THIRD CHURCH VISIT

I arrived ten minutes early in a downpour.  This church had about six guys with large umbrellas running to walk us to the entrance.  The guy that escorted me was very friendly.  Pretty cool idea!  

They are a church that was planted in 2011.  They meet in the fellowship hall of an established church.  The common area was well populated with people visiting and hanging out.

I entered the hall which was set up with about 200 steel chairs.  No bulletin.  ;-)  A countdown indicated that the service would begin in about five minutes.  Several people took up the microphone to make announcements in that interim, but the background music was loud enough that I couldn't hear what they were saying.  

[Remember that I'm hearing impaired.  Much of the morning I struggled to hear.  I've been told that when mikes are set for singing, they're NOT set for speaking.  Also, I suspect that this hall had poor acoustics.  I didn't ask if they had devices for the hearing impaired;  if I go back, I'll ask.]

To their credit, they did begin on time.  I estimate that there were about 120 in the hall at that time.  Within a half-hour, another sixty arrived.  I attribute this to the fact that the congregation was largely young adult.

The worship team included a young man who led with his guitar, a keyboard player who seemed quite skilled and sensitive, and a young lady who sang lead.  .  I wish I could have heard his comments between songs.  They did three or four songs;  I did not know any of them.  From observing others, not many did.  And yet, the congregation seemed eager to worship!  Uplifted hands and moving to the music was obvious across the hall.  

PERSONAL EXCURSION:  I don't understand (probably because I'm an old guy) why so many churches insist on a constant barrage of new worship music?  It deprives the people of the joy of singing in worship.  For many of us, this is an anticipated act of participation.  Think about it:  where else do we sing - the seventh inning stretch?  There are SO MANY great worship songs out there.  Please sing something I know!

There were no masks and there was no attempt to social distance.  We were encouraged at one point to greet our neighbors;  everyone around me shook hands with me.  It was liberating!  The congregation was largely made up of young adults and young couples;  however, other age groups were also represented.  Quite a few staff members participated in the service.

Their web page indicates that their pastor came to Geneva College from Louisiana, married and planted the church.  Although I'm not certain, I think he played a major role in leading the service.  He and his wife sat in the front row and he was quite a cheerleader for all that was happening and obviously enjoys being before his people!  

No offering was received, but before the service ended we were instructed to find receptacles for our offerings as we left.  

Mother's Day was prominently celebrated!  A number of videos were used and the PowerPoint was well run!  [That gets a BRAVO from me because it's so poorly run in most churches!]  

The message was delivered by four young women who sat on stools before us.  Two of them might have been the pastor's daughters.  They each spoke for about ten minutes presenting one point and supporting it with one verse of scripture.

• Be Intentional
• Serve Others
• Be Available
• Love Others

The young women were engaging and passionate in presenting their message.  The pastor followed their message with a prayer including his own message.  During a closing song the congregation was given opportunity to come forward and receive Communion;   a small percentage took advantage of this invitation.  

A young man and young woman came forward and made announcements for several minutes.  I was impressed that one of the announcements had to do with a 'Servolution' in which they were rallying the people to serve the community!  [Servolution is a book written in 2009 by Pastor Dino Rizzo from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  It documents a radical plan to serve others in the name of Christ.]

Much was done right and well here!  It is clearly a dynamic and growing body of believers.  I understand that they are purchasing a former Catholic church on Route 51 and will eventually begin ministering from their own site.  I would expect to see explosive things happen at that point!  

A Family Tradition

When I was young, the church was like a second home to me.  My family was there every Sunday morning for Sunday School and worship;  and again for the Sunday evening service.  Tuesday nights were for CYC (Christian Youth Crusaders).  Wednesday nights were prayer meeting. Twice a year we would have a week-long revival - and we were there every night!  Then there were Board meetings and Trustee meetings and WMS meetings and Missions rallies and District Youth Rallies and District Quarterly Conferences and Youth Camp and Family Camp and Annual conference - you get the idea!

On our way to church on Sundays we stopped to pick up Vint and Mae Baker and transport them to and from church.  My Dad was a class leader for the 'Mercer Road' class.  After class meeting (which was after prayer meeting on Wednesday) he would stop briefly at the homes of the people who had not attended the class.  I remember sitting in the car and waiting for him to return.  Mom was the local leader of the WMS (Women's Missionary Society).  She was also the Cradle Roll Director for a while.  She opened our home to bishops, evangelists, missionaries and other guests constantly.  Our family's 'Guest Album' was a "Who's Who in Free Methodism".  When the church had a work day, we all participated!  I still remember Joe Douglas coaching me on painting the church basement with precision.

It was a family legacy of serving that was concentrated through the life of our local church!  My parents chose to teach by example.  I don't recall ever being taught or encouraged to serve;  we just caught it through their persistent and committed example!

I smiled a few weeks ago when Troy told me he couldn't get together with me because he was working at his church!  Just last week, he told me that he's working on repairing the outside cross on the church!  When we visit Tracie and Jon, we notice that he leaves extra early on Sunday morning to lead the parking team!  Often when we call them, they tell us of time spent working on the church property!

We visited them a couple of weeks ago.  I'm an early riser and was up working on a message for Sunday at Kittanning Free Methodist Church. Our granddaughter, Rylie, (8 years old) is also an early riser.  She snuggled up close to me and started reading what I was typing.  That's when this conversation took place:

RYLIE:  [Almost whispered]  "Poppy, I serve at my church!"

POPPY:  "You do?"

RYLIE:  "Yes.  I asked my Mom if I could serve and she talked to my teacher. Now I serve with the 2 and 3 year olds!"

POPPY:  "Wow, Rylie, that's great!  I'm so proud of you!"  [Big hugs were exchanged.]

I later asked Tracie about Rylie's serving.  She confirmed that Rylie indicated a desire to serve like her Mommy and Daddy.  After speaking with her teacher, the leaders approved Rylie to work once-a-month with the 2&3 year olds.  So, once-a-month, after attending her own Sunday School class, Rylie serves (alongside her Mom) during the next period with the younger children.  Tracie reports that the younger children absolutely love her!

As a church leader for over forty years, I've faced repeated attempts to find people to serve in various roles in the church.  It has, at times, been a discouraging task.  Actually, we're facing this very need at the church I'm currently serving.  I'm hoping for an influx of new people who are eager to contribute to the joy of ministry!

By the way, you're never too old or too young to serve!  Rylie helps prove that!  And don't you dare say, "I've done my time!"  Serving is not a punishment!  Serving is the key to joy!  Serving puts a smile on Jesus' face! Serving puts others first!

And parents:  Don't teach your children to serve - SHOW THEM HOW TO SERVE!  Set an example that will stir their hearts and make them want to do the same!

Take this bread - take this cup

I just returned from leading chapel at 'Grey's Colonial Acres Personal Care Home' outside of Kittanning. This home is run by Ken and Paula Grey, who attend our Free Methodist Church.

There are about twenty residents there - mostly women.  Some are quite capable of holding a conversation and following the line-of-thought in a devotional.  Some are very sleepy.  Others are distracted by their own thoughts.

Three women reside there who (I'm told) were once VERY active in our Kittanning Free Methodist Church: Lawave Trudgen, Opal McManus and Lois Moore.

I'm reminded of a story from years ago when I was a very young pastor at Jeannette, Pennsylvania.  There was a woman in the church named Annie Demaria.  She had served the church through the years in many ways, but primarily as the hostess for any travelling evangelists or other dignitaries who visited the church. She was dearly loved and respected by everyone!

However, during my years there, her physical and mental faculties failed and her family made the tough decision of placing her in a nursing home in Apollo, PA.

I visited her regularly.  However, I often had a hard time finding her for she appointed herself as the unofficial chaplain of the institution.  Daily, she visited others and prayed with them always carrying her Bible as a point of reference.

Lo-and-behold, her condition improved significantly and eventually she was able to return home and to church.  I will never forget her first Sunday morning back!  She stood and reprimanded the congregation for not coming to visit her while she was in the nursing home!  Although she was not mean about it, she was very direct and looked people in the eye as she spoke.  A lot of people were brought face-to-face with their failures that morning!

I lead chapel three times a month - once at each of the Grey's homes.  I have established a rapport with the people and genuinely enjoy my 30-40 minutes with them each month.  They seem to reciprocate with feelings of affection. Unfortunately, I do this ministry alone!  I have invited my congregation to come along to help with the singing, but so far no one has done so.  Sad!  I guess we need another Annie Demaria to show up some Sunday.

Today, for the first time, I served Holy Communion during our chapel.  It had its awkward moments.  Some don't have the motor skills to handle the small cup and the small piece of bread.  Others are not fully aware of what we are doing and why.  Of course, others are very aware and participate with tears and attitudes of gratitude!  The staff (Paula and Caleb) were so helpful and gracious in assisting with this service.

By the way, Jesus was there!  He was loving on His children!  He was so tender and understanding with each one!  You should have seen it!  He didn't mind that grape juice was spilled or that bread crumbs fell to the floor.  He wasn't offended when a couple just didn't understand and refused to participate.  He was so patient and tender with each one!  You know, He's pro-life at both ends of the spectrum!

I was honored to be his minister in this service.  I believe people were encouraged today.  I believe they were given assurance of their salvation!  I believe they genuinely communicated their worship to God.

Paula tells me that they will often pick up my songsheets and sing the songs again for days after our chapel! How cool is that?

Oh, my schedule for this ministry is 1:30 PM:

• 2nd Wednesday - Grey's Colonial Gardens
• 3rd Wednesday - Grey's Colonial Manor
• 4th Wednesday - Grey's Colonial Acres

I'd love to have you come along and help with the singing, share a testimony, read a scripture, or sing (play) a song!  You'd probably be a blessing to the people who reside at these homes;  but to be truthful, you'd probably get the biggest blessing!  :-)

OH NO!!! DON'T CLOSE THAT CHURCH!!!!

Can you imagine a church that was so connected to its community that the community would lament its closing?

Of course, a church that was truly connected to its community would never be closing - I know that!  But just use your imagination.

Imagine a church that was so vital to the community that the community couldn't picture going forward without its influence and participation! 

Imagine a community that came to the church's rescue - just to keep it open and thriving. 

Imagine a church that had made such a difference in its community - such an investment in the community - that the community cried out with one voice:  "Oh no!  You can't close that church!"

REALITY
Of course, this is not the case for the vast majority of churches!  Most communities would never even notice if its churches closed. 

There are exceptions - and I'm grateful for that!  In my most recent community, the Catholic Church was at the center of almost everything the community did.  I believe there would be a community outcry if it was to suddenly be closed by its diocese.

But most churches are self-focused and self-serving.  They make few inroads of service to the community.  They do their own thing and exist for their own members instead of serving the people of the community.  SAD!

SOLUTION
Who can change this?

Is this the pastor's job?  Well. to some extent - Yes, it is! 

Can he do it alone?  Of course not!

The church can only change its focus if the people change their focus!  The church is not an entity - it's PEOPLE!!!  People who serve God's purposes in the world! 

A church that is vital to its community is made up of people who show a genuine interest in their community and serve joyfully in the name of Christ!  This is the kind of church that gives Christ a good name!

AUNT LIZZIE

She wasn't my aunt. 

I was a newly married, first-year student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  I was 21. 

Debbie and I attended the Free Methodist Church in Wilmore where Clyde VanValin (later a bishop) was our pastor.

Pastor Clyde asked us - early on - if we'd provide transportation to and from church for Aunt Lizzie.  She was an invalid, elderly, native woman who had been hit by a car as a young girl - but received no medical care.  She lived in a small wheelchair the rest of her life with twisted and gnarled legs.

Aunt Lizzie loved the Lord, but was dependent on others to get to and from church.  The congregation loved her and cared for her graciously.

She lived at the end of a road that went from macadam to gravel to grass with two tire ruts.  Her house was more like a shanty - very small and very run down.

Because of the rough terrain in her front yard, I would literally pick her up and carry her to the car - then go back to get her wheelchair.  When I did so, she would wrap her arms around my neck and whisper thanks.  She couldn't have weighed a hundred pounds.  She was the lightest burden I ever carried.

Her gratitude was as large as the sky.  Her love for God inspired a whole congregation of highly educated college and seminary professors, future bishops, and know-it-all seminary students. 

She taught a newly married, first-year seminary student some much-needed lessons in humility!

Thanks Aunt Lizzie.  I know you're walking with Jesus today!  Remember me?  I'm one of your students.  Thanks for the lessons!

HAUNTING QUESTION

In reading Darrin Patrick's book, Church Planter, I came across the question:  "Would your city weep if your church did not exist?"

Yikes!  I immediately knew the answer was "No!"  In reality, if FMCC closed its doors, I think there would be a few days of shock and gossip - and then, nothing!

Am I happy about this?  Absolutely not! 

I would hope that in our future we will become a vital resource to our community!  We've made some small beginnings, but it's mostly leaders making the investment.  The congregation still thinks of the church as a clubhouse! 

But leaders lead!  Hopefully, we will see an increased willingness to take ministry to the people instead of hoping they'll come to us! 

In a couple of months we'll be focused on Jesus leaving Heaven to come to earth!  When are we going to get it?  He wants us to follow His example.  We must leave the comfort and joy of the church to go into the world! 

Incarnational ministry!  It's always been what it's all about!

Lord of the Church,
Help us to become indispensable to our community!  Teach us to give ourselves sacrificially - in Your name!
Amen.