The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current, October 15, 2014, Image 24

Previous Page Next Page

Previous Issue Next Issue

Clip Visible Area View Page Text View PDF

Newspaper Page TextPAGE 8C October 15, 2014 ^Reporter Pastor’s Corner Discipleship requires relationships, respect BY FR. THEOPHAN BUCK ave you ever had anyone try to evan gelize you? A few years back I was sitting in a coffee shop with another person and an older man ap proached our table to hand me a “Gospel” tract. I was wearing a cassock and a cross, which to him probably meant that I was not the right type of Christian. As he handed me the tract I’m sure he thought he was serving God. I didn’t doubt his sincerity, and I can well believe that this form of evangelism had somewhere worked for him. In reality, how ever, I felt singled out-- like I was being looked down upon. What could I say to this man? Would he listen? Did he really care about me or my soul? After all, he was not interested in knowing me, my struggles or beliefs; all he really wanted was for me to adopt his point of view, seemingly with little thought or chance for reflection. The whole exchange felt impersonal and demean ing. Is this how Christians are to fulfill the “Great Commission?” In Matthew 28:19, after the Resurrection, our Lord gives His disci ples the Great Commission, “Go there fore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” It is notable that our Lord does not command us to make converts but rather disciples. Discipleship requires a relationship and rela tionships require respect, time, and effort. In my example above of the older gentleman evangelizing me, I felt singled out and looked down upon. He did not know me, he did not want to know me, but for some reason he real ly wanted me to say a few prayers. Why would I want to confess his faith when he cannot even be bothered to know where I am com ing from? In many Christian communities there is an “us and them” mentality. We are “saved;” they are “not saved.” We are “born again” and holy: they are dead in their sins and “worldly.” In short, many Christians like to think that they are better than non- Christians. Jesus Christ taught a different way. He taught and made disciples by example, by emptying Himself, taking the form of a slave and sitting among sinners and the common people. Jesus was humble, and it is clear that He cared about every person he talked to. Nowhere in the Gospels would any one get the sense that Jesus felt Himself supe rior, and we are talking about God incarnate! How does one go about making disciples? Most certainly the first step in making disciples is to be one ourselves! Francis of Assisi is quot ed as saying, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words." The 18th cen tury Russian Saint Seraphim of Sarov is quoted as saying, “Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved." The gist of these two quotes is that the first part of the Great Commission is that we ourselves must live holy and exem plar lives. Do you want people to encounter Christ? Go and live the Christian faith in a manifest way and people will encounter Christ in you. Do you want to speak to others about the Kingdom of God? Go and earn the right to speak in their lives by doing the work required to develop a relationship with them. Do you want to have a relationship with the world that Christ died for? Go with humility realizing that you are not so different from the people you minister to. May God bless us Christians to be more like our Lord Jesus Christ-holy, humble, loving, and willing to lay down our lives for our neighbors, even the ones who will never convert. Father Theophan Buck is rector at St. Innocent Orthodox Church in Bolingbroke. Join the Ministerial Association The Pastor’s Corner is sponsored by Monroe County Ministerial Association, which invites all local religious leaders to join its meetings at Ann's Deli (on the square at the corner of N. Jackson and Johnston Streets) on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. Mission Statement: The Monroe County Ministerial Association’s mission is to advance God’s Kingdom within Forsyth/Monroe County churches, community, and government by promoting an ecumenical spirit, ethnic harmony, and encouraging the body of Christ to join together in worship, prayer, and service to our com munity and hospitality to transients. Fr. Theophan Buck continued from 7C Community Yard Sale at Springhill Bapt. Springhill Baptist Church, 50 E. Redding Road, Juliette, will hold a Community Yard Sale on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Several churches will be participating. There will be bags, shoes, baby clothes, and a little bit of everything. Maynard Baptist Church holds MaynardFest Maynard Baptist Church, 1195 Juliette Road, Forsyth, invites the community to MaynardFest on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 4-7 p.m. MaynardFest will feature free games, Christian music, door prizes, fellowship and activities for all ages. Tickets for food can be purchased at the Welcome booth. Little Rogers CME hosts car show Little Rogers CME Church Male Choir is sponsoring a Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 9754 Thomaston Road, Macon from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. It is $20 to register a vehicle for judging. Come enjoy lots of fun and fellowship. For more information, 478- 935-2776 Oct. 25,26 Nov.l CrossOver Ministries has fes tival, homecoming CrossOver Ministries, 2702 Hwy 16, Jackson (1-75 exit 205), invites the community to join its annual Time of Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. There will be lots of activities and conces sions for the whole fami ly. CrossOver Ministries will celebrate its pastor on Sunday, Oct. 26, dur ing the morning service followed by Pastor Appreciation Picnic at Indian Springs State Park. Homecoming serv ice will be held on Sunday, Nov. 2, with fel lowship dinner to follow service. For more infor mation about services and programs, visit www.crossoverl23.com or contact Pastor David Morris at 678-898-1010. Church Oct. 26 Mt. Olive Bapt has 137th anniversary Mt. Olive Baptist Church will celebrate its 137th Church Anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. The guest speaker will Pastor T.O. Sams of Tessie Hall Baptist Church of Forsyth. Everyone is invited. Dinner will be served. Zion Hill Baptist has Choir Anniversary Zion Hill Baptist Church, 1393 Jarrell Plantation Road, Juliette, will have its Annual Choir Anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2:15 p.m. All churches are invited to render A & B musical selections. Soloist, duets, and trios are welcome. Refreshments will be served immediately after the program. For more information con tact Choir Director Sis Mattie Harris or pro gram coordinator Sis Minnie Myrick Goolsby ( 478) 297-0898 or ( 478) 972-4437 St. Phillip AME has Men's Day Everyone is invited to St. Phillip A.M.E. Church Annual Men’s Day Program at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26.The speaker will be Rev. Michael Davis at 36 Ft. Valley Road, Culloden. Nov.l Hardie Davis to speak at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Mt Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 179 Mt Zion Church Road, Bolingbroke, will have a Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 9 a.m. The guest speaker will be Rev. Hardie Davis, former Monroe County resident and newly elected mayor of Augusta, Ga. Tickets are $7 per person. For tick ets, contact Estella Chambliss at 478-394- 2870; Gwen Chambliss at 478-508-8209; Fannie Moore 478-994-5046. New Providence Baptist has Free Fall for All New Providence Baptist Church, 2560 Hwy 42 South, Forsyth, Calendar will host a Free Fall For All on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. All are invited for fun, food and fellowship. Maynard Baptist Church presents ‘Hee Haw’ Maynard Baptist Church, 1195 Juliette Road, Forsyth, will have Hee Haw with food, fun, fellowship and some pickin' and grinnin' on Saturday, Nov. 1. Supper is from 5-6 p.m., $6 per person, or $20 for a family of four or more The show will be from 6:30-8 p.m. One canned good per person is admission to the show. and keep oiiFeconomy strong! st Franklin Financial Serving Our Neighbors Since 1941 109D Patrol Rd. Forsyth 478-994-9911 Owens Insurance Agency 16 E. Johnston St. • Forsyth AUTO • HOME • LIFE DISABILITY • LONG TERM CARE Rick Owens 478-994-1515 or 478-742-7966 rick.owens@countryfinancial.com A EVERGREEN propane Residential • Commercial Agricultural Why Pay More? Start Saving Today! 478-994-2119 *478-994-3270 Toll Free (855) 335-9333 1002 W. Main St. Forsyth, GA 31029 * The * Anvil Room (478) 994-1281 50 N. Kimball St. • Forsyth, GA Your Hometown Bakery & Bistro 0 nun ‘link IhKtMHhH (478) 994-8844 26 E. Johnston St. • Forsyth, GA Gently used & new items 19 N. Lee Street • Forsyth (Located on the Square) Shop: 478-992-8371 Cell: 770-403-3149 Thu-Fri: 11 a m-5p.m. • Sat: 9 a m -2p.m. WWW.COTIQUESHOP.COM ids High Cottorf 89 E. Adams St. • Forsyth GA 478-973-4551 • 478-993-7213 Ann Rose Bowcock & Nancy McComb Tue-Sat: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Located in the Mill Market District in mill house across from old Cotton Mill Donny McKinney, owner 150 Industrial Park Dr. ‘Forsyth 478-992-8326 24 Hour Emergency Service www.donnyspropanegas.com Serving You Is What We Do Best! City Barber Shop PROFESSIONAL HAIR CUTS 17 E. Johnston St., Forsyth 478-994-8110 WALK-INS WELCOME ITIzitiincIrEi Rise. GetMvMit*yuu want -Value EWorld class quality from the #1 Selling Tractor in the World G&M Enterprise Carlton Maynard 109 Westgate Plaza Barnesville, GA 30204 770-358-3572 www.mymcr.net

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Monroe County reporter. (Forsyth, Ga.) 1972-current, October 15, 2014, Image 24