FIVE YEARS AT RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH

FIVE YEARS AT RIVERS OF JOY BAPTIST CHURCH, MINFORD, OHIO

 

  

In 2001 Charity and I moved to Portsmouth Ohio from Kentucky. From 2001 to 2008 a whole other story but not for this post.

July 2008 was when we went to Rivers of Joy Baptist Church in Minford, Ohio. This also is another story that I might have address in an early post. Can't remember.

Rivers of Joy Baptist Church would have been the lasts church that I would have ever thought I could pastor at.  While I liked the two pastors of the church, they were good men and really overall had a wonderful group of people, and had a wonderful ministry. But the first pastor Bro. King passed died and the second Bro. Kelly resigned and went back to Alaska. And at the time the church was doing rather well as I understand.

What I know that following this the church  group  fell apart as I understand.  My understanding the deacons and pulpit committee and church could not agree on a new pastor.  By the time I came along all the deacons accept one had left along with 90 percent of the members.  And as I understand they were going to close the church doors as of July 2008.

We got word of this situation and I personally called the deacon and he knew me and was not at the time in favor of me coming to try out and I was really glad of that. 

But Bob Temple didn't know about the phone call, and he called the deacon and he offered his services. The deacon said okay, and Bob said we would be there Sunday. The "we" part was me and him.  

Surprise I was to preach that Sunday Morning and Bob on Sunday Night. And that went on the month of July 2008.  

By the next business meeting in the last Sunday of July, the deacon called for a meeting, and in his mind he said they were going to close the doors of the church.  But at the meeting he said, "You can vote Charles in as pastor or we can close the doors."  

I really don't know what the vote was, but later I learned that Dorothy voted against me, because of what she heard from a formal pastors wife.  And I might say she was right about me. But I will say Dorothy has not missed too many services since then, and he likes me and better my wife Charity.

What I had become as a pastor/teacher was totally different then the two formal pastors. I am not saying  they were wrong because they were not, I had just changed my methods and style.  They church members were totally not use to my methods of ministry or preaching. 

As always, some of those who had left came back to see what kind of preacher I was, and they found me so different that they one by one left.  For a few months we were doing really good I thought. And finally the last deacon on the committee and his family left the church

Over the last five years, we have seen a number of old members come for one Sunday and never to return, it was just not like the old church that they left in the first place. And of course many missed Bro. King and Bro. Kelly. And even this last year we have had four families from the old group come and not return.

So why have I stayed at ROJBC, only  the Lord knows that for sure.  But those who have stayed and voted to keep us as pastor, enjoy coming to church,  why I wonder why myself.  But I can say I have loved the people who have stayed they are wonderful people.

Five years, and as far as results have been, goodness not much in the way of salvation, baptism and church membership and growth.  As a matter of fact we keep going down in attendance I might add.  
and as a matter of face one of the members who joined as quit. And at the first of the year our piano and singer left the church.  Good grief I say.

So what is keeping us at ROJBC?  Should we take another run at year six?  What do the members thank?  Is the Lord in this ministry?  

This year we have had come great services.  First Winston Hall came for a Revival and blessed our people so much. Then Alan Harris came for a Sunday and blessed our people. Then Bob Temple came for a few services and bless us.  Then Dwayne Haynes and his family came for a Sunday and was a real blessing. In my opinion this has been a really great year for our church.

I hope I am not blind to what is going on in our church, or the lack thereof.  Personally it can be a struggle if you look at the attendance, etc. But if you look at those who continue to come, and their growth and their love for each other and their love for the teaching of the word of God, then all this is worth it.

Why there has been no growth or salvation or baptism or church membership you might ask, as well as I will ask myself?

I am sure preachers would have their answers to this?  Preach the gospel more.  Get out and visit.  Put on a Vacation Bible School.  Get a bus ministry started.  Change your services.  Been there and done all this.

But in my spirit as of today, I love been at ROJBC, and really so does Charity.  We will pray and see what the Lord is going to do here at ROJBC but we start our sixth year here this Sunday

Check out our website: Rivers of Joy Baptist for some of the events.

 

Who Am I and What Is My Worth?

 In 1964 I became a teacher in our Teenager Class in Roanoke Va.  I became a preacher when I was in the 11th grade in Jefferson High School. And preached or taught a youth class every since. 

I have been a pastor in  Madison, 1971-73, First Baptist 1980-1996,  Lusby Mills 1999,  Second Baptist 2000.and  Rivers of Joy Baptist 2008 to present 2013.

•  3.5 + 16.3 + .6 +.6 +5 = 26.0 years.

Education:  Bible Baptist Seminary 1966-1970, Hyles-Anderson 1978-1980 and a lot of training over the Internet from 2003 to present.  Training by Video through Liberty U. and training by the Shepherd's Conference in Sun Valley CA. And Bill Gothard, Seminary and All Day Ministers Seminar for 15 years. And NANC Counseling Training.

Assoc Pastor - Youth Pastor - Roanoke,  Southall, West Handley, Wooster, Victory, FBC Haltom City, Mansfield, Calvary, Portsmouth: (Bus Director at Gideon) Building Supervisor/Teacher at Ashland)

• 2.3+ 1.0+1.0+1.4+1.6+1.0+3.0+1.0+1.3 = 12.6

From 1964 to July 1996, I was either a Youth Pastor, or Pastor or Assoc.  32 years.
For two years July 1996-1998 I did not have any position.
From 2004 to July 2008 I went to several churches but did not have any position.

But at the same time from 1966 until 2010 I worked in a secular job.

• In 1966 at Seminary worked all three + years.  
• In 1970 at Wooster worked a job
• In 1973-1978 at Perrysville, Mansfield  OH worked 
• In 1979 in Crown Point, IN I worked.
• In  1980 to 1996 in Altoona KS worked
• In 1996-2000 in Lexington KY worked 
• In  2001-2003 in Portsmouth OH worked

From 1969 to present I have been a husband and in 1971 became a father. Married in 1969 to Charity, 1971 Eric  was born,  1976 Becky, 1980 Chad, and Kyle 1984.

So the question is: WHO AM I ? How do I view myself, and whether or  not I feel successful? What does make me feel or know I have been successful in life?

Do I say I have been successful in ministry?  Can I say I was successful in my secular jobs? Can I say I have been successful in my marriage and family life?

I have been saved by the grace of God since November 1954, that is 58 years as of July. Can I say that I have been faithful in my love for Christ and can I say that my relationship with Christ has been one that I feel has been good?

How do I want to be remembered as? As a Secular Worker?   A Preacher/Teacher?  As a Husband?  As a Father? As a Grandfather? As a faithful Christian ? As a Christians who has had a wonderful relationship with my heavenly father the Lord Jesus Christ?

How often have I in the last few years heard of those who felt so bad in living life that they killed themselves. They felt failure in their work or even in ministry.  How do you get that way in the first place? 

First I have not always been a faithful worker.  There are times I have just quit. I have never really liked working in the secular field.  But I hope that in most cases I have worked to to the best of my ability.

Second: I have loved been a husband now for 44 years.  I have loved been a father to by children. How they view me is their story to tell.

Third: I have loved every church I have been in for the most part.  I can honestly say, and my conscience is clear, that I have been faithful to perform to the best of my ability the work that I was ask to do. Too often too good for the pastor, and often ask to leave.   To the churches I have pastured I have put forth the best effort that I could.

Fourth: To the Lord?  I have never wanted not to be a born again Christian. The Lordship of Christ has been my desire from the get go back in my youth. I don't every think you can do enough or love the Lord too much for the Lord.  I don't think you can pray enough, read the bible enough to know too much.  I want to get closer to the Lord more and more each day. 

Fifth:   Since we have become property owners I have had a whole lot of enjoyment in working on the property. I have  teased that I am a lumberjack, landscaper, painter, lawn mowing mower, Is that were success and worth comes from. Hardly, but its been hard work and seeing the results has been great.

Sixth:  Ellen my sister got me my first website GrowbyLearning.homestead. That has been great to do. Then in 2005 I got this blogger, and have put over 2100 posts publish.  That has been really good. Then there are the others websites that I have maintained now for a few years.  The success is not how may people read them, few I am sure, but that is not the measure of what I call success, or what is me?  While all these are who I am, its not all that I am. 

So while I want to be the best in any area of my life, my most desired goal is to know that I love the Lord and our relationship is the best it can be has a sinful sinner as I am in the old flesh. And to love Him is to know that I have tried to learn to know Him with all my heart, soul, body and mind.

I want most of all that people will remember me as one who loved the Lord and wanted to tell others about His wonderful salvation, and then that I loved my wife and children  and their family.

Becky Whisnant Felock

Charles and Charity Whisnant family photo 2013

 

 

 

Hales Reunion 2013

Chad Whisnant 33 Birthday Party

July 12 Chad Whisnant Birthday

Charity and I had moved from Crown Point, Indiana where we lived in 1979 and moved to Altoona, Kansas to pastor the FBC of Altoona, Kansas. The weather was the hottest on record: 115 most of the summer it was over 100,  Chad was born on July 12, 1980. 

Landscaping Update Juiy 12

This afternoon I painted the foundation again, and down to the ground. I want to put water next to the building. I think I need a gutter to lay down in the ground maybe.  There are some other things I could do like a underlayment liner or skimmer to hold the water. Some say wet sand would do it. 

Everette and Paulilne Whisnant and Family