It was just like any other Sunday…
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, March 09, 2009
- Viewed 138
- (27) comments so far
The first reason is the matter of church security. There will be some that will come out this week and criticize the church for not having proper security measures in place. In fact, I already saw at least two articles this morning about church security; why armed security is needed; and the amount of churches that have no plan at all when it comes to security in their facilities. This is a good discussion to have at some point… just not today.
Today, I’d rather take on the obvious: This could have been any one of us. Regardless of security measures in place, very few of our churches could have prevented this from happening. It could have been YOUR last sermon; your last opportunity to share the gospel. That is where it hits all of us most dramatically, I think.
I can think of a couple other instances of pastors who had their last opportunities to share the gospel. And, just like Fred, neither had any idea it was their last.
For Pastor Forrest Pollock, it was a tragic plane crash. Forrest and his son were on their way to a meeting in Dallas on a Monday morning. I was headed to Dallas for that same meeting. Forrest’s plane never made it to Dallas, and tragically, he and his son were both killed. He had no idea that just 24 hours earlier, he would have his last chance to share with the congregation at Bell Shoals Baptist Church.
For Kyle Lake, it was a freak accident in a baptistry at University Baptist Church in Waco, TX that took his life. He had just finished preaching and was getting ready to baptize a person when he touched a microphone that was not properly grounded. He was instantly electrocuted.
When things like this happen, it always reminds me of Dan Brown: When Pastor Don Brown got behind the pulpit on August 10th, 2005, he had no idea that he would preach the most profound sermon of his life. He also didn’t know that it would be the last sermon he would ever preach.
Pastor Don had just finished speaking on “Why bad things happen to good people” from the book of Job. As the congregation of First Baptist Church in Creedmoor, NC sang the closing song (Face to Face), Pastor Don told his Associate Pastor, Eddie Mauldin, that he “felt a little pain”; then walked out of the sanctuary. Mauldin recalls, “When he said that to me, I didn’t give it a second thought because of his casual nature.” After the closing prayer, church members found Pastor Don had died on the floor of the church library…
We have no idea why God chooses to work the way He does sometimes. Many times His plans for us just don’t seem to make any sense at all. Sometimes devastating times do come to those who strive to do good…
Look at some of what Paul says in II Corinthians 1 (from The Message):
“He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort--we get a full measure of that, too. When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation… Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it… Now that the worst is over, we’re pleased we can report that we’ve come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world--and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn’t by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised.”
If you’re going through a tough time in ministry, take heart. God has a plan, and you’re in it! The key is to run the race and to finish well. Just like Pastor Don did last year, and Forrest and Kyle did, and just like Pastor Winters did yesterday.
Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face--what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ Who died for me?
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
Let’s keep Pastor Fred’s family and the FBC Maryville church family in our prayers today.
How might this change what you share with your church this Sunday?
Todd
I'm sure it seemed like just any other Sunday yesterday morning when Pastor Fred Winters left his house for the church. Little did he know that while he was preaching during the first service at First Baptist Church of Maryville, IL, a man would walk up the center isle and shoot and kill him. The congregation at FBC was caught off guard as well, in fact many people thought that this was just part of a sermon illustration (Pastor Winters would often use unusual illustrations and dramas during worship). It was all over in seconds. According to some reports, Fred held up his Bible to shield himself from the shots of the 27 year old gunman. But it was to no avail. Pastor Winters was pronounced dead at the local hospital minutes later. Fred leaves behind a beautiful wife and two young daughters.
This incident has sent shock waves through the church community; particularly among pastors and church leaders... as well it should... for a couple of different reasons...
Comments
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Rev. K on Mon, March 09, 2009
my prayers go out to the family, friends and congregation in which this man of God lead… let’s not make this a should of- would of… issue… truly we as believers and fellow laborers do go in mourning with our fellow brother beloved… (we never know when our dismise would come)
in concurrence with Todd, I like to say like my old seminary teacher in homilitics always stated at the end of each class, “preach every message as though it’s your last…”
To the wife and children of Pastor Winters, keep your heads up and keep your faith in God… your husband and father is present with The Lord… He has finished his race…now is laid up for him a crown…
Pastor Tony Foeller on Mon, March 09, 2009
Fred was a colleague and partner in the important work of reaching the 8 million in Illinois who do not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
He was the real deal.
Mary Beth Stockdale on Mon, March 09, 2009
Todd - Thank yo so much for approaching this story from a personal standpoint. I agree, save the security talk for another day. Let’s pray for this family and congregation. Also a good reminder that today may be our last… will we allow this to impact how we live it?
John on Mon, March 09, 2009
This is so sad. I am praying for the people of FBC this morning.
We recently addressed our congregation with something like this in mind. We told them them we would never do anything for an illustration that might cause them to question if it was real and what they should do unless we told them ahead of time. This way if someone walks in with a mask, says they are having a heart attack, etc. our people can respond immediately and not wonder if this is something we are doing to try and drive home a point.
Bill on Mon, March 09, 2009
Very thought provoking and sobering. Thank you for your commentary.
Rev. Gregory Dry on Mon, March 09, 2009
Excellent article! We certainly must pray for God’s strength and sustaining grace for the Pastor’s sweet family. That said, we can’t hold off talking about security till another day. We need to do whatever we can to ensure the physical safety of our families, our children, our staff, and our church members. Generally speaking, we are way too lax in this area. Sad to say, gone are the days when we could trust everybody. We must be vigilant, all the time! Thanks again for the update.
Rev. Glauner d. S. Pereira on Mon, March 09, 2009
“We do not know what will come. But we know who will come. And if the last hour belongs to us, we do not need to fear the next minute.” (Helmut Thielicke, on the comforting hope of Christ’s second coming.)
Let us hear apostle Paul attentively: “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Tess. 4:13-18)
May this message comfort Fred’s wife and daughters, and we all.
Don’t forget that this tragedy is not the last word about Fred. The last word about him will be pronounced by God?: “Fred, come out!”
Rev. Glauner d. S. Pereira on Mon, March 09, 2009
“We do not know what will come. But we know who will come. And if the last hour belongs to us, we do not need to fear the next minute.” (Helmut Thielicke, on the comforting hope of Christ’s second coming.)
Let us hear apostle Paul attentively:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thess. 4:13-18)
May this message comfort Pastor Fred’s wife and daughters, and we all.
Let us never forget that this tragedy is not the last word about him. The last word about him will be pronounced by God: “Fred, come out!”
Terrace Crawford on Mon, March 09, 2009
Great article, Todd. I agree… we do need to have these convos about security but maybe not today. This is so tragic. Very sobering for the church. My prayers are with the people of Maryville, ILL.
Pastor Ken on Mon, March 09, 2009
As a pastor and Christian leader, husband, father of four, my heart goes out to Pastor Winters’ family what a tragic loss.
We must remember that there is a real devil to comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) and that’s just what happened in this case.
We talk about God taking people in strange ways but I rarely hear people talk about the devil killing people, no he can’t kill at will, but he is very instrumental in the deaths of many people everyday.
The only good thing in this is that he was born again and preaching the gospel at the time of his passing, and we know that he’s in heaven.
I Pray for the members of FBC of Maryville, and the entire Maryville community as they must now bury the body of a Man of God, and community leader.
Homer Hanshaw on Mon, March 09, 2009
Some ten years ago I heard Fred tell the story of the transition of FBC Maryville from what it was to what it was becoming. As I left the meeting I thought here is a man who never took credit for the transition. He gave the credit to God and to the good people of FBC.
I use the story of FBC’s transition when I
teach on what God is capable of if his people will just ask what do we need to do now?
michaeldanner on Mon, March 09, 2009
Todd - thanks for your words surrounding this tragic murder.
Let’s save the convo about “security” for another day. But let’s not forget that Pastor Winters had the only kind of security that can turn death into life ~ Jesus!
Pastor Ray Schwartz on Mon, March 09, 2009
Todd - thank you for giving us some real perspective and chance to reflect personally about this tragedy. Ministry is such a privilege, and godly men like Fred Winters knew that. May we never fail to realize that each day may be our last, and that the opportunity for us to be Jesus to others is alway right in front of us.
Like Joseph’s brothers who caused him great harm we are reminded to trust in the power of God. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“Genesis 50:20 (NIV) May that be the case in the surrounding communities of this fellowship in the days ahead.
The prayers of our church here in Colorado are with the Winter’s family and surrounding this dear congregation - especially right now.
Dr. James Willingham on Mon, March 09, 2009
Our prayers go up for Dr. Winters family and for the brothers and sisters of the FBC Maryville.
Rev. Rodney W. Clark on Mon, March 09, 2009
Dear family and friends of First Baptist Church Maryville; may God richly bless and comfort you during this tragic time in your lives.
When I first heard the news, I felt shock and disbelief but that quickly changed to sad resignation when I learned of all that Pastor Winters had accomplished during his tenure at First Baptist Church. Let me explain, who more than Satan wanted to see Pastor Winters stopped dead in his tracks?
Pastor Winters and his leadership team at First Baptist Church have spent the last twenty years bucking the trend that now indicates that of the 350 to 400,000 churches in America, 75-90% are now plateaued or in a state of decline; while another 3000 per year are closing their doors permanently; but not so in Maryville, Illinois; in a community of only 7000 people Pastor Winter’s did what I’m sure hundred; maybe even thousands said couldn’t be done: “He lead a traditional well established church through a transformational process that can only be described as a gift from God Himself.” Think about: “When was the last time you saw or heard of a community with a population of only 7000 boast that 1200 per Sunday regularly attended church?”
Pastor Winters and his leadership team have done what every pastor needs to do; we need to do everything in our power to keep “The Great Commission” “Great” and restore the place of the “Ten Commandments” in our lives; if we will commit ourselves to this task then Pastor Winters will not have died in vain.
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