A Pastoral Note
August

Dear Friends,

I felt inadequate on Sunday as I tried to talk about what it means to be part of a congregation.  I have worshiped with you seven times now and I am only beginning to learn who has made close ties to Galilee.

This is an important issue.  Being a great church has little to do with its size, or the breadth of its programs; what matters most is the love individuals have built with each other-- a love marked by compassionate caring, tolerance, hospitality, and speaking the truth with respect and gentleness -- and not only with a few, especially including those on the margins of the congregation.  This describes a great church, a church under the influence of the Holy Spirit of Christ, and a church that is ready to be a life-changing force in its community. 

Building these kind of ties together takes a little risk, a little time, and it takes intentionality:  one must set it as their goal and move towards it, step by step.  During this inbetween time when you do not have a "called pastor", I challenge you to intentionally take up this work of love anew, for God's sake... and for the joy it will add to your life.  Sometimes it is too easy to make a close connection to the pastor at the expense of this more important connection with the congregation.  Now is the season: Pastor Lynn has left, and I am just your interim pastor for about a year.  Let's put aside any "pushing and pulling" for the sake of love.  Let's put behind us any old baggage from conflicts past.  Now is the perfect time and opportunity to become a great congregation that will call a great pastor.

God's Peace,

Pastor Denis