This simply means that most (a majority) of our local churches have less than 56 people in worship on Sunday Moring. In our Corbin District, we have only 1 church with more than 400 people in worship on Sunday Morning, and only 1 church with more than 200 people, and only 8 churches with more than 100 people, so this means that 52 of our churches have less than 100 people on Sunday Morning, and most of these less than 56 people.
This is not "bad news", but it is "reality news". The "good news" is that in the last year, 3 of these 8 (100 +) churches have begun to have over 100 people on Sunday Morning (Barbourville, Liberty, and Ferguson), and the number will continue to grow as more of our growing churches are on that "100 person" edge.
We encourage our pastors and churches to stay in the "Book of Acts," and not the "Book of Numbers," and to simply bloom where they are planted. They will never be megachurches or large churches, but they can all be "healthy, holy, wholesome" churches, and what Bishop King calls "Love Stations" for the Lord.
On Dec. 18 (4th Sunday of Advent), it was my joy and privilege to be in 2 of our smaller churches (less than 56 on Sunday Morning), that are growing in and for the Lord.
At 11:00 am, I was with Pastor Lester Randolph and his beautiful people of Shady Grove UMC in the Pulaski County Cluster. The church is way out in the country, and just a few miles from the Casey County border, but in the last year, it has more than doubled in Sunday Morning worship attendance. Last Sunday, there was almost 30 people present (see attached photo), whereas last year at this time, they were averaging about 11 persons, so that is wonderful growth. I was there to preach, and also dedicate their new building improvements: a nursery and indoor bath room facilities, which is appropriately called a "water closet" in Europe. Because of donated materials and labor, the total cost of this project was only $9,000 and with the faithfulness of the Shady Grove UMC Family and with $1,000 of this coming from our/your Corbin District Fund, the project is totally paid for and debt free.
The morning worship service was filled with the robust and enthused singing of classic Advent Hymns, and the folks sang with great joy. They had an excellent portable sound system, and great musical solos by Christy, Jessica, Teresa, and Shantella. Great Music that thrilled my soul! Clara Randolf, the pastor's wife, had a great "Children's Message" all about Christmas, and it was clear and meaningful to the children. There was such love, power, and freedom in the worship service that I preached over 1 hour and 15 minutes, and we didn't conclude until 1:00 pm, but we were all in worship and not in a hurry.
Miss Jessica Wesley, a high school sophomore and a life-long member of Shady Grove UMC, is looking forward to attending our Ky. Conf. "Winter Blitz" in Louisville (Jan. 27-29, 2006), and then giving her personal testimony at our Corbin District Gathering at Corbin First UMC on Sunday, Feb. 5, at 4:00 pm.
At 1:30 pm, I was going through Science Hill and stopped for lunch and a good visit with Pastor Troy Poff (Science Hill UMC) and his dear wife, Rose. We had a wonderful time of food and fellowship, laughter and sharing the love of Jesus, and a good time of prayer together. They shared with me the powerful "Children's Christmas Program" during worship that morning, and I got back to Corbin about 4:00 pm.
At 5:30 pm, Judy and I drove up to Twin Branch UMC in the Laurel County Cluster, for their 6:00 pm "Christmas Dinner and Program". As we drove up that dark valley toward the church, about 1/2 mile away, we could see the bright lights of the church between the hills, and it was a Christmas print right out of "Currier and Ives." The historic and beautiful sanctuary is a log cabin church that was built in 1875 (see attached photo). In 2004, the Fellowship/Learning Building was added (Kitchen, Bath Rooms, Sunday School Rooms, and Storage) at a total cost of $55,000 and again our/your Corbin District Fund has helped to pay for the new building.
Twin Branch UMC has also in the last year more than doubled in Sunday Morning Worship attendance. This time last year, they were averaging in the 20's in worship, but now they are averaging in the 40's, but last Sunday, they had a recent record breaking attendance of 71 persons in worship, and that many or more at the evening "Christmas Dinner and Program." The church was literally "packed with people" and the atmosphere was soaked and saturated with love and joy, as classic Advent Music was playing in the background. The food (ham and turkey and all the trimmings) was fantastic, after which the music began with a trumpet duet by Pastor Donald Tackett and Keegan Jones, who also later played his solo trumpet. Pastor Tackett also played his guitar, and sang solos, and accompanied Quentin McWhorter, Jr. as he sang. The children came and sang, and we all sang together Advent/Christmas hymns for about 20 minutes with printed sheets for everyone and wonderful "boom box" sound. It was wonderful and excellent in every way.
One of the special treats for Judy and me was sitting next to Amanda and Nettie during the meal and program. Amanda turns 86 on Jan. 1, and Nettie turns 85 on Jan. 28. These beautiful white-haired angels (messengers of God) blessed us all with their wit and laughter, and when I stood to share some "ficticious" stories about them, the entire Church Family simply exploded with laughter and joy, because of their great love and respect for these beautiful and gracious ladies. The whole evening experience was 2 wonderful hours of fellowship, worship, sharing, and simply enjoying the Presence of the Lord and His good people.
Middleburg UMC had their Youth Christmas Play this past Sunday night (18th) and there were about 120 in attendance. Following the program, this photo was taken of those who made one of the balsa Nativity scenes. There were a few not present and some were down in the basement preparing the food, but this is still a good group of Nativities that will be spread throughout the community to remind people what Christmas is all about. Just look at all those beautiful children at their Christmas Program.
Over the last year, the Middleburg UMC has grown from 35 in Sunday Morning Worship to almost 50, and they have over 35 children every Wednesday Evening in their excellent program.
Congratulations to Pastor Bill Hill and the beautiful people of Middleburg UMC.
Reports keep coming to me of other wonderful events last Sunday and this week. On Sunday evening, Corbin First UMC had a powerful service of Prayer, Praise, and Healing, and 10 persons were baptized. That same evening, Ferguson UMC had a powerful Christmas Program and also Locketts Chapel UMC on Tuesday evening, and the good reports keep coming in.
Thank you all for keeping Christ Jesus as the Main Thing, bringing people to Him and all of us becoming stronger disciples/learners of Jesus as we help to make a more Christ-like world.
We love you all, and our best days are ahead because of Jesus!
We say "Merry Christmas" to you in Greek.
Kala Christougenna - which literally means: "Beautiful Christ's Birth".
In Christ the Lord, Who continues to grow His Church,
Terry Faris, Corbin D.S.
