The idea of our “Afterthoughts” column is to revisit something from the previous week’s message that we either did not have time to cover or on which we would like to expand.
This week, I’d like to offer a few “random thoughts” on this past Sunday. I hope they will be an encouragement to all of our Church Family.
Outdoor Worship
One of the most frequent comments I heard about Sunday was, “Why can’t we do this every week?” Those who ask are not necessarily asking that we do but express delight and appreciation for Church Behind the Church. There’s something special about worshiping outdoors. And let’s face it, this past Sunday had it all: fresh air, sunshine, gentle breeze, singing, baptisms and testimonies, communion with the saints. What could be greater?
It had everything we wanted a worship service to be, but with the added benefit of the great outdoors. We are all grateful to God for giving us a beautiful and memorable morning.
Here are two other thoughts about why this past Sunday was unique. First, we had more time for fellowship. It was great to catch up with people and have a more extended conversation than just a quick “Hi, how are you?”—as is often the case on Sunday mornings.
With this, I point you to Life Groups once again. Fellowship happens on Sunday morning, but regardless of the size of a church, facility, or schedule, most Sunday morning fellowship is not at the depth necessary to build deep and lasting relationships.
Believers in the first Church in Jerusalem “were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). This DNA of the Church is stamped in us as well. We crave and require extended time in fellowship to develop deep relationships. In addition to meeting corporately in the Temple, the first Church met in one another’s homes to grow deeper in discipleship.
Our Life Groups aim to create lasting relationships with Christ and one another through Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and service. It is a simple formula -- God uses it, and we will stick with it.
Second, it is also a great encouragement to have all our congregation together in one service. Since we do not have a large enough auditorium to fit our entire congregation comfortably, our two outdoor services each summer provide that unifying and visual demonstration of our whole Church family together in one place. This is a source of incredible encouragement.
Multigenerational Ministry
Sunday, we spoke of multigenerational and intergenerational ministry. This has been a rallying cry at VBC for many years. The Church is a family, and a family is comprised of all age groups. Our Church should also reflect, to some extent, the generational demographics of our community. When whole age groups are missing, we are probably not reaching our community.
We can always do better, but there was a moment this past Sunday when all of us saw the fruit of your labor for the sake of the Gospel. At the time of the baptisms, we called all the children to come forward to get a front-row seat to hear and see the Gospel proclaimed and portrayed in baptism.
A throng of children came forward and sat down on the grass. This was a dramatic illustration and demonstration of God’s faithfulness and the future of Valley Bible Church.
But having a multigenerational Church is not enough; our ministry must also be intergenerational.
• Age is celebrated and valued throughout the Scriptures and is not to be squandered.
• Youth is not to be despised but must humbly recognize its limitations.
We value older saints. Too many churches brush older Christians aside to reach the younger generation. Often, at a time in life when a Christian has the most to offer, they retire from the Christian life. Older saints are celebrated and valued throughout Scripture as a source of wisdom and knowledge. “A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31).
We value youth for energy, enthusiasm, and vision. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:12). Without the unique qualities of youth, we are dead in the water.
Three Services
There were well over 400 people at our Church Behind the Church. This gives you an idea of how many people call VBC their home as members or regular attendees. Those numbers should never be a source of pride. David found that out the hard way. But the shepherd must know his flock (Proverbs 27:23), the Great Shepherd keeps track of the souls given to VBC (John 10:27-29), and so should we (1 Peter 5:1-4).
But even with over 400 people this past Sunday, there were easily another 75-100 who were not there. On any given Sunday, we will have about that many people missing due to illness, travel, family emergencies, household or car problems, etc.
We cannot physically nor comfortably seat over 500 people in our auditorium. At the same time, we must continue to do all things for the sake of the Gospel, to reach and disciple as many people as God gives us until the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).
On Sunday, September 11, we are adding a third service. Our new morning service times will be 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00. Please pray for guidance, wisdom, logistics, energy, and God’s blessings. I know we will learn much in the first few weeks. We can expect that some of the services will seem a little thin to begin with. The temptation is to think, “Now, why are we doing this again?” Please be patient and prayerful. Be patient because years ago, when we started a second service, we often wondered whether it was necessary. It was.
Be prayerful. Pray that God would fill all three services with people He is drawing to Himself; with whole families; with people He is transforming; with people repenting of sin and being born again.
Pray, we would do all for the sake of the Gospel.