This book is a collection of editorial articles written by George in the monthly newsletters he published over a period of thirty years. Some are funny, some are inspirational, and some are nothing more than information about the activities that may have been going on at the time.

by George

The Wit and Wisdom of George DavisBy George H. Davis

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 George H. Davis
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4389-8941-9

Chapter One

To George

He's a good man, a wise man - I call him my friend When the going gets tough - He will not break or bend He'll just size up an issue, decide what is right Then guard and defend it - with all of his might. He's a preacher, a teacher, but no Holy Joe And if you have a problem - To him you can go. Then "By George" he will help you. His judgment is sound His head may be in the air, but his feet on the ground. He has a great sense of humor - gets a bang out of life With three sons and Jane and Leona, his wife We know that his life has been fruitful and full Maybe sometimes quite hectic, but it's never been dull I've known him in pleasure, I've seen him in pain I've shared in his loss - I've rejoiced in his gain As he walks down life's highway - you know that you can Say with every assurance, Friend, there goes a man One of life's greatest blessing, Is to have such a friend May his seed multiply, may his tribe never end For Heaven alone will be able to save us If we run out of men of the stripe of George Davis by David Dickey

The Tie Mt. Erie/Greater Wabash Baptist Association April 1973 - August 1980

A New Era

It hardly seems possible, but I've just completed one month as missionary of the Mt. Erie Baptist Association. My doesn't time fly when you're having fun!

These have been busy days. I have been getting settled, finding churches, attending meetings, meeting people, and preaching. I have preached ten times this month. I have visited three churches in revival.

I have discovered that one could almost keep busy simply visiting revivals. There seems to be one or more going on all the time. Next week there are five in our Association. (I'm afraid I won't make all of them.)

Work on the additional bedroom at the missionary's home is progressing nicely. The room is closed in now. The walls will be paneled and the floor carpeted. A large closet and a small bath are being fixed along the North side.

I don't know when my family has received a warmer welcome than we did here in Fairfield. Men were ready to help us move in. Meals were brought to our home. It has been a real joy meeting new people and making new friends.

A special word of appreciation is due Norris Price. During this time without a missionary, he has served as Director of the Baptist Hour. He is also chairman of the committee to turn the carport into a bedroom. He has spent a good deal of time and I know you join me in saying, "Thank you, Norris."

I also appreciate the work of the committee to secure a missionary. I suppose it would be immodest of me to call attention to their wisdom in recommending me. But seriously, they have been most kind and considerate of me and of the church I was serving.

Brother Kelley has also carried extra responsibility during this period of adjustment. He has seen that the work of the Association and planning for camp progressed.

Now, a word about the paper. I have had to compile a mailing list from hither and yon. I want to include the associational officers, pastors, church officers, and board members. If you are getting two copies please let me know. If you are not getting any ... how did you get this? Let me know about others who should be included.

The First Baptist church in Fairfield has provided an office. Come in the back door (on the South) and go down the hall until you come to the first room on the right. I plan to visit on the field each morning and be in the office in the afternoon. I haven't kept that schedule very well so far, but that is still my plan.

My phone-number here is 847-3041. The home phone is still 842-2744.

April 1973

What is a Baptist association?

I doubt that many of us have thought through the purpose of our association. We assume that Baptists have always had associations and always will.

District associations do go way back in Baptist life. Within thirty years of the establishment of Baptist churches in England, they were forming associations. In this country, it took sixty-three years.

Some would look on associations as a carryover from a bygone era - an appendage to the body of Christ which has outlived its usefulness. I believe the association exists for the sake of the churches. The churches come first, not only in time but in function as well. It is the job of the association to strengthen the churches.

This is reflected in the constitution of our state convention. "The purpose of this Convention is to assist in establishing and developing Baptist churches...."

A group of leaders in Williamson Association drew up a statement of their objectives a few years ago:

(1) To afford and promote a larger fellowship of Christians in the work of Christ.

(2) To discover needs which cannot be met effectively by churches individually, and to coordinate the use of resources in meeting these needs.

(3) To provide programs and projects to strengthen the churches and to assist them in achieving their objectives and goals.

(4) To encourage every church to support the missionary, educational, and benevolent causes of the Association, the Illinois Baptist State Association, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

(5) To discuss such subjects as biblical doctrines, polity, and ethical standards and to interpret the Baptist position.

If the association exists to help the churches, then our talk about how cooperative or uncooperative a pastor or church is may be out of place. Maybe we should ask instead how we can help that pastor and church to do the work God expects them to do.

Meetings and projects need to be seen, not as something we have to drum up attendance for but, as a means to meeting the needs of churches for assistance in special areas.

Our need for fellowship certainly has not diminished. We shall surely be poorer if we see ourselves only as isolated congregations in a hostile world. We need not only the presence of God's Holy Spirit - we need each other!

May 1973

Nominating Committees

This is the time when some very important decisions are being made by churches. Nominating committees are meeting or will be soon. Workers are being selected to serve this coming year. They will set the pattern for the church for years to come.

I have found it helpful at times to elect the nominating committee by ballot at a Sunday morning service. Members could be instructed to write down three or five names of persons they feel should serve. When these have been tabulated, the top three or five are contacted to see if they will serve. If not, you simply go to the next person on the list.

It is also helpful for the committee to have a complete list of the resident membership of the church. Ideally every church member should have a place of service suited to his talents and abilities. Perhaps not everyone should teach, but all can use God-given gifts.

Some will serve through the church organizations. Others may serve as effectively through other organizations in the community. Both are sharing their faith in Christ and bearing witness to his salvation.

As the...