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Church Reports - Weeks 1 and 2
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Trek 2008 – Give ‘em Heaven
Church Report Weeks 1 and 2
By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
I love church. When I go with an attitude of worship and not a demand to be entertained, I enjoy every service I’m in. Worship is about God and not about my preferences or me.
When on a missionary journey, I go to a different church every Sunday as well as any other time I’m near a church holding services. I don’t care what denomination I attend as long as they believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and read the Bible. I’ve attended three churches since I left home and led a worship service in a KOA campground in Westchester, Pennsylvania.
On June 7, I worshipped in Corinth United Methodist Church in Four Oaks, North Carolina. There were about 30 worshippers there. When they began singing the old hymns, Gail and I sat back and let the familiar words minister to our souls. The people were so welcoming. They invited me to tell them about my missionary calling and journey. The sermon was on the sin of pride.
Rev. Bill Spencer joked, “One subject I am an expert on is pride.” He talked about the 4 kinds of pride – intellectual, material, social, and spiritual. His sermon was humorous and inspirational.
Sunday June 14, I worshipped in Wlllowdale Chapel, a non-denominational church in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. They have two services on Sunday and their large auditorium was packed. The contemporary music and praise band was completely different from the Sunday before. People were in shorts and jeans, but like the week before, most were carrying their Bibles.
I was homesick on Father’s Day and needed the comfort of a church family. Canandaigua Baptist Church in Canandaigua, New York filled that role admirably. I was greeted at the door and escorted to a Bible Study. At no time was I alone. Someone sat with me for Bible Study and church.
The sermon was preached by their Life Minister, 28-year-old Pastor Bill Bamback.
“You’re the age of my daughter,” I teased.
“But I’m a pastor,” he quipped.
He was indeed. He preached on Sacrificial Servanthood and ended with making the congregation chant twice, “We are committed to Sacrificial Servanthood.” He also kept us laughing, which I always appreciate.
The music was contemporary and led by a praise team. They have two services on Sunday. The dress ranged from shorts to Sunday best and the ages an even blend ranging from babies to quite mature. My favorite part was how well everyone sang. I left the service having had a Holy Encounter with Christ.
A family invited me out to lunch and I spent the entire afternoon with them. Later, I called Daddy, Uncle Bobby, and my husband Bob and told them all I loved them. It turned out to be a great Father’s day.
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady does have some requests and an observation:
Requests
To churches: Put your worship times somewhere outside your church building.
To mothers: If your preschooler is enthusiastically singing and moving to the praise music, don’t tell them to settle down. Nurture their natural inclination to praise the Lord with gusto.
Observation
As I travel, I continually make the same observation. When thinking about church growth, it seems to be mostly about the music and dress. Contemporary music and casual attire attracts young families. And, from my experience, attracting young families is what it takes to grow churches.
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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.
This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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