CHURCH APPRECIATION

I’m not sure who did initiated it, but October has been designated Pastor Appreciation Month. Union Pentecostal has always been so kind to us in observing that occasion, but I note that there is no Church Appreciation month. I can’t do anything about that, but I can designate this bulletin column my own Church Appreciation Page: I appreciate our church, the people of Union Pentecostal Church. I appreciate... 1. Their faithfulness: Our Sunday night services are almost as well attended as Sunday morning. We have workers who have taught classes, driven buses, done outreach, maintained buildings and vehicles for years upon years never varying. Our choir directors and choir members meet for practice early before services year after year. 2. Their care and kindness: Over and over I have watched our church family open its arms to new folk and new converts, whatever their past or present difficulties. I have watched as some of these new folk have taken advantage of, been ungrateful, or suddenly abandoned our church. Yet, the next time someone who needs ministered to shows up, those arms are opened again. 3. Their giving to and involvement in outreach. People give abundantly, not only to missionary and benevolent ministries, but to reach out to folks in our area. Thousands of dollars are contributed each year to our children’s outreach alone. 4. Their hunger for the Word. Folks at Union Pentecostal could do as so many others have and desert the preaching that exposits what the Word actually says and follow after a tickle-the-ear, massage-the-spiritual-ego, packaging of pop psychology in Gospel phrases or of positive thinking in a God-wants-you-to-prosper message. Instead, they listen intently to and desire the word from the Word that God actually intended. 5. Their sincere worship. There may be Pentecostal churches where the worship is more active and louder, but there is no doubt of the sincerity and earnestness of this church’s worship. There are many other things, but I must also say I appreciate... 6. Their love and appreciation shown to their pastors. I really appreciate that. It may be only a page and not a month or day, but Church, you are appreciated.