185 Years — Somebody Did Something Right!

Where do you give credit for a church lasting 185 years?

   Soon, on October 14th, we celebrate a length of ministry

   which is creeping up on 200 years. Imagine that.

First Christian was formed before the name was given

   to our movement — Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

There were "six forthright women" who joined John Allen

   Gano and T.M. Allen meeting at the Bourbon County

   Courthouse, as our history tells us.

The first and second churches were located at 8th and Main,

   before moving to high ground here at 911 High Street.

How does a church last through a cholera epidemic, through

   occupation by Union soldiers, two world wars and vast

   and uncontrollable cultural and social change?

Here I want to point out that the message which has

   been taught and spoken of consistently is that of

   hope and love. In faith, generations of Christians

   here have followed preachers that reminded

   sanctuaries full of people, that in Jesus Christ

   is salvation and that, even so, their questions were welcome.

They heard of the liberating power of the gospel message

   over their lives, believed and were baptized.

They promised to love and serve him by loving and serving

   each other and the world. They knew how to forgive

   and agree and disagree on many things with civility.

They realized that they did not grant salvation, but

   rather that Jesus redeems and delivers.

They kept open the Lord's Table for all believers and

   eventually welcomed women into leadership and

   as elders and deacons.

This has been a church which is light on judgment and

   rich in grace. Thus we have welcomed all sorts of

   folks through the years.

This church has abided by the phrase, "We are not

   the only Christians, but we are Christians only."

The church has been generous, giving locally,

   nationally and world wide to help relieve suffering

   and bring the Word to those who need to hear it.

We have been kind to neighbors, hosting the

   Annunciation Catholic Church during a renovation

   and working with other churches ecumenically.

Folks 110 years ago and 56 years ago had the vision

   to build beautiful and solid structures for worship

   and learning. They endure today, thanks to the

   foresight and generosity of benefactors, good stewards

   of financial blessings.

There is more. But that is enough to justify a celebration

   of 185 years. I hope you will join us on the 14th.

Moving to the deeper places,

Jeff