Things are turning around....

A month or so ago, I was asked by our District Executive to lead a workshop at our District Conference on the topic of Congregational Vitality.   I told him then that I could not do that because I didn't have a pulpit to stand in!  You see at that time, I didn't feel that our congregation was any too vital.   And to lead a workshop on the topic would be disingenuous of me.  So, I told him that I might have a pulpit to stand in next year...

I told him that because we were in the middle of an effort where we were asking people to do some things to help us become vital.

First, we were asking everyone to pray to the Lord of the Harvest for workers.

Second, we were asking people to discover their spiritual gifts.

Third, we were asking people - a simple question to ask and answer for themselves - "What would help you engage at a deeper level with the mission and ministry of Jesus through Community of Joy?"

Fourth, we identified 9 teams that we wanted to field in order to help us fulfill our mission as a congregation and we asked people to prayerfully consider where their gifts fit in relation to one or more of those teams.

Fifth, our leadership spent some time discerning the gifts of each person in the congregation and matched those up with where they saw their gifts.

Sixth, we asked people who were carrying many roles to consider which ones they could let go and make room for others to serve.

We are a long way from where I want us to be!  But we are moving quickly in the right direction as long time participants let go of roles, thus making room for new folks to use their gifts.   We are moving in the right direction as we have had a surge of people who are eager to jump in and serve Jesus through Community of Joy by using the gifts they have been given by God.   We are moving in the right direction as we continue to pray for more workers and to seek God's guidance as we offer our gifts in ministry.   We are moving in the right direction as we see ownership taking root in people's lives and excitement returning.   We are moving in the right direction as we look for ways to engage our community and meet needs beyond our walls - turning outward.   We are moving in the right direction as we seek to be a blessing to others because God has blessed us so that we can bless others!   We are moving in the right direction as we focus on Jesus and allow the work of the Holy Spirit to transform us reminding ourselves that it is God's role (NOT ours) to convict people of sin in their lives... our role is to extend grace and love.   We are moving in the right direction as we consider spiritual disciplines that will help us keep company with Jesus and begin to apply them to our lives.

I am very thankful to God for the renewal he is bringing to our congregation in these past months and I look forward with eager anticipation for what God will do with us in the coming months!