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I Love My Church: Let Me Count The Ways
What’s New On The West Side? Summer Sermon Series
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I Love My Church: Let Me Count The Ways
“Love your spiritual family.” (1 Peter 2:17 MSG)
See What Could Be. See What Will Be. Then See What Is.
Ok. I admit it. I love my church.
I know it’s easy not to feel that way. After all, you and I are part of it! It’s easy to look in the spiritual mirror and see all our faults. Sometimes, it’s even easier to look at the people sitting next to us at worship and see all their faults. Just listen to the way we talk about our churches.
Can I show you a different way?
When God sees his church—the blessed community of the redeemed—he sees us in the light of what we could be (by the power of the Spirit) and will be (in the new creation). Even now God sees us not in our sin, but in our Savior. The language Paul uses is breathtaking. “Glorious.” “Holy.” “Without fault.” “Without spots.” “Without wrinkles.” “Without flaw.”
Flawless. That’s how God sees his gathered community. Flawless.
What if we saw with the eyes of Christ? What if, instead of focusing on every wrinkle or graying hair, we looked at the church and saw the best? What could be. What will be. If we do that long enough, it will change our view of what is.
Do you remember this scene in Patch Adams? Patch is a doctor helping mental patients. Arthur is old man—once considered brilliant—who goes around holding up 4 fingers asking people how many fingers they see. And then.. this happens:
Patch: May I come in?
Arthur: If you bend your medial collateral ligaments...
and place one talus in front of another...
I don't see where you'd have a problem.
Of course, if there were a news story covering this event...
the headline might read: "Small Brain Enters Room."
Patch: The fingers. What's the answer?
Arthur: Oh, you're another one of those bright young fellows...
who always know the right answer, is that it?
Welcome to real life.
How many do you see?
Patch: There are four fingers, Arthur.
Arthur: No, no, no. Look at me.
Patch: What?
Arthur: Y-You're focusing on the problem.
If you focus on the problem, you can't see the solution.
Never focus on the problem. Look at me!
How many do you see?
No, look beyond the fingers.
How many do you see?
Patch: Eight.
Arthur: Eight. Eight. Yes! Yes!
Eight's a good answer. Yes.
See what no one else sees.
See what everyone else chooses not to see...
out of fear and conformity and laziness.
See the whole world anew each day.
Ah, the truth is, you're well on the way.
If you didn't see something here...
besides a crazy, bitter old man...
you wouldn't have come in the first place.
“He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. Christ did this, so he would have a glorious and holy church, without faults or spots or wrinkles or any other flaws.” (Ephesians 5:26-27 CEV)
Let Me Tell Of The People
West Side has the best people. I mean…the best. Tommy goes by several names. Papa to those he loves. Handy man to those he helps. Santa to those who write him letters or sit on his knee. And to the church at West Side, he is one of our loving shepherds. Tommy can fix anything….including your view of humanity. I have seen him spend an entire day on the job, then answer the call to help a hurting member. Before heading home, he stops by my house to see if I need any help with my washing machine. It needs a part…and he knows where to get it. He gets the part, then returns to fix my machine. “No charge” he says. But now he needs to run. You see, his family now needs him, and he is going to walk in the door and be fully available to whatever their needs may be. And if it wasn’t for the fact that he is the spitting image of Santa himself, you probably wouldn’t even notice all the work he does behind the scenes with a humble heart and hands of service. When I think of our people, I think of Tommy.
Naomi is a young woman with a heart for Jesus. She saw a need to serve singles in our church in some way other than simply providing get-togethers for dating match-ups. We now have a singles ministry. Singles have their own class with a rotating list of guest speakers on subjects ranging from Wisdom literature to the Life in the Spirit. They have game nights and travel options. And did I mention she also runs our children’s library, and organizes our annual church-wide reading challenge? And, no, she isn’t full time. She isn’t even on staff. This is what a volunteer looks like at West Side. When I think of our people, I think of Naomi.
Mark has a love for technology. He’s very good at it. He offered his services to help us create a new church website. That was the beginning. Mark meets with Casey and I each week as we dream about West Side, and he offers wise words of advice and encouragement for how we can improve our streaming, our online resources, and our worship experience. When I need a ride somewhere, Mark is always there. When I need to go out of town to pick up a load of books? Mark was eager to come. Just a few days ago, Mark spent the morning dreaming with me; then the afternoon ironing a banner and putting it up. Then, just before attending another engagement, he stopped in to make sure everything was set up for an evening event. None of this was expected or contracted. This is just who he is. (By the way, check out the new website!)
I could tell you about Deva who serves as a receptionist, a care-group coordinator, and children’s ministry liason, while also serving with our “Monday Night For The Master” program, attending our 2-hour Wednesday ladies’ Bible class, and showing up at every church function I can think of—not just to attend, but to help serve. (Did I mention she does all of this while babysitting full-time 5 days a week?)
I could tell you about Rachel, our administrative assistant. I could tell you she’s contracted to work 40 hours a week, but she reaches that number by Wednesday, and is still there to greet me when the day begins, and is working well after I go home at the end of every day.
I could tell you how well cared-for our building is. Tony makes sure the place looks spotless, doing far more than is asked or expected. And when I put hand-outs on all the pews, does it add to Tony’s workload? Not at all. Because, you see, while Tony spends Monday through Saturday taking care of the building, it’s Steve and Joetta who go up and down each row after every Sunday service to pick up loose paper. Not a job. Not even asked. Just a volunteer service.
That reminds me of Nick, our veteran greeter at the western doors of the building. He stands outside the door—in the hot summer months and in the cold wintery months. He always has a warm smile and a gentle spirit that makes you remember your meeting him. I wish every church had an usher who is as amazing at it as he is. But I forgot to tell you…he wasn’t asked to do that. He just saw an opportunity years ago, and made it his own.
We don’t have a youth minister at the moment. But we have an active youth ministry—because our parents are so incredibly involved. At any youth event, you’ll see Ryan and Chris and Rachel and Deb and countless others—too many to name!
I could point to some fine woodwork in our building, and tell you that Brandon made that. I could take you to homes in the neighborhood where people who are not members at West Side have been befriended and helped. I would tell you about Irvin and his heart for hurting people.
I could tell you about Mickey and his desire to see more racial integration in our congregation. I could tell about Julie and her desire to teach others sign language so they can share the message of Christ. Oh, I could tell you about the people.
“A body is made up of many parts, and each of them has its own use. That's how it is with us. There are many of us, but we each are part of the body of Christ, as well as part of one another. God has also given each of us different gifts to use…If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous.” (Romans 12:4-7 CEV)
Let Me Tell of the Projects
And then there’s the programs.
Monday: At Monday Night for the Master, you’ll find Jon organizing projects to help serve the church or the needy in the community. There will be dinner waiting on all who attend. Then, these servants of God get to work. You can join Carolyn in the World Bible School room, as she shares the gospel with tens of thousands of people across the globe. You will likely find Todd who is always willing to put something together for a teacher in a classroom. You can join the encouragement table, where a card-writing ministry lets our visitors, our sick members, and those who have responded to the message know they are noticed, remembered, and loved.
Tuesday: Our senior saints enjoy a morning of food, fun, and fellowship at the Golden Years banquet every Tuesday from 10-12. Between a thoughtful devotional and a home-cooked meal, our Golden Years members enjoy a program of enjoyment that has included jeopardy games, magic shows, and trips to Branson.
Wednesday: Every Wednesday morning our ladies enjoy a 2-hour block of time for devotion. With baby-sitting provided, the women of West Side dig into the Scriptures and share their faith with one another. There is a 4PM Bible class available for any who want to study God’s message. At 6:30 each Wednesday evening, several of our Agape groups meets at the building to share life together, and we offer a class in our auditorium at that time as well. During the summer, we are enjoying our Summer Sermon Seminar, learning from some incredible guest speakers who lift up the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thursday: On several Thursdays, Andrew hosts a singing school at our building for all who wish to learn new songs.
Fridays and Saturdays: Our youth often enjoy a night out together; or one of our many ministries will host a travel event or dinner in someones home. Just last Friday was a trip to watch a minor league baseball game, complete with fireworks, on an evening when the weather was absolutely perfect. Saturday mornings offer a men’s breakfast, or any number of similar opportunities. If you happen to go to the city baseball fields, you will find the stands full of West Siders cheering on the kids—some of whom are related, some of whom are not. I love how we live life together. And there is something for everyone.
And did I mention that any day of the week you can hear the happy excitement of shuffling feet upstairs, since West Side hosts Crosspoint Preparatory Academy, with our very own Tammy serving as head of school?
Sunday: If you get to the building while it is still dark, you will find Fred and Carolyn filling the communion trays to make sure they are ready for morning service. At 8:00 Si begins his morning class offered before services for those wish to begin the day with a dedicated time of study. When our church services begin at 9 this week, you might hear us announce one of many countless ways to be involved in the life of this church. If someone responds to the invitation, don’t be alarmed when all 10 elders come down the aisle to sit, hold, and cry with whoever comes forward. After service is ended, you will see all our children, along with their teachers, filling all the classrooms in our building, along with 7 or 8 adult Bible class offerings. Our College class always has homemade breakfast available because of the generosity of our members. After the morning class, it is common to find members all together at lunch somewhere, enjoying life together. Our shepherds gather at 4:30 to pray. Serving as the furnace for West Side, these prayers are the source of spiritual fire that pervades our fellowship.
In the afternoon, you might find our evangelism committee, or the missions committee, or the Backpack for Kids program members, or any number of service projects being planned. You may hear the busy sewing machines in our Dorcas room, where you will find Carla and many others sewing quilts for shut-ins and those in the hospital, with personal messages embroidered with love. These quilts are then placed in the foyer, so all members can both sign the card and tie a strip of yarn to signify a prayer given to God on their behalf.
At 5 PM, most of the adults gather for evening service in the auditorium. But we offer more on a Sunday evening than I have ever seen in my life. 7-12 grade boys gather with Robert (one of our shepherds) for a time of dedicated devotion and spiritual nourishment. 7-12 grade girls sit at the feet of Rebecca as she conducts her “Light group” program, complete with workbooks she self-produces. Our children from toddler to 6th grade enjoy the “Christian soldiers” program in the chapel. This is where fun and games meld with Scripture memorization and songs about the Savior; it is also where my daughter Grace begs to go all afternoon long!
At 5:30, I wrap up the Sunday evening class in the auditorium as the children who attend our Christian soldiers enter in. The young men of this program—every Sunday night—then offer songs, prayers, and devotional thoughts to the entire congregation.
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-5 CEV)
Let Me Tell of the Love
Katie and I have felt so loved here. So welcome here. So encouraged here. We have come home or answered the doorbell countless times to find food on our doorstep. Grace cries with excitement when she gets to go to Jim & Lori’s house, or Den-Den and Riti’s (as she lovingly calls them). She names every kid in her Bible class, every older child that runs up to hug her after church, and all the adults ready and willing to hold her in their arms during service.
But I haven’t even come to the best part. The thing I love the most. When I finish preaching, I start walking back to my seat. That’s when my precious daughter coming running down the aisle for me. No one makes her do it. And I’ve wondered if it bothered anyone.
“Of course not,” says…everyone.
I’ve been told so many times that her running after me is the best part of Sunday for so many members. I am so thankful they feel that way.
So now we come to the end of the story. You might be thinking to yourself “well, every church has good folks who would give you the shirt off their back.”
Yes. Yes they do.
“And every church has programs that are interesting and inviting.”
Yes. Yes they do.
“And every church has something about them that makes you feel the love.”
I believe you are right.
Why not tell the world about it?
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” (Psalm 22:22 ESV)
I am the thankful preaching minister for the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR). Our lessons are available to watch or listen, and later appear on the Life on the West Side podcast that is available on all podcast platforms.
What’s New On The West Side? Summer Series
We are enjoying our annual summer sermon series. This summer, we have asked some of my favorite preachers and teachers to offer “their favorite sermon.”
The summer series will live stream on Wednesday evenings a 6:30 PM on facebook or YouTube. If you are in the middle Arkansas area, we would love to have you join us in person. I’ll save a seat for you.
Subscribe to Life on the West Side
My name is Nathan Guy, and I serve as the preaching minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas. I am happily married to Katie and am the proud father of little Grace. You can find more resources on my website over at nathanguy.com. Follow me: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.