Date: 7/13/2009
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: Byer's Chapel
<br><br>Last Sunday morning's attendance was 14.  The Sunday before that it was 19.  Most Sunday worship services will find the same few men filling the same few spots around the Lord's Table.  According to my calculations, though I did not take a complete tour of the church building, I think this congregation's dwelling consists of four rooms ..... the auditorium, two class rooms, and one rest room.  Off to the side of the church building they have a wonderful little pavilion where we had a splendid meal following the morning service.  A dirt road will lead you to this House of God out in the Beaverdam Community where most every member is related in one way or another.  Some of God's finest servants on the face of the earth call Byer's Chapel Church of Christ home.  I had more than one person tell me that it was the only church they had ever known ..... “Been goin' here ever since I was brought into this world” was said to me more than once.  And they would further go on to elaborate, “As long as the doors are open, I won't ever be anywhere else.  This is home.”<br><br><br>Something about that does my heart good ..... “This is home.”  Byer's Chapel has been around much longer than most of us have.  No doubt, it has seen days where on a regular basis the pews were full to overflowing.  And though those days may be in the past, you would never believe the spirit inside that little building could possibly be any better than what it is right now.  If you don't want your neck hugged or your back patted, this place isn't for you.  If you don't want a warm handshake and a quick invitation to return, you better find another place to go.  But, if you want to sit amongst God's very best ..... if you want to know that you are among friends ..... if you want to leave a worship service knowing that God's full attention was achieved ..... well then you had better travel west, turn right at the four-way, and quickly find that little dirt road that will almost lead you back in time.<br><br><br>Byer's Chapel is not alone.  Beaverdam Springs, New Bethel, Salem and Upper Sinking are just a few of the congregations that come to my mind when I think of wonderful country churches.  These places have been the launching pad for a many a minister.  Mike Kelley and I tag-teamed at New Bethel for quite some time years ago when we were just getting our feet wet.  And boy, did they have to sit through some awful sermons ..... mine of course. (I'm sure some at Fairfield are reading this and thinking, “and the difference in then and now is what exactly?”)  Mike loves to tell the story about me preaching a hour-long sermon at New Bethel one Sunday on “Time Management”.  I bet if you took a poll of ministers who grew up in Hickman County and went on to a successful full-time ministry somewhere, most of them would tell you that they got their start at some of these wonderful places.  I pray God will continue to bless these congregations ..... they sure have been a blessing to many of us :) <br><br>Go the extra mile - Devin<br><br>