from the pastor

March 16, 2003

I heard a symphony of birds this morning such as I had not heard for weeks. It seems as though springtime is at last slipping through the cracks of the most robust winter we’ve had in years. And when I got out of bed, I was surprised at the fog--surprised that I could hear so clearly and see so dimly.

I would appreciate it if you would read this Sunday Letter more carefully than usual--as it is an invitation to the whole congregation to take a spiritual journey--together--all of us.

Since I have been the lead pastor of Grace Church, I have been trying to discern the call and destiny that God has given us. I have been dwelling in the stories and songs of our faith. I have been listening to people in the congregation--sounding out the passions of people’s hearts. I have been searching the history of the congregation, now 104 years old, uncovering our identity. And I have been observing the gifts of our members and the needs of our community, noting where the two match.

You all know that I have been promoting the PRINCIPLES of our congregation: joy, peace, love of neighbor, mission, evangelism, conversion, commitment to Christ, faith in God, justice, healing...

But leadership involves more than just promoting theories. It also must get practical, "come down to earth," name the prize, give a graphic picture of the future, say specifically WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHO, and HOW.

The most profound struggle I’ve had since becoming the pastor of this church has been to give birth to a graphic picture of our future--a picture that is faithful to our past, the passion of our hearts, the particular call of God today, and the powers that God has given OUR generation.

For months I struggled to see the picture of our future. The morning that greeted me this morning is a parable of these past months: my eyes noticed the fog--but my ears heard clearly--the singing of the birds.

Finally last fall, two ideas began to emerge from the fog--they emerged in my conversations with the leadership of the church--the church council. The first idea we have called GRACE STREET and the second idea we are calling GRACE YEARS. One focuses on children, and the other focuses on people who are retired. On the reverse side of this letter, I will explain them, and also propose the first steps we might take in order for them to become a reality. I will also be talking about them in the sermon this morning.

One other note: Alison and I will be leaving early Thursday morning for a one week vacation to Florida. Eric Hays will be preaching for me next Sunday. While I am away, I can be reached for emergencies by calling either the cell phone (898-3148) or the church office.

--Mike

GRACE STREET Grace Street is a bold initiative to reach children and their parents. It is a two-legged program: based on worship and Christian education. The worship will be contemporary, high tech, highly seeker sensitive (welcoming for people not used to being in church and not familiar with Christian thinking), and highly inspiring. It will initially take place in a place outside our church building. The Christian education program will resemble last summer’s PHILO ROAD KID’S FAIR more than it will a conventional Sunday School. It will be exciting, appealing to kids, highly engaging, and openly evangelical. This entire initiative will be structured by a system of small groups--involving parents, concerned adults, and kids themselves. We hope to have at least 200 people involved in this within 2 years.

GRACE YEARS Grace Years is a bold initiative to reach retired persons in East Urbana--and surrounding areas. It is a four legged program: based on a life -review process, life-long small groups, life-long learning, and life-long serving. It is shameful that the word "old" has become ugly in our culture. Old is not ugly. It has a mysterious beauty. The old are to be honored, valued, and treasured. The elderly are the soul of the community. Above all, they have stories to be harvested--for their benefit and for the benefit of the whole community. A technical process known as a LIFE REVIEW PROCESS is one creative way of harvesting the stories of older persons. Small groups, life-long learning, and life-long serving are self explanatory. There are many retired persons in our community at loose ends. Grace Years is based on the belief that we are always God’s sheep--all our lives. And to the day we die, we need gathered, nurtured, and encouraged to keep on the spiritual journey. We hope to have 200 people involved within 2 years.

HOW? After much discussion, the church council is realizing that the first step toward the vision of Grace Street and Grace Years is to create a staff position that will work with the pastor to develop, launch, and guide the vision. It would be a full time position. The annual conference has money available to help us pay for the position for the first year or two. There are other foundations in the area that have already indicated a willingness to help fund some of the technical needs. The person would have the title of "Director of Developing Ministries" and would be selected by the pastor and the personnel committee of the church. Our first step will also require the prayers, encouragement, financial support, patience, and volunteer efforts of the congregation. To get outside money, we will need to indicate, financially, our OWN strong support of this vision. We will also need people to serve on steering committees to help us flesh out the plans for Grace Street and Grace Years. And we will need unity--we are in this together!

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Name: __________________________________________

_____ I would like the members of the church council to know that I am ready to move ahead on the vision for Grace Street and Grace Years. I believe God is calling our church to do this.

_____I would like the members of the finance committee to know that I am willing to give _____ per week extra in order to fulfill this vision.

_____I would like the coordinators of the church to know that I am willing to serve on a steering committee to flesh out the plans for our new vision.

_____I would like everyone to know that this vision and this church will be in my prayers daily.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Name: __________________________________________

_____ I would like the members of the church council to know that I am ready to move ahead on the vision for Grace Street and Grace Years. I believe God is calling our church to do this.

_____I would like the members of the finance committee to know that I am willing to give _____ per week extra in order to fulfill this vision.

_____I would like the coordinators of the church to know that I am willing to serve on a steering committee to flesh out the plans for our new vision.

_____I would like everyone to know that this vision and this church will be in my prayers daily.

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