“The preacher, who is the messenger of God, is the real master of society; not elected by society to be its ruler but elect of God to form its ideals and through them to guide and rule its life. Show me the man who, in the midst of a community however secularized in manners can compel it to think with him, can kindle its enthusiasm, revive its faith, cleanse its passions, purify its ambitions, and give steadfastness to its will, and I will show you the real master of society, no matter what party may nominally hold the reins of government, no matter what figurehead may occupy the ostensible place of authority.”
1913 – Reverend Charles Silvester Horne

I was reading a couple of weeks ago in a book for a preaching leadership class and ran across this quote by Charles Horne. This quote has really stuck with me and caused me to wonder where am I in the community. Where am I when it comes to students and being a part of the world that they work and play? Where am I when it comes to the schools and encouraging a culture of change and influence amongst our students?

We have been discussing in circles at large the idea that we have “lost our influence.” No longer is the church or has the church been the leader in the community. We continue to grow further and further away from being an agent of influence in our communities.

With all the regulations that have been instituted in the public school system for the safety of students and equal rights, Youth Ministers are no longer allowed. For too long we have sat by and just let this be the way it is and have done nothing to really have an opportunity to influence our communities as the church once did. It is now time to step out and reclaim that influence.

I am striving to find ways that I can start to influence our communities for the better. I will be at the schools, I will be visible to students in the world they live, I will pray that God gives me opportunities to influence the students in our community. Will you join me in this reclaiming of what was once ours, influence? Will you join me in caring and living with the students in your community in hopes that they may know Christ?

Will you?

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