Pastors' Blogs
A Return to Normal?
We don’t really know what is normal for this church. But we have been in emergency mode for over a year. Now that we have a teaching pastor, we hope to settle into some kind of “normal” as we wait on God for his direction into our future service.
About a year and a half ago the church voted to re-examine our policies and procedures, specifically to see if the elder style of Governance was working. That became a somewhat moot question when we appointed a transitional leadership team in July of 2007. Now the leadership team has returned to the question of what kind of structure should we have. I am sure that the study will take some time, probably several months to be thorough and careful. When there are any recommendations, you will certainly hear about it, and have a chance to discuss, then vote on any changes.
The door on the SE corner of the fellowship hall has been replaced, with a new closer and crash bar. The door at the end of the west wing has a new crash bar. Fire extinguisher have been hung on the walls and we are installing batteries in the exit lights. These things keep the fire marshal happy and help to keep our building and people safe in case of fire.
June was a good month financially. Thanks. July starts the new season, with higher expenses. In addition to general fund needs, we support several missionaries thru our “faith promise missions” budget. Over the past 3 months our income and expense have been about the same in this category. We would like to increase our missions giving, but at time we do not have the funds. Please consider increased giving for missions. We also support our food bank (with increased need for donations) and our benevolence fund (with constant need). Some people complain about the preacher always asking for more money. I think of it another way. Giving is a privilege for me. God has blessed me with the ability and the resources to give for his glory, to benefit the church, and world wide outreach of missions, and needy people right here in our community. I hope I can always be a generous giver.
Pastor Gail
Loving God
As Charles Colson describes in his book with that very title, most of us haven't thought much about what it means. We might say that loving God means to love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength....simply quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 or Matthew 22:37 or Luke 10:27 or Mark 12:30.
But what does that mean?
Getting our cue from John in his letter to the Church, we find that "loving God" is completely wrapped up in our response to his commands: "This is love for God: to obey his commands." (I John 5:3) Have you ever considered that when you "obey" God, you are telling him that you "love" him? Or, conversely, that when you disobey him, you are telling him you don't love him? As we grow together as a church in living out our purpose (to glorify God), may we never forget it begins with loving God with our all...in other words...through obeying him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we do that we will grow, like Jesus, "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men". (Luke 2:52) Let's grow like that...together!
Pastor Dave