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
04.11.2007. 06:03
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