Who Owns That Church?- Part 2

I shared last week about my encounter with Elaine, a woman who bought a church I formerly served because  it was located across the street from a home she owned.  Let me tell you more of that story.  As an example of what a small world this is,  I knew her Grandfather.    It started on a hot June Sunday, the first day that I was serving as a United Methodist pastor back in 1974.    I had risen early that morning at my childhood home in Burlington and driven  the 2.5 hours for my first Sunday as a pastor.  Today, pastors usually move into the parsonage before their first Sunday.  In those days,  you went to lead worship at the new church you were serving before you moved into the parsonage.   I did not stay in a motel because I could not afford it, and I did not stay with any of the folks in the church because they did not ask.   I officiated at my first worship service at Unity Church at 9:30 and then it was on to Friendship Church for an 11 am service.  After sharing lunch at a family reunion I was invited to,  I had a few hours before the 7 pm service at Turkey Church.  With no home to go to and with little knowledge of the community or the location of people’s homes, I remember sitting on the steps of  Turkey Church late that afternoon.   What I did not know is that folks across the street were watching me.  They were keeping an eye on this stranger sitting on the steps of the church.   In a short time,  a man came out the door  of that home across from the church on that hot June afternoon and began to talk.    Of course,  I introduced myself as the new pastor.  He was kind enough to invite me to have dinner with them and to come for a visit.  The man told me his name was Leslie, and he was the Grandfather of my friend who now owns that church.  As I sat in Leslie’s home that June day,  I met his daughter and her husband.    As his daughter prepared dinner,  I learned that Leslie’s wife had recently died.   His daughter shared with me some of the tale of her loss of her mother-  going to visit her grave at the local cemetery on a regular basis… talking to her Mom at the cemetery.   There I was:  20 years old and a pastor for less than a day  and already facing  an opportunity for pastoral care with a family who had lost a loved one. 

I thought of that encounter  of more than 40 years ago as I drove back from Fayetteville last month  and my ironical encounter with Elaine who owns  a church I once served and was the Grandchild of a man who called me his pastor.   No matter what age you are and where you are,  a follower of Christ Jesus never knows when the opportunity for ministry may be laid before you.   On a hot June afternoon over 40 years ago, I found the opportunity to offer care and compassion to a grieving family whether I was ready for it or not.  When will the opportunity for ministry come your way?   Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:  God of us all,  we thank you for the chance to minister in your name to the people we encounter.  With the help of your Spirit, help us be ready for the chance that is ours to minister to others;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.