Rice: 'Witness God at work'

LITTLE ROCK – William Rice, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Fla., spoke on overcoming discouragement to witness God at work in the afternoon session of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting Nov. 1.

Taking his text from I Samuel 14, Rice relayed the biblical story of a victory in battle brought about by Jonathan his armor bearer. Though the rest of the Israelite army, including King Saul, had given up, Jonathan was willing to trust that God might act on his behalf to bring the victory.

I Samuel 14:6-7 recounts the conversation between the two men. “Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.

‘Do all that you have in mind,’ his armor-bearer said. ‘Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.’”

Relating the defeatist attitude of the Israelite army to the state of many churches today, Rice said, “Many of our churches are discouraged. Many of our leaders are discouraged.”

However, church leaders must be willing to step out and believe that God will “act on their behalf.”

“God can still save,” said Rice. “He can do it whether you have a lot of folks or a few folks.”

Just as Jonathan had faith that though he wasn’t sure what God would do, he believed in what He knew God could do. 

Rice said church leaders don’t need to “hide and play it safe” like Saul and his army. “The mission of the church is … to advance and storm the gates of hell,” he continued.

To bring about change in churches, Rice said leaders must have a sense of holy dissatisfaction, a source of motivation and a spirit of cooperation.

“Leaders, to turn the tide, there has to be a holy discontent – not with each other,” he said.

Rice said churches often have a lack of missional focus or a crisis of purpose. “The mission is clear. The church belongs to Jesus,” he said. “It’s his church, and He told us what He wants His church to be doing – go and make disciples.”

In closing, Rice challenged pastors to remember their call to ministry. “You didn’t surrender that day … to play it safe and hang on.”

“God wants to do something in your life, in your ministry,” he said. “Let’s … see what God will do with a people who believe Him for great things.”