Thanksgiving

This week is a time of great joy in our family.  The affirmation of marriage this past week for Emily and Martin was such a joy.  We are so blessed by them. We are so grateful for those who helped make the day a wonderful memory that will last their lifetime. Sunday we baptized their daughter Leah.  She, of course, is not more special than any other child I have baptized – at least in the eyes of God.  But to hold my own grandchild, pour the life giving waters of Baptism over her and present her to God….there are no words.

Tomorrow our family will gather together for a Thanksgiving feast. It will be the first time in 28 years all who will be around that table have shared this holiday together.  What a joy!

I hope you are aware of the blessings you have and can give God thanks tomorrow for Extravagant Grace and Generosity.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Moving forward

On Sunday, November 8^th the Clarkston UMC 2009 Church Conference was held in our Sanctuary.  This was the first time for our new District Superintendent Eugene Blair to chair our conference.

The highlights of the evening were:

·         Election of Chairperson and Ministry Leaders for 2010

·         Approval of Compensation for Ordained Clergy for 2010

·         Reports from the Trustees and Finance Ministries

·         Membership Report reflecting 41 new members so far this year

·         Video Celebrating the Ministry of the Year past

·         Sharing of high moments in various ministries over the past year

·         Leadership by our Chancel Choir and Men’s Choir

It was a great night.

During my Senior Pastor Report, I brought before the conference a request to authorize a study committee to develop a plan for ministry direction and enhancement.  This plan will determine the steps we will take as a congregation moving forward into this century.  Part of that report is as follows:

 

I am calling for our congregation to enter into focused conversation to develop and act on a plan for effective ministry in the years to come. Paragraph 2543 requires the following:

¡  If any local church desires to:

§  Build

§  Purchase

§  Remodel

¡  Then the local church shall first establish a study committee to:

§  (1) Analyze the needs of the church and community

§  (2) Project the potential membership and average attendance

§  (3) Write Up the Program of Ministry

It is time for us to ReThink what our ministry will look like and who we will serve in the years to come.  We must position ourselves for the ministry the 21^st century God will need us to accomplish.  The imitations of our existing building must be addressed.  The places we will go and the foundations we will launch are God’s decisions that will be revealed to us in the days of prayer, discussion, discernment and decision to come. 

I am asking the Administrative Council to establish a process for the congregation to determine our needs for future ministry, to establish a plan to meet those needs and to report back to the Church Conference. 

What that report will say cannot be predetermined.  Our commitment to listening to each other, to God and to others we will be called to serve will bring us to a faithful call to action. 

I hope whatever the report says and actions that come from it, I pray the future generations will look back on us and be as grateful to the courage, faithfulness and vision as the generations who blessed us in their actions.

I pray in 2050, the congregation of Clarkston UMC will look back and say of us…..We trusted in God…….We acted in the confidence of a committed fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ….The best of what we have been and are gave birth to vital ministry for those who came after us.

 

We will soon be in the process of developing that study committee and the process we will follow to determine the next steps for our ministry. I invite your prayers so the path we take there results will be to the glory of God.