Seeds of Grace

I was reminded twice this evening of the wonder and joy that living out the Christian faith in a local community of believers brings. A song waltzed through my mind that noted the impact that churches from our past have had in our lives as we long to re-live the fond memories. And then as we prayed this evening, my son captured those thoughts as he reminded us that what we would be experiencing tomorrow is God's gift to us as 'the greatest place on earth'. We do indeed love joining with others to worship our great God and to hear from His word.

I have been thinking about the different churches that I have had the privilege of calling home. Each one fills me with pleasant thoughts and I thought it would do my soul good to recount the many 'seeds of grace' that God has bountifully planted in me by way of these local bodies of believers.

MESSIAH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (Plymouth, MN)
This was the church I attended from as early as I can remember. The varied roles that my parents played in the lay ministry here kept us well connected and involved. As a child, I also clearly recall begging my parents for a quarter each Sunday morning because one shiny coin like that would provide me with a doughnut. Blueberry and sugar were my favorites. And speaking of favorites, I can still feel the excitement when after singing (although most likely we stretched the definition of that term generously) during some 'kids-get-up-front-and-look-cute' exercise, the minister (Rev. Harper) got up and with a huge and kind grin on his face told the congregation that we had just sung his favorite song.
I also had tremendous fun during our Sunday School classes. I especially recall one time (I believe it was about 5th grade) when my dad was teaching our class and we got to put on a special skit for the younger kids. We had recently been to a Harlem Globetrotters game and it provided a bit of motivation for us. While re-enacting the tower of Babel, I played the role of a construction worker who got miffed at another because of our newly acquired lack of communication skills. I started chasing him with the bucket of water we were using to make bricks (I think). At some point while going behind a portion of the wall, I indeed switched the bucket of water for one of confetti and proceeded to 'let it fly' when I got near the audience. I guess I wasn't Globetrotter material because I believe I doused one poor little boy with nearly all the contents of the bucket.
Kind memories that grew a love for this place called church.

MAPLE PLAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH (Maple Plain, MN)
I started attending here during the summer between my sophomore and junior years of high school. I did so after a desire to be better grounded in my understanding of the scriptures became evident. Ironically (at least it was to me), my parents allowed me to go here on my own instead of remaining with the family on Sunday mornings. Sovereignly and wisely, but that story is for another time. My desire was fulfilled in more ways than I could have imagined.
I experienced youth group at MPCC. That brought many unique events and opportunities. They will likewise have to wait for another time. One vivid memory I had was again of that special 'Sunday School' hour. I was a junior in high school and there was of course the 'high school' class to attend. But when I saw a list of available classes, another one caught my eye and heart. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. When I showed up for the first class, I was amazed at the roster of attendees. There was about six or seven of us and we just met in the front of the sanctuary by the piano. I may not have said three words the entire time I attended, but I soaked up more wisdom than somebody that age should legally be allowed to. The rest of the class, you see, were all members of the elder board. These men lived their lives in front of me. And God spoke through them.
MPCC was also the church where I took Sarah on our first date (another long story!) and where we got married less than nine months later. That by itself will always keep this church at the forefront of my pleasant church memories.

IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH (Minneapolis, MN)
I was asked to give a testimony here of why I started to come to Immanuel in the first place. I always joked that since they hired me, I thought I ought to show up. I was brought in as the 'minister to youth' for this small 40-ish attended urban church. We had five kids show up at the first meeting and we met upstairs in the nursery. Years later we watched these kids graduate and move on.
Many things flood my mind as I try to recall the grace that was granted to me and my family here. Struggles that we overcame. Some that we didn't. Growth that seemed so undeserved. The patience of a godly pastor that put up with so many of my inadequacies. The joy of watching scripture lived out. The hope of more of it.
This was the church where our first three children were dedicated. We had always kind of thought that this was where we were going to be for the rest of our lives. But then...

CROSSWAY COMMUNITY CHURCH (Charlotte, NC)
We moved to Charlotte, NC. It was my role at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that brought me to NC, but we always knew it was the Lord who was clearly directing us. We simply didn't want to move and just kinda' hunker down near work and hope for the best as far as a church was concerned. We had learned the beauty and joy of kingdom living with a local body of believers and could/would not settle for anything less. We sought out the church first and used that to confirm our move south. Long story short, Crossway was God's answer for us.
Like the name implies, we learned how to further center our lives on the truth of the gospel provided to us by the cross of Christ. We are frequently in awe of the simple joys that are ours when we realign ourselves to that fixed moment of life-changing truth. Scripture has come alive and deepened our walk with the Savior. Our senior pastor here has said that he wanted us to be the 'best taught church'. I believe we were that. And more.

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH (Mooresville, NC)
Why leave Crossway? A church plant, of course! It has been our privilege for the last six weeks to be a part of this new work just a few miles north of Charlotte. Already we have seen God's grace poured out on us again and again. We look forward to all that God is doing in our lives and in the lives of our dear brothers and sisters here. Indeed there are many more chapters of grace to be written.

These paragraphs probably got shorter as the time wore on and my light started flickering. But these churches have meant more to me than you can imagine. Thank you, Lord, for how you have used them to draw me to yourself!

Can't wait for tomorrow...