The following post was published in EBC's newsletter upon our 60th anniversary celebration.
60 years of ministry. That’s what we celebrate this month. I feel unqualified to say much about the
majority of these years. On October 6th,
you will get a chance to hear some testimonies from former pastors that have
served Eastwood. I have no doubt that
their experiences will do much to put our church’s history and legacy into a
proper perspective.
Until then, my thoughts will have
to suffice! 60 years is a long
time. In less than 60 years, businesses open
and close. Homes can be built, bought, and
paid for two or three times over. Many lifetime
marriages do not even last this long.
When you consider that churches have a much less sure-fire way of
generating support and revenue than a business or a mortgage company, and that
its members are not bound to be faithful in the same way that spouses are to
each other, it is astounding that any church can last this long.
Resiliency. That is what 60 years stands for to me. Not perfection. Not professionalism. Not even unparalleled blessing. But sheer resiliency that I believe proves
Christ’s promise that the gates of hell will not overcome his Church (Matthew
16:18).
An older, retired pastor that I
know has told me that he’s thankful he was a pastor in a much simpler
time. Well, I’m thankful that I am a
pastor for such a time as this. Maybe
times are a little less uncertain than the days when our nation seemed to be
“more Christian,” but the testimonies of churches like Eastwood that have
lasted through the changing of many times is a testimony of hope and assurance
to me.
As we approach this time of
celebration, allow the testimonies, memories, and renewed acquaintances to
challenge your perspective regarding our church. You’ve heard the old saying: “you don’t have
to go to church to be a Christian.” But
a singer/songwriter named Derek Webb poignantly states that “if you love
[Jesus] you will love the Church.” Not
what the church has been, or what you would like it to be. But what it is – scars and all.
Our church is resilient. It has been “sharing, caring, and inspiring
for Jesus since 1953.” And this gives me
hope as we face the future together.
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