Month: May 2024

52 Reasons to Love the Church

#22- The Salt of the Earth

By Kathy Pollard

Neal and I recently had lunch with our dear friends, Roger and Joyce Johnson. One thing I’ve noticed about them is they always have a good word to say about others. On this particular occasion, Roger described someone as “salt of the earth” and went on to list the character traits that made him such. I couldn’t help but think that we know many people who could be described that way (Roger and Joyce included).

What do you think of when you hear that someone is “salt of the earth”? I think of words like dependable, trustworthy, reliable, honest, humble, fair, true, and good. Someone who is full of integrity and committed to doing the right thing.

Jesus described the “blessed” with words like “meek,” “merciful,” “pure in heart,” and “peacemakers.” He then called them the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” because others would see their “good deeds” and God would be glorified (Matt. 5:1-16). He was talking to His disciples. “You are the salt of the earth.”

A couple of millennia have gone by since Jesus said those words, urging His followers to stand out by way of good character and good deeds. How many have risen to that calling since then and still do today? We have no way of knowing, but if my own limited exposure is any indication, then there have been a great number! If I were tasked with listing names of “salt of the earth” people that I know, I could small-font fill a paper in no time.

The church is filled with people humbly doing their best to glorify God with their lives. They’re not perfect. They’re just striving to be the “blessed” that Jesus described. They are the salt of the earth, and we are blessed to know them!

Roger & Joyce Johnson

52 Reasons to Love the Church

#21- You’re Not Invisible

By Kathy Pollard

A favorite author of mine said something in a post that struck me. As she was thanking her online community for their support, she admitted that she always felt overlooked and lonely. When she would have a book signing in her own hometown, no one would show up. And if it weren’t for her loyal readers, she wouldn’t have any friends. I couldn’t believe it. She is a talented, award-winning author of multiple books. I assumed she was somewhat of a rockstar at home. How sad to feel invisible in “the real world”!

It led me to consider a few things:

  • Online community should complement, not replace, real life community. As an introvert, I get the appeal…digital connections can be way easier. But they’re nothing compared to genuine friendship and in-person fellowship.
  • No one is invisible in the Lord’s church. We’re family. We see, love, and pray for each other (Rom. 12:9-15). We even have shepherds who watch over us (Acts 20:28). We’re real people in each other’s real lives. Our joys are shared and so are our sorrows. We don’t go through anything alone. We have a whole church family who pays attention, cheers us on, and holds us up when we need it.
  • If you ever do feel overlooked or invisible in your church family, it might be a good opportunity to get more involved in the lives of others. You can look for ways to make sure others feel seen, loved, and served. Who’s hurting? Who keeps to themselves? Who lost a loved one? When you invest in the lives of others, you become entwined in the body of Christ as an essential member. Certainly not invisible.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

(Romans 1:11-12)

52 Reasons to Love the Church

#20- Taking the Family to Worship

By Kathy Pollard

When we lived just outside Richmond, VA, Michael Shepherd came and held a gospel meeting for us. One night he preached about absolute truth and said, “Even a young child understands this principle.” He stepped down from the pulpit in the middle of his sermon and walked over to where we were sitting. He pointed to our five-year-old and said, “What’s two plus two?” Our son panicked and said, “I don’t know…I’m homeschooled!” Brother Shepherd said, “Son, you just ruined my illustration.” We still laugh about that moment. And tucked away in my heart are plenty more memories from worshiping with my family:

  • Slipping my young sons Cheerios one at a time to keep them still
  • A handmade “quiet book” from their Grandma Pollard
  • Singing “Because He Lives” the very first Sunday after having our youngest child and crying when we got to the verse, “How sweet to hold a newborn baby…”
  • Their giving styles: oldest son would place his change in the basket like a normal person; middle son would sling them in there like he was skipping stones; youngest son would drop them in one. at. a. time.
  • Adopted grandparents spoiling our kids
  • Singing in the car on the way to worship
  • A pair of red boots that each son wore after their older brother outgrew them
  • A son crushing on his pre-k Bible class teacher and then getting mad at her when she got married
  • A son belting out the “Ring It Out” part because those were the only words he knew in that song
  • Their first times doing the Scripture reading or serving on the Lord’s table or leading a song
  • Thinking how handsome they looked in their little button up shirts with freshly combed hair
  • The moment in each of their lives when they said, “I want to be baptized.”

I could go on and on. It wasn’t always easy. Sometimes I felt like the service was a blur because I spent the whole time wrangling little boys. But that phase didn’t last very long and was followed by years of meaningful worship. I don’t know how it went by so fast and my heart aches with the missing of it. Now those boys are grown (still wearing boots) and leading their own families to worship. I think about what Sunday mornings in their homes must look like. I imagine it looks a lot like ours used to, trying to get everyone fed and dressed and out the door on time. Perhaps a little frazzled by the time they get in the car. They’re just getting started, and I pray they’ll give themselves some grace and soak in the moments, even the messy ones.

Worship looks a little different for me these days as Neal is the only family sitting with me on the pew. But I LOVE seeing other young families all around me and hearing their children sing. I love knowing that the whole church is my family and we always get to worship together. And I especially love it when the grand babies come to visit and I get to experience the wonder of worship through their eyes all over again.

“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

(Joshua 24:15)

52 Reasons to Love the Church

#19- Celebrating Life Together

By Kathy Pollard

On a recent Sunday afternoon, Neal and I walked from table to table congratulating the seniors on their upcoming graduations. Each senior’s table featured items that represented them, like photos, sports memorabilia, school banners, etc. Earlier that day, the elders had presented each of them a Bible study book. It made me think back to the times our own sons were the ones graduating and being honored.

A couple of Sundays before that, we all got together to congratulate those who participated in Lads to Leaders. As their names were called, the children (sheepishly) walked up to receive their certificates for each event they took part in.

Sprinkled here and there have been bridal showers and baby showers. It’s so sweet to see the anticipation and joy and, of course, to think back to my own so many years ago. Within the past 15 months, Neal and I have been blessed with three grandchildren. We had no idea that we would receive cards and gifts for those magical occasions!

One of my favorite things about the Lord’s church is that we share our lives together. In addition to sweet fellowship, we also celebrate momentous occasions with one another. We’ve been to “sober anniversaries” and special birthdays and wedding anniversaries. We indeed rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom. 12:15).

Significant occasions are made even more memorable when shared with our church family. When I recall my own family’s big moments, the church was always a part of them, even if it was just in the form of a thoughtful call, text, or hug. I hope we never take that for granted. And I hope we will do our best to be a part of those special events for others, too, so when they look back they’ll thank God for their supportive church family.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.“

(Rom. 12:10)

Photo cred: Amanda Lohden