Feb. 27, 2008
From the Senior Pastor . . .
Nearly 700 people attended the Michael Card concert this past Saturday evening. Perhaps half that number were visitors, and for many it was their first visit to CPC. What the far-reaching impact will be only the Lord knows. But it appears we accomplished our objective of offering our community the gift of a wonderful evening spent in celebrating the goodness of God through the music and words of a brother to whom God has given amazing gifts and a gentle, quiet spirit.
I can pay Michael no higher compliment than to tell you that after spending some time with him before and after the concert, what you see is what you get.
Let me tell you one story that says too much about me and a great deal about Michael.
We ate supper together in the old choir room. Domekia prepared a wonderful dinner, the food was great and the conversation around the table even better.
As we sat down to eat, I commented on Hank’s wall mural. Forgive me, but for some reason I thought there was a need to explain to Michael the reason for the painting. I’m afraid I was condescending in my remarks about the quality of the painting, explaining to him that it was the work of our former associate pastor, a man dearly loved by one and all, and because of our love for “Uncle Hank” we just didn’t have the heart to even think about painting over his handiwork.
Please forgive me, but for some reason I thought it was necessary to explain to one artist the work of another. And I’m afraid the way I expressed myself suggested I was less than appreciative of the art decorating the wall of one of our Sunday school rooms.
Michael’s immediate, quick, and sincere response, was to say simply, “I love it. I love it when the people of God are allowed to exercise their gifts and offer them up as a tribute to their Lord.”
If that wasn’t enough to “put me in my place,” he then proceeded to comment upon various aspects of the painting. He loved the mist rising from the river. He thought the bears in the lower right-hand quarter were great, even if one them “looked a little bit like a pig.” And then he observed that there was only one bird in the sky, right in the middle of the painting. Michael said, “I’m telling you there’s a reason why there’s only one bird in the sky. I wonder if it’s meant to represent the Holy Spirit hovering over all of God’s creation?”
I tell you that story not to celebrate the painting, or Uncle Hank, or Michael. I tell you that story so you will
know that I while I loved his music, appreciated his stories, and was delighted by his handling of Scripture, I’m most impressed by the man.
Thank you to Jeremy and Domekia. Thank you to Todd Smith, the deacons, and all the others who helped take care of a hundred different details. Thank you all for a memorable evening. It was a great time. I believe the Lord was pleased. And somewhere Uncle Hank is smiling.
Pastor Caines