This is one of those posts where I brag about our church and our family of churches.  The weekend we just had gives me ample reasons for this, and I thought it would be great for you to hear about. 😂  

CLF Marriage Retreat

Our last retreat was the weekend before the COVID guidelines went into place (social distancing, closed businesses, etc.).  That retreat had an air of uncertainty naturally wrapped into it.  We were discussing church gatherings, whether we would be able to get back into Douglas County, and other things out of our control.  

But this retreat, thankfully, had none of that.  While we went to the same location, Bandon, the ‘feel’ was completely different.  Couples were joyfully together.  Married friends were hanging out, and Bandon was open for business.  

But most importantly, our people were there.  Helen Buechley, our Event Coordinator, serves our church with great joy and has an excellent eye for what encourages our people.  She assembled a team of folks who made sure every detail was dialed in.  It was amazing to watch people pitch in to stack chairs, roll tables in and out, and help each other.  Not to mention the level of relational building and fellowship.  It was sometimes challenging to start our meetings because people enjoyed themselves so much.  What a privilege!

And having our brother from Philly, Andy Farmer, with his wife, Jill, out was a unique joy.  I have known Andy from a distance for a few years but recently started working more closely with him on the SGC Executive Committee.  His winsome, practical, biblical wisdom was palpable.  He and Jill’s affection and respect for one another came across in each session.  It was another fresh reminder of the joy in our partnership in our family of churches.  Andy told me after each session how much he enjoyed teaching our folks and how specific our folks were about their appreciation.  And our folks told me how much they enjoyed Andy.  I’m grateful that after all our years in SGC, our church gets to enjoy this partnership as I do and that SGC gets to enjoy our church as I do:). 

A Couple of Nuggets from the Retreat That Stunned Me and “Put Me in My Place”

• According to the Bible, correction is not conflict; it is fellowship and relationship.  The basis of our married relationship is not husband and wife; it’s brother and sister in Christ.
• We think we are the broker of God’s work in our spouse’s life.  We are essential in their lives for a good marriage but not essential for their sanctification (God is).  We aren’t the essential ingredients of our spouse’s change (the Holy Spirit is).  
• Disagreement is a wisdom pursuit.  It’s not necessarily a conflict.  Conflicts are not usually because of a lack of facts.  Do I prosecute arguments more than try to reach an understanding? 
• Forgiveness is to will and desire good for the other person.  It will require dying to self.   
• Purity will protect your singleness but won’t prepare you for romance in marriage.  What has helped you in your singleness hasn’t taught you how to pursue your spouse in marriage.   

Back At “Home”

While we were gone to the retreat, the rest of our church family gathered back at “home” for two services.  It was great to hear from Stan Welch and Bill Heard, as they cared for the church in our building.  They were grateful to God for what He was doing.  They were faithful to lead in worship, preach God’s word, and care for the church.  And it was good that we had two services!  The combined attendance wouldn’t have fit into one service.  

I also heard from those who served on our teams how grateful they were for our large gathering at Jacoby.  The 6:30 a.m. “showtime” for our worship, sound, and tech teams were quite early, especially after losing an hour of sleep.  But they did it with joy!  

This morning, I was filled with fresh gratitude for God’s work among us.  We had a great retreat.  We had a great Sunday at church.  No one was stressed or worried.  People were served.  Jesus was worshipped.  How good is that?  I told several people in a text of gratitude to them: “Forgiveness of sins is the best, but seeing Him work, thru you, in our church is grace upon grace. I’m very grateful.”

Speaking of Stress

Several of you asked me an interesting question recently:  Am I stressed or overwhelmed by the decisions we are working through regarding our church’s growth?  These decisions include the move to Jacoby Auditorium, the building project, more people to integrate into our community, etc.  Here’s my answer and, quite honestly, my mindset:  as a pastor, I have one main job:  exalt Christ and care for His church.  My goal each week (and I really am Sunday to Sunday focused) is to do that with all my heart.  I’m not great at many things.  I’m inadequate to do that job well.  But that’s my job.  And honestly, it’s my focus.  A bigger building or venue, more people, launching more ministries, financial decisions, and scheduling challenges all pale in comparison to exalting Christ and caring for His church.  

So, for those of you who are worried that church growth will change me pastorally, change our focus as a church or cause me to be stressed, pray that this focus will remain as strong as it has been and that I (we) will be faithful to that task.  Pray that for all of our pastors.  Yes, we need to make good decisions.  Yes, we need more space.  Yes, we need more ministry and fellowship opportunities.  But nothing comes close to ensuring we exalt Christ and care for His church.  

A Couple of Things

I came across these two short video & audio clips that were good for my soul. So I wanted to share them with you.  

• The first one is on prayerlessness.  I loved Kevin DeYoung’s answer on this, and I think it will encourage you and help you:  https://youtu.be/PLf4L4ollp8. 
• The second one is on the question, “Are people basically good?”  I thought Dr. Sproul’s answer was beneficial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NqX9V8EQUA 

I will try to toss a few things like this in my future posts.   I hope they’re helpful.  

Upcoming

This Sunday, March 19th, we will be at Jacoby Auditorium at 10:00 a.m.  I can’t wait to be with our church this week.  We will study Genesis 9:18-10:32.  

Also, I’ve heard from some that you’d like to know which text we’ll be in weekly.  Well, good news.  We have a guy in our church, Andrew Crawford, who makes bookmarks each quarter with the weekly references.  You can find those at the Welcome Table in the lobby at church.    

From the Cheap Seats

• Mexico 11 and USA 5 in “America’s Pastime”?!?!?  What in the world?  
• RB Leipzig will not be a pushover for City on Tuesday in the Champions League.  I’m a bit concerned.  
• NFL Free Agency is underway.  And what, exactly, is the NFL Salary Cap?  Teams can flip “switches” in contracts and find money (are they the US government?).  I have no idea how this stuff works.  

Have a great week!

In Christ, 

Dave York