking, exploring, playing and praying together. It was such a transformative experience that, upon returning to the States, he didn’t want life to go back to how it used to be. He cut his medical caseload in half, and moved forward, determined to get more rest and to put his family first. He decided to leave more margin in his life.

Have you and your family ever lived paycheck to paycheck? There’s a good chance you have, and that you will know the stress and ill-health that can cause. Well, we can live paycheck to paycheck physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually, too. We’re just one hardship away from collapse. Just the constant knowledge that we have zero reserves for the unexpected is fearful and exhausting. Overload can ruin our lives.

From his own experience, Dr. Swenson lists the warning signs that we may be experiencing overload. A creeping sense of anxiety begins to stalk us, robbing us of sleep and focus. Our anxiety can bleed over into how we deal with others, so that we become irritable toward the people we care about.  I’m sure this is behind much of the rudeness and “road rage” that we see so much these days.  Alternatively, we may start to withdraw from activities we used to enjoy.  The enjoyment bleeds away—our interest fades. We might become so overwhelmed with our anxieties that we pull away from treasured relationships. We know where all this leads: depression or possible breakdown. Or perhaps, we may begin to build up a resentment, or bitterness, toward the things we used to do gladly.  Eager service can devolve into begrudging duty. You can probably think of other symptoms of overload.

In our culture, it is viewed as a luxury to have any kind of “safety cushion,” either of finances or leisure time. However, the truth is that we all need a bit of margin for our own well-being. It’s a harrowing and unsustainable condition to be right at maximum capacity, with no room for anything unexpected.  Human beings need the time and wherewithal to get a little perspective on the circumstances of our lives so that we can respond to them faithfully and rationally.  

That’s why Dr. Swenson spends half of his book prescribing various steps that we should take to reclaim some margin in the various areas of our lives. Much of it is common sense, but common sense demands that we clarify our priorities and make changes in line with those priorities. If we want to invest more time and love into our families, it may require us to work less and downsize our material ambitions so that we live more simply, with contentment. This would noticeably cut down on our anxiety and insomnia as we begin to live with some financial margin as well.  Light to moderate exercise serves as a pressure release valve for stress. Our physical health and energy increases, so we can actually accomplish more and give ourselves more margin. Irritability starts to fade away, since we’ve used our anxious energies on something more constructive. Even depression can be powerfully helped by these measures.  Again, we must make time for these things.  If we’re too busy, we must make the needed changes to become less busy. There is no other way. 

Our activities must also be reevaluated in light of the things we’ve decided are our core priorities. Some things, though they might be fun or make us popular, need to be set aside to allow us a bit of margin. Our acts of service to God must also be done for the right reasons, and with the right energy source. Begrudging or resentful acts of service do no one any good, least of all the Lord. Our service to God can’t be sustained on the tiny energy reserves of human strength. Bearing fruit for God can only come when we constantly “abide” in our relationship with Jesus.  That means our relationship with Him must be our constant home, not a place we visit from time to time. Corporate worship, and the daily disciplines of solitude, prayer and scripture are not things we do if we have time—these are central priorities we build everything else around. When we are walking in the fulness of the Spirit, we will find abundant resources to serve Him joyfully.  Apart from Him, as Jesus warns, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Even one of God’s boldest servants, Elijah, became exhausted and anxious when he’d gone too long with his speedometer pegged at top speed. God led him on a private retreat where he could eat some good meals, take some good naps, and recover margin so that he could hear the still, small voice of God again. God was one hundred percent fine with Elijah getting some rest—He built the need for rest into him. So it is with you.  I admire and am grateful for all the things you did to make our anniversary celebration truly special.  Now, get a little rest so that you can return to the work you love refreshed and with renewed love.  Reflect, store up your good memories, and enjoy. God bless you all.

Your Brother and Servant,

Pastor Scott.

Baptist Bites: Associations Strengthen the Churches

     For the past couple of months, I have been relating the story of how Baptist churches have joined forces to equip missionaries to carry the Gospel throughout the world. Last month we had the account of Adoniram and Ann Judson who, with their colleague, Luther Rice, galvanized American Baptist congregations and individuals to pool their resources so that these faithful servants could remain on the global mission field.  This led to the formation of the "Triennial Convention," which later renamed to the Northern Baptist Convention, and eventually the American Baptist Churches, USA. I have made the point that mobilizing for missions is the strongest cause that has bound us together into a denomination, and I still maintain that it is the chief glue that holds us together. But there are other benefits for Baptists in forming associational relationships, and that story reaches back farther into history.

     I was fascinated to learn from Robert G. Torbet that the earliest expressions of Baptist associations actually came from the British Isles in war-time. From 1642-1651, Civil Wars raged between the King and the English Parliament. These came to engulf Wales, Scotland, and Ireland as well. During this time, counties organized themselves to raise money and troops, but also to protect their cities from plundering forces.  By 1653, as political tensions calmed down, regiments were told they could stand down in the outlying areas.  In Ireland, a good portion of the forces raised were of the Baptist faith, and their churches had enjoyed a time of greater encouragement and mutual support during this time of coordination. Before this time, individual congregations had felt lonely and isolated, and they were not eager to return to such a life. Thus,the Irish Baptists decided to continue their association and began to make contact with Welsh, Scotch, and English Baptists who were also looking to maintain relationships with one another. 

     It’s important to remember this, because Baptists in America looked back to the associational model of the British and Irish Baptists when forming their own. They, too, needed each other. Please remember our discussions of previous months, when we discussed the painful persecutions Baptists faced in colonies which initially allowed no freedom of religion. Expressing their consciences concerning things like believer’s baptism caused many to be banished, imprisoned, and some to even lose their lives. They felt like strangers in a strange land--they needed other Baptists for reminders that they weren’t alone. And small congregations needed pastoral ministry, as well. That’s another big reason they turned to associational life.

     In 1686, Elias Keach arrived in Philadelphia from England.  The rebellious son of Benjamin Keach, a prominent London Baptist minister, he wanted to make a life for himself apart from his parents' rules and strict religion. The New World stretched open before him, but how to put down roots and start making a living for himself? He was no Christian, but he had grown up watching a minister go about his duties. He settled on a scheme that was deceitful and contradicted the very reason he left home: he would dress and pass himself off as a minister. 

     When local Baptists learned whose son he was, they excitedly asked him to preach for them. Elias gathered a congregation together and began to read a sermon which many believe to have been written by his own father. The Holy Spirit took hold of Elias' conscience as his father's words came from his own mouth. The depth of his hypocrisy and sin came crushing down on him; he ceased speaking mid-sermon. He stood there, trembling, as the congregation became concerned that he'd taken ill. When they asked him what was the matter, he burst into tears and confessed the whole charade to the people. He poured out a confession of his many sins and there, in front of them all, begged for God's pardon. 

     Upon the recommendation of some present, Elias traveled to the Cold Springs Baptist Church, also in the Philadelphia area, and sought the counsel of Elder Thomas Dugan.  The compassionate, elderly pastor led him to a sure relationship with Christ.  Elias was baptized and quickly grew in his faith. Though he'd started out as a fraud, Dugan and the rest of the church identified strong gifts and speaking abilities in the young man. They ordained him to the Gospel ministry. Keach returned to the people he'd initially deceived and began to preach his own sermons.  He did so with a great amount of zeal, and soon he had baptized a sizable number of new believers. The congregation saw healthy growth, and in 1688 the "Lower Dublin Baptist Church" was constituted. This church, also known as "Old Pennepak" (or Pennepack as it's spelled today) still meets today. It celebrated its 335th anniversary in June of this year (2023), and is the oldest Baptist church in Pennsylvania. 

     Keach's prowess in the pulpit became widely-renowned, and so he also began to travel when he could. He preached in several southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey locations. Hundreds were baptized, all of them were initially under the Lower Dublin Church, until they formed four more congregations in their own right. Thus Old Pennepak became the mother-church of several others, and they remained in close association with each other. This nucleus of churches led to the foundation of the Philadelphia Baptist Association in 1707.  It is the oldest Baptist Association in the country, and still in operation today.

     In my article covering distinctive Baptist beliefs (March of last year), I pointed out that Baptist congregations are locally autonomous; i.e., each congregation is its own unit of governance. We answer to no hierarchy of church officials.  It might seem surprising, then, that Baptist churches would want to form groups of churches to make decisions together. But, the advantages in forming Associations became apparent to them. The Philadelphia Baptist Association churches had issues to navigate from the beginning. For example, they dealt with the question of whether "laying on of hands" should be given at baptism. It was a gesture symbolizing that the Holy Spirit was being imparted and separating the individual from the world. Apparently it was an issue debated with some passion, and churches dealing with it concluded that they should meet with the Association to seek the mind of Christ together. As Solomon wrote in Proverbs 11:14, "in the multitude of counselors there is safety." 

     Other matters included church discipline for erring members, whether to continue in fellowship with Baptists who own slaves, the remarriage of widows, musical instruments in worship services, and many others. Congregations decided to seek the wisdom God could bring them through the larger Baptist family in Christ. It should be said, though, that the associational model was different from the hierarchical, connectional plan followed by other denominations like the Methodists. Baptist congregations retained their local autonomy; associations would seek the mind of Christ on an issue and offer advice, but they did not have the power to make their resolutions mandatory. That remains the principle we follow today.

     Some of the issues these early American Baptists faced are similar to our own. Churches often get into conflict, and those embroiled in all the painful drama have a hard time finding their way out of it. They sometimes need help from other Christians who have the benefit of objectivity to help mediate the situation. Just as now, they needed some method to qualify and credential candidates for the ministry. The Philadelphia Association would convene to test these candidates, to set educational standards for credentialing -- and to protect member churches from imposters like Keach had been at the beginning! 

     But because each congregation maintained its autonomy, sometimes the Association was unsuccessful in guarding them from trouble. For example, in the 1720s the Association warned a Baptist church in Piscataway, New Jersey to stay clear of a man who called himself Henry Loveall. The church insisted on installing him anyway. They soon learned, however, that they should have heeded their Associational brothers and sisters. The man was exposed as a complete scoundrel, far worse than Keach.  Loveall's true name was Desolate Baker. He had escaped from England, dogged by charges of gross sexual immorality.  Adopting a new name in a new country could not cleanse him of his personal demons, however: he was shown to be married to two women, had multiple affairs outside these marriages (including slaves and Native Americans--of particular scandal at the time!) and a case of syphilis into the bargain.  Henry “Loveall,” indeed. At any rate, once these scandals were uncovered, the Piscataway church ejected him from their pulpit and, deeply wounded, had to search for another pastor. One would assume that they made better use of the Association's counsel at that point.

     Forward to our own day, it is plain to see that the Associational benefits identified by early American Baptists are still in operation. This is why our denomination supports seminaries, and why our Associations set standards to credential candidates for ministry. The American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware set standards for ministerial ethics, and become involved when it is necessary to investigate ministers for misconduct. When charges are deemed credible, it is our Region's solemn duty to remove credentials so that a candidate doesn't have free reign to bring harm to other congregations. On a very positive note, our Region also administers the Academy of Christian Training and Service (ACTS), which provides lay ministers with educational resources and mentoring in order to license them for ministry. I teach a class for this Academy, as does Pastor Mark McCallion. We personally know several graduates of this program; they have gone on to be wonderfully effective pastors.

     As Baptist churches continued to spread across the country, the effectiveness of the Philadelphia Baptist Association became widely known and emulated. Baptist Associations began multiplying first in the South, with the Charleston Association in South Carolina (1751) and the Sandy Creek Association in North Carolina (1758), and on into Virginia. New England began to see associations form in Rhode Island (1767), Connecticut (1772), and Vermont (1780).  The first association to form in the Mid-Atlantic after Philadelphia was right here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, with the Redstone Association in 1776. New York saw associations formed in the 1790s. By 1800, there were 48 Baptist Associations in the nation.

     It is clear that associational relationships among Baptist churches have been greatly blessed by God to plant and equip churches, and to prepare and resource pastors and missionaries. In these troubled times, it often seems a struggle just to keep individual congregations alive and active. But Baptist churches of the past found associations to be great helps to encourage and strengthen each other. It seems, from my viewpoint, that associations have been allowed to dwindle too much. I believe we need to rediscover their benefits; if they have been a powerful tool in God’s hands to build churches so far, I believe they can be today as well.

My sources for this article have been: Kidd, Thomas S. and Hankins, Barry. Baptists in America: A History. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2015; Kraft, Brandan, "Elias Keach: The Man Converted by His Own Preaching" Web article, June 7, 2020, https://www.pristinegrace.org/article.php?id=20094;  Torbet, Robert G. A History of the Baptists (Revised). Valley Forge: The Judson Press, 1963; and Torbet, Robert G. The Baptist Story (American Baptist Training Series, Advanced Course) Valley Forge: The Judson Press, 1957.