Lauren Wetherbee * March 15, 2013 * Macon Fellows Paper
First Presbyterian Church of Macon (FPC) is a church located in the heart of Macon, downtown Macon at 682 Mulberry Street. It originated just three years after the city of Macon was chartered and became a church June 18, 1826. It has withstood the ratification of states, battles and wars, 50 different U.S. presidents, and great economic depressions. Having been established so early in U.S. history, it has lived through major cultural and developmental changes but one binding trait has never left its foundation. Through interviewing elders and being involved in almost every aspect of the church today through the Fellows Program I have seen and encountered the same God that has been the cornerstone of the church since it began.
Even in recent church-history First Presbyterian has undergone immense change both physically, in the church building, and among the people themselves: spiritually, culturally, ministry endeavors. Since 1956 large and small renovation projects have taken place. The Fellowship Hall, Nurseries, and Children’s ministry classrooms connecting through to the Youth building (Education Building) have all been built. Many of those have been renovated since their original development.
These physical changes have only been reflective of the internal changes that have taken place among the people that make it up. Generations of people have come and gone. The old has passed and the new has come. These have brought great cultural shifts affecting how worship is carried out. An elder I spoke with, Don Hall, emphasized the change in instruments used. The introduction of guitar and drums being included in worship was unheard of in earlier times. Chuck Duggan described worship as being slightly more “spiritually led” and not merely liturgical and/or a planned production. He praised the choir and its new leadership that has brought a feel of worshiping with the chorus as opposed to solely watching a musical production. Though the worship feels relatively formal compared to contemporary churches today, it has made significant adjustments from how it was once carried out.
Duggan also described the church as having always been a “giving” church. However, it has most recently been moving towards a people more willing to move outside of its comfort and into broken places with a vision and desire to restore needs in the city and throughout the world. Hall recalled the beginnings of many ministry programs recently started by visionary individuals from the church with the support of FPC: Campus Clubs, Strong Tower Fellowship, First Presbyterian Day School, and Covenant Care Services to name a few. He also recognized the organization of both short and long-term mission trips becoming a more prevalent option and opportunity for church members to participate in. Along with these shifts and new ministry endeavors, the loss of older generations has brought the church to a financial deficit, losing major donors. Duggan brought to my attention the need for the younger generation to be one who also gives in large financially towards the forwarding of God’s Kingdom in the world through the church.
The church has also seen many leadership and staff worker shifts that have influenced the overall direction of the church. Hall shared with me how each pastor brought varying leadership styles and emphases. Some had strong organizational and preaching skills while others were most gifted in “hands-on” ministry and shepherding/loving the “flock.” FPC has seen increases and declines in church membership throughout the different ministries at varying times. New church plants, changes in leadership, doctrinal confrontations, and other factors have been involved in these changes. Hall highlighted that, while leadership and pastors contributed different emphases and skills, they have always maintained one unifying goal.
The binding truth that has never wavered throughout FPC history has been the inherency and authority of the Word of God as found in the Christian Bible and displayed through the gospel. Through all and any cultural, governmental, and economic transitions the church has never compromised its beliefs and has stayed true to the living and abiding Word of God in the way the church is governed, carries out the sacraments, moral beliefs, mission to disciple, centrality of divine grace, teaching and in many more aspects. The gospel and Jesus Himself is the church’s cornerstone and its Word their standard for worship, church government, ministry, and life altogether.
Through the Fellows Program, intensive involvement in the church and its partnering ministries, and speaking with elders I have come to learn in a deeper sense what my contribution to God’s Kingdom involves in connection with the church. I desire to always be an active leader in maintaining what has always been protected, the inherency of Scripture and centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ while moving in a healthy way with the culture and changing people God has created in His image. Through engaging in ministry and the life of the church I have learned what specific gifts I have been given to contribute to the church: teaching children, artistic talents, relational and interpersonal evangelism, hospitality, and discipleship. Apart from my time and efforts I also desire to give financially to the church, stewarding all that God has entrusted me with. In these ways I can participate in God’s Kingdom-work, joining the church throughout the world and, more specifically, in FPC-Macon that has been carrying out God’s purposes since 1826. The result of this good work that began eternally before the establishment of the church and will carry on eternally after is a sure victory and reclaiming of all that is Christ Jesus’.
