Old-time religion
Hartselle Camp Meeting evangelist Milan Dekich delivers a sermon on the topic “Church People” at Monday morning’s service.
Hartselle Camp Meeting to continue through Friday
Worshipers filed into Hartselle’s historic old tabernacle in small groups on Monday morning for the fourth day of an eight-day camp meeting. They took seats on the handcrafted wooden pews, rubbed the soles of their shoes on the sawdust floor and settled in for 45 minutes of prayer, music and old-time gospel preaching.
The temperature had already passed 90 degrees for the midmorning service; however, most of the worshipers appeared to be comfortable. They benefited from the shade of huge hardwood trees surrounding the hallowed old wooden building as well as 15 ceiling fans running full-speed.
The congregation totaled about 75 people. Of that number, a dozen were preachers who came in observance of Pastor Appreciation Day. About a third were young people, most of whom were spending the week, and the rest were seniors whose association with the Tabernacle goes back to the time when they were children.
Rob Cain, a native of Hartselle who currently resides in Tuscaloosa and serves as senior pastor of The Lighthouse, welcomed worshipers and called on the pastors to stand and introduce themselves. Congregational music was led by Rex Looney, minister of Music at CrossPointe Church in Madison.
Camp co-evangelist Milan Dekich, senior pastor of Fairview Church of God in Falkville, preached from Luke 15, the story of the prodigal son.
His sermon topic was “Church People.”
He described the negative attitude of the prodigal son’s brother as being similar to today’s “church people,” being more interested in feeling good about themselves that they are in reaching out to their lost neighbors.”
“I have no right to be judgmental about those who aren’t saved,” he said. “I have no right to brag about my own salvation. Before the cross, we were all the same.
“As pastors, the majority of our efforts should be to reach lost people. We have to spend too much time to make our church members feel comfortable. People are dying all around us. Let’s reach out to save them.”
Camp meeting services will continue through Friday, June 25, with preaching at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Pastor’s Day was observed at Hartselle Camp meeting on Monday. Chatting before the service (L-R) are Tommy Smothers, Bill Lee, Harold Segars, Joe Hoover and Harvie Reynolds (seated).
