The Ohio Independent Baptist, October 1972

They Pull Together T/1is article appeared recently in the pages of THE MESSENGER-the dai/) 1 nel1- 1 spaper of Atl1ens, Ohio. We felt tlze entire article should be shared l1-'ith oi,r 0.1.B. readers. By MARJORIE STRIGHT Messenger Staff Writer A turdy steeple stood erect against a clearing sky. Strains of "The Church·s One Foundation" drifted through the open window of the 150- year-old white frame church. The Albany Baptist Church has aged graciously, but can no longer fill the needs of its growing active congre– gation. Red markers fluttered from stakes set in the open space behind the church. A new plow waited in readi– ness . . . its shining blade in position to bite into the turf, turning the first earth for the foundation of a new and larger brick veneer structure. A heavy rope had been attached to the front of the plow. Both children and adults of the congregation got a firm handhold on the rope and at a signal heaved in unison, pulling the plow through the heavy turf with a speed that would have made 'Ole Dob– bin· sit up and take notice. According to the Rev. Paul Wil– liams, pastor, turning the earth with a plow, with members of the congrega– tion providing the "horsepower,' sym– bolized that many pulling together can accomplish much with little effort. Church members are extending this philosophy to the construction itself, planning to contract the building themselves. Construction will begin next week on the two-phase building program which is expected to extend over a five-to eight-year period before the old structure is razed. The decision to build was reached when it was discovered that extensive 4 OCTOBER, 1972 repairs . . . heating, wiring, windows and bathrooms . . . would cost ten thousand dollars. The first phase of the contemporary structure, designed by Lawrence Wil– son of Toledo, will have 4,500 square feet of floor space and house a sanc– tuary which will seat 180. It is designed so that adjoining classrooms can be opened up to expand the seating ca– pacity to 235. There will also be a kitchen, bath– rooms, crib room, as well as other classrooms. During the second phase of the building program, when a new sanc– tuary facing State Street will be built, the first structure will be converted to classrooms. Until the building project is completed, the old building will be used for classes, first grade through high school. At a time when most churches are complaining that church membership is falling off, the small church is ex– panding . . . entering a two phase building program. Rev. Williams says the church has grown during the last two years. About this growth, he breaks . into his broad grin and says, "We're just doing more of the things that work." He attributes the growth to personal attention, particularly their visitation program where young couples go into homes. "People really need to know you care," be says. They exhibit this caring through their efforts in transporting both adults and children who don't have a way to get to cht1rch and SLtnday chool. When their bt1s provcc.l inadcqt1atc to tran\port all tho e needing ride ·. they nddc(l car5 to the routec; and are bringing in abot1t 40 pcr\ons eclch Sunday who wouldn't otherwise get to go to church. The church, which has a member– ship of J 00, averaged an attendance of 162 for Sunday School last winter, and, this summer, when attendance u sually fall s off at all churches, they are averaging 129. The Albany Baptists don't believe in getting hung up on the same old pat– terns when it becomes obvious that something else will work better. Their Daily Vacation Bible School, unlike the summer schools in other churches, takes place during the l Christmas vacation, when their young adults are home from college to assist, and when children are out of school and need something to do. Much quoted is the statement to the effect that you never stand still, you either go forward or backward. The Albany Baptist Church does not move backwards. The spirit that moves within propels it forward. Vi siting - LAKE HOPE? Attending - OHIO UNIVERSITY? A Warm Welcome Awaits you at . . . ALBANY BAPTIST CHURCH Albany, Ohio • • Paul G. Williams, Pastor Just ten nziles f ro,n the Athens Ca1npi1s Call if you need transportation Phone ( 6 J 4) 698-3 I 63 EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCl'I of West Shore Rev. Wesley Bliss, Pastor Moving or Traveling through the Harrisburg, Pa. area? Stop and visit Emmanuel Baptist Church at 4681 E. Trindle Road, Mechanics– burg, Pa., just five minutes off the Pa. Tpk. Exit 17. New Building under construction. lo– cated in the center of Harrisburgh's West Shore. MOVING or TRAVELING PLAN A VISITI Phones: (717) 737-1131 (71 n 737-6529 THE OHIO INDEPENDENT BAPTIST