West Bowdoin Baptist Church

A Church with a

Family Welcome

Meet the Pastor

Rev. James Lufkin and his wife, Kathy, began their ministry at the West Bowdoin Baptist Church on September 1,  2006. Pastor Jim and his wife have a faith-based commitment to reach and share the gospel of the Living Christ with the church and the community.

Pastor Jim has been in ministry for more than

30 years, serving churches in Maine. He has an undergraduate degree in music education and taught instrumental and vocal music in the public schools before entering the ministry.

Prior to coming to West Bowdoin he had been active in many community activities. He served as a town moderator for many years. He also lead the community band. He taught a computer lab which was hosted at the church as an outreach ministry.

His American Baptist denominational activities includes many positions such as East Association moderator and committee memberships on the Small Church Committee of the American Baptist Churches of Maine (ABCOM). He presently is active as the Archivist and Historian for ABCOM and is active as part of the work of ABCOM Institute for Ministry. He has recently been elected moderator of the Bowdoinham Association.

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Pastor’s Thoughts

Becoming a Great Church – The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

¹⁶ Jesus’ eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had told them to meet him. ¹⁷ They saw him and worshiped him, but some of them doubted.

¹⁸ Jesus came to them and said:

I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! ¹⁹ Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

The Great Commission is at the heart of becoming a great church. A great church is more than a “good church,” it is a church that is spiritually on fire because of the Great Commission’s promise. The assurance that Jesus has given to his disciples. There is nothing that can defeat the defeat the church. That is the promise of Christ. The promise was given at another time when were those whot doubted.

It may seem easier for some to find excitement for the Lord in a congregation of thousands, but especially in Maine most of our churches are rural and small. The most exciting times are when we see individuals coming to the Lord one by one – when the ones who come to the Lord are those of our family, those of our neighborhood, those whose name we know. The Lord has never given up on the rural or small churches even when many people have.

The Great Commission is proactive. Proactive means we are actively pursuing the commands of the Lord and not waiting to respond to a crisis or need that is suddenly put before us. Making disciples is proactive as we equip and train believers within the church to reach others and to teach others. We are preparing the church for Her mission in the world. “Go” is not passive. The great churches do not to sit as spectators of the world’s struggles, but they are to be involvement in the struggles.

Great churches do not happen quickly but grow from a transformed attitude of service. Within the body of believers grows a deeper understanding of the power of God’s Word. As we take the steps of “Got Style,” we are focusing on the fact that we must first be a praying church. A praying church begins with praying leadership. A praying church grows in her relationship, intensity, and attitude of prayer. Transformation of the believer into a partnership with Christ for the winning of souls is at the heart of the church’s reason for existence.

Both Jesus and Paul emphasized the importance of prayer, noting that people ought always to pray. Prayer includes asking and getting answers from God. But it is more than just asking – it is confession, adoration, thanksgiving, and fellowship with God. Prayer is natural, prayer is talking with God. It is the basis of the successful Christian life, and is so important that not praying is considered a sin (1 Sam. 12:23).

There are some who are unable because of age or physical limitations to do the “heavy lifting” of the church. They are servants of God and the church for encouragement and example.  The children and the young learn from them.  They are to be honored.

As we ask God in prayer, we know that He will answer. When the answer comes, what will we do? The first step towards becoming a great church is to receive the call of God, accept the call of God, and act on the call of God. He has already equipped us so we wait for the call and the direction which will be unique to this church and unique to every member within the church. Still we work united toward only one Great Commission.

Include with your prayers a foundation built on the preaching and study of God’s Word. From the day of Pentecost when Peter delivered the first sermon to the new church, prayer and preaching have been fundamental for the church and her leadership.

Not all Bible study is done in formal groups. Reading and hearing the Word can be done in the isolation of your home. But the group study of the Word of God is important as questions and discussions are shared. There should be a hunger for the message that God has given to us through the Word. The group study with qualified leadership is a place where discernment can be shared.

Pray for the church, encourage one another, study the Word, and reach out in your life to others with the Gospel of Redemptive Love.