THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410260169
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
FLEXIBILITY is a watchword for the Rev. Charles Moseley. Maybe that explains why he has had such a lengthy tenure as pastor of Great Bridge Baptist Church.
``We don't have rules at this church; we have guidelines,'' said Moseley, who celebrated 25 years as pastor at the church in July.
``We also have a capable staff of committed people, and I don't feel threatened,'' he said. ``They come up with good ideas. If God is leading me and he's leading them, we'll get where we're supposed to go. We're servants, not rulers.''
``It is evident that the pastor has allowed his staff to work in the areas for which they are trained,'' said Randy Cromwell, chairman of the board of deacons and a member of the church for 16 years. ``The result has been quality programs and a large number of young people who are at the church for every service.
``Our pastor cares for people,'' said Cromwell, who is vice president of Chesapeake General Hospital. ``He's more of a friend than a spiritual leader that you are afraid to talk to.''
Judy Gorby, says her 18 years as church secretary have been rewarding.
``The pastor and I have never had a serious argument,'' Gorby said. ``He is very caring and compassionate. I have worked with ministers at other churches who are different on the outside of the pulpit. But that's not true of Rev. Moseley. He's the same everywhere. He is the type of person who gives you a job, then he doesn't check on you.''
At one recent Sunday morning service, Moseley's sermon was based on John 3:16: ``For God so loved the world . . .''
``Think about the love of God,'' he said, in a quiet yet distinct tone. ``In the English language, we have only one word for love. With it, we express love for chocolate, or a dog or a spouse. But, agape, the Greek word for God's love goes even beyond our love for our children . . .''
When the service was over, Moseley slipped down the side aisle and paused to speak to parishioners along the way. He stood at the back of the church to shake hands and chat briefly.
When the demands of the pastorate leave little time for sermon preparation, Moseley, 65, falls back on one of his favorite scripture passages.
`` `My God shall supply your needs according to His riches in glory,' Phillipians 4:19'' he said. ``I know this to be true. I've never stepped up to the lectern without a sermon no matter how tight my schedule has been. God always provides the time to get things done. He opens little channels.
``He supplies all my needs in the family,'' said Moseley, the father of five. ``We operate on God's resources and God's time.''
In 1957, Moseley graduated from Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. Before coming to the church in Great Bridge, he served as pastor of a church in South Camden, S.C.
Moseley said he became a Christian at a young age.
``I was just a little boy,'' he said. ``. . . I have felt so good about that decision all my life. I've always been in the church. I drifted away as a teenager and played drums for a while in a dance band. But the influence from home kept me straight.''
During his years of ministry, Moseley says that his wife, Louise, has been a consistent source of encouragement.
``She's a good listener, but she doesn't try to advise me. She never complains about the things that don't come to pass. If we plan a vacation, it's always based on whether or not everything goes smoothly at the church. We have to change our plans on a moment's notice. That just comes with the territory.''
Great Bridge Baptist was started as a mission of Temple Baptist Church in Norfolk in 1957. When Moseley came to the church 25 years ago, the attendance averaged about 150. Now Sunday attendance fluctuates between 750 and 800 out of 2,000 members.
About the growth of the church Moseley said, ``We plant the seed, but it is God who gives the increase.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
The Rev. Charles Moseley has seen Great Bridge Baptist's attendance
grow from about 150 to almost 800 worshipers.
by CNB