The State of the Church
The Church of The Open Door
Dr. J. Gerald Harris
Revelation 3:7-8
Well, I want you to know that the state of the church is in excellent shape, considering the state of the pastor. I had an experience last week that reminded me of an experience I had several months ago. Last week I had to go by the grocery store on the way home. (Do you men ever have to do that?) I went by the grocery store to get two items. And when I got to the check-out counter, I did not have enough money. And for some reason that day their system that validates credit cards was broken down, so I could not use a credit card. Beverly Hall, one of our secretaries, happened to be in the line right behind me. And she was perfectly willing to loan me the money that I needed, but I thought I had enough change in my car to cover my bill.
So I ran out to the car while everybody had to wait in line in order for me to pay my bill.
But let me tell you what happened several months ago. I was at the Quick Trip at Roswell Road and Old Canton Road, and I had bought a snack. And while I was waiting in line, I had already eaten half of it. When I got to the check-out counter, I did not have the fifty cents that I needed to pay the clerk.
And so I said, "Look, you can trust me. I'm the pastor of the Eastside Baptist Church." Then I said jokingly, "I know what I could do. I could invite you to hear me preach in return for this snack, but I'm afraid I don't have any fifty cent sermons."
And the clerk behind the counter, with the most serious expression that you could imagine, said, "Maybe I could come twice."
About that time one of our members came by and bailed me out of that dilemma. But I just say that the state of the church is excellent, considering the state of the pastor.
Over a year ago our Strategic Planning Committee brought several recommendations to the church -- recommendations concerning a seeker-targeted service on Saturday night, recommendations conc ...
The Church of The Open Door
Dr. J. Gerald Harris
Revelation 3:7-8
Well, I want you to know that the state of the church is in excellent shape, considering the state of the pastor. I had an experience last week that reminded me of an experience I had several months ago. Last week I had to go by the grocery store on the way home. (Do you men ever have to do that?) I went by the grocery store to get two items. And when I got to the check-out counter, I did not have enough money. And for some reason that day their system that validates credit cards was broken down, so I could not use a credit card. Beverly Hall, one of our secretaries, happened to be in the line right behind me. And she was perfectly willing to loan me the money that I needed, but I thought I had enough change in my car to cover my bill.
So I ran out to the car while everybody had to wait in line in order for me to pay my bill.
But let me tell you what happened several months ago. I was at the Quick Trip at Roswell Road and Old Canton Road, and I had bought a snack. And while I was waiting in line, I had already eaten half of it. When I got to the check-out counter, I did not have the fifty cents that I needed to pay the clerk.
And so I said, "Look, you can trust me. I'm the pastor of the Eastside Baptist Church." Then I said jokingly, "I know what I could do. I could invite you to hear me preach in return for this snack, but I'm afraid I don't have any fifty cent sermons."
And the clerk behind the counter, with the most serious expression that you could imagine, said, "Maybe I could come twice."
About that time one of our members came by and bailed me out of that dilemma. But I just say that the state of the church is excellent, considering the state of the pastor.
Over a year ago our Strategic Planning Committee brought several recommendations to the church -- recommendations concerning a seeker-targeted service on Saturday night, recommendations conc ...
There are 23431 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
