One day I was watching TV and the best thing on the entire list of channels was...The Andy Griffith Show. We all love some Opie, Andy and Barney, don't we? The episode that was playing was one of my favorites. It started out in church. The pastor was going on and on about the fast pace of life and how busy everybody is. We run around doing this and that, never stopping to connect and live with other people. He called the congregation to return to the "simpler times" and the "good ol' days" when people weren't so caught up in rushing around and trying to keep up with the times.

 

Well, the rest of the episode was about how busy people became trying to be simple and unrushed. They tried to put a band concert together and a picnic and all these other activities to enjoy their Sunday. The show ended with everyone sitting on the porch, exhausted from trying to live the simple life.

 

What I thought was funny was how many times during this episode people talked about "the good ol' days." That black and white episode was filmed in 1964. Think about this--if 1964 Mayberry isn't the "good ol' days," then I don't know what is!! But it seems like whenever you live, "the good ol' days" are times other than when you currently live. We always think previous generations were simpler and easier.

 

I've been reading reports from our former District Superintendents from the birth of our district. I began in the 1940's, moved through the '50's and the '60's. It's been absolutely fascinating! I've learned a lot about the hopes and dreams of this district and the priorities and sacrifices. I've read about challenges and heartaches.

 

There are times we look backwards and think it was so much easier back then. I don't think they thought it was that way. In fact, I sense the struggles and confusion they experienced of how to effectively take the Gospel of Jesus to a culture that was shifting and evolving. In other words, things weren't as different 70 years ago as we might think. Let me throw out a few observations:

 

--Every day has its problems and challenges. Nearly every year's reports discuss these same three issues, "men, money and facilities." We need "men" (in other words, pastors. Seventy years ago 'men' was seen as more inclusive. East Ohio has always had a heritage of females in leadership). We need good pastors who preach, live out holiness, lead and evangelize.

 

There were never enough finances to do everything that needed done. And buildings were always an issue. "The good ol' days" had problems...many of the same problems we have.

 

The 1st century church had problems. John Wesley's generation had problems. So did Phineas Bresee. Our grandparents had problems and we do also. We can romanticize our past to the point that we think ministry was easy back then but unbelievably difficult now. Ministry has always been hard. Evangelism has always been difficult. There has never been a day that making disciples was easy and there won't be a day in the future it gets any easier. Every day and time has its problems.

 

--People have always been busy. I read the reports of the former DS's and it amazes me how busy they were. Did these people ever sleep? Most years they drove over 30,000 miles, visited nearly 100 churches, preached a couple of hundred times, held countless board and committee meetings, and sent a few thousand letters. I think of road conditions, types of cars, lack of communication tools and I am amazed at how much they accomplished.

 

The same goes for pastors and churches. They were busy. The amount of activity and accomplishments is staggering. The yearly reports also speak over and over at the busyness of society. I do believe that people have more options on how to spend their time today, but I don't think it's true that people are busier.

 

--Previous generations had fewer "sacred cows." As I read these reports, the people were united over one thing--Reach People for Jesus! They wanted to be innovative, creative, out of the box and whatever it took. They embraced change and new ideas as long as it pointed towards people getting saved.

 

We seem to be way more concerned about preserving a past that previous generations never intended to keep. Instead of being proud of us for keeping certain traditions alive, I think our district forefathers would scold us for not being more innovative.

 

I know the thing to say is that ministry has never been more difficult. It's never been more complex and it's never been so fast paced. But the reality is, it's always been hard...it's always been challenging and there have always been obstacles. But the good news is that God has always been bigger than our problems and always will be. Hard work and dependence on God are always a good combination. Change and innovation never go out of style.

 

These are just a few thoughts from reports that came from decades ago. I'll share more another time. Be encouraged because God always has the answer for the challenges of the day.

 

Blessings,

Dave Lutz

 

Ministers' Choir Practice - Sunday June 12, 2016 at Canton First - 5:30 p.m. in the choir loft.

Ordination Service - Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Canton First - 6:00 p.m.

 





























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Available:  

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Dear Pastors and Leaders, PALCON is created with you in mind. It is shaped by the reality of the transforming power of the gospel and by a commitment to create time and space for connecting with colleagues in ministry who understand the opportunities and realities of ministry.      

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EO District NMI Education Coordinator

Click HERE for PDF versions of the NMI missions books.

 
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This information is also posted on the East Ohio District website - www.eastohionaz.org.

Thank you,

 

• Thursday

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Canaan Acres WEBSITE is back!  New design, helpful information, online contributions, interactive photo gallery, videos, contact information, printable brochure, camp map and more!

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