Near the end of February we heard a report from the Vision Committee. And thus concluded a long process begun nearly a year ago here at church when we examined our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges.
Well, if you were involved in the process, you know that we have taken steps to address and improve our ministry in the areas of Worship, Education, Outreach, and Missions. Some steps have been big steps, others baby steps. The journey has really just begun.
So, What will we have to do to get there? On the surveys we said: We need to pray; we need to follow through; we need to step out on faith; we need everyone to get involved; we need to say, Yes, when asked to do something; and we need to make commitments ‘looking first at ourselves’ – a suggestion made by our youth. These were wise observations.
In speaking about forgiveness one Sunday this spring, I paraphrased a thoughtful Catholic theologian who said: of all the billions of people who have lived on this earth, of all the thousands I have known, of the dozens I have known well, who can I speak for? Well, just me. I am competent to speak only for myself.
Recently a couple interested in joining our church wondered about us. I said, ‘Well, you’re in luck, I’m a recent member myself – my family just joined a little over a year ago. Let me tell you about our church. We value the leadership of men and women. We love our children and believe that the church is just as much theirs as it is mine, and I’m the pastor. We recognize the giftedness in each other and we encourage each other to use our gifts.’ I believed this to be true when I joined Cornerstone and I believe it today.
So let’s dig a little deeper: Of all the members of our church, of the hundreds who’ve walked in and out of our doors both here and up the street, of the ten or so in our Sunday School class, of the few we call very close friends, we are competent only to speak and act for ourselves. Right?
Now, here’s the question we must ask ourselves – Where at our church will I give my all in service to the Lord? Where will I sacrifice to love others and share the Love of Christ? Where will I become a blessing?
Near the end of February we heard a report from the Vision Committee. And thus concluded a long process begun nearly a year ago here at church when we examined our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges.