Come Down, Lord!

   * The following was originally written in May of 2021 when I was still the pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church of the ARP.  Now that the trial is past I am free to share it publicly.  I have since removed some irrelevant sections and added italics and bold emphases in places. It was prepared originally because it was important for the court to understand why we were continuing to gather for worship even when forbidden to do so. I share it here because it is important for believers to understand why believers should continue to gather for worship even when forbidden to do so. The Redacted Affidavit I am the pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tillsonburg (“FPC”) and as such I have personal knowledge of the facts and matters herein set forth, except where stated to be based on information and belief and where so stated I believe them to be true.                Personal background I completed my Masters of Divin...

It is often assumed that numbers and growth are a mark of success in the ministry; which I suppose explains why pastors are so often heard asking one another what size of church they serve.  That also likely explains why ministers are inclined to exaggerate. But by that standard we would be forced to judge Joel Osteen, TD Jakes and Andy Stanley enormous successes.  And by that standard we would similarly be forced to judge the ministry of our Lord an abysmal failure.   I have had to think this through recently from two separate angles.  Just weeks ago I was pastoring a church that was growing.  Our growth wasn’t explosive but it was unlike anything we had ever seen before.  Still a relatively small church but growing!   Now all of a sudden I am faced with something altogether different.  I am no longer the pastor of the church I planted, the congregation is divided, and what remains going forward is at best small, 'insignificant' and irregula...