Planting our seed for the Future

I thank God that 87 years ago, a seed was planted that would grow to be the Church of Christ on Marsalis Avenue.  As we live in the overflow of the excitement of our recent Homecoming celebration it has me thinking about the next 87 years.  If the earth still stands, the year will be 2102.  I will be long gone, my children will be very old, my grandchildren will be members of AARP and my great grandchildren will be in their 30s.  If you are reading this article in 2015, the odds aren’t looking good for you to be around here in 2102 either.  But just like those who planted a seed in 1928 that would grow to become the church we are, what we do today will impact generations yet unborn. 

What is the legacy that we will leave behind?  What things do we need to be doing now so that there is a 174th Homecoming? 

• Continue seeking to please God.  God preserves the heritage of the faithful.  God prunes fruitful trees so that they produce more fruit.  However, He cuts down those that are unfruitful.  When we walk worthy of God, we are fruitful in every good work. 
• Pray now about our future.  Pray for God’s wisdom to be like the sons of Issachar who understood the times and had knowledge of what to do (1 Chronicles 12:32).  We must be willing to change when change is necessary and does not violate the Word of God.  It is not enough to just understand the culture and community in which we exist.  We must know what to do in response to the culture.  We must be willing to become all things to all people that we may gain some (1 Corinthians 9:22).
• Stay united.  Paul admonishes the church to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).  This is accomplished when we are humble, gentle, patient and demonstrate tolerance for one another in love.  A house divided against itself cannot stand.  We must make sure that we are united in matters of doctrine, flexible in matters of preference and loving in all matters. 
• Pass on the faith to the next generation.  Among the hundreds present in 1978 at the 50th Homecoming of this congregation was a two month old baby boy.  Only God knew that boy would become a man and would stand 37 years later as the minister of Marsalis Avenue.  Our children and youth have the great potential to be future shepherds, ministers, faithful servants, deacons, Bible school teachers, and ministry workers.  But if that is to happen, we must bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.