Pastor Appreciation

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. For those of us who attend a church we can sometimes take this person for granted. According to Lifeway Ministries about 250 leave the ministry every month. Around 50 churches close each week in America. The stress of ministry can take its toll on spouses, family and the Shepherd inwardly as well. One survey asked, “What do you struggle with most in ministry?” The answer, “Loneliness.” But they do amazing things serving their flocks and others in the name of Jesus. John B. Lowe II is the Pastor of New Life Church and World Outreach in Warsaw. A dynamo for God, the church he and his wife Debbie have led will celebrate 35 years this Sunday! I thought it would be interesting to ask someone with this much experience, “What are four things your desire from those who attend your church?” He responded with the following. “1. Encounter Jesus in a tangible way. 2. Accept the challenge of not letting anyone out love you. 3. Experience consistent transformation. 4. Give their life away to the world they live in.” To appreciate Pastors the best thing we can do is to put into practice the truths the Lord places on their hearts as they share the Word with us weekly. They don’t want us to focus on them but on Jesus, and love this World as we grow in His grace and mercy. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 says, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” Pray for and support your Pastor. There is a spiritual battle going on all around us and many times they are the casualties. Take a moment to thank them and their family this month. To Pastors John and Debbie and many others in Kosciusko County who selflessly serve, “well done, faithful servants!”

WCC Anniversary

I had given up on Christianity. I just didn’t think it worked for me any more. I had to leave full time ministry in 1990 from The Salvation Army because my marriage was falling apart. I tried to salvage that relationship but went through a divorce. Suddenly I was a single dad taking care of three children. I tried to keep things together on the outside but inwardly I was crushed. It felt like a scarlet letter “D” always hung above me. I contemplated suicide. My family Physician, Dr. Matt Datzman, came to my aid with counseling and care but I really believed God had given up on me. Certainly I was a failure in His eyes. In 1994 a good friend of mine was totally mistreated by a congregation which for me was the final straw. I quit going to church. But loneliness gnawed at my soul. I was working at Cardinal Center at the time and Cookie Wilson talked about this new church her husband Denny and some others had formed at Harrison School. For some reason I felt compelled to visit even though I dreaded seeing this Pastor I admired from afar, sure he would define me by failure as well. I headed to Harrison one Sunday in October and walked into the gym, cartoon characters on the wall, and canvas on the floor with metal chairs. I was used to pews and a more traditional setting. Worship was accompanied by guitar and words were up on a screen, no hymnals. I tried to hide in the back so I could escape. The songs ended and Denny stepped up to the microphone. He just stood there with this forlorn look on his face. Finally he explained how he had been struggling and then said, “I can’t do this anymore.” The silence gripped the room. Suddenly, person after person began lining up and taking turns wrapping their arms around Denny and Cookie who had come up front. I was shocked. I wanted to run out of the building but with tears running down my face I got in line. When I got up to Denny I put my arms around him and wept. I stammered, “I can’t do it anymore either.” We cried together, Cookie and others joining us. That day was the beginning of healing for many. Psalm 51:17 says, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” God loves the broken hearted. I learned that day and continue to be reminded that I am desperately in need of His grace, mercy and leading. Denny was willing to be honest with a simple five word message. We used to sing a song by Micah Stampley that “brokenness is what I need and long for” and then sang in the chorus, “So, take my heart and mold it, Take my mind, transform it, Take my will, conform it, To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord” I humbly look back and thank God for my wife, Sina (Denny performed the ceremony) my family and restoring me back to ministry in The Salvation Army and the community. This Sunday, October 14th, 10 AM at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake, Warsaw Community Church will observe its 25th Anniversary. A celebration of Jesus, the wounded but worthy Savior, who compels his broken but redeemed followers to live His love in this lost and sin sick World.

Two Were Thrown

Two were thrown in the dust of the American stage on Thursday, September 27th. People gathered with stones in their hands, ready to support their side and destroy the other. Kavanaugh and Ford were laid bare before the world, alone to defend themselves. The hurt and pain seen in both of their eyes. Their families and friends devastated. Teeth sharpened for power, not truth. I wonder what Jesus would have done if He walked into the room? I think He would stoop down and begin writing in the grime that floated down from the stink of indignation and accusation. Maybe he would write over 60 million babies killed since 1973? How about women and children treated like meat, only objects for a sex crazed pornographic society? How about the injustice of false witness against your neighbor? How about the lust for power and money instead of servant hearts? These are just a few of the sins of America. Time for everyone to drop our rocks and humble ourselves before the mighty hand and holiness of the Creator. America's only Hope is a moral people who stand for truth, rule of law and care for the downtrodden. God be merciful to me and my fellow Americans, our sin is a stench in His nostrils. One thing I do know, my Lord Jesus would go to both sprawled on the floor of this arena and help them get up. He would tell them how much He loved them and to move on in His grace. He would look around at the crowd and viewers from afar looking and listening for falling stones. May we "Appeal To Heaven" asking God to show us the way in humility before judgement comes. Let us pray for another Great Awakening in these United States!