On Saturday, October 17th, our church family gathered together for our Annual Church Hayride and Hot Dog Roast. The weather was amazing, and the fire was warm as we shared in laughter and fun. We enjoyed delicious hot dogs, a variety of sides, and later roasted marshmallows and s’mores. We thank Gerald and Melva Slack for providing the trailer for the hayride, and Dan Henry for providing the square haybales. These church members’ generosity made the hayride possible. Please enjoy a few photos from the event that were shared with us.

 

 

In today’s episode, Brother Shannon kicks off a brand-new sermon series titled, “Things That Go Bump In The Night.” The first message in this series is “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” with focus verses from 1 Samuel 28:8-20 (NKJV).

Taking a break from the book of Philippians, Brother Shannon unpacks the unsettling story of King Saul, whose fear and disobedience led him to desperately consult a medium at Endor to call up the spirit of Samuel. Drawing an unexpected parallel to the classic Don Knotts film *The Ghost and Mr. Chicken*, this message highlights the clear biblical warnings against dabbling in the supernatural and the modern world’s fascination with the occult. This sermon serves as a powerful reminder that believers are called to serve God alone, leave the sins of their past behind, and walk in genuine repentance.

 

In this week’s message, Brother Shannon kicks off a brand-new sermon series titled “Things That Go Bump In The Night.” The first sermon in this series is “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” with focus verses from 1 Samuel 28:8-20 (NKJV).

Taking a break from the book of Philippians, Brother Shannon unpacks the unsettling story of King Saul, whose fear and disobedience led him to desperately consult a medium at Endor to call up the spirit of Samuel. Drawing an unexpected parallel to the classic Don Knotts film The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, this message highlights the clear biblical warnings against dabbling in the supernatural and the modern world’s fascination with the occult. This sermon serves as a powerful reminder that believers are called to serve God alone, leave the sins of their past behind, and walk in genuine repentance.

Open your Bible and join us as we dive into this timely and challenging message.

In today’s episode, Pastor Shannon preaches from Philippians 1:27 through 2:4, challenging us to let our conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Drawing vivid comparisons to the 300 Spartans holding the pass at Thermopylae against the Persian army, as well as the interlocking shield walls of the Roman military, he illustrates the absolute necessity of Christian unity. Instead of fighting individual battles or allowing selfish ambition to divide the church, believers are called to stand fast in one spirit, link their shields shoulder-to-shoulder, and strive together for the faith.

This sermon is a powerful reminder to walk humbly, share in the affection and mercy of the Spirit, and put the needs of others above our own.

 

In part four of our series, “Stand Firm: Lessons from Philippians 1-2:4,” Pastor Shannon Miller preaches from Philippians 1:27-2:4 in a message titled “One Shield. One Purpose.” In this sermon, we explore the Apostle Paul’s powerful call for believers to stand united in one spirit and one mind. Join us as we look at the strength found in Christian unity and the importance of locking our shields to strive together, side by side, for the faith of the gospel.

 

Calhoun Baptist Church
Speaker: Pastor Shannon Miller
Series: Stand Firm: Lessons from Philippians 1-2:4 (Part 4)
Scripture: Philippians 1:27-2:4

Reflections from the heart of Jug Town

By Pastor Shannon

“The pastoral call is a divine passion but a terrible vocation.”

Those were the words that struck me so hard when I began telling friends and family that the Lord had placed a call on my life. I was only twenty years old, and that statement has annoyed me ever since I first heard it.

Perhaps it bothered me because I struggled to understand how something so deeply rooted in God’s calling could be described as a terrible vocation. Over the years, however, I have come to believe that much of our confusion comes from how we understand the relationship between calling and vocation—as though one must always determine the other, or as though the compensation we receive should somehow correspond to the weight of the work we carry.

I have come to look at the matter from a different angle.

As a pastor, my labor is not measured merely by the services I render. That is the perspective of a hired hand, not a shepherd. My labor is woven into my lifestyle. Pastoral ministry is not simply what I do; it is part of who I am.

Consider a mighty oak tree on a hot Missouri summer afternoon. When someone finds relief beneath its branches, we do not imagine the tree struggling to produce shade. The tree simply stands where it was planted, fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. Its shade is the natural byproduct of its design.

The tree does not punch a clock before offering relief to a weary traveler. It does not demand payment before sheltering a family from the summer sun. It simply does what an oak tree was created to do.

There is something beautiful about that.

I think of the eagles that glide over Truman Lake, riding the currents of air above the water. They do not seem to fret over whether their wings are adequate for the journey. They spread those wings and take flight, using what their Creator has given them.

An eagle was created to soar. It does not need to become something else before it can fulfill its design.

In many ways, this is how I have come to understand pastoral ministry. The call of God is not something I put on and take off like a uniform. It is not confined to Sunday morning, a church office, or the hours recorded on a time sheet. It shapes how I see people, how I respond to suffering, how I handle responsibility, and how I seek to serve Christ when no one else is watching.

The call is not merely a task to complete; it is a life to live.

That does not mean ministry is always easy. Shepherding people can be exhausting. There are seasons of discouragement, sleepless nights, difficult conversations, and burdens that cannot be measured on a paycheck. There are moments when the work feels heavier than our strength.

But difficulty does not necessarily mean we have missed God’s calling. Even the eagle must face changing winds, and even the oak must endure storms. The difference is that neither was created to live according to the weather. Each is designed to fulfill its purpose amid changing conditions.

Likewise, no title, degree, position, or paycheck can create a divine calling. Those things may provide opportunities for service, but they cannot manufacture the work God has entrusted to a person. It is the Lord who calls us into His service, equips us by His grace, and gives us the privilege of caring for His people.

Peter’s words to fellow elders have always reminded me of this responsibility:

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.”

—1 Peter 5:2, KJV

Notice the emphasis: a willing heart, a ready mind, and a commitment to care for the flock. The shepherd’s motivation must be greater than obligation or financial reward. He serves because Christ has entrusted people to his care.

And perhaps that is where we must pause and examine our own hearts. When we struggle with our calling, we should not automatically assume that we have misunderstood God’s purpose. Sometimes the struggle is simply part of faithful service. But we must also be willing to listen—to return to Scripture, seek the Lord in prayer, and ask whether we are following His direction or merely pursuing our own expectations.

Not everyone is called to pastoral ministry, and not every Christian’s calling will look the same. Yet every believer has been given opportunities to serve the Lord and bless others. Some are called to preach from a pulpit. Others serve faithfully in classrooms, hospitals, homes, workplaces, and communities. The setting may differ, but the question remains: Are we faithfully using what God has entrusted to us?

Your calling may be expressed through your vocation, but it is not limited to your job description. It reaches into the ordinary moments of life. It is revealed in what you do when no one is applauding, in how you treat people who cannot repay you, and in whether your faithfulness continues when the work becomes difficult.

Your calling is not simply your occupation. It is a life of faithfulness shaped by your relationship with Christ.

So, my brothers and sisters, be faithful where God has planted you. Serve with the gifts He has given you. Listen for His direction, trust His grace, and remember that the value of your service is not determined solely by the recognition you receive or the compensation you earn.

And if you ever find yourself wondering whether your life is making a difference, remember the oak tree and the eagle over Truman Lake. The oak provides shade. The eagle spreads its wings. Neither needs a title to fulfill its design.

You do not have to stand behind a pulpit to live out God’s purpose for your life. You simply have to be faithful to the One who called you.

And as I often say, be good, my brothers and sisters. But if you can’t be good, be God’s!

Pastor Shannon

Shannon & Gabi

We are thrilled to introduce and welcome our new pastor, Shannon J. Miller, and his wife, Gabi, to Calhoun Baptist Church! Pastor Miller comes to us with over 25 years of progressive experience in community ministry and private religious education.

  He brings a wealth of diverse leadership experience, having recently served as the Pastor of Rock Falls Baptist Church and as a Family Pastor at The Church at Pleasant Ridge. In addition to his pastoral roles, he serves as a Hospice Chaplain with Novus Life Care, where he provides compassionate spiritual care, a ministry of presence, and emotional support to patients and families. He also has over 22 years of teaching experience and has been serving as the Secondary Resource Services Coordinator at Summit Christian Academy since 2019.   Pastor Miller is well-equipped educationally, holding a Master of Science in Theology from Liberty University, as well as a Master of Science in Special Education and a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies from the University of Central Missouri. He is also currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration at Liberty University.   A devoted husband to Gabi, father, and educator, Pastor Miller is deeply committed to the faithful exposition of Scripture and fostering a church culture where every generation is encouraged to grow in Christ. His desire is to preach the Scriptures in a way that is biblically sound, Christ-centered, practical, and encouraging. Beyond the pulpit, his heart for ministry is evident in his passion for building relationships through visitation, discipleship, counseling, and walking alongside others during life’s most significant moments.   Please join us in giving Pastor Shannon Miller and his wife, Gabi, a warm welcome to our church family!

In this message, titled “Life Worth Living vs Death Worth Dying,” Brother Shannon preaches from Philippians 1:19-26. We are looking at the Apostle Paul’s profound perspective on navigating uncertainty, discovering our true purpose, and understanding what it means to live fully for Christ regardless of the circumstances we face.

 

Join us for Sunday service at Calhoun Baptist Church. Pastor Shannon Miller leads the congregation with updates on church business, including our upcoming community house painting project and Sunday business meeting, followed by a time of worship through song.

In today’s sermon, Pastor Miller dives into Philippians 1:19-26. By sharing the intense 2003 survival story of hiker Aron Ralston, he contrasts the incredible lengths humans will go to for physical survival with the Apostle Paul’s ultimate spiritual mindset: “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”