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things, not intentionally, but those were the
very things that had an impact on my son.
No, it’s a God thing with Chip,” he said.
In their 24/7 duties as pastors, the topic
of weddings and funerals were discussed.
Gene learned that everyone knows what
they want at a wedding, but comfort is the
monumental need for everyone at a funeral.
He also found a funeral as optimum time
to share that all in the audience would
someday die, and there’s no comfort for the
family if you die without salvation in Jesus.
Chip has chosen to limit the weddings
he conducts because of the time it takes
away from being with his family. In
weddings, he knows the bride and groom
are usually too nervous to listen to him,
so he speaks primarily to the congregation.
As for funerals, he said, “You preach your
funeral while you’re living. If you live well,
it’ll be a great funeral. For the lost, it’s the
hardest.”
All preachers’ kids are subject to the fish
bowl syndrome, but that never bothered
Gene. He reminded his kids often that he
would always love them, no matter what
they did. “I also let my kids be kids,” he
said. “After all, they ran with the deacons’
kids!” Gene was quick to give Dorothy
credit for being a great disciplinarian.
Chip spoke up and said, “Our parents
never told us that we were making them
look bad; we were to behave because we
didn’t want to disappoint God.” He added
that his biggest struggle as being a preacher’s
kid was dealing with members who didn’t
want to be led while his dad was trying to
lead. “But Dad always took the high road
– he modeled integrity.”
The preacher in Gene pointed out,
“People can be really mean, but they don’t
realize that the enemy is using them.” His
goal was to maintain a love for the people
while standing against the enemy.
The two generations of preachers
recognize the changing times in ministry.
Chip reflected, “Sunday was a protected
day during Dad’s ministry; everyone
committed to church. Today only 20%
of members attend every week. The rest
are here every third week due to sports,
vacations, and family time.” Another
mentor, Bob Russell, gave Chip sound
advice for not being preoccupied with
attendance numbers. “You plant the grass;
God brings the sheep.”
Another noticeable change in church
life has been the open discussion of certain
sins – those that were usually swept under
the rug. Not now. “It’s not church; it’s life,”
Chip says as he shares his passion for
getting people to church and keeping them
by sharing stories of Christ’s transforming
power in and through life’s heartaches.
Pinelake’s philosophy for creating
satellites in four other cities was to address
the startling statistics of how many kids
leave church after high school. “We now
take church to them, so there’s not this
lapse in time out of the church.”
As the church discussions grew to
include a variety of topics, that “endowed
call” for both men filled the room.
Chip: “Here at Pinelake, we move from
‘fire insurance’ to be a child of God.”
Gene: “The church has failed my
generation in discipleship. We must help
new Christians mature!”
Chip: “The crazier the world gets, the
better opportunity for the church to be
distinctive. When it’s the darkest, light
shines the brightest.”
Gene: “In music I listen to the words.
I prefer to sing TO God in worship and
not ABOUT God.”
Chip: “We go to the Word! If there’s a
discrepancy between my life and God’s
Word, guess who’s wrong?”
Gene: “So many people go to church but
don’t meet God. We’re meant to meet God
at church.”
Chip: “People are not going to stay with
us as long as they just hear sermons. They
have to see powerful answers to specific
prayers.”
Chip in agreement with his dad:
“We are NOT in competition with other
churches. We’ve just chosen our lane and
are staying in it. Choose the lane you’re
comfortable with and get in the Word
and be a part of kingdom life! l
Dont miss
our next issue,
August 2018
44 • June 2018