The Marshall Street Gang part 2
When we as a church look back at our great history it is very exciting to see the positive impacts being made from those precious saints from years gone by. There is however, a great temptation that comes with a long storied history. The temptation is to rest on the legacy of the past and therefore failing to move forward. Probably the best way to say that is that by constantly looking back we will never be able to move forward.
So, how do we move forward from Marshall Street?
Well, it won’t be easy. Moving forward from Marshall Street will require some courage to move into areas we may not be comfortable with. Just try to imagine the fear the Marshall Street Gang must have felt as they dared to venture from the comfort of the old barn to a new facility on the corner of 3rd and Bloom. They must have been worried about how they would pay for it. They must have felt they would look foolish if they failed. They must have been a bit apprehensive about expanding their role in this community. They must have had some people in their group that were very animated about what they shouldn’t be doing. I am sure that moving forward from Marshall Street was not an easy task. But here we are 127 years after their move still ministering in this community from the location they had faith enough to move to!
AS we begin this new era for a very historic congregation we must understand that our feelings about moving forward are not abnormal, nor are they unique to our circumstance. We face the same challenges they faced. We have the same fears and anxieties they had. I am sure we will have some of the same ‘Nay-Sayers’ they must have had. And we, like our beloved Marshall Street Gang, will overcome. We will overcome and move forward because we must. I have a firm belief that the cause of Christ in this community and throughout the world can and will be effected by this congregation. I can see a time in the future of this congregation when we are training the most influential people in Sciotoville. I can envision a time when the top leaders of Scioto County will feel our impact in this area. I can see a time in the future when this congregations contributions will extend beyond the boundaries of this county and this state. I can see a time when this church is held in high regard by people in other parts of the world. I can look out into the future and see us moving forward as a congregation into a place of real impact for God’s Kingdom.
My appeal to you is this: if you cannot see a time in this congregation like the time I just described then jump in and join this leadership team and follow us in making it happen.
…because He still lives, Jason
Comments (0) 04.11.2007. 06:03
The Marshall Street Gang part 1
Anytime you are new to an area it is always good to find out where some of the vital stops in your daily life are. For example you need to know how to get to the grocery store, or schools. It is always a good idea when entering a strange building to find the fire exits and the restrooms, and in order to have a long and happy life you must always be able to find the Giovanni’s (you know the “real important places”). Directions are always a good thing to have in hand, especially if you plan on going somewhere and as a church we need to be going somewhere. For us to get where we are going we will need to know where we have been (so that we can measure how far we go); we will need to know where we want to go (or else we might just go away); and we will need directions on how to get there (this will require dedicated leadership and dedicated sacrifice).
One of the reasons I wanted to do this 140th celebration (which will be a part of our Restoration Celebration November 10-11) is to help provide us with a sense of direction. I believe when we see how to get back to Marshall Street it will help us see how to move forward from Marshall Street.
I think as a church family we need to really focus in on “How to get back to Marshall Street” in a way that helps us focus on the men and women who met in the old barn and had a dream of meeting somewhere else. But I cannot pretend that building a meeting place was their only motivation in moving forward as a congregation. My guess is these men and women wanted to minister to Sciotoville and the surrounding area. I have a feeling their dream was to spread the simple New Testament Gospel to this community and beyond; a gospel that would be free of creeds and dogmas. My guess is those 17 individuals dreamed of a day where everyone could be Christians only. I have a feeling those Marshall Street people would have been very focused on what the scriptures taught and how those same scriptures are the foundation for the church as a group of people whose lives have been changed by their message.
To get back to Marshall Street we need to do more than walk one block east. We need to capture their commitment to the truth of the scriptures and then trust those scriptures to bring about positive change in the current religious climate. After all, that was the battle cry for the Restoration Movement, and it should remain the battle cry for all Christians today.
Getting back to Marshall Street is not a step in the wrong direction, but a necessary step to gauge the effectiveness of the scriptures. In the first century our Lord began with 12 men and then set out to change the entire world. He did just that. It is in that same spirit that the Restoration Movement began. The religious climate of the day was such that needed changing. Men and women from all walks of life began to change their culture and the religious climate by standing on the scriptures alone as their rule and guide. When those who came before us began the work on Marshall Street I am certain they had big dreams to change this community for Jesus. Judging by where we are today I would say they were somewhat successful by making such an impact on the community of Sciotoville. At some point we need to get back to the old barn on Marshall Street so that we can see and feel the passionate spirit that stirred those dear saints of long ago.
Comments (0) 22.10.2007. 06:45
Cathedral Worship
This past Sunday night I was talking about the tendency that man has to
try and get close to God through our “Cathedral Worship.” I think sometimes we
believe the book of James teaches us “that true religion that is undefiled be
God is this: visit the Cathedral and give as much money as you can to building
the new one.” Obviously this is not
true, but sometimes people, especially religious people, will convince
themselves that worship facilities can bring us closer to the one we
worship. A person cannot get any closer
to God than when two or three gather together in Spirit and in truth to worship
our great Father! Jesus said, “Where two
or three people meet together in my name, I am there with them.” (Mt 18:20).
We can’t expect to get any closer than to have Jesus among us as we gather
together. One thing to notice is that Jesus doesn’t specify where they were
meeting! It could be in a house, a temple, cathedral, street corner, or even a
barn like the one this congregation first began meeting at!
When I think of the billions of dollars that has been spent on man
trying his best to build a place of worship that will bring glory and honor to
God I’m almost made sick. I know that buildings are important for ministry. I
know you can make a lot more things happen when people begin to come and feel
at home in the “church” setting. But come on! Let’s do our best to build a life
that brings glory and honor to God! When that begins to happen the “Cathedral
Worship” will stop and the TRUE religion will begin! O, by the way James
actually says this about true religion: JAS
1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and
Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to
keep oneself unstained by the world.
Go practice true religion today!!!!!
…because He still lives,
Jason
Comments (0) 17.07.2007. 08:47