Changes

To some people change is the spice of life, to others spice causes heartburn.  But, it keeps happening… everywhere.

 

Personally, I'm dealing with the changes that are a result of not being thirtyish anymore.  They know me at the pharmacy.  I'm one of those people who have multiple scripts for multiple symptoms.  I've been on a MS treatment that I have done very well with for two years that will have to be changed this year.  My medical insurance changed.  I need a new roof on my house.  

 

Change is part of the passing of time.  No one can keep things the same.  I think God designed it that way.  Even in the very basic step of a journey with Christ there is change, "unless you change and become like little children (Matt 18:3)."  

 

My journey starts with change and I am called to keep changing.  In 2Peter the readers are given some of the attributes of being a follower of Christ and told that we are to "possess these qualities in increasing measure (1:8)."  Change happens.

 

We don't make adjustments for the sake of an adjustment, we do so to answer a call of Christ, to be conformed to His nature, and reflect His grace to those around us.

 

There are some adjustments we are making as a fellowship.

 

1.  If you were in church last week you noticed that the set up was quite different.  The plan is/was to do this for the month of January.  To be honest, it may go longer than that.  I heard many very positive comments about the atmosphere.  I like being on the floor, we're on journey together; I liked looking into your eyes.  

 

You could help by coming early and filling in the far seats.  Let's be polite hosts and not require our guests to have to search for a seat on the other side of the building.  

 

We'll see how this unfolds as temporary or more permanent and what other adjustments will need to be made.      

   

2.  Last Sunday we also took the offering in a different way.  There are black boxes at each of the doors where your tithes and offerings can be put.  There are multiple reasons for this that don't need to be spelled out in this form.  

 

One issue is privacy.  When a check or money is put in the plate it is often visible.  We want to protect the privacy of those who are responding to God.

 

There is also a time issue and staffing issue.  It takes time in the service and takes man power to recruit ushers each week as people walk in for the service.  This is much more streamlined.

 

This is also less uncomfortable for the many guests that came to our church.

 

It's God money, be obedient, be generous, give with a heart of gratitude no matter what the form.   

 

3.  We're also making some adjustments in the area of outreach.  We need to get the body more involved.  It's too easy to assume the church is supporting workers and local para-church ministries and remain inactive.  We are going to learn together how to be more involved.

 

Quickly there will be an area for information made available and we will encourage everyone to participate in offering support in some form to someone who has given their life serving in the name of the Lord.   

 

I am very excited about this year.  I've never been more appalled at the culture and more excited about the Kingdom of God.  This is going to be a year of effectiveness as we listen to the Spirit and follow in faith!

 

It's 2013!  Let's keep changing together.

 

Pastor Dave