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The Sunday after Easter |
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
Rev. John C. Blackford
Religion Columnist
As a pastor, the writer rejoiced with the congregation over large turnouts on special days, such as Christmas and Easter, in the church year.
However, on the Sunday afterward there was a letdown because of smaller attendance, and it affected everyone, especially those in places of leadership.
As much as possible, this pastor planned special events for post-Christmas and post-Easter Sundays in order to boost attendance and bolster morale.
Earlier in the writer’s ministry he served a small church in a community southeast of the Twin Cities.
In the third or fourth year, there was large attendance at Christmas, including “Gus” and his wife and daughters. His family were active in the life of the church, but Gus was what we term a “C and E Christian,” “Christmas and Easter.”
Like many others, he was friendly to the church, but showed little interest in its ongoing ministry, being content with his family’s involvement.
Then, on the Sunday following Christmas, there was Gus in church with his family! Their joy in having Dad with them matched the pastor’s surprise in seeing him. One could only wonder, “What is happening?”
The next Sunday, there was Gus again, with his family. We realized God had found a receptive heart and mind.
The community was growing, and the congregation was becoming larger, as well. The little white-framed building which had been its home for the better part of a century became inadequate. A building committee was formed to consider an addition, or perhaps to plan for a new site and edifice. Gus was interested, but had never joined the church, and was not eligible to serve on the committee.
Gus had come from another state as a teenager. He did not finish high school, and was married at a young age. He was employed at a local manufacturing company, and his responsibilities at home and work seemed to preclude involvement in church and other community activities. However, after attending church regularly, he began to look for a place to serve. He became interested in the work of the building committee.
Recognizing his interest and leadership potential, there was talk of his chairing the new committee. However, only a church member could hold this position. One evening he and I were in the sanctuary talking about this embarrassing dilemma. He told me, “I want to join the church right now!”
With just the two of us there, but sensing God’s presence, he confessed his faith in Christ as Savior and Lord, took the vows of membership, and was received into the church. (This was a new experience for both the pastor and Gus!).
Shortly afterward he was elected chairman of the building committee. Plans for an addition were shelved when, not long afterward, a fine parcel of land in a growing part of the city was offered to us as a gift. In spite of some problems with securing a loan to finance our project, we finally were able to resolve the challenge.
Believing the Lord was in all of this process and that he would continue to guide, the congregation made plans for a ground-breaking ceremony, and soon construction was begun.
On the day their church was open for worship, congregants shared many joyful recollections of the days of planning and construction. There were some who thought of that Sunday after Christmas that Gus was in church, and how it changed his life, the life of his family, and the future of his fellow worshippers.
Next Sunday is the Sunday after Easter. There are readers out there who were in church last Sunday, who can be a “Gus” in their congregation, if they will begin to attend regularly and let God lead them.
They need the church, and the church needs them, and no one can predict the blessings and benefits that may come when they give God a chance.
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