Come to Church...Stay in Church

January 28, 2024
 
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius
Recently, while on a road trip, I drove by a couple of beautiful old, country church buildings.  You know the type, all white building, gothic stained-glass windows, and of course, a tall steeple reaching to the sky.  Each church could be a picture post card.  Throw in a little snow, a green Christmas wreath with a little red ribbon hanging on the door of the church, and the picture is beautiful.
 
Once upon a time, these beautiful buildings were the focal point, the gathering place of the community, not only for the worship of Jesus, but also for social events.  On any Sunday morning, you could hear the sound of voices raising the roof as the congregation sang hymns of old, How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, and so many others.  The preacher would walk to the pulpit, every step heard by all, as his heels clacked on the ancient wooden floor.  The building was warm and cozy.  Someone had come in early to stoke coal into the furnace.
 
The preacher would begin to speak.  “Come to Jesus and be saved,” were the words he spoke.  Not much has changed over the years.  The message, though the same, never grows old.
 
But now, today, those beautiful church buildings sit empty, like so many others.  No longer are the saints gathering there to worship and sing praise to Jesus.  The pulpit is empty and dirty from years of neglect.  “Where are all the people?” you ask.  Oh, I forgot to finish the word painting of those beautiful church buildings.  The saints are still there, just in the church cemetery that adjoins the buildings.  Gone to graveyards every one.  That’s where the saints have gone.
 
What is the lesson to be learned?  The saints of old, those still alive, need to share the gospel news of Jesus with the young.  It is they who will carry the torch of the church, not only in their heart, but to the next generation.
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Come to church!  Stay in church!
 
Love in Christ,
Pastor Allan
 
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