Hello Folks,
     I do not know if you have wondered about what appears to be the cultural shift that is taking place in the church but it is something that has caused me to wonder what will the future look like for congregations in the Church of God and among other groups.  It seems that there are changes that are taking place everywhere we turn where local congregations are concerned.  As I look at the changes it makes me think that within the next 15 years most congregations will look entirely different than they are now.  Now, this may be nothing new and every generation may come to this same conclusion but it is disconcerting to me to see what is taking place.
     This is what I think I see.  The older generation is dying off and no one is coming in to take their places in many areas.  While we may see our Sunday a.m. attendance growing it seems that we are seeing all other attendances shrinking.  Sunday school, p.m. worship and Wednesday nights are changing almost everywhere you turn.  My generation, and those older than me, are asking the question of whether we have people who are committed to the local congregation.  I know that some will say that they are committed to Christ  but that does not appear to transfer over to any local group of people who are attempting to make a difference.  It almost like they want to do their own thing without any interference or accountability.  They want the local church to provide ministry but they do not want to invest their time or finances in the local church.  Maybe it is because some of us older folks are used to measuring commitment by finances and attendance.  But is there another way of measuring it?  That is a real struggle for me.
     If we continue to move in the direction we are going in now we will wind up being a Sunday morning only group.  The question might be asked if that is a bad thing?  But then I wonder how we will combat the efforts of a society that is becoming distinctly anti-Christian?  We want to train our children and youth for Christ but we expect the church to do that in 2 hours or less a week.  Is that even reasonable? 
     These are some of things that are in my mind.  What do you think?

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,
     Sixty-two years ago today Homer Gerald Rudd came into this world born into the family of Homer and Lou Verna (Creech) Rudd.  It was at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio where my parents had moved to make a better living for their family.  In that 62 years I have been blessed with a wonderful wife, Ruth, 3 wonderful children (Bob, Debby, and James), 6 wonderful grandchildren (Bailey, Breanne, Jordyn, Alexis, Camryn and Landon). 
     Over 40 years ago I was born into the family of God with Jehovah God as my father, Jesus Christ my Savior, the Holy Spirit as my guide and sanctifier, and the church of God as my mother.  In that time I have been called to preach the gospel and pastor God's people.  I have served two congregations for a total of over 33 years.  I pastored the family of Pekin First Church of God for over 21 years and have served the family at Greeneville First Church of God for over 12 years.  No one could be more blessed than I have been.  God has given me far more than I could ever deserve and I bow before Him and Praise His Glorious name for all He has done for me.  
     When a person looks back over their life they see many things.  There have been times of failure and of success, times of sorrow and of joy, times of doubt and of certainty, but most of all there have been, for me, times of great love that has been given to me by my physical family and my spiritual family.  I would not want to be anything other than a follower of Jesus!  Thank God for His wonderful grace!

Have a great day,

HGRudd

Hello Folks,

     Back in the office after being in Ecuador for one week.  What a wonderful time we had with the people of Ecuador and of the Lord.  I was given the privilege of preaching in two different congregations there and then working on one of them.  There were six of us there: myself, Raymond Shelton, Dereda Shelton, Brandon Modena, Debby Kinney (my daughter) and Gail Williams.  We worked with some of the locals to lay block on an education facility.  Most of us would consider it something less than an educational building but the people of that country are very poor and do what they can.  It was my job to mix concrete and I realized pretty quick how far I am away from hard physical labor.  But what a joy it was to watch the walls go up and observe the fact that we were making definite progress for that congregation.  Pastor Rodrigo and Pastor Jorge were working with us as well as Marko and Marino.  These men worked rings around me but Brandon and Raymond did as well.  The women worked so hard and were invaluable in our labor.  Unless you have been in Quito and worked in the altitude there you will not know how hard it is for North Americans to breathe in that setting.  I must thank Raymond and Dereda for doing all the work of getting the details of the trip worked out.  The missionaries there, Jon and Karen Lambert, were wonderful to us in providing us a place to stay and food to eat as well as being guides for us in our sight seeing.  If you ever get a chance to go on such a work camp take advantage of it.  It will be well worth it for you in your life.

     This past Sunday we had marvelous worship in both of our services.  Sunday a.m. the music was marvelous with Tim Hybarger singing "Oh, What a Savior" and the Lord anointing that song.  Sunday p.m. we had a Concert of Prayer and God moved in our time together.  For those of you who missed it you should have been there.  When God comes it is more than a service but real worship and it is worthwhile being at it.  I am thankful to be the pastor here and look forward to what God is going to do among us.

Have a great day,

HGRudd