What does Generosity of Spirit mean? The theme verse this year for our Stewardship Campaign was “The world of the generous gets larger and larger” Proverbs 11:24 (The Message). To me, generosity of spirit is about passing it on to others – those in your family, those in your church, and those in your community.
Who taught you to be generous with your time? My family is blessed to have my parents as members of this church. They have been active here since the church began. We have watched them volunteer as ushers and greeters on Sunday mornings, help with mailings during the week as well as support the Care team. In the early days of the church (before I came on staff and did it for a living), my husband Steve and I served on various teams throughout the church (Finance Team and Building Team), volunteered for Vacation Bible Camp (me not him), and mission trips (then and now). I say this not to impress but to show that while we loved doing all these things, at the same time we were teaching our children how to be involved in the community we call Stonebridge UMC and beyond. It was important to us to serve the Lord and at the same time teach our children the values of being generous with our time.
Who taught you to be generous with your money? Each week I watched as my parents set the example both growing up and here at Stonebridge UMC supporting the church with their finances. We give to the church through payroll deduction and through a monthly check to the church. We talked to our children as they were growing up about the importance of giving. Each year as the Stewardship Campaign kicked off, Steve and I would discuss what our family would do to try to increase our gift to the church to work towards reaching a tithe.
Who are you teaching about weekly worship and fellowship with others in the church family? Sunday mornings at 8:15, Mom and Dad are here (and if they are not I get a little worried) setting the example that worship is important. When our kids were growing up we were at church every Sunday usually sitting on the front row (yes they could be distracting but they learned how to behave in church) after Sunday school. Now the boys are in college and attend when they are home, and our daughter is married living in Dallas where she and her husband have found a new church home where they attend weekly. I believe that the lessons they learned at Stonebridge UMC from the many people that touched their lives have helped them become the adults they are today.
In your Stewardship Campaign packet, there was a Personal Goals and Commitment card. Take a moment and go back and fill it out with your family. Think about how you can pass on your generous spirit to the next generation so that we continue to spread the message of the love of Jesus Christ to the world.
(Now on a Finance Ministry Team note: We have approved a budget for 2010 of $1.95M which is the same budget that was set for 2009. To date we have received 225 pledge cards. If you have not had an opportunity to turn in your card, please bring it to church on Sunday or drop it in the mail.)
Peace,
Cindy MorelandExecutive Director
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
GriefShare
Recently, Pastor John invited our staff to share our passions for the ministries we are involved in here at the church. As your Administrative Assistant and a GriefShare facilitator here at the church, I wanted to take a moment and share my passion for a program in which I am involved. GriefShare takes a healthy approach to dealing with bereavement and the healing process after the loss of a loved one. Furthermore, GriefShare takes you through the steps of grieving, helps you experience coping skills and reveals how God can be in control while your life is turned upside down.
Grieving takes on different meanings for each individual who is experiencing a loss. The Dictionary defines grieving as, “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss, sharp sorrow, or painful regret.” For some people grieving can take on the metaphor of an "unwanted houseguest". What’s important is not so much how you define it as how you deal with the emotions at hand.
The GriefShare support group is a safe place to come and share your emotions, thoughts and pain as a result of the loss of a loved one. Just knowing there are others who are making this journey with you can help in the healing process. When we reflect on the poem "Footprints in the Sand", the message we receive is that God carries us through our most difficult journeys. On the journey of grieving, there are two things of which you can be sure. One, your emotions will be changing throughout the process. And two, God won't change. He has always been there for you and always will be there for you.
One former member, Correnda, reveals: "The GriefShare program was a big help to me as I had just recently lost my mom. This program helped me to realize that all people grieve differently in their own way. I now understand much better what the grieving process is all about and how to accept my mom's death. The GriefShare program is an excellent one that I would recommend to anyone who has experienced a loss and is having a difficult time. I have become good friends with some of the people that were in the group with me."
As an acting GriefShare facilitator, I have had many opportunities to reflect on my own experiences. God has taught me how to embrace the love and memories I hold dear in my heart for those loved ones that have gone on before me. I am grateful to be a part of the GriefShare program and the healthy approach it offers individuals who are going through bereavement.
If the opportunity should ever arise and you feel the need, please join Cindy Halderman, Sadie Varela and myself on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in room MC252.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven: a time to be born and a time to die....a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4
Many Blessings,
Toni Peyton Grace
Grieving takes on different meanings for each individual who is experiencing a loss. The Dictionary defines grieving as, “keen mental suffering or distress over affliction or loss, sharp sorrow, or painful regret.” For some people grieving can take on the metaphor of an "unwanted houseguest". What’s important is not so much how you define it as how you deal with the emotions at hand.
The GriefShare support group is a safe place to come and share your emotions, thoughts and pain as a result of the loss of a loved one. Just knowing there are others who are making this journey with you can help in the healing process. When we reflect on the poem "Footprints in the Sand", the message we receive is that God carries us through our most difficult journeys. On the journey of grieving, there are two things of which you can be sure. One, your emotions will be changing throughout the process. And two, God won't change. He has always been there for you and always will be there for you.
One former member, Correnda, reveals: "The GriefShare program was a big help to me as I had just recently lost my mom. This program helped me to realize that all people grieve differently in their own way. I now understand much better what the grieving process is all about and how to accept my mom's death. The GriefShare program is an excellent one that I would recommend to anyone who has experienced a loss and is having a difficult time. I have become good friends with some of the people that were in the group with me."
As an acting GriefShare facilitator, I have had many opportunities to reflect on my own experiences. God has taught me how to embrace the love and memories I hold dear in my heart for those loved ones that have gone on before me. I am grateful to be a part of the GriefShare program and the healthy approach it offers individuals who are going through bereavement.
If the opportunity should ever arise and you feel the need, please join Cindy Halderman, Sadie Varela and myself on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in room MC252.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven: a time to be born and a time to die....a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4
Many Blessings,
Toni Peyton Grace
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Secret Santa
Did you hear about the “Secret Santa of Kansas City”? I read about him in the Tuesday, December 15, edition of The Dallas Morning News. He anonymously distributed about $14,000 in one day to people in need around the city. His “elves” were handing out $100 bills to people at a thrift store. They gave $2000 to a cancer patient struggling to pay for medications. Altogether, the Secret Santa’s elves anticipate giving away between $250,000 and $300,000 this year. Actually, this is a new Secret Santa. The original was named Larry Stewart. His identity became known just before his death a few years ago. He handed out about $1.3 million dollars over twenty years. Like his predecessor, the new Secret Santa wants to remain anonymous.
Wouldn’t you love to have the money to share like that? Most of us want to be generous; the problem is our bank accounts often can’t back up those feelings of generosity. Well, I have got some good news for you. Did you know, every year our church gives away $75,000 in benevolence giving? We support everything from education to disaster relief, from fighting hunger and disease to sharing the love of God with those who have never heard of Jesus. We are able to do this because you join your giving with others in this congregation and then we join that with the giving of people in hundreds of other United Methodist Churches. Combining our gifts gives us the opportunity to make significant differences in the world in the name of the One who was born on Christmas morning.
So, here is your chance to be a Secret Santa. And the good news is, it is something everyone can do as they are able. You should have received in the mail your special Christmas Offering envelope. The money you give will help many in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem. Bring your envelope to church with you Christmas Eve night or the Sunday after Christmas or put it in the mail and send to the church. It should be above and beyond your regular offering to the church. This is a great way to feel the joy of being a Secret Santa and to lend a helping hand to someone in need.
Don’t forget our Christmas Eve worship schedule...
3 p.m.- Family Service
5&7 p.m.- Candlelight Celebration Service
6 p.m.- The Bridge
9&11 p.m.- Candlelight and Communion Celebration Service
(childcare provided at the 5, 6 and 7 p.m. services)
I hope to see you Christmas Eve night and have a blessed Christmas.
Wouldn’t you love to have the money to share like that? Most of us want to be generous; the problem is our bank accounts often can’t back up those feelings of generosity. Well, I have got some good news for you. Did you know, every year our church gives away $75,000 in benevolence giving? We support everything from education to disaster relief, from fighting hunger and disease to sharing the love of God with those who have never heard of Jesus. We are able to do this because you join your giving with others in this congregation and then we join that with the giving of people in hundreds of other United Methodist Churches. Combining our gifts gives us the opportunity to make significant differences in the world in the name of the One who was born on Christmas morning.
So, here is your chance to be a Secret Santa. And the good news is, it is something everyone can do as they are able. You should have received in the mail your special Christmas Offering envelope. The money you give will help many in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem. Bring your envelope to church with you Christmas Eve night or the Sunday after Christmas or put it in the mail and send to the church. It should be above and beyond your regular offering to the church. This is a great way to feel the joy of being a Secret Santa and to lend a helping hand to someone in need.
Don’t forget our Christmas Eve worship schedule...
3 p.m.- Family Service
5&7 p.m.- Candlelight Celebration Service
6 p.m.- The Bridge
9&11 p.m.- Candlelight and Communion Celebration Service
(childcare provided at the 5, 6 and 7 p.m. services)
I hope to see you Christmas Eve night and have a blessed Christmas.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Full Churches
The headline in Monday’s edition of The Dallas Morning News read, “Churches fill across town on first Sunday after attack.” The article went on to say, “Pastors, chaplains and priests echoed themes of forgiveness and healing in the first Sunday services since Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s rampage at Ft. Hood.” The article quoted several people expressing their emotions. Twenty-nine year old Tawni Lay said, “I’m really emotional, and I feel that this is a safe place.” Second Lt. Daniel Curtis said, “The church helps gather our thoughts and recompose ourselves. It helps us cope.” I am so glad the church has been the place of refuge for the people of the Ft. Hood/Killeen area. I am glad it is a place of sanctuary, a place of healing, a place of hope. But I do have to ask, isn’t that the case every Sunday? Don’t we need “forgiveness and healing” every week? Why are churches filled only after tragedies?
I am taken back to the days following 9/11. The church I served at the time provided a special service the night of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Even though there was little time to get the word out that we would be having a service, the sanctuary was packed. We started getting phone calls in the afternoon from people (members and people we had never heard of) asking if we were having a service. The Sunday following we had to set up chairs in two of our three services. By the next Sunday, attendance was back to normal. What is it that draws us to worship in difficult times and then, in just a few days, for many it becomes perfunctory?
Is it possible that our understanding of worship has become not worshipful at all? Is worship for us, there to supply our needs and frailties, or is it our faithful response to God? Isn’t worship our adoration and glorification of God? Isn’t it our time to sing God our praises and to thank God for His beneficence? Isn’t it how we are challenged to live a life that is pleasing to the one who created us and to whom we owe everything? Isn’t it our opportunity to take responsibility to make His kingdom become a reality in this world and at this time? And aren’t these an every week responsibility and expectation? Certainly, we receive much from our worship; a time to recognize our shortcomings and receive God’s forgiveness, a moment to reflect on what is truly important in life and what is not, to be reminded that we are one of God’s precious children and that God will never leave us alone, a time to recover from the week and receive reassurance. But it is crucial for us to remember that worship is all about God and what that might mean to us.
As Tawni Lay was quoted as saying in the DMN article, “Sometimes it takes a wakeup call to realize what is important.” Thanksgiving is in two weeks. Come to worship ready to thank God for all the blessings in life and to take responsibility as one who is called His own.
I am taken back to the days following 9/11. The church I served at the time provided a special service the night of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Even though there was little time to get the word out that we would be having a service, the sanctuary was packed. We started getting phone calls in the afternoon from people (members and people we had never heard of) asking if we were having a service. The Sunday following we had to set up chairs in two of our three services. By the next Sunday, attendance was back to normal. What is it that draws us to worship in difficult times and then, in just a few days, for many it becomes perfunctory?
Is it possible that our understanding of worship has become not worshipful at all? Is worship for us, there to supply our needs and frailties, or is it our faithful response to God? Isn’t worship our adoration and glorification of God? Isn’t it our time to sing God our praises and to thank God for His beneficence? Isn’t it how we are challenged to live a life that is pleasing to the one who created us and to whom we owe everything? Isn’t it our opportunity to take responsibility to make His kingdom become a reality in this world and at this time? And aren’t these an every week responsibility and expectation? Certainly, we receive much from our worship; a time to recognize our shortcomings and receive God’s forgiveness, a moment to reflect on what is truly important in life and what is not, to be reminded that we are one of God’s precious children and that God will never leave us alone, a time to recover from the week and receive reassurance. But it is crucial for us to remember that worship is all about God and what that might mean to us.
As Tawni Lay was quoted as saying in the DMN article, “Sometimes it takes a wakeup call to realize what is important.” Thanksgiving is in two weeks. Come to worship ready to thank God for all the blessings in life and to take responsibility as one who is called His own.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
What's Going On in Celebration Hall
The answer to that question is easy… exciting things are going on in Celebration Hall. The first phase of our church campus was built in 1999. The carpet and flooring are showing the wear you would expect in a building that has experienced a decade of constant use like ours. Several areas in Celebration Hall, the hallways and classrooms are even getting dangerous to walk on. Also, over the past few years, we have had a growing number of problems with our sound system. As you know, we have had times when we have lost our sound and/or video on Sunday morning and you probably don’t know all the times we were in a panic moments before worship was to begin, praying that the gremlins in our system would leave.
In the capital fund drive for Phase III (the Robertson Activity Center), we designated monies to repair these issues. I am sure you have noticed the new flooring and carpet in some areas. Over the next week or so, carpet will be going into the church offices and Celebration Hall. At the same time, a new sound system is being installed. There will be a new screen in the back of the hall to guide those leading worship and a new sound booth will be constructed and located in a new spot. And it doesn’t even stop there! A new chancel/stage area is being built. It will give the feel we had in Celebration Hall when we had the Odes of Solomon services. It will create a “U” shaped seating arrangement for a more intimate worship experience. Don’t worry; you’ll still be able to find your chair.
A few things to note:
The church offices will be closed on October 1 and 2 to lay carpet in them.
Again, these funds are coming our of our capital funds account, not our operating funds. We will be having our annual “catch up on the operating budget” announcements as we come to the close of the year. I’m sure someone will ask, “Why did we spend that money on the flooring and the sound system if we didn’t have the money?” When that question comes up, please remember that this work was done through the capital funds, not operating funds.
Your pledges and continued giving to the capital funds account is still very important and appreciated. If you would like to contribute additional funds for any of the work I have described, please contact either me or Cindy Moreland. In 2010, we are planning a debt reduction campaign to relieve our indebtedness and help us plan for future projects.
Because of all the changes, there will be a few inconveniences. Please be flexible and understanding.
Yes, exciting things are happening in Celebration Hall. Get ready to enjoy them.
Grace and peace,
John Mollet
In the capital fund drive for Phase III (the Robertson Activity Center), we designated monies to repair these issues. I am sure you have noticed the new flooring and carpet in some areas. Over the next week or so, carpet will be going into the church offices and Celebration Hall. At the same time, a new sound system is being installed. There will be a new screen in the back of the hall to guide those leading worship and a new sound booth will be constructed and located in a new spot. And it doesn’t even stop there! A new chancel/stage area is being built. It will give the feel we had in Celebration Hall when we had the Odes of Solomon services. It will create a “U” shaped seating arrangement for a more intimate worship experience. Don’t worry; you’ll still be able to find your chair.
A few things to note:
The church offices will be closed on October 1 and 2 to lay carpet in them.
Again, these funds are coming our of our capital funds account, not our operating funds. We will be having our annual “catch up on the operating budget” announcements as we come to the close of the year. I’m sure someone will ask, “Why did we spend that money on the flooring and the sound system if we didn’t have the money?” When that question comes up, please remember that this work was done through the capital funds, not operating funds.
Your pledges and continued giving to the capital funds account is still very important and appreciated. If you would like to contribute additional funds for any of the work I have described, please contact either me or Cindy Moreland. In 2010, we are planning a debt reduction campaign to relieve our indebtedness and help us plan for future projects.
Because of all the changes, there will be a few inconveniences. Please be flexible and understanding.
Yes, exciting things are happening in Celebration Hall. Get ready to enjoy them.
Grace and peace,
John Mollet
Thursday, September 10, 2009
One Single Invitation
Pastor David told me a great story recently of one of our church family members welcoming a guest with such open arms that this guest now feels like he has found his church home. Talk about open doors! This is such a great story that I wanted Pastor David to tell it to you himself. Therefore, rather than a "Moment with Mollet" this week, how about a "Day with David?"
Grace and peace,
John Mollet
One Single Invitation
This week I had to hijack John's e-mail, because there is a story I feel you must hear. About 3 weeks ago I was finishing up our "God Must Be Crazy" sermon series in The Bridge and on the fourth and final week we were using Micah 6:8 as a reference to Jonah's needing to understand what God wanted from him. We went through Seeking Justice, Loving Kindness and Walking Humbly with God, and I'll have to tell you that I was pretty fired up after that sermon for the work of our Church. But nothing that I said gave me near as much excitement as the story you will read below. (The names have been left out, but this is a true story)
A young man moved to McKinney four weeks prior to this worship service and this was his fourth week in The Bridge. Apparently he enjoyed the worship style, the music, the preaching (and after all, who wouldn't...), but one key ingredient was missing. No one had really talked to him. No one, except I believe Ed, had enjoyed a conversation of any merit with this visitor and he was praying with God the week before the worship that if he did not make any meaningful connections the next Sunday, he would go find another church. God had another plan.
During this service, the young man was present and seemed engaged, but in the back of his mind was thinking "if no one really cares enough to talk to me, I'm going somewhere else next week." God has a funny way of acting, as when he thought this, he felt a tug on his shirt sleeve from a woman in the row behind him. For whatever reason this grandmother noticed the young man sitting by himself and invited him to go out to lunch with her family that afternoon. I was not there, but I will guess that surprisingly he accepted.
The woman and the young man met the rest of her family who had been in the Celebration Service and went out to eat. Apparently this young man is pursuing a life in the ministry, has served in all sorts of missions and ministry capacities and has a real heart for service in the world. What a shame it would have been if we missed out on the wonderful gifts that this young man could bring to the life of our church and all that we could do to foster his spiritual growth!!!
I suppose this made me wonder how many other people slip through the cracks. If you walk through the halls between or after worship time it really is mass chaos around here. Families are trying to stay together, Sunday school teachers are trying to get the right kids to the right parents, people are funneling out of one or two doors out of Celebration Hall or The Bridge and groups stand in the middle of all of this talking. I wonder how many visitors or even members feel as though no one talks to them? What a shame to have missed out on some great people, all because in the hustle and bustle, we forgot that being part of a church means inviting strangers to eat with us. I think Jesus might have done this too...I'll check.
I thank God that the woman listened to God's call to invite the young man to lunch and I hope this will inspire everyone who reads this to take a radical step of hospitality in the coming weeks and look for those sitting by themselves or who look lost. One of these people might be the next Sunday school teacher, missions leader, youth volunteer, lay speaker, chair guy or who knows...maybe that one invitation is all they need to realize hope in the world.
Pastor David
Grace and peace,
John Mollet
One Single Invitation
This week I had to hijack John's e-mail, because there is a story I feel you must hear. About 3 weeks ago I was finishing up our "God Must Be Crazy" sermon series in The Bridge and on the fourth and final week we were using Micah 6:8 as a reference to Jonah's needing to understand what God wanted from him. We went through Seeking Justice, Loving Kindness and Walking Humbly with God, and I'll have to tell you that I was pretty fired up after that sermon for the work of our Church. But nothing that I said gave me near as much excitement as the story you will read below. (The names have been left out, but this is a true story)
A young man moved to McKinney four weeks prior to this worship service and this was his fourth week in The Bridge. Apparently he enjoyed the worship style, the music, the preaching (and after all, who wouldn't...), but one key ingredient was missing. No one had really talked to him. No one, except I believe Ed, had enjoyed a conversation of any merit with this visitor and he was praying with God the week before the worship that if he did not make any meaningful connections the next Sunday, he would go find another church. God had another plan.
During this service, the young man was present and seemed engaged, but in the back of his mind was thinking "if no one really cares enough to talk to me, I'm going somewhere else next week." God has a funny way of acting, as when he thought this, he felt a tug on his shirt sleeve from a woman in the row behind him. For whatever reason this grandmother noticed the young man sitting by himself and invited him to go out to lunch with her family that afternoon. I was not there, but I will guess that surprisingly he accepted.
The woman and the young man met the rest of her family who had been in the Celebration Service and went out to eat. Apparently this young man is pursuing a life in the ministry, has served in all sorts of missions and ministry capacities and has a real heart for service in the world. What a shame it would have been if we missed out on the wonderful gifts that this young man could bring to the life of our church and all that we could do to foster his spiritual growth!!!
I suppose this made me wonder how many other people slip through the cracks. If you walk through the halls between or after worship time it really is mass chaos around here. Families are trying to stay together, Sunday school teachers are trying to get the right kids to the right parents, people are funneling out of one or two doors out of Celebration Hall or The Bridge and groups stand in the middle of all of this talking. I wonder how many visitors or even members feel as though no one talks to them? What a shame to have missed out on some great people, all because in the hustle and bustle, we forgot that being part of a church means inviting strangers to eat with us. I think Jesus might have done this too...I'll check.
I thank God that the woman listened to God's call to invite the young man to lunch and I hope this will inspire everyone who reads this to take a radical step of hospitality in the coming weeks and look for those sitting by themselves or who look lost. One of these people might be the next Sunday school teacher, missions leader, youth volunteer, lay speaker, chair guy or who knows...maybe that one invitation is all they need to realize hope in the world.
Pastor David
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Enjoying the Church
I love it when staff members of our church go to meetings with staff members of other churches. They talk with one another about the churches they serve, the challenges and joys of those churches and the pastors with whom they work. Without fail, they come back proclaiming, “I am so glad I work at this church!”
This past week I spent three days with a group of seven pastors I have known for several years. We are working on a project together, so most of our time was spent working on that, but, of course, there was plenty of time to talk about our churches. After hearing their stories of woe, let me say, “I am so glad I am a part of this church.” Let me give just a few reasons for my thankfulness.
First, we are in a dynamic, fast-growing church. Many of my colleagues struggle in churches that are not only declining, their congregations are fighting growth everyway possible. One of my friends told us that it takes him at least a year and a half to make any change at his church. His congregation wants to keep the things at their church exactly like they have been for many years. That really means they want to keep the church for themselves. Any mention of changing something so that they might be more inviting to newcomers is met with a “this is the way we have always done it and we like it that way.” Any wonder why that church has not grown in many years. In contrast, you are always ready to find new ways to meet the needs of those entering our doors. Even if it takes changing something, you are willing to try it out. The thing I love about this church is you think more about others’ experience of the church than you do your own. That sounds pretty much like the Golden Rule, doesn’t it?
Second, this is a church where people are invited to think and ask questions. Too many churches today are telling their congregations what and how to think. If anyone has an opinion that might color a little out of the lines of their doctrine they are reprimanded. The church should be a place where it is safe to ask our questions, no matter how unholy they might sound. It is through our dialogue and debate we begin to discover what we believe; and that initiates a closer relationship with God. Just the other day, a man in our congregation told me, " If it wasn’t for this church, I would not have grown in my faith like I have." We can receive no better complement.
Third, this church really is “the most joyful place on earth.” You want to know why? It is because you are nice people. One of the ministers in my group described a church we were discussing as “a bunch of mean Christians.” I am afraid there are a lot of churches that fight, grumble, gossip and complain. That is not our church. For the most part, we are pretty much a happy family. We certainly have our disagreements, but you handle them in stride and with maturity. You are also "the most joyful place on earth" because you take care of each other. I have said many times this church cares for its members and those outside our walls better than any church I know. Life is not always happy, but when someone helps you walk with Christ during those unhappy times you can be filled with joy.
I could go on, but I really just wanted you to know how thankful I am to be your pastor and how much I appreciate your work in making this church become the vision God has for it. Too often we take that for granted, but we shouldn’t because it is one of God’s blessings. I hope you join me when I say, “I am so glad I am a part of this church.”
This past week I spent three days with a group of seven pastors I have known for several years. We are working on a project together, so most of our time was spent working on that, but, of course, there was plenty of time to talk about our churches. After hearing their stories of woe, let me say, “I am so glad I am a part of this church.” Let me give just a few reasons for my thankfulness.
First, we are in a dynamic, fast-growing church. Many of my colleagues struggle in churches that are not only declining, their congregations are fighting growth everyway possible. One of my friends told us that it takes him at least a year and a half to make any change at his church. His congregation wants to keep the things at their church exactly like they have been for many years. That really means they want to keep the church for themselves. Any mention of changing something so that they might be more inviting to newcomers is met with a “this is the way we have always done it and we like it that way.” Any wonder why that church has not grown in many years. In contrast, you are always ready to find new ways to meet the needs of those entering our doors. Even if it takes changing something, you are willing to try it out. The thing I love about this church is you think more about others’ experience of the church than you do your own. That sounds pretty much like the Golden Rule, doesn’t it?
Second, this is a church where people are invited to think and ask questions. Too many churches today are telling their congregations what and how to think. If anyone has an opinion that might color a little out of the lines of their doctrine they are reprimanded. The church should be a place where it is safe to ask our questions, no matter how unholy they might sound. It is through our dialogue and debate we begin to discover what we believe; and that initiates a closer relationship with God. Just the other day, a man in our congregation told me, " If it wasn’t for this church, I would not have grown in my faith like I have." We can receive no better complement.
Third, this church really is “the most joyful place on earth.” You want to know why? It is because you are nice people. One of the ministers in my group described a church we were discussing as “a bunch of mean Christians.” I am afraid there are a lot of churches that fight, grumble, gossip and complain. That is not our church. For the most part, we are pretty much a happy family. We certainly have our disagreements, but you handle them in stride and with maturity. You are also "the most joyful place on earth" because you take care of each other. I have said many times this church cares for its members and those outside our walls better than any church I know. Life is not always happy, but when someone helps you walk with Christ during those unhappy times you can be filled with joy.
I could go on, but I really just wanted you to know how thankful I am to be your pastor and how much I appreciate your work in making this church become the vision God has for it. Too often we take that for granted, but we shouldn’t because it is one of God’s blessings. I hope you join me when I say, “I am so glad I am a part of this church.”
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