ey…
On Journey…
December 2007

I want to say thank you. Thank you…

• congregation for the way you are embracing the Spirit of God as we are led into God’s future.
• to all those who prepare to teach, lead, and care for those who come on Sunday mornings. Your faithfulness is encouraging.
• deacons for the way you wonderfully care for the families of this congregation and the way you are leading out in areas of ministry, care, and evangelism.
• to you who have offered to help with our new worship service. Your talents, energy, and commitment are truly inspiring.
• Wednesday night supper workers for your untiring work of set up and clean up. You do it with such joy.
• to those who are leading studies and classes and providing leadership for activities in our FLC . We are reaching into our community.
• Hostess committee for the surprise of holiday decorations. Your gift helps create an inviting atmosphere.
• committees and leadership teams. Your work and vision will be honored by the presence of God.
• to those of you who quietly share your resources of money and time to help in special needs situations.
• staff, you are all the presence of Christ for me.

Like Paul, I thank God every time I think of you and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve God with you in this place.

Keep walking!
Stan

On Journey…
November 2007

The young lady sat blindfolded in the chair. There was the nervous laughter of not exactly knowing what was going to happen, but she had volunteered so she was ready. The group leader began, “I am going to let you drink from two cups. After each taste, I would like for you to tell the group what the taste was. I promise you that there is nothing gross or bad tasting in either cup!” Susan wrinkled her face a little but said she was ready. The first cup was handed to her and she gingerly lifted the cup to her lips. The liquid poured into her mouth and suddenly she realized the taste was salty. Nothing bad. She said in a confident voice, “That was salty.” The leader now handed her the second cup. This time she was a little less hesitant and when the liquid hit her taste buds, she detected a slightly sweet flavor. “That was sweet,” she replied.

The leader now asked her to take off the blindfold. In front of her on the table were two glasses with clear liquid in them. One held water that had been salted and the other was water with sugar added. Now the leader asked her a question. “Susan, just by looking at the two glasses, can you tell me which is salty and which is sweet?” “No, I cannot,” was her obvious reply.

And then the leader read Matthew 5:13 from the Message – “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” As Christians, we are not here to be looked at. Just being looked at does not really help people know what we are about. We have to find ways to get ourselves into the lives of other people. They have to “taste” the presence of Christ in us before they can really know who God is.”

As we continue to follow the leading of God in our congregation, I pray that each of us will commit our lives each day to being salt that gets into the lives of the people around us so that the flavors of God might become evident in their lives…and ours.

Keep walking!
Stan

On Journey…
October 2007

“We believe worship is an act engaged in by all who attend.”

“Worship should be characterized by intentionality, sincerity, depth, and authenticity.”

“Worship is a dialogue between God and those who have gathered together.”

“There are many expressions that allow for worship when expressed with integrity for the purpose of praising God.”

These are words from our Focus Statement concerning worship. As a result of this process and an ongoing study by this church, we decided to go forward with providing a second service of worship in our Family Life Center. Our first service is planned for Sunday, October 21. This service will utilize some different elements which include additional string, wind, and percussion instruments, drama, movement, and visuals. We have been getting the area ready by adjusting lights, improving sound and sight capabilities, and expanding our staging capacity. Many folks have volunteered to be part of our worship leadership teams. These are folks who will help to lead our singing, play instruments, and coordinate drama and movement elements. By the way, there is always room for others! Some have stepped up to coordinate greeters and ushers. Still others have offered their talents in helping to make visuals to enhance our worship experience. So far, so good.

Thank you for this wonderful participation and encouragement. The “things” for the service will be ready. I need to now ask you to engage in the difficult part. First pray. Why is this difficult? I am not sure, but in years of observing churches and new events, it seems that for some any new thing is difficult. So I ask you to pray. Pray that this additional service of worship will be a place that those who have not yet accepted Jesus might be led by the spirit to do so. Pray that those who have grown lax in their commitment to grow as disciples will find a sense of renewal. Pray that the individuals who are already following might find new visions and ministry to which God is calling them. Please pray. Second, I ask you to invite several folks to join us. The truth is very clear and plain: people judge a church by what those who attend say. If those attending speak negatively, you can bet a non-attendee won’t think of coming. On the other hand, if someone hears that you are encouraged, excited, and growing, they will at least considered coming.

October 21 is going to be a special day. Is this because we are starting a new service? Partly. But October 21 will be a special day because we will gather for worship. You see, every Sunday is a special day.

Keep walking!
Stan

On Journey…
September 2007

Wednesday night, this church in business session adopted a schedule which incorporates a new service. The schedule adopted is as follows:
8:30 a.m. New additional service in the Family Life Center
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:40 a.m. Worship service in the Sanctuary

This decision brings to a close a process taken by this church to look at an additional service which will incorporate new creative elements. This journey has involved many people and events: a special study committee, Focus Groups, town hall meetings, and surveys. Through all of this, we have asked you to pray and listen. Now, it is time to go to work.

One of the foundational elements of all of this is every believer’s call to sharing the Good News. Barry Hutchins will begin an excellent four week study entitled, Just Walk Across The Room, by Bill Hybels. It is a Biblical and common sense approach to understanding your part in that sharing. This class will be on Wednesday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. beginning September 5.

Another part is new leadership for both services. The 8:30 a.m. service will require leadership in music, AV, and sound and provide opportunities for drama and creative arts involvement. The 10:40 a.m. service will need new choir members, additional sound and AV personnel, as well as the ongoing need for participants in worship. Most of all, each service will need all of us praying that God’s Word will break into our lives and move us beyond our comfort zones. Worship is best when every individual participates, encounters God, and leaves with a sense of mission and purpose.

As you can see, there is something for every one of us to begin doing right now. Will you join with us in praying that God will do a wonderful work among us and through us, as we are obedient to His leading?

Keep Walking!

Stan

On Journey…
August 2007

Summer! Ah those lazy, hazy days of summer. Shorts and t-shirts make up most of our wardrobe choices. The air is thick with the aroma of grilled burgers and hotdogs. Families gather around the supper table (at least for a while) to talk about vacation plans or to relive the trip’s stories. We find more time to sit and listen to the crickets or talk with our neighbors. It is indeed a wonderful time.

Summer for most of us does bring a change of schedule in some way and that is good. Change affords us the opportunity to evaluate what we are doing and why we are doing it. As mentioned above, the vacation allows us time away to recharge, renew, and reacquaint ourselves with family and friends, and to participate in activities that normally we do not have time for. The last two weeks our family spent time at the beach and with family in Nashville. It was a wonderful time. My days were spent resting and playing with my family. The evenings allowed for reconnecting around the food table and family activities. As always, my spirit was able to take a breath and be renewed.

And as always, I come back asking myself why I put myself through the meat grinder we call life the rest of the year. I am not saying that I do not enjoy my work nor believe in its importance. I am saying that I need to be more intentional about evaluating all that I am doing and make sure that my soul is being nourished.

In the book of Ecclesiastes there are these words- “We work to feed our appetites, meanwhile our souls go hungry.” (6:7, Peterson) The summer change of pace might be more important that we realize. It may be that as Christians, we should take more time to think about what we do, and why. Are we scurrying about just to feed some unquenchable appetites while our spirits go undernourished? I will be praying for you that as you are able to take some time to get away this summer, that God will give you insight in to how to better feed your soul, not just your appetites.

Keep Walking. Wait… on second thought sit down a while, take a load off your feet and your mind, and feed your Spirit!

Stan

On Journey…
June 2007

Last Wednesday night at business meeting we took our first steps toward implementing some of our Focus Group results. We voted to create some new leadership groups and agreed to move forward with the creation of an additional worship service. This idea of an additional service has been studied and discussed at First Baptist for some time and has generated lots of interest! Let me tell you what I saw last Wednesday night.

First of all, our folks asked good questions. I have never been afraid of questions. In fact, there is a part of me that believes if you get the right questions asked, the outcome will always be positive. I was elated to find that not only last Wednesday but in several other places and venues, you have been asking good questions and trying to get correct information. That is always important. Thank you.

Second, there was such a respectful spirit as individuals shared passions and dreams and hopes and fears. You listened carefully and compassionately, always considering each other as you made your remarks. The sign of a healthy organization is the way the individual members communicate with each other, especially if they might be on different sides of an issue. The Bible reminds us that the world will know we are Christians by the way we love one another, even if we disagree. I observed much love in that room last week.

Third, there was a genuine effort to keep the big picture in mind. As that relates to worship, it was clear that this congregation is concerned with helping people come into the presence of God. We are also concerned about authenticity, integrity, and depth. Putting all of this together, we agreed to move forward into this new adventure.

And that brings me to this finale observation. As one deacon put it, “we came into that room with differing ideas but we left all together, crossing the same bridge.” What a wonderful image for us to take with us as we move forward. There is still a lot of work to do. There are many of you who I believe the Spirit will move to take up a leadership position in some way. Be listening and praying. We left that place last week energized by the belief that God is moving among us and is leading us to some new ways of reaching this community with His love. Let’s continue to take one step at a time, following our Lord and Savior has He leads us.

Keep Walking!

Stan

On Journey…
April 2007

Back in the fall we began a journey of discovery…discovering what we believed God might be leading us to do. This began as a conversation between the staff and Robert Baird. Shortly after that, we engaged the Church Council with the idea of creating Focus Groups to help us begin to listen to the congregation. Over 70 of you participated in that process. The Church Council then sat down with the facilitators and reporters from these groups and attempted to hear what you said. A list of strengths and challenges were created out of these dialogues. Then the Church Council begin to create focus statements, statements that help to identify who we are (strengths), and what we need to give some attention to in the coming years (challenges). This part of the task is coming to a close.

It is now time to reengage the whole congregation in this process. Sunday night, April 29, we are going to have a wonderful evening of food, fellowship, and discussion about our future. We will begin at 5:30 with a wonderful meal of fish and/or hot dogs and fixin’s. After eating, we will look together at our focus statements that have been developed and dialogue further about what each means and the actions that have been suggested to help us move forward. Following the large group time, there will be small breakout opportunities for further discussion in each area. The focus statements will be available in print and online Sunday, April 22.

A couple of things are important for you to keep in mind. First, this is still a work in progress. What you will be receiving is our effort to put into words what you have said. Each focus statement will be open for suggestion and improvements. Second, this process will ultimately require of all of us a willingness and commitment to share our particular gifts and talents to see these ideas become reality. Third, this effort is our commitment to the next few years in terms of resources and direction. As we agree together in each area, these statements will become guides for work and design.

This is our future together as the people of God in this place. Yes, you are important because we believe that every person has a place in what we will be asked to do. Make a commitment now to make a commitment with us as we embrace our future April 29.

Keep Walking!
Stan

On Journey…
March 2007

Reading the Bible through this year has reacquainted me with some of the great Bible stories. One that I recently read was the story of the ten spies sent into the land of Canaan by Moses to “spy out the land.” These ten men saw wondrous things. The land was very fertile. A cluster of grapes took two of the men to carry! Other crops and plants were numerous and healthy. The land itself was beautiful and pleasant. And there were people, all kinds of people and cities.

When they returned, the story tells us that all of the people gathered with anticipation to hear the report. It is a land indeed flowing with milk and honey, they reported. The people grew excited! It is beautiful and fertile, BUT… Then the spies reported about the inhabitants of the land.

They said that the inhabitants were fierce and very large. In fact some of them are the “descendents of Anak,” the giants! The spies then strongly cautioned that they should not go in to the land promised them by God because the people, the giants, were too much to overcome. They make us look like grasshoppers, they warned. This was the report from the spies, except for Caleb and Joshua.

These two were astonished and spoke up. “Yes, the people are big but our God is bigger and he has promised us this land. Let’s not hesitate one moment, but march right in and follow God’s leading.” Unfortunately the people did not listen to Joshua and Caleb, and eventually God punished their unwillingness to follow him by having them wander around in the wilderness for 40 years!

As a congregation, we are standing at the borders of some new territory. Soon the focus group reports and recommendations will be presented for you to read. Town hall meetings will be scheduled for all of us to dialogue about what we have said. Some of the reports will be embraced excitedly (large grapes!) Other reports will make us afraid (giants!) The question is, will we simply allow our fears to shut us off from what God may be leading us into, or will we join hands together and travel into the land that God is calling us to? The consequences are great. One way leads us into the Promised Land, the other leads us into desert wandering. Pray that we will not let our fears overcome our faith and trust in God.

Keep Walking!
Stan

On Journey…
January 2007

The Christmas season was wonderful. The sights and sounds of the season lifted our spirits as we welcomed Jesus into our world. We also finished the year very strong financially, exceeding our mission goal and our expenses for 2006. This past week, we joined our hearts and minds together as Wendell Boertje led us in a study of worship. Many of you have commented what an uplifting and enlightening time it was. It is our hope and design that our worship will become more glorifying to God and empowering to those who gather. We are having numerous guest visit with us, many of whom are indicating a real interest in being a part of this fellowship. There is much for us to celebrate!

With the celebration there also comes some hard work and planning. AS we continue to be obedient to God’s call for us He will open more doors and opportunities for us to share His love. We need to prepare ourselves.

We stared a process in the fall we called Focus Groups. To date, we are finishing our initial meetings with those groups and are beginning to collate the information and ideas we heard. Listening is a wonderful tool but it is also a difficult process. Making sure we have heard the voice of the congregation takes careful time. I ask you to pray as this process continues to unfold.

What remains is the following. Once the staff feels confident that we have heard what was said, we, along with the Church Council, will begin to look at the information to see what patterns emerge that were consistent in all the groups. We will spend some time revising and clarifying the raw data. Once we feel that we have not only heard what was said but feel we can communicate that to the larger church body, we will publish the findings. From there, we will have town hall meetings where we all can discuss and talk about our future and the plans we need to make to get there. Our goal is to have action plans ready by late April or May. Again, it is a process and sometimes processes get interrupted but we will stay committed to this task and together with God’s leadership, we will set a course for us for the next year.

Keep Walking,
Stan