Missouri Baptists lift lawmakers in prayer
Fourth annual service draws about 200,
including Gov. Blunt, Supreme Court justices,
members of Legislature
JEFFERSON CITY – Monte Shinkle asked Missouri’s government leaders to consider the “Who Am I?” factor when he spoke to state officials and their staff members at the fourth annual prayer service for Missouri government leaders Jan. 9 at Concord Baptist Church here.
Among those in attendance were Gov. Matt Blunt, members of the Missouri Senate and House of Representatives, and judges of the state’s Supreme Court.
The prayer service, as well as the breakfast that preceded it, was sponsored by the Missouri Baptist Convention’s (MBC) Christian Life Commission, The Pathway, and Concord Baptist Church.
Shinkle, Concord’s pastor, gave the charge to the 94th General Assembly, enumerating five points to consider as part of what he called the “Who Am I?” factor. Using 2 Sam. 7 as his text, Shinkle likened the leadership of the Missouri officials to that of King David as he made plans for the construction of a permanent temple.
He urged lawmakers to never lose a sense of God’s sovereignty in life. “Does God have a plan for Missouri?” he asked. Answering in the affirmative, he noted that “we have elections but God makes selections.”
Secondly, he asked lawmakers to retain a sense of humility, reminding them that it was God who protected David’s sheep from wild animals, God who fought the giant, and God who killed the thousands in battle. He reminded them that “David got into a lot of trouble when the day came that it became more of David and less of God.”
“Not just when you are on the (House or Senate) floor,” he said. “This is a brother. This is a sister. We may not agree on the issue; but when you scrape the surface, these people have needs just as we do.”
A fourth aspect would be a sense of fallability. Shinkle encouraged leaders to gather around them people “who will be flat-out honest with you and hold you to that standard – people who will pray for you.” He reminded them further that “every bill we pass is not a good bill and every bill that fails is not a bad bill.”
Finally, he encouraged leaders to maintain a sense of accountability.
“There is only one Rulemaker. There is only one Judge,” Shinkle told them. “Report hour is not when the session is over. Report hour is when we stand face to face with God.”
Michael Knight, MBC Executive Board member and pastor, First Baptist Church, Viburnum, offered introductions for all of those on the program.
“We love you. We believe in you. We want the best for you and your family,” Knight told Missouri leaders.
Mark Meyers, worship pastor, Concord Baptist Church, led in music. American Legion Post 5 presented the colors.
Prayers were offered by Phil Gloyer, chairman of MBC’s Christian Life Commission; Frank Whitney, pastor, Union Hill Baptist Church, Holt’s Summit; John Marshall, pastor, Second Baptist Church, Springfield; and Greg Morrow, pastor, First Baptist Church, California.
Blunt expressed his appreciation after the service, referring particularly to Shinkle’s message about the need for humility, civility and remembering God’s sovereignty.
“This is a wonderful service,” the governor said. “This prayer service and the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast (Jan. 10) are great ways to start off the new year.”