The first two thirds of 1969 had held major adjustments for us. Zion Church had drained our energies and finally been allowed to die. The personalities of the staff were still in the process of meshing. And, I found myself with increased responsibilities in the role of coordinating pastor. It was also during this time that my wife presented me with a third child, Joel David, who chose to be born at 4:00 on Sunday morning.
The birth of this baby climaxed some personal agonies we had been experiencing. Years before we had deliberately moved into Chicago. The indoctrination into urban life had left us with much of the scorn for suburban living which most city devotees feel. Our lives and thinking had experienced fantastic transition.
During the first years on the near north side, Karen underwent tremendous emptiness in her faith. Somehow her early spiritual training just did not relate to the overwhelming complexities of urbanity which surrounded us. It was a form of cultural shock to which most missionaries give testimony, as they move in and out of contrasting patterns of culture.
Karen suddenly realized she had been accepting the faith of others as her own. And, the dilemma was compounded by the great divergences which existed between suburban life and the urban setting in which we now found ourselves.
We had moved from Wheaton, Illinois—which is not only insulated by its suburban character, but also by its abnormally high percentage of Christians—to the Old Town Triangle, a historic section of Chicago where many of the brownstones and grey-stones were built after the great fire of 1871.
Extending due south from its boundaries was Wells Street, a commercial and night spot attraction. Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan were its front yard. This made the summer atmosphere something like a resort, with bathing suits and picnic baskets abounding. The Loop—that included State Street, Marshall Field & Co., countless parades, and the Civic Center Plaza with its Picasso (which we enjoy and Randall our oldest son thought looked like an anteater)—was only thirteen minutes away by public transportation. The zoo, botanical gardens, the Chicago Historical Society, and Hugh Hefner’s mansion were all within walking distance.
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
