By Ken Blue
These are a few of the members who have been at Open Door for twenty years or more. Without a doubt, there are ten times that many who have moved on, and are serving in other churches, and ministries.
It is results like this that makes the ministry gratifying and rewarding. Sadly, too many pastors change churches about every five years, and never grow their church. It takes years to build a growing, solid, and Bible believing church. Someone has correctly said, “It takes a few weeks to grow an onion, and several years to grow an oak.” Which business are you in?
I am not the Holy Spirit, but I do not believe God is leading pastors to change pastorates ever three to five years. No doubt there is a more personal problem that should be resolved. My advice is for a pastor to stay put, if at all possible, and grow old with your members. Let God’s Spirit continue to work through you.
As a pastor ages, he will need to add younger staff to help with the children and young families. The pastor should give consideration to resigning when he is no longer effective. Time and much prayer is needed for that important decision. Stay put, and reap the benefits of a long term ministry.
Pastor Jason Murphy now pastors Open Door
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.
Pastor Blue…..I count it one of the greatest blessings in my life when the Holy Spirit lead Michael and myself to ODBC. I remember the first three months we were there sitting on the back row and listening intently to every word you said. I told Michael that if you taught one thing that was contrary to what I was taught while growing up or if any funny stuff started happening, I was out of there. Well, we are still here 24 years later. You opened up God’s word every single service and made my understanding come alive over and over again. Thank you so much for that. It is also through the ministry of ODBC that each one of my 6 grandchildren here have given their hearts to the Lord. What a wonderful legacy you have. God is good. God is greater than good, even when we don’t realize it. Thank you. We both love you and Joyce very much.
I was great blessed by this article, Brother Blue. I rejoice that the Lord called me to pastor the Bible Baptist Church in Port Orchard, WA where I have remained for the last 26 years. I’ve seen people come and go. But I’ve also seen babies born to parents who have grow up, graduated from Bible College, and now serving the Lord. For me, there is no greater earthly reward than to see the long-term fruits of your labor in the Lord. All I can say is, “Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me to pastor the same people for over a quarter of a century. I’m content to finish out my ministry right where I’m at. Amen!”
What an encouragement to read this wonderful article by Pastor Blue. I have had the honor of singing and preaching at Open Door and I know, first hand, what a blessing this church is.
And I know some of those long term church members. They are real, they are sincere and they are an example of what a christian should be. They were taught well by a great man!
Thanks, Brother Blue, for your kindness to me! I look forward to coming back again.
Thank you Broter Ramage
Thank you Brother Al
Thank you Lois
Great article (as always), Pastor Blue. We have been going to Pastor Hughes church since 1986 and don’t see any reason to even consider a change. With everything rapidly changing in this world, it is nice to know some things never require changes and they are good preaching and faithfulness.
Jerry and I have been at Bible Baptist in Port Orchard for almost 32 years. There have been times when it would have been easy and even justifiable to leave, but God never lead us to do that. He wanted us to stay the course and He has blessed us greatly because of our obedience. It has been sad to see so many folks leave because of offences, but a great blessing to see those who have stayed.
Great article Brother Ken. You say something when you write–a rarity these days! Keep it coming.
Thank you Alice. You stay with it, you will be glad you did.
Thank you Brother Dave. You are an encouragement to me.
Having been on the rollercoast of a church the past twenty years, I am now see the fruit of long term maturing. I am going to pass that article on.
I grew up at ODBC riding the blue bus every week. (Bus 9 …captain was Jerry Lundquist and the driver was Pastor Murphys dad ) In my teens I drifted away and made quite a mess of things. Now I am walking with Jesus again and looking for a new church home that “fits” For a while I listened to the TBN and Daystar crowds but their words did not ring true in my heart. I have visited several churches of varying denominations and the result is the same, sugar coated preaching that is a ticket to enter the wide gate because of all it lacks. When I said that to someone they told me my “religious” upbringing had warped me. Gone are the days of fire and brimstone. The church of today is apparently trying to literally kill with kindness. THANK YOU Pastor Blue for the foundation in faith that you gave me. Thank you for fire and brimstone services that taught me to fear Gods wrath even while you taught me that he loves me. Thank you for preaching the gospel and not once sugar coating a single word. Thank you for preaching the Whole word of God and not just the nicey nice things. I may have made a lot of mistakes in my life but the foundation you built with the true word of God has lasted longer than my stupidity and I am back rebuilding the walls. On the day when you go home to meet Jesus face to face I honestly believe he will say to you “Welcome good and faithful servant.” Thank You
Susie, I am glad you found your way back!
What a cherished picture Pastor Blue! And I recognize most everyone! Thank you, thank you, thank you to you and Mrs. Blue for your years and years of service at Open Door and Lynnwod and for your love for that ministry to this day. Because of you both and Lynne Hall, I will never forget November 22, 1974 in your office of the old building where Lynne took me through the Romans road and I not only confessed my sins but repented of them. What an unbreakable foundation you were instrumental in helping me build in the faith. Your teaching taught me so much about the Bible and to this day, the Holy Spirit is still revealing more and more. My cup overflows. His richest blessings to you both.
What a blessing <3
It’s a real blessing to be a part of a great church like Open Door where people genuinely love and care for one another.