Introducing Lyle Allen

When I saw the request for a column writer for The Monticello News, the idea immediately intrigued me.

Having grown up and having been educated in Sunday School programs and worship in both a local Methodist and a local Baptist church, having grown up and having been educated in both our local school systems, having received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Religion and Christian education, having received a Master of Divinity degree, having served churches as a director of Christian education, having served churches as an ordained pastor, having worked with all age levels in local churches, having been in pews and in pulpits, I have seen and heard a lot.

I have seen the strengths and weaknesses of church members, and I have seen the strengths and weaknesses of pastors. I have been encouraged by church members as a lay person and as a pastor.

I have been discouraged by church members as a lay person and as a pastor. I can understand why so many people can’t wait to be in church when the doors are opened.

I can understand why so many people choose to be anywhere but the church, when the doors are opened.

My column will not be about a specific denomination, nor a specific church. It will be about MY life-experiences in local churches over the years. There will be times you will strongly agree with me. There will be times you will strongly disagree with me.

My thoughts, right or wrong, for better or for worse, are based on MY life-experiences and how I perceive church, church members, and church leaders today.

Churches are made up of imperfect people like me. But as imperfect as we all are, there is so much more we should and could be doing in our local churches. And yes, there is so much more we should not be doing in our churches.

If nothing is gained from my column except to get people talking more about why we “do” church and the way we “do” church in 2013, then I will have done the job that God has placed before me at this particular point and time in my life.

A lot of good local men and women have blessed and influenced my life in a positive way over the years. Don’t hold how I have turned out against them. They did their best. But more than anything, I thank Jesus Christ, who died for me—skinny, little, sinful man that I am—so that I might have a great life in the here and now and an even greater life in heaven one day.

As we move through the days ahead together, may we think and re-think about the way churches operate today and if we are truly where we need to be as church leaders and church members in 2013.

I’m not writing to impress or depress but to help us all to think about where we are and where we are headed. I hope you enjoy our travel together