PASTOR’S CORNER, Chuck Scroggs, Central Christian Church, Liberal
I grew a year older this week and I wasn’t looking forward to it! I remember as a child saying I was something plus 6 months! It was so important back then to project that you were getting older! Not anymore. Just let me quietly age and move on.
Age does have its benefits – you’ve lived and learned a lot of things, things you can share with younger folks so they don’t make all the mistakes in life. That is, if they listen. If you have lived a Christian life and walked with the Lord for many years you have insights into things that many don’t have. Young Christians need a lot of patience and unfortunately, many church folks don’t have it! I needed so much grace and understanding when I started my walk with Jesus. I was so glad I had a few who came alongside me and helped point the way for me to go. And when I messed up, there was no harsh judgement, just love and understanding. And along with that, I was told where I went wrong and how to get back on track. I wish our churches were full of people like that.
Many of our fellowships in Liberal are aging quickly. I remember one pastor telling his board they would all be gone in 20 years and what were they going to do about it? I checked in with that church this year, and it’s been 20 years plus since he gave that admonition! Yes every one of them is gone now but they have a vibrant church of over 200 today and with many young people and children. Someone took him seriously.
It takes someone with a vision. You know the Bible says without a vision we will die “Perish” is the word King James uses. I want to challenge myself and whoever reads this Pastors Corner to begin to pray how your church and mine can begin to gather in more young people, so we won’t someday have to close our doors! Success without successors is failure and I don’t want to fail the Lord!
I am 72 years old this week and I hope I can be here to see the start of the next move of God in my church and yours! Let’s stick together for His Kingdom!
