For seven Sundays in a row this summer, I visited different churches. It was part of my goals. As a pastor, visiting other churches can get the creative juices flowing. I was inspired at some of the churches, and I’m working on some little things to make our worship services more meaningful and impactful. But most of all, I was missing my church family, as were my wife and kids. Some Sundays we were out of town so we couldn’t have attended Grace, while other Sundays we were around Newton and visited other churches in the area. On the Sundays that we were at home, the kids would let out a big sigh when I told them we were not going to Grace. And no, it wasn’t a sigh of relief, but a sigh of discontent. “Why would we go anywhere else? We love our church. How about you go somewhere else, and we will go to Grace?” Many of those times I was able to get some of my family to go with me (sometimes it took a bribe in the way of a slushie or dessert). Through all of those Sundays a longing to be at our home church was growing. As they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
You see, we love our church family! We love the preaching that is committed to upholding biblical integrity. (While we were visiting other churches, we experienced some good teaching, but also some fluff.) We love the fellowship we experience as we pursue authentic community together. (There’s a difference worshipping with people you don’t know and worshipping with people that you’ve rejoiced and cried with.) We love how our church is growing in owning the mission and being a sent people. (God continues to grow my love for Newton and the surrounding communities and my passion to see a revival start here.) We love the quality youth and kid’s ministry that is reaching the next generations.
Absence from our church only made my heart grow fonder. I love our church, I love the team I serve with, and most of all, I love our God! I can hardly wait for Sunday! I hope to see you then.
Pastor Kyle