Celebrating Church Anniversaries and Ministry

I will be involved in a couple of anniversary celebrations in September.   Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church of Bartlesville celebrated their 70th anniversary on September 14. First Presbyterian Church of Tahlequah will celebrate their 144th anniversary on September 21. These are joyous celebrations, whether it is a big milestone year or simply marking another successful year as fall activities kick off. 

These gatherings are a reminder that we do ministry in time and over time. While we tend to focus on the place, the buildings, and, often, the sanctuaries, the primary aspect of successful ministry may be our ability to continue to do it over time. From birth to baptism to confirmation to a life of faith to a memorial service, our lives are molded by ministry. Single moments may stick out, but it is the collective action of the church over years of teaching, love, and care that impacts us deeply. 

This long view of the church flies in the face of the fast-paced, click-centric world we live in. A world geared towards hot takes, immediate reaction, and the imminence of the now has no place for the soul-forming and tending work of the church community. A recent article in the Presbyterian Outlook (HERE) pointed to a possible reaction against this trend. As Andy Skipper describes his own experience, “The real reason why I came back is I really just noticed I was missing the community,” he says. “And just talking with people my age about going through life and thinking about different perspectives on faith mixed with different careers.”[1]

In a society marred by chaos and violence, perhaps a slower-paced church focused on long-term faith formation and care of hurting individuals is just what is needed. More than the click-worthy sound bite, it might be that we need the thoughtful sermon. In place of the temporary pleasure of scrolling through social media, maybe we need the potluck lunch conversation, the small group meeting at the coffee shop, or the respite of communal prayer. 

As the years continue, I hope to celebrate the anniversaries of many more churches. I do this not because I enjoy the cake, although I do, but because I appreciate the years of worship, prayer, fellowship, mission, and ministry those gatherings represent - the long work of the church to build up the body of Christ and heal wounds.

Blessings,

Rev. Tim Blodgett

General Presbyter

[1] Brekke, G. (2025, September 9). Gen Z’s complicated return to faith - and what Presbyterians are seeing. The Presbyterian Outlook. https://pres-outlook.org/2025/09/gen-zs-complicated-return-to-faith-and-what-presbyterians-are-seeing/