One Pastor's Perspective

This morning I was on a team of guys that helped do prayer breakfast for Justin. I don’t know how many kids were there today . . . It was between 80 and 90. There were almost 50 junior highers. And, a wild time was had by all!

What was cool, though, was the fact that some guys knew there was a need, so they came. Around 6am there were five men in the church at that youth house helping to cook. For the most part, all I had to do was talk (which I am good at). We had fun and the kids ate well.

One of the great things about EBC is that whenever we get together, no matter how hard or easy the work is, we have fun. I know pastors who would give their eye teeth to be able to say that. I am one lucky dude.

10. Youth ALL grow up eventually.
9. Sometimes they leave and sometimes YOU MISS THEM.
8. It is really cool to do their weddings.
7. It is EVEN COOLER to see their newborn babies.
6. When they succeed, it makes you proud.
5. When they celebrate the joys of life, you celebrate, too.
4. When they hurt because of the realities of life, you hurt, too.
3. The ones you never thought you would reach are the ones that come back and tell you what a difference you made.
2. Sometimes when they screw up, you want to box their ears.
1. No matter what happens, they will ALWAYS be your kids.

I would have to slow down and rest a little to CLASSIFY as a burnout right now. So much has happened in the last few days/weeks/months. I meet myself coming and going from my house frequently. It is really weird.

I love my family and I love this church. Of course, I do it all for God, but they are the secondary reason. And as long as I am able to keep it up, I will.

For now, I AM TIRED!!!! But, I am pumped!!!!

For those of you looking for some HOW news, we still have MANY CARDS to be turned in and counted, so I am not saying ANYTHING yet!!!!

Today I am going to the SC Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting in Columbia. I only get to stay for half of the day, thanks to some commitments at EBC, but that will be enough . . . Enough to reconnect with some old friends and attend a Lunch-N-Learn session.

My favorite thing about the convention is that I will get to see some old friends from the upstate, and even some across town that I don’t get to see enough. You wouldn’t believe it, but I DO work more than on Sundays and Wednesdays. And I miss my friends!!

So, for now, I am goin to Columbia!!

Yesterday really was a great day! And, as I preached, I believe it will go down as a historic day in the life of Ebenezer Baptist Church (a 230-year-old church that has had quite a few historic days). But, how will it be judged?? What will the result of this day be?

Honestly, we don’t have any final numbers. Many people have still not submitted their cards. Several were not ready yesterday, and some where unable to be there yesterday. And some will not take part.

How will this day be judged? The current total is weak, even though many families have made sacrificial gifts. But I believe God is still at work in this thing. We need to pray!!! And be obedient!! THAT is all God asks of each of us!

And, HE has the plan!!!

One of the remarkable things about the EBC staff is that somehow we find a way. Working at a church is one of the most demanding and depressing jobs in the world: No matter how much you do, there is ALWAYS MORE to be done. That can be a good thing, and it can also give you that feeling of your wheels spinning in mud.

Statistically, and in every way you slice that stats, we are understaffed. We have a skeleton crew and yet are able to pull unreal things off. CONSTANTLY. The flip side of that coin is there are vocal people at EBC that do not believe we do ANYTHING. Yes, there are a few that would empty the entire staff roster and start over. In a church with 1200 members, that will ALWAYS be a fact of life. We plod through all of that . . .

And we find a way. In spite of the criticisms and limitations placed on us, we find a way. I am not bragging on ME, but I AM BRAGGING on our staff. They are the best, and most of them are a bad month away from Bull Street. Pray for them and be thankful for them. I do, and I am.

Today we ran a coax that will give the sanctuary a video/audio link to the tent . . . OVERFLOW for those who cannot handle the tent OR cannot find a seat will be in the sanctuary!! I know some older members who will be very happy about that.

Running the cable and setting the equipment up was actually a little bit of fun in this crazy week. After finishing that one, Ed, Bill, Kyle, and I set up the stages and the frame for the projection screen. This thing is starting to come together!!

I can’t wait for Sunday!!!!!

No matter which side of the fence you were on, change really is coming!! If you are an Ebenezerite, you know change has been on the horizon for several years. And, this coming Sunday, we will vote on it. You say “We voted MONTHS ago to move ahead with our building program.” True. But, this Sunday we vote with our checkbooks!! The REAL vote happens now. Are we willing to support it?? Are we willing to make this thing a PRIORITY in our PERSONAL LIVES??

One way or another, change is coming. And now more than ever we are in a place where we MUST trust God with our future. No matter how we “vote.”

I am glad its over . . . And, it looks like the sun is making its way up. And God is STILL on His throne.

Have faith, friends, and place your hope in the only TRUE source of hope . . . The Prince of Peace.

The presidential election is today, along with other important elections. One of which is the race for Florence County Sheriff, which pits Kenney Boone (the incumbant) against Jimmy Gregg (Kenney’s predecessor). Interesting race, to say the least.

Kenney has done much to clean up Florence County, including areas which his predecessor would not touch. Areas that have been found to be overcome with organized crime and gang activity. Kenney has also worked hard to modernize the FCSO’s approach to crime prevention and investigation. Kenney has pulled MILLIONS of dollars worth of drugs off I-95, not only making a difference for us but also for everyone NORTH of here where those drugs were headed. For me, this race is a no-brainer. Kenney is the man for the job!

But as we get all tangled up today and tonight in the election results, and as whatever happens to the stock market happens, and whatever celebration / angry mob action happens afterward, the truth is WE CONTROL if there are hard times ahead by how WE REACT to these races!!! YES, whether Obama or McCain are elected, the reaction WE HAVE will determine much about the future and about whether or not we have HARD TIMES!!

So, get out and vote today! Voter turnout is typically lower on a rainy day. DON’T LET YOUR CANDIDATES DOWN! And, whatever happens, remember that God is STILL on His throne!