The True Joy of Positive Living Ch: 7

Early Ministry Ambition

• In January 1924, during senior year at seminary, a strong feeling motivated the author to seek a church position in New York City.
• Visited Bishop Luther B. Wilson's office to request a small church upon graduation.
• The Bishop was receptive because of author's initiative and offered to meet again.
• The author was introduced to Reverend Doctor Abram S. Kavanagh, district superintendent of the Brooklyn south district.

Opportunity at Flatlands

• The Bishop offered two options: a church on Long Island or St. Mark's Methodist Church in Flatlands, Brooklyn.
• Flatlands church (St. Mark's Methodist Church on Ocean Avenue) was struggling with dwindling income and few members.
• The author was appointed assistant pastor, tasked with revitalizing the Flatlands church while assisting at St. Mark's.
• The author accepted the challenge, preferring to rebuild a struggling church.

Growing the Kings Highway Church

• Dr. Robert M. Moore, pastor of St. Mark's, supported the Flatlands church and the author.
• A lot was purchased at Kings Highway and East Thirty-seventh Street for a new building.
• The church name was changed to Kings Highway Church to reflect the future location.
• Services were held in a tent on the new lot due to overcrowding in the old building.
• The church attracted many people with enthusiastic music and messages addressing human needs.
• The author personally welcomed newcomers, emphasizing the newness of both the church and their homes to encourage participation.
• This approach led to rapid growth in membership and Sunday School attendance.
• New residents who were of other faiths were referred to local priests, ministers, or rabbis to encourage ecumenism.

Mentorship and Support

• Frank C. Goodman, a converted gambler, and his family became regular attendees and supporters.
• Goodman mentored the author on effective preaching, focusing on expression, stance, and gestures.
• Dr. Moore appointed a Kings Highway committee comprised of distinguished laymen to aid in developing the new church.
• Key members included Thomas E. Cisney, Anthony Krayer, Charles R. Gay, and Paul Ihrig, alongside representatives from Kings Highway Church like Robert P. Brand and Clarence G. Neese.

Building a New Church

• The need for a new church building became urgent due to the inadequacy of the old building and the tent.
• Paul Ihrig, chairman of the building committee, decided to build the entire church before winter, trusting in faith that funds would be raised.
• The author admired Ihrig's faith and dedication.
• The author learned the importance of believing in fundraising success.
• Tom Cisney provided the author with a car to facilitate membership growth and fundraising.

Easter at the Marine Theater

• Anticipating large crowds, the head usher, Bob Mirrilees, rented the Marine Theater for Easter service.
• Despite rainy weather, the theater was packed, and Mirrilees emphasized faith.
• The author delivered a simple message about Jesus.
• He described Mirrilees as reflective of the wonderful people in Brooklyn during the 1920s.

Community Impact

• The street in front of the church was unpaved, causing problems during rainy weather.
• The author invited the borough president to speak at the church's annual dinner.
• The borough president's humorous remarks about the street's condition led to its paving within a month.

Core Ministry Values

• The author's ministry focused on preaching the Gospel, outlining salvation, and inspiring life changes through Christ.

Counseling and Intervention

• The author assisted a young boy named Robert who suspected his father was having an affair.
• The author confronted the father, who confessed to the affair and expressed a desire to change.
• The author guided him through confession, repentance, and acceptance of Christ.
• The father ended the affair, and the family joined the church, with the son's faith in his father restored.

Community Involvement

• The author became involved in the Masonic fraternity, rising to a 33rd-degree member and Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of New York.
• He also became a member and chaplain of the Kings County American Legion.

Memorial Day Address

• As chaplain of the American Legion, the author was asked to give an address at a Memorial Day community service in Prospect Park to about 50,000 people.
• General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. encouraged the author to speak from the heart and trust in God.
• He gave a modified version of his morning sermon and received positive feedback.
• General Roosevelt advised the author to focus on helping others.

Defining a Christian Pastor

• A Christian pastor is defined as someone who loves people and helps them in the name of Jesus Christ.
• The author has always loved people and tried to love even those who do not love him.

Christmas Eve Encounter

• On Christmas Eve, the author offered condolences to a family who had lost a child, leading to a lasting friendship.
• The family later became members of the church.

First Funeral Service

• The author conducted his first funeral service for a child, emphasizing life and immortality.
• He comforted the grieving parents with love and support.

Joyful Religion

• Christianity includes laughter and joy.
• Clarence G. Neese, the song leader, led to some memorable, humorous moments during services.
• A fat family's chair collapse and a late family of twelve, led to appropriate hymn selection.

New Appointment

• In 1927, the author was asked to preach at the University Methodist Church in Syracuse and was later offered the position of pastor.
• Advised by his brother Bob to embrace new opportunities, the author accepted the appointment.
• The three years in Flatlands, Brooklyn, came to an end.