From the Pastor’s Study

Last Saturday the elders and deacons held their annual planning meeting together.  It was a good day.  After time spent in worship we asked what it means to be an elder or deacon.  Elders and deacons are called to do certain tasks on behalf of the church.  They are leaders who are expected to lead by example.   

We then listed the highlights for 2007.  They included the work of the Congregational Care and Community Outreach committee, the mission collections, the beauty of the sanctuary at Christmas (with a special thank you to the deacons for decorating and un-decorating), the Spuds and Suds luncheons, Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s dinners, our work at Edinboro Manor, the Picnic Shelter, getting out of our financial hole, and the new concrete out front.

As we looked forward to 2008 we identified several areas of our life together on which we plan to focus for the year.  Four areas received special emphasis: membership, seeking ways to involve our youth, reaching out to the lonely, and taking time to honor folks in the congregation.  Other areas that were mentioned included more adult classes on various topics, a mission trip, expanding our ministry to Edinboro Manor, using the pavilion for outdoor worship and brunches, and expanding the tape ministry.  We followed the choice of areas of work to emphasize with some planning about how to accomplish our goals in each area.

The plans are made.  Now it is time to follow through.  However, even if the elders and deacons work hard at accomplishing these tasks, nothing will really be accomplished if these are seen a elder and deacon jobs.  Good things will happen only as the whole congregation begins to pull together as the one body of Christ in this place.  In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul told the congregation in Corinth that there are varieties of gifts in the body that have been given to the various members by the Holy Spirit.  Only as these gifts are used for the common good does the church grow as it is intended to by God’s Spirit.  When some withhold their gifts it is as if the church were having to function without hands or feet or eyes.  Things can get done, but it is much more difficult.   

Each person in our fellowship can contribute at least three things to meeting our goals.  First we need your prayers.  Keep our congregation in your prayers on a regular basis.  Pray that we will discern where God is calling us to go and that we will follow God’s leading.  Second we need your enthusiasm.  Find some area of ministry about which you can say, “I really want to do that.”  Third we need your involvement.  When you find the ministry that excites you, find ways to be part of it.  If every person in our congregation does these three things then I truly believe that 2008 will be a great year for us.

Your pastor,

John 

[For last month's column go to Dec Column]

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Last updated: March 28, 2008.