A Singing, Integrated, Joyful Church
From the first verse of the first song, I could tell it was going to be a great singing day. An elder, Ron Benvegna, led singing with excellence. The church followed beautifully. And that wasn’t the first impressive thing about Concord Street Church of Christ in Orlando, Florida.
Second row: Gail and Jerrie Barber, Kathy and Robin Pruitt, Magaly and Dan Cawthon, Rhonda and UL Campbell, Bethney and Kenny Backhaus
First row: Mike and Carla Baker, Vivian Vasconcellow, Bonnie and Chuch Lipton, Rovenia and Ron Benvegna, Lucas Vasconcellow, Debbie and Tony Washington
We met at SpringHill Suites for the New Shepherds Orientation Workshop Friday, April 20, at 6:00 p.m. From the beginning, the group was engaged — eager to participate and learn. Elders, ministers, and wives spent Friday and Saturday night at the hotel. Accommodations were great and food was plentiful and delicious.
There were 86 years of service as shepherds among five elders. Chuck Lipford has served as a bishop at Concord Street 42 years! The ministers’ years of service totaled 104. The hispanic minister, Lucas Vasconcellow, will soon complete forty years in ministry. Mike and Carla Baker moved recently to Orlando to work with this church. I think it’s a good match. I predict they’ll both continue the Lord’s work they’ve been doing for many years.
This church has been integrated for decades. Many brothers and sisters told me how happy they were to be working and worshipping with this church.
NSO workshops improve due to criticism I invite, evaluate, and implement from many ideas people give. Each group continues to tell how they benefit from break-out groups. This came from a suggestion a year ago from an elder in Puyallup, Washington.
There will be an improvement in books in the next workshop this weekend at Hartsville Pike church in Gallatin, Tennessee, due to a suggestion from youth minister, Malvin Sanders, at Highland Church of Christ in Columbia, Tennessee, in a workshop in March.
I was impressed to read Concord Street men’s pre-workshop communications as they related many principles they were already practicing that I teach and emphasize. I hope I encouraged them to continue their growth.
I appreciate the opportunity Gail and I had to be with these brethren.
My time for this year is filled. I can schedule one workshop each month in 2019 in: January, March, May, August, September, October, or November.
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Jerre did an outstanding job at the NSO. His vast experience and insights brought to light many items we had not thought about, His 4 findings of of Unwritten rules were enlightening: unwritten, unspoken, unconscious, and contradictory. How many times have you suddenly found the person you think you know the best has a different view of the rules than you? We discovered many “mustard seeds” pr “pearls” during the course of this training that we are evaluating for implementation.
Ron, it is encouraging to hear of solid spiritual leadership in the church. I am thankful that Jerrie shared your story. I am not surprised at your ability to lead singing.
Ron,
Thank you and the Concord Street church for welcoming and encouraging Gail and me while we were with you.
I look forward to watching the continued service and blessings from this congregation.
Jerrie, you did an outstanding job for us at the New Shepherd Orientation and I’m so glad that we were able to spend some additional time with you and your wife. We are thankful that God has blessed you with this work.
Mike,
I appreciate you and the brethren there. The arrangements were excellent. The enthusiastic participation and eagerness to learn were encouraging.