Introducing the MCBC Pastors’ Blog

– August 24, 2020

You’re here, but maybe you’re wondering what this is all about. Why did we start a pastors’ blog for Mountain Creek Baptist Church? I’m glad you asked.

For me, one of the things I most enjoy in my role as a pastor (and as a father, and as a friend) is helping people apply Scripture to their lives. It’s absolutely critical that we think biblically about the world in which we live and the way in which we live in it. What does the Scripture say? What does it mean? How does this Scripture apply to this particular situation? These are important questions. And that’s what I hope this space will provide––another opportunity for us to think biblically about life together, another space for us to be able to work through these important questions, often in light of very particular circumstances.

Of course, we do that on Sundays as we meet together at Mountain Creek. So why start a pastors’ blog? I can think several reasons, but let me briefly mention four:

Because reading helps us think and thinking biblically helps us grow in Christlikeness. Since we’re commanded to “love God with all [our] … mind”, we should cultivate right thinking about God and right thinking about God’s world. Growing in Christlikeness involves more than biblical thinking, but not less. This means that Christians are to be thinkers. As we think through the questions mentioned above and then do the work of applying the Word of God to our lives, we grow increasingly into the likeness of Christ. My hope is that this blog will provide a place where we can do just that, spurring us on toward Christlikeness.

Because not everything needs to be a sermon, but many things that aren’t in sermons need to be said. We don’t have the time in our sermons (or even in our Life Groups or other settings) to think about everything that we need to think about in the Christian life. Additionally, there are some things that we need to hear and consider that may not be covered in sermons in a particular season depending on what book of Scripture we are studying together at that time. This blog gives us a place to think about these things that might not be in a sermon, but still need to be said.

Because your friends might need biblical encouragement. We all have friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and those random people on Facebook who we don’t really know, and all of them at some point or another could use some encouragement. Quite simply, I’m hoping that from time to time you’ll read something here and think, “That was encouraging. I should share that.” Who knows? Maybe you’ll send the encouragement someone needs, or maybe this will help you start a conversation that bears fruit in someone’s life.

Because I enjoy writing. Okay, so this last one’s a little selfish. But I enjoy writing. I really do. I’m not making the case that I’m a good writer, but I am someone who enjoys writing. I went to school at the University of Georgia to be a sports journalist; I loved the writing aspect of seminary; and I write a full manuscript of every sermon I ever preach. On a personal level, this allows me the opportunity to write more, which I’m looking forward to. More than that, we’re blessed to have two very talented writers and very sharp thinkers on our staff in Pastor Rhett and Pastor Matt, and I’m looking forward to their contributions from time to time as well.

So thanks for reading this first post at the MCBC Pastors’ Blog. I pray that what’s to come will be a blessing to you.

Bert Watts has served since December 2016 as the Senior Pastor at Mountain Creek Baptist Church, where he has been on staff since 2012.