Things New and Old

 Here is something that has occurred to me. As long as pastor Mitchell was alive there were pastors in our Fellowship who felt like young men. They felt like they were still on track and that they could still do what pastor Mitchel had done. Now that pastor Mitchell is dead I wonder if they are beginning to feel old. I wonder if they are thinking about a vacation or a sabbatical?

Churches that have had the same pastor for a long time on one hand are fortunate. On the other hand, they too live in a world of make believe, thinking that things are great and that God is moving and that as long as pastor is there we are alright. I wonder what will happen to those aging churches once their pastor dies or ceases to be able to function?

When Moses died there was no guarantee that things would continue. As long a Moses was there they felt secure. Once Moses died and Joshua assumed leadership things changed. Fortunately, all of the older men were dead. So the next generation, with Joshua as their leader, went in and took possession of the Promised Land. 

We tend to look at life like it will never change. We adopt reference points and landmarks to assure ourselves that we are on track and that everything is as it ought to be. But life is not static and life moves on with or without our cooperation. No all events are life changing. But life by it's very nature implies change over time. How we adapt or adjust to a changing landscape will determine whether we remain or whether we spin off into the nether land of memories and reminiscing.

I have noticed how, since I moved here, some people seemed hungry to know about Prescott and pastor Mitchell and the early days. They are both interested in history and also worried about how things will change with him not there. For me, pastor Mitchell is a part of my past, but my life if forward facing. I am not as concerned about the past as I am anxious to know what next. Will I recognize it as genuine? Will I be able to be a part of what happens next?

History tells us how we got here. Prophecy tells us where we are going.

"Therefore, every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a house-holder who brings out of his treasure things new and old." Matthew 13:52