Pastor’s Post

“Old Fashioned Church”

“Make the “old fashioned church” the “new fashioned church”

     The phrase “old fashioned” carries with it, a variety of thoughts. For some, “old fashioned” seems like a bad set of words. Any and everything that is connected to something from long ago, has to be out of date and was replaced for a reason.

     For others the phrase “old fashioned” is a good thing. It refers to the good old days when they grew up when things were built to last, people took pride in their work and their country, showed respect to their elders, and took time to talk to each other face to face instead of on a device.

     For people like me, the phrase “old fashioned” carries with it, the idea that there was a lot of good from that past that can be gleaned from, and bless the future generations, ways of thinking that I happen to agree with.

     How many of us have enjoyed “old fashioned” ice cream, went to “old fashioned” car shows, or have enjoyed “old fashioned” black and white movies?

   One thing can be seen for sure; Just because something is “old fashioned” doesn’t mean it has to be, should be forgotten, set aside, or discarded. It is true… some “old fashioned” ideas and products and be learned from, built upon, or added to, but some “old fashioned” ideas can’t be beat.

   For our soup suppers this year (Every Wednesday from March 5- April 16th), we will be looking at what I describe as the “Old Fashioned Church” found in Acts 2:42-47. These weeks will focus on the practices of the early church, broken down into 6 different habits, routines, practices…that resulted in the early church being built.

   The early “old fashioned” church enjoyed these practices on a regular basis, and it resulted in the growth of the church (even if that wasn’t their specific objective). Even if you don’t get passed the point of caring if we grow as a church, these 6 solid practices the early “Old fashioned” church participated in some 2,000 yrs. ago, are what we should be doing anyway.

1. Paying attention to the preaching of God’s word (Consistently going to where they could hear God’s word, and putting it into practice)

2. Participation in the church body (They were regularly involved in each other’s lives)

3. Praying together (Talking to God with other believers)

4. Providing for others (They did what they could to support each other in their time of need)

4. Partaking of bread together (They ate together, but also celebrated the Lord’s supper together)

5. Passing it along to non-believers (Though not specifically stated in this passage, I think it can be easily assumed they verbally shared what was happening to the unbelievers around them.

    These “old fashioned” ideas or practices could easily become the “new fashioned” as far as church goes.

Praying for the “new old-fashioned church”

                                                                                                                        ~Pastor Josh    I love to give out this book. I have a used book or two on my shelf if you want a free copy. If you aren’t willing to admit you are a “blockhead” like I am, (My name is Josh and I am a blockhead, and yes, I read my own copy) you can typically find a cheap used copy on thriftbooks.com, or a brand new one at christianbook.com.

                                                                                                Blessings to my fellow Blockheads,

                                                                                                            Pastor Joshhow each one worked while their master was gone. Two of these servants did the best they could with what they had. Though not being equal in the amount of what they were able to accomplish, I believe both lived up to the max potential they were capable of. The third servant chose to do nothing with what he was entrusted with, and chose instead to make excuses for why he did nothing. Jesus informed the listeners, that these servants were rewarded for the spiritual investment they made.

   If you are saved, your ultimate salvation is coming. It’s “closer today than when you first believed.” How are you living your faith out? Are you making a “spiritual investment” like two of the three of these servants were? Or are you making excuses for why you can’t do what God is asking you to do?

                                                                                         “Live like Jesus could come back today”.

                                                                                                                        ~Pastor Josh