One Pastor's Perspective

Okay, the rain has nothing to do with it, but tomorrow Ed and I will assist in a rarity at Ebenezer . . . Back-to-back funerals. One at 11am, one at 2pm. TOMORROW. In the week in which we are working on one of the most significant Sundays EVER at Ebenezer.

Don’t tell me when it rains, it pours . . . WE KNOW IT THIS WEEK!! Pray for the Barlow family and the Harrell family (and Butch Boatwright and family) as they mourn the loss of loved ones this week.

And pray for me, that my voice will hold out!

Thanks to the GURU in the Website department (that would be Deano), we now have sermon videos on the church website under the PODCASTS button. Check it out!! I will probably keep posting them here, too, but it is cool to have on the church website.

A Matter of Faith

I KNOW there are some wondering that, because Google analytics says I had a RECORD WEEK on the number of people hitting my blog. So, WHY would I not write more about it??

It is NOT because I had a friend and deacon tell me that I need to allow the committee to take the heat on this one. Over his years, he has seen many pastors hurt in situations like this and he told me in front of another deacon that I need to allow THEM to take the heat on this one. I DO appreciate his words and know they came from genuine friendship and concern. But that is NOT why I haven’t blogged about it.

In all truth, I pray and think about this a lot. There are other things going on at Ebenezer constantly, so it hasn’t been difficult to be distracted, but this thing is on my heart. And there is another great reason I haven’t blogged about this, other than what I wrote yesterday . . .

I take seriously the challenge we have before us to PRAY and FOLLOW GOD. What better way to go about this than to be led by God, and what better confirmation than if He leads the majority of us in the same direction. I don’t believe for a minute that it will be a unanimous vote for several reasons, one of them being I KNOW people who are listening to their own minds and pocketbooks on this one. My hope is that we will ALL listen to God and follow Him, and if we do, no matter what the outcome of the vote is, we will have a clear vision and direction about what He wants us to do:

Because no matter what, the problem at hand is STILL that there are over 21,000 people within a three-mile radius of Ebenezer AND recent census data states that roughly 70% of South Carolinians do not know Christ as their Savior. And when I combine that fact with the fact that people visit our church and do not return because they cannot find a place to sit, I KNOW we must do SOMETHING . . . Even if it is 4 services and 3 Sunday Schools, we MUST!!!!

It is five days after the big report . . . People are talking and I hope PRAYING about our next move as our New Facilities team brought the recommendation that Ebenezer has talked about since Oscar Holland was the pastor (late ’60s): To build a new sanctuary. Of course, the pricetag makes this a God-sized task and there might be a ton of reasons why we think we should not do this. But what does God think??

THAT is why we need to pray, and however He leads us, we agree to TRUST HIM. As simple as that. God will NOT lead us wrong. One of the questions asked of me as I became pastor of this church (and, ironically, one of the “reasons” given for NOT calling me as pastor before my vote) was ‘can David Wike lead Ebenezer through a building program??’ My answer TODAY is the same as it was in February, 2001: If GOD is in it, I have no fear whatsoever of a project like this. IF HE IS NOT, it would scare me to death.

By the way, I am NOT shaking . . .

That is what Krissy got from Dr Denton yesterday . . . A full release to play sports and do whatever she deems necessary as long as she wears her brace while doing it. The only issue is that running is a little awkward, but it will come back with PRACTICE. And at softball she will get plenty.

This has been quite a life lesson for her and for me. And it is not over. Pray for her because this thing has not only done a number on her physically, but also in her spirit.

I am NOT a Facebook junkie. It is funny, I’ve had a facebook profile for over a year, but since my family has gone nuts over it I finally updated mine and started tinkering with it. It IS fun. And interesting.

I find it interesting how people relate to each other online. Our need for relationship can be easily fulfilled ONLINE. And, ALL of my facebook “friends” are people I see every week at church, I do actually have REAL FRIENDSHIPS with these folks. For several years people have talked about the dangers of coccooning, of reverting back into our homes and having no actual contact with the outside world. I can see that as a danger, but I really get a kick out of tinkering with facebook and talking to people I see several times a week!!! Nothing wrong with that!!

The only other BIG danger is that I would spend too much time online and not enough time with my family . . . You know, Dana, Kelly, and Dirk.

A Stone of Help

Yesterday was (approximately) our 230th birthday. (I say approximately because it wasn’t on Feb 17, but work with me here.) We thought much about the history of our church and I pray we are thinking now about the future. But, anyway, an often asked question of me is the title of this blog . . .

If you read I Samuel 7, it tells the story of the children of Israel reaching a pivotal place in their life as a people. Samuel raised a stone and said this stone, this place will serve as a reminder of how God has helped us to this point. Eben is the Hebrew word for “stone” and ha-ezer is the Hebrew word for “place.” If you drop the “ha” (which is just an article anyway) Ebenezer literally means “stone place” and Samuel reminded them this stone would be a remembrance to God and His providence. Therefore, an Ebenezer is a stone of remembrance.

Yesterday, every person in worship had an opportunity to erect their own Ebenezer, NOT an idol to be worshiped, but a remembrace to God and His help. Do YOU take time to remember God and how HE has helped you to this place???

God knew how much I would need the conference last weekend for what I would face this week! There have been attacks from all sides leading up to the coming events of this Sunday. I think it is neat how I have no idea who nominated me for the conference, I signed up for it in August or September, and God knew exactly what would be happening at EBC when I returned. Without the boost from this weekend, I would be in rough shape right now.

I also know God is doing something good this weekend at Ebenezer, otherwise why would the devil work so hard to stop it????