The following is reprinted with permission of The
Timely Messenger
Something
Old / Something New
By Gregg Bing, Editor
With the beginning of a new year come many
changes at Grace Bible Church and with the Timely Messenger. Pastor Charles
Wages, who has been our pastor and the editor of this Bible study paper
for the past 37 years, has asked to be relieved of the day to day responsibilities
of these two ministries. As he says, he is not retiring from the work
of the Lord, only from the responsibility of continuing to lead these
works of the Lord. He will continue to teach and preach the Word and will
contribute articles for the Timely Messenger as he feels led of the Lord.
We look forward to his continued ministry of God’s Word through both
speaking and the printed page.
There is no way that I can replace Pastor Wages, in either of these roles,
but beginning this month, I will assume the role of pastor at Grace Bible
Church and editor of the Timely Messenger. Many of you may wonder who
I am and how I came to be given these positions, so I would like to share
a little of my background, as well as my primary goal for the future of
our church and of this paper.
 My
name is Gregg Bing. I was raised in what was originally known as College
Avenue Church; what is now called Grace Bible Church. Brother Ike T. Sidebottom
was the founder of this church and my first pastor. Though I was too young
to remember much of his ministry, I do know that he was a faithful minister
of the Word who emphasized the importance of “rightly dividing the
word of truth.” He served as pastor of College Avenue Church for
35 years and as editor of the Timely Messenger, which he began publishing
in August of 1940. I thank the Lord for the spiritual heritage he left
and for the many lives his ministry touched with the Word of God, including
my own.
In 1966, Brother Charles Wages became pastor
in place of Brother Ike, who had to step down due to failing health. Brother
Wages has been my pastor for most of my life. I am so thankful for him
and his gracious leadership over these many years. I have learned so much
from him, both from his teaching and from the example of the life he has
led. It has been my privilege to serve with him as Associate Pastor since
1989. He has been a source of continual encouragement and support to me
in the ministry. I look forward to continued fellowship with him in the
gospel of Jesus Christ for many years to come.
My assumption of the role of editor of the
Timely Messenger is something new, especially for me, but, as I begin
this new work, I want to emphasize the importance of something old. This
paper has proclaimed the gospel of the grace of God and has stood for
the truth of God’s Word, “rightly divided,” for 63 years.
This is something that must not change. While the paper’s format,
frequency of publication, contributing authors, and even the editor have
changed over the years, the truth of God’s Word does not change,
and neither should the message of this Bible study paper.
By God’s grace, we will continue to proclaim
the gospel of Jesus Christ: “that Christ died for our sins according
to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the
third day according to the Scriptures” (I Cor. 15:3-4). We will continue
to emphasize the grace of God that brings salvation: “For by grace
you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the
gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:8-10). We will continue to stress
the importance of “rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim.
2:15) and of recognizing the unique ministry and message committed to
the Apostle Paul for this present dispensation of grace (Eph. 3:1-9).
We will continue to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) and, in all things,
seek to give the preeminence to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Col.
1:18).
I am thankful to all those who have faithfully
labored to get this paper out over these many years. They are too many
to try to mention them by name, but the Lord knows them and will reward
their work for Him. I am also thankful to you, our readers, for your letters
of encouragement, your prayers, and your support of this ministry.
I do covet your prayers as I begin this new
role as editor, that God would grant me the wisdom and guidance, through
His Word and His Spirit, to continue this ministry for His glory.
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