In August, we planted seeds.  We placed 135 Homecoming Sunday invitations in our bulletin one Sunday.  Most were taken that Sunday.  By the time Homecoming Sunday came, 125 had gone out.  What happened to those
invitations is anyone's guess.  The charge was to take them home; use them as a reminder to pray for our congregation; and, like a talent, ask God what to do with them.  People could use the invitations as a reminder to themselves; invite a new neighbor or friend to worship with us; or, encourage someone we hadn't seen for a while to return home.

Many in our congregation seemed to take the opportunity to heart.  Some folks talked to me about people they were going to invite.  Between the two of us, Margie and I invited five couples.  While I wish I could encourage more of our folks to take advantage of such an opportunity for evangelism, I think this was probably our best effort in inviting folks to worship.  We had about 180 to 185 in worship, not our best Homecoming Sunday attendance or our worst, but certainly much better than most of the Sundays this summer.

Although we had only a couple of first time visitors, including a couple from Arkansas, who were visiting family in Kalona, IA, we had many people, who I hadn't seen for a while.  Their presence was one of the high points of the morning.  The wonderful support we had in preparing for the day, and
cleaning up as well, was another.  The great turnout we had for the All
Church Picnic was yet another high point.  In many way, our prayers were answered.  We have much to celebrate in our life together, and we did.

But what of all those people we invited, who didn't come? (Margie and I were 0 for 10!)  What of all those in our congregation who didn't take an invitation or chose not to pray for our life together these past few weeks? What of all those people who still do not see the future of our congregation is tied to their willingness to do evangelism?

We could easily become discouraged.  We have a long row to hoe and the
ground is not as fertile as it was generations ago, when most Presbyterian
churches prospered.  Be this as it may, we must remember.  Our calling is
not always to harvest fruit. Sometimes we are called to plant seeds.  If I
have learned nothing else in ministry, I have learned that God is usually
working in places and people I least expect.  We never know what fruit may come from the seeds we plant, even those that lay dormant for a while.

As I look out upon our congregation on most Sundays, most of our folks are steadfast and faithful.  They don't draw much attention to themselves.  Yet, they are here, week in and week out, in times of sorrow and times of joy,
caring for each others; supporting the ministry of our congregation; and,
offering their lives to God.  They are the good fruit of seeds planted long
ago.  As I looked out upon our congregation on Homecoming Sunday, I saw a handful of families, maybe half a dozen, whose lives have been dramatically changed because of the presence of Jesus Christ in our life together.  This is an extraordinary blessing that is easily overlooked amidst the daily routine of trying to keep our ministry moving forward.  Their presence is also a reminder of how important it is for us to keep planting seeds.  We
may enjoy the fruit of our labors.  We may not.  But it is no less a
privilege to sow the seeds of God's love in Jesus Christ.  We see this every day in our life together.

 

See you in church!

Pastor Myers
revhaggis1@hotmail.com