Pastoral Emphasis 2022

Grace Be To You And Peace From God The Father And From Our Lord Jesus Christ!

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As we come to the close of another church year, amid great changes and challenges, we thank God for looking favorably upon us granting us another successful Church Year. For these one hundred and fifty-seven years (157yrs) now, God has never failed us yet! As pastor of this church for twenty-nine (29) years, I am thankful and grateful for the faithful membership, ministries and resources God has so graciously given us to serve in His Name.

 

Every one of you, by your faithfulness, has enabled us to serve this community, city, country, and to keep the church doors open, even in the midst of a hurting world. Many of you deserve a heap of credit and gratitude. You have been both innovative and courageous. Yes, many of you have been “Frontline Workers”, shouldering up to the tremendous challenges and changes that are before us. To God Be the Glory!

 

No one could have predicted the catastrophic behavior of this Pandemic called COVID-19. It came suddenly, and unexpectedly, and we were all unprepared. But thank God, we are still here! But I must remind you, so is this Corona Virus. We still have to deal with it, and we can by the Grace of God!

 

This pandemic has altered our social, vocational, and economic lifestyles. It has even altered some of our Spiritual Habits. In a sense, “the walls are broken” and “the gates are burned down”. (Nehemiah 1:3)

 

In spite of all of this, we cannot put a pause on The Mission of the Church. We must faithfully do Kingdom Building Work! Our theme: Rebuilding the Walls (Nehemiah 4:6) “So build we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; for the people had a mind to work.”

 

Now allow me to highlight what “Rebuilding the Walls” demands:

 

1. Rebuilding the Walls demands that we rely more on the Lord’s Power and Presence than on our Strategy or Smarts.

This is going to require a commitment to making way for people to experience God’s power and presence.

 

2. Rebuilding the Walls requires Christian Leaders who honestly and objectively evaluate the impact they are making.

The most effective leaders are consistently seeking input and evaluation of their ministry models in order to be more faithful. It is essentially a matter of stewardship.

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3. Rebuilding the Walls needs leaders who are in touch with the people they serve and disciple.

I am convinced that we really don’t have an attendance problem; we have a discipleship problem!

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4. Rebuilding the Walls requires contributors and participants in Gospel Mission, not just consumers of gospel content.

We need to ask ourselves a question tonight, Are we Contributors and Participants or Are we just Consumers?

 

Rebuilding the Walls needs leaders who are self-aware about the condition of their hearts before the Lord.

We should forever keep in mind the words of the wisest man of all the Bible, Solomon (Proverbs 4:23) “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.”

As we endeavor to “Rebuild the Walls”, I encourage you to be Thankful, Thoughtful, and Prayerful.