MySpace?

I didn't realize it then, but our 9th-10th grade Sunday School class was given great freedom.  Since the youth area would be remodeled, we were permitted to graffiti our classroom walls in their remaining months.  Living dangerously for me was drinking expired milk; so the prospect of spray painting my Sunday School classroom was positively exhilarating.

After a few hundred layers of graffiti were applied, we settled in our hip and fume-filled classroom.  We knew the walls would soon tumble, but until that day the space really felt like ours.

Most of us have an area in the building that feels like ours.  Maybe you've served on the kitchen committee since the 90s and the spoon drawer is organized thanks to you.  Perhaps you participated in a bathroom remodel, or purchased a new sound system in memory of a family member.  Maybe the choir room was where you gave your life to Christ.  Maybe you've been meeting in the same Sunday School classroom for forty years, and you've weathered illness, marriage, heartbreak, and celebration together.  These spaces feel like yours, and oftentimes for very meaningful reasons.

I am guilty of saying the building is just a building, but I'm not sure just is the right word.  The church is the body of Christ (the people!); however relationships, table fellowship, conversation, and celebration often occur under the roofs of these buildings.  When I return to my childhood church I peek in some of the classrooms. I see Mrs. Duvall teaching me to write the books of the Bible on tongue depressors.  I see Mrs. Jackson passing out GA books and leading us to pray for missionaries all over the world. 

I'm not so sure the building is just a building.

What makes the building more than a building are the relationships it holds between its walls.  Unfortunately, conflict can arise when love of walls eclipse love of relationships.  And if we aren't careful, obsession with walls can lead us to commandeer rooms as my space.  And when space becomes mine, we hold it with a death grip. 

If a growing senior adult class needs a larger space in which to meet, another class will need to offer their space.  This is all easier said than done.  We all have opinions how space is best maintained, managed, and organized; but if we can agree love of relationships eclipses love of walls a healthy foundation will be laid. 

In the end, these buildings are not my space.  They're not your space.  They're not even our space.  They're God's space.  Here's hoping we are good stewards of God's space together.

Our

Last Sunday many of our folks enjoyed sharing lunch together. During the meal, a longtime church member smiled at a new mother and her baby.  "He is OUR baby," he said.  Then we all smiled.

This morning we prayed for our missionaries, Don and Susan.  After retiring from the pastorate the Moores joined Scottsville Baptist, but it wasn't long before they heard God calling them to St. David RV Resort in Arizona.  At the resort, Don leads worship services and Bible Studies. He also visits and offers pastoral care.  The Moores are in Arizona for 6 months and then return to Virginia.

Bubbles designed this wondrous table display.
I love the high end RVs (all Mercedes) and outhouse with seating for two.  

This afternoon we shared a time of fellowship at our parsonage. Visitors, longtime church members, friends of children, and others stopped by.  We had fun!  See pictures for proof.

Kind Hallie was willing to pose with the "turkey leg"

The spread!  Thanks to so many folks for contributing yummy treats!

Our generations.

Having a good time!

Enjoying snacks!

Our:  Three little letters.  One big meaning.

I'm grateful for Scottsville Baptist Church.

A Found Treasure

As I was searching the parsonage high and low for a children's message idea, I found a Bible Story Book my parents gave me as an eight year-old. Here's the note on the inside cover:

What a gift.  

Thanks Mom and Dad for encouraging independent reading, study of the Bible, and love of God.

Happy Birthday Dad.

A few weeks ago we hosted the Presbyterians and Methodists for a combined Thanksgiving worship service and I asked our folks to park at the library to make room for others.  This made me think of my dad, circa 1990s.

Almost every Sunday Dad ignored the legion of open parking spots closest to the entrance at church.  He followed this up by ignoring spots at the most far away lot until he reached the very last space; that is where the McKowns parked.  I didn't realize it as a girl, but my dad was often looking for ways to make room for others.  This subtle kindness left a mark on me.

My dad serves in lots of ways--most of which he wouldn't want you to know. I like that about him.

He doesn't clamor for applause either.  Mike McKown does good things because he is a good man.  He is also unflinchingly fair, which is a rare and needed gift in our world.  I like that too.

Tomorrow is this special fellow's birthday (and it's a big one!), and I am so glad to be his daughter.  Happy Birthday Dad!

Dad & Katie went to the Holy Land this year.  Here he is having a wondrous time.
Give him lots of hugs today.  He loves hugs. (wink)

Sunday Night, Preacher's Delight!

One of the world's best pastors, Bill Smith, taught me this fun proverb: Sunday Night, Preacher's Delight!  I am feelin' it today, friends.

There is a air of vibrancy at Scottsville Baptist Church.  The Holy Spirit is moving.  On some Sundays it's like a thousand lightning bugs were let loose in the sanctuary and we're running around trying to catch all the joy.  Today was like that. (I made about 14 jokes.  Thanks for laughing at 12 of them.)  Sunday Night, Preacher's Delight!

This afternoon our Sunday School class visited a local nursing home. Susan organized the day so well.  We shared cookies, visited folks' rooms, sang carols, played bingo, and gave away lots of fun door prizes.  We laughed and we shed some tears too.  Lots of folks are missing spouses and loved ones.  We thanked veterans, and listened to stories.  It was a gift.

The residents enjoyed bingo!

We enjoyed Starbucks.

I love seeing church members thrive in ministry.  I love seeing the church worshipping with gladness, meeting needs, and being the presence of Christ to one another.

Sunday Night, Preacher's Delight indeed.

What Makes Your Heart Sing?

Watching church members thrive in ministry makes my heart sing.  This is a true gift of pastoral ministry.  When folks are engaging spiritual gifts and living like Jesus, it is a privilege to be part.

This week the Spirit has been singing at Scottsville Baptist, and I love it. There is a sense of vibrancy in our community.  Just this week church members have:

Prepared homemade soup & casserole for table fellowship with those visiting our clothing closet

Brainstormed new ideas in committee meetings

Practiced anthems for Thanksgiving worship with Presbyterian & Methodist brethren and sistren

Bought healthy foods (50 pounds of oats, 50 pounds of rice, fruit, etc.) for our pantry

Emailed visitors

Prepared Thanksgiving meals for those in need

Donated and processed deer, which was then shared with folks visiting the food pantry

Helped me at the parsonage

Organized a Sunday School mission outing to a nursing home in Charlottesville (in lieu of a party)

Made Chrismons

Prepared meals for new parents in our congregation 

Given pastoral care

Designed a welcome sign

A hundred other things of which I'm not aware

The best part is many of these things were led by church members (not the pastor)!  I am grateful for willing, excited leaders.  These are folks taking initiative and serving the Lord with gusto and gladness.

It's a joy to be part of this.

Thanks Alex for the welcome sign!  My personality is adequately captured!

Thanksgiving baskets assembled by the Gaines family!

We're Having Fun.

I've been pastor of Scottsville Baptist for two years.  When people ask how things are going, these words fly out of my mouth:  "We're having fun!"  And by that I don't mean we're running an entertainment business or Christian themed water park.  I mean God's-grace-is-in-this-place kind of fun.

On Wednesday a few of us went to a Saint John's Bible presentation at Bybee's Road Baptist Church.  We learned and ate at a Yelp-rated restaurant and I over-trusted the GPS.  Joan said "This is an adventure!" 

We're having fun.

On Saturday the deacons gathered from 9a to 3p to pray, brainstorm, and plan for the upcoming year.  The deacon chair and her husband arrived forty minutes early in case I might need help.  I did.  Deacon ministry is important and serious, but we laughed some too.  

We're having fun. 

During Sunday School yesterday I was told "Dressing a buck is not your spiritual gift." This is true.  

We're having fun.

In October we had the privilege of commissioning the Moores, two of our newest members, to seasonal ministry at St. David RV Resort in Arizona.  Yesterday was their first worship service and guess what?  Eleven people showed up!  They were ecstatic. We are too.  

First Bible Study!

We're having fun.

Yesterday afternoon Matt Earman treated our kiddos and the Methodist kiddos to a hayride on the farm where he works.  We met goats, horses, cows, and tried to be quiet enough to make friends with catfish.  We feasted on pigs-in-blankets for lunch. 

We're having fun.

During the welcome and announcement time yesterday, the church gave me a generous anniversary gift.  Phillip threatened to change the bylaws so I could never leave.  The people have encouraged me, prayed for me, and eagerly walked alongside me.  

We're having fun.  I'm grateful.