Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994 TAG: 9406060135
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: FRANCES STEBBINS
DATELINE: PILOT LENGTH: Long
Though it's only 15 minutes from downtown Christiansburg, the little community it serves is scattered along the winding road over a small mountain to Floyd County and seems far more remote. Yet close to 300 worshiped there May 29.
They heard the young pastor, the Rev. Larry D. Meadors, preach about the need to know purpose in life. They sang, clapped - though not too loudly - and welcomed visitors and each other with a short greeting time at the beginning of the service in a building designed for late 20th century churchgoers.
All these characteristics make it easy to feel comfortable at the church that is less than 20 years old. They represent what many recent church surveys have revealed are important factors in attracting young adults to rural as well as urban congregations: informality, cheerful surroundings, a place for children and a focus on the interests of people of all ages.
It helped this Sojourner to find the church clearly marked in advance of the turn into Old Pike Road where it tops the hill. People in wheelchairs can get in easily and restrooms are well-marked and accessible from the ``gathering place'' foyer which connects the first building, erected about 15 years ago, with the 1988 worship center.
The Sojourner has been in several new church buildings lately in which wide corridors through the center of the structure afford easy access from either side, plenty of space for conversations before and after services and, in the case of the Pilot church, a commanding view of the fields and hills nearby. As intended by architects, the connecting hall makes fellowship easy.
Pilot Pentecostal Holiness also offers a leaflet, ``Why We Worship the Way We Do.'' In question-and-answer form it refers to Bible verses on issues such as raising hands in worship, clapping while singing, using certain musical instruments, emphasizing prophecy and singing and speaking in ``unknown tongues.''
Familiar to Western Virginia Pentecostal worshipers, these practices seem strange to many other Christians. The leaflet helps them understand.
Small wonder then that a congregation which came together in 1976 and first used a modular building has won two national recognitions for growth and plans to build a family life center for the community in two more years.
As in many Christian churches that revere the Pentecostal experience, the Pilot members emphasize three things: up-beat music centered on the goodness of God, preaching a Gospel of grace and the need for salvation and prayer, especially for those sick in soul and body.
In his 25-minute sermon, one in a series on the stewardship of God's resources, Meadors laid out a simple message: Get to know the Lord within you and make Him known to others. The purpose God offers each individual ``is ordained by Him'' and all who accept that purpose will be helped to achieve it.
His own father, Meadors related, did not accept Christ until he was terminally ill, but ``thank God he is saved now.'' However, it is always a matter of regret for the committed Christian when a loved one waits so long to take advantage of God's gift of peace and joy.
Music at Pilot Pentecostal Holiness is under the direction of another young man, Spencer Vaughnn, who leads the congregation in much of the activity during the first half of the service. Though a 1973 Gospel Hymnal published by Advocate Press of Franklin Springs, Ga., was in the pews, singing was mostly accomplished by reading the simple words of spiritual songs flashed on a wall board. ``Somebody Loves Me'' got the service started.
Following the greeting time and a short prayer, several men collected the offering while the choir in street clothes sang to the accompaniment of guitars and tambourines. The acoustics in the worship area, enhanced by electronics, were good enough to hear every word of a duet, ``When I Wake Up to Sleep No More.''
The pastoral prayer came next in which the sick and bereaved were remembered by name. A cadence of voices was raised from standing worshipers, some with arms raised in praise, all with eyes closed and murmuring soulful petitions and thanksgivings.
Then it was congregational singing time with five numbers flashed on the wall board: ``I've Got Peace Like a River,'' ``He is the King,'' ``King of Kings and Lord of Lords,'' ``All Hail King Jesus'' and ``We Exalt Thee.'' Rhythm varied from solemn to reminiscent of a Hebrew dance.
There's a lot to do for people connected with the church. Meadors said he wants the church to serve the community, and when the family life center is built, there will be room for basketball and crafts.
Meanwhile, a young father, Richard Martin, and others raised funds for a play area which would make many towns proud. Over its gate is ``Pilot's Little Kingdom'' and on the reverse side a verse reminding of Jesus' care for the children. Expansion is under way for older children.
Sunday nights in summer there will be many fellowship events such as picnic worship at Alta Mons Conference Center near Shawsville.
Meadors, 31, spent the first years of his ministry as an assistant in New Life Temple, his home congregation in Roanoke. He and his wife, Gloria, can relate to the needs of young families because they have three children between ages 3 and 8.
Most children in the congregation attend their own worship services while the adults are upstairs between 11 and noon. Henry Buckland directs the education program, which includes classes for all ages starting at 9:45 a.m.
Pentecostal Holiness polity combines episcopal appointments and congregational choice, Meadors said. He recently began a second four-year term at Pilot after an evaluation in which the congregation requested his return. He hopes the third major building program will be an accomplishment of his ministry.|
by CNB