What Makes Evergreen Your Church Home?

Ed McClanahan

If you’re anything like me, the news of Pastor Jim’s resignation was a punch in the gut. Jim is a guy that is easy to love. His ability to make the scriptures come alive, combined with his unique style make him one in a million. Jim’s friendliness, open-minded spirit, and genuine humility make him legendary. He will be a tough act to follow.

But I remember having similar feelings when our previous pastor (Dale Oquist) left for another church more than a decade ago. While Dale was different from Jim, he was an excellent preacher, and very much beloved by the ECC family. I remember thinking we’d almost certainly suffer a regression in preacher quality, and I know most others felt the same way. We definitely had people leave Evergreen because they had this mindset, as their primary reason for attending was their love for Pastor Oquist.

Are you struggling with some of those same thoughts right now? If you are, I’m sure you’re not alone. While it’s very natural, does it make sense to abandon your community of faith for this reason alone? Those who did previously missed out on the incredible Jim Ladd era of ECC.

Is your confidence in your pastor? Jeremiah 17:7-8 says “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Shouldn’t this be us?

So consider buckling your seatbelt. Dig even deeper into the scriptures, and allow the Lord to be your Teacher. Get more involved in a Discovery Bible Study and/or community group. Go out of your way to meet someone you don’t know. Eat with them, have coffee with them, and begin to be the disciple we’re all called to be. This is the sweet spot of the Christian walk. You’ll be better, and your Oikos will be better for it.

And if you remain convinced that the Lord can’t give us a pastor better than Jim Ladd, join the club! I’m right there with you! Yet history has proven otherwise. So get ready. Someone new is coming, and I believe the Lord is already beginning to speak to their heart about pastoring at Evergreen Christian Community. I’m confident you’ll love your new pastor, maybe more than ever before! Especially if you love the Lord first.