The Rock
Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 60-62
Key verses: Psalm 62:1
In the course of my ministry, now spanning over thirty years, I have known of two, great “mega-churches” that each called themselves “The Rock.”
They were impressive – as institutions at least.
They both, at one point in their history had
- Tens of thousands attending worship there regularly
- Large community outreach programs
- Spectacular holiday events
- State of the art nurseries and children’s programs
- Athletic arenas
- Popular, charismatic leaders
They also found themselves on the front pages of the newspapers in their towns and on the evening newscasts of their local TV stations. Why?
All because their pastors became embroiled in some very distasteful things, disgracing themselves and doing a lot of harm in the process.
It happens. And we shouldn’t be all that surprised. Pastors are human – with all too human failings.
But what is worth noting is that both churches went by the name “The Rock.”
Nothing wrong with that – it’s a catchy title.
But I can’t help but wonder if they, or at least their fallen leaders, forgot who “the Rock” is:
Jesus Christ, Lord of Lord, King of Kings, Savior, Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
We celebrate His birth, officially, only once each year. And it seems more and more people want to do away with even that one celebration. He’s the Rock. He’s the One on whom you can count. He’s the light and hope of the world.
Believe me; no mere pastor can hold a candle to Him – except in awe.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep me humble, and guide me in my service to you, always. AMEN.
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By Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
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