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It goes without saying that the year 1900 is a bygone era to which most of us can hardly imagine or relate. There is not a single one among us that was alive within at least a couple of decades later (for most of us, much farther than that!). So, it might help to at least know some of the daily realities of that year so that we might understand how it compares to our current situation. Though cars had been invented, hardly anyone had one. Only 1 out of every 50 persons owned a vehicle. Not only was the invention of a cell phone still almost a century away, only 30 percent of the population owned a telephone at all. Very few people owned a refrigerator, and almost nobody owned a radio. Within 70 years, clothes washers, dryers, air-conditioning, and television sets would all be household staples, but in 1900 they were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the most popular media product of the time might have been the player pianos or the phonograph. 1900 would be the year that women would first be allowed to participate in the Olympics. Australia was yet to be officially named a country. In one year, razor blades and vacuum cleaners would be created for household use. The average yearly wage was $432, the average home cost $5,000, a man’s suit cost about $10, and women’s shoes were $2.
In 1900, the town of Moundville had only held its name for nine years (formally being known as Carthage). Almost everyone was a farmer. Yet, in this slow-paced culture that was relatively unknown to the rest of the world, a small band of Christ followers sensed God’s leading to start something that this town had never known—a Baptist church. Thus, on May 2, 1900, Moundville Baptist Church was chartered with the purpose of reaching this community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since that time this church has literally preached the gospel to innumerable groups of people. Hundreds upon hundreds have responded to the call of Christ and been baptized while the members of this church throughout the years have been mobilized for ministry both locally and globally. Millions of dollars have been given to support missions around the world and to extend the hope of Jesus Christ in every language. Through the ministries of this church, families have been restored, God’s call has gone forth, new churches have been started, and hope has been offered to generations of families for 119 years. That God could take the effort of a small group of West Alabama farming families and do such a work is a testament to His greatness!
As we celebrate the anniversary of our church, what does Scripture implore us to learn from our history even as we strive to “love, live, and lead” through the ministries of Moundville Baptist Church?
1. Give Thanks for What God Has Done. As believers we should “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), yet it is not difficult to think on the specific ways in which God has so bountifully blessed our church. What has been done in our long history, and what is continuing to be accomplished, is only the result of God’s might on display. Along with the psalmist it is right for us to exclaim, “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12). All is not as it can be in Christ, but it is right to celebrate what God has done.
2. Avoid Nostalgia. While good feelings about the past are a normal emotion in certain circumstances, the Bible warns against believing that the future will never compare with the past (Ecclesiastes 7:10). In Christ, the best is always yet to come. What God has done will not compare with what God will do (Romans 8:32).
3. Recognize Our Great Need for God to Work Among Us. We have never been more in need of the gospel than at this very moment in our history. We cannot depend upon our own resources because they woefully fall short. The prayer for our church must be the same as that of the psalmist when he cried, “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:3).
4. Commit Ourselves to the Calling and Work of Our Church. The local church is not man’s idea, but God’s (Matthew 16:18). God’s design for serving Him cannot be fulfilled apart from the context of the local church. As we love, live, and lead together, we fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and obey the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31).
5. Expect Great Things from God. Attempt Great Things for God. These words from missionary William Carey ring as true today as when he wrote them while starting the modern missionary movement in taking the gospel to India in 1793. We cannot honor God with the celebration of our past unless we are looking to Him to do even greater things through us in the present and future.
Celebrating to the Glory of God,
Jason