Pastor Gary, Cathy and Tim
Posted by Hello

Marketing the Church

Pastoring brings a conglomerate of cundundrums that can beset a church leader. There are calls for compromise of doctrine or polity to placate society and better market the church to the community. There are a variety of sources that help or promote church growth, and many use the stratagem of business models to market church ministries or products. Church marketing is useful, but the pressures placed upon growth of the church and ministries must be weighed by the cost. Not the cost in money, but rather the cost that may come much higher, the cost of compromise through the erosion of doctrine, faith and practice. Churches should be exemplary in their demeanor and conduct within the community they serve, but they can never match the marketing dollars that are inundating our society today. What they are we to do? We are to "market" Jesus Christ on the placards of our hearts and make Him the central focus and therefore the centrist of effective growth, change and discipleship one person at a time.

God's Kingdom work

I am amazed at the working of God in a willing heart. As a pastor, I have a front row seat to watch the growth of those in my church. While some struggle, there are those times when a person just blossoms into a committed and faithful Christian. What a joy those people are. They usually are quiet and dedicated, working with love and peace. I have the privilege of many of these in our church who are growing and stepping out on faith. They are witnessing to co-workers or customers and making possible the opportunity for me to follow up on their efforts and water the seeds they have planted. I see them step out further into the water of commitment motivated out of love for Jesus and faith in Him. What a job! I get to see Christ grow in the hearts of people, and get to be a part of it as well. Sure there are setbacks and disappointments, but the rewards far outweigh the negative distractions. God is so good!

Family

I have spent an enjoyable evening reflecting on how much God has blessed my life. Working in the kitchen, she looks up as I approach and I look into those eyes that had first drawn me. I'm amazed at the fullness of the love I feel when I'm with her. I am awed as I spend time planning on the video for Tim's life video. We had one made for each of our children. It's a time of planning and working together going through the pictures of the past seventeen years. The laughter, the tears and the memories flood my soul and remind me of how good God has been to our family. As we listen to the different background songs for the video, I see the young man that he has become and wonder at what God is going to have for him. I pray that he might remain close to God's heart and look for His direction. I'm proud of him. And as I leave the room, I reflect upon the upcoming wedding for our daughter Mandy, and the good Christian young man, Andy, that God sent to our family to love her and I am again amazed and overwhelmed at his goodness. I contemplate on the honor that Jonathan received at school, and the church that has embraced him and is using him to help him learn the stuff of ministry and bow with fullness of heart and say, Thank you Lord, for all your goodness. Truly I am blessed. And that's just family. What of friends whom God has sent our way, who fill our hearts and become part of our extended family. Truly God is good, and greatly to be praised. May we continue to seek Him and His direction. May His Spirit fill us and cause us to be about the kingdom work for which He has called us to be engaged.

Contemplation

This summer proves to be a busy one with Mandy's wedding upcoming. Cathy and I are so thankful for Andy and his love for our daughter. We received word from Jonathan that he won a scholarship and was recognized at school. Way to go Jonathan! Timothy prepares for his upcoming graduation from High School and is praying and thinking of what's ahead. I reflect upon my life; of goals accomplished and those yet to achieve; of personal and pastoral victories as well as myriad defeats and let downs. I thank God for His abundant grace and goodness. I'm thankful to be in ministry and in partnership with others who are impacting the world with the Gospel of Christ. But most of all, I am thankful for a good and loving wife, my friend and partner and for the children God has blessed our union with. I am proud of their accomplishments and of the men and woman they have become in Christ. Of all the things I've accomplished, being a faithful husband and loving father heads the list. A pastor's family can make or break his ministry. As a matter of fact, Paul makes it clear that the family can be a reason to disqualify a man from serving. I've made plenty of mistakes as husband and father. I've had to seek forgiveness and offer apology more than once. I'm by no means perfect. But I'm grateful and thankful for the family I'm blessed with and will strive to continue to be a loving and faithful husband, father and pastor.