Pastor’s Ponderings—October 2025

To the church of God as found at Marion Salem Church, called to be saints together with those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: You are miracles of God’s grace and mercy!

October is such an incredibly busy month, I’m always impressed with how it sneaks up on me and can become so overwhelming. Our 19th anniversary is on the first, and we have plans as usual to go on a family vacation (though we’re going to the beach and not the mountains) over the second weekend in October. October 6th is World Communion Sunday, a day set aside by many Christians around the world to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in unity. Here at the church, we’re gearing up for Charge Conference season which means the Nominations Team has been very busy preparing the slate of officers for next year. We’re also entering budget planning for 2025 and your leadership is working diligently with a new process now that we have a year of actual expenses and receipts to plan from. A group of Sunday School leaders has joined together to bring back the Donuts and Devos time on the first Sunday of each month. I understand that on October 6th we’ll have a joint time of learning together at the 9am hour following fellowship at 8:30am. Our Outreach Team has taken on the task of supporting our local Gideon Camps and helping them to recruit more members to spread God’s Word. That event is on Saturday, October 19th. On the 20th we’ll have a Family Fall Party at Tony and Charisse Smith’s. And as I type this, the Conveying Conference is wrapping it’s penultimate day and heading for a finale tomorrow.

Yet by the end of this month my attention will return to matters at home again. Emily is preparing for surgery on October 31st. Your prayers are certainly welcome as we begin that journey of recovery. Which brings me back to: October feels overwhelming. Yet as I was talking with Amy today in the office the phrase came up in conversation, “It all just feels… right.” We have a lot of good work going on right now. Christ is lifted up. Disciples are being encouraged in their walk. And not too long from now—I believe we will see new disciples coming to Christ in our midst.

So yes, it is busy. Yes, there is much going on to pay attention to and be involved with. There is much to celebrate and strive to achieve. At the end of the day, it is all about Jesus and making disciples.

Blessings,

Jason