October 2025 | 17
Your Motive Matters... By Mark Jones, Revitalization coach and consultant “Motive is, literally, something that moves a person; an inducement, something that leads a person on; an in- centive, something that inspires a person.” – Dictionary. com What is your motive? I have questioned my motive in ministry at times. Why do we do what we do? Why do we pray as we pray? Why do we preach what we preach? Over the past three years, I have had the opportunity to have multiple conversations with pastors and leaders of growing, plateauing and declining churches. Regardless of where their congregation was on the growth spec- trum, I sometimes wonder what is their real motive? In Revelation, chapters 2-3, we see Jesus addressing issues within the churches. All of the churches were less than 50 years old at the time of their letters. Ironically, each of these churches began strong and had a king- dom motive. They were declining and dying because they moved from a Jesus-driven kingdom motive. So, why do you do the events you do? Is it for God’s church to grow, or so that your church will grow? Recently, I have been concerned that our measurement is who walks through our doors rather than who re-
sponds to the gospel message. How do you pray, and what do you pray? Are your prayers based on compas- sion for your community and the reverent fear of God, or are your prayers based on congregational decline and fears of financial shortfalls? James 4:3 “You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” I have recently considered my prayers. I want to make sure I am asking for God’s glory and not simply my own gain. Do you preach because you think you are skilled in delivery, or because you are convicted of your calling? Do you love the people to whom you preach, or do you simply love preaching to people? We must love God’s word more than the world, but we are also to love the world to whom we preach the word. Revitalization begins with a motive check. Do you simply want to survive because of all the sweat you have put into the church, or do you desire to thrive because of the blood Jesus poured out for His church? For more information about church revitalization, visit https://scbo.org/revitalize, or contact me at mjones@ scbo.org.
Emily Hurt Joins SCBO as Ministry Assistant - Events By Stephanie Heading, managing editor
There’s a new addition to the SCBO Team. Emily Hurt, a member of Violet Baptist Church, Pickerington, is the new Ministry Assistant for Events. Emily brings her education and
said. “I also love to travel, and I had the opportunity to live in Spain for nine months before starting at SCBO.” She also has a special interest in the Olympics. “Another passion of mine is the Olympics; I got to work in broadcasting at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.” Emily brings her education, hobbies and travel experi- ences into her new role at SCBO and is excited about the possibilities and the impact she hopes to make. “In my role, I will support the SCBO Regional Catalysts and other SBC partners for the behind-the-scenes lo- gistical needs to help make their events great. I grew up attending and being impacted by SCBO events such as Seneca Lake Youth Camp and Super Summer, so it’s a full-circle moment to now join the team that makes them happen,” she said. “I pray that God will use my giftings to continue the effectiveness and impact of SCBO events.”
Emily Hurt, SCBO ministry assistant for events
real-world experience to the position. In 2024, she graduated with a degree in Media Commu- nications from Asbury University, Wilmore, Kentucky, where she was a witness to the 2023 Asbury Revival, a 16-day outpouring of the Holy Spirit that began in the student chapel service on February 8 and continued through February 23, 2023, drawing thousands to the Asbury campus. Among Emily’s interests and hobbies are movies and musical theatre. “Singing showtunes is one of my favorite hobbies,” she
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