VIEW FROM THE MANSE 2.0

 

“There are a lot of new faces. I don’t know a lot of people’s names.”

“This feels different.”

“Things are not the way they used to be.”

   Whenever I hear any of these statements (or some variation of them), my response is usually, “I know. Isn’t it exciting?”


   In saying this I am not saying that things were bad. Nor am I saying that I didn’t like APC in the past. And change simply for the sake of doing something different is a waste of time. But change may be a sign that God is doing something in us. God is going to grow us into the image of his Son and this will mean change.


   Imagine how topsy turvy the early church must’ve felt. Peter and the other apostles were following Jesus and spending their days and nights learning from him. Then Jesus is crucified and resurrected. He gives them a commission and ascends to His father. Then the Spirit comes.

   

And when the Spirit shows up, things really begin to shift. Peter preaches at Pentecost and thousands are added to their little community of faith. Acts 2 tells us that, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (v47). What an incredible amount of change in a very short time! Jesus is gone and the community has exploded numerically. This must’ve made the disciples head spin. How could they handle this?


   By remembering a few things. First, the Lord is their shepherd (John 10). He is guiding them. He is directing them. He is leading them all the way. Sometimes He leads them to green pastures. Sometimes He leads them through the valley of the shadow of death. But no matter where He leads them, He will never forsake them. Second, the church is the Lord’s. He said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). I am tempted to think about the church as my own. Perhaps you are too. But it isn’t ours, not really. APC belongs to Jesus. He can do with her as He pleases. Fleming Rutledge wrote, "The calling of the church is to place itself where God is already at work." Our calling and hope is to pay attention for the Spirit of God in our midst and ‘get in the way’, so to speak.


   Let’s talk about a few specific changes in our community. Ray Monroe joined our staff a few years ago as our Media Ministry Coordinator. He did a wonderful job and made a number of improvements to our sound system, our website, and our media team. When our church could not meet in person because of covid in 2020, Ray worked hard to improve the experience of those joining us from home.


   But Ray’s work load as Young Life area director has increased in recent years. And he needs to be free to focus on that calling. So, others have stepped up to lighten his load. The session recently approved hiring Matt Randles as our new Media Ministry Coordinator and we are excited for the work that God will do in our midst through his leadership. He has been a faithful volunteer. We are glad for this move. Ida Williams stepped forward with her skills and expertise to help with the website. You can view her work here: argylepresbyterian.church. The session got to take a look at what she has done and we are excited for these updates.          


There are probably other changes that bother you. Maybe there are things you wish would change. We could use your input. Would you consider speaking with an elder? We need a Women’s Ministry Coordinator. Is that you? How might God use you to build his church? And as for those new faces; feel free to introduce yourself.


Bryan Fitzgerald, Pastor

                                                      (bryan@argylepresbyterian.org)

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