For the past 15+ years I have spent my Sunday mornings on stage preaching. Over the past several years I preached three times each and every Sunday morning. The truth is that there are very few things I love to do more than preach the Word of God. But as we go through this time of ministry transition in our lives I have had the wonderful experience of being a "PASTOR in the PEW" for several Sundays in a row. As much as I love preaching and can't wait to get back into that weekly schedule, I have found the last several weeks of being a "PASTOR in the PEW" very refreshing.
We have used the past several weeks to attend churches in the area which are much smaller than what we were accustomed to at Grace Church in Lititz, but which were pastored my men who are friends of mine and who have been a great source of encouragement to me, especially over the last few months:
Four Sundays ago we attended the Palmyra Grace Brethren Church pastored by Dan Travis. Dan is the pastor that I have partnered with for our every other year trips to the Holy Land. Dan's church is growing and extremely lively and friendly. The worship was vibrant and genuine and Dans message that Sunday was exactly what we needed. It was entitled, "When you go through hard times!"
Three Sundays ago we went out to the Myerstown Baptist Church pastored by Jim Bitner. Jim and his wife are also graduates of Liberty (much earlier than my wife and I because they are much older than we are). Jim has become a friend whose encouragement has been more than valuable to me. With the exception of his being a New York Yankee baseball fan, Jim is just the best. His message that morning was a very practical one on the need to learn and develop the spiritual gifts that God has given to us.
Two Sundays ago we travelled north to Pine Grove where we attended the Pine Grove Grace Brethren Church. This church is pastored by one of my closest friends and colleagues in ministry, Rod Finster. Rod was my youth pastor when I was in Osceola, IN. He and his wife Patty were able to take our place on this year's Israel trip - in fact, they are walking where Jesus walked right now! Rod's message that morning was on spiritual warfare from Ephesians 6 and his church was so warm and receptive of us. In fact, Laura played piano for them that week.
Last Sunday we went out to a newer church plant in Hershey. This church is called Living Legacy and is pastored by Larry Snyder, another Liberty graduate. They meet in the Granada Ave gym. My son, Jonathan, met Pastor Larry down at Liberty recently and had an initial conversation with him about a possible internship as worship leader this summer. Since Jonathan was home for fall break last weekend we went out to check out this church plant. The message was a very practical one on the need for us to show godly kindness as David did to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9.
I am not sure what pew I will find myself in this Sunday but I am asking God to use these times being the "PASTOR in the PEW" to make me an even better communicator of His Word as he opens up new and exciting doors of ministry for us in the near future.
We have used the past several weeks to attend churches in the area which are much smaller than what we were accustomed to at Grace Church in Lititz, but which were pastored my men who are friends of mine and who have been a great source of encouragement to me, especially over the last few months:
Four Sundays ago we attended the Palmyra Grace Brethren Church pastored by Dan Travis. Dan is the pastor that I have partnered with for our every other year trips to the Holy Land. Dan's church is growing and extremely lively and friendly. The worship was vibrant and genuine and Dans message that Sunday was exactly what we needed. It was entitled, "When you go through hard times!"
Three Sundays ago we went out to the Myerstown Baptist Church pastored by Jim Bitner. Jim and his wife are also graduates of Liberty (much earlier than my wife and I because they are much older than we are). Jim has become a friend whose encouragement has been more than valuable to me. With the exception of his being a New York Yankee baseball fan, Jim is just the best. His message that morning was a very practical one on the need to learn and develop the spiritual gifts that God has given to us.
Two Sundays ago we travelled north to Pine Grove where we attended the Pine Grove Grace Brethren Church. This church is pastored by one of my closest friends and colleagues in ministry, Rod Finster. Rod was my youth pastor when I was in Osceola, IN. He and his wife Patty were able to take our place on this year's Israel trip - in fact, they are walking where Jesus walked right now! Rod's message that morning was on spiritual warfare from Ephesians 6 and his church was so warm and receptive of us. In fact, Laura played piano for them that week.
Last Sunday we went out to a newer church plant in Hershey. This church is called Living Legacy and is pastored by Larry Snyder, another Liberty graduate. They meet in the Granada Ave gym. My son, Jonathan, met Pastor Larry down at Liberty recently and had an initial conversation with him about a possible internship as worship leader this summer. Since Jonathan was home for fall break last weekend we went out to check out this church plant. The message was a very practical one on the need for us to show godly kindness as David did to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9.
I am not sure what pew I will find myself in this Sunday but I am asking God to use these times being the "PASTOR in the PEW" to make me an even better communicator of His Word as he opens up new and exciting doors of ministry for us in the near future.
Pastor Scott,
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful to see you blogging again. I think so many of us are happy to have an update from you.
We are really hoping you will start up a new church or go to another church in the area. We feel so lost and confused right now. Please keep us up to date.
We are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Heather & Justin
Thanks for the kind words, Heather, and thanks for the wonderful email you sent me as well. Laura and I sure do appreciate the encouragement. Give my love to Justin as well! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI was about to delete my shortcut thinking your blogging days were over... well, here at least. I was surprised to see some more posts--keep it up. Miss your preaching! Maybe you want to consider podcasting sometime?
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me personally and I don't care about that. Your GIFTING is PREACHING and you do it very well! You care enough about people to deliver The Word to us clearly and EMPHATICALLY!
Hi Sheri! Thank you so very much for taking the time to comment and for your very kind and encouraging words. We appreciate greatly yoru thoughts and your prayers. Blessings!
ReplyDelete