Hope Church is a small...
Illustration
Hope Church is a small, non-denominational church in a small town. The church has
struggled for many years. It is not unusual for the church to go without a pastor for an
extended period of time. The members have always rallied together, taking turns leading
worship, visiting the sick and homebound. To the outside observer the church might not
appear to be much but it is home for the two dozen people who have been part of that
church for many years.
Since they are such a small church, they have difficulty attracting and keeping pastors. They just cannot pay as much as other churches. Recently, after going for six months without a pastor, someone in the congregation recommended someone he met while working on his home. While the man had previous experience it was unclear why he was no longer serving as a pastor. He was willing to pastor Hope Church so the church hired him.
One long-time member says this is when the trouble began. The new pastor had a judgmental and legalistic attitude that ruffled some feathers. For example, he would not allow Dave to be an usher because twenty years ago he smoked cigarettes. Dave enjoyed being an usher for many years. Another gentleman could not serve on the church board because over thirty years ago he was divorced, although he had been happily married for over 25 years. And so it went. The members were upset and wished they had never hired this man. The new pastor could stand a lesson on grace!
The apostle Paul contrasts the difference between living under the law and living by grace. Thank God we are saved by grace and do not have to follow the letter of the law. Our salvation is a gift -- part of God's amazing grace.
Since they are such a small church, they have difficulty attracting and keeping pastors. They just cannot pay as much as other churches. Recently, after going for six months without a pastor, someone in the congregation recommended someone he met while working on his home. While the man had previous experience it was unclear why he was no longer serving as a pastor. He was willing to pastor Hope Church so the church hired him.
One long-time member says this is when the trouble began. The new pastor had a judgmental and legalistic attitude that ruffled some feathers. For example, he would not allow Dave to be an usher because twenty years ago he smoked cigarettes. Dave enjoyed being an usher for many years. Another gentleman could not serve on the church board because over thirty years ago he was divorced, although he had been happily married for over 25 years. And so it went. The members were upset and wished they had never hired this man. The new pastor could stand a lesson on grace!
The apostle Paul contrasts the difference between living under the law and living by grace. Thank God we are saved by grace and do not have to follow the letter of the law. Our salvation is a gift -- part of God's amazing grace.
