Homecoming

This past Sunday our church celebrated Homecoming.  I know that not all churches do that, so I’ll try to explain.  Homecoming is an annual event filled with worship and fellowship.  We sang for a longer period in the worship service, and then we had a pitch-in dinner immediately following worship.  We sent invitations to members who have moved away and also made a concerted effort to invite folks to join us for the day. 

            For our church this year marked our 79th anniversary. Since 1946 folks have been gathering here on the bluff for worship and fellowship.  What a privilege to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us.

            There are two negative tendencies that can hamper a church if they are not careful. The first is to live in the past. Only think about the glory days gone by, and long for their return. The truth is that time goes on, and we will never recapture the glory of those days.

            But the other tendency is to forget the past, and think that we have built the church to where it is on our own.  That is simply false. The book of Hebrews reminds us that we are surrounded by a host of witnesses.  There have been faithful men and women who have gone before us and paved the way for any successes that we may be enjoying.

I have had the privilege of meeting one of the former pastors at Shellman Bluff, my direct predecessor, Harry Coursey and an earlier Pastor, Dempsey Golden. I am thankful for Brother Harry’s friendship. Most of the others who have preached there have passed on to their reward. But they all had a part in preparing the church for the good things that God is doing in our midst today.

            I encourage you not to live in the past.  But don’t forget it either. God has used the past to prepare us for the next steps. And if the Lord tarries, He will use our ministry to help the next generation.  I pray that we will be like Paul and, “fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith.”