The Reason(s) I Love My Church
June 2014 will mark 7 years that I have been privileged to serve as Pastor at United. I must say that I am enjoying ministry as much now as ever before! I am blessed to serve with a special team of laypersons and ministry staff
We have enjoyed success and have experienced setbacks along the way. However, what has been accomplished at United, by the hard work of many of you, in the past 7 years is amazing.
I have just completed some research of Wesleyan congregations in the states that surround South Carolina. Only 12 churches out of around 240 have reached the milestones that God has allowed United to reach during this span! I say praise His holy name for His care and watch over us.
Now with people working as hard as you do, I have to say that I LOVE MY CHURCH! Here is why I love the church that God has called me to serve:
-1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So eat your meals heartily, not worrying about what others say about you—you’re eating to God’s glory, after all, not to please them.” The Message
At United, you have demonstrated that there are no big "I's" and no little "you's"...At the foot of the cross the ground is level!
2. United demonstrates commitment to Scripture!
-The two greatest commandments in Scripture are: “Love the Lord our God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). Loving God and loving one another are not optional for believers, but rather, they are commands. When God’s people obey these commands, it simply reveals their desire to be faithful to His Word!
3. United gives a great statement to our neighbors!
-One of the greatest things the Church can do is love one another. John 13:35 says, “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” We must remember that people are watching the church! In all that the church does there should be genuine Christian love!
As your pastor, I have heard many times from guests that this IS a church that displays love. Thank you!
4. United tries hard to bring the Body of Christ together!
-Psalm 133:1 says, “How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!”
The members of God's Church should love and submit to one another for the sake of unity.
When selfless love is present, unity is sure to follow!
We also realize that Wesleyan's will not be the only group in heaven. We have great fellowship with our other churches in the neighborhood and want to worship with everyone that loves Jesus!
5. United Wesleyan creates an atmosphere of vibrant and meaningful worship!
-When love and unity are present in the Body of Christ, it definitely makes the corporate worship environment more powerful and substantial. Notice all the times the word “us” is used in the following verses: “O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms…come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our God our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7). The “us” in those verses is the church (The Body of Christ) coming together to truly praise and worship the Lord.
If you want to sing hymns in church we do that. If you want to hear drums and sing contemporary songs, we do that. Most of all we do it in unity!
6. United promotes genuine care and concern among the Body of Christ!
-When you genuinely love someone, you take the time to care for them and minister to them. When true Christian love is present in the church, the Body of Christ will do a good job taking care of one another.
*When the poor needs fed, United is there.
*When prisoners need cared for, United is there
*When kids need nurtured, United is there!
I still shake my head at the faithfulness of many that volunteer and serve without notice or much recognition-THANK YOU!!
7. United fosters church growth!
-People want to be in a place where they are loved! They want to know that no matter what, someone will be present to listen to them, care for them and share the truth of God’s Word with them. When true, biblical love is present, there is a difference in the air of our church. There will be a sense of warmth, grace and Christ’s love that will be attractive to those who visit our church.
I really think that the foundation has been properly built so that now growth will happen more naturally. Many will visit and you will love naturally and it will be noticed-then the word spreads that there is a church at the intersection of Rice and Cedar Rock Church Road that cares about people!!
8. United breeds excitement!
-People should long to come to church! No one wants to attend a church that is lifeless and cold. When love and a healthy sense of pride are present in the church, people will want to be there! Love will breed excitement and joy in the Body of Christ and will encourage people not to miss out on the great things God is doing! After all, the Scripture says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord”. Without a doubt, there should be a certain amount gladness that comes to mind when one thinks about attending their church!
9. United puts the focus where it belongs!
-Without a question, the focus of the church should be on the Lord and other people, not on ourselves! Churches that split, fight and divide, usually can trace one thing to the core of all of their problems…SELFISHNESS! Just like in a marriage, the goal everyday should be to put your spouse above yourself, so in the church, the members should put the Lord first and others second! It is way too easy in the church to focus on all the wrong things: selfish agendas, personal preferences, prideful ideas, etc., when the true focus needs to be on the Lord and His people!
I just wanted to share some thoughts on my mind about OUR church and THEIR church! Thank you for serving, giving and attending in 2013-Let's expect a miracle in 2014!
Thanks for your leadership, and for all the people who make the things you mentioned possible. And, of course, thanks to God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteThank you Martin! We are going to have a wonderful year as we follow His leading
ReplyDelete