The Open Door

Churches can, and do, experience continued growth and development throughout the interim experience. Oftentimes when the pastor of the church announces his resignation there is a sense of impending doom that sweeps over the congregation. "What are we going to do now?" "How are we going to make it without our beloved pastor leading us forward?"

The truth is, change is a constant reality. Pastors and other staff members do resign to accept new positions from time to time. Sometimes the pulpit is vacated as a pastor announces his retirement after many years of faithful service. These should be times of rejoicing in years of faithfulness and also in anticipation of what God will do to bless the future ministry of the church.

Actually, the pews of our churches are packed with talented lay people who often will step forward when a vacancy on the staff occurs to offer their assistance to the church during the interim. Such commitments on the part of the laity enliven the congregation, engender an incredible sense of involvement in the life of the church family and stimulate creative vision for the future growth and development of the church.

The interim should never be considered a time for the congregation to take a "breather." To do so is to go backwards and create a much more difficult situation for the new leadership that will be called by the church.

A week ago, I had the privilege of preaching the Sunday morning and Sunday evening worship services at Byne Memorial Baptist Church in Albany. About two years ago, Byne's pastor, Dr. Michael Gravette, resigned to become the new specialist for Partnership Missions with the Georgia Baptist Convention.

During the course of these two years Byne Memorial has continued to move forward and experience growth. Dr. Terrell Ruis, Ministry Resource Consultant with the Georgia Baptist Convention, is serving as the interim pastor, but the load of administration and providing for the continued development of ministry is carried forward by a talented and long-tenured staff. The staff includes: John Tarrer, Administration, Charlie Brown, Education, Steve Williams, Interim Music, Greg Ware, Youth, Keith Travis, Missions, Ray Bowman, Senior Adults, Linda Baxter, Preschool and Children and an outstanding team of secretaries, school teachers, maintenance and kitchen staff.

As I drove into the church parking lot on Sunday morning, I parked in one of a half dozen remaining parking spaces. I noticed as I was driving in that there was a construction project underway. Before parking I took the opportunity to drive near the project for a closer look. It is a new recreation facility as well as the addition of new education space. I learned later that the construction project exceeds $3 million.

As I walked into the church, people were everywhere and a warm and loving spirit permeated the place. The morning worship service was filled. The worship was lively and moving. Decisions were made at the time of invitation. I pray especially for Jennifer, a nursing student who came forward to say that she wants to make her life and career available to be used by the Lord however and wherever He leads. After the service I spoke with her about medical missions and the need on the international mission field for nurses.

Since this was Super Bowl Sunday, there was a special youth fellowship planned for the youth in the Fellowship Hall. After preaching the Sunday evening service, I joined the approximately one hundred young people for some good food and fun. At halftime I shared with them my testimony of how I came to Christ as Savior and then shared the video testimony of Super Bowl champion quarterback, Kurt Warner. We had a great time of worship together.

As I returned to my motel room for the night I rejoiced over the great day I had experienced with a church family having an outstanding interim experience. They are engaged in a $3 million dollar addition to the church plant. They are doing extensive renovations inside the current buildings. People are being added to the church. The laity are happy and committed to their church.

Oh yes, did I mention that they are giving 10.9% of their unrestricted offerings through the Cooperative Program and sending about 50 persons a year to do short term mission projects across the world? No wonder God is blessing!