Today Eastminster will have its 67th Annual
Congregational Meeting. The meeting will
be efficiently run, and I encourage all to remain for it. It is held for three
purposes: 1. To begin the process for selecting our next class of church
leaders, 2. To give a financial update and present the 2017 budget, and 3. To
present a very high level view of Vision
2025, our emerging Strategic Plan that will enable us to go forward
prudently as a congregation.
As you enter today each family unit will receive a 2016
Annual Report. It is my hope that you
enjoy reading and reflecting on what God has done through Eastminster in
2016. This report, like the meeting, is
designed so that visitors and seasonal residents can learn about Eastminster in
the same manner that members are informed.
Through the meeting and report all may see what’s up at Eastminster and
how Presbyterian churches function.
As for me, this has been an incredible year. You may read my letter in the annual
report. What I want you to know is that
my love for you and this church has grown.
I believe a lot of that is due to my faith growing as a result of our
serving together. Thanks for showing me
Jesus in your sacrificial lives of worship and service. You have immense talents, and as we offer
them to God together, wonderful things are happening. I trust that the future will be bright as we
build on the momentum that we have.
I’ll close now with two thoughts from Vision 2025. One is that our
values will show us the way. The others
are that the goals you set through the congregational survey are solid. Here they are:
Values
God exalting
worship incorporating the Biblical
witness and worship arts.
Vital community
life of fellowship, support, and
spiritual formation.
Inspired
service which transforms individuals and
organizations through Christian love.
Goals
- Make necessary changes to attract
families with children and youth to our church.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive
strategy to reach new people and incorporate them into the life of the
church.
- Provide more opportunities for
Christian education and spiritual formation at every age and stage of
life.
- Work to renew and revitalize the
community around the church by building coalitions with partners that
share this vision and commitment.
I
want you to know that I fully support the values and goals of Eastminster and
the vision that: “Led by the Holy Spirit
Eastminster glorifies God by
loving Christ and others in worship,
word and deed.”
May
God bless Eastminster to the extent we have been and will be faithful in the
adventure ahead!
Blessings,
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