THE MINISTRY

Occasionally, we get questions about our ministry here at Clairemont Bible Baptist Church.

Since the first week of February was our eighth anniversary here, I thought I would tell our readers a little about our church and its ministries.

CBBC is a true Independent Bible believing Baptist Church. When Mrs. Perkins (Posey) and I came here over eight years ago, the church was Baptist in name only. (in my opinion) The people here were not taught anything about Bible versions so everyone used whatever version they preferred.

The previous pastor was a fan of Chuck Swindoll and John MacArthur. It was pretty much an interdenominational church. They ran one bus on Sunday mornings and that lasted until the Navy shipped out our bus driver for six months sea duty.

We have never had a church split although we have had some people leave or move, for one reason or another. Usually the people who fall out, do not like our stand for the King James Bible and Bible standards of separation.

Some say they do not like my preaching, which I can understand. I have been known to doze off a few times, on better preachers than I am, at some of the more boring fellowship meetings. It must be a divine attack of narcolepsy.

In the greater San Diego area, there are probably no more than ten Bible believing Baptist churches (including, Clairemont, Lemon Grove, Poway, Vista, Escondido, Chula Vista and Spring Valley.) There is a great need for some church planter to come to Ramona, California and start a good Bible believing, soul winning, Independent Baptist Church.

It takes a period of adjustment to pastor a church in San Diego. The Navy is notorious for shipping out our families. Just about the time they get going good in the church, and we start loving them, they're gone. Within one short period of time we lost our church secretary, treasurer, pianist, song leader, deacon, handy man, janitor, and two Sunday School teachers. We do not let "whoever comes along," teach Sunday School.

Brother Tom Cassidy, pastor of The First Baptist Church in Spring Valley, (one of the good ten) who has been here for more years than we have, says we have to gain at least thirty percent each year just to hold our own in attendance. Some of you preachers who complain about your people, ought to try losing one third of them every year, because the military moves them. This would be on top of those who leave because they do not like you or your preaching.

Clairemont is a community within San Diego city limits. Clairemont Bible Baptist Church is about twenty-seven years old. Its original name was Clairemont Baptist Temple. The church bought a Jewish Temple some years ago where it meets. These facilities consist of an auditorium, four other buildings and a new parsonage that we built about two years ago.

Out ministries include:

1. PREACHING AND TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD

The King James Bible.

2. CLAIREMONT BAPTIST ACADEMY, K-12

We started the school four years ago. It is traditional in curriculum, (abeka) and this year we started with forty-two students. I have a very good Principal, Brother Brian Patton, who is also my assistant. Including Brother Patton, we have five good teachers who are all members of our church. (We need another high school teacher for next semester if you know of any who would like to live in America's finest city.)

3. THE FLAMING TORCH

This is the second time, since I have been in the ministry, that I have had the privilege of working with Brother Don Edwards and his great publication. The paper has been going out across America for over forty years, thanks to you, God's people, who have given consistently towards its publication.

4. THE SOUL WINNING MINISTRY

Our people are soul conscious. They witness and hand out tracts. Some come out for soul winning visitation and we go door to door. We just finished a door hanger campaign where we hung 5,000 door hangers with the plan of salvation on them.

5. CLAIREMONT BIBLE BAPTIST INSTITUTE

We recently started a Bible Institute. I teach four hours a week on two nights. We have started with eleven students who are excited about learning more of God's word.

6. THE CASSETTE TAPE MINISTRY

Evangelist Don Edwards had a huge tape ministry of preaching and music. It became impossible for him and Mrs. Edwards (Mary) to carry it around with them as they traveled around the country. They gave it to us, a number of years ago, and we added hundreds of our own tapes to it. You will usually find an ad in the Torch for this ministry labeled "POSEY'S CASSETTE TAPES". We have tapes of great old time preachers and real Christian music. We keep the cost lower than most. You can write for a free catalog.

So, this is a little bit about our ministry here in San Diego. We would like to invite all of our readers to come and visit if you get in the southern California area. If you might be interested in moving here and attending our Bible Institute give us a ring or drop us a line for more information. †