after 90 years, we're going out of business AS USUAL

hello elders, deacons, and casual reader
just a note to all those who've read the blog in the past, i'm resuming the blog as a means of ongoing dialogue for our leaders on ministry meaning and methods. BUT You're Invited, too--feel free to read and respond as you desire--your thougths and insights can only enrich the discussion and broaden our own perspectives

okay, back to the title. as 6th Ave has heard me say, we're entering our 90th year of ministry on the same piece of property in Decatur, AL. i've spent a little time researching the histories of the church and Church of God in Alabama in thinking about this. several years ago, Mireta Sharp wrote down the history and it is still our best document about our beginnings. the ministry actually began after the Austinville Ch'o'G, and met in a social club on 2nd Avenue in 1917. the church was strategically begun in Decatur to minister to the common families who were only able to walk, having no horses or carriages. at times the group met in other places too, including one corner of 11th St. and 6th Avenue. the property was purchased in 1918--still searching for the exact date (i believe the deed for the original 2 acres is in the safe) -- and a simple cinder block sanctuary was built. soon after an education wing was built behind the building (i beileve this is the nursery, office, and old southern end of the upstairs). the old sanctuary was torn down when the new, present sanctuary was built in the 1950's. as i understand it, Rev. Crim was the one who did a lot of the interior design work in the 1960's to help the building look more like a sanctuary than a barn. as a few of you know, the present education wing was built in the 1980's.

so why the history lesson?

i once heard pastor/teacher Rev. Arlo Newell say this at an Anderson Campmeeting service, "we study history so we can live in the present and prepare for the future."

i've been thinking not just about where we've come from, but where we are, and where we're going. the history of our church has been one with change, risk and sacrifice. and so is our present a time of change, risk, and sacrifice -- i venture to say, so will our future be filled with change, risk, and sacrifice.

as i've thought about our present and future, i've also been challenged by the changing values and thoughts of our society. i'm convinced, in the spirit of our history, that we have to cease from "business as usual" if we're going to see the next ten years of ministry. here's some examples :

the Ch'o'G leaders brought a curiously new perspective to the understanding of Christian faith and practice to North Alabama in the 1890's--the meetings that resulted saw many drawn to the emphasis of salvation and unity and the practice of holiness. but in today's world, there's a growing distrust and unfamiliarity toward the church and Christianity in general. we need to work at our sincere relationships with those outside the faith and church--through theses relationships, we may earn the trust and opportunities to share the Gospel through our testimonies and examples of holiness (not just merely abstaining from "evil" but also embracing the activity of Christ)

how and where we communicate needs to enable sincere exchange and relationship building as well. Rev. Crim understood that the changing culture required a change to the simple "barn" sanctuary the church had. Could it be that our changing culture and need to interact more relationally is calling for an interior design change as well? moving from pews to chairs (that can be easily rearranged), and a change of lighting in our sanctuary (that can be dimmed or less obtrusive to our viewing) may be steps toward helping this dynamic.

continuing to embrace new mediums of teaching. while reviewing some of Lee Billions' papers on the church, i found an invitation leaflet from the 1950's that listed Sunday School after the worship service (apparently, it's not necessarily "traditional" to have Sunday School before Worship). I believe reverting back to this process could be one step toward a more inclusive fellowship, in which those who are new to the church could more easily become acquainted and a part of a small group. you may have noticed that i've been listing "S.S. groups" on the bulletin--i think moving to facilitated groups incorporate Bible "Study" and personal, applied "Sharing" will further enable connection among our growing church family

continuing to embrace new mediums of worship. while searching for church history documents, i've discovered several chorus booklets, including "sacred choruses" a nicely printed pamphlet with a picture of the church from (i'm guessing) 1960's on the cover. the hymns are great and will continue to be great, but the Lord delights when His children offer a new song in Spirit and in truth

the common families around us have much more than the families of 1918, but we're coming to learn that many around us still need transportation to church. thinking about a transportation ministry is long overdue

there's more that could be visioned and shared, but the article above is long enough for now. leave your thoughts, your questions, your experiences, hopes or dreams--feel free to answer any of the following questions or add your own:

do you see that some of these changes i think we face are not altogether new, but sometimes a return to what has been?

what are some of the changes you think we may need to make?

what obstacles do we need to address in looking ahead?

what sacrifices need to be made?


BOARD OF ELDERS meeting on Saturday, February 9, 8:30 am, at the church
<><