Thoughts Along the Way . . .

Our congregational visioning process is now officially underway. Three of the Bible Study sessions have already taken place and the reports from participants have been very positive. There are still some questions about how this Bible Study fits in with the whole search process. “How will this help us find a new pastor?” This is my perspective on the matter.

1) The search process is a spiritual endeavor. Beginning with a Bible Study helps to ground the whole process in faith – orienting us towards scripture, prayer and spiritual gifts.

2) Finding the right pastor begins with knowing who we are. Knowing who we are as a congregation begins with knowing who we are as individual members. Thus the Bible Study includes a focus on our spiritual gifts.

3) The next steps in the process will focus on the spiritual gifts of our congregation. So having spent some time paying attention to our personal gifts helps to prepare us for that conversation at the congregational level.

4) It also helps to bring us closer together because we have all participated in the same experience.

If you have not already done so, I hope you will sign up to participate in one of the Bible Study sessions. There are several more opportunities. You can sign up on-line by clicking here or signing up in the Fellowship Hall after worship on Sunday.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)