Believe it or not, this Sunday marks the beginning of our third year dealing with COVID-19. It is a relentless enemy full of deadly poison. Every time it seems the fog of this disease is about to be burned off by the sun of normalcy, it again becomes so dense you cannot see the horizon. The guiding star for our congregation during this pandemic has been the light of unity, love, and growth God has granted us at North Second Street. So many churches have divided or dwindled in attendance, I am proud to be a sheep in a flock that has overcome by the Spirit of Christ. Here’s a look back and forward.
Sunday Morning Attendance Contribution (Budget)
2017 48.8 2101 (2293)
2018 49.3 2109 (2059)
2019 55.4 2478 (2268)
2020 40.6* 2444 (2450)
2021 50.3 2842 (2450)
Over the last two-years, our church has undergone four different periods of service schedules. January to March of 2020 saw normal services (53). April to May of 2020 we assembled online. The last six months of 2020 we eased back into services on Sunday mornings alone (36.3). After three months in early 2021 of Sunday mornings only (39), we resumed assembling three times a week (54). If the Lord wills that we meet regularly all through 2022, hopefully we will our average attendance will start with a six or seven. One other thing to notice about attendance. For the first time, our Wednesday night attendance (35) exceeded that of Sunday evening (32).
In the middle of all the upheaval, we have remained financially sound and in 2021 the saints assembling at North Second Street exceeded our budget by $20,000. Never let someone tell you a church dedicated to simple, New Testament Christianity, can’t grow and succeed in the 21st century. To God be the glory!
Early 2022 will be a mirror of the past year in many respects. In the first month of 2021, we selected two men to serve as elders for this congregation (David Muiznieks and Rick Patterson). Brother Rick announced he lacked the desire to serve as a shepherd. Since no biblical church has fewer than two men serving as overseers, our process to appoint as elders came to a halt.
The men of the congregation agreed to review our situation in a year and we are approaching another selection process beginning next Sunday. God designed his church to be overseen by elders, served by deacons, and taught by evangelists. May God’s will be done over the next few weeks. May we be set in order at North Second Street. May the Holy Spirit make men shepherds among us.
Our growth this year has been physical and spiritual. Ace Savage was born to Dee Dee and Ellie Crouch joined Ryan, Kayla, Hollis, and Junie. Ethan Bowles was baptized into Christ and the Allen family and Gwen Griffy placed their membership here at North Second Street. We have also seen a real surge in leadership from our young people. What a joy to see new Bible class teachers, song leaders, workers, and young men prepared to speak the good news of Jesus Christ.
If the Lord wills, this time next year will see a congregation with elders and deacons. COVID-19 will have slipped into the background. And the light of the gospel will be burning brighter than ever at North Second Street. May God bless us with humility, love, grace, and peace in 2022.
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