Southwest Church of Christ

Wandering Reverend, back in action!

I have been very sporadic in the last few weeks and for that, I am sorry. It's been a wild ride but I'm praying that all the craziness is going to be over soon and we can get back to our regularly scheduled program.

As some of you may know, my step-dad, Bob Rummer, passed away on Friday. It came rather suddenly and took us by surprise. Yes, he was in the hospital for about 3 weeks because of a brain aneurysm but the whole time he was in there, they kept telling us that he was going to get better but that it would just take lots of time. Sadly, that all came crashing down early Friday morning when they found out that he had another aneurysm.

With that, it was only the machines at that point that were keeping him alive. So we made the very easy but very horrible decision to pull them all off of him. Easy because he would have never wanted to be kept alive that way and horrible because, well, there's your dad there and your telling them that it's over. . .

I was in the room when he passed and I have to tell you, you never ever want to be there for that. But my mom, of course, wouldn't have been anywhere else and I had to be there for her. I'm not an overly emotional person, or one to have nightmares, but I'd be lying if I said that moment hadn't run through my head a few times. It was so bizarre, so unreal.

So this Sunday, instead of going somewhere different, I went to church with my mom and family to Southwest Church of Christ, in Barberton. This is the church that I initially left to go a'wanderin'.

This isn't going to be regular review because I know Southwest very well. I could tell you all the things that are great there and then run right down to all the things that I think aren't so great. I mean, I did leave for a reason!

But instead of waxing poetically about all the things I think are wrong or that I don't like, I'd like to focus on the good. Bob loved that church and I think I'd be doing a disservice to his memory by doing anything else.

In fact, I'd like to focus on one good thing. The thing that Southwest has always succeeded at and done a stellar of job at. That one thing is people.

The moment that we found out Bob was in the hospital, the outpouring began. People came to the hospital, called and offered food, sent cards. You name it, we got it. And it's not that cheesey, "I'm just saying it because it's nice but I wouldn't really do it" attitude. I have seen it in action, these people are giving.

There are church plant programs and kits that you can buy to "jump start" your church and to get it moving. But without people, people that care about the Lord and about spreading his message of love and salvation, you've got nothing. Churches die because people stop caring. Southwest, despite its issues, has continued on because of this rock solid foundation that is loving, Christian, people.

Well, it's going to be rough for the next couple of days. Calling hours tonight and a memorial service tomorrow. If you could keep my mom in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.

Much love,

Rev.

Where you be?

Yes, it's been a while. Has it really be three weeks? My how the time flies!

First, my apologies for leaving you for so long! It's been an interesting few weeks! If you remember, I went out of town for a weekend for a little R&R (good times). Then on the Friday after that weekend, my step-dad, Bob, had an aneurysm (not so good times) and that set me back another two weekends.

Yes, I did go to church on those two Sundays. I went to St. Bernard's in downtown Akron (awesome 8pm service) and then again on the next Sunday, with the full intention of reviewing it. Yeah, that didn't happen.

So here's your mini review of St. Bernard's (no no, not "ber-nard", it's pronounced "ber-nerd". No, I don't know why. Chalk it up in the same category as to why men have nipples).

I went on the weekend that I was out of town. We made it back in the afternoon and I really didn't want to skip church. I had known about St. Bernard's from my cousin (I had actually been there once before) and that they had a late service (8pm!). So I showered up and hit the late road.

I went there expecting to find my typical Catholic experience. Heavy on boring liturgy, light on engaging relativity. Boy was I wrong.

Yeah, it started out like normal. Sing a few outdated hymns, say the memorized sayings. . . blah blah blah. But when it came time for the priest to preach, something weird happened. He grabbed the mic and started walking down the center of the pews. He asked for a show of hands "Is anyone here a hypocrite?" Not too many hands went up. He started laughing.

He asked another question. "If you can't follow all of Christ's teachings, then why should you try?". . . he actually wanted someone to answer! This guy was awesome! He spoke well. Never read from any notes. He was engaging. Even challenging. I'm not sure where they got this guy, but the Pope needs to come up with a way to clone him and put him at every church in the country!

After his awesome message, we had communion. And instead of just going through the motions, he took the time to explain what we were doing and why. Man, this guy is good.

I left there feeling refreshed and rejuvinated. Not only did he preach a great message but he also gave me hope that the Catholic faith is not without hope. There are still some Catholics who want to preach to the lost and actually grab a few.

I went to another service of theirs in the morning last Sunday. It wasn't quite as good but it was still 10 times better than any other Catholic church out there.

If I could ask you all to keep Bob in your prayers, I'd really appreciate it. The doctor says he'll make a full recovery but it will just take time. And my Mom, too. Thanks.

Yours back in action,

Wandering Reverend

ps - would it be in bad taste to mention that there were lots of cute girls there? Yeah? It would? Okay, I won't mention it.