I should not preach more often
Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 1:49PM The last time New Year's Day fell on a Sunday, it was an off day. I preached to less than ten people that morning. To make it worse, a delegate from the search committee from a larger church attended that morning to check me out. I talked to him later and he said, "The morning wasn't a complete waste, because I found a good donut shop after church."
One day I'm going to write a book for search committees on what not to say to pastors. I have stories.
As a result of that last experience, I was a little concerned about how things would turn out today. While everyone else was obsessing over Christmas Sunday, I was wondering if anyone would turn up for church this morning.
They did. We sat in a big circle, sang a few songs, and then I asked a question: "How has God been good to you this past year?" Then I threw open the floor. It was, I think, one of the most encouraging gatherings we've had in a long time.
To top it off, after the service two people asked if they could be baptized.
A nice way to start the year.
Tags: New+Year's+Sunday
Reader Comments (8)
Praise be to God that the New Year has started this way!
This is a very cool, refreshing illustration of what church should be like on a regular basis... actual fellowship of the saints - imagine!
Must have been a Starbucks, but imagine my brother coming up second to a cup of coffee and a donut! Oh, the shame of it! You do realize that I would be amiss if I didn't start off the new year by teasing my brother, don't you? Happy New year to you all!
When I was asked to speak yesterday, I figured it was because the turnout would be so low, damage would be minimized. And on the North Coast, drinking is practically a sport on all days ending in "y", so we figured the turnout would be small and hung over. In reality, we had a dozen or more fairly happy people who decided church was a great way to start the New Year off right. We had a great time of prayer and encouragement.
I don't know if I live in the bubble or you do. Christmas Sunday we had over 150 people out and it looked about the same on New Year's Day. We did the same thing on New Year's that Darryl did. We have been doing it for several years now. I invite people to stand and tell how God was good to them in the year just ended. I had a message prepared but never got the chance to deliver it because of people's desire to speak. By far the overwhelming response was "...it was a rough year but God showed His faithfulness and I am glad that this church is here for me...". We then celebrated the Lord's Table and stood around the room and sang "Blessed be the Tie that Binds". Great service. But as I read Darryl's blog it leads me to say that ours was no more holy or worth having just because we had more people to it. Darryl's does not prove more worthwhile just because people asked for baptism afterwards. Both services were worthwhile because God was worshipped, fellowship among the saints took place, people communed with their God. And wouldn't it have been a shame if we had cancelled simply because the celebrations of the culture took presidence over those things? I am so glad Darryl, to read your encouraging report of Sunday. May you know the unexpected blessings of God upon you more and more throughout 2006.
Ken: I stole the idea off you, so thanks. All the best to you in the coming year as well.
you should feel great about yourself now, cause more people showed up this time, a better outcome for you in 2005 than the 2004 outcome...... you should continue preaching cause that is what you do best, besides you are also a pastor aren't you? that is your job, a good one too, not just a friend to me, but a pastor..... don't you ever give up....keep on going! no matter how bad the outcome is......you have to keep on going! my words of wisdom and encouragement to you......
Thanks for your encouragement, May. I meant to refer to the last time New Year's Day was on a Sunday, which was over ten years ago. Glad I didn't repeat that experience.