A letter from one of our TCN Coaches

If you live in Tennessee, you’ll know that every place, from the biggest city to the smallest town, claims to be the home of country music. Union County where Dorothy and I live is no different. This is the “Cradle of Country Music,” the home of Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Kenny Chesney, Lois Johnson, and Carl Smith. If you’re not a fan of country music, trust me. These are among the all-time greats. For such a small county, this is truly amazing.Union County is also among the poorest of all the counties in Tennessee. The people who live and grew up here often think that others are looking down their noses on them. Jim Woods, a Union County native, has been on the receiving end of such snobbery and elitism. He has been called “Union County dirt,” not worthy of consideration. But instead of agreeing with the critics or becoming defensive, Jim Woods decided to capitalize on their assessment and turn it to his advantage. He wrote a song called “Union County Dirt.”  A friend of Jim’s designed a T-shirt which reads “Glad I Came from Union County Dirt. Music Grows Here!”After spending the past year plus talking about his vision with community leaders and anyone else who would spend time with him, Jim has begun to share his vision “which the Lord has planted in me”:– an ongoing concert series featuring famous artists and not so famous local artists
— the eventual construction of a dedicated concert venue and motels to house the concert goers
— a growing hospitality industry employing local people
— the growth of revenue for Union County and pride for the residentsThe vision would be funded by the sale of the T-shirts and by the sale of professionally recorded and filmed concerts with distribution  through the web, radio, and television.

So what does this have to do with you, a busy pastor in the midst of the very busy season of Lent? The devil who tempted Jesus to feel all alone in the wilderness often tempts us pastors to think that we are not talented enough, that our congregations are too small, that no one cares anyway. But in the midst of prayer and conversations with others, the Lord plants a vision within us. Through Word and Sacrament He wants His Church to be strong in faith, to dream the dreams He provides, to help others to become Jesus’ disciples.

You may never pastor the largest church in Synod or preach to thousands each Sunday, but you are the pastor the Lord has called to the congregation you are serving. And by His Holy Spirit that congregation is capable of following the leadership you can provide. It may seem insignificant when we compare our churches to others, but not when we simply follow His lead into our communities to make disciples who make disciples of Jesus Christ.

As you pray to the Lord and as you talk with others, what are the ideas the Lord is planting within you for your church and community? As Jim Woods says, “These ideas start out like trickles of water that come together, and pretty soon you’ve got a big stream!”

May the Lord bless you as you share His Word and Sacraments with His people tomorrow!

In Christ’s Service,
Paul