SESSION NEWS FROM NOVEMBER

     Not long ago during the Children’s Message, the children learned about the expression “Going out on a Limb.”  Now it’s time to put that expression into practice.  Your Session met on November 18^th with Carson Rhyne to set priorities for the coming year.  This time was spent listing and discussing concerns and then brainstorming ways to address them.

     Carson encouraged everyone to “think outside the box.”  One of the concerns was the burnout that is seen in those who are very involved in the various areas of ministry in our church.  We realized that we have stretched ourselves thin and it is time to step back, simplify and strengthen this body of believers by focusing on the basics of the faith.

     Heather Villafranca shared information that she gleaned from a book Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger.  It is all about simplifying a church’s ministry and focusing on just a few areas.  The Session will continue to discern God’s will for us as we enter 2008.  So far, the intention is to focus on three areas for 2008:  Education, Worship and Fellowship.  The current plan is to organize all the Session’s work under these three areas with an additional group to handle administrative responsibilities (finance, property and personnel matters).  For every potential endeavor, we will ask the question:  Will this help us to better strengthen the Education, Worship and Fellowship life of this congregation?  If the answer is yes, then we’ll go ahead.  If the answer is no, then we may put that activity aside, at least for the present.

     This is not to say that other areas of ministry are not important but we feel the need to re-center ourselves, strengthen our membership through more study of God’s Word, meaningful worship and building community through fellowship opportunities.  Then, after this period of time, we may choose some new areas on which to focus.  We aren’t sure yet of the exact way this will work out but we are asking you to “go out on a limb with us.”  We believe the Spirit is leading us in this direction and we will attempt to serve you and the needs of this congregation to the best of our abilities.

     The Session asks that you support them in prayer and when asked to contribute your time and participation to the areas of Education, Worship and Fellowship in 2008, please joyfully respond with, “How may I help?”