Pastor's Post 2/18/2022

Dear Shiloh Family,

As I rounded the corner of the house, my heart skipped a beat.  There she was, Mom, cutting a limb off the pear tree.  Eyes bulging, head spinning, I toyed with the decision to flee or face the music.  My first task was to determine how I messed up, but that changed to the question of why I didn’t have to do the walk of shame and cut my own switch.  However, relief flooded my soul like river as she continued to clip more branches.  I deducted that either I wasn’t in trouble, or she was going to spank every child in the neighborhood.   I wouldn’t be alone. 

I mustered enough nerve to ask, “What’s up, Mom?”

She replied, “I’m cutting away the old to make room for the new.  These branches are no good.  They’re just sapping the strength from the productive limbs.”  

Whew!  I hated it for the tree, but parts of my anatomy celebrated.  However, I have never forgotten that lesson.  In fact, we are experiencing it in our country, and quite frankly, in our church.  There is usually a pruning or a plowing before new life can flourish.  Because of my ugly, horrible sins, Jesus died to give me new life.  

1 Peter 3:18-19: 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. NKJV

Eph 2:1-2: 2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. NKJV

Our church is growing, and with growth, comes change.  The basic principles and foundations upon which we stand will never change.  However, some ministries and methods of ministries must be adapted to allow for new growth.  Many of our leaders are branching out into new territories with the intent of reaching and nurturing new followers of Jesus Christ.  Please, be patient when you don’t understand, and be a participant when possible.  Often, things that seem like death to a few, become the pathway of life for many.

2 Corinthians 4:11-12: 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. NKJV

Even our church building is going through metamorphosis.  A construction crew spent an entire day in demolition of the old restrooms.  However, that destruction will birth new, modern, and efficient facilities.  The temporary inconvenience will be worth the progress, and final product will be beneficial to all. 

 A seed must die to what it once was, in order to erupt into what it is destined to become.  

God bless you all,

Pastor Derrell

Refer to the ministry announcements for new times and locations in various ministries. 

 The church address is:  Shiloh Baptist Church, 24 Kay St., Rossville, GA  30741. 

2022 NEW MEMBERS:  Dustin Afman

PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS:  If you would like to meet to discuss membership at Shiloh, I would love to meet with you between the two morning services from 10:00 – 10:30 AM.  Please schedule the appointment through the church office.

SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Several of our SS classes and small groups are meeting at various non-traditional times throughout the week. Morning Sunday School will be between services and will begin at 9:45. Some of the locations have temporarily changed.  Teachers, please contact members and prospective members and inform them of the times and location of their class.