Thank You for 25 Years
I had a turnaround experience as a senior in college, finally becoming serious about being a disciple of Jesus. I returned home without a job, and it took several months to land one. During that time, I read the Bible every day while working three part-time jobs, and I prayed. I prayed that God would allow me to end up where I could take Bible college classes and become more effective working in the church, with a goal to be an elder someday. I was thinking I’d end up in St Louis, since most Park and Recreation entry level jobs were in the city. And St Louis Christian College was there!
There was a recession going on at the time and city park jobs were few; they were laying off instead of hiring. So, trying other options I took state merit exams and ended up having two interviews the same day for Employment Service jobs in Sedalia and Moberly. The interview in Sedalia went well, I thought. The manager seemed to like me. I drove from there to Moberly and felt that interview did not go well, The manager admitted he hadn’t had much luck hiring young guys just out of college. I went home counting that one out and hoping for Sedalia. About two weeks later I got a letter telling me I was not chosen in Sedalia. Then a letter came offering me the job in Moberly! I was very surprised, and guess what: Central Christian College of the Bible was in Moberly. My prayer had been answered.
I took classes at CCCB each semester for several years, getting about 20 hours of credit, while also volunteering at Union Avenue Christian Church as a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent, teaching the high school class and eventually teaching an adult class that Edsil Dale (Bible college professor) had taught for years, with him handing it off to me when he retired from teaching.
Then I went through a divorce. That’s a long sad story. I never thought it would happen, but it did. It took me awhile to get myself aligned, but meeting Rexanne and us moving to Lebanon and attending Southern Heights Christian Church finally made me feel grounded again. I didn’t think being an elder was probably ever going to happen at this point, knowing some churches think being “the husband of one wife” includes not being divorced. I was a deacon for a few years. We hosted and I led a small group in our home for about 20 years, both Rexanne and I were also active in missions. Rexanne was on the Mission Team and later when the team was dissolved, Jeff Hinson asked her to become the mission’s liaison for SHCC. She also served as part-time office manager for a few years.
Eventually I was nominated as an elder. I talked to Mark Shoemaker and explained the circumstances of my divorce. He told me that his interpretation of “the husband of one wife” was that you didn’t practice polygamy. Divorce could be a problem but depends on the circumstances. He was satisfied with mine.
I only hope my teaching and writing have properly represented God’s teaching in scripture, and that my participation in decisions with the other elders have taken us down a good path. It’s been my privilege to serve in this way, a calling I’ve never taken lightly. I’ve worked with a variety of men who have served as elder and could not ask for a better group of brothers to do ministry with.
As we transition with our move, we hope to find new areas of ministry at 9th St Christian in Elden. Thanks for making our 25 years at SHCC such a great experience, allowing me to write since June 2012-- over 600 Cross Points! Waking Up Eutychus is similar, and I may make it available soon. Ask about it.
Cross Point: “Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord.” Ephesians 6:23, 24. We love you guys!
Rick’s blog: rickwilliswrites.wordpress.com. Also working on two projects: Waking Up Eutychus & The Vagabond Angel.
There was a recession going on at the time and city park jobs were few; they were laying off instead of hiring. So, trying other options I took state merit exams and ended up having two interviews the same day for Employment Service jobs in Sedalia and Moberly. The interview in Sedalia went well, I thought. The manager seemed to like me. I drove from there to Moberly and felt that interview did not go well, The manager admitted he hadn’t had much luck hiring young guys just out of college. I went home counting that one out and hoping for Sedalia. About two weeks later I got a letter telling me I was not chosen in Sedalia. Then a letter came offering me the job in Moberly! I was very surprised, and guess what: Central Christian College of the Bible was in Moberly. My prayer had been answered.
I took classes at CCCB each semester for several years, getting about 20 hours of credit, while also volunteering at Union Avenue Christian Church as a deacon and Sunday School Superintendent, teaching the high school class and eventually teaching an adult class that Edsil Dale (Bible college professor) had taught for years, with him handing it off to me when he retired from teaching.
Then I went through a divorce. That’s a long sad story. I never thought it would happen, but it did. It took me awhile to get myself aligned, but meeting Rexanne and us moving to Lebanon and attending Southern Heights Christian Church finally made me feel grounded again. I didn’t think being an elder was probably ever going to happen at this point, knowing some churches think being “the husband of one wife” includes not being divorced. I was a deacon for a few years. We hosted and I led a small group in our home for about 20 years, both Rexanne and I were also active in missions. Rexanne was on the Mission Team and later when the team was dissolved, Jeff Hinson asked her to become the mission’s liaison for SHCC. She also served as part-time office manager for a few years.
Eventually I was nominated as an elder. I talked to Mark Shoemaker and explained the circumstances of my divorce. He told me that his interpretation of “the husband of one wife” was that you didn’t practice polygamy. Divorce could be a problem but depends on the circumstances. He was satisfied with mine.
I only hope my teaching and writing have properly represented God’s teaching in scripture, and that my participation in decisions with the other elders have taken us down a good path. It’s been my privilege to serve in this way, a calling I’ve never taken lightly. I’ve worked with a variety of men who have served as elder and could not ask for a better group of brothers to do ministry with.
As we transition with our move, we hope to find new areas of ministry at 9th St Christian in Elden. Thanks for making our 25 years at SHCC such a great experience, allowing me to write since June 2012-- over 600 Cross Points! Waking Up Eutychus is similar, and I may make it available soon. Ask about it.
Cross Point: “Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord.” Ephesians 6:23, 24. We love you guys!
Rick’s blog: rickwilliswrites.wordpress.com. Also working on two projects: Waking Up Eutychus & The Vagabond Angel.
Posted in Cross Points