All Member, Winter Residents, Family and Friends,
Greetings! Sorry about the lateness of this email, but I have been at the Florida/Georgia District Pastor’s Conference in Daytona for the past three days. When you have been in the District for 37 years the once “old guys” are now gone and I am one of the “old guys”. So many new Pastors in the District which offers me a sense of hope that the overwhelming shortage of Pastors (400) across the synod may be diminishing somewhat. But there are additionally hundreds of church that cannot afford a full time Pastor and are being cared for by Pastor’s serving multiple parishes so they do not close. The District has set a goal of raising $10,000,000.00 to partially assist students studying for ministry either Pastoral, Deaoness or Teacher. Other support will be offered to start new churches and additional ministry opportunities. All Churches of the FL/GA District and or individuals will be able to give towards this goal in the monthes ahead.
Here is a quote from the intoduction of “How The Light Shines Through” written by one the Keynote Speakers book, Chad Lakies. . .
“But it’s still a great time to be the church, because this is the church of Jesus Christ! Yes, we have challenges, but we’re the church of the living Lord Jesus. The deciding question for the church today is this: Do we live by faith or by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)? Faith centered on our risen, ascended, ruling, and soon-to-return Lord is faith that is optimistic about the church.”
When I graduated in 1983 from seminary after four years of undergraduate studies attaining a B.A., and they 4 years of Seminary attaining a M.Div., I was enthusiastic, optimistic, excited to be in full time ministry. During the past 42 year there have been some great joys and yes some great disappointments. Faith demands action, not talk. What new ways can we embrace our community, our town, our neighborhoods our neighbors? What sets us apart from the unchurched? Faith centered on our risen, ascended, ruling, and soon-to-return Lord is faith that is optimistic about the church.
I am really excited about seeing new families walking through out doors these past several months. How about you? Have you greeted any of the new faces this past year? People like being appreciated, like I have appreciated each and everyone of the members over the years. Each individual bring with them a unique gift, opportunity for ministry. People have asked over the years “where are all the young people?” “We need young people, children.” Well they are here! Who is going to step up to maybe restart Children’s Church? Maybe a small powerful youth group? We all need to start thinking beyond what we have done and think about what we can do!
I have attached my sermon for Sunday. And come join us for Bible Study at 8:30AM. We are studying the Armor of God. We need this in the Spiritual Warfare we are engaged in during these challenging times we are living.
Have a great remainder of your week!