Bulletin Articles
A BRIEF LOOK BACK
A BRIEF LOOK BACK
I have been blessed to have had only two “full-time” works in my life up to this point. Sixteen wonderful years were spent in Kentucky, as I learned and grew into a mature preacher. And sixteen wonderful years were spent here, as I applied all of the things I had learned in Kentucky to the work here. Of course, prior to those full-time works, I spent nearly eight years preaching around the Indianapolis area, reaching a point where I was preaching somewhere nearly every Sunday. Finally, I decided to make preaching my “full time” work, and I have never looked back. I can hardly believe the years have passed so quickly!
As I look over this congregation, I see people here that I have known for 35-40 years. People like the Burlesons, the Biddles, the Crawfords, the Lowthers, the Martins, the Niemeiers, the Reeds, Sheila Harris, Janice and Arica Brown, Debbie Tracy, John Collier, and the Randy Shouse family. Others I got to know after I arrived. But regardless of when we met, I have learned to love every single one of you. You are all unique in your own special way. I actually was in the same graduating class as Jay Boser (NHS 1980), though we were not close friends at the time. I even remember seeing Jan roam the halls at Noblesville High School during my Freshman year (he was a senior). On a personal note, Jan has been one of the most pleasant surprises of my life. When I first came here, I was not sure how he and I would get along; but it turns out that he and I think so much alike, that we could have been brothers. (That’s how I see it, anyway; I don’t know if Jan agrees or not.)
I have watched our Sunday morning attendance grow from about 70 to nearly 200. We have added on to our facilities several times over the years. I have been with you in times of sadness (e.g., sickness, surgery, and death). I have been with you in times of great joy (e.g., births, graduations, and weddings). I have baptized a good number of you. We have grown together, both spiritually and numerically, into a true family of God (Ga.3:26-29). Your friendliness to others, especially visitors, has been one of the biggest factors in drawing people to this congregation. Please never lose that genuine sense of family and friendliness; it is so critical to the success of this church!
I know a lot of people focus on the great “diversity” that exists at Fishers. And while that is certainly true, I would argue that the great need of our day is to focus on our “similarities” rather than our differences. The more we focus on “differences” the more pronounced they tend to become (just look at the world around us). But the more we focus on “just being Christians,” the less our skin color or ethnic heritage matters. In all honesty, I think that is why Fishers works! Nobody here really cares what color you are, or how much money you have; we are simply Christians. May it ever be so!
Please do not see the departure of the Smiths as a “negative.” It is just a part of the normal “ebb and flow” of life. People come and people go; but the Lord is what really matters. Just serve Him faithfully, and all will be well. I hope to see you again this side of eternity; but even if not, then I plan to see you all in heaven some sweet day. Support your elders, and support your new evangelist. There is still much to do, and I encourage you to do it! Get behind your new preacher, and take this church to “the next level” – to places where I could never take you! May God bless every one of you. If you’re ever in north central Tennessee, stop in and see us! I’ll be preaching at the Walton Chapel church of Christ, in Lafayette.
--Lanny
