Wednesday, June 6, 2001
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Wednesday, June 6, 2001 |
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Fulfilling the vision By REV JOHN HATCHER Because Fayette County has experienced consistent growth in the last 15-20 years, new churches have cropped up as if overnight to meet the spiritual needs of a growing population. Our church was one of those "new" churches. Ten years ago this month, through unusual circumstances, the Lord and I started River's Edge Community Church. My wife, Mary Ann, and my daughter, Anna, along with a handful of faithful folks have hung in there with me over these ten years. I am most grateful to them for their continued partnership through all kinds of unbelievable events. I believe though many have come and gone I have been faithful to the vision God gave me for a new church. Even as new ministries and new churches are beginning as I write, I encourage you anchor your church in God's vision he has given you. Let me share the vision he gave me. First, God commissioned me to start a church open to all races (you see I kinda' believe all races will populate heaven). At the beginning we were an all white church, but with God's vision entrusted and intact. If you are an all white church and God has commissioned you to be an integrated fellowship, the word "intentionality" takes on an important and strategic meaning. African-Americans, justly, are a bit suspicious when a white man comes around inviting them. They wonder, "What does he want?" I remember when our first African-American family visited us and later joined. I thanked God that he was being true to the vision he gave me. And, I was profoundly grateful to that family for giving River's Edge a chance to prove our vision. Today, we have a growing African-American presence in our church. One of three elders is black and three of six deacons are black. I am proud of the fact that at River's Edge Community Church the content of one's character and not the color of their skin defines a person. However, an integrated church does not come easy. A church that seeks to be integrated seriously and not tokenly must experience diversity training and must really mean it when singing, "Red, yellow, black, and white, they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world." The Atlanta City Church, under the anointed leadership of Pastors Rick and Susan Snow, are to be congratulated because they are light years ahead of most churches in this area of racial diversity. Second, God commissioned me to start a church with a focus on interior values, not exterior. At River's Edge, what you believe is more important than what you wear. This past Sunday morning, we had folks wearing Bermuda shorts during the "high and holy hour" of worship. Some wear jeans; some wear coats and ties; some wear pretty dresses. It does not matter. A member of our praise team wears a diamond ear ring. Our church hardly noticed when a young man visited us with his spiked green hair. Isn't this kind of thinking fairly Biblical? Did not Samuel, voicing God's heart, declare that God looks at the heart on the inside and not the physical appearance on the outside (this was in connection to anointing David as king to succeed Saul). Third, God commissioned me to start a church that would exercise simple, New Testament government. The New Testament says that the church should be governed by a senior pastor (called in the Bible, bishop) and he should be surrounded by supportive and loyal elders. Deacons are raised up in the church to serve the physical and spiritual needs of the family of faith, rather than leaving all the hard work to the pastor. Our deacons truly minister as servants. We don't have a plethora of committees, boards and councils. Our government is simple and thoroughly Biblical. The true work of the church is not done in committees but in the fields that are ripe unto harvest. Fourth, God commissioned me to start a church in which every worship service was a celebration of the resurrection. Some church services are like a funeral. "Where's the body" would be an appropriate question. Yet, the Christian church gathers on the first day of the week, Sunday, because the Resurrection took place on the first day of the week; and, Pentecost the birthday of the church took place on the first day of the week. Both Easter's Resurrection and Pentecost's birthday are victorious and celebrative events. Every Sunday service should represent a celebrative, victorious, exciting, and holy festival in the name of our victorious Lord Jesus Christ. He's alive, not dead. His church should act like it. If you come to River's Edge, you'll discover we're excited about our risen Savior and we have a clapping, sometimes shouting, always smiling good time in the Lord as we worship, sing, and praise his holy name. During these ten years, the Lord has pruned me. He's taken me to the "shed" a few times. Some folks have gotten hopping mad at me because, you see, I've not done it all right all ten years. That's why I am thankful there's a lot of forgiveness in our church body. But, the vision is intact and that's so crucial to the beginning of a new ministry or church. The Bible says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Vision! All important. What's your church's vision? What's your vision for you and your family?
The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville. |
