The Official Blog of Dr. Bobby Mullins

“CONFLICT IN THE CHURCH”
(HOW TO GET THROUGH IT)
ACTS 6:1-7

YOU CANNOT AVOID IT

A ship was sailing past a remote island and discovered a man who had been stranded there alone for several years. They went ashore to rescue the man and noticed he had built three huts for himself. They asked him, “What is the first hut for?”
He said, “That’s my house.”
“Ok, what’s the hut on this side of your house”
“That’s my church.”
“Ok, so what’s that other hut on the other side for?”
“Oh… that. That’s the church I used to go to, but that church had a split.”

I imagine there are some people who could cause a split in a church even if they were the only member! Well, where more than one person is involved, there is the potential for conflict. I know this sounds hard to believe, but no matter how hard you try, you cannot avoid conflict in a church. In most cases, if a church is not in a conflict of some kind right now, they have just come out of one, been in one at sometime in their past, or about to go into one. I have heard some pastors say that their church is not in conflict and some have even stated that their church has never been in a conflict. Bless their hearts, they are either naive or in self-denial (I was at one time) because at most any time there is some kind of underlying discontent among at least one or more church members.

And, one or two disgruntled church members can make some noise! I heard a story about a farmer who came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could sell him a million frog legs. The restaurant owner was shocked and asked the man where he could get so many frog legs! The farmer replied, “There is a pond near my house that is full of frogs – millions of them. They all croak all night long and they are about to make me crazy!” So the restaurant owner and the farmer made an agreement that the farmer would deliver frogs to the restaurant, five hundred at a time for the next several weeks. The first week, the farmer returned to the restaurant looking rather sheepish, with two scrawny little frogs. The restaurant owner said, “Well… where are all the frogs?” The farmer said, “I was mistaken. There were only these two frogs in the pond. But they sure were making a lot of noise!” Usually the ones who make the most noise negatively in a church are fewer in number than you think and than they think! But, they sure can get things stirred up.

The early church at Jerusalem had 11 of the original disciples on the ministerial staff of the church. What may be the greatest church ministerial staff in the history of Christianity had to deal with conflict (Acts 6:1). It was beginning to demand so much of their time that it was keeping them from spending time in the Word and in prayer (Acts 6:2,4), which should be a priority in the life of every minister if he leads a church and ministry to be what the Lord desires for it to be.

Even the disciples of the Lord experienced discord with one another (Luke 9:46; Matt. 20:24), one of Jesus’ disciples (Judas Iscariot) caused a major disturbance in the life of Christ and is remembered for his betrayal of Jesus, and the Lord dealt with critics and conflict initiators just about everywhere He preached (Luke 11:53; 20:1-2). The Apostle Paul and his ministry partner, Barnabas, had such a sharp disagreement with one another, when they were about to take their second missionary journey (Acts 15:37), that they separated from one another (Acts 15:38). Paul then chose Silas as his missionary partner and the church at Antioch committed them to the grace of the Lord (Acts 15:40).

THE MIRACLE OF BEING IN ONE ACCORD IS POSSIBLE BUT AS UNCOMMON AS A BLIND PERSON RECEIVING THEIR EYESIGHT OR SOMEONE BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Every church certainly desires to be completely in one accord, but it is as uncommon as a blind person receiving their eyesight or someone being raised from the dead. Jesus performed such miracles and miracles can still happen. A miracle of a church being in one accord did happen when there was a conflict in the early church at Jerusalem. Now by the definition of what is considered a miracle, something pleasing everyone is not considered a miracle, but, to me, it is! It is recorded that it happened in Acts 6:3 with this one occasion. It happened again when a major conflict developed between Christians in the early days of the Church (Acts 15) and after much debate ended in their becoming of one mind (Acts 15:25).

A popular saying about unity in a church states, “You can please some of the people all the time; you can please all the people some of the time; but you can’t please all the people all the time.” From my four decades of experience in the ministry at several churches, I have experienced that “you can please some of the people most of the time; you can please most of the people some of the time; but you can’t please all the people at any time.” As hard as I have tried as a pastor, to provide an atmosphere that keeps unity and peace in a church, there just seems to be some kind of underlying discontent that will come to the surface periodically. And, the source is sometimes someone whom I would have never suspected, one with whom I had walked in sweet fellowship, and felt they were a close, trusted friend (Ps. 55:12-14).

YOU MUST APPROACH IT BIBLICALLY AS IT IS CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE BIBLE AND KEEP PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND OPINIONS OUT OF IT

There is a process by which individual Christians and a church should deal with conflict. The biblical plan, laid out by Jesus, is recorded in Matthew 18:15-17. It is known as The Matthew 18 Principle. Conflicts, most often, are the result of misinformation and/or miscommunication. Whether that is the case or not,Christians talking to one another face to face privately often takes care of it (Matt. 18:15).  Before it is taken “to the streets” (hallways of the church, phones of church members or Internet), the biblical way is for the ones at odds to first meet privately, one on one, face to face. If that does not resolve it, then the ones at conflict should meet with two or more others, who do not side either way, to get their advice and counsel. If it must go from there to the whole church, sides will be taken and you have division, which usually leads to a church split with one side leaving the church.

The spiritual leaders in the church are to find out all sides of the conflict. They need to learn the issues behind the conflict. But, they must look beyond all the personal preferences and opinions. The majority opinion is not really what should determine the outcome, but getting the mind of Christ on the matter and going with it is the right solution. Ideally, the majority will have the mind of Christ on any matter brought before the church. No matter how right a plan is for resolving a conflict, if the people are not supportive of it and some leaders cavil in with the ones who are unsupportive of the majority opinion, get ready for one of the ugliest situations you will ever be a part of. Again, it’s not a matter of your side or their side but being on God’s side. If you are on God’s side, things may not always be resolved peacefully, but you will be able to feel a sense of peace in the midst of such a raging storm and its after effects.

GET OVER IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, MOVE ON BEYOND IT, AND BECOME BETTER BECAUSE OF IT

From my personal experience as a staff minister at a church where there was conflict that lead to a major schism with about three hundred people leaving the church, it took about ten years for things to come full circle. People who had become bitter and put out with each other became friends again, even close friends as they were before the conflict. And, some became members again of the church they left because of the conflict. The ten year process is one that I have observed with other churches that have gone through a major conflict which resulted in a church splitting and many leaving the church.

The conflict mentioned earlier, that led to the separation of the missionary team of Paul and Barnabas, was over Mark, who eventually authored the Gospel of Mark. Because he deserted them early on their first missionary journey, Paul did not want to take him along on the second journey. Barnabas, a relative of Mark, wanted to give him a second chance. Paul would not give in, so Barnabas took Mark with him on a missionary journey to Cyprus. Paul teamed up with Silas. But over a decade later, it is obvious that Paul has reconciled with Mark as he mentions Mark in the Book of Colossians (Col. 4:10) and that Mark was Barnabas’ cousin. Paul mentions in the Book of Philemon that Mark is his fellow worker (Philemon 22). About 13 years had passed between the writing of those two books and Mark leaving Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary. So, it probably was in the ten year range that it took for restoration to occur in the relationship between Paul and Mark.

Even though reconciliation and restoration can come over time after a major church conflict, things will never quite be the same once the conflict has done its damage. But, a church that has gone through a split can recover to a degree, although it is seldom that they reach the level in numbers that they had attained before the conflict. Even though some may think their side won the conflict, no one wins in a church conflict. So, don’t gloat if you feel you got what you wanted. Get over it as much as possible, and as has already been emphasized, it will take some time, maybe several years. But, move on beyond it and become better, not bitter, because of it. Place your focus and keep your focus on doing all to God’s glory, which is what we should always be doing.

Conflict in the church happens when one or more members get their focus on themselves and what they want. When members demand their rights, there is rebellion. But, when members carry out their spiritual responsibilities and focus on doing all to God’s glory, there is revival and consistent growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Most every Sunday night since I have been a pastor (since March 1991), after I get something to eat on Sunday night after church, I usually sit at my recliner, get my preaching Bible for the next Sunday, and look over the Scripture passages for both worship services the next Sunday. I have preached through the Book of Revelation at the four churches I have pastored and preached on the Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation (Chaps. 2 & 3) each time. But, in preaching through the Seven Churches again, I am looking forward more than ever before to the next sermon.

I can see some of Fellowship in each of the churches I have preached on the past three Sundays, both in the compliments the Lord had for each church and the criticisms/complaints and cautions He had for those churches. I encourage you to get a Bible with study notes, such as The Life Application Bible, and read Rev. 2:1-17 then read the notes that help to bring a relevancy for today regarding those churches. Below are some quotes that I shared in my message Sunday from the book “Simple Sermons on the Seven Churches in Revelation” by Dr. Herschel Ford, which were preached in the late 1950s at First Baptist Church in El Paso, Texas, when he was the pastor there.

“The only way that you can make a sinner know that you are a Christian is to live a life different from his, a life like unto the Master’s life.”

“Sometimes when we stand up for Christ it seems that the whole world is against us.”

“A few wrong people in a church can ruin the life and influence of the church.”

“If your Christianity is going to mean anything to you or God or others, you must loosen your hold on the world and live closer to God than you have been living.”

“There were two groups in the Pergamos church which Christ would fight against—those who were mixed up with the world and all of its sinful practices, and those who wanted to lord it over God’s people” [Their fellow church members].

“If we are living for Him above all, surely all the sweets and joys of Christ will be ours to feed upon and enjoy.”

In reviewing the text last night and studying for this Sunday’s sermon on the Church at Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29), Wow! I pity a church that has been affected by a “Jezebel” in their midst that, and as Dr. Ford put it, “is doing a devilish work” and being permitted to stay there, which is one of the complaints that Jesus had against the church. But, still, the Lord had some good things to say about the Church at Thyatira and He will bless those who stay faithful and stay true to Him.

Blessings,

Bobby Mullins

BTTBM SEPTEMBER 2018 UPDATE
“It’s Time To Get Back To The Basics Of The Christian Life”

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY WE AIR A FRESH START TV PROGRAM

I am still spiritually energized even today from one of those unexpected blessings God sends to my life from time to time just to let me know His Hand is on me & to confirm I am in the center of His will for my life. A 70 yr. old African-American man, as prompted by the Holy Spirit, drove 40 mi. on a recent Sunday from Batesville, MS to attend our morning worship service at Fellowship Baptist Church in Hernando, MS. He told me that he watched A Fresh Start TV Program (I did not know it reached to Batesville) & he liked my preaching & wanted to hear me live.

He also said he wanted to get his confession of faith right. So we talked in my office for a few minutes before the worship service about being saved, I led him in “A Sinner’s Prayer” (have always done so & will always do so when someone wants to become “in Christ”). At the Invitation Time at the end of the worship service he made a public profession of faith in Christ & I will soon have the joy & privilege to baptize him. Praise You God from Whom all blessings flow! As my preacher friend Ronnie Coleman says, “It never gets old!” I am continuing to look forward with great anticipation to what the Lord has in store. This is one of the main reasons why we air A Fresh Start TV Program.

In addition to airing A Fresh Start to be an encouragement to Christians, we air it as a way to fulfill the Great Commission Jesus gave to His Followers to take the Gospel to the whole world. By your donating to Back To The Basics Ministries, so that we can air A Fresh Start, you are a partner with me in helping those like Willie from Batesville, Mississippi to find forgiveness and peace in their life, the kind of peace that is for all eternity. I will share more stories with you in future BTTBM Updates like Willie’s about lives that have been changed for the better through A Fresh Start TV Program.

You may give a tax-deductible donation by sending your gift to Back To The Basics Ministries; PO Box 32486; Knoxville, TN 37930 or go to www.drbobbymullins.com,
click on the Donate link at the top of the page and follow the instructions.

Blessings,

Bobby Mullins

“Keep in the Word, on your knees, loving God, loving each other, building godly homes, worshiping together, sharing the faith, supporting the Lord’s work financially, living life abundantly”

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNCkSdVA4D_jXgCKGO64nNw

“WHEN GOD SAYS GO”
JONAH 1:1-3:10

I. WHEN GOD SAYS “GO” AND YOU SAY “NO”

1. YOU ARE IN DISOBEDIENCE AND DESERVE THE JUDGMENT OF GOD – vv. 1:1-2

2. THE ONLY WAY TO GO IS DOWN AND YOU EITHER DISABLE OR DESTROY YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY FOR CHRIST – vv. 1:33. YOUR DISOBEDIENCE EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT UPON OTHERS AND CAN HAVE AN ENDANGERING EFFECT UPON THEM – vv. 1;4-12

3. YOUR DISOBEDIENCE EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT UPON OTHERS AND CAN HAVE AN ENDANGERING EFFECT UPON THEM – vv. 1;4-12

4. THERE ARE DARK, DIFFICULT, DISABLING, AND DISTRESSFUL DAYS AWAITING YOU AND YOU FEEL A SENSE OF DEFEAT – vv. 1:16-2:3

II. WHEN GOD SAYS “GO” AND YOU SAY “LET’S GO” – 2:10-3:10

1. YOU HAVE ALL THE AUTHORITY AND POWER OF GOD NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH HIS DESIRE FOR YOU – 3:1-2

2. THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN DETER YOU FROM FULFILLING WHAT HE HAS DETERMINED FOR YOU TO DO FOR HIS GLORY – 3:3-4; Acts 27:22-24

3. IT OPENS UP DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY AND BLESSINGS YOU MAY NEVER HAVE AGAIN OR AT LEAST TO THE DEGREE YOU HAVE IT WHEN INITIALLY DELIVERED – 3:5-10

4. AS YOU DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND DEPEND UPON HIM, HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART AND EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE SAID “NO” AND CONFESS AND REPENT OF YOUR DISOBEDIENCE, GOD WILL FORGIVE YOU AND DELIVER YOU – 2:10

BTTBM MAY/JUNE 2018 UPDATE

The next time I tape new programs of A Fresh Start in Pigeon Forge, I will get a new promo picture made other than the one above, which was taped for a Christmas program of A Fresh Start.

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

The first week of April, I developed double vision, where there were two of everything side by side. If I covered up either eye, I could see normal out of either eye, and thankfully I could see okay up close for reading and using my laptop. I went through several tests and physically everything body wise was well. I did not feel out of synch in any way other than the double vision. I was eventually referred to an opthamologist. He told me he was seeing more of it and that it would clear up on its own. He said to put a piece of Scotch tape vertically over one of my eyeglasses lenses and I would be able to drive. Remarkably, it worked in clearing up the double vision although it did distort the distance some. After three weeks I was able to start driving without the tape. And, I can see clearly now!

I was able to say the first couple of Sundays after I had the double vision that I preached to twice as many people as normal!

ALL PROGRAMS OF A FRESH START ON YOUTUBE

All 134 original programs of A Fresh Start are now available for viewing at the link below plus many music videos of songs Melody and I have sung as solos, as well as a couple of others. It also includes the most recent songs she and Joey recorded separately and together. Editing is being done now on four new programs, which will feature Joey and/or Melody singing on all four programs. For the messages on three of those programs, we are going to show in three parts the first message I preached after I left Central Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to start what is now Back To The Basics Ministries. The title of the sermon is “When God Says Go” and I preached it at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNCkSdVA4D_jXgCKGO64nNw

Because of your generous support we have now been able to air over 1300 broadcasts of A Fresh Start since November 2009. It costs $187.50 a week for airing the program on WVLR Knoxville and $200.00 a week for airing the program on WTWV Memphis. Three of the five broadcasts of the program each week are in Prime Time, on Thursday (8:00 p.m.) and Saturday (7:00 p.m.) in Knoxville and Wednesday (8:30 p.m.) Memphis. To be able to tape, edit, and produce four new programs of A Fresh Start costs $1000.00. Without your financial support I could not do it. Thank you for helping me to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus to take the Gospel to all the world, and especially our corner of the world. And, through A Fresh Start to help those who need to make a fresh start in life of some kind to do so from a biblical perspective.

Please send your tax-deductible donation to: Back To The Basics Ministries; P.O. Box 32486; Knoxville, TN 37930 or go to www.drbobbymullins.com and click on the Donate link to give online.

“Keep in the Word, on your knees, loving God, loving each other, building godly homes, worshiping together, sharing the faith, supporting the Lord’s work financially, living life abundantly”

“CONFLICT IN THE CHURCH”
(HOW TO GET THROUGH IT BECAUSE YOU CANNOT AVOID IT)
ACTS 6:1-7

YOU CANNOT AVOID IT

A ship was sailing past a remote island and discovered a man who had been stranded there alone for several years. They went ashore to rescue the man and noticed he had built three huts for himself. They asked him, “What is the first hut for?”
He said, “That’s my house.”
“Ok, what’s the hut on this side of your house”
“That’s my church.”
“Ok, so what’s that other hut on the other side for?”
“Oh… that. That’s the church I used to go to, but that church had a split.”

I imagine there are some people who could cause a split in a church even if they were the only member! Well, where more than one person is involved, there is the potential for conflict. I know this sounds hard to believe, but no matter how hard you try, you cannot avoid conflict in a church. In most cases, if a church is not in a conflict of some kind right now, they have just come out of one, been in one at sometime in their past, or about to go into one. I have heard some pastors say that their church is not in conflict and some have even stated that their church has never been in a conflict. Bless their hearts, they are either naive or in self-denial (I was at one time) because at most any time there is some kind of underlying discontent among at least one or more church members. And, one or two church members can make some noise!

The early church at Jerusalem had 11 of the original disciples on the ministerial staff of the church. What may be the greatest church ministerial staff in the history of Christianity had to deal with conflict (Acts 6:1). It was beginning to demand so much of their time that it was keeping them from spending time in the Word and in prayer (Acts 6:2,4), which should be a priority in the life of every minister if he leads a church and ministry to be what the Lord desires for it to be.

Even the disciples of the Lord experienced discord with one another (Luke 9:46; Matt. 20:24), one of Jesus’ disciples (Judas Iscariot) caused a major disturbance in the life of Christ and is remembered for his betrayal of Jesus, and the Lord dealt with critics and conflict initiators just about everywhere He preached (Luke 11:53; 20:1-2). The Apostle Paul and his ministry partner, Barnabas, had such a sharp disagreement with one another when they were about to take their second missionary journey (Acts 15:37), that they separated from one another (Acts 15:38). Paul then chose Silas as his missionary partner and the church at Antioch committed them to the grace of the Lord (Acts 15:40).

THE MIRACLE OF BEING IN ONE ACCORD IS POSSIBLE BUT AS UNCOMMON AS A BLIND PERSON RECEIVING THEIR EYESIGHT OR SOMEONE BEING RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Every church certainly desires to be completely in one accord, but it is as uncommon as a blind person receiving their eyesight or someone being raised from the dead. Jesus performed such miracles and miracles can still happen. A miracle of a church being in one accord did happen when there was a conflict in the early church at Jerusalem. Now by the definition of what is considered a miracle, something pleasing everyone is not considered a miracle, but, to me, it is! It is recorded that it happened in Acts 6:3 with this one occasion. It happened again when a major conflict developed between Christians in the early days of the Church (Acts 15) and after much debate ended in their having become of one mind (Acts 15:25).

A popular saying about unity in a church states, “You can please some of the people all the time; you can please all the people some of the time; but you can’t please all the people all the time.” From my four decades of experience in the ministry at several churches, I have experienced that “you can please some of the people most of the time; you can please most of the people some of the time; but you can’t please all the people at any time.” As hard as I have tried as a pastor to provide an atmosphere that keeps unity and peace in a church, there just seems to be some kind of underlying discontent that will come to the surface periodically. And, the source is sometimes someone whom I would have never suspected, one with whom I had walked in sweet fellowship, and felt they were a close, trusted friend.

YOU MUST APPROACH IT BIBLICALLY AS IT IS CLEARLY LAID OUT IN THE BIBLE AND KEEP PERSONAL PREFERENCES AND OPINIONS OUT OF IT

There is a process by which individual Christians and a church should deal with conflict. The biblical plan, laid out by Jesus, is recorded in Matthew 18:15-17. It is known as The Matthew 18 Principle. Conflicts, most often, are the result of misinformation and/or miscommunication. Whether that is the case or not, Christians talking to one another face to face privately often takes care of it (Matt. 18:15). Before it is taken “to the streets” (hallways of the church, phones of church members or Internet), the biblical way is for the ones at odds to meet face to face. If that does not resolve it, then the ones at conflict should meet with two or more others, who do not side either way, to get their advice and counsel. If it must go from there to the whole church, sides will be taken.But,

The spiritual leaders in the church are to find all sides of the conflict.  They need to learn the issues behind the conflict. But,  they ultimately need to look beyond the personal preferences and opinions. The majority opinion is not really what should determine the outcome, but getting the mind of Christ on the matter and going with it is the right solution. Ideally, the majority will have the mind of Christ on any matter brought before the church. No matter how right a plan is for resolving a conflict, if the people are not supportive of it and some leaders cavil in with the ones who are not supportive of the majority opinion, get ready for one of the ugliest situations you will ever be a part of. Again, it’s not a matter of your side or their side but being on God’s side. If you are on God’s side, things may not always be resolved peacefully, but you will be able to feel a sense of peace in the midst of such a raging storm and its after effects.

GET OVER IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, MOVE ON BEYOND IT, AND BECOME BETTER BECAUSE OF IT

From my personal experience as a staff minister at a church where there was conflict that lead to a major schism with about three hundred people leaving the church, it took about ten years for things to come full circle. People who had become bitter and put out with each other became friends again, even close friends as they were before the conflict. And, some became members again of the church they left because of the conflict. The ten year process is one that I have observed with other churches that have gone through a major conflict which resulted in a church splitting and many leaving the church.

The conflict mentioned earlier, that led to the separation of the missionary team of Paul and Barnabas, was over Mark, who eventually authored the Gospel of Mark. Because he deserted them early on their first missionary journey, Paul did not want to take him along on the second journey. Barnabas, a relative of Mark, wanted to give him a second chance. Paul would not give in, so Barnabas took Mark with him on a missionary journey to Cyprus. Paul teamed up with Silas. But over a decade later, it is obvious that Paul has reconciled with Mark as he mentions Mark in the Book of Colossians (Col. 4:10) and that Mark was Barnabas’ cousin. Mark. Paul mentions in the Book of Philemon that Mark is his fellow worker (Philemon 22). About 13 years had passed between the writing of those two books and Mark leaving Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary. So, it probably was in the ten year range that it took for restoration to occur in the relationship between Paul and Mark.

Even though reconciliation and restoration can come over time after a major church conflict, things will never quite be the same once the conflict has done its damage. But, a church that has gone through a split can recover to a degree, but it is seldom that they reach the level in numbers that they had attained before the conflict. Even though some may think their side won the conflict, no one wins in a church conflict. So, don’t gloat if you feel you got what you wanted. Get over it as much as possible, and that will take some time. But, move on beyond it and become better, not bitter, because of it. Place your focus and keep your focus on doing all to God’s glory, which is what we should always be doing.

Conflict in the church happens when one or more members get their focus on themselves and what they want. When members demand their rights, there is rebellion. But, when members carry out their spiritual responsibilities and focus on doing all to God’s glory, there is revival and consistent growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

“THE BEST DESCRIPTION I HAVE EVER HEARD”

On a recent airing of A Fresh Start I brought a message on “Conflict In The Church (How To Get Through It)”. I received an email from a member of a historical predominantly African-American Church in Memphis, which was pastored for many years by Dr. Benjamin Hooks, National Executive Director of the NAACP from 1977-1992. He pastored Greater Middle Baptist Church in Memphis prior to that and pastored there again after retiring as Executive Director of the NAACP. Below is the email I received after a deacon at Greater Middle Baptist Church viewed A Fresh Start on Sunday March 11.

“Thanks for the sermon this afternoon on Channel 14 (Dish Network) here in Memphis, TN. The sermon was on conflict and all churches have them. What was the Biblical scripture you gave on the air. That was the best description of a conflict as I have ever heard.

I am a deacon at Greater Middle Baptist Church here in Memphis, TN. Again, thanks for the great sermon!”

The A Fresh Start program with the message on conflict in the church will air again in Memphis on April 8 & 11 and in Knoxville on April 12,14, & 15.

HALLELUJAH HE’S RISEN

I like the picture above that shows the Cross and the Empty Tomb. As an old hymn of the faith proclaims, “I serve a Risen Savior, He’s in the world today. I know that He is Risen whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, and just the time I need Him He’s always near. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart.”

Click on the following link and it will take you to a powerful song about the Resurrection of Jesus that Melody, Mallory and I sang on Easter Sunday 2006. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4yA85fzook&feature=share

Thank you for your financial support of Back To The Basics Ministries, which makes it possible for me to tell the Good News about Jesus to those whom I would never be able to preach to in person but via A Fresh Start TV Program the message goes to countless numbers of places and people. I don’t get paid for hosting A Fresh Start, but pay for the privilege, along with your help, $25,000-$30,000 a year for the pure joy of it and in obedience to the mandate of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19-20). You may send a donation by going to my web site and clicking on the Donate link http://www.drbobbymullins.com/ or send your tax-deductible donation to Back To The Basics Ministries, P.O Box 32486, Knoxville, TN 27930.

Blessings,

Bobby Mullins

“Keep in the Word, on your knees, loving God, loving each other, worshiping together, building godly homes, sharing the faith, supporting the Lord’s work financially, living life abundantly”

BTTBM NOVEMBER/EARLY DECEMBER UPDATE 2017

REASON FOR UPDATE NOVEMBER 2017 DELAY
I had been holding off sending the BTTBM Update November 2017 hoping that an article I was asked to write for Facts and Trends Magazine Online would be published. About three weeks ago I was contacted by the editor of Facts And Trends Online and asked if I would right a blog/article on how God uses adversity in our lives. This was coinciding with the release of Divine Disciplines: God’s Training Ground for Spiritual Growth and Maturity. I was asked to keep it between 500-800 words, which I did. My deadline to submit it was November 27, which I met. So, any day now I expect it to be published. I was going to give you the link to the article, but here is the link to Facts And Trends Online and you can check it over the next few days if you are interested in reading the article. I was informed that it should be published next week (December 19-23).

Online: https://factsandtrends.net/

Facts And Trends Magazine has been around since the 50s or 60s and is a publication of Lifeway Christian Resources. It goes to every pastor and church staff minister in the Southern Baptist Convention and to any others who subscribe to it free of charge. The SBC has 40,000 churches so the magazine is read by thousands and thousands read the Online version daily. This is an honor to be asked to write for this publication.

LINKS TO ORDER DIVINE DISCIPLINES

Divine Disciplines is available for purchase via the Internet at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Disciplines-Training-Spiritual-Maturity/dp/1613144040/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506120500&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=divine+disciplines+-+dr.+bobby+mullins

And Barnes And Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/divine-disciplines-bobby-mullins/1127111365?ean=9781613144046

Most books today are purchased online. Divine Disciplines would be a nice Christmas gift for one of your Christian family members or friends.

NEW PROGRAMS OF A FRESH START TO AIR IN LATE JANUARY OR EARLY FEBRUARY

Four new programs of A Fresh Start will air beginning the last week of January 2018 or first week of February 2018. I held off taping new programs until Divine Disciplines was released so that I can promote it on A Fresh Start

PLEASE KEEP BTTBM IN MIND FOR END OF THE YEAR DONATIONS

Please keep Back To The Basics Ministries in mind for tax deductible donations before the end of the year. The end of the year donations especially go toward taping new programs of A Fresh Start. With Melody marrying Joey Amason, and both being exceptional singers, I hope to soon buy some studio time for them to tape several songs that can be aired later on A Fresh Start. We are also wanting to have some guest singers on the program this next year in addition to me, Melody, and Joey. If end of the year giving is good, we will be able to do it and to make other improvements with the television program that will help us reach a level in production we have not yet reached. Thank you for your financial support.

To donate online:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=bWusmT1O_IaZY9HWCHEGzbW450vXwukcnD8DsTPqmaN–pqz0zMKndR0DEN47c_A7l8ODG&country.x=US&locale.x=

P.O. Box 32486, Knoxville, TN 37930

Blessings To You,

Bobby Mullins

BTTBM OCTOBER 2017 UPDATE

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY . . .

Several months ago I shared in a BTTBM UPDATE that I would have a special announcement to make in September or October. Well, what I had in mind was an announcement that a recording by Melody would be available. But, a funny thing happened on the way to Melody’s recording. She met Joey Amason. They fell in love, and they were married on October 14 in Knoxville.

Melody’s interests have not been on a recording project, but focusing on growing in her relationship with Joey. I mentioned in an announcement about their engagement that Joey is a singer. He and Melody sang together several weeks ago at the church I pastor, and it was awesome. They will provide special music together and individually on future A Fresh Start TV Programs. Regarding a recording project for Melody or Joey and Melody, we will pray about it and let it happen as the Lord leads.

PRE-ORDER DIVINE DISCIPLINES

I have provided two links to pre-order a copy of the book I’ve authored, titled Divine Disciplines: God’s Training Ground for Spiritual Growth and Maturity. The following is the ordering link for the book via Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Disciplines-Training-Spiritual-Maturity/dp/1613144040/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1506054253&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=divine+disciplines+-+dr.+bobby+Mullins

and the next link is to order via Barnes and Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/divine-disciplines-bobby-mullins/1127111365?ean=9781613144046

If you scroll down on the links, it will lead to info about the book, which summarizes it well. The cost of the book is $14.95 plus any taxes due and shipping/handling. It will be released on November 25. I have contacted Lifeway Christian Stores corporate office to request that Divine Disciplines will be sold in the Lifeway Stores in Memphis, Southaven, MS and Knoxville, since I will be promoting the book on A Fresh Start, which airs in those cities. I have also requested that Cedar Springs Christian Bookstore in Knoxville, the largest independent Christian bookstore in the state, will sell the book.

SOON PLAN TO TAPE NEW PROGRAMS

I soon plan to tape new programs of A Fresh Start. I just have not had the extra time to get to Pigeon Forge in the past few months to tape due to having cataract surgery on both eyes and recovery time involved, several weeks of preparation for Melody’s wedding, then Wanda had issues with a kidney stone over a week’s time. I hope to get to Pigeon Forge to tape in December.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT of Back To The Basics Ministries and A Fresh Start TV Program. (Donate link) https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=PoOp5332qpiUr-Esv2HsYWmE5pbNW2mMwQXu3-Lu5UvReG0QfOmh5k1cpcCYrVWZTq60IG&country.x=US&locale.x=

You have made it possible air A Fresh Start over 1300 times since November 2009 in the Memphis area, Knoxville area, and Nashville (for three months). It costs $20,000.00 a year for the air time to air the program. To produce and air one new program of A Fresh Start costs $250.00. My goal is to eventually produce 26 new programs per year, and repeat each program one time during the year. Your generous giving of varying amounts has been the difference in airing the program for eight years. No donation is too big and no donation is too small. Every donation matters and makes a difference. You may also send donations to: Back To The Basics Ministries; P.O. Box 32486; Knoxville, TN 37930