Hello Again, Hello

If anybody still cares, I am still here.  Yes, I realize that I have not written here in two months, and then only twice in four months.  But here on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, I couldn’t sleep so I thought I would fire something off.

I am here in the morning at our coastal cottage preparing for what will be another busy, whirlwind weekend of ministry.  If you recall, our lives are quite busy with T. working Monday-Thursday at the University.  Then we leave Thursday afternoon for a Friday-Sunday stay at the coast where I am the interim pastor for a little church. 

We are busy.  And tired.  Not here to complain as many of you are busy as well, but just to let you know we are stretched pretty thin.  One of the reasons that I have not written much here is due to that busyness.  And I have been writing sermons and Bible studies.  It leaves little time for much else. 

Another reason is that since I am “technically” an interim, I thought it unfair to talk much in detail about our life here, as we have not determined if my ministry service would continue after the interim agreement was over.  We agreed to commute and pastor here on Friday-Sunday until July 1, 2012, which now is about three months away.  At that time, or perhaps before, the decision would be made on our part and the pat of the church what the next step would be.  The options seem to be; 1) continue to serve on the weekends and make the commute, 2) move here to the coast and live full-time, or 3) end our time here and stay in our house and go back to the church we were attending.

I believe a decision has been made on our part, unless we get a strong indication from God to the contrary.  Not going to tell you what that is yet, but would like to share some of the events of the past five months.  Some will be numbers, some are successes, and some are requiring me into deep contemplation.

When we started at this church on October 23^rd, these were the numbers as given to us:

Average worship attendance- 40
Average adult Sunday School- 12
Average youth attendance- 3
Average children attendance- 4
Last baptism- 1 in July 2010

As of today:

Average worship attendance- 52
Average adult Sunday School- 21
Average youth attendance- 3 to 4 (about the same
Average children attendance- 8
Baptisms- 4
New members-6
Rededication- 1

Highest attendance- 78 (thanks to a college group having a retreat in the area)

Second highest attendance- 66
Lowest attendance- 45

We have also seen an excitement and eagerness in the members as they have seen growth, not only numerically but spiritually.

Looking at the numbers may seem like a small increase, but when the town is a vacation/retirement type of community of about 752 people, the percentage is significant.

We had a Christmas Eve candle service. My lovely T.  put together one of her best ones to date.  Many of them had never attended such a service.  This Saturday, my wife is also throwing one of her infamous St. Patrick’s Day party.  

So, all in all, it has been a very exciting and positive experience, with good statistics, I might add.  But, it is a traditional church, with traditional thinking.  That, in and of itself, is not necessarily bad, but it can lead to a safe and comfortable feeling, which keeps numerical growth to a minimum.  Change is difficult, but it is necessary.

I have been strategically preaching and teaching about how we, as the church of God, need to reach our community, and take down any “barriers” we have erected that hinders people from coming and desiring to become part of His kingdom.  All “barriers” except for the cross. 

This is a church body that does well when people come to them.  They care for them, truly love them, and try to meet their needs, be it food, shelter, clothing, care, assistance, a ride, prayer, counsel, or direction.  It does, however, lack in the going out in outreach and “invading” the community with the gospel.  This is critical for the life of any church.  And it is commanded.

My deep contemplation comes from an event that happened just one week ago on Saturday.  Right next door to the church building is a business. Ten feet away.  And last Saturday, the owner had determined that life just wasn’t worth living anymore.  Ten feet away.  I have met some owners of various retail businesses, and met with employees, and talked with many a transient, vacationer, and town residents regarding our church, Jesus, and my ministry here. 

But not at that business. Not him. Not just ten feet away.  Ten feet away from a building that houses people who have come into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Ten feet away from Christians, whose purpose here on earth is to love God and love their neighbor.  Ten feet away from people who have the message of good news and hope and life eternal. 

I am so sorry. 

Our church, our churches must be relevant. And for you, look ten feet away.  Who do you see?