FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART August 26, 2024

We had a wonderful day of worship and fellowship yesterday at Cordova Baptist Church. It was a special blessing to have some visitors with us in the service. We are always thankful when new people come and share with us in praising God. In this case, some were long-time members, who came back to be here for the plaque dedication in memory of Mary Rogers. I even had a dear pastor/friend to join us on the Lord’s Day.

What makes me especially proud is the way our people respond to visitors in our service. Even before the service begins, our people make an effort to greet them and to welcome them. And during the designated “Hymn of Greeting,” you go out of your way to make them feel at home in the Lord’s House. I love watching our people “mix and mingle” with our faith family, during the greeting time. Yet, I am truly happy to see you also interacting with our visitors.

It has been my experience to visit in a church, where no one even spoke to me. As you know, I am not one to sit quietly on the sidelines and be ignored. So, I always make the effort to engage other people, wherever I go. Yet, there have been times when my feeble efforts at interacting with members of the congregation have not been well received. It was apparent that they had no interest in getting to know me, or whether or not I ever came back to visit that church.

I am grateful to be the pastor of a loving church, with an open door and open hearts to welcome all people. We understand that this is the Lord’s House and we are the Lord’s People. This building is not Cordova Baptist Church, but we are Christ’s Church! And as such, we should be gladly greeting all who enter the doors, with joy and thanksgiving. Even though we had a busy day Sunday, I went home with a glad heart! I look forward to what God has in store for us the next time we gather for worship!

Serving in love,

Bro. Jim