Believing God Would Do the Impossible: Seymour, Missouri

When Pastor Mark Terrill accepted the call to pastor his home church in 1996, the Seymour (MO) Church of the Nazarene faced several common challenges. On his first Sunday, the church had 15 in Sunday School and around 30 in the worship service. He learned from the three existing board members that the church accounts had been totally depleted, and their church building was in serious need of major repairs or total replacement.

In spite of those concerns, Pastor Mark said, “My heart was afire. I felt called to lead this congregation and I was obedient. We had two older ladies in particular that believed God would do the impossible. We decided to change what wasn’t working, and build on what was working.”

Today, the ministry reflects the prayers and faith of those faithful members and pastor. In his interview with GROW Magazine, Pastor Mark shares some of the significant steps in their journey as a church.

GROW: Pastor Mark, thank you for meeting with us to share some of your experiences with our readers about this ministry. Could you describe how your vision developed for the Seymour congregation?

Pastor Terrill: In 1989 I answered the call to preach. At that time Seymour was my home church. Our present pastor resigned the very Sunday I yielded to God’s call on my life. During the next few months God began laying on my heart that I would one day pastor the Seymour congregation.

In July of 1990 my wife and I accepted a call to be the associate pastors for a nearby Nazarene Church, although answering this call would span the next six and half years. My call to Seymour was very much an everyday reality. We had a great time serving with the Senior Pastor and his wife for those six and half years. When the invitation came from the Seymour Church, God opened every door to make it happen.

GROW: When did you first start to see the church moving forward in this turnaround?

Pastor Terrill: My wife grew up in the Seymour Church and we were married in 1980. Although we were pastoring out of the community, we still lived here in Seymour. My job enabled me to be a part of many peoples’ lives within the Seymour community. We sensed the church responding from the very first Sunday. I invited people that I knew and God began to do some amazing things.

GROW: What have been some of the “sticking points” during this transition?

Pastor Terrill: Growing a church is an amazing experience. However there are many obstacles to over come. Some of the more memorable steps involved things like: (1) how to develop new converts in becoming solid believers, (2) dealing with a few people who were in leadership that did not understand the dynamics of growth—and to be honest were not interested in learning anything about it, and (3) transitioning from being a bi-vocational pastor into a full time pastoral assignment.

GROW: What has been one of your greatest challenges in this journey?

Pastor Terrill: Allowing others to fail. Delegating leadership is a very hard thing to do when you put your whole heart into the work of the church. God has given me freedom to release the church into His hands. This has personally allowed me to grow in ways that I could not have imagined. I have a perfect peace and assurance that we are to make disciples and allow them to minister with the gifts and graces that God has given. No pastor can grow the church without being surrounded by godly men and women who share in the vision.

GROW: What are some of the takeaways would you offer to anyone else considering a turnaround situation like this one has been?

Pastor Terrill: There are several things that come to mind. First, the pastor needs to know God’s call—to this place of ministry. Second, the pastor must be a person of passion and integrity. The people will go no further than the pastor goes. Next, the pastor must preach God’s word without apology—with God’s anointing. And, the pastor must lead by example, not by force.

The lay leadership must be in complete unity with the vision and mission of the church. And, all of the leadership must know this is God’s church, not theirs. I also believe that education is a key element in growing a Bible believing congregation, with Sunday School classes and Wednesday evening programs for all ages. I’m also fully convinced you cannot build a church without solid children and youth programs.

GROW: So how does this church now see its best results in outreach and growth?

Pastor Terrill: Our people are always willing to reach out in whatever means necessary to grow the church. God has placed around me some incredible adult, youth and childrens’ workers. I will be the very first one to say that much of our success has come from leaders who love the Lord and are committed in making a difference in their communities.

GROW: Why did this transition work in Seymour?

Pastor Terrill: Seymour is a small town here in Missouri with a population of 1,627. I guess my straight forward and most transparent answer would still be—evangelism.

GROW: How many new unchurched people would you estimate have come to faith?

Pastor Terrill: This is a very hard question to answer. Some who have been saved here have now moved on in their lives in various ways. But I’m guessing somewhere around 1,000 people.

GROW: You’ve come so far in this journey. What do you see are the new future potentials for ministry?

Pastor Terrill: We are in many ways a regional congregation. The opportunities are endless. Personally, I shared with this church board and congregation that I have no interest in pastoring a church in decline. I believe our mission is to win the lost. I’m only interested in a church that believes this with all of their being. If we can keep our focus on the real mission, then we will fill our church and build again. I have been through three building programs and though it’s been difficult, I would do it all again and again if it’s needed.

GROW: What else would you like to share in this story that we haven’t asked you?

Pastor Terrill: I love the Church of the Nazarene. I can’t imagine being anything but a Nazarene. I want all our pastors and people to know that what is happening in Seymour Church of the Nazarene is nothing more than finding the heart of God.

In closing, I’d add this list of ten things to think about:

1. Our pastors need to preach with a new found freedom and boldness in the Holy Spirit.

2. Our people need to be sanctified, in order for them to see the true need to evangelize.

3. We have to stop having services just to have a service.

4. Allow God time to work through the worship and preaching time.

5. Learn to resist making all our services so time sensitive.

6. The altars can be a main stay in our churches. Encourage people to become familiar with praying together at the altar.

7. Remember people everywhere are hungry for God.

8. We have over 20 leaders called to preach in this church. This is largely due to holding people accountable for what God has placed on their hearts.

9. Our churches are full of people who are called to do ministry. Only a service charged with the power of God’s Spirit will allow them to break through and give them the faith enough to step up and do it.

10. I could go on and on. My heart hungers for our churches to grow, for our pastors to preach with boldness and authority and for our people to take the message of holiness to every corner of the world and proclaim freedom—wonderful freedom.