04/19/2021
Amen Bishop Tim Hill!
The VITAL Initiative is changing the way the Church of God thinks about small churches!
Why I Enjoy Sunday Church Visits
Since the beginning of 2021, for one half of my Sunday appointments, I have been blessed to be with churches of less than eighty congregants in attendance. Several of them actually were attended by less than fifty and I have thoroughly enjoyed being with all of them. I’ve met some pastors and families with some of the most amazing life stories I’ve ever heard.
Recently, I was with a pastor that worked at Ground Zero as part of the emergency recovery teams 3 days after the New York City Twin Towers tragically fell on 9/11. His wife was working right there with with him. Rescuing, caring, providing food and overall ministry to first responders. One day they were within a few feet of then President, George W. Bush. In past years this pastor has served numerous dignitaries and celebrities as a security guard. Most interestingly, the pastor’s wife has served as a key administrator and employee at the Austria Zoo as well as the famous San Diego Zoo. In the last few years, God has used this couple to help reinvigorate a church that’s over eighty years old and now growing again as they provide a thriving benevolence outreach to their community and preach the love of Jesus to hurting people in their small town.
Not long ago, I was at another church out of which the Lord has raised up more than 20 (twenty) pastors, missionaries, music ministers, pastors companions and on and on it goes. The morning I was there, I may have spoken to 35 people. People of heritage, dedication and love for the harvest and may I say, the Church of God. They sing songs from the Hymnal and teach out of the Evangelical Sunday School Commentary provided by Church of God Publications.
Most recently, I spent my Sunday with a Pastor and his precious family who left me feeling that I had made a lifelong brother and friend. First of all we had a great service. It sort of reminded me of my old home church near Ft. Worth when Dad would take prayer requests and make the weekly announcements.
In this case, it was the announcements that got my attention. Remember, this was another church of less than 80 folks. Every announcement had to do with something the church was doing in the community to reach other people beside those who regularly attend their services. Youth, children, schools, nursing homes, and more and I emphasize “more”. I was impressed at their community outreach.
This church, as all the others I’ve been to recently was immaculate. The building is almost 70 years old but looks brand new. Every building on the campus had a similar attractive appearance. I heard about their rich history and recalled the names of former pastors that I had only heard of but never met. Faithful men and women now in Heaven. I met their sons and daughters who remained as church members after their parents had retired from pastoral ministry. Such tremendous loyalty and faithfulness to God and the Church.
My favorite part of this particular day was the afternoon tour and lunch with the pastor, his family and about 25 folks from the church. Their stories, testimonies and even the laughter reminded me of how great the people of the Church of God really are.
The pastor and his wife have married children, their eldest is about 28. Then about five years ago, they adopted a beautiful little girl when she was only one year old. A beautiful child with the hope of a good life because a ministry couple cared and loved. God has blessed this pastor with a landscaping business and from what I saw, he and his team of employees are amazing at their craft. By his own testimony, he feels that God has blessed him in a great way and he is able to give back to the church and to the work of the Lord.
I felt energized when I left them. Truthfully, I usually do. When I witness the passion, recognize the calling, and observe the gifts of men and women across the Church of God, it never ceases to amaze me. Our denomination is truly a tapestry of multi-gifted people with amazing backgrounds and work ethic that God integrates into their current calling. It reminds me of growing up and watching my own father before I could fully comprehend all that it really took to have the cares of the church constantly on his shoulders and in his heart. While at the same time he delivered mail or drove a school bus or painted houses to provide for our family.
These visits remind me of my first church and how having 80 people on a good day was special. It reminds me of what it took to make it work and operate with effectiveness. Admittedly, those 80 people deserved better than what they got from me at that time in my life. Yet, they endured and we didn’t kill each other. They taught me, loved me and to the best of their ability, blessed me at every turn. Just as thousands of similar churches are doing today throughout the Church of God, they made an impact in their community.
Tonight on my flight home, I can’t help but celebrate these pastors and these congregations. Churches of all sizes and composition have a glorious place
to fill in God’s Kingdom and in Finishing the Great Commission.
