Burleson is unlike most rural congregations that you find in our area, or in most places for that matter. Whereas a few years ago we began to be an older congregation, in recent years we have been energized with a number of young families in their 20s and 30s.
Our worship assemblies are now filled with the sound of babies crying and small children being shushed by parents as they learn to whisper. As the preacher, I love every one of these small “interruptions!”
I wouldn’t say we have a “family ministry;” I’d say we ARE a family ministry. Our lack of size (we average about 70-75 on most Sundays) makes us a loving, close-knit group. Our young families love and interact with our senior members at every service and outside the assemblies as well. Our older members love our children and that love is reciprocated.
We live in a rural community. We look out for one another and help one another. I’ve been preaching here since 1996. I can’t tell you how many calls I have received from our older ladies to come and remove a snake from their carports or yards! Now THAT’S ministry! If you don’t think so, just ask our sweet ladies!
Kyle Donaldson, one of our new deacons, has begun a work to make sure all of our members are properly cared for. We have several senior ladies who are widowed or live alone, but this work is not limited to them. As a group, our men work together to make repairs, do yard work, or whatever else needs doing.