October 23rd, 2014

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Celebration

Thursday, October 23rd, 2014

Celebrations are a good thing.

Celebrations of anniversaries are a good thing.

Celebrations of a church anniversary is a good thing.

This Sunday the church I pastor is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Truthfully, it is about 2 weeks late due to Fall Break (which takes a ton of people away) being during the actual day of celebration (the 14th). We made the right decision to hold off our celebration because the past two Sundays saw a lot of folks out of town because Fall Break encompassed them both.

OVCF was started by some people who were tired of church as usual. They wanted to be free to to be free. If something wanted to be tried, try it. If it works, good; if not, admit it and move on, but don’t be afraid to try something new.  Over the past 10 years we have done that a lot. I came here in November of 2005 so just over a year had passed when I became the pastor. We’ve tried to focus on people not programs. We have been through a lot in the ten years, not all of it good, but God has been with us through thick and thin. I’m not going to repeat all of it here. If you are interested (I bet you are waiting with baited breath), you can catch the podcast of the message on the church website after worship this Sunday.

I realize there are plenty of pastors who wouldn’t change places with anyone. I was one who would UNTIL NOW. I told someone the other day one of the reasons I regret getting older is I am so enjoying the ministry now I wish I was younger. But then again, maybe my age is allowing me to sort through some things and figure out what is important and what is not.

I HAVE NEVER ENJOYED A MINISTRY MORE IN MY 40 YEARS THAN I HAVE THIS ONE.

Sunday I get to speak to the greatest people on the planet: the people (besides my own family and some lifelong friends) whom I love more than anyone else.  I have never questioned whether I am to be here nor whether God wanted me to leave. Even though my family lives far away, there is a contentment which comes from knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt you are in the right place, for the right reason, and for the RIGHT PERSON.

Sunday will be special. A crowded facility (we are having one service). I fully anticipate an up-tempo and Christ-honoring worship time. I will be taking a look back at where we have been and then Ryan and I will be talking about the future here and here. I will be presenting the Building Team’s recommendation for expansion, then all of it followed by some of the best eating in the country. Oh yeah!

Thanks for your prayers for me….for us. Lord willing, there will be 10 more years of praising the King in Spencer.