(Editor’s note: The following is a submission to The Recorder’s weekly column, “Faith Matters.” Each Saturday, a different faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
Greetings to all! I hope this finds you warm and well as we all settle into another New England winter.
I’m new to these parts, having moved here a little over two years ago after serving a church in the western part of Virginia. I’m originally from New England (northern Maine) and my wife, Kathleen, is originally from the Boston area and so we are happy the Lord called us back to our roots. We also have a daughter, Anna, who just turned 6 in December. Southern Vermont and the Connecticut River Valley is a beautiful place to be and my family and I are excited about what God has in store for us here in Vernon as we embark on this new chapter of our lives and ministry.
As our Senior Pastor, Bruce Burks, shared with you in an article dated Feb. 13, 2016, we are both privileged to serve a church with such history in our area. Beginning in 1860, the Vernon Advent Christian Church (originally known as the Pond Road Chapel) has served the community of Vernon faithfully over the last 150-plus years. It is, and has been, our goal to continue in the footsteps of those who have gone before us and faithfully attempt to reach our community with the love of Jesus.
So, what does it mean to follow Jesus? After all, Jesus himself says in Luke 14:27, “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Holy Bible, New International Version, italics mine) I don’t have the space to parse this verse and to add commentary to it in its entirety, so for now I’ll just ask some questions to get us thinking about what Jesus meant by saying “follow me.”
Does he mean simply a belief in God? Or that if we try to be “good” people, somehow we are following his teachings? Or is there something more to it? Does Jesus really expect something of us once we have decided to truly follow him?
If we’re honest with ourselves, all of us at one point or another have pondered the answer to this very important question. Some of us may have some belief in God but don’t know what the whole “Christianity” thing is all about. Others, after professing faith in Christ, may feel stuck while wrestling with questions like, “What’s next?” or “Now what?” While still others who have been following Jesus for much of their lives still might be asking themselves what it means to follow him.
We at Vernon AC Church are no different. That is why, after prayerful consideration, we as a church have decided to come together and dedicate the year 2017 to answering the question, “Now What?” As in, you say you believe in God, now what? Or, you have decided to put your faith in Jesus and follow him, now what? Or even, you’ve been following Jesus for as long as you can remember, now what?
Now, we’re not pretending we are the only ones with the answer to this question. In fact, there are many good churches in the area with great pastors who can also help you along your journey to answering this question. But if you find yourself reading this article and you don’t have a place where you regularly gather to worship, we would love to have you join us.
We gather on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m., for morning worship with children’s church and a fully staffed nursery provided. We have Sunday school classes for all ages that meet prior to the morning worship at 9:15 a.m., and also provide small group Bible studies throughout the week to help us all grow in our relationship with Christ. We invite you to come and join us on this journey as we strive to discover together what it means to follow Jesus.
About Vernon Advent Christian Church
Founded in 1860, Vernon Advent Christian Church was first located on Pond Road in Vernon, Vt., and moved to its current site (4554 Ft. Bridgman Road, State Route 142) in 1909. The church is on the left immediately as one crosses into Vermont from Northfield, Mass. Pastors Bruce Burks and Derek Irving can be reached at bcburks@comcast.net and drick1221@gmail.com, respectively, and the church office phone is 802-257-2341 and 413-498-4458. Sunday School is at 9:15 a.m., followed by morning worship at 10:30 a.m., each Sunday. Various small group Bible Studies and prayer opportunities are spread throughout the week, as well as youth group on Sunday evenings. Please visit our website: vernonadventchristianchurch.com.