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The Blog is On!

  • Pastor Elaine
  • Sep 30, 2018
  • 4 min read

So I have decided to start a blog posting on this website. Just curious at how many people will take the time to look it over.

September is now just about over. The first 9 months of this year have flown, but they have been very good months! I began a journey here at this church technically back in December of 2017. It started out as pulpit supply but eventually migrated into being called to serve as Senior Pastor here at First Christian Church in Pauls Valley with my official start date of March 1 and my installation as pastor formally on Mother's Day, May 13th.

Since that time, my husband, Matt, and I have loved being a part of this congregation. We have enjoyed getting to know people here and to renew some old acquaintances that we knew from long ago. We have seen wonderful things happen with the members of the congregation. Some of them returning from short or long absences, a few changes here and there in our usual worship on occasion and mainly just a great opportunity to be involved with a congregation that enjoys being together on Sunday mornings as well as other times throughout the week and months.

Why is it we find a certain church to attend over and over? I've been asked before what the benefit of being a member or active part of a congregation could be? The answer can be for many reasons. We migrate to a certain church or congregation because we are moved or touched by the method in which they seek God. Some people like a lot of pomp and circumstance....what I often call "high church" because they love the formality, the traditional music such as organ or piano music, and of course some of the old and stalwart hymns. There is nothing wrong with that....but for some it doesn't "speak" to them as well.

Some people like the informality and closeness of a small congregation. Small congregations, in my opinion, are not the ones who are necessarily failing. You don't have to be a huge mega-church in order to worship God and feel inspired by the Spirit of God. Rev. Eugene Peterson, the author of the bible translation called "The Message", said recently on a radio broadcast called "On Being" on NPR that for those seeking a church that have never really been part of a church before should look for a small church nearest to their home. As he was being interviewed by Krista Tippet, the host of "On Being", she asked him what his advice would be to those seeking a church that have no idea where to begin. He continued to say that when you find this small church near you, to go to it and keep going for several weeks to give it an opportunity to grow on you. (paraphrased). If it doesn't meet your needs, then find a smaller church and give it a try. Surprised by his suggestion of going to a small church, Ms. Tippet asked Rev. Peterson why he would not suggest a large church that may offer all sorts of things that a smaller church couldn't and his response (once again I am paraphrasing) was that being a part of a small congregation means that you must learn to love each other in order to worship and work together. In a small congregation there is a larger sense of community because you all get to know one another much more personally.

Rev. Peterson's words seemed very wise to me. It's really easy to go to church in a mega-church because you are anonymous. I don't mean that to sound bad....but it is true that going to a large church that has so many new people in it every Sunday you will hear a wonderful sermon for sure....you will probably get to experience some awesome and updated music most likely....but I challenge you to disagree with me that you will find a close-knit community of believers worshiping together that know each other really well. Sure...they have small groups that get together...but when you are attending a congregation of 1000 people or more each Sunday....where is it that you get the sense of community and family? Being anonymous may feel good ever so often, but for me personally, I want to feel the connection of family as I worship each Sunday. I want to know that when someone hears of a sorrow or joy that I am experiencing and tells me they are praying for me that I know they really know what I am going through.

As I said, I have nothing against huge mega churches. They have their place and are doing God's work in amazing ways. But being a small town girl, raised in a small town and living in a small town, I like things I guess on a small scale!!!

If you are looking for a church home or to find a place where you can come, just as you are with no special agenda or requirements to worship, then join us on Sunday mornings here at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Pauls Valley, OK. We would love to meet you....worship with you....and welcome you to our church home.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing unto God. Amen!!

Pastor Elaine Howsley

 
 
 

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