Last month
we wrapped up an exciting year of Session meetings. “Exciting Session
meetings”? Can we really put the words “exciting” and “Session meetings”
together? The answer is most definitely, yes!
Composed of
15 Ruling Elders, one Youth Elder, and me, the Session is our governing body.
We are called by God to “strengthen and nurture the faith and life of our
church.” We do this in a variety of ways, but our most important role is as
spiritual leaders of the church.
The past
two years we have made a concerted effort to look ahead, to think and plan for
our future. We read constantly of a growing number of people turning away from
churches of all denominations. Last year we spent time with the Rev. Dr. Ed
White from the Alban Institute, who challenged us to think about how church is
changing, and how we are called to change in response.
This year I
split the Session into three groups and asked each group to discuss what they
think our church will look like in the future – one group looking back from 2015,
the second group looking back from 2016, and the third group looking back from
the end of our 150th anniversary in the year 2017.
The groups
thought creatively and faithfully about our many ministries – how we worship,
how we offer Christian Education for all ages, how we can draw more families to
our Early Learning Center, how we can expand our Mission outreach, and the
ever-present challenge of remaining healthy financially.
Our work
has been part of the foundation that will lead, I hope, to our launching a
Capital Campaign later in 2014. We know we need funds for imminent capital
repairs, including a new roof, but we’d also like to have funds for “venturing”
– creating new ministries, as well as enhancing current ministries.
As just one
example, a group has already begun to gather ideas for a Columbarium – a place
where the ashes of those who have joined the Church Triumphant can be interred,
perhaps in a wall, or perhaps in a memorial garden, reminiscent of the old
“Church Yard”. Other ideas that have sprung from this work include the
possibility of building an outdoor worship pavilion, prayer garden, and
labyrinth.
The
“Imagine” board our Stewardship Ministry Team put in the narthex has inspired
more creative and wonderful ideas for our future. Our Elders will have the
challenging, yet joyful task of sorting through many wonderful, faithful,
inspiring ideas to discern where God is calling us to put our time, energy and
resources.
“I am about
to do a new thing,” says the Lord; “now it springs forth, do you not
perceive it?” This may mean more meetings for our Elders in the new year, but
yes, they will be exciting as we seek to perceive and discern God’s future for
us.
Blessings
for joy through Advent, Christmas and in the New Year!
Pastor Skip
