Clive Walters, Sr. said, “Perception is 99 percent of reality.” Churches can get anxious when members perceive the wrong reality; and perceptions can become misguided when people see only what’s negative instead of what’s positive; and added to these two observations, negativity will result in a church travelling down a path of destruction. So, how does a church get back on track with God? Stephen R. Covey says, “To change ourselves effectively, we first [have] to change our perceptions,” and Philippians 4:6-8 provides a prescription to do just that. We read in these verses:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”
Based on this text, if a church finds itself anxious, then it needs to 1) take it to the Lord in prayer with thanksgiving for what God’s already done, and 2) focus on the things that are positive, the good things that are happening in the life of the church – and that’s what we’re going to do right now, as I remind us about some amazing events that have taken place over the past 8 months at Canton Baptist Church:
1.) Back in the fall of 2013, we held a Canton Block Party, with games, blowups, food and fellowship, which is an event that’s still being talked about today. There were 125 people in attendance that Sunday evening.
2.) In the spring of 2014, we held a women’s conference with inspirational Christian speaker and author Sarah Meece, who is Harold Calhoun’s sister. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time, and there were 103 people in attendance, and about 10 area churches were represented from numerous denominations.
3.) Also, Josh Horner joined us from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and brought some uplifting messages. We had some “up-nights” and “down-nights” in attendance, but on the “up-nights” we had around 80 people.
4.) Don’t forget that Michael Rust, our Associational Missionary, along with his wife Debbie, led us in a Deacons Training for the deacons and their spouses.
5.) And let’s not forget that Michael “Two Shadows” Brennan joined us from Sharp’s Corner Baptist Mission in South Dakota, where he minister’s to the Lakota on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Michael is Cherokee himself, and he spoke about his mission work, and led us in some Native American worship. Everyone left the service feeling blessed. There were around 80 people there that night, which is excellent for Sunday evening worship attendance.
6.) We just held the Beasley Bash, which is designed to recruit volunteers for the bereavement committee meals; and our newest church member who was baptized last week, signed up to help provide food for those who have lost loved ones.
7.) And aside from special events, we have a newly formed ladies group that meets on the last Sunday night of each month, with the purpose of finding ways to serve the church and community. They have started a card ministry for the shut-ins and sick, they are making sure that church birthdays and anniversaries are announced on WKDZ, and they do a quarterly outreach at Trigg Manor to celebrate the residents’ birthdays.
We have experienced some uplifting and positive things here at Canton Baptist Church; but there are some who would say that nothing good is going on; and we allow these naysayers to affect our perception of reality. Tony D. Clark stated, “Decide now to be in charge of your own perception of reality; because if you don’t, there are plenty of folks whose sole purpose in life is to craft that perception for you. Do you trust them to have your best interest in mind?”
I trust the Holy Spirit to guide my perceptions; and if you’ll allow yourself to be led by the Spirit, then He will show you what is good. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” It’s not the Lord who would lead us to say and feel things that lead to conflict and division; it is the devil.
In John 10:10 we’re told, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” I encourage you to walk in life; the abundant life that comes by focusing on, and giving thanks, for God’s many blessings in our life and here at Canton Baptist Church.
Damian Phillips wrote a book entitled Pursuing God’s Best, subtitled “Reaching the Place of Your Calling.” His book has been published by Innovo Publishing, which produces titles from many well-known authors. Some of Innovo’s books are stocked by CBD and LifeWay; and Damian’s title will be available on Amazon.com, and has the ability to be stocked in major book stores across the country. 
