When I played high school sports, I remember the cheerleaders leading a cheer that went something like, “Two, four, six, eight…Who do you appreciate?” And then they would insert the nickname of our team or the name of a specific player.
Who do you appreciate? I appreciate our church family.
I’m not sure who designated October as Pastor Appreciation Month, but for several years I have wanted to refocus the emphasis toward a Church Appreciation Month. During the past few days as I have read the encouraging cards and notes many of you have sent, I have actually been thinking about how much I appreciate our church family.
While our church is not perfect, and we have a lot of room to grow in our commitments, the vast majority of our folks have a servant heart and encouraging spirit. This week I’ve spent a little more time than usual at the hospital, I’ve watched our teams prepare for Tour of Tables, and I’ve stood alongside some of our folks in the trenches of tough life experiences. What I have seen has caused me to pause and say with fresh conviction, “Thank you, Lord, for our First Baptist Family.”
Here are just a few of the many things I appreciate about our church family….
• The way we respond with love and generosity in times of crisis.
• The way we serve cooperatively on ministry teams.
• A growing enthusiasm in the way we welcome guests and new members.
• A growing number of people are bringing their Bibles to worship and Bible study.
• More and more people are stepping up to the plate to fill positions of service and leadership.
• The way we partner in big events like Challenger, Tour of Tables, Christmas Dinner for the Homeless, Trunk or Treat, and others.
• The way you pray for and encourage me and our other ministers.
• The way we support and participate in missions, locally and around the world.
• The overarching sense of harmony we share, in the midst of our tremendous diversity.
• The way members of all ages are inviting friends and neighbors who do not have a church home to come and join us.
As I was standing in the Critical Care waiting room the other night, one of our students, noting the love and support being shown toward one of our families, turned to me and said, “We’ve got the coolest church.” I think she’s right!
I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. I Corinthians 1:4 NIV
