Pastor’s Message for June 2009
It is a beautiful day in May as I write this article. Last weekend I graduated from Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College with a Masters of Divinity. I want to thank my wife, Sheryl, and Kathy Christner for all of their hard work and all those who brought food for the celebration on the Saturday evening. Many of you gave me such thoughtful cards and gifts. I was overwhelmed with all of your kindness and glad to be connected to the body here at Word of Life.
Many of you commented how much you enjoyed fellowship together at the Saturday dinner of my graduation because you were enjoying one another around some pasta. I want to use the opportunity to encourage you to make time for various events at church to continue to build relationships. (This is just a reminder. I do not sense any problem with this in the church.) There are many opportunities to build relationships at Word of Life and it encourages all of us when we show up. Years ago someone said to me, “I don’t show up for a particular event that the church offers because I don’t get a lot out of it.” My response to them was, “But you encourage all of us with your presence when you show up.” Sometimes as pastor I can tell you that when you walk in the door for a service or an event you encourage me greatly just by your presence.
Sometimes we can feel that as mature believers we will not lose our salvation by not being related and involved in the church. This may be true but you miss out on something the Lord has intended for you, and that is to be connected to a body. This may be difficult at times because some have been hurt by the body, but that does not mean that God wants you to be an orphan. He wants you to belong, and that, at times, means pushing beyond past hurts and committing to press through the hurt. I cannot promise you that Word of Life is perfect or that you will never be hurt again, but I can promise you that God does not want you to be isolated like an orphan. I want you to have a sense of belonging and of sitting at the table with the rest of the family. Your personal growth in God depends on having Christian leaders and other believers in your life. Scripture is clear on this.
Word of Life has been this family to me and I am grateful for all of you and your kindness to me and my family. Watching you all fellowship at my graduation party was as much of a blessing to me as finishing the degree.
Pastor Phil
