Three Ambassadors Travel
Three Redeemer Ambassadors returned to Hartwick Seminary Church in upstate New York last Sunday. Hartwick is a small church. It has always been a small church. It has no illusions of ever being a large church. They are about to celebrate their 175th year in mission to their rural community which includes seasonal tourists.
On this Sunday, they were fulfilling their mission. Their attendance was about 30 and a third were tourists.
What a pleasant experience!
The congregation pulled together as a team. The organist was great. A wonderful soloist stepped up to fill some time while they were waiting for their pastor who was coming from conducting a service at a sister congregation. The leadership was obviously accustomed to rolling with the punches.
The sermon actually addressed the gospel in contrast to some of the churches we visit where the sermon is a meandering of thoughts.
The children were actively drawn into the children’s message, interacting with the congregation. All the visitors were invited to a potluck following the service.
They passed out a new hymn that was written by the pastor.
As we have often found, the size of the congregation has little to do with the quality of worship or the fulfillment of mission.