The Shore

Like any good New Jersey resident I took my annual trip to the shore. Yes the shore not the beach, we in the garden state call any stretch of sand along the ocean the shore. My trip consisted of traveling to a rather unique shore point called Ocean Grove. The Grove as we from New Jersey call it shows a true definition and separation of sin and salvation. Ocean Grove and the adjoining town Asbury Park (the town made famous by the New Jersey resident Bruce Springsteen) were both founded in the same manner. During the businessmen’s revival of the 1910’s and 1920’s Methodist leaders wanted a summer community dedicated to preaching scripture. Ocean Grove and Asbury Park were born. But each town took a decidedly different rout over time. Asbury Park decided to lax its laws allowing liquor and businesses that allow drinking. During the same time that Asbury Park became Worldly Ocean Grove fortified its Laws based on a Scriptural foundation. Ocean Grove has flourished, the businesses have been family run for generations, the homes have been kept up year after year of harsh New Jersey shore winters, and the Great Auditorium (the religious and worship center of the town) has grown in attendance every year. While Ocean Grove grew Asbury Park died. The number of night clubs grew and the local residents started moving away from the party town. They were sick and tired of living in a town that was being destroyed by drunken rabble rousers. To this date if it were not for the number of nigh clubs no one would ever travel to Asbury Park. Building projects have been started and if you travel to Asbury Park one of the towns biggest eyesores is the incomplete hotel started in the 1980’s and never finished.

The theological lesson that can be learned from the distinction of Asbury Park and Ocean Grove is that while both towns were established with the same intention one town went Worldly and the other went Scripturally. Look where it has gotten them, and examine where your church and your denomination are going.