FOR THE LOVE OF THE CHURCH

October 10

Bible Reading: Acts 20:17-38

Acts 20:28, “To care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

You don’t need me to tell you that we live in perilous times. Around the globe, wars are either ongoing or on the horizon—Russia and Ukraine, the Middle East, China and Taiwan. Our own country is hopelessly divided and plagued by corruption. In my lifetime, I’ve never seen more uncertainty regarding our nation’s future. While church attendance is at an all-time low, crime and despair are on the opposite trajectory.  Yet, as the ship of humanity sails toward its God-appointed destiny, it’s essential to remind ourselves that God is in control. Despite the ugliness that permeates the world, there is one entity, the church of God, that remains forever beautiful, constituting “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28).

Paul deemed the church beautiful and exhorted the elders of Ephesus to care for it, maintaining that same perspective.  He had sacrificed and endured through unimaginable challenges because of his great love for the church.  We esteem something’s value according to the price paid for it; the price paid for the church was the lifeblood of Jesus.  Even as you’ve been redeemed, “not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19).  The church is God’s work of art, His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10), and He is even now preparing it for the day when He will “present the church to himself in splendor” (Ephesians 5:27).  Paul’s exhortation to those elders was to care for the church as shepherds, but we all likewise have a role to fulfill in maintaining fellowship, exercising our gifts, and doing our part in the building up of the body.  Regardless of what you hear on the news, nothing is more important or of more lasting value than that!

There is a famous story of the days when Sir Christopher Wren was building St. Paul’s Cathedral. On one occasion, he was on a tour of the work in progress. He came upon a man at work and asked him: “What are you doing?” The man said: “I am cutting this stone to a certain size and shape.” He came to a second man and asked him what he was doing. The man said: “I am earning so much money at my work.” He came to a third man and asked him what he was doing. The man paused for a moment, straightened himself and answered: “I am helping Sir Christopher Wren build St. Paul’s Cathedral.” All three were working on the same project, but only the third man grasped the glory of what he was privileged to be a part of.   We’ve all been gifted to serve in the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11). It is possible to lose focus and forget that as members of the body of Christ, we are incredibly privileged to be a part of the greatest work of all! Are you serving with passion or going through the motions?

We esteem the value of a thing according to the price paid for it.  That Jesus shed His blood to obtain the church means that it is of infinite value, and therefore deserving of our undying devotion!

GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN
Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God.
He whose Word cannot be broken
formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See, the streams of living waters,
springing from eternal love,
well supply thy sons and daughters
and all fear of want remove.
Who can faint while such a river
ever flows their thirst to assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the Giver,
never fails from age to age.

‘Round each habitation hov’ring,
see the cloud and fire appear
for a glory and a cov’ring,
showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from their banner
light by night and shade by day,
safe they feed upon the manna
which He gives them on their way.

Savior, since of Zion’s city
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name.
Fading is the worldling’s pleasures,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasures
none but Zion’s children know.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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