01/07/2020
When I close my eyes and let my mind drift back to one of my fondest childhood memories, I see a simple but tidy little church building packed with children, teenagers, parents, and grandparents. It's very warm, because it's summertime and there isn't any air-conditioning. But everyone is standing, singing, clapping, and enjoying the atmosphere of a typical Sunday night church service.
The preacher is also the worship leader and the only musician, so he sings with enthusiasm as he plays the guitar.
Kids fidget as the sermon begins, and you can count on at least one tired farm hand dozing off quickly because he missed his Sunday afternoon nap due to a problem with a well. But the preaching is spirited and convicting, and as the invitation is given many come forward to pray at the altar.
These are sincere folks. Some poor, some middle-class, some illiterate and some well-educated. Some white, some brown, some walked to church, some came in cars. Some gave a few coins in the offering, some dropped in a nice check. But in the church they are all equal.
They love the Lord, and they love each other. They love the simplicity of singing familiar hymns and a few gospel choruses. They love to hear the preaching of the Gospel. They especially love when somebody gets saved!
That's the church I grew up in, and the church I miss. I'm not complaining about what newer churches are doing! No, sir -- each generation is responsible for reaching its own generation with the message of salvation. More power to them! I had my day, and now a new generation with more energy, more awareness of a changing culture, and more familiarity with technology is doing its best to reach the lost. God bless 'em! I will keep supporting and encouraging them.
So what is the Vintage Gospel Fellowship about? Just a desire to provide folks with an occasional old-school, simple type of church service from time to time. One of the things you'll hear repeated frequently is this: "We're not trying to start a church. We're trying to start a fire!" I want to be able to experience once again,the type of church atmosphere I remember. And maybe you do, too. Your kids and grandkids might even like to see what church was like back in the day.
That's enough for this first post. There will be more to come! And if God is in this desire, before too long the vision of a Vintage Gospel Fellowship will become a reality you just might want to be a part of, just because you have similar memories and desires! Invite your friends to check out this page. Keep checking back, and let's stay in touch as we ask God to stir our hearts again.
