The Pastor Search Committee of Liberty Hill Baptist Church has asked members of the church to give prayerful and thoughtful attention to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and then complete a survey to let the committee know what members would desire for the committee to consider in the selection process for calling a new pastor.
First and foremost, LHBC is seeking a pastor whose primary duty will be teaching the infallible, inerrant truth of the Bible. He will not deviate from that in order to be considered inclusive or tolerant of those who might want to live a lifestyle that does not comport with what the Bible teaches. He will instead counsel those who might feel that way in a gracious, loving manner in an effort to lead them to understand the truth of God’s Word.
The next pastor of LHBC should be one who definitely knows that he was called to the ministry by God and who has a passion or inward desire to communicate with those who need a Savior or need to grow in their spiritual journey. He will be the shepherd of LHBC based on the teachings of the Good Shepherd. We encourage the pastor to make appropriate visits to church and prospective members.
The pastor of LHBC should set an example for the congregation and community of how to live a blameless life that is not marred by overt, flagrant sin. His lifestyle should be different from that of the world and his judgment should not be clouded by external matters. In other words, he would be one that all who desire to live a godly life would want to follow.
The pastor being sought for LHBC should promote unity in the church and not show favoritism to any particular individual or group. While he should always be kind and considerate in resolving conflicts within the church, he should not be hesitant to lovingly, and, if necessary firmly, correct any sheep whose actions could cause disharmony.
While LHBC should provide for the pastor and his family, the pastor should be motivated by the special calling he has received from God to love Him and His people at LHBC and not by money. At no time should he seek to know how much any individual contributes to the church.
The church body at LHBC expects the pastor to set his priorities in order—God first, family second and church third. His home life should be exemplary. He should be a man of moral and sexual purity. When the LHBC pastor is seen in our community, we want him to be respected as one who has an unimpeachable reputation, even when being observed by those who don’t hold the same moral and theological standards.
Hopefully the new pastor is open to continuing a couple of LHBC traditions. Last monthly Sunday evenings are reserved for a time of fellowship, eating and playing games. Fifth Sundays are times of worship in song when LHBC members and others from the community display their God-given talents. A Vacation Bible School contest raises money for a worthwhile cause and the pastor is subjected to a “fun thing,” such as a pie-in-the face if the girls win and the VBS Director is subjected to the same if the boys win. This could be a way for a willing pastor to win the hearts of some children.
Church Profile:
Liberty Hill Baptist Church (LHBC), located on State Highway 147N one mile outside of the city limit of San Augustine, Texas was organized in 1880 and is one of approximately 25 Baptist churches in the county. Since its inception LHBC has continued to believe and teach the inerrant, infallible Word of God.
Although the membership and attendance have steadily declined in the past 10 years, especially since the COVID outbreak in 2020, a dedicated core of fellow believers who genuinely love the Lord and each other have remained committed to the Lord’s work at LHBC. They continue to do so after the recent retirement of our pastor, who spent almost half of his 47 years of ministry as the pastor at LHBC.
Our normal attendance at Sunday worship service is approximately 45 and occasionally we have as many as 55. In the past four years, 12 members have died; 11 have moved out of the area; and 9 are unable to attend regularly due to health reasons. Attendance at Sunday and Wednesday evening services ranges from 15 to 22 and Sunday School attendance is around 30. Our children/youth program on Wednesday evening ranges from 10-30 and this is the one area of the church where there is mixed race/ethnicity—50% White, 50% Black or Hispanic.
In the four fiscal years 2019-2023 our annual budgets averaged $121,000 and our average annual expenditures for that time period was $115,000. Our budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 is $131,000. We are under budget for the first four months as our undesignated receipts have exceeded the expenditures for that time period. LHBC is well insured and the church maintains a healthy contingency reserve.
The Ladies of Liberty Hill spearhead LHBC’s participation in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, championed by Franklin Graham. Through their endeavors this past year this small church was able to pack and ship 400 shoeboxes to help spread the Good News throughout the world. LHBC contributes yearly to the Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon offerings, as well as monthly to the local Care & Share Food Pantry. Ten percent of the undesignated funds contributed to LHBC go to support the efforts of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (4%) and Shelby-Doches Baptist Association (6%).
Many of our attendees at a worship service will be over 65 years of age. While our doors are always open to anyone who wants to worship with us in spirit and in truth or wants to seek salvation, we have to candidly state that at the present time virtually everyone who attends LHBC is White.
Although this period of transition has its challenges, LHBC is looking forward to welcoming a new mission-oriented pastor who will be dedicated to teaching the Word of God in non-compromising fashion. We hope that he has a vision for church growth that will come to fruition for the glory of God through the combined efforts of the pastor and membership. We pledge our support to the man God sends our way.