"Now I Am Home"
After 32 years away, Dr. Joe B. Martin has returned home to Charlotte, NC as the lead pastor at Sardis Presbyterian Church. Sardis Presbyterian is the fourth church to which I have been called as a pastor, so I have a little bit of experience floundering my way around as the new guy. This time has been different. Returning to Charlotte has allowed me to hit the ground running thanks to all of the relationships and connections that come with home. There are my childhood friends, of course, but also their parents who have made the effort to stop by for Sunday morning visits. So many of my Davidson friends who did not grow up in Charlotte have settled here that someone probably should propose some sort of zoning code. I have also been surprised by how many of my Presbyterian minister friends who grew up elsewhere have landed here, though I should not be surprised because the Presbytery of Charlotte is a great place to work and the Queen City is loaded with vital and engaged Presb