God's Garden - Pt. 8

For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” hare you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:4-8).

 

As we continue in our series on “God’s Garden” yesterday’s participation in North Side Baptist Church’s 125^th Anniversary Celebration could not have come at a better time. The day could not have been better. Mary and I, along with Kyle and his family, were invited to attend as the celebration some time ago in the early stages of planning for the day. I was also asked to share a “brief” moment describing one of the most memorable things experienced during the decade I was the pastor. There were other ministers in attendance as well. However, as one of the only two living former pastors, the thought became very clear how important the relationships each of us built during our tenures.

 

The picture I’ve included was taken by a dear friend, Betty Patterson. This was the moment that I was sharing a few remarks of the time I was there. To the far left, standing is the present pastor, Van Houser; the pastor who preceded me, Alex Campbell, is the third seated from the left; and I am seated second from the right. The others are also ministers either present or past. I was struck with the truth of our reading today. Some planted, some watered, but God gave the growth. To deny that truth is to deny the very heart of God’s message to all.

 

God’s garden is as big as this world. Comparing and competitive Christians in Corinth needed to be reminded that God never planned for us to tend his garden alone. Nor was one person more important than another in this project. We are all privileged to be coworkers with God and each other in our Lord’s mission to rescue and restore his creatures and creation. And each person is important. Working together is essential in the field we call the church. Our gifts and efforts are encouraged and coordinated, and relationships are cultivated to build up the body of Christ as God’s agents of transformation in the world. The most effective churches I have served know and practice this. It was a great day. And, it was a great reminder of the tireless work and sacrifice of so many in the rich history of this church I was privileged to be a part of for over ten years.