The Wilderness Way #11

As I traveled through the Temple District, I experienced a strange almost schizophrenic vision. It was like looking through binoculars one lens at a time and seeing different scenes.

Through one eye piece, there was a sense of vibrancy and growth that emanated from the Williamson County area. New churches were struggling at various stages of new life. Cedar Park Good News, Journey of Faith, Hutto Discovery and Rockbridge were bustling with new help and greater possibilities.

Others, for example St. Phillips, Grace Copperas Cove, First Round Rock, St. Johns in Georgetown and First Georgetown were all wrestling with various issues of growth and vibrancy. Each in distinctive ways was turned outward and trying to deal with growth on a variety of levels — missional (love, justice and mercy), evangelistic, spiritual formation.

Encompassing Temple, Killeen, Harker Heights and Belton, similar issues could be seen. By my count, at least four different churches in this area were facing questions of relocation. At Wellspring, they reported being a missional community reaching out to others. Those were common comments in a number of places around the Temple District.

Through the other eye piece, I could see a number of small congregations dealing with a declining presence and wondering if there was a future. At Bartlett, someone commented about the decline in the community and the need to reach younger adults. This was a common theme in many smaller churches. Repeatedly, I discovered wonderful, friendly places with a deep love of the Lord who were wondering how to reach out to others in Christ’s name. The list is long: Holland, Bethel, Jonesboro Parish and Evant to name a few. There were also signs of hope. Florence was beginning to make progress in bringing in younger people. Mooresville is experiencing a Pentecost! Pidcoke, Purmella and Granger all reported conversion growth and missional outreach.

In observing the district, I could not help but think of Charles Dickens’ famous phrase from the opening of A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” We are in the best of times. The land is full of people who are spiritually hungry and searching. It is the worst of times. Church as we know it no longer works. I have discovered churches on the same street from growing elementary schools that have no children. I have also had the joy of being in churches that had almost been closed but are now experiencing new life as the wind of the Holy Spirit blows through them.

At Holland, I encountered a church alive with strong lay leadership and Spirit-filled ministry. All this tucked back into a neighborhood where the location could, at best, be described as poor. Taylor United Methodist Church is thriving and reaching out. First United Methodist Church in Temple is a powerhouse. The winds of the Spirit are blowing!

What I reported about the Waco District seemed to hold true for many churches in the Temple District as well. It bears repeating. In the wilderness of the Temple District, we are engaged missionally but often lost evangelistically. We love the warmth of our own campfire, but are timid in trekking along new trails. I thank God for the Temple District and my time spend in your midst! The Lord IS with you!

By: Bishop Mike Lowry On 4/17/2009

Topics: Bishop Columns