I fell in love with a lady named Grace

6 years ago, this Valentine's Day, I fell in love with a woman named Grace. Those of you who know I am married to a woman named Teresa don't need to worry. I also love Teresa - very much! But, you have to understand how powerful Valentine's Day is. And 6 years ago, on Valentine's Day, I began a special relationship with Grace that has also grown over these years. You need to know, that although she may not always look pretty, she is always beautiful to me. Has Grace hurt me in some things she has done and said? Yes, of course, just like in a marriage. But, that doesn't mean I love her any less. Over these 6 years, my love for her has grown, not waned. Have I thought about walking out on her? Yes. But, am I fully engaged, on this 6th anniversary of our love, to keep loving her the best I can (until the Lord parts us)? YES! I love Grace and she will always be in my heart, no matter what happens to our relationship in the future. Isn't that what love is all about? A commitment to love, no matter what.

Now, before you call our deacons and inform them that I may be a polygamist, or just a run of the mill adulterer, let me assure you, I am not. This woman, Grace, that I fell in love with 6 years ago, on Valentine's Day, is a church. And to be more biblically accurate, it is a group of people, known as Grace Baptist Church. The church is not a building or a particular location. The church may meet in a building, at a particular location, but the church is the people. And more specifically, the church is not just a list of names on a membership list. The local church is the people who actually attend the morning worship services, give of their worship to God, corporately, and intimately grow with others who come as well. Church is about investing in relationships with one another as we seek to glorify God and accomplish His mission.

As of February 14, I will have been in my current pastoral position for exactly 6 years. There are times when it seems like it has only been 2 years and times when it seems like 20. I don't deny that there have been rough times, and the temptation to quit has come to mind. However, until God makes it clear that He wants me to leave, I am more committed to the people of Grace than my first day of ministry here, February 14, 2005. Why? Because I now know the people, have been through some ups and downs of life and ministry with these people; and I have seen them grow in Jesus! Even if God were to call me to another ministry, my love for these people would remain strong, because we have, together, walked this journey of spiritual growth. And there is so much more to do, and more people to reach.

It has been my joy to serve here at Grace for these past 6 years. I was so excited, when I arrived here, because the people of Grace had voted unanimously (which is very rare for a Baptist church!) to bring me on as pastor. They had asked me to be willing to help them change, because they knew they needed to change to reach the next generation. They were mostly an older congregation and they wanted young people to come; and they wanted people from the surrounding communities, who were not yet committed followers of Christ, to come to Grace as well. I had warned them that although it was possible to see God do these things, it would require uncomfortable change and sacrifice on our part. But, God had put the people of Grace in a circumstance, where all they could do was trust Him, and they were willing, at that time, to commit themselves to the gospel mission God had given us.

Like any church and like any honest pastor would tell you, there is a difference between what we say we want and how we feel once those things actually start to happen; especially when those changes touch things that we are really comfortable with and like personally. I love Grace and I don't say this to bad mouth her. I am a part of her and am responsible, before God, for her. Every church that decides to reach younger people, and lost people from their community, go through this. Over these 6 years, our hearts have been broken, as very valued, loved people, members of this lady we call Grace, have walked away from us. We have cried many tears and felt intense, deep pain.

But, as I celebrate 6 years of my love relationship with Grace, I am praising God for her. I have seen her grow in faith, in love, and in purpose. I have seen parts of Grace just blossom and grow more lovely over time. I have seen her hurt and have been privileged to cry with her just as I laugh with her in the good times. I have seen her hang tough, through times of persecution, and demonstrate a willingness to endure for the glory of God.

So, to those of you who make up Grace, on this Valentine's Day, let me be clear:
I love you!

Greg