Pulpit Power - Page 6 of 13

CHAPTER FIVE

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 10:35 a.m.

Spirited praise and worship time over, tithes and offerings collected, announcements made, Superintendent Johnston invited Terry Maclin to the pulpit after a glowing introduction. Mac was wearing his favorite suit, a dark gray, matched with a soft gray shirt and contrasted with a bright blue tie. Mac was not surprised at his nervousness though his audience was half what he was used to, having years ago accepted butterflies as a reality of pulpit ministry. He asked the superintendent to pray a blessing on his message, and during that lengthy prayer his thoughts were with the plumber who was at this moment about to give his first sermon under adverse circumstances. If I’m nervous how scared he must be! Mac empathized. And he carried to the pulpit a concern for his congregation back home. The words of exhortation from the superintendent’s sermon on Friday replayed in his mind last night before finally falling asleep. “Never surrender the pulpit to anyone without a strong sense the speaker will be beneficial to the congregation. You will be held accountable for the injury to your church.” Lord, I’m sorry! Please protect my people!

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 10:35 a.m.

Spirited praise and worship time over, tithes and offerings collected, announcements made, Sheldon Waters, worship leader, invited Reuben Tanner to the pulpit after a brief introduction. Mrs. Williamson’s prediction was accurate; extra chairs were placed in the aisle to accommodate latecomers. Reuben was dressed in slacks and a light sweater, not departing from his typical Sunday service clothing, undoubtedly to the consternation of more than a few. The plumber was noticeably terrified, his face reddened, his movements rigid, he seemed to be holding his breathe. Without looking up, he asked the only adult in the sanctuary he knew supported and understood him to pray a blessing on the message, his Jeni. Jeni Tanner, seated this one occasion in the front row with four of her five children, was taken by surprise but responded eagerly.

“Lord, Jesus Christ,” she prayed in a soft voice, unhearable in the back rows, “I implore you to come to my husband’s side. He has proved himself faithful to You, and now he needs Your strength to accomplish what You have called him to do.” Her voice strengthened as she prayed. “I pray an anointing of the Holy Spirit upon my husband and the words he speaks.” Her voice began to tremble with authority, bringing Reuben back sixteen years ago to that night Jeni bodily picked him off the floor and confronted the evil spirit. “I break the fear over my husband in the name of Jesus Christ!” The assembly was totally attentive, even a little afraid, never having witnessed such shouts of authority. “I release Holy Ghost power upon you,” her finger pointing at Reuben, “power to proclaim the truths of God! And I bind and render harmless all powers of darkness, all oppressive and defeated opponents to the truths of the Most High God!” she spitted the words at the unseen enemy. “Husband, be the man your God called you to be! Preach His word in boldness! In Christ’s name!”

Mrs. tanner wasn’t finished. Walking to the center aisle, she turned to the people. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear! I unstop stopped ears in the name of Jesus!” She waved her right hand over the people, back and forth, declaring over and over, “I unstop deafened ears in the name of Jesus! In the name of Jesus, hear what the Spirit of the Lord would say to you this morning!” And then she was again the serene Jeni seated in her place.

Reuben’s fear was no more. He was free. How he would have liked to find a secluded corner and bask in the sweet presence of the Lord. But he had a job to do.

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 10:40 a.m.

Mac had given much consideration to his message and seldom had to refer to his notes. It was a hard word; a more prudent man would soften it considerably. He was well aware of the superintendent’s presence; his future in the denomination could be affected by this presentation. Nonetheless Mac decided to say it as he seen it, regardless of the consequences.

I have titled my message Pulpit Power.

There are few things in the church more powerful than the pulpit, possible exceptions being the writer’s pen, prayers of faith, a benevolent smile.

I have been asked to relate to you the story of the founding and growth of Bryden Falls Community Christian Center; Superintendent Johnston feels it may be an inspiration and encouragement. In a while I will detail the events of the establishing of the Center, but first I want to emphasize that my church has been established, mostly, by pulpit ministry. Through the pulpit I, like everyone here, encourage, oversee, correct and steer. As everyone knows, the pulpit is a powerful instrument through which much good can be achieved.

I remind you this morning, my brothers and colleagues, that the pulpit is an amoral thing, neither moral nor immoral. The fruit of pulpit ministry is dependent on the wisdom and integrity of the preacher behind the pulpit. Volumes of both Godly insights and false winds of doctrine pour forth every Sunday throughout evangelical churches from both wise and foolish usage of the podium.

I ask you to consider North American evangelicalism of which we are part. How do you rate it? Spiritually healthy? Lukewarm? In need of revival? However you rate evangelicalism, it cannot be denied it is the pulpiteers who made it what it is. Some pastors, in frustration, blame the laymen when their churches lose influence and effectiveness. We have all heard the complaints: “My people are not committed.” Or, “They are distracted by the many toys and pleasures of the world.” Etc., etc.

But I think that is unrealistic. Shepherds, not sheep, are responsible for the health of the flock. The sheep do not stand behind the pulpit, we do. We are listened to more than any other person in their lives. Leaders are the spokesmen, the teachers. What we say and how we say it is all important. It is hard to overstate the power of the pulpit, and since we control the pulpit we must accept responsibility of the welfare of our assemblies.

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 10:40 a.m.

The plumber was actually relaxed behind the pulpit, emboldened through the power of his wife’s prayer. As he spoke he made eye contact, avoiding no one, not deterred by those who lowered their eyes when his met theirs.

It was after Sheldon Waters was seated that he realized his wife had not accompanied him to their seat. Mrs. Waters was still at the piano, her fingers lightly touching the keys.

May the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified!

I asked for and received permission from Brother Maclin to speak to you two successive Sundays. I come to you as a friend. I believe I have a message from the Lord, the Head of the church, for most of the people in our congregation. I emphasize again that I come as the friend I am, not as a minister, not as a preacher. Almost everyone knows me as Roo the back catcher and Reuben the plumber. I have been in many of your homes to fix your toilets, repair leaky taps, clear drainage pipes. I know you, and you know me; I suppose that is why the Lord chose me to speak into your lives. I say again this message is for most, not all. A few do not need to hear this. You will each have to decide for yourself if this word is for you.

Please hear me. You are my friends and I love you. With friendship comes responsibility; “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Please understand, my friends, I must be forthright. And understand that I seek your well-being, not your approval. Please bear with me.

Reuben paused a long pause. He knew his words were a shock, not only because they were straightforward, but because they came from a plumber, the usher who had always been there to direct them to their seat. Convention, safe and comfy convention, was being assailed. A plumber was where he was not supposed to be. Behind the pulpit. Preaching.

2 Corinthians 5:10: we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

Another long pause.

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ!

And another long pause.

We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ!

And another long pause. As he spoke his eyes moved back and forth over the rows of people, making eye contact with everyone he could. The many who came out of curiosity only got more than they were prepared for. Their very Christianity was been challenged.

In my opinion you are not ready to give an account to Christ.

His gaze was penetrating as his eyes moved from person to person, but not unfriendly. He was the loving brother appealing to, beseeching, beloved brothers and sisters.

You are not ready to give an account to Christ.

Were it not for the piano, the silence of the long pauses would have heightened considerably the discomfort level of Reuben’s audience. Funny, Sheldon was musing, my wife has never played while someone preached, except occasionally at the end of Mac’s sermon, and only at his invitation. And where did she learn that melody? Never heard it before. Nice.

In my opinion, my friends, most of your works will prove to be wood, hay and straw. They will be consumed by fire.

Some began to squirm. No one had ever spoke to them in such a direct manner. Never. Donald Williamson was astonished at what he was hearing. And angry. No one ever preaches like that! There are more gaps than preaching! You would think the man would at least follow convention! And how dare the man be so judgmental?! Does he think he can see inside everybody’s soul?! His glare did not impede the plumber.

Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing.” Jesus was speaking of the necessity of a healthy relationship with Him.

Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” Again, Jesus was speaking of the necessity of a healthy relationship with Him.

You cannot accomplish any good work unless your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is healthy and intimate.

What the persistent hammer did to the nail, driving it into the aged and hardened timber, so the fifteen-second intervals did to the plumber’s words, driving them into the hearts of all but the most impenetrable.

You cannot accomplish any good work unless your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is healthy and intimate.

In my opinion, my friends, your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is not healthy, is not intimate.

Vivian Maclin’s face was crimson, offended by the starkness of Tanner’s words. And she didn’t like him referring to her husband as Brother Maclin. And she was agitated by the way Tanner subjected the people to those disconcerting pauses between his sentences. Her agreeable smile vanished after the first few remarks, and after the last she stared straight ahead, a silent statement of protest to the congregation.

Reuben said it again: In my opinion your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is not healthy, is not intimate.

Jesus taught that we speak from the overflow of our hearts.

Rarely do you speak Christ. Other than in prayer and song you rarely mention His name.

You speak what is in your heart, and you rarely speak Christ.

You speak what is in your heart, and you rarely speak Christ. During our work day in the park, I never heard the name of Jesus mentioned once.

Some of you I have known for more than ten years, and during that time you have never mentioned the name of Jesus in conversation.

To know what is in your heart, listen to your own words.

And again he said, To know what is in your heart, listen to your own words.

Ten, fifteen seconds. Almost every point was repeated, some repeated twice, each separated from the other by an agonizing pause.

If Christ reigns in your heart you will speak Christ.

David Tomas’ soft “Amen” broke the silence.

You rarely speak Christ because Christ is not in the forefront of your life.

Christ once reigned in your heart but you have distanced yourself from your First Love.

And again, You have distanced yourself from your First Love.

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 11:00 a.m.

Terry Maclin could not get a sense how his message was being received. There was not the usual “Amens!” and he was sorely tempted to skip the next part of his message, but instead took a deep breath and let it fly.

Because of Pulpit Power there is a huge gap between the person you and I are and the person our congregations perceive us to be. This, my brothers, is more dangerous than most realize. We can, and often do, begin to use our congregation as a mirror. We see ourselves through their faulty perspective, and our self-image gets distorted. The tendency is to play the part of that distorted person we imagine ourselves to be. We begin to live a life of pretense. In short, we become pharisaic.

Power still corrupts. Most of us, if not all, have been ill affected to various degrees from Pulpit Power. I think of the pulpit as the god-maker; given sufficient time it will make a spiritual superstar out of any ordinary person. Every time we appear before the people to impart our perspective we are amplified in their sight. To them we appear to be bigger than we are. We do our best to impress; we wear an expensive suit, keep our hair trim, shoes polished, hone our mannerism. And we do impress. We make ourselves appear to be something we are not. Like most orators, we do not bring our true self to the podium; we bring the person the people want and expect us to be, the person we want to believe we are. We denounce hypocrisy, and yet often are the most counterfeit person in the congregation.

Our motives may be honorable. We want them to trust us so they will follow us. We want to protect them from erroneous teachings and deceitful men. Nonetheless, the end does not justify the means. There is no justifying duplicity.

I say again, Pulpit Power corrupts. Regularly. It elevates us from the common to the elite. What the stage and lights do to the rock star, so the podium does to the pulpiteer. Our people see us as someone special. We grow in their sight with each dissertation. They want our company much more than we want theirs. Everyone wants to reach, to touch, to associate with the man in the pulpit, and our love-starved hearts revel in their adulation. We like to think our only motive to excel in pulpit ministry is the welfare of the people. I remind you of Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things.” The one who trusts his heart is the one most likely to fall. Simply said, most of us are incapable of handling the attention and adulation the podium affords.

Our loneliness makes us susceptible. Personally, I don’t have a friend in my congregation, not in the buddy-buddy sense of the word, and some of you have shared the same dilemma. There is a wall between the minister and the layman that cannot be breached. You see, the people we minister to cannot be real toward us. Their tendency is to impress us, so they are overly cautious. With good reason. They sense that it would be most detrimental to displease the pastor, because the pastor has an inordinate influence over their lives. They need us to succeed.

Can you see it? First we convince them, through the pulpit, they must attend church regularly. Then we teach them, through the pulpit, teamwork, unity, submissiveness to leadership. Don’t you see the leverage that gives us? Can’t you see the potential for abuse? We never say so directly, but they understand they need our approval to succeed within the church. For most, opportunity to serve God requires our permission.

There is a breach between them and us. We can’t invite one to supper without inviting everyone. My best friend is an alcoholic, an ex-marine bud who lives an hour away, whom I seldom see. If it were not for my family I would be alone. I am with people often, but am lonely. And so are many of you. Loneliness can be dangerous because it is tempting to compensate for our loneliness with people’s adulation.

I say to you this morning, if you cannot approach the pulpit in real humility I would suggest you do not approach it at all. The pulpit coupled with pride will destroy you. When the minister is destroyed the assembly is at serious risk. It is difficult to measure your influence, be it for the good or otherwise. A proud man is incapable of affecting positively. There have been instances within our own denomination when entire assemblies have been split and broken by errant pastors who forsook denominational doctrine, replacing them with ear-tickling half-truths.

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 11:00 a.m.

David Tomas and his wife squeezed each other’s hand, signaling to each other their delight in what they were hearing. Donald Williamson and Mrs. Williamson scowled. Tony Borric grinned a wide grin. Brent Anderson and his wife looked like a pair of owls, eyes wide open, staring at the plumber-turned-preacher. Sheldon Waters listened intently, seemingly entranced by Reuben’s bold and piercing statements. Shaun Edwards was in tears. Nelson Chesney seemed to be eating his fingernails.

The light within you has not gone out, but has acutely diminished.

You once loved Jesus more, much more, than you do today.

Jesus once sat on the throne of your life, but no longer.

You were once filled with His Holy Spirit.

If you no longer have an enthusiasm for Jesus Christ, if Christ is not the focus of your life, you are not filled with His Spirit.

You have slipped from a rich relationship with Christ to a dull religion.

How could he know these things? Sheldon Waters wondered incredulously. How can a plumber, an usher, presume to know the hearts of the people? I’m an elder and I can’t see into the spiritual condition of the people.

Your relationship with the Father is no healthier than the relationship you have with His Son.

It is imperative that you turn back to Christ.

Well husband, Vivian Maclin spoke to the husband far away, you certainly chose a great time to be gone! This man is bruising our people, and you’re away at a conference!

It is imperative you turn back to Christ.

You must know that your lukewarmness is contagious.

You must know you affect others negatively.

How can the man be so brutal? Donald Williamson was becoming increasingly agitated with every remark Reuben Tanner made, with every discomforting interval of silence.

You must know lukewarmness cannot be concealed.

You who are parents influence your children to be lukewarm towards Jesus Christ.

Great! Vivian said to herself. Now he just insulted every parent!

If you could visit heaven for just five minutes your perspective would be seriously altered.

If you could get just a glimpse of heaven no longer would you busy yourselves laying up treasures on earth.

Five minutes, and you would fervently repent of lukewarmness.

Five minutes there in His full presence and you would stop keeping Jesus at a distance from you here on earth.

“Amen!” David Tomas said, a little louder this time.

Five minutes, and you would fervently bow to the lordship of the Holy Spirit.

If you were taken to heaven for five minutes you would certainly make it your business to develop a healthy and intimate relationship with Christ.

You would return to your First Love.

You would not allow yourself to be overcome by the cares of this world.

You would make it a point to speak Christ.

You would speak Christ.

Since you will not have the opportunity to visit heaven, you must accept the Scriptures to get God’s perspective on eternity.

The Bible makes it clear: the richness of your eternity will be relative to the relationship you develop with Christ here on earth.

A lukewarm relationship with Jesus will cause you to suffer the loss of eternal rewards.

A lukewarm relationship with Jesus will cause you to be unproductive in the extending and maintaining of God’s kingdom here on earth.

It is a serious mistake to approvingly compare yourself to other evangelical Christians.

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 11:25 a.m.

Mac related to his fellow ministers the details of the founding and growth of his church north of the Canadian-American border. He spoke of the days when he and Vivian first opened their home for a weekly Bible study, knocking on each neighbor’s door many times. He shared how they joined several volunteer groups and clubs in the city, always keen to share their faith and invite people to their home. They frequented coffee shops, making casual conversation with those nearby. When they saw a need they tried to fill it as a token of friendship. Always they were in prayer, asking the Lord to guide their steps and lead them to people hungry to know about God.

Mac told his peers about the free Saturday car wash they used to have at a neighborhood gas station, no donations requested, how little by little they became known and accepted in the community, and eventually had several opportunities to speak at length about their Bible and prayer night. Mac and Vivian invested much of their time in the lives of those keen to learn of the Lord, and soon a powerful small nucleus of people evolved. Mac and Vivian were quick to respond to their needs, whether it be babysitting or cutting a widow’s lawn or helping to build a backyard shed, and those people responded to their acts of love by shouldering church responsibilities.

Mac spoke of their move from their house to a vacant school, and from there to the existing building. Everyone listened intently as he spoke of the details of the building project, crediting the ladies prayer group that undergirded every detail of the project. He told how a retired couple from the church searched the internet for bargains and sometimes traveled great distances in a moving van, supplied by another member/businessman, to transport various items to the building site, everything from pews to nails to lumber to carpets to paint…… and a very old, very damaged, yet supremely magnificent pulpit attained at a good price from an eastern state. The stately podium originated in England, thought to have been built during the Reformation years, and eventually found a home in a towering cathedral overlooking an ocean harbor. When the cathedral became a quaint and pricey restaurant, the pulpit became a butcher block, and remained so until finally rescued by the retired couple from Bryden Falls Community Christian Center. A plumber-contractor volunteered to restore the podium at his ranch where he and his family spent many hours repairing, sanding, and varnishing. They installed lights at the base giving a dramatic effect to both the pulpit and the preacher, a microphone and attachments to the sound system, and a switch to operate the overhead ceiling lights. Mac, tongue-in-cheek, shared his concern that the people were more attracted to the pulpit than his preaching. He and the plumber set the pulpit in place, connected it to the sound system and overhead lights and thoroughly polished it, the very last task of the building project.

Mac spoke of other outreach ventures into the community, including the MorLord Worship Band, explaining the name was chosen by the young people years ago to express their heart’s cry for more – more grace, more blessings, more of the Lord’s presence. He shared that his son was chosen this year’s captain of the worship band and his daughter lead vocalist, and about the opportunity the band had to perform at the Bryden Falls annual festival in two weeks time.

And then he spoke of the Challengers. Every minister in attendance had at least some baseball in his history and found Mac’s account about a Canadian church team competing in an American secular men’s league nothing less than fascinating. They laughed heartily when Mac told them how the Americans would be thoroughly disgusted with themselves whenever they lost a game to a church team, a Canadian church team. He told how they had a chance to make the playoffs for the first time but needed to win the final two games, both to be played next week. And then he delivered his closing remarks.

The real key to building a successful church is to love the people. To love the people you must love each person. Everyone is attracted to love. Love them and they will search you out. Love them and they will return that love.

Everyone craves acceptance. Hurt and lonely people will visit your church in their search for someone to accept them. They will return if they feel welcomed and not simply tolerated.

Rejection is the ugly foundation of most personality problems. For many you will be the most influential person in their lives; if they sense rejection from you they will be further damaged. People know instinctively when they are loved and when they are not. More than wanting you to be competent, even more than wanting you to be upright, they want to know that you love them.

“Do you love me?” is the real concern of their hearts though they would never ask the question. “Do you love me?” “Will you stand by me?” “Will you invest yourself in my life?” “Do you really care about the outcome of my life?” They will find the answer in the way you relate to them. No one wants to be treated professionally. No one wants to feel they are somebody’s ministry.

In a few minutes we will be sharing communion, and in an hour or so the conference will be over and the support and strength we receive from each other will be interrupted for two long years. It is time to return home. Like the captain of a ship, like the manager of a firm, like the coach of a team, we will be with many yet much alone. May you and I remain committed to the Godly principles of the denomination we cherish. May we gladly pay the price, whatever that price might be, to protect the flock entrusted to our care.

May your success in ministry surpass my own. God bless you.

Mac was taken aback by the applause, light as it was. A preacher approved by preachers was a compliment indeed, and Mac was moved. No one else had received more than an occasional “Amen!” that weekend, including the superintendent. Mac knew he touched their hearts.

And yet he felt hollow. When preparing his talk he dismissed sharing the frustration he was experiencing with his church back home. You know, he didn’t say, I am really feeling like a failure. Church attendance has not increased for years. It takes all of my energy just to keep the numbers from falling. I try. I try very hard. I preach my heart out, but the people are resistant to my best efforts. They will not be motivated like in years past. Something is missing, and I don’t know what it is. The joy is gone. The enthusiasm isn’t half what it used to be. The women’s prayer group seems to have lost its power. And, my brothers, I am tired, close to burnout. Sometimes I want to walk away from it all. Just walk away. Is there someone who can help me?

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 11:25 a.m.

Reuben Tanner spoke with intensity from his heart.

It is a serious mistake to approvingly compare yourselves to other evangelical Christians.

Compromise has become a way of life for most evangelicals.

Rare is the evangelical who lives by the sole authority of the Bible.

Vivian was steaming. He’s undermining my husband’s credibility! My husband, my foolish husband, entrusts a plumber with his congregation, and the man stabs him in the back!

Rare is the evangelical who speaks the name of Christ daily or even weekly.

Being a typical evangelical Christian is being a half-hearted Christian.

Donald Williamson was using body language to protest, folding and unfolding his arms, making throaty sounds as if clearing his throat, crossing his legs back and forth, frequently looking at his watch. But if the plumber/usher/preacher noticed it did not deter him the slightest.

The sin of the world is rejecting Christ; the sin of the church is neglecting Christ.

The standard for all Christians is God’s word, not the examples and words of evangelicals.

You cannot depend on evangelicalism to help you.

Lukewarm Christians can only produce lukewarm Christians.

He’s inferring my husband is a lukewarm Christian! Vivian concluded.

Evangelicalism was instrumental in bringing you from relationship to religion; it is not able to bring you back from religion to relationship.

Now he’s saying my Terry has made this congregation lukewarm! Vivian Maclin could take no more. Slowly and deliberately she stood and walked from her place in the front row down the long red-carpeted aisle to the foyer, not attempting to soften the sound of her high heels echoing throughout the sanctuary, and out the front door she went. Although Kyle was startled at his mother’s exit there was no questioning his loyalty, and he immediately followed her. He gave his twin a Well, aren’t you coming? look, but Katie remained seated.

Your relationship with Christ is a personal matter; you are not to follow the crowd.

“Amen!” David Tomas said loud enough for everyone to hear, seemingly an attempt to neutralize the effect of Vivian Maclin’s demonstrative exit. When Donald Williamson turned to glare at his fellow elder across the aisle Mrs. Tomas came to her husband’s defense. “Amen!” she said in an equally loud voice.

Jesus said, come follow Me.

In the stillness of the intervals everyone could hear the Maclin car driving out of the parking lot.

Christ’s message to the unsaved is, “Come follow Me.” Christ’s message to the saved is, “Come follow Me.”

Vivian’s exit stoked Donald Williamson’s anger into fury, other elders’ worry into panic.

It is possible to be saved and yet need to be converted, again, to Jesus Christ.

Now he is telling us, us Christians, we all have to be converted to Christ! Donald Williamson resisted the temptation to follow Vivian Maclin’s example and walk out of the sanctuary. I guarantee you, Mr. Plumber, you will not be preaching next Sunday! You will never address this assembly again! Pastor Mac won’t allow it! I won’t allow it!

Because you were converted yesterday is no indication you are converted today.

“Amen!” This one came from Shaun Edwards. “Amen!” said a few others. Every “Amen!” was significant, a declaration they were taking the side of the plumber against those who opposed him, including the pastor’s wife.

If your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ has become dull you need another conversion experience.

During Reuben’s entire oration Jeni was in prayer, though eyes wide open and rested upon her husband, prayer that increased in fervency when Vivian made her exit, and more so as the “Amens!” popped up in different corners of the church. She was one of the few who grasped the import of the moment – her beloved assembly was being split in two.

You must again make a decision for Christ.

And again, You must again make a decision for Christ.

You would be wise to recommit your life to Jesus Christ.

Tears streaked the faces of many.

You can have a better life than the one you now have.

With Christ comes joy. You want joy.

With Christ comes peace. You want peace. You want Christ. Whether you realize it or not, you want Christ.

With Christ comes gold and silver and precious stones to one day lay at His feet.

If you make a decision to walk with Christ the Holy Spirit will come to your aid.

If you return to Christ you will be part of the answer instead of part of the problem.

If you recommit yourself to Christ you will affect others positively.

If you live for Jesus you will not be ashamed at the judgment seat of Christ.

If you turn to Jesus and spend the rest of your days on earth walking with Him you will one day hear those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 12:05 p.m.

It was a poignant communion service, climaxing a weekend of bonding and mutual encouragement. The Lord responded to the men’s hearty songs of praise and worship by blanketing them with His Presence. Men knelt together, ministered to each other, cried tears, embraced, exchanged heartfelt good-byes.

Phil Ferguson was deeply touched, not only by the communion service but the entire weekend. He felt included. Accepted. He took Mac’s message to heart. He would love the people at the Center as never before. He would love them individually, yes, even that plumber.

Mac, himself a past district elder who had served the two-term limit, was sure he was being seriously considered for advancement, perhaps as assistant superintendent, a station likely to eventually lead to top position. He knew how it would happen. A registered letter will come, probably in a few days, from the superintendent’s office asking if he would allow his name to stand for consideration for a particular position. The rest would be a mere formality; district elders would vote their approval and make it official.

John Tanner was both highly impressed and influenced by the conference, especially Pastor Mac’s sober yet stirring message and the subsequent communion service. He was disappointed, however, because the voice from heaven he hoped to hear, an unmistakable call from God into the ministry, of which he heard others testify, never happened. Perhaps, he thought, God doesn’t always beckon in such direct ways. He felt the presence of God at the communion service in a significant way; perhaps this was a sign that God was calling him into the ministry. Yes, that’s it! I will accept that as a sign! Yes, I will accept it by faith! God has called me into the ministry! Alleluia!

“Time to go home, John,” Mac said to the eighteen year old after finding him in the crowd.

“Yes, Pastor Mac. It’s time to go home.”

“I feel revived,” Phil added, “but now I am ready for some restful routine.”

“Routine is a good word,” Mac agreed.

sunday, june 3rd, 2007, 12:05 p.m

Reuben Tanner had a few concluding remarks.

My brothers and sisters, thank you for hearing me. My task is half finished. Next Sunday morning I will give the last half of my message. Today I have shared, for your consideration, what I see as a most serious problem in most of your lives; next week I will try to show you how to regain the standing you once had with Christ. Sheldon?

Sheldon Waters took Reuben’s place at the podium, Mrs. Waters still seated at the piano. After announcing that a free tape of Reuben’s message would be available at the end of the service, he and his wife led the congregation in worship songs focusing on Christ.

Even though the presence of the Lord fell heavy upon the assembly, Sheldon’s mind wondered from the task at hand. From his vantage behind the pulpit he could take in the most unusual scenario. He could see Donald Williamson and David Tomas through the open double-door leading to the foyer having what seemed to be a heated argument while trying, but failing miserably, to maintain their composure in front of others. Many young people, always grouped together near the back, seemed to be absorbed in the Lord’s presence. He noticed Katie Maclin and Todd Anderson in serious conversation, Katie gripping Todd’s arm as she spoke emphatically to him. Jeni Tanner moved from one sister weeping in prayer – perhaps in repentance, Sheldon thought – to another and another. Shaun Edwards was holding his wife’s hand with both of his, occasionally wiping pesky tears with a handkerchief. The plumber was on his knees bent over a chair, head in his arms, alone in his own world. Does he know what he has done? Did he plan it?, Sheldon wondered. People were in pairs discussing, Sheldon was sure, the plumber’s message, and he could easily discern that much of the discussion was adverse. Nelson Chesney and Brent Anderson were conversing with each other, perplexed impressions on their faces.

Sheldon closed in prayer, but when many did not move from their seats the Waters continued to minister. The worship of the Lord by those remaining was fervent and sincere, and the Presence became even heavier. It was a time when Sheldon should have been focused, but he knew he was witnessing an historic event. The congregation would never be the same again, irreparably split in two. And what should he as an elder be doing, thinking, feeling? Should he be mad, sad, or glad? Should he quit leading in song, tell the people to go home? What would Pastor Mac do?

He could see that several were at the resource table in the foyer picking up the free tape. Should he get one up for himself? Or would that be disloyal? If so, to whom? Did he really want to hear the message again? Could a word that split the church possibly be from the Lord? Had the enemy made inroads into the assembly under his watch?

He thought of saying something to the assembly to soften the blow of Reuben’s exhortation. But what should he say? What could he say? Were the people, that is, most of the people, doing as poorly as Tanner seemed to think? What makes a plumber an authority on the spiritual welfare of a church?

Sheldon had never witnessed someone pray as Jeni Tanner prayed for her husband before he spoke. He could not deny the Reuben after her prayer was not the Reuben before her prayer; before his eyes the timorous plumber became the emboldened preacher. Never had Sheldon experienced a message delivered in such a way, with long pauses between each statement. Gentle he wasn’t. But one could not say he was harsh either. One thing for sure, Reuben Tanner would be the center of major controversy from now on.

How did it come to this? Sheldon remembered the fax marked Private Matter regarding Reuben’s unusual request, which led to an animated discussion at the elders’ meeting, which led to Tony Borric’s resignation. The image of the closed Bible in the middle of the board table would not go away. It was hard to conclude anything other than Reuben Tanner meant trouble, and much of it.