January 2, 2016

The Shepherd's Corner

THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

I really enjoyed our New Year’s Eve’s Service and Celebration. Seeing you come to God to give Him thanks for what He has done in 2015 and asking Him for His continued guidance in 2016 truly blessed me. Seeing you smile and laugh—and of course, dance—also made me happy. So, thank you for coming and participating.THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

I really enjoyed our New Year’s Eve’s Service and Celebration. Seeing you come to God to give Him thanks for what He has done in 2015 and asking Him for His continued guidance in 2016 truly blessed me. Seeing you smile and laugh—and of course, dance—also made me happy. So, thank you for coming and participating.

Personally I would like to thank you for making it a memorable evening. There were those who thought of and planned the evening, those who prepared and set-up the decorations, those who transported and set up the equipment, those who prepared the food or brought the food and drink, and those who picked up the trash and cleaned the hall.

When I saw many of you right away without being asked just start picking up stuff and begin sweeping after the party was over, I felt really blessed. Right there and then I did not see a professional church; instead, I saw a spiritual church. And, was I glad to see it! Make no mistake, I do believe in professionalism. There is definitely time and place for professionalism in a church. But, the breath of the church is to be spiritual, not professional. When we pitch in, when help one another, and when we give, we are being spiritual.

In his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, writes, Jesus “is concerned not only whether we’re doing God’s work, but also how and why we’re doing it. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, his main questions for me will have to do not with the growth or the budget of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, but with why I pastored this church—in what spirit.” Well-put and so right on! As we begin the New Year, let us keep up the good work. Let us guard our hearts as we do His work at His church!

Pastor Paul

Personally I would like to thank you for making it a memorable evening. There were those who thought of and planned the evening, those who prepared and set-up the decorations, those who transported and set up the equipment, those who prepared the food or brought the food and drink, and those who picked up the trash and cleaned the hall.

When I saw many of you right away without being asked just start picking up stuff and begin sweeping after the party was over, I felt really blessed. Right there and then I did not see a professional church; instead, I saw a spiritual church. And, was I glad to see it! Make no mistake, I do believe in professionalism. There is definitely time and place for professionalism in a church. But, the breath of the church is to be spiritual, not professional. When we pitch in, when help one another, and when we give, we are being spiritual.

In his book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, writes, Jesus “is concerned not only whether we’re doing God’s work, but also how and why we’re doing it. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, his main questions for me will have to do not with the growth or the budget of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, but with why I pastored this church—in what spirit.” Well-put and so right on! As we begin the New Year, let us keep up the good work. Let us guard our hearts as we do His work at His church!

Pastor Paul

More Shepherd's Corner Articles

The Shepherd's Corner - March 12, 201
THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER Today’s message is about giving to God. It is usually considered a sensitive subject even though it is not supposed to be....
Read More
The Shepherd's Corner - July 24, 2022
A seminary student once asked Eugene Peterson what he liked best about being a pastor.  He replied, “The mess.”  Personally, I would use the word, “The unpredictability.” We will never know what will happen tomorrow.  Somebody, who is healthy today, may get sick tomorrow and s...
Read More
Shepherd's Corner - March 15, 2015
When Corrie ten Boom was about five years of age, she asked Jesus to come into her life.  She recalls that it happened while she was playing “house.”  She remembers she had this imaginary friend come knocking on the door of her “house.”  Her mother who was nearby saw what she was doing. ...
Read More