March 10, 2007
GCC is a Local Church
I am home, and I will be going to my own local church tomorrow. As I reflect on my week, I am once again convinced that there is nothing quite so beautiful on earth as one of Christ’s local churches happily serving Him.
It is this sight that always impacts me the most when I go the Shepherds Conference. I am told that about 600 members vounteer. They are all very happy, very generous, very thoughtful, and very helpful. They ooze with respect and care.
I think it is beautiful that their handicapped members are made to be a part of the team. It is not unusual to be greeted by a wheel-chair-bound servant of God and member of Grace Community Church with a radiant smile and hearty “Hello!” Men polish shoes. (One man told me he had polished about 40 shoes that day.) Women stand behind the refreshment tables and serve.
When I say serve, I mean serve. Lest we weary ourselves pushing the spigot down on the coffee dispenser, there is a smiling lady there to do it for us. We literally do not lift a finger.
The choir is there nightly (or almost). Their faces beam. They seriously love this conference. There is no doubt about it. They believe in what they are doing. Hundreds of people working many long and hard hours serving men from all over the world is always one of the most remarkable blessings for me.
It really is beautiful.
Yes, I love the local church. I love Grace Community Church too. I don’t think any other church has had an imipact on my soul like this church because of who they selected as a pastor some fforty years ago and how they let him serve. Behind every good man is a great church. Just ask C.H. Spurgeon. He said so often.
Posted by Bob Bixby at March 10, 2007 06:44 PM | eMail this entry! | 311 WordsThis entry was posted in the following categories: Conferences
Welcome home, Pastor! Your comments on the Shepherd’s Conference over the past couple of years have encouraged and inspired me to volunteer to serve at our own Women’s Conference in April.
Reading about the volunteers at GCC brought to mind how I felt about all the people at Christ Fellowship Baptist Churc that welcomed us and made our work in Pascagoula productive and enjoyable. May the Lord teach our church how to be that kind of servants!
Posted by: Bill at March 10, 2007 08:44 PMBrother, It was my first time at GCC for Shepherds Conf. and the best part of the conference was the experience I had staying at a member’s home. They treated me like royalty. Their humility, love, grace, and self-lessness blew me away. When I drove away, I wept as i praised God for having Graced me by that conference, preaching, and most of all being loved by one of their church families.
I don’t know if you remember, but I met you on the shoe shine!
Posted by: William Dudding at March 11, 2007 06:14 PM
