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Pastor's Page

Posted on March 18, 2004 ...

It is good to be back after last week’s vacation with my family. My deep appreciation goes to our office and ministerial staff for the extra duties they covered while I was away. What a privilege to work with such servant-hearted co-workers!

Last Sunday gave me a rare and special opportunity to hear my father preach. He was filling in for a church in Anderson County that is currently without a pastor. During the sermon, I was again impressed with his ability to communicate effectively in a manner that looked so easy. My hope is that I managed to inherit even a portion of that ability in my own preaching duties.

My siblings and I readily point to our parents as the source of many of our highest characteristics. And we regularly joke about one quality we all got from my father: near-sightedness. (Mom always had the eyes of an eagle.) In either our late childhood or early teen years, all four of us McCluskey children were diagnoses as near-sighted. Without corrective measures, things we view at a distance grow fuzzier and fuzzier.

There is also a condition that could be called spiritual near-sightedness. This occurs when we focus primarily on what is close to us in distance or near to us in time. The needs and concerns for those at a distance can grow fuzzy.

Even churches can be near-sighted. We can be very busy with activities and ministries for ourselves and gradually become unable to see beyond our own walls. We can miss the needs of those in the distance that have yet to find their way to a church.

One of the things we do to help us from becoming spiritually near-sighted is share in several seasons of mission emphasis each year. During these times, we look to the people, places, and needs beyond our own backyard.

We are now emphasizing the season of prayer and giving for North American Missions. Did you know that the United States is the third largest unchurched nation in the world? (Only China and India have larger populations of unchurched people). In response, Southern Baptists have approximately 5,200 missionaries serving in the United States and Canada. (These include Norma Melton and David Tucker, who grew up on our church). Our missionaries rely upon our prayers and financial gifts to enable them to serve in places beyond our community.

Our goal of $7,000.00 for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions is easily within our ability. Don’t be a victim of spiritual nearsightedness. Respond not only to the needs that are near you but also to the God’s broader and eternal perspective.