Pastor’s Paragraph - February 20, 2020
Friedens Moving Outward is Friedens' path toward vitalization. A careful process of learning, discernment, and congregation-wide input led to a plan that was approved by the Council of Ministries in November of 2019.
This plan consists of three major emphases:
Moving one another through inspiration and instruction from an identity of being church members whose needs are served to an identity of being active disciples who follow the loving and serving way of Jesus.
Transforming our church structure, resources, campus, staffing and ministries toward a ministry focus of sharing the love of Christ with children and youth in our community.
Partnering with other like-minded churches and non-profit organizations to maximize our ministry focus with children and youth in the community, including partners who can share the church campus and share in its ongoing maintenance.
Once we recommit to being disciples of the loving way of Jesus and show that commitment by joining a Ministry Team to focus on serving children and youth in the community, we can begin seeking and developing partnerships that multiply and advance our impact in the community. There is no reason for us to reinvent the wheel, so to speak, or to act on our own in the community. We trust that when our Ministry Teams connect more in the community serving children and youth, Christ will connect us with others also engaging in this mission. Working together in partnership and collaboration is part of the multiplication of impact Christ will provide. What will these partnerships be? I don't know, but Christ does! As we take that leap of service in the community, it will become clear.
Another important area of partnership is related to the use of our church campus. Our church campus is a blessing. We have a beautiful, functional, accessible and safe place to gather, to worship, to be inspired and to learn to serve children and youth in the community. It is also true that like any campus there are significant costs related to maintaining the campus. We are already having some challenges to generate the revenue needed to maintain the church campus. We do not want campus maintenance costs to undermine and overtake our ministry focus of serving children and youth in the community. If that happens we will need to consider whether or not our current campus is a liability or an asset for the future.
How can we pay for our campus so that we can remain here for many years to come? If the church campus is an asset for our future then we need to develop partners to share the campus and to share the costs of the campus. What will these partnerships be? I don't know, but Christ does! As we take the leap of service in the community, it will become clear.How can you help? Renew your commitment as a disciple of the loving way of Jesus. Join a Ministry Team. Roll up your sleeves and be part of a ministry with children and youth in the community. Pray and be open to the partnerships Christ will provide. If you have ideas, connections, or want to know more, I am always happy to meet over a cup of coffee or chat by email at pastormarc@friedensucc.org.
This is an exciting time to be part of Friedens UCC.
Pastor Marc
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Colossians 3:12
