Inspiration from a 200 Year Old Church

Our church is 3 ½ years old. We have learned a lot in that time, but each day we realize we have so much more to learn.  We usually look to newer churches to get inspiration, simply because they are closest to doing things the way we do them, but recently I was reminded that there are things I should learn from much older churches.

Spring Creek Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee recently celebrated their 200th anniversary.  In the last five years they have had incredible percentage growth.  This is an “old country church”, as some might refer to them, who has adapted to culture while staying true to the original vision of the past.  They have planted dozens of churches in their 200-year history, including the large First Baptist Church where I grew up and still love today.  In a way, Spring Creek has played a role in my spiritual development and what I do at Grace Community Church by planting FBC, where I was saved, baptized, married and gained so much experience in ministry.

I recently asked their music minister the secret of their continued success. He said, “Our motto is to keep things Real and Relevant”.  Also we are not always looking backwards, but moving forward.”  Huh?  That sounds like something our 3 ½ year old church might say.

Thanks Spring Creek for that inspiration!  Keep it real and relevant for the next 200 years!