We had a business meeting last night. I wanted to share with the rest of you who were distracted by the Steelers and Cardinals (sympathies to all of you Warner fans).
I shared with the church why I will not be wearing ties to preach. In our culture, it is my impression today that a tie carries some negative connotations with it. Now, I'm not recommending this to anyone, I'm just trying to explain why I will likely wear one only on more formal occasions (such as a wedding, a funeral or a church picnic).
Second I reiterated my intent to search in the future for opportunities to put our building to use. It is a stewardship nightmare to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a building and use it for six hours each week. Third, I shared what I believe is the key ingredient to church growth and that is when the church gets excited about this church. I said that we need to put greater enthusiasm in our fellowship. We have a unique fellowship and we are blessed in so many ways, it would be grand if this facility became a hub of activity for our community.
Finally, I passed along a suggestion from Todd Creasy who suggested to the Elders that we should keep our eyes open for small continuing repairs that need to be done, make note of them and even fix them if we can. Little things like the floor in the gym is ready for a good scrubbing and the, what is it called, the little rubber side wall at the bottom of the wall next to the floor - that needs to be repaired. Sometimes neglect says volumes about our church. Let's pitch in together and keep it looking great!
Sunday night week, the fifteenth, will be our Kids Night of Praise. Please make plans to attend. This is not just about supporting our childrens ministry but it is about helping them to be nurtured in leading people in worship.
My Master's Thesis was entitled 'Pastoring Eighty: Excellence and Advancement in Small Churches'. The main thrust of my paper was that often times you could do in a smaller church what you could not do in a larger church. Teachers often began teaching in a smaller congregation. Vocal soloists could be found with roots in a small church. A larger church expects quality of experience before you can begin involvement. The small church is a great launching pad for learning craftsmanship. There is no greater launching pad than in a childrens ministry group. Launched well, it could be a satellite put in orbit forever.
We have had two couples resond to our Couple's Communication Seminar. I will be giving the seminar myself. The question you may have is whether I am capable of such an ostentatious presentation. Well I have over twenty years active counseling experience, I lack only two classes and a Disertation in completing my Doctorate with an emphasis in marriage and family and I have been trained to present these workshops. Is that enough? I'm also married with children and grandchildren and that puts me a leg up on the armchair theoretician. I think some of the leaders in contemporary marriage and family were married at one time but it helps if they have stayed married. OK, that's enough of my qualifications.
It has been a great joy to vent here. Perhaps not for you but it certainly has been for me. Have a great week and may God richly bless you and your family this week.
Pastor and Adrell Stacey
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