Recently,
I read a devotional entitled Stop Waiting
for Perfect Conditions. It stated,
Too many
of us stand on the dock waiting. We want
the ship in place, the gangplank perfectly positioned, the weather right, and
an engraved invitation before we’re willing to launch out. It will never happen! Dreams don’t move toward us, we have to move
toward them. One author writes: ”It’s time to quit waiting for perfection,
inspiration, permission, reassurance, someone to change, the right person to
come along, the kids to leave home, the new administration to take over, an
absence of risk, someone to discover you, a clear set of instructions, more
self-confidence, or the pain to go away.
Instead of saying, ‘We’ve never done it before,’ say, ‘We have the
opportunity to be first.’ Instead of
saying, ‘We don’t have the resources,’ say, ‘Necessity fuels invention.’ Instead of saying ‘There’s not enough time,’
say, ‘Well change how we work.’ Instead of
saying, ‘We’ve already tried that,’ say, ‘We learned from experience.’ Instead of saying, ‘We don’t have the
expertise, ‘say, ‘Let’s network with those who do.’ Instead of saying, ‘Our vendors and customers
won’t go for it,’ say, ‘Let’s show them the opportunities.’ Instead
of saying, ‘We don’t have enough money,’ say, ‘Maybe there’s something we can
cut.’ Instead of saying ‘We’re
understaffed,’ say, ‘We’re a lean, hungry team.’ Instead of saying, ‘It’ll never get any
better,’ say, ‘We’ll try one more time.’
Instead of saying, ‘Let somebody else deal with it,’ say, ‘I’m ready to
learn something new.’ Instead of saying,
‘It’s not my job,’ say, ‘I’ll be glad to take the responsibility.’ Instead of saying, ‘I can’t,’ say, ‘By God’s
grace, I can!’”
I
really like this devotional and I hope you do as well.
As
we come to the end of the year, it’s time to put a wrap on District Transformation
Project 2011. In my 40 years of ministry,
I have seldom had a year more satisfying.
The prescriptions that were put into place in seven of our churches are
already making a difference, and next year promises to be even more fruitful as
the seed continues to produce.
Seven
of the eight churches that went through a weekend consultation, voted to go
through with the prescription given by their consultation team. The eighth church, Mooers, had a positive
vote, but it was on the borderline of what leadership thought was advisable to
proceed. Subsequent discussion by local
church leadership led to a decision not to proceed with the prescription as presented.
Meanwhile,
the other churches continue to implement changes that will improve their health
and make disciples. Fusion Community Church,
formerly Cobleskill, is just a few weeks away from launching afresh in the
Cobleskill-Richmondville High School. Pastor
Andrew sent a short video of a new billboard that is a part of the marketing
campaign to reach the entire Schoharie valley.
Hadley-Luzerne
Church continues to experience an amazing blessing from the Lord. Morning attendance the last four Sundays have
been 163, 167, 174 and 230. Pastor Dick
reports that new people are coming regularly and people are finding
Christ. The new expanded parking lot was
absolutely full on the morning of their Christmas program. Part time staff has been hired. The children’s ministry area is under construction. Amazing!
Pastor
Norm, at Turnpike, reports attendance averaging in the 180’s over the past two
months. Six people recently found Christ
and a whole host of prescription changes will be implemented in January and February. The leadership team is excited and believes
that God is going to help them reach greater Plattsburgh for the Lord.
Pastor
Paul Barna, reports that over $8000 was given to jump-start the prescription
process at Waterford. Pews have been
removed from the back of the worship center, making way for a small café/fellowship
area. Recently, the church gave out 543
tins of cookies as a Christmas gift to their neighbors. Notes, emails and phone calls have flooded
the church as the Waterford community expressed amazement at the love this
church is showing. Another tradition is
the children Christmas caroling at community businesses. It’s such a tradition, that businesses now
call asking what day the children are coming so that they can make sure their
business is a part of the schedule. In this
predominantly Catholic neighborhood where we purchased the former Catholic Church and have a former Catholic now pastoring, they are expecting
over 200 for their Christmas eve service.
Pastor
Marc and the Malone church have sent several emails and photos to keep us
updated on their progress. Recently, 32
children participated in their Sunday morning Christmas Program and 115
worshiped there that Sunday. Seven
indicated decisions to receive Christ. Work
continues on the children’s area in the basement (see pics below).
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| FWC (Malone) Lower Level: New Paint/Carpet |
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| FWC (Malone) Lower Level: New Paint/Carpet |
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| FWC (Malone) Lower Level: New Paint/Carpet |
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| FWC (Malone) Lower Level: New Paint/Carpet |
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| FWC (Malone) Christmas Program |
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| FWC (Malone) Christmas Program |
Vantage Pointe Church continues to build momentum as they look forward to launch on Easter Sunday. Approximately 60 individuals are meeting each week with new families coming regularly. Pastor Dean is busy building a team and preparing for the pre-launch services in January, February and March. A spirit of excitement and expectancy is in the air.
Pastor
Skip and the people at the Hague Church are also hard at work restructuring the
church to make it more healthy. They’re
positioning themselves to open a second office in Ticonderoga.
On
a personal note, Susan and I have Mom and Dad staying with us for a couple of
months. This week, mom had surgery on
her left wrist, which she had recently broken in a fall. We’re glad that they can be with us and
experience life in the district parsonage, and a wonderful snowfall of a New York
winter. Susan and I reach out to you and
yours with a big hug and lots of love at this season of the year.
