It's New Year's Eve 2009. In a few hours it will be a new day, a new year, a new month, a new decade. Wow.
The past year has been like most years - mixed with good and not so good. As far as the church goes we started the year very strong. Finances were in great shape - Attendance jumped in the first months of the year. We kept ahead of pace for six months. The sermon series on the Shack touched many lives. The message on forgiveness made a difference.
Then we seemed to lose our pizzaz. The summer months saw attendance drop off a bit more than usual. At the same time our stewardship held steady.
While we were doing ministry day in and day out it seems there were many great works being done. We had more people involved in mission - people kept gaining new insights to faith.
By the time we came to the fall things began to pick up once again. This year our financial drive found more people pledging more dollars than in previous years. We purchased a net for Nothing But Nets for each pledge card received. We really are getting more and more missional.
We ended the year moving forward until the blizzard hit us on Christmas Eve. Our attendance for these services was down about 30% but still saw 1400 people participate in a Candlelight Service.
During a year when we read and heard so much about our economic recession we ended the year on a really good note. We are truly blessed with some extravagantely generous people.
So now we turn the page. I sense the Lord leading us to emphasize a few things. For instance: Here is a updated mission statement:
Our mission at PWUMC is "to build an outward focused Christian Community of full participants in the life of grace."
I see us being even more intentional about being outwardly focused than we have been. This translates to increased work with mission, ministry to others and faitih sharing evangelism.
The part that intrigues me is the idea of being a full participant in the life of grace. It seems like I have been learning fresh things about grace during the past few months and look forward to ways of sharing these insights in the coming year.
We are going to take time to learn this year. Our leadership and especially our Staff Parish Relations Committee will have a learning opportunity in February as we seek to better understand how to be faithful and fruitful in this larger church setting.
We are going to have a "violence symposium" in February where we will seek to learn about some root causes of violence in our city and discern one or two initiatives our church may participate in.
We are going to launch a new small group ministry where we will grow deeper in grace.
We are going to practice hands on faith and minstry with a service day in May. (Rather than everyone come sit in church we are hitting the streets to serve our community in the name of Jesus Christ.
That's the first half of 2010. My sense is that God is up to something among our church and the Holy Spirit is stirring our hearts.
I anticipate placing increasing influence on being missional, relational and incarnational in 2010. These priorities are inclined to attract more participation in worship, giving, learning and serving.
As I think about you on New Year's Eve 2009 I pray the "blessing prayer" for you.
"May God bless you with long, abundant and fulfilling lives that bring glory and honor to God and peace and joy to many."
Looking forward to the morning - new day, new month, new year, new decade, new life!
blessings.
steve
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Christmas Eve - Christmas Day - The Sunday after Christmas -- this has been a busy few days. The blizzard on Christmas Eve didn't help much but even snow, ice and wind is no match for Jesus!
I have seen people in our church during the last few days who came for the first time. There are some I know from other settings who I saw in worship.
I've got to believe many people have sensed the presence and power of God in the last few days.
As I was praying and reflecting on things this morning (after pushing snow off the drive way again) I realized I need to get centered (again) on the Lord. There is so much to do. There are so many plans to make and execute. There is so much at stake. It is easy to look around and see Christmas is past and I hardly noticed it coming!
So here is an early New Year's resolution -- Get centered on Christ and be an MRI Christian. (I contrasted ABC Christians -- Attendance - Buildings - Cash-- with MRI Christians - Missional - Relational - Incarnational in a recent blog.)
Mission is evangelism (sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in meaningful, relevant and compelling ways) as well as serving and taking Christ to the lives of others.
Relation means caring for others and allowing the Lord to create a spiritual bond between people. As we care and build relationships with others (in particular those who are not presently in a relationship with Christ or part of the Church) we find ourselves used by the Lord to express his grace.
Incarnation is how God gets involved in people's lives in the world today. God became flesh in Jesus Christ and has done all that need be done to effect our salvation. Now we are invited to share in the kind of incarnational ministry that takes the Light of Christ into the dark places of this world.
I anticipate God continuing to change my life! I invite you to experience a freshness of the life changing, life transforming Spirit of God.
blessings,
steve
-- One more thing -- thanks to the youth band for leading us in worship today. It is so encouraging to see our youth taking leadership and showing the light of Christ
I have seen people in our church during the last few days who came for the first time. There are some I know from other settings who I saw in worship.
I've got to believe many people have sensed the presence and power of God in the last few days.
As I was praying and reflecting on things this morning (after pushing snow off the drive way again) I realized I need to get centered (again) on the Lord. There is so much to do. There are so many plans to make and execute. There is so much at stake. It is easy to look around and see Christmas is past and I hardly noticed it coming!
So here is an early New Year's resolution -- Get centered on Christ and be an MRI Christian. (I contrasted ABC Christians -- Attendance - Buildings - Cash-- with MRI Christians - Missional - Relational - Incarnational in a recent blog.)
Mission is evangelism (sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in meaningful, relevant and compelling ways) as well as serving and taking Christ to the lives of others.
Relation means caring for others and allowing the Lord to create a spiritual bond between people. As we care and build relationships with others (in particular those who are not presently in a relationship with Christ or part of the Church) we find ourselves used by the Lord to express his grace.
Incarnation is how God gets involved in people's lives in the world today. God became flesh in Jesus Christ and has done all that need be done to effect our salvation. Now we are invited to share in the kind of incarnational ministry that takes the Light of Christ into the dark places of this world.
I anticipate God continuing to change my life! I invite you to experience a freshness of the life changing, life transforming Spirit of God.
blessings,
steve
-- One more thing -- thanks to the youth band for leading us in worship today. It is so encouraging to see our youth taking leadership and showing the light of Christ
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Wow. The music day at church was great. The choir did the cantata 3 times this weekend. Good crowds at each service - middle service this morning was pretty packed. It was a blessing.
I can't say enough good things about Walter, Nancy, Donna, Mike and everyone who participated in the choir and orchestra. Thank you so much!
But there's more. Baptized 3 adults and an infant today. Nothing better than seeing God in action. Marked for Christian discipleship - embarking on the Christian way - the life of grace becoming active in people's lives. It was a great day.
But there's more. We receieved 10 new members today. A real joy to have people follow their hearts and become part of this community of faith.
But there's more. Christmas dinner with Cindy's family. Lot's of life with happy kids running around everywhere! It really is a great time.
(I thought I had a good gift in the exchange but my brother-in-law took my gift card and stuck me with the alarm clock with the little helicopter on it!)
All in all it's been a great day.
I hope you are getting ready for the week. Our first Candlelight service will be tuesday @ 7:00. This is especially for any who will be traveling or have other commitments on Christmas Eve. I hope you will take advantage of this service.
On Christmas Eve we begin services at 3:00 followed by services at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00. Come sing the caroles, hear the story, share in communion and light a candle.
Looking forward to seeing you this week.
steve
I can't say enough good things about Walter, Nancy, Donna, Mike and everyone who participated in the choir and orchestra. Thank you so much!
But there's more. Baptized 3 adults and an infant today. Nothing better than seeing God in action. Marked for Christian discipleship - embarking on the Christian way - the life of grace becoming active in people's lives. It was a great day.
But there's more. We receieved 10 new members today. A real joy to have people follow their hearts and become part of this community of faith.
But there's more. Christmas dinner with Cindy's family. Lot's of life with happy kids running around everywhere! It really is a great time.
(I thought I had a good gift in the exchange but my brother-in-law took my gift card and stuck me with the alarm clock with the little helicopter on it!)
All in all it's been a great day.
I hope you are getting ready for the week. Our first Candlelight service will be tuesday @ 7:00. This is especially for any who will be traveling or have other commitments on Christmas Eve. I hope you will take advantage of this service.
On Christmas Eve we begin services at 3:00 followed by services at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00. Come sing the caroles, hear the story, share in communion and light a candle.
Looking forward to seeing you this week.
steve
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Curtis preached a very good sermon today! It was a joy to be in worship and hear the Word. If you were at the 11:00 service you probably noticed I was not there. I had the opportunity to lead the confirmation class this morning.
Confirmation. We have that special service where young people make their public profession of the Christian faith. The service includes the part where we place our hands on the confirmand and say, "I confirm you in the faith and fellowship of all true disciples of Jesus Christ." This may be a one-time experience where conversion takes place. At the same time this is part of a life-long experience in the life of grace.
Today I talked with the class about a number of things but specifically spiritual gifts. Bottom line: All spiritual gifts are resident in the Holy Spirit - by virtue of your faith in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit lives in you - therefore as you walk with Christ and are engaged in ministry with the Lord you may believe that any gift or resource needed is available. It's a pretty encouraging concept.
I truly look forward to watching these young people grow and develop in the Christian life. They are naturally gifted and with the grace of God filling their lives they are also spiritually gifted.
By the way, this holds true not only for confirmation class, but for any of us who claim Christ as Savior.
On another note. I just started reading a book by Leonard Sweet. He has more images of the church and the Christian life. One thing I noted was a call away from ABC church - A=attendance; B=building; C=cash. He would trade those for MRI church - M=missional; R=relational; I=incarnational.
Actually this later way of looking at church and the Christian life seems to fit the spiritual gift way better than the former. I have a suspicion that should we get focused on MRI the ABC will take care of itself - more people will respond to the missional, relational, incarnational message and find forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ.
It's been a good day. Always good to catch a glimpse of some fresh insight. I hope you've had a good day to.
blessings,
steve
Confirmation. We have that special service where young people make their public profession of the Christian faith. The service includes the part where we place our hands on the confirmand and say, "I confirm you in the faith and fellowship of all true disciples of Jesus Christ." This may be a one-time experience where conversion takes place. At the same time this is part of a life-long experience in the life of grace.
Today I talked with the class about a number of things but specifically spiritual gifts. Bottom line: All spiritual gifts are resident in the Holy Spirit - by virtue of your faith in Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit lives in you - therefore as you walk with Christ and are engaged in ministry with the Lord you may believe that any gift or resource needed is available. It's a pretty encouraging concept.
I truly look forward to watching these young people grow and develop in the Christian life. They are naturally gifted and with the grace of God filling their lives they are also spiritually gifted.
By the way, this holds true not only for confirmation class, but for any of us who claim Christ as Savior.
On another note. I just started reading a book by Leonard Sweet. He has more images of the church and the Christian life. One thing I noted was a call away from ABC church - A=attendance; B=building; C=cash. He would trade those for MRI church - M=missional; R=relational; I=incarnational.
Actually this later way of looking at church and the Christian life seems to fit the spiritual gift way better than the former. I have a suspicion that should we get focused on MRI the ABC will take care of itself - more people will respond to the missional, relational, incarnational message and find forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ.
It's been a good day. Always good to catch a glimpse of some fresh insight. I hope you've had a good day to.
blessings,
steve
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Reflections From Sunday Evening
Just back from the children's Christmas program at church. There is something really neat about watching kids sing and dance and praise God. For any of us who grew up in the church we have these memories of Christmas that always included special events at church. I remember our Christmas program was on Christmas Eve. Hard to imagine isn't it? We'd say our parts - dress up in bathrobes (at least the shepherds did) and tell the Christmas story.
We have some challenges in our culture. There are an increasing number of people without the background and memories many of us hold dear. But this also produces a great opportunity. We may help others discover the Christmas story and what it really means. We may help others discover their own ways to participate in the message. We may help others build their own traditions of Christmas.
Today we talked about ways our response to grace (favor) may take the form of "risky obedience" and disarm our fears. When we engage in risky obedience we will find the fears our culture produces yield to the Word of the Lord. When we engage in risky obedience we will find that the consequences of following Christ pale in the light of God's call.
I pray you find your place in Christmas this year. We continue our jouney - and do so with joy. Be sure to bring another with you as you live the story of Christmas.
I hope you've had a blessed day - it's been good.
steve
We have some challenges in our culture. There are an increasing number of people without the background and memories many of us hold dear. But this also produces a great opportunity. We may help others discover the Christmas story and what it really means. We may help others discover their own ways to participate in the message. We may help others build their own traditions of Christmas.
Today we talked about ways our response to grace (favor) may take the form of "risky obedience" and disarm our fears. When we engage in risky obedience we will find the fears our culture produces yield to the Word of the Lord. When we engage in risky obedience we will find that the consequences of following Christ pale in the light of God's call.
I pray you find your place in Christmas this year. We continue our jouney - and do so with joy. Be sure to bring another with you as you live the story of Christmas.
I hope you've had a blessed day - it's been good.
steve
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