June-July 2024

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed” (Malachi 3:6).

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

As the calendar turns from May to June, schools have mostly wrapped up for the year, and it seems to be just getting hotter and hotter, I am constantly reminded that spring, whatever little bit we had of it, is most assuredly coming to an end.  The seasons, as they are wont to do, are changing right before our very eyes.  In fact, our church is going through an even more dramatic season of change with me coming in as your new pastor with new ideas and new perspectives.  Things are going to be different around the church, and that thought can be a bit disconcerting.

Change, as you all know, is inevitable.  There is even an old saying that goes something along the lines of, “the only constant in this world is change;” I think that is such an excellent way to describe the nature of life, the nature of this world.  Things never stay the same for too long, there is always some amount of change going on in our lives, and in the lives of our family and friends.  And, change can be scary, can’t it?  We all have a tendency to get comfortable with the status quo; we find a sense of peace from constancy.  So, when change comes along, when our favorite restaurant closes down, when our favorite television program gets canceled, when our boss asks us to transfer to a different department, when a loved one passes away, when anything comes along and threatens that sense of constancy, that sense of “normal,” it can throw us for a loop.  It certainly threw the whole world for a loop when what was “normal” was flipped on its head during the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago!

But, the great news is that Scripture tells us that God is unchanging; that His Son, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  No matter how much in your life is changing, no matter if you feel like your world is spinning out of control, no matter what changes you are having to face, God is still sitting on the throne, just like He was at the beginning of this world and just like He will be at the end of it.  We serve a God who will always be the same God that He has been; and that is a God who loves us, who cares for us, who is there to support and uplift us, who is working all things out according to His perfect plan, who keeps His promises 100% of the time; let that fact give you a sense of peace as you deal with the changes that this life throws at you.  Believe and know that God is always by your side to help you and support you, and that will never change.

And know also, that your church and your pastor (that’s me!) are here to support you and help you as you go through the inevitable changes, and difficulties, that life throws at you.  Brothers and sisters, one thing you will notice as you become more familiar with me as a pastor is that I am going to be constantly exhorting you from the pulpit to get up and get about ministering to people, I am going to be constantly trying to teach, correct, and equip you to be disciples who make disciples, I am going to be beseeching you to strive harder to live your life for Christ and serve Him in whatever capacity to which He calls you.  However, none of that means that I don’t care about, or have concern for, you and what goes on in your life; the struggles, challenges, and pain that you have.  My primary responsibility as your pastor is to teach, train, and equip you so that you can go out and minister to your community, so you can go and make disciples; but my secondary responsibility is to care for the flock that God has entrusted to me as pastor, and I take that responsibility very seriously, as well.

As we strive together to see Franklin Presbyterian Church flourish, as we strive together to do our part to grow the Kingdom of God in Salisbury, NC, change in our church is going to be inevitable; things around here are going to be different than they have been in the past.  We can’t hope to move forward into the future successfully by doing things exactly the way that they have always been done; we can only do it by following where Christ leads us, whatever changes that may entail.  As such, my prayer is that we all embrace the changes that the future holds for our church, that we all commit to each other, to this church, and to the work God has for us to do rather than getting caught up in fussing and arguing about the fact that things are changing.  That we will all be willing to do and to try new things as we strive to connect with our community in new and real ways.  And, my promise to you is that, through it all, I will continue to point you to Jesus and keep you focused on Him, the immovable, unchanging Solid Rock, as you are dealing with whatever changes are happening in this church and in your life.  I think that the most important thing that any pastor can do for the people, especially when they are going through hard and trying times, times of difficulty or change, is keep them focused on Jesus.

So, if you ever need anything, if you ever need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on, my door is always open so you can stop by my office or you can always email me at ktreid84@gmail.com.  I am always willing to be an ear to listen and to help keep you focused on Jesus Christ, our Savior, the one who never changes even as everything else changes.  Our hope is built on nothing less than the fact we stand on Christ, the Solid Rock; all other ground is sinking sand.

May the blessings of the Father and the peace of the Son be with you,

Pastor Keith