Coming home to the Shelbyville Road congregation after a couple of decades of living elsewhere has been a tremendous blessing to me. When I reflect on the major influence this congregation of the Lord’s church had on my life, I am mindful of certain characteristics she possesses that deserve commendation. The Lord Jesus gave His evaluations of the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2-3). He commended their good traits, rebuked their sins, and encouraged them to hold on in the face of persecution. He mentioned some individuals by name. While the Lord is not giving written evaluations of specific congregations today, we do have His word, which outfits us with the necessary information to know whether we are following His will (2 Tim. 3:16).
My aim is to focus on expounding the Lord’s will revealed in the inspired Scriptures rather than giving personal anecdotes; nevertheless, the Bible contains references to particular people and congregations which serve as examples to us. Space forbids mention of all who have encouraged me. I know by mentioning some, I will omit others. There is no intent to slight those not mentioned; rather, to show respect to those who have diligently labored for the Lord before me, some personal acknowledgments seem fitting for this first article. What qualities does the Shelbyville Road congregation possess that have been most impactful to me in following the Lord? Allow me to highlight a few that stand out, so we can continue to pursue them as ways God can use us to bless others.
The first factor of note is the nature of the evangelistic efforts made toward me and my family. We came to the truth through friendship with the Vicks. They were not like pushy salesmen, harping on us to get into the baptismal waters in our first interaction; instead, they showed themselves to be genuine friends and followers of the Lord. Before Ben came to our house for Bible studies, Lois and their oldest son were influential to my mother in her work at school. Camaraderie formed among us boys of similar ages. We came to respect them and thus were ready to receive what they had to say. Each of us has people outside of the church we influence in our daily lives. Paul wrote to his converts in Thessalonica, “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:10). One’s pure lifestyle can gain a hearing with those who have not yet obeyed the gospel (cf. 1 Peter 3:1).
At the time we became friends with the Vicks, I was religious, but I did not know what the Bible taught. I had prejudices against baptism and the Lord’s supper. An argument with someone telling me what the Bible said would not have produced satisfactory results; but, when I was shown in the biblical text what the Lord taught by someone I had come to respect, it became clear I needed to change. The church in Jerusalem grew because of regular teaching and preaching, “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). The apostle Paul taught publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20). I am grateful Ben not only preached the truth from the pulpit when I first visited this congregation but also took the time to come to our home and show us what the Scriptures taught. In-home Bible studies are so important to bringing others to Christ. There are several who are capable of leading Bible studies in this congregation and are regularly doing so with people they have met outside of the building. I am thankful that as “the preacher” I will not be the only one pursuing these efforts.
The church in Jerusalem consisted of so many people that they need to meet in the temple area for worship; however, they were also frequently in each other’s homes in fellowship eating meals together (Acts 2:42, 46). My family has been eager to get into our own home here to be involved with others in this way. Something that has not changed in the decades I have been gone is the Birdwells having people into their home after services. There are others who do this, but I was particularly struck by this last Sunday. What we do together outside of regular worship services at the building is a significant factor in encouraging one another to follow the Lord. Galatians 6:2 commands, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” I cannot help you bear your burdens unless I know what is going on in your life. When we are in each other’s homes we more readily share what is going on in our lives. During a burdensome and transitional time in my life, I obeyed the gospel. I found Christ as my sure foundation and brothers and sisters in Christ to help me with my burdens. Many around us are looking for the same support today.
I appreciate the good Bible class teachers in this congregation. Ben often ends his Bible classes with the phrase, “Let’s put a peg down there.” Some places I have visited in the last twenty years have had better Bible classes than others. Sadly, some congregations have Bible class teachers who have been Christians for several years yet seem to struggle to fill the time with substantive explanation of the Scriptures. They have meager knowledge and little interest in the meat of the word. According to my experience and those of Alissa and the kids, this is not the case at Shelbyville Road. The classes we have attended have been brimming with God’s word. Putting down a peg means there is more prepared than we have time to consider, that we will take it up again in a subsequent session. I pray that the Lord will help me to pick up the peg which has been placed down—to continue to offer the same caliber of Bible instruction this congregation has provided through the years.
The Informer has been a source of instruction for me my entire Christian life. Ben Vick has provided sound doctrine through this publication since before I was born. He has cared enough to declare the truth when it was unpopular and not well received. “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov. 27:5, 6). We are being like Jesus when we love others enough to tell them what stands between them and heaven (Mark 10:21; Rev. 3:19). What a blessing to work beside those who have loved me—patiently taught me the truth, brought me to obedience to the gospel, helped bear my burdens, and nurtured my growth as a child of God! In working with this congregation and writing for this publication, I stand on the shoulders of spiritual giants. How humbling to be given this honor to continue this work! May the Lord help us to abound in His work (1 Cor. 15:58) and be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29).
–Mark Day