Church Heroes

Last week I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with the pastor and finance volunteers as I trained them in the use of Shelby Arena software and Shelby Financial software. Since June of this year, I have spent time at several churches training staff members and lay leaders, and giving them state-of-the-art tools to help them accomplish the work of the ministry. It is always a pleasure to walk into a large church, with a large conference room, white boards and video screens, a beverage bar well stocked with coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Last week, however, the first clue that I had that this was not going to be the case was the population sign on the way into this town that showed a population of 600.

Since June 1, I have have been working for the Illinois District of the Assemblies of God. I am the coordinator of a new division called Midwest Church Administration Resources. Our mission is to help the 300+ Illinois Assembly of God churches become more effective at how they do ministry. In addition to software, we also offer bookkeeping and accounting services, health insurance, annual audits/reviews, help with church loans and financing, incorporation issues, bulk mailing and printing services, and other administrative services. I have really enjoyed talking with many pastors and helping them figure out how we can help them as they minister to their congregations and communities. I'm starting to know my way around Illinois, particularly Highway 55, north and south.

We trained in the sanctuary of this small town church, because that was the only place we had a screen to project on. The only paid staff member was the part time pastor. (part time pay, full time work) We had a good time training. Since I've been a career associate pastor, its been fun making practical applications of how software can help a church take care of people. Closing the back door by good follow up, and opening wide the front door by taking care of new people who visit more than once. After our second day of training, the pastor took me on a tour of the church. As you might imagine, it didn't take very long. The thing that impressed me the most was when we walked into the small gym. Tables filled most of the gym. On one end were tables with new and used shoes, and backpacks. On other tables were new and gently used clothes, household items, school supplies, and many other useful items. The pastor told me that on the next day, a Saturday, they would open the doors to their community and nearly everything on the tables would disappear. This Saturday would be special because every child would get a backpack filled with school supplies and would get a new pair of shoes to start the school year with. He told me the history of the program, the struggles he and his wife had with helping their church members see the potential of this kind of ministry. He told me about a young mother who came to one of these monthly free rummage sales, high on drugs and desperate for help, who in the process of working with her, sobered up and received Christ into her life. He also told me about the struggles to bring technology into the church. People objected to a computer because it was introducing the "world" into the "church." As I listened, and observed, it was obvious that this young pastor and his family had endured a lot of difficulty to get this church to where they are today. I thanked him for his dedication to this congregation, and to their community. He told me about their desire to stay in this small town for a long time and see God do marvelous things.

As I drove out of town, I prayed for this pastor and his wife, for their congregation, and for their town. I believe God will do some great things there. They have a hero among them. Last week, I had the privilege of working with that hero.