One of the challenges of a convention like this is not to feel spiritually inferior. You hear stories of miracles, stories from huge church pastors (both Ed Young and Rick Warren are here, with about 20,000 in their churches every Sunday), incredible messages, and ministries which are incredible. You meet pastors who are light years ahead of you in their thinking, accomplishments, and churches.
I guess I seem more confident than I am. These conventions do make me feel inferior, and insignificant at times. But God reminds me that I need to just be faithful to what He has called me to, and not to compare myself to others.
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Pastor, you should NEVER feel inferior. I can tell you, as one who has been both inside your church and one who has been on the outside looking in, that NOTHING God does is little. And God has done incredible things through you and your church to change people and mold them into the image of Christ.
ReplyDeleteTake a look around. You know who I'm talking about, the people in our church who once were lost but now are found. Watch the cardboard testimony video on YouTube. What we are doing works because it is nothing but the inspired word of God, pure and simple.
The bottom line is not the size of your sanctuary, or the cool and different ministries, or the individual accomplishments of the pastors. It is how you bring the Gospel into people's lives to change them, to lead them, and to train them to lead others. And from where I sit, we are five-star when it comes to fulfilling God's purpose for His church and His people.
Ken, you are just as good as anyone you may have met at General Council. Your passion for the lost and your loyalty to the Word is what matters, and you are tops.
Ken:
ReplyDeleteAmen to Joe's comment. You and Louise have dedicated your lives to doing a work of God in Monmouth County. I know that you are (1) piling up treasures in heaven and (2) piling up salvations and changed/healed lives (part of the treasures!), both of which are not visible in the here and now.
Not everyone can be a Rick Warren or a Billy Graham, and praise God for that. We need accessible, local churches with people that we know on a first name basis to fellowship and grow with. MWC provides that in spades.
Brad
Just to expand on the importance of a local church that has a manageable size, about 20 years ago my wife and I went to a large, famous church in midtown Manhattan for about six months. The pastor was quite famous in Christian circles as an author and prophet. There were about 3000 people attending that church at that time.
ReplyDeleteIn the six months that we attended, nobody ever came up to us and greeted us or introduced themselves. We already knew one couple there, who were the only people who talked to us.
That church had size, fame and a prominent pastor. As far as I am concerned, it was lacking in any opportunity for personal growth or fellowship - it was more of a meeting hall.
I love MWC because people connect on a one-to-one level and share their needs with one another, and confess their sins to one another. That must never be lost.
Keep up the great work,
Brad