When people learn that Maryanne and I came to NE Ohio to start CVC they sometimes ask, “How do you feel about what Cuyahoga Valley Church has done and has become?” Well, we are humbled and amazed. We are grateful for what Christ has done for us and through us. We always give God glory and point out that a lot of servant-hearted people helped make CVC happen. Why God would choose to use us, only heaven knows.
But I’m more interested in other questions. Will this church still be passionately following Jesus when my grandsons are my age? In 2075 will there still be people at CVC inviting people to be transformed by Jesus and multiply His Kingdom?
Because that’s what Jesus is talking about in Revelation 3. He wants churches to complete the work He assigned to them.
I don’t want people fifty years from now talking about the “good old days” of CVC. I want them talking about what Jesus is doing in their days. The goal isn’t to create a museum. The goal is to continue a mission.
When I was a young planter, I dreamed about starting stuff. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been thinking more about what will outlive me. I spend time praying that long after Maryanne and I are gone, CVC will still love Jesus, preach His Word, make disciples, send missionaries, care for the hurting, and reach Northeast Ohio with the gospel.
In Revelation 3 Jesus doesn’t ask whether a church had a good beginning. He’s asking whether it finishes well.
I’ve had the privilege of watching Christ build this church over these 40 years. We’ve seen seasons of growth, seasons of difficulty, leadership transitions, victories, and failures. But as I read Revelation 3, I’m reminded that the question that finally matters isn’t whether we had a good beginning. It isn’t whether we built a good reputation. It isn’t even whether we had moments of remarkable ministry. The question Jesus asks is this: Did we complete the work He entrusted to us?
Christ has given us gifted and godly new elders, new leaders, new staff, and new members. He has entrusted our leaders to equip CVC to do the work He wants to accomplish. And every member has the privilege of participating in that work.
When Jesus says to The Church at Sardis, “I have not found your works complete,” He’s wasn’t talking about an abstract idea of good works. He was talking about the actual day-to-day, nitty-gritty work He had entrusted to that church. And when He commends Philadelphia, He’s commending a church that kept doing the daily-grind work He had given them to do.
The same is true for us. Jesus has entrusted Cuyahoga Valley Church with a work. Invite. Connect. Belong. Serve. Give. Go. Multiply.
He’s called us to worship Him. He’s called us to proclaim the gospel. He’s called us to make disciples. He’s called us to pray. He’s called us to care for one another. He’s called us to raise up the next generation. He’s called us to send missionaries. He’s called us to love our neighbors. He’s called us to serve the vulnerable.
Sometimes we look at a mission trip to Ghana or Indonesia and think, “Isn’t it great that our church does that?” Or we hear about Filter of Hope providing clean water and sharing the gospel in Central America. Or we hear about our Big 10 ministry partners here in Northeast Ohio. Or we watch children running around Sports Camp or students leaving for summer camp and think, “I’m glad somebody is making that happen,”
But what if Jesus intends you to hear those opportunities differently? What if those aren’t just ministries our church does What if they are part of the work Christ is inviting you to share in? What if you are supposed to go?
Now I know that not everyone will go to Ghana. Not everyone will teach fifth graders. Not everyone will serve at Sports Camp. But every one of us has a part to play in the work He’s given to CVC.
When you gather with God’s people in worship, you’re participating in the work. When you sing with your church family, you’re participating in the work. When you pray with and for this church, you’re participating in the work. When you welcome a guest, encourage a struggling believer, serve in a Life Group, disciple a younger Christian, give generously so missionaries can be sent, or faithfully listen to God’s Word with a heart ready to obey, you’re participating in the work Christ has entrusted to this church.
So, show up and play your part in the work. Grow up and take your place in the work Christ has entrusted to CVC.
Don’t think of the ministries of this church as programs we offer. Think of them as the work Christ has entrusted to us. And don’t think of your participation as optional. Your participation is essential. Think of it as your privilege of helping CVC complete the work our Lord has given us.
Yes, I’m a church planting pastor. Forty years ago on September 16, we parachuted into NE Ohio seeking to catalyze a something new for Jesus. We were in over our heads. Who in NE Ohio wants to hear a washed-up minor league ballplayer from the sticks of Tennessee preach?
But here’s what I’ve learned: Starting well is hard. Finishing well is even harder.
So, CVCer, that’s why we need you.We need you to complete the work Jesus has created us to do for Him. As Pastor Joe has said, “Who you are determines who we are.” Let’s finish the work Christ has entrusted to us.
That means you have work to do. Do you know what that is?
