2008 will be our “hinge year”.
That simply means that all the foundational work of the this year, all the work to address our struggles & hopes, all the dreams we’ve had in the past, will “hinge” on this next year of 2008.
Once a church consultant asked this question: “Are the best years of your church behind you? …or in front of you?” To ask that question and to discover the answer is what “hinge-year” means.
Now be careful in answering that question. It would be easy to say: “Of course, they’re in front of us!” But be honest. We have to ask ourselves:
“Do we really believe that?”
For if we believe that our best years are in front of us, but we know that we’re just engaging in wishful thinking, then we will undercut all our efforts to have those best years materialize.
Of course, God is always working to have our best years in front of us, but we know that we have to do our part to see it all happen.
We cannot assume that the good years to come will look just like the good years of the past. We cannot assume that we know just the right thing to do. We can’t even rely on our best “common sense”, for the world around us has changed drastically.
All we can rely on is the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ and our willingness to be faithful to His leadership. In that way we can all stand humbly before God and gain the strength meet the major changes before us.
Our leadership here at Orangethorpe UMC has worked hard to
identify those things that will be needed to be a dynamic and alive
“Christ-Centered” fellowship. We will need:
“A joyful sharing of Jesus Christ”
“To Provide Engaging Worship”
“To Equip Disciples Through God-Given Gifts”
“Accountable Small Groups”
“Radical Hospitality”
“Involved Mission and Service”
(Core Values of Draft Vision Team Report)
It is now up to all of us to get involved, to spend the time, and to help underwrite the Budget needs of our ChurchFamily so that these all become active and dynamic in our church life.
Come join us and help us make a great future happen.
How have you lived closer to God this day? …this week?
How goes it with your soul?
Grace and Peace, Pastor Terry
“We are called to be generous friends of God,
and to let others see Christ transforming our lives”.
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