Recent Connections and Reflections

In the last month I had the privilege of sharing at the Pueblo Christian Center Pastor/Board retreat with Pastor Josh Richardson and his team. This is a fine leadership team and God is at work in PCC. Also, Loretta and I were able to worship at Pueblo Praise AG with Pastor Bobby Wilson and the wonderful people of that congregation. Darron Wilson preached and it was an enriching service. Bobby is gaining strength following recent heart surgery, but needs prayer for continued recovery.

I spent one Sunday at home sick. I have rarely missed Sunday morning worship due to illness. I am grateful for good health and one of my greatest joys is worshipping with God’s people. To make up for that missed Sunday (smile) I visited a Saturday evening worship service at Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel and then Living Hope Church Sunday a.m. Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel is a great church of several thousand people in Colorado Springs. I am grateful we are in spiritual partnership with all of God’s family. Calvary Chapels often function under the radar in church growth literature and seminars, and yet several of the largest churches in America are Calvary Chapels. When Chuck Smith started Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA his goal was to create the “best fed and best loved” congregation in Southern CA. Not a bad paradigm of ministry.

As a Pastor when I would get discouraged by seasons of slow or no growth, I would refocus on ministering to people. Sometimes we become so absorbed with the administration and programming of the church we can unwittingly fail to feed and love people. Like the coach of a struggling football team who trims back the play book and gets back to the basics of blocking and tackling, we need to be sure we are effective in the most important aspects of our work.

Easter Sunday I visited Restoration Church, Interim Pastor Dave Argue and Living Hope Church, Pastor Phil Steiger both in Colorado Springs. If only every Sunday were as exciting as Easter! These two churches had about 950 people in attendance together. I have received reports of other churches experiencing a great Easter Sunday and pray the Lord will add to His church in this season of the year.