I Love This Place!

by Adam Smith on August 25, 2022

What is it that you LOVE about Church? Worship? Fellowship? A Supportive Community? An alternative ‘way’ different from the ‘ways’ of the world? Is it a group in the church or a person?

I’m sure all of your answers are different and unique.

Do you know what I love most about Church? As Church with you all, I can be myself. Even at a young age, Church was the place I didn’t have to put on a facade. I could be me. Perhaps that’s something my parents helped instill in me, or maybe it was the acceptance and love of my congregation growing up, or perhaps it was the Holy Spirit’s loving embrace working within me. I’m not sure. But I do know it is this realization that has shaped and directed my life. In many ways it has helped me show a little more grace to my neighbors, to listen more attentively, to hope more fiercely, to forgive more readily, to encourage more openly, and to allow Christ to transform me daily.

The things we love about being Church shape and form us. They are the things that we draw energy from, that motivate us and inspire us. They are not simply things to rest in, but to invest in. Encountering the goodness and love of Jesus Christ within the Church moves us to dance and act.

This Stewardship season, we are going to spend time talking about what it is to be Church and why we love it so much! Over the month of September and into October, during worship, you will hear stories and presentations from committees and groups within PCN. You’ll hear why some of your brothers and sisters love our church and you’ll get glimpses of how God is moving in our midst.

We are excited to begin this program year, a year of building connections with each other and our community. And we are excited to jump into this year together with you as we go into another year living into our mission: “sharing the love of Jesus Christ, connecting with our neighbors, and growing together in worship, faith, and service.”

In the days to come, I invite you to think and pray about 3 questions:

1) What is it that you love about Church?
2) How can you invest in what you love as we live out our mission together?
3) What are your hopes for PCN in the 2022-2023 program year?

Blessings to you, saints, as we journey on together.
With Care,
Adam

About the Author

Adam Smith

Adam joined the staff at PCN in late March 2019. He grew up in Fort Worth, TX but moved to Greenville, IL to attend Greenvilled College where he received his bachelor degree in Contemporary Christian Music. He served as a youth director and praise team director at First Presbyterian Church in the college town, and met his bride to be, Sarah. After graduation, Adam and Sarah moved to Austin, TX where Adam began seminary at Austin Seminary. During this time, Adam served as Music Director and Seminary Intern at Grace Presbyterian Church in Round Rock, TX, and both he and Sarah welcomed two children into their family, Aaron and Kaydence.

After seminary, Adam served as the Director of Youth and College Ministry at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, FL for 3 years (where his 3rd kiddo, Zachary, was born), until receiving a call to serve as pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Dallas Center, IA. It was in the 8 years in Dallas Center that Adam began and completed his doctorate in Church Revitalization, helped found the non profit organization the Dallas Center Ministerial Association, and helped navigate the congregation through an expansion of their facilities to accommodate their growing ministry.

Adam is a self professing science fiction nerd, loves his wife and three kiddos, and he loves to read and write. He's a laid back person, loves to laugh and joke around, and has an addiction to coffee. When he's not working he loves to cycle, lift weights, binge watch on Netflix, and spend time with his family.