in times past, a lot of my inspiration came from insights discovered in preparation for recent messages. but retyping content of recent messages seems odd since we now have our audio available on www.visit6th.com and www.myspace.com/worshipforsleepyheads. why make people read it when they can listen?
but it's now the end of the year, and, like a lot of people, i like to look back and reflect on the year that was:
January/February -- started off in typical new year ritual. i was excited about the new group of leadership and ready to get out of stalemates and into make decisions for the better. we began with four goals that we wanted to begin investing heavily in: 1) youth leadership, 2) Sunday night outreach, 3) Community Outreach ministries, and 4) Hispanic ministries. by the end of February, we were looking ahead to summer youth leadership, building momentum for the Sleepyheads (Sun p.m.) service, and beginning a partnership with a local Hispanic church plant. little did i know that 2 of these 4 positive steps would lead to so much trouble...
March/April -- we were preparing to call for a business meeting at the end of March that would make a decision to bring in Josh Weiger as a summer youth intern. but, after the second Sunday in March, my wife and i went away for a scheduled retreat in Florida. when we returned on that Friday morning, i began to get news of a few disgruntled folks preparing to leave the congregation. i polled the leadership to find out what they knew--no one knew of any such talk. but on that the third Sunday of March, we went to talk with the class in which the rumors were originating from. when we arrived, we found a couple of our older men being hugged by a couple remaining ladies in a classroom that had not only been deserted but removed of pictures. when i asked them what was going on, they were shellshocked--they said their friends were disbanding the class and leaving the church. we went from there into morning worship, oddly enough, we were scheduled to preach on Matthew 18 (conflict resolution) in our continuing Gospel of Matthew series. a few from the class stayed for the message and hugged us as they said they had to stop attending, with no reason given. i spent the next 24 hours trying to speak to several of those who left, also with little explanation. i'm thankful for the wise counsel of Doug Talley whom we had met at the retreat just a week or so before. he directed me to care for the remaining members who were also shellshocked. we were able to regroup through letters and phone conversations, and then together at the previously announced meeting for summer youth leadership. Easter that April was a little strange with so many familiar faces curiously missing--but attendance was still high. i'm grateful for our eldest members Brother Lee and Sister Evelyn who not only stayed with the congregation, but were vocally supportive of our leadership and the ministry direction. i'm equally thankful for several middle-aged members who have continued to stay and remain not only supportive but increasing their lay ministry involvement in the absence of so many who left. when it was all said and done, from December 2005 to August 2006, nearly 30 members left our congregation for other fellowships.
May/June -- spring came not only with new growth, but new hope. we were beginning to recognize that many who left our congregation stopped giving consistently a long time ago--which was actually to our advantage as our financial bottom line didn't change that drastically. we also had Josh Weiger coming in to give much needed energy and enthusiasm to our youth ministry. the ministry gained significant momentum under his presence and leadership, while a few of our young adults were equally inspired in their own commitments to greater surrender. camps were a highlight for our youth, and for myself as we began a new Graduate Camp for anyone out of high school--we hope this will be the growing next step to include and empower former youth to continue in state and local ministry as they enter their 20's, while also providing a camp reunion atmosphere to keep the spiritual fires stoked.
July/August -- we watched Josh take three from our congregation to IYC in Anaheim (2 youth) along with a state group. they all came back fired up in their faith. we took 10 to Guyana (3 from RCC) for a week of service and relationships to the Sophia congregation. i was continually moved to tears at the thought of Touching the World for Christ becoming a reality--our little congregation was now involved in two continents of ministry! the sadness of Josh's inevitable departure were pushed aside through the celebration of BIG Sunday in which we baptized 2 (including my daughter), had a Baby dedication, a farewell for Josh and a business meeting that agreed with the Leadership's decision to make youth leadership a budget priority (cutting everything else back or out to make it possible). August also featured a great state campmeeting focusing on unity under the anointed preaching of Dr. James Lewis, Anderson University seminary professor. This meeting along with our national Strategic Planning Conference in Nashville spurred me to greater commitment to unity efforts.
September/October -- in Josh's absence, i returned to a busy schedule of trying to keep youth, children, adults afloat. i'm thankful for those like my father-in-law, Ben, and countless children volunteers who make the ministries work as i run to and from--but i need to do a better job of equipping and empowering their leadership in the congregation. the leadership began looking for youth leadership, while also beginning to contemplate options for a structure overhaul. our current by-laws were meant for a larger organization that are now baby-church was struggling to meet the demands of. a motion to postpone electing leadership while review and consultation for changes to our by-laws was approved by the congregation--increasing the workload of the current leadership. i'm thankful for their prayerful participation and sacrifices. we also took a group down to Wetumpka, AL to share in a unity service with one of our predominantly 'black' congregations. we look forward to gathering together with them in Decatur, early in 2007. during this time, i learned that unity is the result of practicing come-unity. Keli got our kids involved in a local church's Awanna program on Sunday night which has exponentially increased their Bible reading & scripture memorization. on top of it i began as our school's PTA treasurer--i'm tired of financial forms! :p
November/December -- these past two months have been a flurry of activity -- speaking in Montgomery for the Capitol March, in San Destin for the AL Youth Convention, for our annual Thanksgiving service and all of our own Advent activities since. it has been a good couple of months at the church--but this past week of being with the kids and family have been relaxing and therapeutic. holidays are coming to an end, and the work is building up--but i'm excited about the work we're doing for the Kingdom.
in a year with highs and lows--there are always more highs with the Lord.
- Titus and Zeke made professions of faith, while Grace and Titus were baptized. Grace had another great year at camp, while we look forward to Titus first year of camp this coming summer.
- Grace and several of our young adults made their first international mission trip, and we're anticipating a trip to the UK for our third continent this next summer.
- my kids are all healthy, attractive, intelligent, and know the Lord--that alone makes me feel more blessed than i deserve every day.
- i continue to serve in a growing, exciting ministry to a community in need of the love of Christ--i'm continually aware of my need for more of Him. i hope to see greater surrender and more glory for the Lord in 2007
- every new year is begun in the best possible way as i celebrate another wedding anniversary with my wife Keli. her friendship and partnership bless me to no end--i'd definitely be crazy, addicted, defeated or dead without her.
